PHYSICO – CHEMICAL STUDY OF PRODUCED WATER AND ITS CORROSION EFFECTS ON LOW CARBON STEEL

Abstract

The Physico-chemical analysis of produced water and the corrosion effect on low carbon steel has been studied. Discharge of produced water from oil wells formation unto surface environment were analyzed for ph, turbidity, electrical conductivity, salinity, total dissolved solid (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO), total iron, carbonate, nitrate and sulphate content values, in comparison with Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) standards. The corrosion effects of the produced water were then investigated using the weight loss methods. Result obtained of the physico-chemical analysis were: PH (5.4); turbidity (82 UTU) conductivity (8290 Ns/Cm), salinity (2394 Mg/L), TDS (1:28 Mg/L), DO (5.64Mg/L), total iron concentration (1.28 Mg/L), carbonate (180 Mg/L), nitrate (42.74 Mg/L), and sulphate (nil); while the corrosion rate (MPY) measured in hours of 120, 240, 360, 480, 720 respectively, corresponds to 0.078, 0.154, 0.204, 0.346, 0.353 and 0.371 values in MPY respectively. The produced water, was however, found to be of higher concentration of effluents when compared to DPR standard. It can be concluded that the corrosion of the metal coupon was due to the presence of high chemical matters in the produced water samples. Therefore, produced water should be treated and disposed in accordance with regulatory requirements and best practices. KEY WORDS: Corrosion, Produced Water, Rock, Environment, Dissolved Oxygen.