Predicting corrosion failure locations in gathering pipelines based on multiphase flow characteristics

The coexistence of oil, gas, water, and acid gases in gathering pipelines accelerates corrosion failure, shortening the service life. This paper builds an approach to estimate the possible corrosion locations in gathering pipelines from the perspective of local multiphase flow characteristics. First, a full flow model of the gathering pipeline is developed to find the pipe segments prone to corrosion, which is performed by analyzing the flow parameters along the pipeline. Subsequently, CFD simulation is employed to determine the distribution of water phase volume fraction in the three-phase (oil, gas, and water) fluid flow within the pipeline, elucidating the causes of corrosion in specific pipe segments. Eventually, this study is validated using an empirical model with experimental data. The study can support the identification of corrosion location within oil and gas gathering pipelines.