External and internal corrosion detection sensors for oil and gas pipelines using fiber optics

Abstract

Oil flowlines are two to twelve inches in diameter pipelines, most susceptible to corrosion and very difficult to inspect. Since the flowlines are connected to the well head and closest to the wells, they are exposed to the highest pressures and temperatures thus most susceptible to corrosion. Since flowlines are small in diameter, most of them do not have launcher and retrieval stations thus almost impossible to inspect them using In-line Inspection (ILI) smart PIGS. Due to inability to inspect the flowlines, accidents occur with flowlines every month. A corrosion monitoring system is thus absolutely necessary to prevent accidents from happening with flowlines. The aim of this research project is to introduce new or improved methods for monitoring and detecting corrosion of onshore exposed flowlines by developing fiber optics based external and internal corrosion detection sensors. It is hoped that the same external corrosion detection sensor can be also used to detect oil leakage.

AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90329©2018 AAPG/SEG/EAGE/SPE Middle East Region RDPETRO, Abu Dhabi, UAE, May 9-10, 2018