Corrosion and the role of structural aluminum alloys in the construction of oil and gas wells

¹ Gubkin Russian State Oil and Gas University, Oil & Gas Wells Drilling Department, 65, Leninsky Prospekt 119991 Moscow, Russia
² St.Petersburg Polytechnical University, R&D center Weatherford-Polytechnic, Russia
³ Weatherford, USA

Abstract

This paper presents the main research results and examples of structural aluminium alloys (SAA) effective use in the oil and gas wells construction onshore and offshore. The known application cases are drill pipes, tubing and casing. Competitive properties of SAA for hydrocarbons exploration and production were identified as strength-to-weight ratio, high total corrosion resistance, including dissolved hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide, absence of cold-shortness effect. The issues with the natural properties of aluminum alloys requiring process and structural corrections were addressed as well. Technical solutions to neutralize characteristics, which limited SAA use in the wells construction have been advised and examples of implementation shown. Among them, technology of surface layers modification, coatings and methods of isolation contacts with other material, system of integrated corrosion protection and optimization of operation environment. Aluminum drilling riser (ADR) is one of the most striking examples of the object from SAA. ADR presents integrated solution of SAA application problems. Finally, SAA could successfully address well construction corrosion issues.