Electrochemical Corrosion Behavior of X-65 Steel - Research Paper Example

Electrochemical techniques reviewed corroborated the negative effects and production has on the adsorption and desorption of the chemical inhibitors used. Cationic surfactants are least effective in brine winds and a have high affinity for adsorption on the surface of the sand as opposed to the carbon steel surfaces they are supposed to protect. Gas and oil companies’ world over face problems resulting from corrosion of pipes sunk in the wells. This has proved to increase the cost of operation and in some cases closure of some wells.

The relatively low cost of carbon steels makes them the best alternatives of other alloys in the manufacture of the pipes used. The material used in the manufacture of these pipes has been showing by several studies as one of the factors responsible for these rapid rates of corrosion. However, evidence point to other factors such as temperature, flowage velocity, water composition, partial pressure, ph., and carbon dioxide. Studies on how to control corrosion have seen the introduction of various chemical inhibitors to slow down the rate of metal loss.

Carbon dioxide remains the single most dangerous substance to the economic operations of these companies, as it is a major contributor to corrosion of pipes. Compounding the carbon problem is the use of technologies that involve the CO2 injection in Enhanced Oil Recovery. Such undertakings increase the amount of carbon dioxide to levels that easily destroy the pipes. Most oil and gas companies at the onset of their operations pay little attention to sand production in their establishments. The reason being at this stage, there is minimal sand production as large production only set in when the pressure reduces to 1000 psi.