Few things are as important to the oil and gas industry as infrastructure. Anything that threatens the performance and lifespan of pipelines, storage tanks and other crucial pieces of equipment should be taken as seriously as possible. This why the importance of corrosion monitoring cannot be overstated, as it provides oil and gas companies with the means to watch for signs of trouble and rectify them before they impact production. Read on to learn more about the significance of corrosion monitoring throughout the industry and how it can be achieved.
What is Corrosion?
Corrosion is the term for the breakdown of metals through a chemical or electrochemical reaction. Although rust is the most common and obvious form of corrosion, it’s not the only one. There are others that may not be as noticeable to the naked eye, such as pitting. This occurs when microscopic pits in the surface of metal become filled with high concentrations of corrosive materials. Galvanic corrosion occurs when two different materials are submerged in water and come into electrical contact with each other, causing them to pass electrons from one to the other.
No matter what form it takes, corrosion has the ultimate effect of weakening metals. This can lead to equipment failure as well as holes developing in process pipelines. Dealing with water and other potentially corrosive materials means the oil and gas industry in particular needs to be aware of the potential threat.
Why Corrosion Monitoring is Crucial in the Oil and Gas Industry
Having a strategy in place to handle corrosion and its control is important for a number of reasons, including:
- Asset Integrity and Longevity: Keeping an eye out for signs of corrosion helps preserve machinery and pipelines for as long as possible. When operators can detect corrosion at its earliest stages, they can take action to resolve it and protect their assets.
- Safety Assurance: When pipelines and machines break down due to corrosion, it can lead to leaks and spills that put workers at risk. Early detection makes this easier to prevent.
- Environmental Protection: Leaks and spills also take an environmental toll. This makes corrosion monitoring important from an ecological perspective, as well.
- Cost Savings: Failures that result from the effects of corrosion often are costly to repair and resolve. Watching out for the early warning signs can save operators a lot in the long term.
- Regulatory Compliance: Regulations and industry standards such as API 570 require the industry to have a monitoring strategy in place. This is crucial for avoiding legal and financial penalties.
The Difference Between Corrosion Monitoring and Corrosion Inspection
Although they generally can be said to accomplish the same purpose, there are some key differences between corrosion monitoring and corrosion inspection. Monitoring means constantly collecting and analyzing data to measure the rate of corrosion. This typically involves the use of sensors or probes placed on or in the assets that are connected to a central system that measures metal loss, environmental conditions and other variables.
On the other hand, inspection is a periodic task that normally is used to observe the extent of any corrosion. This process involves visual inspections as well as lab work and various forms of non-destructive testing. These elements are scheduled, and do not provide ongoing insights into the rate of corrosion in the way that consistent monitoring does. Both have their purpose and place within the oil and gas industry, but they should not be considered interchangeable.
SMARTCORR® Creates Corrosion Monitoring Solutions
Watching out for corrosion is essential for protecting the integrity and productivity of the oil and gas sector’s most vital assets. With comprehensive corrosion monitoring software and systems from SMARTCORR®, operators within the industry can have advanced capabilities that enable them to make the most-informed decisions about the condition of their infrastructure.
If you want to learn more about the full range of corrosion and erosion monitoring solutions available for players in the oil and gas market, reach out and speak with one of our representatives today.