Application of modified langelier saturation index model to pipeline corrosion

Abstract

The aim of the research presented in this paper was to apply the Langelier saturation index (Is) model to determine the cause of pipeline corrosion in the oil industry with reference to the production water form the reservoir. From the test, it was found that the Langelier saturation index model applied, gave a value of -4.44 at a pH of 4.20. The CO2 level in the pipeline was found to be 0.55% and also the presence of sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB) was very low. These figures however show that although the water in the pipelines was given the standard treatment, the high CO2 lead to the continuous occurrence of corrosion in the pipeline despite this treatment. Thus CO2 content has to be reduced by the Dienthanolamine (DEA) unit application to safe levels of 0.1 – 0.3%