The severity of internal corrosion from the presence of high concentrations of acid gases (H2S and CO2) and elemental sulfur poses long-term integrity challenges that make carbon steel the unlikely material of construction. This paper presents a 30-plus-year history of an asset with excellent integrity despite using carbon steel in the presence of wet gas containing ~5% H2S, ~65% CO2, and elemental sulfur. This history includes a review of internal corrosion management data such as chemical qualification/injection history, corrosion inhibitor residual analysis, corrosion rate monitoring trends, and continuous improvement efforts.

Lessons learned are also provided to illustrate the evolutionary nature of the process that led to the robust corrosion management program described herein. Key success factors such as robust corrosion control program design and field implementation, continuous improvement through frequent review of monitoring data, excellent leadership support, and a multidisciplinary team approach are described.

Subject
Sulfur, Water, Piping, Corrosion rate, Trends, Walls, General corrosion rate, Internal corrosion, Corrosion inhibitors, Corrosion data, Elemental sulfur, Corrosion coupons, Samples
Keywords:
Sour Gas Corrosion, Sweet Gas Corrosion, H2S Corrosion, CO2 Corrosion, Elemental Sulfur, Chemical Inhibition, Internal Corrosion, Integrity Management
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2019
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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