High Temperature Stable Corrosion Inhibitor Development for Deepwater Applications

Abstract As offshore deepwater oil production is reaching new high levels, producers and service companies are challenged with harsher conditions of temperature (> 177°C/350°F), shear (> 25Pa) and high-pressure systems (> 1000psi). Therefore, the demand for new technologies and production chemistries under these extreme conditions are on the rise. This paper discusses the development of high temperature stable, water soluble corrosion inhibitors for slightly sour deepwater systems. These corrosion inhibitors exhibit thermal stabilities at high temperatures for lengthy periods of time and are extremely effective for general and localized corrosion. This paper describes various laboratory corrosion testing techniques used to simulate field conditions and the results obtained from these testing are presented. The chemical injection via umbilical plays a vital role in deepwater and ultra deepwater chemical applications. Therefore, the chemical cleanliness is extremely important in these harsher environments for umbilical applications. Exceptional measures are taken to ensure the corrosion inhibitor performance are not compromised due to these harsher conditions. Furthermore, the rigorous qualification process of qualifying chemicals for deepwater application are discussed1,2,3.