Compatible Corrosion and Kinetic Hydrate Inhibitors for Wet Sour Gas Transmission Lines

Corrosion-induced leaks of carbon steel pipelines and gas-hydrate blockages are prime concerns in oil and gas transportation.  In addition to the safety and environmental matters, corrosion and hydrate formation can have severe financial consequences to the operator.  Pipeline integrity and flow assurance are, therefore, of paramount importance.  Chemical inhibitors to mitigate metal degradation and to protect pipelines from gas-hydrate obstructions are commonly utilised, but compatible corrosion inhibitor (CI) and kinetic hydrate inhibitor (KHI) formulations are often difficult to put together for sour gas applications.  Oftentimes, it is found that the presence of a KHI has an adverse effect on the performance of the CI or vice versa.  This paper presents data from a laboratory research programme which resulted in the successful development of new corrosion inhibitor products exhibiting outstanding compatibility with a kinetic hydrate inhibitor under simulated sour gas pipeline operating conditions.