3205 The effect of alcohols and kinetic hydrate inhibitors in gas pipelines on the risk of microbial-influenced corrosion (MIC)

Overview:

The most important group of microorganisms associated with microbial-influenced corrosion (MIC) in petroleum production facilities and pipelines are sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), where the vast majority of MIC failures are related to their activities.

Alcohols (such as glycols and methanol) can be lethal to microorganisms but conversely, at low concentrations, alcohols can stimulate bacteria growth. Predictive models commonly used for corrosion risk assessments for gas pipelines do not generally address the issue of methanol, glycol or kinetic hydrate inhibitor dosing to gas lines. As a result, risk assessments often give very high and unrealistic predictive rates for microbial-influenced corrosion (MIC) in gas lines.

This research report presents the results of a laboratory study to ascertain the risk of MIC in wet gas lines with typical levels of alcohols or kinetic hydrate inhibitors. The findings will prove useful to those working with corrosion risk assessment models or engaged in the process of testing for SRBs and MIB.