Corrosion Testing
Cormetrics has highly specialized corrosion testing equipment with the ability to perform tests to meet a wide range of field conditions. These conditions include, but are not limited to: sweet and sour conditions, low to high pressures and temperatures as well as varying gas compositions. We meet ASTM and NACE standard methods as well as any customized test procedures that may be required. We are committed to working with our customers to develop the best protocol to meet their specific needs. Our open door policy allows our clients to be as involved in the testing as they wish.
Ask for a free quote today – call toll free 1-888-348-8991.
Cormetrics has many years experience in upstream pipeline corrosion inhibitor testing. Using specialised test equipment we can evaluate inhibitor performance under high shear conditions or simulate high pressure sour field conditions.
We provide our clients with clear, concise and “to the point” reporting. We are always able to customize any of our reports to the specific needs of our clients. Our standard reports include the following:
- Test Protocol with details such as brine compositions and summarized test procedures
- LPR Graphs of time versus corrosion rate
- Electrode Weight Loss data and corresponding weight loss corrosion rates
- Visual Inspection of electrodes and descriptions
- Photographs of electrodes
- Summary and Conclusions with specific chemical rankings if applicable.
Cormetrics provides testing services on well stimulation fluids. This includes corrosivity testing of acid treatment products and total acid solubility evaluation on core samples.
Cormetrics performs testing services to evaluate the corrosivity of drilling muds and determine the effectiveness of drilling corrosion mitigation additives. Corrosion ring analysis is provided to determine the field corrosion rate.
Cormetrics provides specialised test services in the evaluation of corrosion resistant alloys. In addition to standard LPR corrosion rate testing Cormetrics employs other specialised electrochemical techniques to evaluate the corrosion and pitting behaviour of alloys. These techniques include Cyclic Potentiodynamic Polarisation to evaluate the susceptibility of an alloy to localised corrosion attack and Potentiostatic Polarisation to evaluate the corrosion response of an alloy under accelerated conditions.
Failure Analysis and Pipeline Corrosion Assessments
Cormetrics lab facilities are custom suited for failure analysis and corrosion assessments. We perform corrosion analyses ranging from downhole failures, production pipelines, facility piping and more. With our in-house equipment and expert knowledge & experience we can accommodate all your failure and corrosion assessment needs.
- System Description: This includes operating conditions, flow characteristics/modeling, production volumes, gas/liquid hydrocarbon analyses, system history and any other relevant information.
- Water Chemistry: Discussion of water analysis, including scaling and corrosion tendencies- Validity of the water analysis is checked.
- Sample Description: Description of sample as received including measurements and digital photographs as well as any other significant observations prior to any analysis being performed.
- Sample Examination: Detailed description of all analysis performed in the laboratory including any spot tests and observations during and after cleaning of wall scale and corrosion products. Inhibited acid cleaning is used to preserve the fine details of the corrosion damaged surface. Mechanical properties of the sample as well as microstructure may be checked to ensure the material meets the expected specifications.
- X-Ray Diffraction Analysis: Any significant/relevant scale and corrosion product will be sampled and analyzed by XRD. Identification of the nature of solids associated with a failure is often critical to understanding corrosion modes.
- Degradation Mechanism: A detailed discussion of the root cause(s) of the failure and of any contributing factors will be presented. The role played by system parameters, operating methods and mitigation practices is usually discussed.
- Conclusions & Recommendations: Clear and concise statements of conclusions are presented. Considering restrictions of the system, recommendations are made to avoid occurrence of further failures.
Corrosion assessment of a pipe segment will document the as received pipe condition and extent of corrosion activity. Activity entails splitting and cleaning of sample to allow documentation of corrosion activity.
Corrosion assessment of a pipe segment in comparison to ILI inspection data will document the as received pipe condition and extent of corrosion activity in comparison to reported ILI inspection data. Activity entails splitting and cleaning of sample to allow documentation of corrosion activity.
