Paper: Corrosion and Corrosion Control of Oil and Gas Producing Equipment

The useful life of oil field equipment is often measurably reduced by corrosion. There is a corresponding increase in both capital and operating costs which ultimately will shorten the economic life of the producing property. In the last 15 to 20 years there have been continuing advances in corrosion control technology. Such advances have resulted from a better understanding of the causes and occurrences of corrosion and steady improvements in mitigation materials and techniques. Successful corrosion control must begin with defining the problem and its cause, followed by the selection of a technically sound and economic means of mitigation. The latter can reach maximum effectiveness only when it is incorporated into a program which, after initial protection is established, provides for the routine maintenance of corrosion control measures, the required supervision and technical support and periodic evaluation. The purpose of this paper is to explore the types and causes of corrosion in oil field producing equipment, means for its control and how to obtain maximum effectiveness from corrosion control programs.