This paper summarizes Shell’s experience with corrosion and corrosion control at the Little Creek Field (Mississippi) CO2 enhanced oil recovery project. Severe corrosion of low alloy steel tubulars, wellheads and pig launching facilities, and 12 Cr stainless steel tubulars, was experienced in wells producing large volumes of gas and liquids. 13 Cr wellheads were not affected. The worst damage was found in the top 1/3 of the tubing strings. A good correlation was found between high corrosion rates and chromium content of the steel. Steel containing on average 0.6 to 0.8 % Cr, was more severely corroded than J-55 grade or N-80 steel with Cr content below 0.2 %. Laboratory tests showed that Cr was preferentially enriched in the corrosion product layer, and had a detrimental effect on the performance of some inhibitors. The inhibition program was redesigned on the basis of laboratory and field tests. The new program dramatically reduced the tubing failure rate. This experience illustrates the successful solution of a costly corrosion problem.

Subject
Corrosion rate, Calipers, Flanges, Joints, Flowlines, Corrosion products, Tubing, Wellheads, Mechanical failure, Corrosion inhibitors, Steel, Corrosion protection, Oil
Keywords:
Corrosion, Carbon Dioxide, Enhanced Oil Recovery, Corrosion Inhibition, Metallurgy
© 1994 Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of AMPP. Positions and opinions advanced in this work are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AMPP. Responsibility for the content of the work lies solely with the author(s).
1994
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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