Electronic Corrosion Engineer (ECE)

 
Electronic Corrosion Engineer (ECE) enables the quantitative
estimation of corrosion rates and the selection of materials
for oil and gas production systems and processing facilities.
At the heart of ECE is a new and improved model for
corrosion analysis and material selection, firmly based on
laboratory data, and field calibration studies both with
pipeline and with downhole tubing.
ECE is available as the Professional Edition (for a single
user) or the Enterprise Edition (for multiple users on a
network). Licensees receive regular updates, including
further functionality improvements and new materials data,
and have the benefit of expert Technical Support. See Also:
What's new in ECE

Support and Maintenance contact the ECE Development Team -

For
Email: [email protected] - Telephone: +44 (0) 1244 336386

© Wood plc 2020  

About ECE
 
Electronic Corrosion Engineer (ECE) enables the quantitative
estimation of corrosion rates and the selection of materials
for oil and gas production systems and processing facilities.
For more information see What's New in ECE and Version
Compatibility.
At the heart of ECE is a new and improved model for
corrosion analysis and material selection, firmly based on
laboratory data, and field calibration studies both with
pipeline and with downhole tubing.
Tubing Corrosion Prediction deals principally with the
vertical flow, although deviated tubing can also be
modelled. The Flowline tools deal predominately with
horizontal flow. The orientation has a significant influence on
the flow regime which impacts on some aspects of the
corrosion rate, such as the likelihood of having erosion of
corrosion product scales or separation of water from oil.
Each tool can be used independently so that the evaluation
of the carbon steel corrosion rate and the risk of carbon
steel failure can be carried out without any reference to the
evaluation of suitable CRA's, their sources and the LCC
comparison between the CRA and carbon steel options.
Similarly, the CRA evaluation or check on suppliers of a
given type of CRA can be done without first checking the
potential carbon steel corrosion rate. Parameters are not
carried over from one Tool to another and changing an input
value in one Tool does not change values elsewhere.
ECE can be used to estimate the corrosion rate in facilities
and top-side pipe work. ECE does not consider the impact of
tight bends and other flow disturbances typical of process
piping.
 Corrosion Prediction: ECE is principally concerned with
material selection for two key capital expenditure items
in oil and gas developments: downhole production
tubing and flowlines. The aim is to propose a safe
material selection at minimum cost. The Predictions are
carried out independently using Tubing Corrosion
Predictor and Flowline Corrosion Predictor.
CRA Evaluation: Analysis of the potential corrosion rate
of carbon steel under the given conditions, together
with an evaluation of the risk of failure of carbon steel
based on the estimated corrosion rate and given
tubing/flowline wall thickness is completed using Tubing
CRA Evaluator and Flowline CRA Evaluator.
Life Cycle Evaluation: Evaluation of the suitability of
various CRA's for the given conditions; selecting those
that will not fail by either localized or general corrosion,
or by cracking is completed using Tubing Life Cycle
Calculator and Flowline Life Cycle Calculator.

© Wood plc 2020  

What's New in ECE
 
ECE 5.6 contains the following new features. For more
information about ECE, see About ECE and Version
Compatibility.

Flowline segmentation – the user is now able to enter a

more detailed profile of a flowline, the relative elevation,
external heat transfer coefficient and external ambient
temperature conditions are now user definable at any
location along a flowline.
New CRA tubing evaluation rules – additional alloys have
been added to the tubing Alloy Evaluator.
Model Factors – Information is now provided to the user
when factors such as Oil Wetting or Scaling in the model
are activate.
Excel Interface – Improvements have been made to the
Excel interface providing more results including liquid
velocity, flow regime and the active model factors.
Tubing deviations – Enhancements have been made to
the user interface for the input of tubing deviations
including the provision of additional graphing.
API14E erosional velocity – Where the API14E velocity is
exceeded this is now clearly highlighted to the user.
Features and Enhancements from ECE 5.5
Features and Enhancements from ECE 5.4
Features and Enhancements from earlier versions of ECE

© Wood plc 2020  

Version Compatibility
 
The latest version of ECE 5.x is compatible with previous
versions. The Project Files created in previous version of ECE
are supported in the latest version. For more information
see About ECE and What's New in ECE.

Import of ECE 4.x files has been removed in ECE 5.4.

Licence Transfer Wizard has been removed in ECE 5.4.
Reactivation of your ECE Licence is required to use ECE
Professional Edition 5.4 and above.
You cannot upgrade from ECE 5.2.2 or earlier to ECE 5.4
or later. ECE 5.2.2 or earlier will not be removed. In this
case, you must install the latest version of ECE and then
manually remove ECE5.2.2 or earlier using Microsoft
Windows Programs and Features.

© Wood plc 2020  

Support and Maintenance
 
Support and Maintenance is provided to users with a current
licence. We welcome feedback, comments, and suggestions
on any aspect of the ECE. The feedback we receive from
users is vital for the future development of the software.
Send your support requests and feedback to the ECE
Development Team. For more information see About ECE,
What's New in ECE and Version Compatibility.

Support and advice on installation and how to use ECE.

How to use the model.
Advice on corrosion engineering issues related to the
corrosion model, how best to use the ECE models for
specific situations.
Critical Bug Fixes.
A schedule of new ECE releases with maintenance and
enhancement upgrades.
If you have a query related to a particular set of data or
situation, email a copy of the ECE data file (*.ecx) or the
original data to the ECE Development Team along with
your query.

Support and Maintenance contact the ECE Development Team -

For
Email: [email protected] - Telephone: +44 (0) 1244 336386

© Wood plc 2020  

About ECE 5.x Installation
 
There are two versions of ECE currently available, ECE 5.x
Professional Edition (Single User) and ECE 5.x Enterprise
Edition (Network Version). When ECE 5.x Professional Edition
is purchased, an Activation Code is provided by email to
activate the licenced functionality. If any further information
is required regarding the Installation or Licencing of ECE,
contact [email protected].

Professional Edition: ECE 5.x Professional Edition is

available with a Single User Licence. This document
describes the installation and activation of ECE 5.x
Professional Edition. See Professional Edition Minimum
Requirements for more information.
Enterprise Edition: You can run ECE 5.x Enterprise
Edition on a network server, allowing multiple
concurrent users and is supplied with a separate
Licence. See Enterprise Client Edition Minimum
Requirements and Enterprise Server Edition Minimum
Requirements for more information.
Trial Version: Explore the capabilities of ECE 5.x
Professional Edition for a Limited Time by requesting the
Trial Version from the ECE Home Page. Some
functionality will not be available.

Support and Maintenance contact the ECE Development Team -

For
Email: [email protected] - Telephone: +44 (0) 1244 336386

© Wood plc 2020  

About ECE 5.x Professional
 
There are two versions of ECE currently available, ECE 5.x
Professional Edition (Single User) and ECE 5.x Enterprise
Edition (Network Version). When ECE 5.x Professional Edition
is purchased, Wood plc provides an Activation Code to
activate the licenced functionality. If any further information
is required regarding the Installation or Licencing of ECE,
contact [email protected]. See ECE 5.x Professional
Minimum Requirements for more information.

Professional Edition: ECE 5.x Professional Edition is

available with a Single User Licence. This document
describes the installation and activation of ECE 5.x
Professional Edition.
Enterprise Edition: You can run ECE 5.x Enterprise
Edition on a network server, allowing multiple
concurrent users and is supplied with a separate Licence
available from Wood plc.
Trial Version: Explore the capabilities of ECE 5.x
Professional Edition for a Limited Time by requesting the
Trial Version from the ECE Home Page. Some
functionality will not be available.

Support and Maintenance contact the ECE Development Team -

For
Email: [email protected] - Telephone: +44 (0) 1244 336386

© Wood plc 2020  

Before Installing ECE 5.x Professional
An Administrator or Super User must install ECE 5.x
Professional Edition. If you do not have the required
permissions please contact your IT Department for
assistance. See ECE 5.x Professional Minimum Requirements
and Run ECE 5.x Professional Setup for more information.
Support and Maintenance contact the ECE Development Team -
For
Email: [email protected] - Telephone: +44 (0) 1244 336386

© Wood plc 2020

ECE 5.x Professional Minimum
Requirements
 
The following minimum Hardware and Software
requirements apply when installing ECE Professional Edition.
See Run ECE 5.x Professional Setup for more information.

Operating Systems: The following Operating Systems

are supported by ECE 5.x Professional Edition.
Microsoft Windows 7 (32-bit and 64-bit)
Microsoft Windows 8 (32-bit and 64-bit)
Microsoft Windows 10 (32-bit and 64-bit)
Hardware Requirements: The following hardware is
required for ECE 5.x Professional Edition.
 1.5 GHz for Microsoft Windows 7
1 GB of RAM for Microsoft Windows 7
40 MB of available hard disk space
Graphics card capable of a minimum resolution of
1024 x 768
Software Requirements: Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5.2
or above is also required by ECE 5.x Professional Edition.

Support and Maintenance contact the ECE Development Team -

For
Email: [email protected] - Telephone: +44 (0) 1244 336386

© Wood plc 2020  

Microsoft .NET Framework
 
Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5.2 or above is required by ECE
5.x Professional Edition. If Microsoft .NET Framework is not
installed, follow the steps below to install Microsoft .NET
Framework. See ECE 5.x Professional Minimum
Requirements for more information.

Download Microsoft 4.5.2 Offline Installer from the

Microsoft website.
Once the installer has downloaded, execute the
downloaded setup file to display the Microsoft .NET
Framework Setup dialog.
Accept the terms and conditions and click Install to start
the installation.
Once Install has been selected the Installation Progress
will be displayed.
When installation has completed the Installation is
Complete dialog is displayed.
Select Finish to complete the installation of Microsoft
.NET Framework.

© Wood plc 2020  

Run ECE 5.x Professional Setup
 
Follow the steps below to Install ECE 5.x Professional
Edition. See ECE 5.x Professional Minimum Requirements for
more information.

Run ECE Professional Edition.msi to open Electronic

Corrosion Engineer Setup. If Microsoft .NET Framework
4.5.2 or above is not installed, you will be prompted to
Install Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5.2 before you can
continue installing ECE 5.x Professional Edition.
Select I accept the terms in the License Agreement and
click Next.
Select the required Destination Folder. Confirm the
installation directory. Either accept the default directory
or click Change... to select the required directory.
Click Next to display Ready to Install.
Click Install to begin Installing Electronic Corrosion
Engineer 5.x.
When Completed the Electronic Corrosion Engineer
Setup Wizard is displayed, click Finish to complete the
installation.

© Wood plc 2020  

Activate ECE 5.x Professional Licence
 
Once ECE 5.x Professional Edition has been installed,
Activate the ECE Licence. See ECE 5.x Professional Minimum
Requirements and Run ECE 5.x Professional Setup for more
information.

Double click the Electronic Corrosion Engineer Desktop

Shortcut to start ECE and display the New Project dialog.
Click Close. Do not select a project at this stage.
From Help, select Upgrade ECE to display the
Registration dialog.
From the Registration dialog, Copy the Request to
Clipboard, Paste into an email and send to
[email protected] with your Company Details and
Contact Information. Wood plc will reply to your email
with the Activation Code.
Copy the Activation Code from the email reply and Paste
into Activation Code in the Registration dialog.
Click Activate to display the Activation Successful
dialog.
Click OK to display the ECE Configuration Change dialog.
Click OK to Close and Restart ECE with the new
configuration.

Support and Maintenance contact the ECE Development Team -

For
Email: [email protected] - Telephone: +44 (0) 1244 336386

© Wood plc 2020  

Upgrade ECE 5.x Professional Edition
 
The required steps for Upgrading ECE 5.x Professional
Edition are described here and refer to ECE Professional
Edition version 5.4 and above. Any previously installed
versions of ECE 5.x Professional Edition will be removed
during Upgrade process. If upgrading from ECE Professional
Edition 5.4 or above, reactivation of your ECE Licence is not
required. See ECE 5.x Professional Minimum Requirements
and Run ECE 5.x Professional Setup for more information.
You cannot upgrade from ECE Professional Edition version
5.2.2 or earlier to ECE Professional Edition version 5.4 or
later. In this case, you must install ECE 5.x Professional
Edition. ECE Professional Edition version 5.2.2 or earlier will
not be removed and must be removed manually using
Microsoft Windows Programs and Features.
If you are installing ECE for the first time, refer to the ECE
5.x Professional Edition Installation Guide. If any further
information is required regarding the Installation or
Licencing of ECE, contact [email protected].
Follow the steps below to Upgrade ECE 5.x Professional
Edition.

Run ECE Professional Edition.msi to open Electronic

Corrosion Engineer Setup. If Microsoft .NET Framework
4.5.2 or above is not installed, you will be prompted to
Install Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5.2 before you can
continue installing ECE 5.x Professional Edition.
Select I accept the terms in the License Agreement and
click Next.
Select the required Destination Folder. Confirm the
installation directory. Either accept the default directory
or click Change... to select the required directory.
 Click Next to display Ready to Install.
Click Install to begin Installing Electronic Corrosion
Engineer 5.x.
When Completed the Electronic Corrosion Engineer
Setup Wizard is displayed, click Finish to complete the
installation.

Support and Maintenance contact the ECE Development Team -

For
Email: [email protected] - Telephone: +44 (0) 1244 336386

© Wood plc 2020  

About Enterprise Edition
 
There are two components required to use Electronic
Corrosion Engineer Enterprise Edition 5.x; Enterprise Server
Edition and Enterprise Client Edition. When ECE 5.x
Enterprise Edition is purchased, Wood plc provides an
Activation Code to activate the licenced functionality. To
upgrade ECE Enterprise Edition, see Upgrade Enterprise
Edition. If any further information is required regarding the
Installation or Licencing of ECE, contact [email protected].
Enterprise Server Edition: You can run ECE 5.x Enterprise
Edition on a network server, allowing multiple concurrent
users and is supplied with a separate Licence available from
Wood plc. The following steps are required to install ECE
Enterprise Server Edition.

Server Edition Minimum Requirements: Check the

Minimum Requirements prior to installation.
Install Enterprise Server Edition: Install ECE Enterprise
Server Edition on the Network.
Create a Shared Network Directory to the location of
ECE Enterprise Server Edition on the Windows Server.
Activate the Server Edition Licence.

Enterprise Client Edition: Setup ECE Enterprise Client Edition

on a Client Machine. The following steps are required to
setup ECE Enterprise Client Edition.

Client Edition Minimum Requirements: Check the

Minimum Requirements prior to installation.
Enterprise Client Edition: Setup ECE Enterprise on a
Client Machine.
Map a Network Drive to the Shared Network Directory.
 Create a Shortcut to ECE Enterprise in the Shared
Directory.
Activate the Client Edition Licence.

Support and Maintenance contact the ECE Development Team -

For
Email: [email protected] - Telephone: +44 (0) 1244 336386

© Wood plc 2020  

Before Installing Enterprise Edition
 
An Administrator or Super User must install ECE 5.x
Enterprise Edition. If you do not have the required
permissions please contact your IT Department for
assistance. For more information see About Enterprise
Edition.
 

© Wood plc 2020

Enterprise Edition Licencing
 
ECE Enterprise Edition requires Activation Keys for both the
Server Edition and the Client Edition. The ECE Enterprise
Edition Licence is shared. For more information see About
Enterprise Edition.

Activation Codes: Obtain Activation Codes for both the

Server Edition and the Client Edition. The Client Edition
Licence Activation is only required on ONE client
machine irrespective of the number of licences
purchased.
Invalid Licence: Changes to your PC Hardware may
invalidate the activation of ECE. If this occurs, contact
[email protected] for new Activation Codes.
Additional Licences: ECE will inform you if all Licences
are in use. If you require additional Licences, Upgrade
ECE and request additional Activation Codes from
[email protected].

© Wood plc 2020  

Server Edition Minimum
Requirements
 
The Minimum Software and Hardware Requirements apply
when installing ECE 5.x Enterprise Server Edition. For more
information see About Enterprise Edition.

Operating Systems: The following Operating Systems

are supported by ECE Enterprise Server Edition:
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 – all versions.
Microsoft Windows Server 2012 – all versions.
Microsoft Windows Server 2016 - all versions.
Hardware Requirements: The following Hardware is
required for ECE Enterprise Server Edition:
1.5 GHz CPU.
512MB of RAM.
40 MB of available Hard Disk Space on a Physical
Server.
Graphics Card capable of a Minimum Resolution of
1024 x 768.
Software Requirements: Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5.2
or above is required by ECE 5.x Enterprise Server
Edition.

© Wood plc 2020  

Enterprise Server Edition Installation
 
Complete the following steps to install Electronic Corrosion
Engineer Enterprise Server Edition. For more information
see About Enterprise Edition and Server Edition Minimum
Requirements.

Check your Server Hardware and Software meets the

Minimum Requirements.
Run Electronic Corrosion Engineer Setup for Enterprise
Server Edition.
Create Shared Network Directory for the Network
Location.
Activate Enterprise Server Edition.

© Wood plc 2020  

Microsoft .NET Framework
 
Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5.2 or above is required by ECE
5.x Enterprise Edition. If Microsoft .NET Framework is not
installed, follow the steps below to install Microsoft .NET
Framework.

Download Microsoft 4.5.2 Offline Installer from the

Microsoft website.
Once the installer has downloaded, execute the
downloaded setup file to display the Microsoft .NET
Framework Setup dialog.
Accept the terms and conditions and click Install to start
the installation.
Once Install has been selected the Installation Progress
will be displayed.
When installation has completed the Installation is
Complete dialog is displayed.
Select Finish to complete the installation of Microsoft
.NET Framework.

© Wood plc 2020  

Windows 2008 Server Installation
 
Complete the following steps to install Electronic Corrosion
Engineer Enterprise Server Edition on your Windows 2008
Server. For more information see About Enterprise Edition.

Run ECE Enterprise Edition.msi to open Electronic

Corrosion Engineer Setup. If Microsoft .NET Framework
4.5.2 or above is not installed, you will be prompted to
Install Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5.2 before you can
continue installing ECE 5.x Enterprise Edition.
Select I accept the terms in the License Agreement and
click Next.
Select the required Destination Folder. Confirm the
installation directory. Either accept the default directory
or click Change... to select the required directory.
Click Next to display Ready to Install.
Click Install to begin Installing Electronic Corrosion
Engineer 5.x.
When Completed the Electronic Corrosion Engineer
Setup Wizard is displayed, click Finish to complete the
installation.

© Wood plc 2020  

Windows 2008 Shared Network
Directory
 
Remote Access is required to ECE Enterprise Server Edition
by all ECE Users. A Shared Network Directory must be
created to enable Remote Access. For more information see
Windows 2008 Server Installation.

