Corrosion assessment of a leakage pipeline in the seabed: A case study

Abstract

A pipeline in the seabed was successfully commissioned and had commenced production from the well. The pipeline has life time design for 20 years. However, a leakage from the flange connection was detected a couple months after start of production. The pipeline was isolated by closing the valves on the line tee, and shutdown the well production. This condition remains for 6 months before any remedial action was taken. During that period, it is believed that there is any corrosion mechanism occurred which might reduce the pipeline integrity. The paper briefly described the corrosion threats and assessed the corrosion rate of the leakage pipeline with limited information of factors that affecting corrosion rate. Additionally, recommendations for preparation of the pipeline to minimize internal risks are given.