Severe localized corrosion of carbon steel tubing and flowlines in production wells from a high pressure steam drive occurred during the first 6 weeks of operation. Corrosion was attributed to carbon dioxide, with localization occurring at points of high turbulence. Corrosion rates declined rapidly as the wellhead temperatures in the production wells increased from 38 to above 100 C, and the hydrogen sulfide content of the gas increased from a trace to 1-2%. fire inhibiting effect of hydrogen sulfide is consistent with observations in other high carbon dioxide environments.
Keywords: Carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, carbon steel, well tubing, flowlines, steam flood, Iocalized corrosion temperature