Brine Chemistry Solutions launches Phase II of research for RPSEA project

Nov. 11, 2013
Brine Chemistry Solutions (BCS) has started Phase II of its research on corrosion and scale prediction and prevention at extreme pressure and temperature (xHP/HT).

Offshore staff

HOUSTON – Brine Chemistry Solutions (BCS) has started Phase II of its research on corrosion and scale prediction and prevention at extreme pressure and temperature (xHP/HT). The research is a part of a three-year, $4.5-million project awarded to BCS from the Research Partnership to Secure Energy for America (RPSEA), a contractor for the US Department of Energy.

While there are hundreds of oil and gas production wells in the Gulf of Mexico, the industry lacks data and models for corrosion and scale in these ultra-deepwater xHP/HT conditions. BCS’s research continues to address this issue through the RPSEA project.

In Phase I, BCS conducted experiments using unique instrumentation that reaches 24,000 psi and 250°C (482°F) to study corrosion and scale formation. These completed experiments resulted in new methodology and data that the company is expanding on in its continued Phase II research. In Phase II, BCS will further develop its models through additional xHP/HT experimental testing of corrosion and scale in complex brine systems, additional alloy types, and screening multiple inhibitors for thermal stability and effectiveness.

During Phase II, scale and corrosion research will focus on kinetics and behavior at xHP/HT, while simultaneously studying thermal stability of inhibitors. The company says it will continue this advanced testing with a custom autoclave reactor, in-house created flow-through apparatus, and vertical scanning interferometry. Modeling will focus on understanding the solvent behavior in electrolytes with specified chemical properties. The modeling will expand to include the water-ion and ion-ion interaction with effort focused toward quantifying kinetic factors, such as diffusion coefficients. The research will incorporate the modeling of the equation of state based on statistical associating fluids theory.

“We have met the Phase I goals and are making progress on Phase II goals,” said Ross Tomson, founder of BCS. “This research will ultimately add to the Gulf of Mexico’s oil and gas production health, environmental, and economic security through more accurate corrosion and scale prediction and prevention.”

11/11/2013