by

M. Watf a

I - QUANTITATIVE

EVALUATION OF TOTAL METAL LOSSES.

2 - COMPUTATION OF CORROSION RATES

3 - EFFICIENCY OF ANTI-CORROSION MEASURES

4 - OPTIMIZATION OF WORKOVER PROGRAMS
5 - DETERMINATION OF PRODUCTION ANAMALIES
a. Casing Leaks .
b. Behind the Casing Channeling.

1.1

Types of Corrosion Mechanisms

Hydrogen atoms (H) , because of their relatively small size , can diffuse through
steel and other metals . These atoms or hydrogen are the product of chemical and
electrochemical reactions taking place and they are more plentiful and stable at high
temperatures and pressures . Hydrogen embrittlement is the most common of the
four . Most of the theories that were proposed are based on slip interference by
dissolved hydrogen . This slip interference may be caused by the accumulation of
hydrogen atoms in microvoids and regions of metal imperfections , however , the
precise mechanism is still unclarified .
2.8 - INTERGRANULAR CORROSION
Normally , when uniform corrosion occurs , the grain boundaries provide a marginally weaker corrosion resistance than the matrix . However , in some cases and
under certain conditions , grain interfaces are very reactive and intergranular corrosion results . This appears as corrosion at , or adjacent to the grain boundaries ,
with effectively no corrosion of the grains . The probable causes are the presence of
impurities which are located at the grain boundaries , and the enrichment of one of
the alloying elements or the depletion of such elements in the grain boundary areas .
The discontinuty in composition in the boundary area may set a micro galvanic
reaction and an associated high corrosion rate process .

2.4

3. Types Of Corrosion Measuring Tools

3- - CORROSION MEASUREMENT
Monitoring corrosion In casings , liners , and tubings is important In order to
Initiate measures to avoid casing leaks , Inter-zonal fluid cross flows and In some
cases a total collapse of the casing , liner or tubing . Another objective of corrosion
monitoring 13 to evaluate the efficiency of the. anticorrosion measures practised
[e.g. fluid inhibitors , cathodic protection , etc...) , most of which are expensive to
install and maintain . In this way , expensive anticorrosion programs can be
monitored to see their effectivness . - Moreover , It is always economical to have a
detailed analysis of the downhole corrosion and casing damage before commencing
workover so that remedial work may be directed to the damaged Intervals .

Once the well is killed and.tubing is removed , the workover program starts by
running corrosion logs to help guide the subsequent work . There has always been a
need for an accurate technique to compute total metal losses and corrosion rates .
This need becomes more acute and necessary as a field becomes older and corrosion
rates are accelerated by production anomalies such as Increased water cut , injection
water breakthrough and oil/water contact movements , especially If the water is
saline . Corrosion rates tend to be exponential with time . Except when anticorrosion measures are used , Proportionally higher corrosion rates are noted as the
well gets older .

At pre-sent many forms of corrosion monitor logs are in use In the oil industry . In general
the results of most of these logs are treated in a qualitative manner . This' is due to the great
number of variables governing thq principles and physics of measurement of each tool .
The following is a summary of the various corrosion measuring techniques in use .

3.1 PIPE ANALYSIS TOOL (PAT) 12 sets of pads are arranged in an upper and a lower array of 0 pads each with some degree
of overlap . two measurements are made .

3.1

4.
Accurate ETT Time-Lapse
Corrosion Monitoring