Specialty Lab Testing Services
In addition to our corrosion testing and failure analysis services we offer several specialty lab testing services. These services include corrosion ring analysis, ASTM G205 crude corrosivity testing, paraffin testing and other inhibitor characterisation tests. In addition to these lab testing services Cormetrics provides examination and recommendations for production chemical programs.
The corrosion rate in many production and drilling systems is monitored by means of electrically isolated carbon steel coupons and rings. Cormetrics offers a coupon inspection service for field coupons. Coupons and rings received from a facility are descaled, cleaned, weighed and inspected. A corrosion rate is calculated from the weight loss of each coupon.
A comprehensive report is submitted to the client, with the following features:
- Summary chart of coupon location, time in service, weight loss and corrosion rate
- Digital pictures of each coupon
- Photomicrographs of any significant features, such as blistering, pitting, crevice corrosion, etc.
- Graphical representation of historical data showing the trend of corrosion rate with time at each coupon location.
ASTM G205-10 “Standard Guide for Determining Corrosivity of Crude Oils” has been developed to assess the bulk crude properties within a transmission pipeline for their propensity towards internal corrosion. The guide considers three main properties in its assessment of potential crude corrosivity:
- The Emulsion Inversion Point (EIP): The EIP test evaluates the water cut required to change the oil/water mixture from a water-in-oil emulsion to an oil-in-water emulsion. This transition causes water to be present as the external phase of the emulsion, which is associated with higher rates of general corrosion.
- Oil versus Water Wettability: For corrosion to proceed, the pipeline wall must first be wetted by water. The wettability test evaluates the crudes susceptibility to removal from the test electrode array allowing the electrode to become water-wet.
- Effect of Crude Oil on the Corrosivity of Brine: This test evaluates the corrosivity of a reference brine that has been mixed with the crude oil. The effect of the crude on the brine corrosion rate provides an indication of the system corrosivity where brine has wet the pipewall.
Cormetrics has specialized experience and equipment for completion of this test methodology. Extensive experience with practical use of G205 has enabled Cormetrics to make improvements to the test procedures to improve repeatability and relevance of the test results. Our database of crude testing results allows us to rank the potential corrosivity of your crude compared to similar density crude streams.
Cormetrics performs a test designed to compare performance of wax dispersants and solvents with field samples. A ranking of performance characteristics and discussion on the test procedure is reported.
Cormetrics performs evaluations on hydrogen sulphide scavenger chemicals to determine their comparative performance for removal of hydrogen sulphide from a produced gas stream. Treatment scenarios for both continuous injection and contactor vessels can be performed in our lab. Stability of the H2S saturated scavenger products can also be confirmed for solids generation and impact on produced water scaling tendencies.
Cormetrics performs testing that comply with section 37 of Part III of the Manual of Tests and Criteria(SOR/2017-137). This testing is designed to determine if a chemical is classified as corrosive for the purpose of transportation in accordance with Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) regulations.
Cormetrics has vast experience with application of production chemicals in oil and gas gathering systems. Cormetrics can assist operator companies with selecting, implementing and managing cost effective, appropriate chemical programs for use in resolving production problems caused by corrosion, scale, bacteria, emulsion, or wax and asphaltenes. We have developed chemical standards specific to field conditions providing guidance to the operator on product selection, treatment levels and monitoring requirements.
This expertise extends to Field Investigations. Cormetrics has a wealth of technical and practical experience in finding solutions to field corrosion problems.
Depending on the work activity, field investigations maybe required to:
- Complete system surveys to gain a better understanding of the field/plant layout, operating methods and review of field records.
- Assist with in-situ examination of failed equipment and pipelines. Important information can be obtained by being onsite when equipment is being repaired.
- Determine what analysis is required while ensuring proper sampling techniques and completion of any required field analysis is done for generation of the highest quality data.
Ask for a free quote today – call toll free 1-888-348-8991.
