Erosion-Corrosion in Production of Carbonate Reservoirs

In oil and gas production, solid particles can be entrained in the produced fluid. These entrained solid particles can erode carbon steel pipe surfaces and decrease the efficiency of corrosion protection systems such as iron carbonate scale formation and chemical inhibition. The removal of protective layers can lead to high corrosion rates, surface pitting, and material failure. While sand is widely considered as the most common source of solid particles, calcium carbonate particles can also be entrained in the flow, especially in carbonate formations. More than half of oil and gas reservoirs around world are carbonate reservoirs. The effect of sand on erosion/corrosion and inhibited erosion/corrosion of carbon steel in sweet production, has been extensively studied and reported in the literature. However, little is known about the erosive effects of calcium carbonate particulates on erosion/corrosion and inhibited erosion/corrosion of carbon steel. This research compares the erosion/corrosion as well as inhibited erosion/corrosion behavior of carbon steel substrate when eroded by calcium carbonate particles and when eroded by sand.