Corrosion in Oil well Stimulation Processes Caused by Different Chelating Agents Based on EDTA Compounds

Chelating solutions can be damaged by strong acids during oil production. To design effective corrosion inhibitors and other alternatives for corrosion control, it is important to understand not only the behavior of the system under operating condition but also the kinetics of electrochemical reactions during the corrosion process. In this study, the electrochemical behaviors of P-110 steel in aqueous fluids based on ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) compounds under various temperatures and hydrodynamic regime conditions were assessed. Electrochemical measurements were conducted using rotating disc electrodes manufactured. Electrolytes were prepared using aqueous compounds of EDTA like diammonium salt, disodium salt, and tetrasodium salt. Potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance, and mass loss tests were performed in order to assess the corrosion kinetic in electrolytes. Hydrodynamic effects were observed only in the cathodic polarization curve. This proves that hydrodynamic regime plays an important role in the corrosion of steel mainly in disodium and diammonium EDTA solutions. Two cathodic reactions controlled the corrosion process. However, oxygen level and pH of the electrolyte played the most important role in metal corrosion. Corrosion rates in those fluids were decreased drastically when oxygen concentration was reduced.