Abstract
Batch corrosion inhibition has been a technique used for many decades. Often, a non-structured philosophy is taken to treat downhole production tubing and pipelines using batch treatment. This results in non-optimal chemistries and application parameters being employed, resulting in dubious protection being provided as part of an integrity management strategy.
Many of the challenges come down to the different types of evaluation techniques in the laboratory for batch corrosion inhibitors. Furthermore, accurate modeling of batch corrosion inhibitor application is not performed and the application parameters are not optimal; this all results in non-efficient or non-effective protection being provided to the steel of the system.
This paper reviews the different types of methodology used to evaluate batch corrosion inhibitors in the laboratory, ranging from the simple copper sulfate displacement method to advanced electrochemical techniques. Subsequently, it illustrates how the laboratory data can be entered into advanced modeling routines to design the most cost-effective and high-performing application. The paper then gives a case history discussing the different approaches that can be taken for testing and application.
The conclusions of this study show how using the most appropriate testing methodology and modeling can contribute to a much more efficient and appropriate chemical integrity management strategy. The conclusions identifythat the chemical application method into the target system is absolutely crucial to success. The lessons learned from this paper can be used by engineers to optimize their integrity management strategies where batch corrosion inhibition is the mainstay tool for control of corrosion.
