On galvanic corrosion of valve pipelines on oil production platforms
Thread Content
Recently, we supplied a set of equipment to an oil production platform in the South China Sea; it was delivered as a skid unit. The pipelines within the skid are made of stainless steel, while the valves are made of carbon steel. All connections are made using flanges, along with metal and graphite wound gaskets. During the inspection, the client insisted on replacing all the metal gaskets with non-metallic insulating gaskets, claiming that this would prevent galvanic corrosion. I think this is purely a bookish way of thinking – just how serious could this so-called galvanic corrosion be? Is it really necessary to make such a change? Someone who knows the subject can explain it.
If the equipment is shut down for a day, how many barrels of oil is that? How many of these levers can be obtained? If it breaks on land, just drive it there or carry it on shoulders to replace it ； What about at sea? On good weather, helicopters can be used; on bad weather, boats are used. If the weather is even worse, it’s impossible to reach the platform, and there’s nothing else to do but wait. Those with insulating flange gaskets can be considered for use.
Switch to PTFE; it’s also much cheaper
With the marine climate and electrochemical corrosion, the corrosion rate is by no means proportional; it is recommended to replace it