Identify the Default Installation Directory created during

Installation.
32-bit Windows Server: C.\Program Files\Wood
plc\Electronic Corrosion Engineer\.
64-bit Windows Server: C.\Program Files (x86)\Wood
plc\Electronic Corrosion Engineer\.
Using Windows Explorer, right-click the Default
Installation Directory and select Properties to display the
Electronic Corrosion Engineer Properties dialog.
Select the Sharing tab then click Advanced Sharing to
open the Advanced Sharing dialog.
Select Share this Folder and type a Share Name.
Click Permissions in the Advanced Sharing dialog to
display the Permissions for Electronic Corrosion Engineer
dialog.
Select Full Control for all ECE Groups or User Names.
Click OK to return to the Advanced Sharing dialog.
Click OK to return to the Electronic Corrosion Engineer
Properties dialog.
Select the Security tab, click Edit to display the
Permissions for Electronic Corrosion Engineer dialog.
Select Full Control for all ECE Groups or User Names.
 Click OK to return to the Electronic Corrosion Engineer
Properties dialog.
Select Sharing and note the Network Path to be used
when mapping to the Shared Network Directory.
Click OK to Close the Electronic Corrosion Engineer
Properties dialog.
Double click the Electronic Corrosion Engineer Desktop
Shortcut to Start ECE and Activate the Licence.

© Wood plc 2020  

Activate Windows 2008 Server
Edition Licence
 
Once ECE 5.x Enterprise Server Edition has been installed,
Activate the ECE Licence. For more information see Windows
2008 Server Installation.

Double click the Electronic Corrosion Engineer Desktop

Shortcut to start ECE.
From Help, select Upgrade ECE to display the
Registration dialog.
From the Registration dialog, Copy the Request to
Clipboard, Paste into an email and send to
[email protected] with your Company Details and
Contact Information. Wood plc will reply to your email
with the Activation Code.
Copy the Activation Code from the Wood plc email reply
and Paste into Activation Code in the Registration
dialog.
Click Activate to display the Activation Successful
dialog.
Click OK to display the ECE Configuration Change dialog.
Click OK to Close and Restart the Activated ECE.

© Wood plc 2020  

Microsoft .NET Framework
 
Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5.2 or above is required by ECE
5.x Enterprise Edition. If Microsoft .NET Framework is not
installed, follow the steps below to install Microsoft .NET
Framework.

Download Microsoft 4.5.2 Offline Installer from the

Microsoft website.
Once the installer has downloaded, execute the
downloaded setup file to display the Microsoft .NET
Framework Setup dialog.
Accept the terms and conditions and click Install to start
the installation.
Once Install has been selected the Installation Progress
will be displayed.
When installation has completed the Installation is
Complete dialog is displayed.
Select Finish to complete the installation of Microsoft
.NET Framework.

© Wood plc 2020  

Windows 2012 Server Installation
 
Complete the following steps to install Electronic Corrosion
Engineer Enterprise Server Edition on your Windows 2012
Server. For more information see Enterprise Server Edition
Installation.

Run ECE Enterprise Edition.msi to open Electronic

Corrosion Engineer Setup. If Microsoft .NET Framework
4.5.2 or above is not installed, you will be prompted to
Install Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5.2 before you can
continue installing ECE 5.x Enterprise Edition.
Select I accept the terms in the License Agreement and
click Next.
Select the required Destination Folder. Confirm the
installation directory. Either accept the default directory
or click Change... to select the required directory.
Click Next to display Ready to Install.
Click Install to begin Installing Electronic Corrosion
Engineer 5.x.
When Completed the Electronic Corrosion Engineer
Setup Wizard is displayed, click Finish to complete the
installation.

© Wood plc 2020  

Windows 2012 Shared Network
Directory
 
Remote Access is required to ECE Enterprise Server Edition
by all ECE Users. A Shared Network Directory must be
created to enable Remote Access. For more information see
Enterprise Server Edition Installation.

Identify the Default Installation Directory created during

Installation.
32-bit Windows Server: C.\Program Files\Wood
plc\Electronic Corrosion Engineer\.
64-bit Windows Server: C.\Program Files (x86)\Wood
plc\Electronic Corrosion Engineer\.
Using Windows Explorer, right-click the Default
Installation Directory and select Properties to display the
Electronic Corrosion Engineer Properties dialog.
Select the Sharing tab then click Advanced Sharing to
open the Advanced Sharing dialog.
Select Share this Folder and type a Share Name.
Click Permissions in the Advanced Sharing dialog to
display the Permissions for Electronic Corrosion Engineer
dialog.
Select Full Control for all ECE Groups or User Names.
Click OK to return to the Advanced Sharing dialog.
Click OK to return to the Electronic Corrosion Engineer
Properties dialog.
Select the Security tab, click Edit to display the
Permissions for Electronic Corrosion Engineer dialog.
Select Full Control for all ECE Groups or User Names.
 Click OK to return to the Electronic Corrosion Engineer
Properties dialog.
Select Sharing and note the Network Path to be used
when mapping to the Shared Network Directory.
Click OK to Close the Electronic Corrosion Engineer
Properties dialog.
Double click the Electronic Corrosion Engineer Desktop
Shortcut to Start ECE and Activate the Licence.

© Wood plc 2020  

Activate Windows 2012 Server
Edition Licence
 
Once ECE 5.x Enterprise Server Edition has been installed,
Activate the ECE Licence. For more information see Windows
2012 Server Installation.

Double click the Electronic Corrosion Engineer Desktop

Shortcut to start ECE.
From Help, select Upgrade ECE to display the
Registration dialog.
From the Registration dialog, Copy the Request to
Clipboard, Paste into an email and send to
[email protected] with your Company Details and
Contact Information. Wood plc will reply to your email
with the Activation Code.
Copy the Activation Code from the Wood email reply and
Paste into Activation Code in the Registration dialog.
Click Activate to display the Activation Successful
dialog.
Click OK to display the ECE Configuration Change dialog.
Click OK to Close and Restart the Activated ECE.

© Wood plc 2020  

Microsoft .NET Framework
 
Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5.2 or above is required by ECE
5.x Enterprise Edition. If Microsoft .NET Framework is not
installed, follow the steps below to install Microsoft .NET
Framework.

Download Microsoft 4.5.2 Offline Installer from the

Microsoft website.
Once the installer has downloaded, execute the
downloaded setup file to display the Microsoft .NET
Framework Setup dialog.
Accept the terms and conditions and click Install to start
the installation.
Once Install has been selected the Installation Progress
will be displayed.
When installation has completed the Installation is
Complete dialog is displayed.
Select Finish to complete the installation of Microsoft
.NET Framework.

© Wood plc 2020  

Windows 2016 Server Installation
 
Complete the following steps to install Electronic Corrosion
Engineer Enterprise Server Edition on your Windows 2016
Server. For more information see Enterprise Server Edition
Installation.

Run ECE Enterprise Edition.msi to open Electronic

Corrosion Engineer Setup. If Microsoft .NET Framework
4.5.2 or above is not installed, you will be prompted to
Install Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5.2 before you can
continue installing ECE 5.x Enterprise Edition.
Select I accept the terms in the License Agreement and
click Next.
Select the required Destination Folder. Confirm the
installation directory. Either accept the default directory
or click Change... to select the required directory.
Click Next to display Ready to Install.
Click Install to begin Installing Electronic Corrosion
Engineer 5.x.
When Completed the Electronic Corrosion Engineer
Setup Wizard is displayed, click Finish to complete the
installation.

© Wood plc 2020  

Windows 2016 Shared Network
Directory
 
Remote Access is required to ECE Enterprise Server Edition
by all ECE Users. A Shared Network Directory must be
created to enable Remote Access. For more information see
Enterprise Server Edition Installation.

Identify the Default Installation Directory created during

Installation.
32-bit Windows Server: C.\Program Files\Wood
plc\Electronic Corrosion Engineer\.
64-bit Windows Server: C.\Program Files (x86)\Wood
plc\Electronic Corrosion Engineer\.
Using Windows Explorer, right-click the Default
Installation Directory and select Properties to display the
Electronic Corrosion Engineer Properties dialog.
Select the Sharing tab then click Advanced Sharing to
open the Advanced Sharing dialog.
Select Share this Folder and type a Share Name.
Click Permissions in the Advanced Sharing dialog to
display the Permissions for Electronic Corrosion Engineer
dialog.
Select Full Control for all ECE Groups or User Names.
Click OK to return to the Advanced Sharing dialog.
Click OK to return to the Electronic Corrosion Engineer
Properties dialog.
Select the Security tab, click Edit to display the
Permissions for Electronic Corrosion Engineer dialog.
Select Full Control for all ECE Groups or User Names.
 Click OK to return to the Electronic Corrosion Engineer
Properties dialog.
Select Sharing and note the Network Path to be used
when mapping to the Shared Network Directory.
Click OK to Close the Electronic Corrosion Engineer
Properties dialog.
Double click the Electronic Corrosion Engineer Desktop
Shortcut to Start ECE and Activate the Licence.

© Wood plc 2020  

Activate Windows 2016 Server
Edition Licence
 
Once ECE 5.x Enterprise Server Edition has been installed,
Activate the ECE Licence. For more information see Windows
2016 Server Installation.

Double click the Electronic Corrosion Engineer Desktop

Shortcut to start ECE.
From Help, select Upgrade ECE to display the
Registration dialog.
From the Registration dialog, Copy the Request to
Clipboard, Paste into an email and send to
[email protected] with your Company Details and
Contact Information. Wood plc will reply to your email
with the Activation Code.
Copy the Activation Code from the Wood plc email reply
and Paste into Activation Code in the Registration
dialog.
Click Activate to display the Activation Successful
dialog.
Click OK to display the ECE Configuration Change dialog.
Click OK to Close and Restart the Activated ECE.

© Wood plc 2020  

Enterprise Client Edition Installation
 
To setup Enterprise Client Edition the following steps are
required for each Client PC that requires access to Electronic
Corrosion Engineer. For more information see Client Edition
Minimum Requirements.

Check your PC Hardware and Software meets the

Minimum Requirements.
Map a Network Drive to the Shared Network Directory
created on the Server for each Client PC.
Copy Shortcut in the Server Location to the Client PC.

© Wood plc 2020  

Client Edition Minimum Requirements
 
Prior to installing ECE Enterprise Client Edition, please
consult the details below for the minimum software and
hardware requirements. For more information see Enterprise
Client Edition Installation.

Operating Systems: The following Operating Systems

are supported for ECE Enterprise Client Edition.
Microsoft Windows 7 (32-bit and 64-bit)
Microsoft Windows 8 (32-bit and 64-bit)
Microsoft Windows 10 (32-bit and 64-bit)
Hardware Requirements: The following Hardware is
required for ECE Enterprise Client Edition:
 1.5 GHz for Microsoft Windows 7
1 GB of RAM for Microsoft Windows 7
40 MB of available hard disk space
Graphics card capable of a minimum resolution of
1024 x 768
Software Requirements: Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5.2
or above is required by ECE 5.x Enterprise Client Edition.

© Wood plc 2020  

Map Network Drive
 
If the Client PC is running Windows 7, follow the steps below
to Map the Network Drive. For more information see
Enterprise Client Edition Installation.

From the Start Menu, Open Windows Explorer and select

Map Network Drive to open the Map Network Drive
dialog.
Select the required Drive Letter and Enter the Path to
Shared Network Directory and select Reconnect at
logon.
Click Finish to return to Windows Explorer.
The Shared Network Drive will now be available in
Windows Explorer.

© Wood plc 2020  

Create Shortcut on Client PC
 
Once a Drive has been mapped to the Shared Network
Directory, the Shortcut in the Server Location must be
copied to the Client PC. For more information see Enterprise
Client Edition Installation.

Open the Shared Network Drive to display the file

Electronic Corrosion Engineer.exe.
Right-click Electronic Corrosion Engineer.exe and select
Send to Desktop to create a shortcut on the desktop of
the Client PC.
Start Electronic Corrosion Engineer using the Shortcut
on the Desktop of the Client PC. The Shared Network
Drive must be available.

© Wood plc 2020  

Map Network Drive
 
If the Client PC is running Windows 8, follow the steps below
to Map the Network Drive. For more information see
Enterprise Client Edition Installation.

From the Start Screen, Open Windows Explorer.

From the File tab, select Map Network Drive to open the
Map Network Drive dialog.
Select the required Drive Letter and Enter the Path to
Shared Network Directory and select Reconnect at Sign-
In.
Click Finish to return to Windows Explorer.
The Shared Network Drive will now be available in
Windows Explorer.

© Wood plc 2020  

Create Shortcut on Client PC
 
Once a Drive has been mapped to the Shared Network
Directory, the Shortcut in the Server Location must be
copied to the Client PC. For more information see Enterprise
Client Edition Installation.

Open the Shared Network Drive to display the file

Electronic Corrosion Engineer.exe.
Right-click Electronic Corrosion Engineer.exe and select
Send to Desktop to create a shortcut on the desktop of
the Client PC.
Start Electronic Corrosion Engineer using the Shortcut
on the Desktop of the Client PC. The Shared Network
Drive must be available.

© Wood plc 2020  

Map Network Drive
 
If the Client PC is running Windows 10, follow the steps
below to Map the Network Drive. For more information see
Enterprise Client Edition Installation.

From the Start Menu, Open File Explorer.

Select This PC from the left side of the Window.
From the Computer tab, select Map network drive to
open the Map Network Drive dialog.
Select the required Drive Letter and Enter the Path to
Shared Network Directory and select Reconnect at Sign-
In.
Click Finish to return to File Explorer.
The Shared Network Drive will now be available in File
Explorer.

© Wood plc 2020  

Create Shortcut on Client PC
 
Once a Drive has been mapped to the Shared Network
Directory, the Shortcut in the Server Location must be
copied to the Client PC. For more information see Enterprise
Client Edition Installation.

Open the Shared Network Drive to display the file

Electronic Corrosion Engineer.exe.
Right-click Electronic Corrosion Engineer.exe the and
select Send to Desktop to create a shortcut on the
desktop of the Client PC.
Start Electronic Corrosion Engineer using the Shortcut
on the Desktop of the Client PC. The Shared Network
Drive must be available.

© Wood plc 2020  

Upgrade Enterprise Edition
 
The required steps for Upgrading ECE 5.x Enterprise Edition
are described here and refer to ECE Enterprise Edition
version 5.4 and above. Any previously installed versions of
ECE 5.x Enterprise Edition will be removed during Upgrade
process. If upgrading from ECE Professional Edition 5.4 or
above, reactivation of your ECE Licence is not required. For
more information see Before Installing Enterprise Edition.
You cannot upgrade from ECE Enterprise Edition version
5.2.2 or earlier to ECE Enterprise Edition version 5.4 or later.
In this case, you must install ECE 5.x Enterprise Edition. ECE
Enterprise Edition version 5.2.2 or earlier will not be
removed and must be removed manually using Microsoft
Windows Programs and Features.
If you are installing ECE for the first time, refer to the ECE
5.x Enterprise Edition Installation Guide.
If any further information is required regarding the
Installation or Licencing of ECE, contact [email protected].
Follow the steps below to Upgrade ECE 5.x Enterprise
Edition.

Upgrade Enterprise Server Edition: Follow the

instructions that are relevant to the version of Windows
Server you are running either Windows 2008 Server
Installation, Windows 2012 Server Installation or
Windows 2016 Server Installation.
Check your Server Hardware and Software meets
the Minimum Requirements.
Run Electronic Corrosion Engineer Setup for
Enterprise Server Edition.
 If necessary, create Shared Network Directory for
the Network Location.
If necessary, Activate Enterprise Server Edition.
Upgrade Enterprise Client Edition: Follow the
instructions that are relevant to the version of Windows
you are running on your Client PC's, either Windows 7,
Windows 8 or Windows 10.
Check your PC Hardware and Software meets the
Minimum Requirements.
Map a Network Drive to the Shared Network
Directory created on the Server for each Client PC.
Copy Shortcut in the Server Location to the Client
PC.

© Wood plc 2020  

Using ECE
 

Starting to use ECE: When ECE first starts, the ECE

Splash Screen is briefly displayed before ECE opens with
the New Project dialog displayed.
Project Tools: The Project Tools are accessed via the File
menu, which is used to manage each Corrosion
Prediction Project. Includes Saving and Retrieving Files.
Corrosion Prediction Tools: The Corrosion Prediction Tools
can be opened from the Tools menu. The Tools menu will
be prefixed with either Tubing or Flowline depending
upon the Corrosion Prediction Project selected.
Corrosion Prediction Graphs: The Corrosion Prediction
Graphs; Corrosion Rate Graph, Risk Analysis Graph, pH
Graph, Water Flow Rate Graph, Watercut Graph, Liquid
HoldUp, Liquid Velocity, Gas Velocity, Pressure, and
Temperature can be displayed in the Corrosion
Prediction Project.
Life Cycle Prediction Graphs: The Life Cycle Prediction
Graphs; Net Present Value Bar Chart and Capital Bar
Chart can be displayed in the Life Cycle Calculation.
Reporting and Printing: Results (Reports or
Images/Graphs) produced by ECE may be printed, saved
or exported to other software.
ECE Help: The Help menu in ECE is used to access the
ECE Help File and associated topics.

© Wood plc 2020  

Hardware and Software
Requirements
 
The Hardware and Software Requirements for ECE are listed
below. For more information, see About ECE 5.x Installation.

Operating systems
supported:

Professional Edition/Enterprise Edition

Client
Microsoft Windows Vista (32-bit and 64-bit)
Microsoft Windows 7 (32-bit and 64-bit)
Microsoft Windows 8 (32-bit and 64-bit)
Microsoft Windows 10 (32-bit and 64-bit)
Enterprise Edition Server
Microsoft Windows Server 2008
Microsoft Windows Server 2012
Microsoft Windows Server 2016

Minimum hardware
requirements:

Professional Edition/Enterprise Edition

Client
1.5 GHz for Microsoft Windows Vista/Microsoft
Windows 7
 1 GB of RAM for Microsoft Windows Vista/Microsoft
Windows 7
40 MB of available hard disk space
Graphics card capable of a minimum resolution of
1024 x 768
Enterprise Edition Server
1.5 GHz CPU
512MB of RAM
40 MB of available hard disk space on a physical
server
Graphics card capable of a minimum resolution of
1024 x 768

Minimum Software
Requirements:

Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5.2 or above

The .NET framework is normally installed as part of the
Windows operating system. The ECE installer now
includes the .NET framework and will install it if
necessary.

Support and Maintenance contact the ECE Development Team -

For
Email: [email protected] - Telephone: +44 (0) 1244 336386

© Wood plc 2020  

Starting to use ECE
 
When ECE first starts, the ECE Splash Screen is briefly
displayed before ECE opens with the New Project window
displayed.

Terms of Use: The ECE Disclaimer is displayed when ECE

first starts. Click Accept and Hide Terms to hide the
Disclaimer. ECE will confirm that hiding the Terms of Use
panel constitutes an acceptance of the Disclaimer and
Copyright terms. Click OK to continue.
Show Terms: Once the Terms of Use have been
accepted, click Show Terms to display the Disclaimer at
any time.
Display this Window at Start-Up: Select to display the
New Project window each time ECE is started. Clear this
option to start ECE without the New Project window
displayed.
Create a new Tubing Project: Opens the Tubing Corrosion
Predictor, select to create a new Tubing Corrosion
Project.
Create a new Flowline Project: Opens the Flowline
Corrosion Predictor, select to create a new Flowline
Corrosion Project.
Close Project: Select to close the New Project dialog. To
reopen the New Project dialog, open the File menu and
select New Project.

