Experience with Fiberglass GRE Lined Carbon Steel Tubular for Corrosion Protection for Oil Production Applications

Abstract

Abstract Saudi Aramco experienced serious corrosion problems in oil production tubing in one offshore field, attributed to presence of H2S, CO2 and varying levels of water cut. In early 2002, the company installed on trial test basis Glass Reinforced Epoxy (GRE) or commonly known as fiberglass lined carbon steel tubing in three wells. The fiberglass lining was installed to provide a corrosion barrier to protect the steel tubing from internal corrosion. As far the technology, the fiberglass lining or sleeve is carried out joint by joint by inserting a solid fiberglass tube into the low cost carbon steel tubing and cement is pumped into the narrow annulus between the fiberglass liner and the carbon steel tubing. The connection area is protected by the combination of end flares and a corrosion barrier ring. The company examined various methods to evaluate the performance of the fiberglass lined tubing, without having to pull out the tubing from the well as these wells are oil producers. After review of the evaluation options, it was decided to run a multi finger caliper to evaluate the condition of the fiberglass lining and check for any internal corrosion in the steel tubing. The log showed the fiberglass lining to be in good condition with no damage indicating that the steel tubing was protected from corrosion. The other two wells had no tubing leaks indicating the GRE lining is providing corrosion protection. Based on successful trial test results, the company adopted the technology to protect tubing strings deployed in corrosive environments in oil producers, water injectors and water supply wells. Field experience has shown that the use of fiberglass lined tubing is a low "life cycle cost" solution compared to other options. There has been no workover in these wells since installation. Today fiberglass lined tubing is applied in Saudi Aramco in high water cut oil producers, water injectors and combined water source and injection wells. The paper shares the history of corrosion, challenges and lessons learned during the implementation of the solution, various performance assessment methods evaluated and the results and interpretation of the caliper log.