Design and selection of corrosion inhibitors for use in subsea facilities supplied by MEG regeneration systems*
M. Charlesworth A , S. Mancuso A and T. Shorthouse ABaker Hughes.
The APPEA Journal 51(2) 673-673 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ10053
Published: 2011
Abstract
A significant number of the offshore gas projects planned for the North West shelf of Australia present corrosion and flow assurance challenges (paraffin wax, hydrates and scale). Temperatures at the wellhead may be as high as 140°C, which combined with carbon dioxide levels of 10–20 mol % could lead to aggressive, acidic gas corrosion of the infrastructure and pipelines. The water depth, temperature and operating conditions of these pipelines may result in hydrate formation and subsequent blockages (particularly during shutdowns).
Many of the projects have a base case specifying the use Mono Ethylene Glycol (MEG) to suppress hydrate formation in the pipelines. In the majority of these systems, the MEG is regenerated either at satellite platforms or onshore processing plants after which it is resupplied to the injection point offshore (i.e. a re-circulating glycol system). This basis of design requires a different approach towards chemical selection than a once through system due to the possible impact of the corrosion inhibitor (and other chemicals) on the glycol regeneration system. This paper details the corrosion challenges of these systems and describes the testing required to:
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Develop corrosion inhibitors that will reduce the potential for severe corrosion; and,
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Meet the requirements for use in re-circulating glycol systems.
Mark Charlesworth is an applications engineering Manager at Baker Hughes specialising in the area of production chemicals. Mark has more than 16 years of experience in the design and application of chemicals for control of flow assurance and corrosion issues in the upstream oil and gas industry. He has held a number of roles in Baker Hughes globally in both a technical and operational capacity. Mark has an MSc in instrumentation and analytical science and BSc (Hons) (chemistry) both from the University of Manchester. |
Sebastian Mancuso joined Baker Hughes as a corrosion chemist in 2003. Prior to this he worked with Reliant Energy in Houston as a senior chemist. Sebastian is technical support manager for the corrosion integrity management group based in Sugarland, Texas. In this role, he is responsible for directing the technical effort in the development and deployment of new corrosion inhibitors for Baker Hughes’ global operations. Sebastian gained a BSc (chemistry) from the University of Central Florida. Member: NACE. |
Timothy Shorthouse joined Baker Hughes in 2006 as part of the technology applications group specialising in corrosion control technology after graduating with an MSc (chemistry) at the University of Sheffield. In this role he worked on a range of projects developing and selecting corrosion inhibitors for use in the worldwide upstream oil and gas industry. In addition, Timothy has held roles in international operation support most recently as a Baker Hughes chemical service representative in Chad and a technical projects manager in Angola assisting operations with key corrosion and production chemical activities. |
References
Brusted, S., Loken, K., and Waalmann, J.G., 2005—Hydrate Prevention using MEG instead of MeOH: Impact of experience from major Norwegian developments on technology selection for injection and recovery of MEG. Offshore Technology Conference, Houston, Texas, 2–5 May, OTC17355.Frostman, L.M., Thieu, V., Crosby, D.L., and Downs, H.H., 2003—Low-Dosage Hydrate Inhibitors (LDHIs): Reducing Costs in Existing Systems and Designing for the Future. International Symposium on Oilfield Chemistry, Houston, Texas, 5–8 February, SPE80269.