© Wood plc 2020  

Saving and Retrieving Files
 
The data inputs to the ECE tools can be saved for reference
as a Project File. A Project File contains a full set of input
values for the six ECE Tools. These Project data files have
the file extension (*.ecx). Output data values are not saved
in the Project data files, but are recalculated when the
Project file is reopened. For more information see Starting to
use ECE.

Open Project: Select File, Open Project to display the

Open ECE Project dialog. Browse to the required Project
and click Open to display the Project in ECE. All input
data for all tools will reflect the input data for the
selected project. Alternatively, you can use the Open
Project button on the ECE tool-bar to open the ECE
Project.
Save Project: Select File, Save Project to display the
Save ECE Project dialog. Browse to the required File
Location and click Save to save the selected project. It is
recommended to keep data files separate from ECE
files. Alternatively, you can use the Save Project button
on the ECE tool-bar to save the ECE Project.
Save Project As: Select File then Save Project As to
display the Save ECE Project dialog. Browse to the
required File Location and click Save to save the
selected project with an alternative project name.
Close Project: Select File, Close Project to close the
current project. If any changes have been made, ECE
will prompt to save the changes before closing.
Recent Projects: Select File, Recent Projects to display a
list of the 10 most recent projects opened in ECE. The
most recently opened project appears at the top of the
 list. If you select a project that has been renamed,
moved or deleted, ECE will ask to confirm the removal
from the Recent Projects list.

© Wood plc 2020  

Reporting and Printing
 
Results (Reports or Images/Graphs) produced by ECE may
be printed, saved or exported to other software.

Reporting and Printing: Output data from the Corrosion

Prediction, CRA Selection and Life Cycle Costing tools
can be printed, saved or exported in the form of
Reports. To produce a Report, select File, Tubing or
Flowline Corrosion Predictor Report (or Tubing or
Flowline Life Cycle Calculator Report) from the menu
bar. Two formats of Report., “full” and “summary” are
available for the Corrosion Predictor Tools. The Report is
displayed in a new window. Printing is selected by the
print icon in the Report window.
Saving to an External File: The Reports may also be
saved as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word or PDF format
files, selected from the drop down list on the save icon
in the report window. The Report can also be opened
directly in Microsoft Excel using the icon towards the
bottom left of the Report window.
Data Table: Raw data from the Corrosion and Erosion
Predictors can be output as a Microsoft Excel table,
showing the individual values for each step of the
corrosion (or erosion) calculation. To produce a Data
Table, select File, Tubing (or Flowline) Corrosion Predictor
Report - Data Table from the menu bar.
Graphs: Any graphs displayed on the right-hand side of
the Corrosion Predictor tools and the LCC tools may be
copied, printed, or saved using the icons at the top of
the graph. Graphs may be saved in the following
formats (*.emf, *.jpg, *.tiff, *.BMP, *.png, *.gif) . Copied
graphs may be pasted directly into other documents
 

© Wood plc 2020  

Menus
 
ECE has the following menus available. For more
information see Starting to use ECE.

File: Used to manage each Corrosion Prediction Project,

providing options such as New Project, Open Project and
Save Project. Reports and Data Tables are accessed
here. Some Project options are also available on the
tool-bar.
Tools: Access the Corrosion Prediction Tools, Erosion
Prediction Tools, CRA Calculation and Life Cycle
Calculations which can be opened in addition to the
Corrosion Prediction Project and can be selected from
the Tools menu or from the tool-bar.
Windows: All open tools and projects can be selected
from the Windows menu. The available tools will be
dependent upon the selected Corrosion Prediction
Project Window and will be either Tubing or Flowline.
Windows may also be re-sized by dragging the edges of
the window to create a custom size. When a Window is
minimised, it will reduce to the bottom left corner of the
work space. From here the window can be moved
around and maximised from anywhere in the work
space.
Help: The Help menu provides access to all help and
licence related options.
Multiple Instances of ECE: Multiple instances of ECE can
be opened simultaneously. This can be useful for
comparing two or more different sets of data side-by-
side. If you have multiple projects open, click Next from
the Window menu to toggle through all open projects.
 Alternatively using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+F6 to
toggle through all open projects.

Support and Maintenance contact the ECE Development Team -

For
Email: [email protected] - Telephone: +44 (0) 1244 336386

© Wood plc 2020  

Get Help
 
The Get Help menu displays all available help in the
following formats. For more information see Starting to use
ECE.

Index: Opens the ECE Help file with the Index tab
displayed.
Contents: Opens the ECE Help file with the Contents tab
displayed.
Flowline Corrosion Predictor: When a Flowline Corrosion
Prediction Project is open, displays the Flowline
Corrosion Predictor help.
Project Window: When a Flowline Corrosion Prediction
Project is open, displays the Using ECE help.
Upgrade Licence: Opens the Registration dialog where
Upgrade Registration Keys can be entered and ECE
Registration can be completed.
About: Displays the ECE Splash Screen containing
product information, for example, ECE Edition and
Version Number.

© Wood plc 2020  

Project File Tools
 
The File menu is used to manage each Corrosion Prediction
Project which can be saved for reference as a Project File. A
Project File contains a full set of input values for the six ECE
Tools contained within each Corrosion Prediction Project. ECE
Project data files have the file extension *.ecx. On selecting
a new project, the relevant Corrosion Predictor will open.
Output data values are not saved in the Project file but are
recalculated when the Project file is reopened. It is
recommended to keep data files separate from ECE files. For
more information see Starting to use ECE.
The following options are available in the File menu.

New Project: Opens the New Project dialog where you

can select either a New Tubing Project or a new Flowline
Project.
Open Project: Opens the Open ECE Project dialog where
you can browse to and select a previously saved
Corrosion Prediction Project. Alternatively, you can
select the Open Project button on the toolbar to open
the selected project.
Save Project: Opens the Save ECE Project dialog where
you can browse to a required location and save the
selected Corrosion Prediction Project. This option is only
available if a Corrosion Prediction project is open.
Alternatively, you can select the Save Project button on
the toolbar to save the selected project.
Save Project As: Save Project: Opens the Save ECE
Project dialog where you can browse to an appropriate
directory and save the selected Corrosion Prediction
Project with a different name. This option is only
available if a Corrosion Prediction project is open.
 Corrosion Prediction Report: Displays the Corrosion
Prediction Report for the selected Corrosion Prediction
Project and will either display Tubing or Flowline
Corrosion Prediction Report. The Report is displayed in a
new window and can be printed or saved to Microsoft
Excel, Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF. Data Tables are also
accessed here.
Close Project: Closes the select Project. Where there are
unsaved changes, ECE will prompt you to confirm that
you want to save the changes before closing.
Alternatively, you can select the Close Project button on
the toolbar to close the selected project.
Recent Projects: A list of recently opened Projects is
shown at menu item File-Recent Projects.
Exit: Closes ECE.

© Wood plc 2020  

ECE Tools
 
ECE provides a number of invaluable tools for corrosion
analysis and material selection; enabling Corrosion Rate
Prediction, Risk Prediction, Corrosion Resistant Alloy
Evaluation and Life Cycle Cost Calculation. For more
information see Tubing Prediction and Flowline Corrosion
Prediction.

Corrosion Rate Prediction: Predict Corrosion Rates for

carbon steel in sweet and sour conditions that consider
different options for corrosion control. Particle erosion
can also be predicted in the Tubing module.
Risk Prediction: Tools that evaluate the risk of carbon
steel failure
Corrosion-Resistant Alloy Evaluation: Corrosion-resistant
alloy evaluators that select the most suitable alloys for
the specified environmental conditions and
automatically take into account the risks of corrosion,
pitting and stress-corrosion cracking
Life Cycle Cost Calculation: Life cycle cost calculators
that evaluate the economics of carbon steel and
corrosion-resistant-alloys option based on net present
value, so that material cost comparisons can be made

© Wood plc 2020  

Data Security
 
ECE Data Security is outlined below. For more information
see Starting to use ECE.

All data used and created by the ECE software is stored

locally on the User’s system. No data is transferred
outside the User’s system. We have no access to, and
no knowledge of, the data or metadata that is input or
created by User.
There is no communication by the ECE software outside
the User’s computer systems at any time. This includes
the licencing process which is manual (Keys are
transferred by email and then entered manually). There
is no communication for diagnostics or event logging.
The software does not require access to internet to
operate or to be licenced.
Updates are installed only by the User downloading an
update and installing it manually. There is no automatic
update mechanism.
Licence expiry does not involve communication to or
from our systems.

Support and Maintenance contact the ECE Development Team -

For
Email: [email protected] - Telephone: +44 (0) 1244 336386

© Wood plc 2020  

Corrosion Prediction Tools
 
The Corrosion Prediction Tools can be opened from the Tools
menu which will be prefixed with either Tubing or Flowline
depending upon the project selected.

Corrosion Predictor: Opens the current Corrosion

Prediction Project window, either Tubing Corrosion
Predictor or Flowline Corrosion Predictor dependent
upon the Corrosion Prediction Project selected.
CRA Evaluator: Opens the Alloy Evaluator for the current
Corrosion Prediction Project, either Tubing CRA Evaluator
or Flowline CRA Evaluator dependent upon the Corrosion
Prediction Project selected.
Life Cycle Cost Calculation: Opens the Life Cycle Cost
Calculator for the current Corrosion Prediction Project,
either Tubing Life Cycle Calculator or Flowline Life Cycle
Calculator dependent upon the Corrosion Prediction
Project selected.

© Wood plc 2020  

Corrosion Prediction Graphs
 
The Corrosion Prediction Graphs can be displayed in the
Corrosion Prediction Project. For more information see
Tubing Prediction and Flowline Corrosion Prediction.

Corrosion Rate Graph: The Corrosion Rate graph is

displayed by default on the Corrosion Rate tab when the
Corrosion Prediction Project is opened. The Corrosion
Rate Graph displays the Corrosion Rate (mm/year) over
Tubing Length (ft.) or Distance (km) for a Flowline
Corrosion Prediction Project.
Risk Analysis Graph: The Risk Graph is displayed on the
Risk Analysis tab of the Corrosion Prediction Project. The
Risk Analysis Graph displays Risk of Failure (%) over
Time (year).
pH Graph: The pH graph can be selected from All
Graphs in the Corrosion Prediction Project and displays
the pH value over Tubing Length (ft.). This Graph cannot
be zoomed.
Water Flow Rate Graph: The Water Flow Rate graph can
be selected from All Graphs in the Corrosion Prediction
Project and displays the Water Rate (m3/d) over Tubing
Length (ft.) or Distance (km) for a Flowline Corrosion
Prediction Project.
Watercut Graph: The Water Cut graph can be selected
from All Graphs in the Corrosion Prediction Project and
displays the Watercut (%) over Tubing Length (ft.) or
Distance (km) for a Flowline Corrosion Prediction Project.
Liquid HoldUp: The Liquid HoldUp graph can be selected
from All Graphs in the Corrosion Prediction Project and
displays the Liquid HoldUp (% cross section) over Tubing
 Length (ft.) or Distance (km) for a Flowline Corrosion
Prediction Project.
Liquid Velocity: The Liquid Velocity graph can be
selected from All Graphs in the Corrosion Prediction
Project and displays the Liquid Velocity (m/s) over
Tubing Length (ft.) or Distance (km) for a Flowline
Corrosion Prediction Project.
Gas Velocity: The Gas Velocity graph can be selected
from All Graphs in the Corrosion Prediction Project and
displays the Gas Velocity (m/s) over Tubing Length (ft.)
or Distance (km) for a Flowline Corrosion Prediction
Project.
Pressure: The Pressure graph can be selected from All
Graphs in the Corrosion Prediction Project and displays
the Pressure (bar) over Tubing Length (ft.) or Distance
(km) for a Flowline Corrosion Prediction Project.
Temperature: The Temperature graph can be selected
from All Graphs in the Corrosion Prediction Project and
displays the Temperature (°C) over Tubing Length (ft.) or
Distance (km) for a Flowline Corrosion Prediction Project.

© Wood plc 2020  

Life Cycle Prediction Graphs
 
The Life Cycle Cost Bar Charts can be displayed in the Life
Cycle Cost Calculator. For more information see Tubing Life
Cycle Calculator and Flowline Life Cycle Calculator.

Net Present Value Bar Chart: Available in the Life Cycle

Calculator and displays the Net Present Value over Time
for Carbon Steel, CRA and Carbon Steel/Continuous
Inhibition. This chart is available for both Tubing and
Flowline Life Cycle Cost Calculation. This chart cannot
be zoomed.
Capital Bar Chart: Available in the Life Cycle Calculator
and displays the Material Cost and Construction Cost
values. This chart is only available when a Flowline
Corrosion Prediction Project is selected. This chart
cannot be zoomed.
Tool-tip: The actual point values associated with the
graph line are displayed in a tool-tip when the cursor is
held over that part of the graph line in the format (x-
axis, y-axis). When H2S is present, the risk of pitting
corrosion is displayed within the tool-tip for the "isolated
pitting" line on the main Corrosion Rate Graph. This is
accessed by holding the cursor over the isolated pitting
line. Graphs may be saved in emf, jpg, tiff, BMP, png
and gif formats. Copied graphs may be pasted directly
into other documents.
Zoom: It is possible to zoom into areas on most graphs
using the mouse cursor. The selected area is indicated
by red lines and darker shading. You cannot use Zoom
for the pH Graph, the Net Present Value Graph or the
Capital Graph.
 Actions: Any graphs displayed on the right-hand side of
the Corrosion Prediction Project and the LCC tools may
be copied, printed, or saved using the icons at the top of
the graph. Graphs may be saved in emf, jpg, tiff, BMP,
png and gif formats. Copied graphs may be pasted
directly into other documents.

© Wood plc 2020  

Tubing Corrosion Prediction Tools
 
The Tubing Corrosion Prediction Tools available in ECE are:

Tubing Corrosion Predictor: Used to predict the internal

corrosion rate of carbon steel downhole tubing. The
corrosion model estimates the corrosion caused by the
presence of water with dissolved CO2, which is modified
by the presence of other chemicals like H2S and
carbonate/bicarbonate salts. The background to the
model is described in Corrosion Model Background.
Tubing Erosion Predictor: Used to predict the internal
erosion rate of carbon steel downhole tubing due to
solid particles, side by side with the corrosion model
prediction. The background to the model is described in
Corrosion Model Background.
Tubing CRA Evaluator: Used to evaluate Tubing
Conditions against technical acceptability. There are two
alternative evaluation schemes; evaluation based on
ISO 15156-3: 2015/ Cir. 1 & 2 / NACE MR0175 and
evaluation based on selection rules developed by Wood
(ECE Rules).
Tubing Life Cycle Calculator: Used to make an economic
comparison of various corrosion control options for
tubing, Carbon Steel, Corrosion Resistant Alloy, Carbon
Steel with Continuous Inhibition or Carbon Steel with
Squeeze Inhibition.
Bulk Tubing CRA Evaluation Calculation: Used for the
bulk import of multiple Tubing CRA values for calculation
in ECE.

 
© Wood plc 2020  
Tubing Corrosion Predictor
 
The Tubing Corrosion Predictor is used to predict the internal
corrosion rate of carbon steel downhole tubing. The
corrosion model estimates the corrosion caused by the
presence of water with dissolved CO2, which is modified by
the presence of other chemicals like H2S and
carbonate/bicarbonate salts. The background to the model
is described in Corrosion Model Background.

Data Input: Input Values are added to the Tubing

Corrosion Predictor using the tabs; Project, Conditions,
Throughput, Advanced and Sections. Enter the required
values to display the Output Results.
Project: Used to input Project specific information. The
Title and Details fields allow entry of a description and
identifying information for the current Project. This
information is saved with other data and exported with
Project outputs.
Conditions: Used to input Temperatures, Pressure, Gas
Composition and Water Chemistry.
Throughputs: Used to input Throughput information.
Sections: Used to input Deviation Angles and Tubing
parameters.
Advanced: Used to input Inhibition, Dissolved Fe at inlet
and Erosional Velocity of Gas information.
Data Output: Output Results are displayed in the tabs;
Corrosion Rate, Risk Analysis, All Graphs and Details.
The Output Results can also be exported as text Reports
and graphs can be copied, saved or printed.
Corrosion Rate Graph: Displays a graph of the corrosion
rate as a function of depth in the tubing.
 Risk Analysis: Displays a graph of accumulated risk of
failure vs. time.
All Graphs: Used to select parameters to be displayed in
the graph over Tubing Length (ft.).
Details: Used to view Output Details for the selected
Tubing Corrosion Prediction Project.

© Wood plc 2020  

Data Input
 
The Tubing Corrosion Predictor requires the input of various
operational parameters. If the conditions for a project are
outside the allowed ranges, then you may still utilise the
Tubing CRA Evaluator for material selection. Enter the
required values to display the Output Results. Input values
can be entered in metric or customary engineering units, or
a mixture of units. ECE automatically converts and displays
the equivalent values as you enter the data. If required a
Range can be specified using the Ranges button.

Project: Input of identification details for the Project.

Conditions: Input of temperature, pressure, gas
composition and water bicarbonate content.
Chemistry: Input of Gas Composition and Water
Chemistry.
Throughput: Input of oil, gas and water production rates,
density of crude oil, liquid holdup and optional variation
in water cut at constant total liquid velocity.
Sections: Used to input Deviation Angles and Tubing
parameters
Advanced: Input of parameters related to inhibition,
selection of non-saturated or supersaturated iron
content and total acetic acid.

© Wood plc 2020  

Data Output
 
Output Results are displayed in the tabs; Corrosion Rate,
Risk Analysis, All Graphs and Details. The Output Results
can also be exported as text Reports and Graphs can be
copied, saved or printed.

Corrosion Rate: Graphic representation of corrosion rate

vs measured depth of the tubing.
Risk Analysis: Risk of failure of tubing as a function of
time indicating the risk for upper and lower sections of
tapered tubing.
All Graphs: Graphs for pH, water flow rate, water cut,
liquid holdup, liquid velocity, gas velocity, temperature
and pressure vs distance along the tubing. Click pH to
display graphs.
Details: Additional information including fluid velocities,
composition data, expected flow pattern and sour
service requirements.

© Wood plc 2020  

Project
 
The Project tab on the Tubing Corrosion Predictor is used to
input Project specific information. The Title and Details fields
allow entry of a description and identifying information for
the current Project. This information is saved with other data
and exported with Project outputs.
 

© Wood plc 2020

Conditions
 
The Conditions tab of the Tubing Corrosion Predictor is used
to input Temperatures, Pressure, Gas Composition and
Water Chemistry.

