Oil & Gas
Controlling corrosion is a big challenge in the oil industry. Easily accessible oil reserves have been depleted resulting in an ever increasing requirement to explore more isolated locations, under harsher conditions. Production in these demanding locations requires continued innovation to provide new solutions for corrosion inhibition within the oil industry. We supply a range of products that are suitable for use in corrosion inhibitor formulations.
Sweet and Sour Corrosion
High pressures during the transportation of crude oil increase the concentration of dissolved gases. In sweet corrosion, carbon dioxide dissolves in water to form carbonic acid, which then reacts with the iron in the metal work to form iron carbonate. This causes pitting in the metal work and it is this corrosion that subsequently weakens the system.
In some crude oils the presence of sulphate reducing bacteria leads to the formation of hydrogen sulphide gas, which is the cause of sour corrosion. Although this type of corrosion is not as common as sweet, when it is present in a system it is more destructive. Hydrogen sulphide reacts with the steel surfaces to produce iron sulphide, leaving pitting in the steel work. Moreover, hydrogen gas is produced and collects on the surface, causing hydrogen blistering and further weakening of the pipework.Water Soluble Corrosion Inhibitors
Our range of water soluble corrosion inhibitors provide superior protection in high water cut systems. Finding effective corrosion inhibitors to suit these environments is becoming increasingly important as the average water cut of the crude oil rises.
The protection offered by the following products was evaluated using a Linear Polarisation Resistance (LPR) electrochemical bubble test. C1018 carbon steel electrodes were submerged in a standard brine at 60°C and ambient pressure, under sweet corrosion conditions for 18 hours.
The results are shown in Figure 1. We offer a borate ester corrosion inhibitor which is traded under the name Crodacor BE. It is a water soluble corrosion inhibitor compatible in a wide range of formulations.
Oil Soluble Corrosion Inhibitors
Oil soluble corrosion inhibitor formulations contain several components. We offer a range of oil soluble corrosion chemistries that can protect metal components, equipment and pipelines from failure throughout all stages of oil production.
Our Pripol range contains dimer and trimer acids. Whilst dimer and trimer acids are not corrosion inhibitors in their own right, when added to imidazolines they form an oil soluble salt which offers corrosion inhibition performance.
The corrosion inhibiting properties were evaluated using an immersion corrosion test based on ASTM G31-72. C1018 carbon steel coupons were immersed in a corrosion inhibitor formulation, then held in brine at 60°C under ambient pressure for 160 hours. The results are shown in Figure 2.
Figure 1: Corrosion rate (%) in the presence of Croda's water soluble products
Figure 2: Corrosion rate (%) in the presence of Croda's oil soluble products
Neutralising Imidazolines
Choosing the right acid is an important step which will depend upon specific field conditions. The acid you choose to use can significantly enhance the corrosion inhibitor’s performance, as well as improving solubility. Neutralising imidazoline with both acetic acid and dimer acid produces oil soluble/water dispersible corrosion inhibitors. This gives you the opportunity to choose the right balance for your requirements.
To view formulations using our products, download our corrosion inhibitor brochure.Corrosion Inhibitor Brochure
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