Abstract
The objective of this work is to gather information about general and localized corrosion in simulated, highly sour field conditions. A series of autoclave corrosion experiments is carried out to simulate as closely as possible the conditions of a specific gas field containing high levels of H2S and, possibly, elemental sulfur. The main three parameters of interest are the effect of elemental sulfur, sulfur solvent, monoethylene glycol (MEG) and possible mutual interactions between them. The experimental work is carried out in a 20L N10276 autoclave under 4 bars of H2S and 10 bars of CO2 at 400C. Corrosion measurements were performed at the top and bottom of the line for an exposure time of 21 days. The experimental work includes weight loss calculation and characterization of the corrosion product layers. Without MEG, carbon steel samples in contact with elemental sulfur naturally experienced extensive localized corrosion attack. The addition of MEG considerably increased the extent of localized corrosion with rates measured up to 25 mm/year. A weak electrolyte and the addition of sulfur solvent mitigated, to some degree, the effect of elemental sulfur on corrosion.
