Zerust Oil & Gas

Corrpro Helps Clients Meet Requirements Using VCIs Corrpro, a licensed distributor of Zerust® vapor corrosion inhibitors (VCIs), use VCIs in a variety of applications in the oil & gas industry. Our applications include aboveground storage tanks, cased crossings for pipelines, offshore platforms and more. What is a vapor corrosion inhibitor? VCIs have been used safely in the oil & gas industry for more than 35 years and can help prevent corrosion in a variety of aboveground assets like tanks. Moisture and contaminants in the atmosphere can react with metal surfaces and cause corrosion. VCIs help to protect these surfaces without the need for greases or painting. VCIs work for assets in enclosed spaces. VCIs work because they have a higher vapor pressure than the surrounding air and absorb onto bare metal surfaces to prevent against corrosion by forming a protective film. Corrpro’s Director of Engineering, Dirk van Oostendorp, explained how VCIs can help on a project, “Corrosion is a naturally-occurring electrochemical process for ferrous materials. When the effects of corrosion are visible, it is easier to deal with. However, corrosion often occurs in hidden areas or difficult to access locations, becoming more difficult to identify and address. Due to their unique nature, volatile corrosion inhibitors are ideally suited for providing protection in these hard-to-access cases.” Underground pipelines are required by regulations to have cathodic protection to protect them from corrosion. When these pipelines run under roadways, railway lines or other structures, the standard practice has been to install them inside protective steel casings. Over time, ground movement can cause contact between the pipeline and casing, resulting in a metallic short that can cause a drain on the cathodic protection system. Vapor corrosion inhibiting gel can help mitigate this issue by protecting the space between the pipeline and casing, preventing corrosion caused by moisture, oxygen and other contaminants that may be trapped in this annular space. Similarly, aboveground storage tanks are often constructed with a secondary containment structure. This empty space is also difficult to access and can be prone to corrosion from accumulation of condensation in the annular space. Previously, metal loss from corrosion could only be detected by very detailed inspection, which can be costly. VCIs can provide a long-term solution to preventing undetected corrosion from occurring in these areas of concern. Corrpro has assisted clients by installing access ports to introduce vapor corrosion inhibiting gel for these applications. ...... For more information, please visit our website www.corrpro.com