Field Techniques and Verification of Organic Acid Speciation for Corrosion Risk Assessment

In a previous work¹, a thermodynamic model was proposed to predict the chemical speciation of the condensate at the top of the line. This thermodynamic approach was validated by field studies at an onshore oil and gas field. A review of the concepts and techniques for field analysis of organic acids is presented. Additionally, some practical considerations regarding the collection of field samples for the analysis of organic acids and the determination of the corrosivity of the condensed liquids at the top of the line were explored. Using thermodynamic theory, a novel technique of sample collection for organic acid analysis was developed. The possible sources of organic acids in oil and gas operations, such as the effect of acidizing workover jobs on organic acid concentrations at wells, were also investigated.

Keywords: organic acid, top of line corrosion, condensed water chemistry, acidizing workover

1.      Hinkson, D., Singer, M., Zhang, Z., Nesic, S., “A study of the chemical Composition and corrosivity of the condensate in top of the line corrosion”, Corrosion/2008, NACE International, Paper No. 08466.