A review of corrosion under insulation: a critical issue in the oil and gas industry

Qing Cao, Thunyaluk Pojtanabuntoeng, Marco Esmaily, Sebastian Thomas, Michael Brameld, Ayman Amer, Nick Birbilis

Research output: Contribution to journalReview ArticleResearchpeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Corrosion under insulation (CUI) is defined as any form of external corrosion that occurs on the underlying metal beneath insulated equipment, due to water ingress through the insulation layer. This type of corrosion is frequently observed in oil and gas production, where insulated piping is prevalent, and has historically remained a predominant materials integrity issue. The prediction and direct visualisation of CUI are challenging tasks because of the coverage of the insulation layer(s) and any external jacketing or cladding. Several factors, including the local/ambient envi-ronment, system design, and the piping installation process, can influence how CUI initiates and propagates. In this review, CUI background, CUI monitoring, and CUI mitigation strategies are discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Article number561
Number of pages24
JournalMetals
Volume12
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 25 Mar 2022

Keywords

  • coating
  • corrosion
  • CUI
  • insulation
  • oil and gas

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