Patent classifications
G01N17/046
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTINUOUS MEASUREMENT OF EROSION AND CORROSION IN OIL AND GAS FACILITIES
Disclosed are systems and methods for detecting the erosion and corrosion effects of solids during oil and/or gas production. An erosion corrosion detector (BCD) is positioned in fluid communication with a pipe in a production facility such that a sensor element of the BCD contacts at least a partial stream of produced fluid in the pipe. Changes in one or more physical measurement of the BCD and/or changes in pressure drop across the sensor element are monitored over time. The changes are interpreted to identify whether there is loss of materials (e.g., metal) in the production facility, quantify of this loss, and determine the mechanisms through which this loss is occurring. A control system can receive the change in the physical measurement and/or the pressure drop over time as input into a control strategy for controlling a well control valve to control a rate of production of well fluids.
DYNAMIC TEST LOOP FOR DETERMINING MOLTEN SALT CORROSION
A dynamic corrosion and degradation testing installation is provided. The installation includes a tank for heating and storing, in use, a fluid at a given temperature. The installation further includes a looped circuit including a pipe containing the fluid during one or more tests, having a first end and a second end both connected to the tank. The installation also includes a pump for circulating the fluid in the pipe and multiple test stands located at different locations along the pipe. Each test stand including a sample holder or testing chamber holding, in use, a solid sample in contact with the fluid and a heater and configured to heat the sample holder. Each test stand includes the sample holder to hold the solid sample in a specific portion of the pipe. The specific portions of the pipe having the functionality of a test chamber and containing the fluid.
ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS FOR MONITORING CATHODIC PROTECTION OF STRUCTURES
Assemblies and methods for monitoring the cathodic protection of underground or submerged structures may include a coupon assembly including a conductive test coupon and a reference electrode for determining the voltage potential difference of the protected structure without substantially interrupting surrounding current sources. The reference electrode may be at least partially covered with an electrolytic material in electrical contact with the surrounding environment via a plug including a porous material. A method of installation of the assembly may allow a single technician to install the coupon assembly using a probe rod without extensive on-site excavation. The coupon assembly may be configured to seat securely with the probe rod for stability during installation, and release from the probe rob when the probe rod is separated from the coupon assembly and withdrawn from the ground, leaving the coupon assembly at a preselected depth or preselected distance from the protected structure.
DEVICE AND TESTING APPARATUS FOR LIQUID AND VAPOR WIRE EXPOSURE TESTING
A testing device includes a scaffold for supporting conductive wires. The scaffold is placed in housing in which liquid and vapor phases of a fluid are provided, such that a first of the conductive wires extends into the liquid and a second of the conductive wires remains in the vapor throughout a test. The scaffold may include a plurality of lower support members and a plurality of upper wire support members, each of the support members including a plurality of routing supports to wrap a respective one of the test wires around. The device allows measurements to be made contemporaneously for the test wires.
Development of control samples to enhance the accuracy of HIC testing
A test sample is extracted from a hydrogen induced cracking (HIC) resistant material candidate. A control sample is extracted from a prequalified HIC susceptible material that is known to suffer predetermined HIC damage when subjected to preset test conditions of a standardized HIC test (e.g., NACE TM0284). The HIC test is performed on the test and control samples. A value of a predetermined cracking criteria is calculated for the control sample. It is determined whether the calculated value of the predetermined cracking criteria is at least equal to a predetermined minimum threshold value. If yes, respective values of a plurality of predetermined HIC resistance criteria for the test sample are calculated. It is determined whether the calculated respective values of the plurality of predetermined HIC resistance criteria for the test sample are not greater than corresponding predetermined maximum threshold values. If yes, the HIC resistant material candidate is qualified as a valid source for sour service applications.
Sensor system for corrosion monitoring
A permanently installed monitoring system for corrosion under insulation (PIMSCUI) and a method for performing the monitoring of said system are provided. The objective of the invention by a fiber optic cable permanently mounted between walls of a pipeline and pipeline insulation surrounding the pipeline and placement of acoustic emitters along the length of the pipeline in mechanical contact with the optical fiber. The acoustic emitters send a pulsed acoustic signal towards the pipeline which is received by the optical fiber, the acoustic signal subsequently travels through the pipeline wall, reflecting from the inner diameter of the pipeline before the reflected pulse is received at the optical fiber.
Multiple coupon apparatus for cathodic protection testing
A test coupon package suitable for a cathodic protection system includes a native test coupon and first and second active coupons. The active coupons may be biased with respect to the soil or other electrolytic medium in which a pipeline protected by the system resides. The first active coupon may have a surface area that will contact an electrolytic medium that is approximately equal to a surface area of the native test coupon that will contact the electrolytic medium. The surface area of the first active coupon may be substantially greater than a surface area of the second active coupon that will contact the electrolytic medium. The test coupon package may include an electrochemically stable reference electrode positioned between the first active coupon and the native coupon. The test coupon package may be substantially cylindrical and, in at least one embodiment, may include a conical nose connected to a first end of the test coupon package with the second active coupon attached to a narrow end of the conical nose.
Downhole Corrosion, Erosion, Scale and Deposit Monitoring System
A tool for monitoring conditions within a subterranean well includes a first body segment, the first body segment being an elongated member with an axial protrusion having a reduced outer diameter. A second body segment is sized for mating with the first body segment. A metal specimen circumscribes the axial protrusion of the first body segment so that an outer diameter surface of the metal specimen defines an outer diameter of the tool. A connection assembly releasably secures the first body segment to the second body segment.
Quick Release Coupon Holder System
A quick release corrosion coupon holder system comprising a shaft and a clip configured to pivot between open and closed positions to securely hold an end of a corrosion coupon. Preferably, no nuts, bolts, or removable parts are required to install or remove a coupon from the holder. Preferably a spring is disposed between the shaft and clip with one or more attached legs or a separate pin configured to secure the clip to the shaft and act as a fulcrum. An optional inwardly extending projection may be inserted through an aperture on the coupon. An optional spacer creates a gap between the shaft and clip to accommodate the thickness of a coupon. Preferably a lip and shoulder pair on the clip and an opposing lip and shoulder pair on the shaft contact front and back surfaces of the coupon, limiting contact surface area between the holder and coupon.
DOWNHOLE COUPON HOLDER
A first type of coupon holder includes an elongated core that is axially aligned with a coupon holder axis and an external surface that circumscribes the elongated core. The external surface defines coupon mounting surfaces with different radial orientations relative to the coupon holder axis. The coupon mounting surfaces are circumferentially aligned around the elongated core and have geometric centers with the same axial position along the coupon holder axis. A second type of coupon holder includes an elongated support structure that is axially aligned with a coupon holder axis and a coupon holder body positioned to have an end face in a plane transverse to the coupon holder axis. The coupon holder body has a plurality of slots to receive end portions of coupons. The slots are in a circular arrangement around the coupon holder axis and position coupons in parallel to the coupon holder axis.