This standard recommended practice presents corrosion inhibition, wear reduction, and corrosion prevention techniques for use from the manufacturing of bare steel sucker rods and couplings through installation and service in the well. Although aluminum, fiberglass, coated sucker rods, and high-alloy sucker rods are not specifically addressed in this standard, many recommendations contained herein may be applied to such sucker rods, as appropriate, at the user's discretion.

Throughout this standard the words "sucker rod" or "rod" will be used in the above-described context.

This standard was originally prepared as NACE Publication 1D1671 by NACE Task Group T-1 D-

3 for inclusion in APl<1> RP 11 BR. 2 In 1988, it was updated for the revision of API RP 11 BR. It was assigned to NACE Task Group T-10-35, a component of Unit Committee T-10 on Corrosion

Monitoring and Control of Corrosion Environments in Petroleum Production Operations, for conversion to a recommended practice, and is issued by NACE International under the auspices of Group Committee T-1 on Corrosion Control in Petroleum Production. This standard was also balloted to and approved by API as Section 3 of API RP 11 BR. 12·

1.1 Corrosion can lead to serious multiple failures of oil well sucker-rod strings and other equipment. The use of chemical corrosion inhibitors has proved to be a cost-effective approach to minimize corrosion damage and to extend the life of the downhole equipment. This standard addresses corrosion control for atmospheric conditions and downhole environments, treatment procedures, inhibitor selection, and evaluation of corrosion inhibitor programs. Other factors to control failure of sucker-rod strings are addressed in API RP 11 BR.

1.2 Corrosion inhibitors fall into many chemical classes that may be physical or health hazards. The handling precautions recommended by the manufacturer in the material safety data· sheet (MSDS) shall be followed. In all cases, protection of the environment shall be considered.

1.3 In all operations discussed in this standard, corrosion inhibition is enhanced when sucker rod and coupling surfaces are free of scales and deposits.

1.4 Care should be taken to prevent air entry into the well to avoid oxygen-accelerated corrosion. Air entry can occur if casing vents are left open to the atmosphere or if the wellhead seals do not hold a vacuum.

Historical document 1995