This paper presents results from a study where the corrosion performance of plain C-Mn steel and low alloyed (0.5 % Cr) steel was compared in different types of brines at 82°C, 0.5 bar CO2 and a flow velocity of 2.3 m/second. Inhibitor efficiencies to be expected in the different brines and necessary inhibitor concentration for satisfactory corrosion protection are investigated. The build up of protective corrosion product films on 0.5 % Cr-steel is dependent on the corrosivity of the
brine. ln high corroding brines, the protective films are built up within days, but in low corrosive brines and inhibited brines the film formation is slow. As a result the positive effect of chromium alloying will not be revealed during short time testing. The natural formation water used in the presented tests is much less corrosive than the substitute brines. However, the corrosion rate after inhibitor injection seems to be
unaffected of the initial corrosion rate, and far lower inhibitor efficiencies are therefore recorded in the natural formation water.
Keywords: Low alloyed steel, corrosion inhibitor, carbon dioxide, flow, brines, testing.