The current status of efforts in methane and energy extraction from the geopressured aquifer sources of the Northern Gulf of Mexico region is outlined. Three different schemes for energy extraction are considered, and the anticipated materials and corrosion problems in each scheme are defined. Suitable materials are suggested for use in the production well and surface equipment. J-55 steel can be used for production well casing. Monel clad carbon steel or high chromium ferritic stainless steels, such as E-Brite or AL 29-4 can be used in the cyclone gas separator. Polymer-concrete coated steel pipings are suitable for brine pipings. The hydraulic turbine as well as the power turbine in the thermal energy converter can be made of a titanium alloy such as Ticode-12. Monel or Hastelloy-C276 clad steel is recommended for steam processing areas and monel piping is recommended for the heat exchangers. Recommendations are made for research studies on cathodic protection as well as on cavitation erosion and mechanical erosion characteristics of materials under the geopressured brine handling situations.

Subject
Geothermal energy, Water, Materials, Piping, Extraction, Cathodic protection, Turbines, Gas pressure, Fluids, Scale formation, Steel, Brines, Steam
© 1982 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).
1982
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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