Kuwait is the 5th largest oil producer in the world with a current crude oil production represents about 9% of the world’s oil. The country’s goal is to increase the production through the Strategic Plan 2020 and the Strategic Plan 2030. The Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) is the primary national organization responsible for exploration, drilling, production a- processing of the crude. The number and length of crude pipelines as well as the pipelines for other products (condensate, gas and water) have cumulatively grown to become about 4750 km over the last 60 years.

In-line inspection (ILI) pigging data has indicated internal corrosion damages in some pipelines. In addition, corrosion probes and coupons data along with fluid and bacteria analyses from various locations have confirmed internal corrosion damage. Therefore, a comprehensive Corrosion Management Plan for the Pipeline Network System has been established involving the following: (a) installation of internal corrosion monitoring equipment, (b) external corrosion protection by using coatings and cathodic protection (CP), (c) periodic cleaning pigging operations for internal cleaning, and (d) conducing in-line inspection (ILI).

The present paper will discuss the salient features of the Internal Corrosion Management Plan and its implementation in crude pipeline network.

Keywords:
Pipeline Corrosion, well integrity, inspection, flowline corrosion, riser corrosion, internal corrosion management plan, Subsurface Corrosion, Inline Inspection, Pipeline Network System, corrosion
Subjects:
Pipelines, Flowlines and Risers, Materials and corrosion, Well Integrity, Subsurface corrosion (tubing, casing, completion equipment, conductor)
Copyright 2013, Society of Petroleum Engineers
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