Energies (Oct 2021)
The Influence of Temperature on Degradation of Oil and Gas Tubing Made of L80-1 Steel
Abstract
Corrosion in the oil and gas industry is very common due to the simultaneous action of a chemically active environment, temperature, and other non-chemical factors, for example, mechanical erosion by friction, and for these reasons corrosion is a very complex process. Corrosion at higher temperatures is an important aspect when extracting natural gas from a field with high temperatures (120 °C in the Lubiatow deposit and 180 °C in the gas well in Kutno). Water in the reservoir is often in the form of steam, with a pressure of about 25 MPa; as a result of its extraction, it cools down, which causes condensation. Condensed water in contact with the acid components of the gas causes corrosion, especially in the presence of aggressive gases, such as CO2 and H2S. Therefore, the aim of the work was to conduct research on the influence of water condensation, as a result of temperature changes in gasses containing CO2 and H2S on the corrosion of L80-1 steel at the junction of extraction pipes with casing pipes. The tests are carried out at temperatures of 65–95 °C, under a pressure of 7.5 MPa, so in quite aggressive conditions. The duration of the studies was 720 h (within a month). The results of the research allowed an answer to be provided for the question of what influence temperature, gas components, and pressure have on the corrosion of the well construction material. Moreover, the results clearly showed the selection of the material for the well, in order to prevent corrosion in aggressive environments.
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