Recommended Practice for Corrosion Management of Pipelines in Oil and Gas Production and Transportation

Pipeline integrity is key to maintaining operational success, safety and security and minimising harm to the environment. Corrosion is a dominant contributory factor to failures, leaks and integrity threat in pipelines. Therefore, its optimum control within an integrity management framework is paramount for the cost effective design of facilities and ensuring continued, uninterrupted and safe operations within the expected design life. This recommended practice (RP) is a compendium of current best practices and state of the art knowledge by major operators, engineering contractors and service companies involved in hydrocarbon production and transportation. The RP incorporates some minimum operational requirements and practices to ensure that when managing corrosion in pipelines, fundamental principles are followed. It covers management of corrosion for pipelines carrying hydrocarbons, injection water and/or produced water from design to decommissioning. It is structured to follow the logical steps of a basic corrosion management process and makes references to relevant and available International standards and/or recommended practices. It is intended for use by personnel from the petroleum industry having knowledge of corrosion and materials. It is hoped that this RP will prove to be a key reference document for engineers, suppliers and contractors working in the oil and gas industry, paving the way for corrosion free operation of pipelines with the ultimate goal of improving safety, security and minimising the impact on the environment.