A new research project led by the Curtin Corrosion Centre and Chevron Australia has been announced.
The project seeks to revolutionise the way corrosion is managed on oil and gas plants around the world through an Australian first flow-loop facility.
Corrison, and the impact it has on major infrastructure, is a common and costly challenge that is faced by many offshore operators.
The team at Curtin, supported by a $2.5 million contribution from Chevron Australia, will design, build and operator the Extreme Service Flow Loop facility. Chevron’s funding will also support a three-year research program after the flow loop is commissioned.
The facility will mimic flow conditions inside pipelines and other high-flow environments in the oil and gas sectors.
Curtin Corrosion Centre Associate Professor Ahmed Barifcani said Chevron’s investment would transform corrosion control strategies that are used around the world.
“Western Australia continues to be a leading energy producer, so it is critical to develop local capabilities to assist with maintaining the large-scale plants that operate in our State. This funding will allow our team to manage this ongoing issue locally here in WA, without relying on international facilities for testing,” said Associate Professor Barifcani.
“Corrosion of engineering alloys, which are commonly used for pipelines and pressure valves in the oil and gas industry, is common and costly to maintain and repair.
Essentially, we will use the research to both predict and prevent corrosion in pipelines, so they can be repaired to reduce the risk to the environment, while also providing companies with information that can help them build oil and gas pipelines with more confidence in remote and previously inaccessible locations.
Professor Ahmed Barifcani
“This facility will also assist with better material selection and corrosion management methods, leading to product lifetime extension and, ultimately, moving towards a circular environmentally controlled economy.”
Director of the Curtin Corrosion Centre Professor Mariano Iannuzzi has welcomed the Chevron Australia collaboration.
“The team at the Curtin Corrosion Centre looks forward to working together on this project with Chevron Australia, which will result in significant benefits for industries which operate near or offshore, such as Australia’s LNG industry, as well as all large-scale operations that might be affected by corrosion,” Professor Iannuzzi said.
The facility, which is expected to be completed in 2023, will initially focus on the Gorgon and Wheatstone natural gas facilities in the northwest.
Kory Judd, Chevron Australia Director of Operations, said he was pleased to continue to partner with the Curtin Corrosion Centre to support the ongoing development of the energy industry.
“Chevron has always embraced innovation and implemented technology to solve the energy challenges of today and the future,” Mr Judd said.
“We’re proud to partner with the Curtin Corrosion Centre to build local capabilities and expertise in corrosion management – an important maintenance area for our industry that has the potential to create new jobs and post-graduate research opportunities in Western Australia.”
~~
Curtin University is a sponsor of Startup News
