A critical defense against corrosion: Exploring the role of protective coatings

Exploring the role of protective coatings

- Chris Magel

Corrosion poses a significant challenge for the oil and gas industry in the Middle East. The region's extreme environmental conditions, such as high temperatures, fluctuating humidity and saline atmospheres, accelerate the degradation of industrial assets. Thus, protecting critical infrastructure against corrosion remains a maintenance issue but a business imperative to keep operations steady and costs low.

The Middle East's unique corrosion challenges

Harsh environmental factors make the Middle East particularly vulnerable to corrosion. High ambient temperatures combined with the presence of salt in the atmosphere create an ideal setting for corrosion under insulation (CUI). Thermal cycling, which occurs when temperatures fluctuate, further exacerbates the issue by causing condensation within insulated systems. This moisture accelerates corrosion, leading to frequent failures in pipelines, storage tanks and processing equipment.

CUI accounts for a significant portion of maintenance costs in the Middle East. Industry estimates suggest that up to 60% of pipe maintenance expenses are tied to CUI-related damage. The financial and operational impact of unplanned outages due to corrosion underscores the importance of proactive measures to extend asset lifecycles.