An Instrumented Field Corrosion Test Loop

A multi-purpose instrumented loop in line with an oil producing well is described. The loop has several ports for coupons which were replaced periodically. Some of the coupons were used for electrochemical monitoring in addition to weight loss and visual inspection.

Weight loss, pit rate and all the electrochemical methods used gave corrosion rates that were dependent on the positions of the coupons inside the loop. The corrosion rate of the coupons increased from top to bottom. This order reflected the media and flow to which the coupons were exposed in a multi-phase producing well.