Temperatures: Temperatures at wellhead and at bottom

hole are entered directly into text boxes (as °C or °F) or
by the sliders.
Pressure: Pressure at the wellhead and at bottom hole
are entered directly into text boxes (as bar or psi) or by
the sliders. Pressures are absolute pressures, not gauge
pressures.
Bubblepoint: The default assumption in ECE is that the
fluid bubble point coincides with the bottom of the
tubing. Fluid bubble point is sensitive to the composition
of the well fluids and estimates of bubble point require
full fluid composition data which is often not available,
or not of the necessary accuracy. In many cases, it is
reasonable to assume the bubble-point is at the
formation depth: when a well is flowing there is typically
a significant pressure drop in the tubing (bottom hole
flowing pressure is less than bottom hole static
pressure). This will generally be a conservative
assumption as it leads to the calculated dissolved CO2
and H2S values in the lower part of the well, being
higher than if the bubble point were further up the
tubing. If the bubblepoint pressure in the well conditions
is known (for example from PVT data), the Specify
Bubblepoint tick box can be selected and the actual
value can be entered.

 
© Wood plc 2020  
Throughput
 
The Throughput tab of the Tubing Corrosion Predictor is used
to input Throughput information.

Flow rates: Flow rates for oil or gas condensate, gas and
water are entered directly or using the slider bars, and
the ranges can be changed using the Range buttons on
the right-hand end of the sliders. All values are
expressed in standard units, so are in effect mass flow
rates. The values for oil / condensate, water and gas
relate to the amounts at the wellhead, for example as
measured at a test separator.
Water Flowrate: The data input for water flow rate
relates to wellhead conditions. When water
condensation occurs, the water rate and water cut may
vary up the tubing, and this is calculated automatically
by ECE. The Details page displays the calculated water
flow rate at bottom hole and the Watercut at the
wellhead, and the Water Flow Rate and Watercut graphs
display the water rate and water cut through the well. A
minimum water rate of 0.001 m3/d is applied throughout
the depth of the well, even if the underlying water
condensation calculation predicts zero free water along
some length.
Hydrocarbon Density: The hydrocarbon density is
entered with the API Gravity text box or slider. A high
API gravity of 50 corresponds to a light gas condensate
oil. A low API density corresponds to a very heavy crude.
Conversion to specific gravity (density) g/cm3 @60degF
is given (note that the density is very temperature
dependent). The SG and API gravity inputs, and the
conversion within ECE are for standard conditions of
both temperature and pressure. The API gravity setting
influences the effect of the water cut on corrosion rates
by altering the ability of the oil to entrain water. Values
of API gravity above 50 have no further impact on the
corrosion model, so for very light oils / condensates with
API gravity greater than 50, you should input 50.
Liquid HoldUp Change: The liquid holdup (fraction of
cross-section occupied by liquids) is shown in the Liquid
Holdup Graph, and the maximum and minimum values
shown above that graph. Liquid holdup change provides
a means to manually alter the liquid hold up from the
values calculated by ECE.
When the liquid holdup change is set at 0% change the
velocities of liquid and gas are the same. The default
setting of 2% change in ECE means the gas is flowing
slightly faster than the liquid. This is the normal
situation, as the higher drag on the liquid will cause a
lower liquid velocity and an increase in liquid holdup
(the hold up change is greater than zero). This, in turn,
will increase the gas flow velocity and will tend to lower
the corrosion rate. These velocities can be seen on the
details tab for the wellhead or on the graphs of gas and
liquid velocities.
When input flow rates of liquids and gas are changed,
the absolute value of holdup of course changes. The
Liquid Holdup Change setting is maintained, however,
which means that the holdup is always adjusted to the
same percentage above the minimum possible.
In nearly all situations, we recommend that you leave
liquid holdup change at the default value.
One situation where it may be useful to alter the liquid
hold up change from the default is where values for the
holdup are available from other sources (either
modelling or field measurement). The maximum that
 the liquid holdup change can be modified is up to 50%
of the available range (from the minimum holdup (gas
and liquid velocity equal) up to 100% holdup). In
practical situations, the realistic range of liquid holdup
change is normally much more restricted, probably no
more than 5-10%.
Watercut: When all the production flow rate values have
been entered, the water cut at the bottom of the tubing
will be shown by the Watercut (at bottom) value at the
bottom of the Throughput page. When the inputs for oil
or water flow rate are changed, the water cut changes
accordingly. This box and slider may also be altered to
investigate the effect of adjusting the water cut at
constant total liquid velocity. This can be useful when
the water cut is not known or likely to change, by
showing the sensitivity to this parameter, without
changing the liquid velocity at the same time.

© Wood plc 2020  

Sections
 
The Sections tab of the Tubing Corrosion Predictor is used to
input Deviation Angles and also Tapered Tubing Sections.
The deviation is the angle of the tubing to the vertical, an
angle of zero corresponds to perfectly vertical tubing.
Tapered Tubing is where a well is completed with more than
one size of tubing.
The angle of deviation influences the corrosion rate because
of the effect on the water distribution onto the tubing wall. A
higher deviation often results in a higher corrosion rate. The
effect is more noticeable at lower water contents but may
be negligible for wells with a high water cut because water
wetting is then continuous. Changes in internal diameter
due to the presence tapered tubing sections will also
influence the corrosion rate due to the consequent changes
to the flow regime and flow velocity.
The modelling of flow regime and tubing deviation effects in
ECE has been developed with the benefit of real-life
corrosion experience from many production wells. It should
be noted that the treatment of flow regimes within ECE for
tubing is different than for flowlines and so a horizontal
tubing will not necessarily give an identical output to the
ECE Flowline Corrosion Predictor.
At least two sections of tubing must be defined in the
Sections tab. For a simple well without any deviations and
one production tubing size used from the wellhead to the
bottom hole this would require one section to be defined at
the wellhead and a second section defined at the bottom
hole depth with a deviation angle of zero and the same wall
thickness and outside diameter used in both sections.
Tapered Tubing sections and Deviation Angles may then be
added by defining additional sections with non-zero angles
or changes to the outside diameter and wall thickness at the
appropriate depths. Up to 100 sections may be defined each
a minimum of 1m apart.
 

© Wood plc 2020  

Advanced
 
The Advanced tab of the Tubing Corrosion Predictor is used
to input Inhibition, Dissolved Fe at inlet and Erosional
Velocity of Gas information.

Inhibition: There are three options for inhibition: none

(the default), continuous or squeeze. Continuous
inhibition is modelled using the common accepted
efficiency – availability model to determine the mean
corrosion rate with inhibition treatment. The efficiency
and availability inputs both have maximum values of
99%.
Squeeze Inhibition: For squeeze inhibition, the squeeze
frequency is entered. The inhibition effect inside the
tubing is then built up in about one month, and then
reduces slowly in about 2 months. The corrosion model
adds the effect of repeated squeezes for the calculation
of the average corrosion rate per year.
Dissolved Fe at Inlet: Dissolved Fe at inlet (i.e. bottom
hole) relates to the dissolved iron concentration in the
water at the inlet, which may be low in Fe, or may be
supersaturated with iron carbonate. There are two
options. The default setting is supersaturated.
Erosional Velocity of Gas: The value of the C-Constant
used in calculation of the Erosion Velocity can be
changed from the default values of =100 lbs/ft.) ^0.5/s
or c=122 (kg/m) ^0.5/s. This allows you to work with
different C-values or erosional velocity limits depending
upon different User's policies. See "Erosion -Corrosion"
for more details.
Quenched and Tempered: Chromium content (up to
1.2% max., according to API 5CT) of the carbon steel is
 entered for quenched and tempered tubing. If
normalised steel is selected, then the carbon content
can also be entered (up to 0.50%max.). The chemical
composition of the steel has a slight influence on the
predicted CO2 corrosion rate.

© Wood plc 2020  

Corrosion Rate Graph
 
The Corrosion Rate Graph tab of the Tubing Corrosion
Predictor displays a graph of the corrosion rate as a function
of depth in the tubing. The Corrosion Rate Graph can also be
exported as text, copied, saved or printed.
When H2S is present, an additional line indicates the
potential pitting corrosion rate that applies if the protective
sulphide scale breaks down. The Pitting Risk Rank is
displayed as a tooltip when the cursor is positioned over the
isolated pitting line. (the Pitting Risk Rank is also included in
the Corrosion Predictor Report, see Reporting) The mouse
can be used to select and zoom in on areas of the graph.
Graphs may be copied, printed, or saved, see Reporting and
Printing for details.
 

© Wood plc 2020  

Risk Analysis
 
The Risk Analysis tab of the Tubing Corrosion Predictor
displays a graph of accumulated risk of failure vs. time. The
Risk Analysis Graph can also be exported as text, copied,
saved or printed.
For its construction, it is assumed that the calculated
corrosion rates have a normal distribution with a standard
deviation of 25% (see Risk of Failure for details). In the
presence of H2S, the arbitrary assumption has been made
that there is a 25% risk that the protective sulphide layer
fails.
When the tapered tubing option is selected in the input
pages, then risk curves can be chosen for the upper, lower
or for both tubing sections using the buttons at the top of
the risk graph. The risk graphs are calculated using the
maximum corrosion rate for the appropriate tubing section
(upper or lower).
 

© Wood plc 2020  

All Graphs
 
The All Graphs tab of the Tubing Corrosion Predictor is used
to select parameters to be displayed in the graph over
Tubing Length (ft.). Graphs can also be exported as text,
copied, saved or printed.

Available Graphs: Select either pH, Water Flow Rate,

Watercut, Liquid HoldUp, Liquid Velocity, Gas Velocity,
Pressure, Temperature and Deviation Angle and
Corrosion. The maximum and minimum values are also
reported at the top-right of the selected graph. The
mouse can be used to select and zoom in on areas of
the graph. Graphs may be copied, printed, or saved, see
Reporting and Printing for details.
Corrosion Rate: The default graph displayed is the
Corrosion Rate graph.
pH: Displays pH value over Tubing Length (ft.).
Water Flow Rate: Displays Water Flow Rate (m3/d) over
Tubing Length (ft.).
Watercut: Displays Watercut (%) over Tubing Length
(ft.).
Liquid HoldUp: Displays Liquid HoldUp (% cross section)
over Tubing Length (ft.).
Liquid Velocity: Displays Liquid Velocity (m/s) over
Tubing Length (ft.).
Gas Velocity: Displays Gas Velocity (m/s) over Tubing
Length (ft.).
Pressure: Displays Pressure (bar) over Tubing Length
(ft.).
 Temperature: Displays Temperature (°C) over Tubing
Length (ft.).
Deviation Angle and Corrosion: Displays Corrosion Rate
and Deviation Angle over Tubing Length (ft.).

© Wood plc 2020  

Details
 
The Details tab of the Tubing Corrosion Predictor is used to
view Output Details for the selected Tubing Corrosion
Prediction Project.

At Wellhead: Gas to Oil ratio and water cut at the

wellhead are reported here, together with values for the
liquid and gas velocity at the wellhead. This allows a
quick check that the flowrates are reasonable, typically
a few m/s for liquid, and no more than about 20 m/s for
gas. The water in at bottom hole is reported: this value
was input data in ECE 4.x, but is a calculated value in
ECE.
Velocities at Wellhead: The erosional gas velocity at the
wellhead according to API RP 14E is also reported. When
this velocity is exceeded, the effects of protection by
carbonate layers, inhibitor films and sulphide layers are
set to zero. This only happens when the flow pattern is
reported to be Annular Mistflow. In other cases, it will
report "N/A" ("not applicable").
Flow Pattern: The flow pattern evaluation is restricted to
Bubble/Slug Flow, Annular Mist flow and Liquid-full for
the purpose of corrosion rate calculations.
Sour Service: The sour service region applicable to
sulphide stress cracking according to ISO 15156-2: 2015
/ Cir. 1 & 2/ NACE MR0175 is reported: either "No" (i.e.
Region 0), Region 1, Region 2 or Region 3.
Partial Pressures at Wellhead: Partial pressures (not
fugacities) of CO2 and H2S at the outlet are reported in
metric and US customary units, along with the
concentration of H2S in ppm (vol).
 Bubblepoint: When a bubble point pressure is entered
on the Conditions tab, this field displays the
corresponding temperature and measured depth; if the
entered value is greater than the bottom-hole pressure,
or if a bubble point value is not input, then no data is
displayed.
Factors: Any protective factors that are currently active
within the corrosion predictor modelling are identified.

© Wood plc 2020  

Tubing Corrosion Predictor Report
 
The Tubing Corrosion Predictor Report option is used to
display the Tubing Corrosion Prediction Results from the
Tubing Corrosion Predictor as either a Full Report, Summary
Report or as a Data Table.

With the Tubing Corrosion Predictor open, select File,

Tubing Corrosion Prediction Report to select the required
report, Full, Summary or Data Table.
Full Report: Displays the Tubing Corrosion Prediction as a
Full Report. Select Export to Excel to open Microsoft
Excel with the Full Report displayed.
Summary Report: Displays the Tubing Corrosion
Prediction as a Summary Report. Select Export to Excel
to open Microsoft Excel with the Summary Report
displayed.
Data Table: Displays the Tubing Corrosion Prediction in
Microsoft Excel as a Data Table.
When exporting to Microsoft Excel ECE will display an error message if Microsoft
Excel is not installed. To continue with the export, install Microsoft Excel.

© Wood plc 2020  

Tubing Erosion Predictor
 
The Tubing Erosion Predictor is based on the Tubing
Corrosion Prediction tool with additional inputs to allow
prediction of erosion due to particle loading. For more
information, see Using the Tubing Erosion Predictor.
The background to the erosion model is described in Erosion
Model Background. The corrosion model part is identical to
that in the Tubing Corrosion Predictor. Note that the erosion
and corrosion effects are not coupled: - there is no
synergistic erosion - corrosion recognised in the model.
There is one additional input, the flow rate of particles in
kg/day is entered under “Sand” on the “Throughput” tab.
This input can be entered as zero, in which case the
behaviour is the same as in the Corrosion Predictor.
The Graphs include an erosion rate line as well as the
corrosion rate line or lines.
The Reports include the sand rate input and the erosion rate
output in addition to the corrosion data.
 

© Wood plc 2020  

Data Input
 
The Tubing Erosion Predictor requires the input of various
operational parameters. If the conditions for a project are
outside the allowed ranges, then you may still utilise the
Tubing CRA Evaluator for material selection. Enter the
required values to display the Output Results. Input values
can be entered in metric or customary engineering units, or
a mixture of units. ECE automatically converts and displays
the equivalent values as you enter the data. If required a
Range can be specified using the Ranges button.

Project: Input of identification details for the Project.

Conditions: Input of temperature, pressure, gas
composition and water bicarbonate content.
Throughput: Input of oil, gas and water production rates,
density of crude oil, liquid holdup and optional variation
in water cut at constant total liquid velocity.
Chemistry: Input of Gas Composition and Water
Chemistry.
Sections: Used to input Deviation Angles and Tubing
parameters.
Advanced: Input of parameters related to inhibition,
selection of non-saturated or supersaturated iron
content and total acetic acid.

© Wood plc 2020  

Data Output
 
Output Results are displayed in the tabs; Corrosion Rate,
Risk Analysis, All Graphs and Details. The Output Results
can also be exported as text Reports and graphs can be
copied, saved or printed. For more information see Tubing
Erosion Predictor.

Corrosion Rate: Graphic representation of corrosion rate

vs measured depth of the tubing.
All Graphs: Graphs for pH, water flow rate, water cut,
liquid holdup, liquid velocity, gas velocity, temperature
and pressure vs distance along the tubing. Click pH to
display graphs.
Details: Additional information including fluid velocities,
composition data, expected flow pattern and sour
service requirements.

© Wood plc 2020  

Project
The Project tab on the Tubing Erosion Predictor is used to
input Project specific information. The Title and Details fields
allow entry of a description and identifying information for
the current Project. This information is saved with other data
and exported with Project outputs. For more information see
Tubing Erosion Predictor.

© Wood plc 2020

Conditions
 
The Conditions tab of the Tubing Erosion Predictor is used to
input Temperatures, Pressure, Gas Composition and Water
Chemistry.

Temperatures: Temperatures at wellhead and at bottom

hole are entered directly into text boxes (as °C or °F) or
by the sliders.
Pressure: Pressure at the wellhead and at bottom hole
are entered directly into text boxes (as bar or psi) or by
the sliders. Pressures are absolute pressures, not gauge
pressures.
Bubblepoint: ECE assumes that the fluid bubble point
coincides with the bottom of the tubing. Fluid bubble
point is sensitive to the composition of the well fluids
and estimates of bubble point require full fluid
composition data which is often not available, or not of
the necessary accuracy. In many cases, it is reasonable
to assume the bubble-point is at the formation depth:
when a well is flowing there is typically a significant
pressure drop in the tubing (bottom hole flowing
pressure is less than bottom hole static pressure). This
will generally be a conservative assumption as it leads
to the calculated dissolved CO2 and H2S values in the
lower part of the well, being higher than if the bubble
point were further up the tubing.

© Wood plc 2020  

Throughput
 
The Throughput tab of the Tubing Erosion Predictor is used
to input Throughput information. For more information see
Tubing Erosion Predictor.

Flow rates: Flow rates for oil or gas condensate, gas and
water are entered directly or using the slider bars, and
the ranges can be changed using the Range buttons on
the right-hand end of the sliders. All values are
expressed in standard units, so are in effect mass flow
rates. The values for oil / condensate, water and gas
relate to the amounts at the wellhead, for example as
measured at a test separator.
Water Flowrate: The data input for water flow rate
relates to wellhead conditions: this is a change from ECE
4.x. When water condensation occurs, the water rate
and water cut may vary up the tubing, and this is
calculated automatically by ECE. The Details page
displays the calculated water flow rate at bottom hole
and the Watercut at the wellhead, and the Water Flow
Rate and Watercut graphs display the water rate and
water cut through the well. A minimum water rate of
0.001 m3/d is applied throughout the depth of the well,
even if the underlying water condensation calculation
predicts zero free water along some length.
Hydrocarbon Density: The hydrocarbon density is
entered with the API Gravity text box or slider. A high
API gravity of 50 corresponds to a light gas condensate
oil. A low API density corresponds to a very heavy crude.
Conversion to specific gravity (density) g/cm3 @60degF
is given (note that the density is very temperature
dependent). The SG and API gravity inputs, and the
conversion within ECE are for standard conditions of
both temperature and pressure. The API gravity setting
influences the effect of the water cut on corrosion rates
by altering the ability of the oil to entrain water. Values
of API gravity above 50 have no further impact on the
corrosion model, so for very light oils / condensates with
API gravity greater than 50, you should input 50.
Liquid HoldUp Change: The liquid holdup (fraction of
cross-section occupied by liquids) is shown in the Liquid
Holdup Graph, and the maximum and minimum values
shown above that graph. Liquid holdup change provides
a means to manually alter the liquid hold up from the
values calculated by ECE.
When the liquid holdup change is set at 0% change the
velocities of liquid and gas are the same. The default
setting of 2% change in ECE means the gas is flowing
slightly faster than the liquid. This is the normal
situation, as the higher drag on the liquid will cause a
lower liquid velocity and an increase in liquid holdup
(the hold up change is greater than zero). This, in turn,
will increase the gas flow velocity and will tend to lower
the corrosion rate. These velocities can be seen on the
details tab for the wellhead or on the graphs of gas and
liquid velocities.
When input flow rates of liquids and gas are changed,
the absolute value of holdup of course changes. The
Liquid Holdup Change setting is maintained, however,
which means that the holdup is always adjusted to the
same percentage above the minimum possible.
In nearly all situations, we recommend that you leave
liquid holdup change at the default value.
One situation where it may be useful to alter the liquid
hold up change from the default is where values for the
holdup are available from other sources (either
 modelling or field measurement). The maximum that
the liquid holdup change can be modified is up to 50%
of the available range (from the minimum holdup (gas
and liquid velocity equal) up to 100% holdup). In
practical situations, the realistic range of liquid holdup
change is normally much more restricted, probably no
more than 5-10%.
Watercut: When all the production flow rate values have
been entered, the water cut at the bottom of the tubing
will be shown by the Watercut (at bottom) value at the
bottom of the Throughput page. When the inputs for oil
or water flow rate are changed, the water cut changes
accordingly. This box and slider may also be altered to
investigate the effect of adjusting the water cut at
constant total liquid velocity. This can be useful when
the water cut is not known or likely to change, by
showing the sensitivity to this parameter, without
changing the liquid velocity at the same time.

