Baker Hughes, Petrobras to Develop New Flexible Pipes for Stress Corrosion Cracking
CO2-induced corrosion is common in Brazil’s pre-salt fields, where Petrobras reinjects CO2 from its production operations into wells to decrease flaring and boost oil recovery.
Baker Hughes and Petrobras have established a collaborative technology program to develop and test next-generation flexible pipe systems to address stress corrosion cracking due to CO2 (SCC-CO2). The pre-commercial agreement will be executed at Baker Hughes’ Energy Technology Innovation Center and local flexible pipe systems manufacturing plant in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The partnership also includes a purchase option for the new next-generation flexible pipes, which will have a 30-year extended service life when operating in high-CO2 environments. Baker Hughes’ flexible pipe systems and advanced monitoring technologies have already shown a reduced impact of SCC-CO2 in the field, and the company will continue to provide these solutions for Petrobras to utilize in Brazil’s offshore oil and gas fields.
SCC-CO2 Background
In 2016, SCC-CO2 was identified and found to affect flexible pipes in pre-salt fields with high, naturally occurring CO2 concentrations. Prior to this collaboration, operators in high-CO2 environments could only mitigate impacts, which significantly reduced riser and flowline service life.
Flexible pipe system onboard offshore vessel; image credit: Baker Hughes
“Baker Hughes has led the way in addressing SCC-CO2, and we will bring that expertise and experience to bear in developing the definitive solution to this critical industry challenge,” said Amerino Gatti, Executive Vice President, Oilfield Services & Equipment at Baker Hughes. “By deploying flexible pipe systems that last for decades, Petrobras can more efficiently unlock the vital natural resources that power the region, while also safely returning CO2 deep underground.”
Upon water entering the pipe’s annulus area, the steel reinforcement layers may be corroded and reduce the system’s lifespan/structural integrity. CO2-induced corrosion is common in Brazil’s pre-salt fields, where Petrobras is reinjecting it from their production operations into wells to reduce flaring and enhance oil recovery. Petrobras intends to limit atmospheric emissions, and carbon capture, utilization and storage is required for this goal.
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