Scope
A major North Sea operator engaged Chemical Injection Utilities (CIU) to carry out a comprehensive online corrosion and microbial monitoring service aboard its FPSO. The primary objective was to assess the integrity of 38 critical mechanical locations and evaluate the potential risks of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC). The scope of work included:
- Servicing 38 mechanical locations using flush disc and multi-disc corrosion coupons
- Servicing solid plugs and replacing pressure-retaining seals
- Installing high-sensitivity probes equipped with data loggers
Solution
CIU quickly mobilised experienced personnel and materials to the site. To evaluate the risk of MIC and overall system integrity, the following data collection and analysis methods were employed:
- Microbial swabs taken from retrieved corrosion coupons
- Biostuds removed from three bio-sidestreams to measure sessile bacterial populations
- Planktonic samples collected from drains and diesel tanks for further analysis
Advanced Microbial Monitoring techniques, including quantitative PCR (qPCR), Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), and Most Probable Number (MPN) analysis, were utilised. All laboratory analyses were conducted by NCIMB.
Please see the video below for an overview of the scope delivered!
Results
The service was completed efficiently and within schedule and budget. CIU provided the client with a comprehensive assessment of mechanical integrity and a clear understanding of MIC-related risks.
Regular and continuous monitoring of corrosion, pitting rates, and microbial activity across process systems enables the client to promptly detect and mitigate any emerging issues, helping to ensure ongoing asset integrity and operational reliability.
For more on our Integrity Monitoring solutions, please click here, or get in touch directly with our Business Development Manager, Craig Wilkinson (craig.wilkinson@ciu.ltd).
