How, Why, and Where Thermal Diffusion Properties Work in Oil and Gas

This paper focuses on testing done by oil companies and results from a protective intermetallic system (PIS) for production pipe in sour gas regions. The testing focuses on exposing the materials to stresses such as wear, tensile, chemical environments and compares the results against legacy materials in those regions. The testing parameters were taken from direct instruction from oil companies needing these tests for individual regions specifically associated with West Texas and Oman, in depths more than 7000 feet. In those locations, sour gas, brine conditions, thermal stress, and mechanical stresses combine to play a complex role in corroding production pipe. Oil companies are looking for ways to reduce equipment turnover to improve productivity. Coatings historically create a barrier to the corrosive environment; however, the coating may not be robust enough to withstand the stresses or can inadvertently create more stresses. The Intermetallic layer of the (PIS), the thermally diffused alloy has very different properties. The thermally diffused alloy works with the substrate to create a new alloy or intermetallic layer to block out the stresses from reaching the substrate at the microscopic level.