© Wood plc 2020  

Sections
 
The Sections tab of the Tubing Erosion Predictor is used to
input Deviation Angles and also Tapered Tubing Sections.
The deviation is the angle of the tubing to the vertical, an
angle of zero corresponds to perfectly vertical tubing.
Tapered Tubing is where a well is completed with more than
one size of tubing.
The angle of deviation influences the corrosion rate because
of the effect on the water distribution onto the tubing wall. A
higher deviation often results in a higher corrosion rate. The
effect is more noticeable at lower water contents but may
be negligible for wells with a high water cut because water
wetting is then continuous. Changes in internal diameter
due to the presence tapered tubing sections will also
influence the corrosion rate due to the consequent changes
to the flow regime and flow velocity.
The modelling of flow regime and tubing deviation effects in
ECE has been developed with the benefit of real-life
corrosion experience from many production wells. It should
be noted that the treatment of flow regimes within ECE for
tubing is different than for flowlines and so a horizontal
tubing will not necessarily give an identical output to the
ECE Flowline Corrosion Predictor.
At least two sections of tubing must be defined in the
Sections tab. For a simple well without any deviations and
one production tubing size used from the wellhead to the
bottom hole this would require one section to be defined at
the wellhead and a second section defined at the bottom
hole depth with a deviation angle of zero and the same wall
thickness and outside diameter used in both sections.
Tapered Tubing sections and Deviation Angles may then be
added by defining additional sections with non-zero angles
or changes to the outside diameter and wall thickness at the
appropriate depths. Up to 100 sections may be defined each
a minimum of 1m apart.
 

© Wood plc 2020  

Advanced
 
The Advanced tab of the Tubing Erosion Predictor is used to
input Inhibition, Dissolved Fe at inlet and Erosional Velocity
of Gas information. For more information see Tubing Erosion
Predictor.

No Inhibition: The default Inhibition option.

Continuous Inhibition: Modelled using the common
accepted efficiency – availability model to determine the
mean corrosion rate with inhibition treatment. The
efficiency and availability inputs both have maximum
values of 99%.
Squeeze Inhibition: The squeeze frequency is entered.
The inhibition effect inside the tubing is then built up in
about one month, and then reduces slowly in about 2
months. The corrosion model adds the effect of
repeated squeezes for the calculation of the average
corrosion rate per year.
Dissolved Fe at Inlet: Dissolved Fe at inlet (i.e. bottom
hole) relates to the dissolved iron concentration in the
water at the inlet, which may be low in Fe, or may be
supersaturated with iron carbonate. There are two
options. The default setting is supersaturated.
Erosional Velocity of Gas: The value of the C-Constant
used in calculation of the Erosion Velocity can be
changed from the default values of =100 lbs/ft.) ^0.5/s
or c=122 (kg/m) ^0.5/s. This allows you to work with
different C-values or erosional velocity limits depending
upon different User's policies. See "Erosion -Corrosion"
for more details.
Quenched and Tempered: Chromium content (up to
1.2% max., according to API 5CT) of the carbon steel is
 entered for quenched and tempered tubing. If
normalised steel is selected, then the carbon content
can also be entered (up to 0.50%max.). The chemical
composition of the steel has a slight influence on the
predicted CO2 corrosion rate.

© Wood plc 2020  

Corrosion Rate Graph
The Corrosion Rate Graph displays a graph of the Corrosion
Rate and the Erosion Rate as a function of depth in the
tubing. When H2S is present, an additional line indicates the
potential pitting corrosion rate that applies if the protective
sulphide scale breaks down. The Pitting Risk Rank is
displayed as a tooltip when the cursor is positioned over the
isolated pitting line. (the Pitting Risk Rank is also included in
the Corrosion Predictor Report, see Reporting) The mouse
can be used to select and zoom in on areas of the graph.
Graphs may be copied, printed, or saved, see Reporting and
Printing for details. For more information see Tubing Erosion
Predictor.

© Wood plc 2020

All Graphs
 
The All Graphs tab of the Tubing Erosion Predictor is used to
select parameters to be displayed in the graph over Tubing
Length (ft.).

Available Graphs: Select either pH, Water Flow Rate,

Watercut, Liquid HoldUp, Liquid Velocity, Gas Velocity,
Pressure and Temperature. The maximum and minimum
values are also reported at the top-right of the selected
graph. The mouse can be used to select and zoom in on
areas of the graph. Graphs may be copied, printed, or
saved, see Reporting and Printing for details.
Corrosion Rate: The default graph displayed is the
Corrosion Rate graph displaying the Damage Rate (US).
pH: Displays pH value over Tubing Length (ft.).
Water Flow Rate: Displays Water Flow Rate (m3/d) over
Tubing Length (ft.).
Watercut: Displays Watercut (%) over Tubing Length
(ft.).
Liquid HoldUp: Displays Liquid HoldUp (% cross section)
over Tubing Length (ft.).
Liquid Velocity: Displays Liquid Velocity (m/s) over
Tubing Length (ft.).
Gas Velocity: Displays Gas Velocity (m/s) over Tubing
Length (ft.).
Pressure: Displays Pressure (bar) over Tubing Length
(ft.).
Temperature: Displays Temperature (°C) over Tubing
Length (ft.).
 

© Wood plc 2020  

Details
 
The Details tab of the Tubing Erosion Predictor is used to
view Output Details for the selected Tubing Erosion
Prediction Project.

At Wellhead: Gas to Oil ratio and water cut at the

wellhead are reported here, together with values for the
liquid and gas velocity at the wellhead. This allows a
quick check that the flowrates are reasonable, typically
a few m/s for liquid, and no more than about 20 m/s for
gas. The water in at bottom hole is reported: this value
was input data in ECE 4.x, but is a calculated value in
ECE.
Velocities at Wellhead: The erosional gas velocity at the
wellhead according to API RP 14E is also reported. When
this velocity is exceeded, the effects of protection by
carbonate layers, inhibitor films and sulphide layers are
set to zero. This only happens when the flow pattern is
reported to be Annular Mistflow. In other cases, it will
report "N/A" ("not applicable").
Flow Pattern: The flow pattern evaluation is restricted to
Bubble/Slug Flow, Annular Mist flow and Liquid-full for
the purpose of corrosion rate calculations.
Sour Service: The sour service region applicable to
sulphide stress cracking according to ISO 15156-2: 2015
/ Cir. 1 & 2/ NACE MR0175 is reported: either "No" (i.e.
Region 0), Region 1, Region 2 or Region 3.
Partial Pressures at Wellhead: Partial pressures (not
fugacities) of CO2 and H2S at the outlet are reported in
metric and US customary units, along with the
concentration of H2S in ppm (vol).
 Factors: Any protective factors that are currently active
within the corrosion predictor modelling are identified.

© Wood plc 2020  

Tubing Erosion Predictor Report
 
The Tubing Erosion Predictor Report option is used to display
the Tubing Erosion Prediction Results as either a Full Report,
Summary Report or as a Data Table. For more information
see Tubing Erosion Predictor.

With the Tubing Erosion Predictor open, select File,

Tubing Erosion Prediction Report to display the shortcut
menu. Select the required option, Full, Summary or Data
Table.
Full Report: Displays the Tubing Erosion Prediction as a
Full Report. Click Export to Excel to open Microsoft Excel
with the Full Report displayed.
Summary Report: Displays the Tubing Erosion Prediction
as a Summary Report. Click Export to Excel to open
Microsoft Excel with the Summary Report displayed.
Data Table: Displays the Tubing Erosion Prediction in
Microsoft Excel as a Data Table.
When exporting to Microsoft Excel ECE will display an error message if Microsoft
Excel is not installed. To continue with the export, install Microsoft Excel.

© Wood plc 2020  

Tubing Life Cycle Calculator
 
The Tubing Life Cycle Calculator is used to make an
economic comparison of various corrosion control options
for tubing; Carbon Steel, Corrosion Resistant Alloy, Carbon
Steel with Continuous Inhibition and Carbon Steel with
Squeeze Inhibition. For more information see Using the
Tubing Life Cycle Calculator.

Life Cycle Cost Calculation: The can be used to carry out

a cost comparison on completion of a corrosion analysis
and CRA material selection, or it can be used totally
independently by overwriting all the input field data
with new information for any case being investigated.
LCC Evaluation: The LCC evaluation is helpful to
compare the cost of certain options, but it is not a full
costing exercise and cannot be used for estimating the
actual costs of projects. Many significant costs which are
basically the same regardless of the corrosion control
option chosen are not included in the Tubing LCC,
because they do not affect the comparison between the
different options. All costs are indicated in dollars ($).
However, any other currency unit could be used so long
as the same currency is used for all inputs.

© Wood plc 2020  

Data Input
 
Input Values are added to the Tubing LCC using the tabs on
the left; Production, Tubing Details, Financial and Inhibition.
Default Values are loaded when the Tubing LCC is launched.
Enter the required values to display the Output Results.
Input Values for the Tubing LCC are not derived from the
Tubing Corrosion Predictor, nor are they linked to the Tubing
Corrosion Predictor. For more information see Tubing Life
Cycle Calculator.

Production: Used to enter the Oil Production Rate, Gas

Production rate and Expected Life of Well into the LCC.
Tubing Details: Used to enter the Tubing Length,
Diameter, Wall Thickness and Corrosion Rate.
Financial: Used to enter Material and Workover Costs.
Inhibition: Used to enter the Inhibition or Glycol Injection
costs and the Squeeze Treatment. The LCC considers
the costs of inhibiting by either continuous injection of
chemicals or by squeeze inhibition. The latter is
normally considered only for oil wells and not for gas
wells.

© Wood plc 2020  

Production
 
The Production tab is used to enter the Oil Production Rate,
Gas Production rate and Expected Life of Well into the LCC.
For more information see Tubing Life Cycle Calculator.
 

© Wood plc 2020

Tubing Details
 
The Tubing Details tab is used to enter the Tubing Length,
Diameter, Wall Thickness and Corrosion Rate. For more
information see Tubing Life Cycle Calculator.

Tubing Length: The Tubing Length is entered at the top

of the page.
Dimensions: Dimensions are entered for both Carbon
Steel and CRA options: different tubing outside diameter
and wall thickness can be entered for each option.
Corrosion Rate: The Corrosion Rate (without inhibition)
can be entered in mm/yr. or mils/yr. using the boxes, or
with the slider bar. Conversion between mm and mils is
automatic.

© Wood plc 2020  

Inhibition
 
The Inhibition tab is used to enter the Inhibition or Glycol
Injection costs and the Squeeze Treatment. The LCC
considers the costs of inhibiting by either continuous
injection of chemicals or by squeeze inhibition. The latter is
normally considered only for oil wells and not for gas wells.
For more information see Tubing Life Cycle Calculator.

Continuous Inhibition: Continuous inhibition requires

some capital expenditure to provide for inhibitor
injection equipment, topside and downhole, and tanks
for inhibitor storage. These costs are entered under
Injection Equipment Cost. The LCC model includes this
expenditure in the capital cost of installation in the
inhibited carbon steel cases.
Continuous inhibition also has associated annual
operating costs for the purchase of the chemicals and
solvents being injected and also the annual cost of the
labour to keep control of the system and ensure
inhibitor tanks are kept filled. These are entered against
Chemical Cost and Labour Cost.
These costs are added for each year of operation, with
future costs multiplied by the coefficient 1/(1+i)n which
actualizes the costs to their net present value.
Squeeze Inhibition: Squeeze inhibition does not have
any major capital expenditure but does have a cost
associated with each squeeze treatment. This has to
cover hire of the labour and equipment, cost of the
chemicals plus 24-48 hours lost production. These costs
are entered against Total Cost per squeeze. The cost of
a single squeeze treatment is often known for a specific
locality.
 Initial values are provided for these input values, but
these should be overwritten with accurate information if
it is available.
Inhibited Corrosion Rate: The calculation of the LCC
associated with inhibition requires the inhibited
corrosion rate to be estimated to determine the time at
which tubing replacement may be required.
For this purpose, the uninhibited corrosion rate is
reduced to one tenth for the continuous inhibition case.
This implies quite a high level of availability (>90%) and
so the costs required for the inhibitor and solvent and
for the labour to maintain and operate such a system
would be quite high.
For the squeeze inhibitor case the frequency of
inhibition is taken to be 3 times per year and the
availability is taken to be 70%.

© Wood plc 2020  

Financial
 
The Financial tab is used to enter Material and Workover
Costs. The LCC calculator calculates the net present value of
the future operating costs and work-over costs. The
discount rate used will vary, not only for different
companies, but also potentially for different projects. The
Real Discount Rate, which is entered in the LCC Input,
should be the current discount (or interest rate) minus the
inflation rate to give the effective real discount rate. Costs
are calculated up to the anticipated end of life of the project
so this project life is a required input value. For more
information see Tubing Life Cycle Calculator.

Material Cost: Prices are required for the carbon steel

and for the selected alloy production tubing. The price
of production tubing is usually expressed in $/ft. This
means that the cost of tubing changes both with alloy
type and also with diameter and wall thickness. The cost
also depends upon the selected strength grade. The
program automatically gives the price of the CRA tubing
as 3X the price of the carbon steel as a starting point.
Prices are subject to change with time and depend upon
the demand for a given product. For these reasons it is
important to obtain up-to-date prices!
Workover Costs: In selecting material for production
tubing the option exists to use carbon steel (with or
without inhibitor) with planned replacement just before
the tubing leaks. This implies that there will be a
workover which has the following costs associated with
it:
Replacement Tubing Cost: Automatically calculated by
ECE from the length and $/ft cost value given on Tubing
Details and Financial Pages.
 Hire Costs: The cost of hiring the team and equipment.
This is the ‘workover cost, $/day’. A value $150,000/day
is predefined for this input, but this can be overwritten
with accurate information if it is available.
Production Value: The value of production which is
deferred during a workover. This is calculated from the
workover duration and the product prices entered on
this page, and the production rates entered on the
Production Page. When the amount of gas production is
limited, the value of lost production can best be
calculated just from the oil price. Up to date prices
should be obtained for specific projects.

© Wood plc 2020  

Net Present Value
 
The Net Present Value (NPV) is displayed on the right side of
the LCC and displays the changing cost of the CRA and
carbon steel options as a function of time, up to the given
life of the project. The graph shows the CRA option as a
straight line. This is because there are no operating costs
calculated for this material option, as there is no need for
inhibitor injection. For more information see Tubing Life
Cycle Calculator.
The carbon steel option has no annual operating cost, in this
model, so there is no increase in the costs on an annual
basis. Hence the graph is horizontal, unless a workover and
tubing replacement is required, which shows as a step in the
NPV graph. At this point the costs arise for the tubing
replacement, workover and deferred production. These
costs reduce for later years because of the time value of
money and so the jumps become progressively less large.
Note that with very high corrosion rate values the tubing
replacements may be so frequent that the graph may
appear to be a continuously rising line.
In practice there would be some annual costs arising from
operations, inspection and monitoring, but these are
assumes to be roughly equivalent for the different tubing
options.
The carbon steel + inhibitor lines show an annual increase
because of the operating costs. Costs later in the future are
less than costs today, so the slope of the lines gradually
becomes less steep in later years. Again, if tubing
replacement is expected there will be a jump in the graph
for the workover costs.
The most economic material option is the one that is lowest
in cost (the lowest line) at the end of the required project
life.
 

© Wood plc 2020  

Life Cycle Cost Calculation
 
The Life Cycle Cost Calculation is the mathematical
definition of the Life Cycle Cost. For more information see
Tubing Life Cycle Calculator.
The usual economic method of dealing with inflation and the
time-cost of money is to make all the calculations in terms
of value in year zero. The coefficient 1/(1+i)n reduces the
actual cash value in year n to its net present value. It should
be noted that this coefficient is < 1 which accounts for the
time value of the money.
The discount rate, i, will vary, not only for different
companies, but potentially for different projects. Net present
values should always be quoted with the year of starting
and the discount rate used. The Real Discount Rate which is
entered in the LCC Input tabs should be the current interest
rate minus the inflation rate to give the real effective
discount rate.
The Life Cycle Cost symbols have the following meanings:

LCC: Life Cycle Cost

AC: Initial acquisition cost of materials
IC: Initial installation costs (including fabrication)
OC: Operating +/or maintenance costs
LP: Lost production costs during downtime
RC: Replacement materials costs
SC: Residual value of replaced materials
N: Desired life time (years)
i: Discount rate
n: Year of the event
 

© Wood plc 2020  

Tubing Life Cycle Calculator Report
 
The Tubing Life Cycle Calculator Report option is used to
display the Tubing Life Cycle Calculation Results produced
by the Tubing Life Cycle Calculator. For more information see
Tubing Life Cycle Calculator.

With the Tubing Life Cycle Calculator open, select File,

Tubing Life Cycle Calculator Report.
When exporting to Microsoft Excel ECE will display an error message if Microsoft
Excel is not installed. To continue with the export, install Microsoft Excel.

© Wood plc 2020  

Tubing CRA Evaluator
 
The Tubing CRA Evaluator is used to evaluate Tubing
Conditions against technical acceptability. For more
information see Using the Tubing CRA Evaluator.

Alloys for Production Tubing: Describes Alloys for

Production Tubing. Includes a range of typical tubing
alloys suitable for a range of environmental conditions.
Composition of Tubing Alloys: Displays the Composition
of Tubing Alloys table.
MSS - Standard 13Cr: Describes MSS - Standard 13Cr
martensitic steel (typically AISI 410 or 420) which has
been widely applied in sweet wells internationally.
MSS - Low Carbon 13Cr: Describes MSS - Low Carbon
13Cr, MSS's are highly resistant to corrosion in sweet
environments. The standard 13Cr grades have been
widely applied for downhole tubing and their corrosion
characteristics are well characterized.
22Cr and 25Cr Duplex Stainless Steels: Describes 22Cr
and 25Cr Duplex Stainless Steels, these are highly
resistant to corrosion in sweet environments.
Alloy 28: Describes Alloy 28, which is used in the solid
form for production tubing.
Alloy 2550: Describes Alloy 2550 which is used in the
solid form for production tubing.
Alloy C276: Describes Alloy C276, which is used in the
solid form for production tubing.
Alloy 825: Describes Alloy 825, which is used in solid
form for downhole tubing.

