10-15 August 2009 : Three distinguished corrosion centers in the USA visited

The Erosion/Corrosion Research Center (ECRC), The University of Tulsa

This research center is considered one of the globally leading research centers in the area of erosion-corrosion of sand transport in petroleum pipelines. It has one of the largest and sophisticated multiphase flow laboratories and has a consortium of major petroleum companies, such as SAUDI ARAMCO, BP, TOTAL, and SHELL.

We met Professor Siamack Shirazi (Associate Director) and Dr. Brenton McLaury in 10-11 August 2009. The outcomes of our meeting are:

  • Research collaboration with ECRC by starting joint research projects. We have agreed to start a project about the erosion of sand particles in petroleum pipelines.
  • Inviting Prof. Shirazi and Dr. McLaury to present a short course at KFUPM. The title of the proposed course is: Solid Particle Erosion, Sand Monitoring and Transport, and Corrosion in Multiphase Flow. The outline of the short course is in the attachment.
  • Visiting their sophisticated erosion-corrosion laboratories. They have different types and sizes of multiphase flow loop which simulates the sand transport in petroleum pipelines.li>

The Institute for Corrosion and Multiphase Flow Technology (ICMFT), Ohio University

This research center is considered one of the globally leading research centers in the area of erosion-corrosion, corrosion, and multiphase flow in petroleum and gas industries. It has one of the largest and sophisticated multiphase flow laboratories and has a consortium of major petroleum companies, such as SAUDI ARAMCO, BP, TOTAL, and SHELL.

We have met Professor Srdjan Nesic (Director), Mr. Bruce Brown (Assistant Director of Operations) and Mr. Marc Singer (Assistant Director for Technology) in 12-13 August 2009. The outcomes of our meeting are:

  • Research collaboration with ICMFT by starting joint research projects. Two projects have agreed upon, the first project is about the erosion-corrosion of emulsion flow in pipelines and the second project is about the top of the line corrosion.
  • Inviting Prof. Nesic to present a short course at KFUPM. The outline of the short course is in the attachment.
  • Visiting their sophisticated erosion-corrosion and multiphase flow laboratories. They have different types of multiphase flow loop which simulates the oil and gas transport in pipelines such;
    • The Hydrogen Sulfide Multiphase Testing Facility.
    • The Inclinable, Multiphase Flow Rig.
    • The Wet Gas Corrosion Flow Loops.
    • Transparent Multiphase Corrosion Flow Loops.
    • Naphthenic Acid Corrosion Facility.<

Fontana Corrosion Center (FCC), Ohio State University

This research center is considered one of the globally leading corrosion research centers.

We have met Professor Gerald Frankel (Director) in 14 August 2009. The outcomes of our meeting are:

  • Research collaboration with FCC by starting joint research projects. No specific subjects have been decided so far.
  • Inviting Prof. Frankel to present a short course at KFUPM. The course will be presented with Prof. Nesic. The outline of the short course is in the attachment.
  • Visiting their sophisticated corrosion laboratories. FCC has different facilities for corrosion testing such as; stress corrosion cracking, coating, crevice corrosion, localized corrosion, inhibitors, pitting, and atmospheric corrosion.