AcroClear® batch treatment saves operator time and money

Operator’s challenge 

A Permian Basin pipeline operator was experiencing nearly 8 mpy corrosion on a 78-mile, 8-inch, wet-oil pipeline. Large amounts of iron sulfide and calcium carbonate solids were mechanically removed through pigging on a regular basis – sometimes monthly. Despite regular pigging and a combination corrosion/scale chemical inhibition program, solids buildup and corrosion continued to create operational risks for this operator, who is looking for cost-effective solutions to ship sour crude without service interruptions.

Halliburton’s speciality chemicals solution 

AcroClear is a water- and oil-soluble sulfide controller, allowing it to penetrate oily coatings on iron sulfide particles, clarify black water, and rid discharge of surface-sheening iron sulfide solids. Unlike acid or THPS (tetrakis (hydroxymethyl) phosphonium sulfate) treatments, AcroClear is a non-corrosive solution that does not affect the system pH, nor is it affected by iron concentrations. The highly reactive dissolver works quickly, completely and irreversibly. The extremely rapid reaction between our AcroClear product and H₂S can be an advantage when retention time is an issue. 

Multi-Chem recommended a five-day batch application of AcroClear at a dosage of 45 ppm to eliminate the solids, which were serving to exacerbate corrosion by providing a cathodic surface and interfering with the corrosion inhibitor’s ability to create a passivating film on the metal surface of the pipe. The batch of AcroClear was supported with a small dosage (9 ppm) of MC SS-5685 (acetic acid) to dissolve calcium carbonate scale.

Key benefits of acrolein application

• Completely and irreversibly dissolves FeS 
• Water- and oil-soluble, able to penetrate oil-wet films 
• Non-oxidizing
• No H₂S generation