Media releases

Industry figures will gather in Aberdeen today to mark the release by the Energy Institute (EI) of new guidance and training essential to protecting production and processing assets.

The second edition of the EI’s ‘Guidance for corrosion management in oil and gas production and processing’ has been fully updated and significantly expanded with annexes detailing corrosion mechanisms and illustrative case studies to help practitioners apply agreed good practice in their corrosion management systems and procedures.

A launch event at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre will today hear from speakers from oil and gas operators and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which regulates the industry.

Speaking ahead of the launch, the EI’s Technical Director Martin Maeso MEI said:

“When we fill up the car or turn on the gas or lights at home we’re unlikely to think about the significant challenges presented by corrosion to those working to produce the energy we all need.

“Whether it’s producing oil and gas or generating wind power, this industry operates in some of the most challenging conditions – in particular in extreme weathers and deep seas offshore.

“The EI is proud that this document is turned to by professionals the world over as the de facto standard for managing the impact of corrosion on daily operations and in prolonging the life of assets.

“The unique value of the EI’s approach is that it brings industry together in a spirit of collaboration and fosters links between the sector and regulators. We’re grateful for the HSE’s continued endorsement and support in this endeavour, which gives this publication real credibility.”

The first edition of the guidance, published in 2008, was recognised in the HSE’s Ageing and Life Extension Programme (KP4) as a major contribution to the industry’s successes in addressing corrosion issues. This second edition has been restructured to align with the HSE’s new ‘Managing for Health and Safety’ (HSG 65) model and is fully endorsed by the regulator.

Louise Atkin, Principal Specialist Inspector - Materials and Corrosion at the HSE said:

“Corrosion presents a serious asset integrity threat to offshore production and processing facilities, and so as a regulator we need to have confidence that good practices are being observed to achieve regulatory compliance. The EI’s guidance is a great example of the industry rising to this challenge. It follows a sensible and proportionate approach, ensuring health and safety management of corrosion risks in the energy sector is easier and more effective for everyone involved.”

Dr David Hillis, Specialist Materials and Corrosion Engineer at Total said:

“The EI’s corrosion management guidance is indispensable for oil and gas operators working to protect the environment they work in while getting the most out of their assets. Corrosion can cost operators millions of pounds every year, so use of this guidance presents an opportunity to make significant savings and improve profitability for operators.”

The EI today also launches a new online eLearning course - Corrosion Under Insulation - providing the foundational knowledge and competency required for visual inspection of asset integrity threats. It sits alongside the EI’s significant portfolio of oil and gas training courses.

Notes for editors

1.For more information contact Nick Turton at nturton@energyinst.org or 020 7467 7103.

2.The ‘Guidance for Corrosion Management’ has been produced as a result of work carried out within the Technical Team of the EI, funded by the EI’s Technical Partners and other stakeholders. The EI’s Technical Work Programme brings industry together in a spirit of collaboration, links industry and regulators in the development of good practice and provides operators with cost effective, value adding knowledge on current and future issues. It was published today and is available here: https://publishing.energyinst.org/topics/asset-integrity/corrosion/guidance-for-corrosion-management-in-oil-and-gas-production-and-processing

3.The EI’s new updated Corrosion Under Insulation eLearning course was developed by INSPECTEGRITY in a project supported by the Oil & Gas Technology Centre (OGTC). It enables delegates to understand how CUI occurs, why it is such a threat to asset integrity and know where to look and what to look for when identifying potential CUI locations. It is suitable for inspectors, NDT technicians, fabric maintenance personnel and any member of maintenance and operations teams of onshore and offshore assets.

4.Registration for the CUI eLearning course is here: https://energyinst.org/whats-on/search/events-and-training?meta_eventId=1901CUI

5.A video explaining the role of the EI in corrosion management in oil and gas is available her: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpeVYGKCTsc

6.The Energy Institute (EI) is the chartered professional membership body bringing global energy expertise together.

We gather and share essential knowledge about energy, provide the skills that are helping us all use it more wisely, and develop the good practice needed to keep it safe and secure.

We articulate the voice of energy experts, taking the know-how of around 20,000 members and 250 companies from 120 countries to the heart of the public debate.

And we’re an independent, not-for-profit, safe space for evidence-based collaboration, an honest broker between industry, academia and policy makers.