 
© Wood plc 2020  
Using the Tubing CRA Evaluator
 
The Tubing CRA Evaluator is used to evaluate Tubing
Conditions against technical acceptability. ECE offers two
alternative evaluation schemes; evaluation based on ISO
15156-3: 2015/ Cir. 1 & 2 / NACE MR0175 and evaluation
based on selection rules developed by Wood (ECE Rules).
The limits are assessed based upon the following input data;
Temperature (°C or °F), Pressure (psia or bara), CO2 (mol%
in gas phase), H2S (mol% in gas phase), Chloride Content (
mol% NaCl or ppmw Cl-) Bicarbonate content, (ppmw) and
organic acid content (ppmw). For more information see
Tubing CRA Evaluator.

Tubing Conditions: The Tubing Conditions are input on

the left-hand side of the CRA Evaluator. All the values
can be altered by moving the sliders, entering figures
directly into the boxes or using the up/down arrows on
the boxes.
Traffic Lights: The suitability of the alloys in a given
environment is indicated by Traffic Light indicators on
the right.
ECE Evaluation Rules: The limits of use of the different
alloys are defined in terms of their resistance to
corrosion in sweet conditions and Corrosion and
cracking in sour environments. There is no minimum
value partial pressure of H2S which has to be exceeded
for the environment to be referred to as Sour, the
performance of CRA's is checked against limits defined
for each alloy individually as soon as any level of H2S is
present. The basis of the ECE rules is explained on the
help pages for the individual alloys.
ISO 15156-3: 2015/ Cir. 1 & 2: NACE MR0175 Evaluation
Rules: The limits of use of the different alloys are
defined only in terms of their resistance to failure by
stress corrosion cracking in sour environments
(containing both CO2 and H2S). Failure by corrosion
either in sweet conditions (containing CO2 but free of
H2S) or in sour conditions is not necessarily covered by
the ISO 15156-3: 2015/ Cir. 1 & 2: NACE MR0175 rules.
Environmental Details: The CRA Evaluator reports the
partial pressures of CO2 and of H2S in bar and psi based
on the input pressure and mol% CO2 and H2S. It also
reports the pH value calculated either at room
temperature (20°C) or at the in-situ temperature and
pressure. These values are utilized for the evaluation of
the suitability of certain CRA's.
Metallurgical Condition: The Tubing CRA Evaluator
assumes that the alloy is in the normal product form
and metallurgical condition appropriate for tubing. This
includes the cold-worked conditions for those alloys
where this is the normal condition used for tubing. The
assessment results may not be applicable for alloys in
other metallurgical conditions or for other product forms
(for example, castings). The different CRA's have
different mechanical properties. You should be aware of
the need to consider the different strength of alloys,
which will affect the required wall thickness.
Reporting: To produce a Report chose menu item File -
Tubing Alloy Evaluation Report. The Report is produced
in a new window.
Note on pH calculation: ISO 15156-3: 2015/ Cir. 1 & 2:
NACE MR0175 requires the selection to be based on in-
situ pH (at the service pressure and temperature). This
is nearly always a calculated value, both in field data
and in laboratory data, due to the difficulties of making
 direct measurements. Laboratory data often includes a
measured value for pH at ambient temperature, and
ECE also reports the calculated value at 20°C for
comparison.

© Wood plc 2020  

Alloys for Production Tubing
 
Alloys for Production Tubing includes a range of typical
tubing alloys suitable for a range of environmental
conditions. For more information see Tubing CRA Evaluator.

Martensitic Stainless Steel: Two martensitic stainless

steels are included. The standard 13Cr grade (which is
typically AISI 410 or AISI 420) is widely applied (typically
as an L80 grade strength) for its resistance to CO2
corrosion. The more highly alloyed, lower carbon
content Super-13Cr grades are typically used at a higher
strength level (for example, C95) and have been
promoted for wells that are experiencing some souring.
However, the limits of application of these materials in
environments containing H2S has been kept rather
limited in ECE.
Duplex Stainless Steel: Duplex stainless steels with
either 22Cr or 25Cr content are used for applications
where higher strength is required, potentially with
resistance to slightly higher levels of H2S.
Presence of H2S: When there is significant H2S present
then groups of more highly alloyed metals are used.

© Wood plc 2020  

Composition of Tubing Alloys
 
The Composition of Tubing Alloys table describes the composition for each of the
Tubing Alloys. For more information see Tubing CRA Evaluator.

  C% Cr% Ni% Mo% N% Mn% Others%

MSS

13Cr
0.15 11.5-13.5 - - -    

S-13Cr
(various 0.012 1.30
0.015 10.5-13.5 1.5-7.0 0-3.0
max. max.
Cu
ranges)

22CrDSS

S31803 4.50- 2.50- 0.08- 2.00

0.030 21.0-23.0
6.50 3.50 0.20 max.
 

S32205 4.50- 3.00- 0.14- 2.00

0.030 22.0-23.0
6.50 3.50 0.20 max.
 

25CrDSS

S32550 4.50- 2.00- 0.10- 1.50 Cu 1.50-

0.040 24.0-27.0
6.50 4.00 0.25 max. 2.50

Cu 0.20-
S31260 5.50- 2.50- 0.10- 1.0 0.80
0.030 24.0-26.0
7.50 3.50 0.30 max. W 0.10-
0.50

S31200 5.50- 1.20- 0.14- 1.0

0.030 24.0-26.0
6.50 2.00 0.20 max.
 

S32520 5.50- 3.0- 0.20- 1.5 Cu 0.50-

0.030 24.0-26.0
8.0 5.0 0.35 max. 3.00

S32750 3.0- 0.24- 1.2

0.030 24.0-26.0 6.0-8.0
5.0 0.32
 
max
Cu 0.5-
S32760 3.0- 0.20- 1.0 1.0
0.030 24.0-26.0 6.0-8.0
4.0 0.30 max.
W 0.5-1.0

S39274 24.0-26.0 6.0-8.0 2.50- 0.24- 1.0 Cu 0.20-

0.030 3.50 0.32 max. 0.80
 W 1.5-2.5

Nickel-Base Alloys

N088028 29.5- 2 Cu 0.6-

(28) 0.03 26-28
32.5
3-4 -
max. 1.4

N08825 2.5- 1
(825) 0.05 19.5-23.5 38-46
3.5
-
max.
 

Cu 1
Alloy 1
0.02 20-22 50-52 9-11 - max.
2050 max.
W 1 max.

N06985 Fe 19.5
(G3)   22 44 7.0    
Cu 2.0

N06950 Fe 17
(G50)   20 50 9    
W 0.7

14.5- Fe4-7
N10276 15- 1
(C276) 0.02 16 Balance
17
-
max.
C0 2.5
W 3.0-4.5

* The composition given for the martensitic stainless steels (MSS) is very
broad as there is a wide range of compositions available from different
manufacturers.

© Wood plc 2020  

MSS - Standard 13Cr
 
The MSS - Standard 13Cr martensitic steel (typically AISI
410 or 420) has been widely applied in sweet wells
internationally. For more information see Tubing CRA
Evaluator.

Standard 13Cr Limits: The limits of environmental

parameters for these materials were originally published
by B.D. Craig in Corrosion Resistant Alloys in the Oil and
Gas Industry NiDI Technical Series Publication 10073.
This figure defined the updated (2011, Smith) limits of
use of the 13Cr grades used for downhole tubing.
Sour Environments: In hydrogen sulfide containing
environments 13Cr tubing may crack by a sulfide stress
cracking mechanism. The resistance to sulfide stress
cracking has been evaluated as a function of pH and
partial pressure of H2S (M.B. Kermani et al, NACE
Corrosion 91, LM Smith, Martensitic Stainless Steel Pipe,
a report for sponsors, pub. by Intetech Ltd, Jan 2000).
The latest consensus from laboratory work and field
data shows that standard API 13Cr L80 can tolerate a
little higher H2S than early publications seemed to
suggest. The transition region between the non-cracking
and cracking regions of the graph is indicated by an
amber light.
Limits for 13Cr MSS in Sour Service: The risk of cracking
by hydrogen embrittlement is highest at ambient
temperature. Even though wells operate at higher
temperatures the cracking risk is evaluated based upon
room temperature cracking criteria since the tubing may
be pulled out of the well and cool down whilst still being
saturated with hydrogen from its exposure to corrosive
 conditions. This could cause the tubing to crack,
possibly during a workover. For situations where tubing
is already in the well (and therefore at a higher
temperature) and conditions are gradually souring, it
may be possible to use the tubing at higher levels of H2S
than this CRA Evaluator would allow. This requires an
analysis of test data at higher temperatures or
laboratory evaluation.

© Wood plc 2020  

MSS - Low Carbon 13Cr
 
The MSS - Low Carbon 13Cr, MSS's are highly resistant to
corrosion in sweet environments. The standard 13Cr grades
have been widely applied for downhole tubing and their
corrosion characteristics are well characterized. For more
information see Tubing CRA Evaluator.
The Super-13Cr grades have much lower carbon content
which means that there is more chromium available in the
metal to provide corrosion resistance. Many of the Super
13Cr’s also have additional molybdenum alloying which
further enhances their corrosion resistance in sweet
conditions.
A comparison of the corrosion data in the literature, with the
limits established for shows that the corrosion rates for
steels with the composition of the Super 13Cr grades are
typically one order of magnitude lower (LM Smith,
Martensitic Stainless Steel Pipe, a report for sponsors, pub.
by Intetech Ltd, Jan 2000).
As a first approximation, it is estimated that adding 30°C to
the temperature limit for the standard 13Cr material can
represent the limit of use of the Super 13Cr grades in sweet
conditions. Thus, for the purposes of this program, the limit
of use of the Super 13Cr in sweet conditions is taken to be
the same as for the standard 13Cr grades, but with the
temperature increased by 30°C. This is believed to be quite
a conservative approach, and one which should be refined
as more data becomes available.

Sour Environments: Individual proprietary grades of

Super 13Cr MSS can show quite a wide range of
properties in sour conditions. In some cases, superior
cracking resistance may be noted compared to standard
 13Cr, but in many cases the cracking resistance is
poorer, one factor being the generally higher yield
strength of the Super 13Cr grades. The Sour
Environments figure indicates a safe range for cracking
resistance for the majority of alloys; individual alloys
may be qualified for more aggressive conditions by
testing or review of appropriate data.

© Wood plc 2020  

22Cr and 25Cr Duplex Stainless
Steels
 
22Cr and 25Cr Duplex Stainless Steels are highly resistant
to corrosion in sweet environments. The limits of
environmental parameters for 22Cr DSS were established by
Craig in Corrosion Resistant Alloys in the Oil and Gas
Industry NiDI Technical Series Publication 10073. These
alloys show little sensitivity to partial pressure of CO2 and a
simplified version of Craig’s proposal is used in this
program. For more information see Tubing CRA Evaluator.
The higher alloyed 25Cr grade would be expected to show
even greater resistance to general corrosion in sweet
conditions and so the limits have been taken, arbitrarily, to
be 20°C higher than the limits of the 22Cr grade in the
Limits of Duplex Stainless Steels graph.
With H2S present consideration has to be given to the risk of
cracking. Duplex stainless steels are most sensitive to
cracking at 80-110°C and so test data at that temperature
has been checked to establish the safe environmental limits.
Cracking is also dependent on the pH and on the chloride
content. The pH value is taken at room temperature since
this is the value reported for the laboratory test data on
which the limits are based.
The degree of cold-work and strength level also has a strong
effect on resistance to cracking. The limits in ECE are
applicable to tubing with specified minimum yield stress
(SMYS) no greater than 125 ksi.
The H2S Limits for 22Cr Duplex Stainless Steels graph
displays the limits of H2S as a function of pH and chloride
content are provided.
The Proposed Limits for 25Cr Duplex Stainless Steels graph
displays limits that were established in a review of
laboratory test data on duplex stainless steels carried out by
Shell.
 

© Wood plc 2020  

Alloy 28
Alloy 28 is used in the solid form for production tubing. The
limits of environmental parameters for Alloy 28 in terms of
partial pressure of H2S, partial pressure of CO2 and
temperature were established by Craig in Corrosion
Resistant Alloys in the Oil and Gas Industry, NiDI Technical
Series Publication 10073. The Alloy 28 graph assumes that
there is a significant level (about 100g/l) of chloride present.
For more information see Tubing CRA Evaluator.

© Wood plc 2020

Alloy 2550
Alloy 2550 is used in the solid form for production tubing.
The limits of environmental parameters for Alloy 2550 in
terms of partial pressure of H2S, partial pressure of CO2 and
temperature were established by Craig in Corrosion
Resistant Alloys in the Oil and Gas Industry NiDI Technical
Series Publication 10073. The Environment Limits for Alloy
2550 graph assumes that there is a significant level of
chloride present i.e. about 100g/l. Alloy 2550 is utilized in
the ECE Evaluator as being typical of the performance of a
group of alloys including Alloy G3. For more information see
Tubing CRA Evaluator.

© Wood plc 2020

Alloy C276
 
Alloy C276 is used in the solid form for production tubing.
The limits of environmental parameters for Alloy C276 in
terms of partial pressure of H2S, partial pressure of CO2 and
temperature were established by Craig in Corrosion
Resistant Alloys in the Oil and Gas Industry, NiDI Technical
Series Publication 10073. The Environmental Limits of Alloy
C276 graph assumes that there is a significant level of
chloride present i.e. about 100g/l.
Alloy C276 is utilized in the ECE Evaluator as being typical of
the performance of a group of alloys including Alloy C22 and
Alloy G50. These alloys are also capable of withstanding
corrosion in conditions containing elemental sulfur. For more
information see Tubing CRA Evaluator.
 

© Wood plc 2020  

Alloy 825
Alloy 825 is used in solid form for downhole tubing. The
limits of environmental parameters for Alloy 825 in terms of
partial pressure of H2S, partial pressure of CO2 and
temperature were established by Craig in Corrosion
Resistant Alloys in the Oil and Gas Industry NiDI Technical
Series Publication 10073. A simplified version is used in the
ECE Evaluator since there is little dependence on CO2. The
Alloy 825 graph assumes that there is a significant level of
chloride present i.e. about 100g/l. For more information see
Tubing CRA Evaluator.

© Wood plc 2020

Tubing Alloy Evaluator Report
 
The Tubing Alloy Evaluator Report option is used to display
the Tubing Alloy Results produced by the Tubing CRA
Evaluator. For more information see Tubing CRA Evaluator.

With the Tubing CRA Evaluator open, select File, Tubing

Alloy Evaluator Report.
When exporting to Microsoft Excel ECE will display an error message if Microsoft
Excel is not installed. To continue with the export, install Microsoft Excel.

© Wood plc 2020  

Bulk Tubing CRA Evaluation
Calculation
 
The Bulk Tubing CRA Evaluation Calculation dialog is used
for the bulk import of multiple Tubing CRA values for
calculation in ECE. For more information see Tubing CRA
Evaluator.

From Tubing Tools, select Bulk CRA Evaluation

Calculation to display the Bulk Tubing CRA Evaluation
dialog.
Download Template: From the Bulk Tubing CRA
Evaluation dialog, click Download to Save the file ECE
Tubing CRA Evaluation Calculation.xlsm.
Complete Template: Using Microsoft Excel complete the
Template. Macros must be enabled in Microsoft Excel to
use this file. Where incorrect values have been entered
the cell will be shaded red. You can upload the template
with errors, however these values will not be included in
the calculation.
Save and Close Template: From Microsoft Excel close the
Template. The Template must be closed for the
calculation to run correctly.
Browse for Template: From the Bulk Tubing CRA
Evaluation dialog, click Browse to select and upload the
completed Template.
Calculate: From the Bulk Tubing CRA Evaluation dialog,
click Calculate to complete the calculations.
Calculations Performed Successfully: The Bulk Tubing
CRA Evaluation dialog will confirm that the calculations
have been performed successfully.
 Save Results: Save the results. ECE will confirm the
results have been saved successfully.
View Results: Results can then be viewed in the file ECE
Tubing CRA Evaluation Calculation_Result.xlsm.

© Wood plc 2020  

Flowline Corrosion Prediction Tools
 
The Flowline Corrosion Prediction Tools options are:

Flowline Corrosion Predictor: Used to predict the internal

corrosion rate of a carbon steel flowline. The corrosion
model estimates the corrosion caused by the presence
of water with dissolved CO2, which is modified by the
presence of other chemicals like H2S and
carbonate/bicarbonate salts. The background to the
model is described in Corrosion Model Background.
Flowline CRA Evaluator: Used to evaluate Flowline
Conditions against technical acceptability. ECE offers
two alternative evaluation schemes; Evaluation based
on ISO 15156-3: 2015 / Cir. 1 & 2 / NACE MR0175 or
Evaluation based on selection rules developed by Wood
plc (ECE Rules).
Flowline Life Cycle Calculator: Used to make an
economic comparison of various corrosion control
options for a flowline, Carbon Steel, Carbon Steel with
Chemical Inhibition and Corrosion Resistant Alloy.
Bulk Flowline Corrosion Predictor Calculation: Used for
the bulk import of multiple Flowline Corrosion Prediction
values for calculation in ECE.
Bulk Flowline CRA Evaluation Calculation: Used for the
bulk import of multiple Flowline CRA values for
calculation in ECE.

© Wood plc 2020  

Data Input
 
The Flowline Corrosion Predictor requires the input of
various operational parameters to display the output
results. Default Values are loaded when the Flowline
Corrosion Predictor is launched. The Input Values can be
entered in metric or customary engineering units, or a
mixture of units. ECE automatically converts and displays
the equivalent values as you enter the data. A Range can be
specified using the Ranges button. If the conditions for a
project are outside the allowed ranges, then you may still
utilise the Flowline CRA Evaluator for material selection. For
more information see Flowline Corrosion Predictor

Sections: Allows the entry of flowline elevation, heat

transfer factor and ambient temperature as a function of
distance.
Project: Input of identification details, flowline
dimensions and steel carbon content.
Conditions: Input of temperature, pressure, gas
composition and water chemistry.
Throughput: Input of oil, gas and water production rates,
density of crude oil and optional variation in water cut at
constant total liquid velocity.
Advanced: Input of parameters related to inhibition,
glycol injection, selection of non-saturated or
supersaturated iron content.

