Presented in this paper is the report describing the analysis and investigation of a failure that occurred on a Client’s 16-inch (400 mm) oil pipeline in South America involving severe wet CO2 service. The investigation findings revealed that the I.D. pitting of the 16-inch (400 mm) pipe sample occurred from exposure of the pipe I.D. to corrosive produced fluids at an area of internal coating failure. Inadequate surface preparation and surface contamination before applying the I.D. field coat was the primary cause for the internal coating failure. Based on the sample examined, the operator could anticipate additional I.D. field joint failures and take actions to inspect the pipeline to identify such sites. More details regarding this analysis and the follow up work initiated are given in this paper along with conclusions and recommendations.

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