PREDICTING CORROSION OF STEEL IN CRUDE-OIL PRODUCTION

A technique that accurately predicts the produced water level in crude oil production causing accelerated corrosion of steel (defined as the corrosion rate break produced water level) and evaluates the requirement for corrosion inhibitor treatment is presented. The primary focus is preventive corrosion engineering in corrosion prediction and chemical treatment initiation to minimize cost of corrosion control while maximizing its effectiveness. The technique is particularly useful for new crude oil discoveries in which no specific corrosion data exist.