Laboratory autoclave studies using the high speed autoclave test (HSAT) are used to simulate high shear production conditions. Laboratory test results under high shear conditions are compared to lower shear stirred autoclave results. The conditions in two fields are studied with CO2/H2S ratios of 0.3 and 13. The blank corrosion rate ( CR ) for field A with a CO2/H2S ratio of 0.3 varied little for shear stresses in the range 5 to 1000 Pa. In contrast under the uninhibited conditions of field B, high corrosion
rates were found on the leading edge of the coupons. The results indicate shear stress effects are very condition specific. An oil soluble water dispersible corrosion inhibitor is studied, comparing the
laboratory results to field results. A new model for predicting shear stress on the leading edge of coupons under the HSAT conditions is presented.
Keywords: shear stress, sour gas, leading edge attack, autoclave test, corrosion, gas well, flowline, inhibitor, rotating cage.