© Wood plc 2020  

Data Output
 
Output Results are displayed in the tabs; Corrosion Rate,
Risk Analysis, All Graphs and Details. The Output Results
can also be exported as text Reports and graphs can be
copied, saved or printed. For more information see Flowline
Corrosion Predictor

Corrosion Rate: Graphical representation of corrosion

rate vs distance along the flowline, giving the corrosion
rate at the bottom and the top of the line (when
applicable).
Risk Analysis: Risk of failure as function of time.
All Graphs: Graphs for pH, water flow rate, water cut,
liquid holdup, liquid velocity, gas velocity, glycol
concentration, temperature, pressure, corrosion rate &
flow regime, and heat transfer factors; all versus
distance along the pipeline.
Details: Additional information including velocities,
composition data, expected flow pattern and sour
service requirements.

© Wood plc 2020  

Project
 
The Project tab of the Flowline Corrosion Predictor is used to
input Project information into the Flowline Corrosion
Predictor.

Project Details: The Title and Details fields allow entry of

a description and identifying information for the current
Project. This information is saved with other data and
exported with Project outputs.
Pipe Dimensions: These may be typed directly into text
boxes or entered by the sliders. Input can be done in
metric or US customary units: conversion between these
is automatic. If data is entered on the Sections tab,
flowline length cannot be entered here, ECE will display
a confirmation message.
Steel: Carbon content of the steel can be entered.

© Wood plc 2020  

Conditions
 
The Conditions tab of the Flowline Corrosion Predictor is
used to input Temperature, Pressure, Gas Composition and
Water Chemistry information into the Flowline Corrosion
Predictor.

Temperature: There are two options for the flowline

temperature profile, Use Straightline Temperature Profile
and Calculate Temperature Profile. The inlet and outlet
temperatures should be entered. The resulting
temperature profile can be seen on the All Graphs –
Temperature view. Inputs can be in °C or °F, and
conversion between these alternatives is automatic. If
data is entered on the Sections tab, temperature data
cannot be entered here, ECE will display a confirmation
message. Calculate Temperature Profile is used to model
Top-of-Line corrosion rates and calculates the
temperature profile from the inlet temperature, ambient
temperature, the Heat Transfer Factor and the data
entered on the Throughput page.
Pressure: Pressure at in- and outlet of the flowline are
entered directly into text boxes (as bar or psi) or by the
sliders. Pressures are absolute pressures, not gauge
pressures.
Gas Composition: The acid gas compositions can be
entered either as concentrations in the gas phase, or as
concentrations dissolved in the water phase.
Gas Composition (Gas Phase): Enter the molecular
fraction (mol%) of acid gases CO2 and H2S in the Gas
Phase. CO2 and H2S beyond certain limiting partial
pressures (for example, mol% x total pressure) cannot
be entered.
 Gas Composition (Water Phase): Enter the Dissolved CO2
and Dissolved H2S concentrations by weight (ppmw) in
the Water Phase.
Water Chemistry: The bicarbonate level influences the
pH, which can be observed on the output pages. The
unit here is mg/l of HCO3- ions. It relates to the
bicarbonate present, as soluble salts of any kind for
example, sodium, potassium or iron, after any dissolved
gases are flashed off.
Acetic Acid: Enter the total Acetic Acid value in parts per
million by weight (ppmw).
Sodium Chloride: Affects hydrogen activity, solubility of
acid gases and the Risk Ranking for sour pitting. Other
neutral salts can be treated as if NaCl (for example, the
Total Dissolved Solids value can be entered here).

© Wood plc 2020  

Throughput
 
The Throughput tab of the Flowline Corrosion Predictor is
used to input Crude Oil/Condensate, Gas, Water, Holdup and
Watercut information into the Flowline Corrosion Predictor.

Flowrates: Mass flow rates for oil or gas condensate, gas

and water are entered directly or using the slider bars,
and the ranges can be changed using the Range buttons
on the right-hand end of the sliders. All values relate to
rates at the flowline inlet, and the water rate is for liquid
water only, not including any water in the vapour phase.
All values are expressed in standard units, i.e. volumes
that would be occupied at standard conditions of
pressure and temperature, NOT volumes at the process
condition. Where water condensation is occurring, the
water (liquid) rate may vary along the flowline. The
Details page displays the calculated water flow rate at
the flowline outlet, and the All Graphs – Water Flow Rate
displays the water rate along the line.
API Gravity: The hydrocarbon density is entered with the
API Gravity text box or slider. A high API gravity of 50
corresponds to a light gas condensate oil. A low API
density corresponds to a very heavy crude. Conversion
to specific gravity (density) in g/cm3 @60degF is given
(note that the density is very temperature dependent).
The SG and API gravity inputs, and the conversion within
ECE, are for standard conditions of both temperature
and pressure. The API gravity setting influences the
effect of the water cut on corrosion rates by altering the
ability of the oil to entrain water. Values of API gravity
above 50 have no further impact on the corrosion
model, so for very light oils / condensates with API
gravity greater than 50, you should input 50.
Liquid Holdup Change: The liquid holdup (fraction of
cross-section occupied by liquids) is shown in the Liquid
Holdup Graph, and the maximum and minimum values
shown above that graph. Liquid holdup change provides
a means to manually alter the liquid holdup from the
values calculated by ECE.
When the liquid holdup change is set at 0% Change the
velocities of liquid and gas are the same. The default
setting of 2% change in ECE means the gas is flowing
slightly faster than the liquid. This is the normal
situation, as the higher drag on the liquid will cause a
lower liquid velocity and an increase in liquid holdup
(the holdup change is greater than zero). This, in turn,
will increase the gas flow velocity and will tend to lower
the corrosion rate. These velocities can be seen on the
details tab for the wellhead or on the graphs of gas and
liquid velocities.
When input flow rates of liquids and gas are changed,
the absolute value of holdup of course changes. The
Liquid Holdup Change setting is maintained, however,
which means that the holdup is always adjusted to the
same percentage above the minimum possible. In
nearly all situations, it is recommended that you leave
liquid holdup change at the default value.
One situation where it may be useful to alter the liquid
hold up change from the default is where values for the
holdup are available from other sources (either
modelling or field measurement). The maximum that
the liquid holdup change can be modified is up to 50%
of the available range (from the minimum holdup (gas
and liquid velocity equal) up to 100% holdup). In
practical situations, the realistic range of liquid holdup
change is normally much more restricted, probably no
more than 5-10%.
 Watercut: When all the production flow rate values have
been entered, the watercut at inlet of the line will be
shown by the Watercut (at inlet) value at the bottom of
the Throughput page. When the inputs for oil or water
flow rate are changed, the water cut changes
accordingly. This box and slider may also be altered to
investigate the effect of adjusting the water cut at
constant total liquid velocity. This can be useful when
the water cut is not known or likely to change, by
showing the sensitivity to this parameter, without
changing the liquid velocity at the same time.
Details: Displays the water cut at the outlet and the
Watercut graph shows the water cut along the whole
line.
Low Spot Water Dropout: The button Low Spot Water
Dropout can be used when ECE predicts that water is
entrained in the oil phase, but you want to investigate
the impact of local water dropout. ECE evaluates
whether or not entrainment occurs on the basis of a
perfectly horizontal flowline, but in practice there can to
be low spots in a line which enhance the likelihood of
water separating from the oil. Clicking this button will
override ECE's prediction that the water is entrained, so
that the effect of a separate water phase can be seen
throughout the length of the line. As a warning that this
override is switched on, the button will become red, and
a warning is displayed under the corrosion graph on the
right-hand side of the window. This evaluation mode can
be switched off by clicking the button again.
If the water is not entrained in an oil/water system (low
velocity stratified flow), this option has no function and
the button is shaded.

 
© Wood plc 2020  
Advanced
 
The Advanced tab of the Flowline Corrosion Predictor is used
to input the Glycol Injection Rate, Inhibition, the Dissolved
FE at Inlet and the Erosional Velocity of Gas information into
the Flowline Corrosion Predictor.

Glycol Injection Rate: The Glycol injection rate

influences the concentration of the glycol in the water
carried by the pipeline. This concentration is calculated
along the length of the pipe while being diluted by water
condensing from the gas and can be seen on the Glycol
Concentration Graph. The injected glycol is
conservatively assumed to be DEG (diethylene glycol) of
95% purity. The effect of other glycols like MEG is
similar. The resulting concentration of the DEG at the
outlet is shown under the Details page. The glycol rate
can be input as kg per million standard cubic metres of
gas (kg/MMSm3) or as kg per day (kg/d).
The Glycol Injection rate can be entered in either
Kg/MMSm3 or Kg/d. The Output will be displayed for both
Kg/MMSm3 and Kg/d.
Inhibition: The effect of an inhibitor is modelled using
the common accepted efficiency – availability model to
determine the mean corrosion rate with inhibition
treatment. The efficiency and availability inputs both
have maximum values of 99.
Dissolved Fe at inlet: Dissolved Fe at inlet relates to the
dissolved iron concentration in the water at the inlet,
which may be low in Fe, or may be supersaturated with
iron carbonate. There are two options. The default
setting is supersaturated, assuming that the water has
been flowing through carbon steel equipment for some
distance before entering the flowline: this would be
 appropriate if the fluids come from a well completed
with carbon steel production tubing for example. When
most of the water comes from condensation from water
vapour in gas, this setting should be changed to none,
which can lead to increased corrosion rates for a short
distance at the inlet region. This would be appropriate
for a gas overhead line from a separator vessel for
example.
Erosional Velocity of Gas: The value of the C-Constant
used in calculation of the Erosion Velocity can be
changed from the default values of =100 lbs/ft.) ^0.5/s
or c=122 (kg/m) ^0.5/s. This allows you to work with
different C-values or erosional velocity limits depending
upon different User's policies. See Erosion-Corrosion for
more details.

© Wood plc 2020  

Corrosion Rate Graph
 
The Corrosion Rate Graph tab of the Flowline Corrosion
Predictor displays the Flowline Corrosion Rate Graph,
Corrosion Rate (mm/year) over Distance (km) along the
flowline. For more information see Flowline Corrosion
Predictor.

Stratified Flow: In the case of stratified flow, with the top

of the line wetted by liquid condensing from the gas, the
corrosion rates at the bottom and the top of the line are
different, and two lines will be shown in the corrosion
graph. When the flow pattern is not stratified, the line
for the top-of-line corrosion will automatically disappear.
The highest estimated corrosion rate is reported
separately at the top of the graph.
Presence of H2S: When H2S is present, an additional line
indicates the potential pitting corrosion rate that applies
if the protective sulphide scale breaks down. The Pitting
Risk Rank is displayed as a tooltip when the cursor is
positioned over the isolated pitting line.
Zoom: The cursor can be used to select and zoom in on
areas of the graph.
Actions: Graphs may be copied, printed, or saved, see
Reporting and Printing for details.

© Wood plc 2020  

Risk Analysis
 
The Risk Analysis tab of the Flowline Corrosion Predictor
displays a graph of accumulated risk of failure vs. time. For
its construction, it is assumed that the calculated corrosion
rates have a normal distribution with a standard deviation of
25% (see Risk of Failure for details). In the presence of H2S,
the arbitrary assumption has been made that there is a 25%
risk that the protective sulphide layer fails. For more
information see Flowline Corrosion Predictor.

Zoom: The mouse can be used to select and zoom in on

areas of the graph.
Actions: Graphs may be copied, printed, or saved, see
Printing for more details.

© Wood plc 2020  

Details FL
 
The Details FL tab of the Flowline Corrosion Predictor is used
to view Output Details for the selected Flowline Corrosion
Prediction Project. For more information see Flowline
Corrosion Predictor.

At Outlet: Values of Gas to Oil ratio (GOR), water cut,

water rate and liquid and gas velocities at the flowline
outlet are reported at the top of the page. This allows a
quick check that the flowrates are reasonable, typically
a few m/s for liquid, and less than about 20 m/s for gas.
The difference between water flowrate at inlet
(Throughput tab) and that at the outlet is the amount of
water condensed from the gas.
Velocities at Outlet: The erosional gas velocity according
to API RP 14E is also reported. When this velocity is
exceeded, the effects of protection by carbonate layers,
inhibitor films and sulphide layers are set to zero. This
only happens when the flow pattern is Annular Mist flow.
For other flow patterns ECE will report N/A ("not
applicable")
Flow Pattern at Inlet: The flow pattern evaluation is
restricted to Stratified (non-symmetrical), Slug/Bubble,
Liquid-full and Annular Mist (symmetrical) for corrosion
rate calculations.
Sour Service: The sour service region applicable to
sulphide stress cracking according to ISO 15156-2: 2015
/ Cir. 1 & 2/ NACE MR0175 is reported: either No (i.e.
Region 0), Region 1, Region 2 or Region 3. The
concentration of glycol at inlet and at outlet is given,
when injected, together with the quantity injected in
 kg/d. These values will change when the glycol injection
rate is varied.
Partial Pressures at Outlet: Partial pressures (not
fugacities) of CO2 and H2S at the outlet are reported in
metric and US customary units, along with the
concentration of H2S in ppm (vol).
Factors: Any protective factors that are currently active
within the corrosion predictor modelling are identified.

© Wood plc 2020  

All Graphs
 
The All Graphs tab of the Flowline Corrosion Predictor is
used to select parameters to display as a graph over
distance along the flowline. The default graph displayed is
the Corrosion Rate (US) graph. The maximum and minimum
values are also reported at the top-right of the selected
graph. The mouse can be used to select and zoom in on
areas of the graph. Graphs may be copied, printed, or
saved, see Printing for details. For more information see
Flowline Corrosion Predictor.

pH: Displays pH value over Distance (km).

Water Flow Rate: Displays Water Flow Rate (m3/d) over
Distance (km).
Watercut: Displays Watercut (%) over Distance (km).
Liquid HoldUp: Displays Liquid HoldUp (% cross section)
over Distance (km).
Liquid Velocity: Displays Liquid Velocity (m/s) over
Distance (km).
Gas Velocity: Displays Gas Velocity (m/s) over Distance
(km).
Pressure: Displays Pressure (bar) over Distance (km).
Temperature: Displays Temperature (°C) over Distance
(km).
Glycol Concentration: Displays Glycol Concentration (%)
over Distance (km).

© Wood plc 2020  

Sections
The Sections tab of the Flowlines Corrosion Predictor can be
used to break down a flowline into a series of user defined
sections. For each section the elevation, external heat
transfer coefficient and the external ambient temperature
may be defined as a function of distance along the flowline.
To define sections within the flowline click “Edit” and enter
the required values in the table for each section to be
defined.

© Wood plc 2020

Flowline Corrosion Predictor Report
 
The Flowline Corrosion Predictor Report option is used to
display the Flowline Corrosion Prediction Results as either a
Full Report, Summary Report or as a Data Table. For more
information see Flowline Corrosion Predictor.

With the Flowline Corrosion Predictor open, select File,

Flowline Corrosion Prediction Report to select the
required report, Full, Summary or Data Table.
Full Report: Displays the Flowline Corrosion Prediction as
a Full Report. Select Export to Excel to open Microsoft
Excel with the Full Report displayed.
Summary Report: Displays the Flowline Corrosion
Prediction as a Summary Report. Select Export to Excel
to open Microsoft Excel with the Summary Report
displayed.
Data Table: Displays the Flowline Corrosion Prediction in
Microsoft Excel as a Data Table.
When exporting to Microsoft Excel ECE will display an error message if Microsoft
Excel is not installed. To continue with the export, install Microsoft Excel.

© Wood plc 2020  

Flowline CRA Evaluator
 
The Flowline CRA Evaluator is used to evaluate Flowline
Conditions against technical acceptability. For more
information see Using the Flowline CRA Evaluator and Bulk
Flowline CRA Evaluation Calculation.

Alloys for Flowlines: Includes a range of corrosion

resistant alloys (CRA's) considered for flowlines has
been mainly restricted to those most commonly used in
the past 30 years.
Composition of Alloys: Displays the Composition of
Alloys table.
Martensitic Stainless Steel for Flowlines: MSS's are
highly resistant to corrosion in sweet environments.
Duplex Stainless Steel for Flowlines: DSS,s are highly
resistant to corrosion in sweet environments.
Alloy 316L - Cladding or Lining: Used as a Cladding or
Lining in pipe for flowlines.
Alloy 904L - Cladding or Lining: Used as a Cladding or
Lining in pipe for flowlines.
Alloy 825 - Cladding or Lining: Used as a Cladding or
Lining in pipe for flowlines.
Alloy 625 - Cladding or Lining: Used as a Cladding or
Lining in pipe for flowlines.
Alloy 6Mo - Super Austenitic Stainless Steel: Used as
solid piping or pipeline material

© Wood plc 2020  

Using the Flowline CRA Evaluator
 
The Flowline CRA Evaluator is used to evaluate Flowline
Conditions against technical acceptability. There are two
alternative evaluation schemes; Evaluation based on ISO
15156-3: 2015/ Cir. 1 & 2 / NACE MR0175 or Evaluation
based on selection rules developed by Wood (ECE Rules).
The limits are assessed based upon the following input data;
Temperature (°C or °F), Pressure (psia or bara), CO2 (mol%
in gas phase), H2S (mol% in gas phase), Chloride Content
(mol% NaCl or ppmw Cl-) and Bicarbonate content, (ppmw).
For more information see Flowline CRA Evaluator.

Flowline Conditions: The environmental conditions are

input in the left hand side of the window. All the values
can be altered by moving the sliders, entering figures
directly into the boxes or using the up/down arrows on
the boxes. clicking at the end of the sliders.
When selecting a material, it is important to consider
various conditions such as the extreme design
conditions or upset conditions as well as the operating
conditions. Other factors beyond those listed above
(such as presence of elemental sulphur or oxygen) are
not covered by the tools.
The assessment of the suitability of all CRA's is
considered for each set of input data entered. This
assessment of CRA's is independent of any data entered
in other tools within ECE, for example the Corrosion
Predictor. The range of conditions which can be
evaluated is wider than the Corrosion Predictor window
allows, since CRA's may be utilized in conditions where
carbon steels would not be applicable.
Traffic Lights: The suitability of the alloys in a given
environment is indicated by Traffic Light indicators on
the right.
ECE Evaluation Rules: The limits of use of the different
alloys are defined in terms of their resistance to
Corrosion in sweet conditions and Corrosion and
cracking in sour environments. There is no minimum
value partial pressure of H2S which has to be exceeded
for the environment to be referred to as ‘sour’, the
performance of CRA's is checked against limits defined
for each alloy individually as soon as any level of H2S is
present.
ISO 15156-3: 2015/ Cir. 1 & 2: NACE MR0175 Evaluation
Rules: The limits of use of the different alloys are
defined only in terms of their resistance to failure by
stress corrosion cracking in sour environments
(containing both CO2 and H2S). Failure by corrosion
either in sweet conditions (containing CO2 but free of
H2S) or in sour conditions is not necessarily covered by
the ISO 15156-3: 2015/ Cir. 1 & 2: NACE MR0175 rules.
Environmental Details: The CRA Evaluator reports the
partial pressures of CO2 and of H2S in bar and psi based
on the input pressure and mol% CO2 and H2S. It also
reports the pH value calculated at room temperature
(20°C) or at the in-situ temperature. These values are
utilized for the evaluation of the suitability of certain
CRA's.
Metallurgical Condition - Important: The evaluation tools
assume that the alloy is in the normal product form and
metallurgical condition appropriate for flowline pipe. In
sour service conditions, the material should comply with
any restrictions on processing or properties defined for
that alloy in ISO 15156-3: 2015/ Cir. 1 & 2: NACE
 MR0175. The assessment results may not be applicable
for alloys in other metallurgical conditions (for example
heavily cold-worked) or for other product forms (for
example castings).
The different CRA's have different mechanical
properties. You should be aware of the need to consider
the different strength of alloys, which will affect the
required wall thickness. For flowlines this will have an
impact on the welding time and overall capital cost of
installation. CRAs show varying toughness as a function
of temperature and you should be aware of the need to
select a material which meets toughness requirements
at the minimum design temperature.
Reporting: To produce a Report chose menu item File -
Flowline Alloy Evaluation Report. The Report is produced
in a new window.

© Wood plc 2020  

Alloys for Flowlines
 
Alloys for Flowlines includes a range of corrosion resistant
alloys (CRA's) considered for flowlines has been mainly
restricted to those most commonly used in the past 30
years. For more information see Flowline CRA Evaluator.
Amongst solid CRA's the most widely applied for flowlines
has been 22Cr duplex. There has also been some 25Cr
super-duplex used. From about 1997 there was increasing
use of low carbon content martensitic stainless steels (the
so-called weldable 13Cr steels). These are referred to by the
term MSS in this help file.
When more highly alloyed CRA's are required it is more
common for them to be manufactured as a Cladding or
Lining in a carbon steel pipe. All the different types of
manufacturing methods are referred to generally as ‘clad’.
Amongst alloys available for clad pipes the most commonly
applied are stainless steel AISI 316L (316L clad) and the
higher nickel content alloy 825 (825 clad). Whilst rarely
used so far, stainless steel AISI 904L has been considered
for clad flowlines and the environmental limits of that
material are included in too (904L clad). Nickel alloy 625 is
sometimes used as a cladding in parts of flowlines and may
be required for extremely aggressive conditions. In the rare
cases in which these alloys are considered in solid form (for
example for small diameter lines where clad pipe is
relatively less economic), the same limits can be assumed
to apply to the solid product as to the clad or lined product.
Other CRA's may be considered for flowlines at the
recommendation of manufacturers, or after carrying out
appropriate laboratory test programmes to prove the
performance in the expected production conditions.
In all cases it is assumed that the corrosion properties of the
weld and heat affected zone are equivalent to the properties
of the base material. This should be established by
appropriate testing during welding procedure qualifications.
 

© Wood plc 2020  

Composition of Flowline Alloys
 
The Composition of Flowline Alloys table describes the
composition for each of the Flowline Alloys. For more
information see Flowline CRA Evaluator.

  C% Cr% Ni% Mo% N% Mn% Others%

MSS

MSS 10.5- 0.012 0.012

0.015 13.5 1.5-7.0 0-3.0
max. max.
Cu

22CrDSS

S31803 0.030 21.0- 4.50- 2.50- 0.08- 2.00  

23.0 6.50 3.50 0.20 max.

S32205 0.030 22.0- 4.50- 3.00- 0.14- 2.00  

23.0 6.50 3.50 0.20 max.

25CrDSS

S32550 0.040 24.0- 4.50- 2.00- 0.10- 1.50 Cu 1.50-

27.0 6.50 4.00 0.25 max. 2.50

Cu 0.20-
S31260 0.030 24.0- 5.50- 2.50- 0.10- 1.0 0.80
26.0 7.50 3.50 0.30 max. W 0.10-
0.50

S31200 0.030 24.0- 5.50- 1.20- 0.14- 1.0  

26.0 6.50 2.00 0.20 max.

S32520 24.0- 5.50- 3.0- 0.20- 1.5 Cu 0.50-

0.030
 26.0 8.0 5.0 0.35> max. 3.00

S32750 0.030 24.0- 6.0-8.0 3.0- 0.24- 1.2  

26.0 5.0 0.32
max
Cu 0.5-
S32760 0.030 24.0- 6.0-8.0 3.0- 0.20- 1.0 1.0
26.0 4.0 0.30 max.
W 0.5-1.0

Cu 0.20-
S39274 0.030> 24.0- 6.0-8.0 2.50- 0.24- 1.0 0.80
26.0 3.50 0.32 max.
W 1.5-2.5

Cladding or Lining Alloys

S31603 16- 0.1 2

(316L) 0.03 18
10-14 2-3
max. max.
 

N08904 19- 2
(904L) 0.02 23
23-28 4-5 -
max.
 

N08825 19.5- 2.5- 1

(825) 0.05 23.5
38-46
3.5
-
max.
 

Fe 5
max.
N06625 20- 0.5 Ti 0.4
(625) 0.01 23
Balance 8-10 -
max. max.
Nb 3.15-
4.15

6Mo Super-austenitic Stainless Steel

S31254 0.02 19.5- 17.5- 0.18- 1

6-6.6 Cu
max. 20.5 18.5 0.22 max.
N08926 0.02 19- 24-26 6-7 0.15- 2 Cu
max. 20 0.25 max.

N08367 0.03 20- 23.5- 0.18- 2

6-7 Cu
max. 22 25.5 0.25 max.

               

* The composition given for the martensitic stainless

steels (MSS) is very broad as there is a wide range of
compositions available from different manufacturers.

© Wood plc 2020  

Martensitic Stainless Steels for
Flowlines
 
Martensitic Stainless Steels for Flowlines, MSS's are highly
resistant to corrosion in sweet environments. The standard
13Cr MSS grades have been widely applied for downhole
tubing and their corrosion characteristics are well
characterized. The weldable grades used for flowlines are
comparable in chemistry to the Super-13Cr grades used
downhole. They have much lower carbon content, which
allows them to be welded without hardening too much in
the heat affected zone. This low carbon also means that
there is far more chromium available in the metal to provide
corrosion resistance. Many of the MSS's also have additional
molybdenum alloying which further enhances their corrosion
resistance in sweet conditions. For more information see
Flowline CRA Evaluator.
A comparison of the corrosion data in the literature, with the
limits established for standard 13Cr materials shows that
the corrosion rates are typically one order of magnitude
lower in the weldable MSS grades. It seems that the
weldable MSS grades show a lower sensitivity to the CO2
content than the standard 13Cr grades.
As a first approximation, it is estimated that adding 30°C to
the temperature limit for the standard 13Cr material can
represent the limit of use of the weldable MSS's in sweet
conditions. Thus, for the purposes of this, the limit of use of
the weldable MSS's are taken to be the same as those for
the standard 13Cr grades, but with the temperature
increased by 30°C. This is believed to be quite a
conservative approach, and one which may be refined
based on data for the specific MSS alloy being considered.
A detailed review of the performance of the MSS's in sour
conditions shows that the tendency for cracking of MSS's at
ambient temperature can be represented by a combination
of pH and partial pressure of H2S.
The Limits for Weldable MSS in Sour Service graph is based
principally on the results of test on welded samples, shows
that the sensitivity to cracking is very high, particularly
below pH=4. Thus, even though the material might have a
higher general corrosion resistance, the tendency to
cracking is very high if any hydrogen enters the
microstructure. The cracking resistance of these grades in
the welded condition is taken to be slightly worse than that
of the standard 13Cr grades in this ECE Evaluator. (It is,
therefore, also taken to be slightly worse than Super-13Cr
tubing, on the basis that flowlines have to be welded and
this introduces an increased risk of variable performance,
because of the influence of the heat affected zone.
Warning: Performance of weldable MSS is very much
influenced by the details of welding procedures and heat
treatment, and by details of installation. More recently,
developments in MSS alloys and welding procedures are
claimed to have overcome these problems. This issue is not
covered by the Flowline CRA Evaluator, anyone considering
welded MSS for flowline applications should satisfy
themselves that welded joints will have satisfactory
performance.
The transition region between the non-cracking and
cracking regions of the Limits for Weldable MSS in Sour
Service graph shown is indicated by an Amber traffic light
indicator.
Individual alloys from specific manufacturers may show
superior performance and could be used in more severe
conditions than indicated if individually qualified for an
application by laboratory testing in appropriate conditions.
References:
H Lange, T Rogne, Material selection of weldable super martensitic stainless
steels for line pipe material, SINTEF Report nr. STF22 A04222-Open, 2004.
LM Smith, Martensitic Stainless Steel Pipe, a Report for Sponsors, pub. by Wood,
Jan 2000.

© Wood plc 2020  

Duplex Stainless Steel for Flowlines
 
Duplex Stainless Steel for Flowlines, DSS's are highly
resistant to corrosion in sweet environments. The limits of
environmental parameters for 22Cr DSS were established by
Craig in Corrosion Resistant Alloys in the Oil and Gas
Industry NiDI Technical Series Publication 10073. For more
information see Flowline CRA Evaluator.
These alloys show little sensitivity to partial pressure of CO2
and a simplified version of Craig’s proposal is used in this
program. The higher alloyed 25Cr grade would be expected
to show even greater resistance to general corrosion in
sweet conditions and so the limits have been taken,
arbitrarily, to be 20°C higher than the limits of the 22Cr
grade in the Limits of Using the Duplex Stainless Steels
graph.
With H2S present consideration has to be given to the risk of
cracking. Duplex stainless steels are most sensitive to
cracking at about 80-110 °C and so test data at that
temperature range has been checked to establish the safe
environmental limits. Cracking is also dependent on the pH
and on the chloride content. The pH value is taken at room
temperature since this is the value reported for the
laboratory test data on which the limits are based.
The H2S Limits for 22Cr Duplex Stainless Steels graph
displays the limits of H2S as a function of pH and chloride
content are provided.
The Proposed Limits for 25Cr Duplex Stainless Steels graph
displays that limits were established in a review of
laboratory test data on duplex stainless steels carried out by
Shell. At chloride ion concentrations lower than 50ppm this
material is not sensitive to H2S content.
 

© Wood plc 2020  

Alloy 316L - Cladding or Lining
 
The Alloy 316L - Cladding or Lining is used as a Cladding or
Lining in pipe for flowlines and is resistant to corrosion in
sweet environments. The limits of environmental
parameters for Alloy 316L in terms of NaCl%, partial
pressure of CO2 and temperature were established by Craig
in Corrosion Resistant Alloys in the Oil and Gas Industry NiDI
Technical Series Publication 10073. The Alloy 316L -
Cladding or Lining graph indicates a rather high sensitivity
to chloride contents when the partial pressure of CO2 is very
high and displays the 316L Application Limits in Sweet
Service. For more information see Flowline CRA Evaluator.
The limits of use of Alloy 316L in environments containing
H2S are based on recent test data used to support the limits
in the 300 series austenitic stainless steels in ISO 15156-3:
2015/ Cir. 1 & 2 / NACE MR0175. At operating temperatures
below 200 °C for chloride ion content up to 50ppm there are
no limits on the maximum partial pressure of H2S that AISI
316L can tolerate. Above 50ppm chloride ion content the
alloy may suffer SSC at more than 15psi H2S.
 

© Wood plc 2020  

Alloy 904L - Cladding or Lining
The Alloy 904L - Cladding or Lining is used as a Cladding or
Lining in pipe for flowlines. Alloy 904L is highly resistant to
corrosion in sweet environments. The ECE Evaluator
assumes that alloy 904L can be used up to about 260°C in
production environments that contain no H2S. At chloride ion
concentrations lower than 50ppm this material is not
sensitive to H2S content. For more information see Flowline
CRA Evaluator.
In sour environments there is limited data on the
performance of 904L. A review by TWI “Alloy Materials for
Sour Service Environments – A Critical Review” by T.G.
Gooch and R.N. Gunn, June 1992, indicated that 904L was
suitable for use with up to 0.9 bar H2S with up to 100g/l
chloride. It is expected that 904L could tolerate higher
partial pressures of H2S at lower chloride contents so a limit
of 1.2bar has been given for chloride contents lower than
10g/l. These limits are regarded as conservative.

© Wood plc 2020

Alloy 825 - Cladding or Lining
The Alloy 825 - Cladding or Lining is used as a Cladding or
Lining in pipe for flowlines. It is also used in solid form. At
chloride ion concentrations lower than 50ppm this material
is not sensitive to H2S content. The limits of environmental
parameters for Alloy 825 in terms of partial pressure of H2S,
partial pressure of CO2 and temperature were established by
Craig in Corrosion Resistant Alloys in the Oil and Gas
Industry NiDI Technical Series Publication 10073. A
simplified version is used in the ECE Evaluator since there is
little dependence on CO2. The Alloy 825 - Cladding or Lining
graph assumes that there is a significant level (about
100g/l) of chloride present. For more information see
Flowline CRA Evaluator.

© Wood plc 2020

Alloy 625 - Cladding or Lining
The Alloy 625 - Cladding or Lining is used as a Cladding or
Lining in pipe for flowlines. The limits of environmental
parameters for Alloy 625 in terms of partial pressure of H2S,
partial pressure of CO2 and temperature were established by
Craig in Corrosion Resistant Alloys in the Oil and Gas
Industry NiDI Technical Series Publication 10073. The Alloy
625 - Cladding or Lining graph assumes that there is a
significant level (about 100g/l) of chloride present. At
chloride ion concentrations lower than 50ppm this material
is not sensitive to H2S content. For more information see
Flowline CRA Evaluator.

© Wood plc 2020

Alloy 6Mo - Super Austenitic Stainless
Steel
This represents a group of high alloy stainless steels such as
UNS S31254, N08926 etc, they are used as solid piping or
pipeline material. In general, the corrosion resistance of
Alloy 6Mo is superior to that of 316L and 904L grades and it
can tolerate higher chloride and/or H2S contents. There is a
limited amount of documented field or test data. The limits
in ECE Evaluation Rules are based on a combination of
published and unpublished test data and field experience.
The limits are regarded as conservative. Hydrogen Sulphide
Resistance of Highly-Alloyed Austenitic Stainless Steels,
ACOM 1997 – vol. 2. For more information see Flowline CRA
Evaluator.

© Wood plc 2020

Flowline Alloy Evaluator Report
 
The Flowline Alloy Evaluator Report option is used to display
the Flowline Alloy Results produced by the Flowline CRA
Evaluator.

With the Flowline CRA Evaluator open, select File,

Flowline Alloy Evaluator Report.
When exporting to Microsoft Excel ECE will display an error message if Microsoft
Excel is not installed. To continue with the export, install Microsoft Excel.

© Wood plc 2020  

Flowline Life Cycle Calculator
 
The Flowline Life Cycle Calculator (LCC) for flowlines is used
to make an economic comparison of various corrosion
control options for a flowline; Carbon Steel, Carbon Steel
with Chemical Inhibition and Corrosion Resistant Alloy. The
Flowline Life Cycle Calculation can be used to carry out a
cost comparison on completion of a corrosion analysis and
CRA material selection, or it can be used totally
independently by overwriting all the input field data with
new information for any case being investigated. The LCC
evaluation is helpful to compare the cost of certain options,
but it is not a full costing exercise and cannot be used for
estimating the actual costs of projects. Many significant
costs which are basically the same regardless of the
corrosion control option chosen are, for simplicity, not
included in the Flowline Life Cycle Calculator, because they
do not affect the comparison between the different options.
All costs are indicated in dollars ($). However, any other
currency unit could be used so long as the same currency is
used for all inputs.

Data Input: Input Values are added to the Flowline Life

Cycle Calculator using the tabs on the left; Flowline
Details, Financial, Welding Costs and Inhibition and
Monitoring. Default Values are loaded when the Flowline
LCC is launched. Enter the required values to display the
Output Results. Input Values to the Flowline LCC are not
derived from the Flowline Corrosion Predictor, nor are
they linked to the Flowline Corrosion Predictor.
Details: Used to enter the Pipe Dimensions, Carbon
Steel, Corrosion Resistant Alloy and Corrosion values to
the Flowline LCC.
 Financial: Used to enter the Financial Conditions and
Cost of Materials.
Welding Costs: Used to enter the welding reference data
into the Flowline LCC.
Inhibition and Monitoring: Includes costs associated
specifically with corrosion inhibition of carbon steel
(through inhibitor injection) and inspection and
monitoring of corrosion in carbon steel.
Data Output: Output Results are displayed in the tabs;
Net Present Value and Capital. The Output Results can
also be exported as text Reports and graphs can be
copied, saved or printed.
Net Present Value (NPV) Graph: Displays the changing
cost of the CRA and carbon steel options as a function of
time, up to the given life of the project.
Capital Graph: Displays just the capital costs of
purchasing the two types of pipe and laying it initially.

© Wood plc 2020  

Flowline Details
 
The Flowline Details tab in the Flowline Life Cycle Calculator
is used to enter the Pipe Dimensions, Carbon Steel,
Corrosion Resistant Alloy and Corrosion values to the
Flowline LCC.

Pipe Dimensions: Flowline length and installation

method are entered in the top box. Three options are
given, S-Lay, Reel Lay and Onshore. The costs
associated with these can be entered in the Welding
Costs tab. The costs associated with other pipe lay
techniques, such as bundle –laying are too complex to
model in a simple way since this normally involves
laying several pipes at once.
Pipe dimensions may be typed directly into text boxes or
entered by the sliders. Input can be done in metric or US
customary units, conversion between these is
automatic. Different dimensions can be entered for
Carbon steel and CRA options, as these may differ due
to the corrosion allowance required for carbon steel and
possible differences in material strength.

© Wood plc 2020  

Financial
 
The Financial tab of the Flowline Life Cycle Calculator is
used to enter the Financial Conditions and Cost of Materials.
The page requires the CRA alloy to be selected. This alloy
selection automatically proposes an example price for that
CRA in the box underneath. It should be noted that CRA
prices can be relatively volatile and vary a great deal over
time, also they depend upon the dimensions of the pipe. For
these reasons it is important to obtain up-to-date prices and
to enter them, rather than relying on the initial default
values. The selection of a particular CRA on the LCC input
sheet sets the alloy density for calculation of the required
weight of CRA for the given steel dimensions.

Conditions: The Project Life and the Real Discount Rate

are entered directly into the boxes or using the sliders.
Cost of Materials: The material cost of carbon steel
should be adjusted from the pre-set initial price to
reflect the current cost.

© Wood plc 2020  

Inhibition and Monitoring
 
The Inhibition and Monitoring tab of the Flowline Life Cycle
Calculator includes costs associated specifically with
corrosion inhibition of carbon steel (through inhibitor
injection) and inspection and monitoring of corrosion in
carbon steel.

Inhibition or Glycol Injection Costs: The use of inhibitors

requires some additional capital expenditure initially to
provide for inhibitor injection equipment and tanks for
inhibitor storage: these are entered as injection
equipment cost. It also has associated annual operating
costs for the purchase of the chemicals being injected
and also the cost of the labour to keep control of the
system and ensure inhibitor tanks are kept filled: these
costs are entered against chemical injection cost and
labour cost chemical application. Part of these annual
labour costs would also cover the costs of labour to
review the corrosion monitoring equipment output on a
regular basis.
Inspection Cost: Corroding pipe should be regularly
inspected. The inspection cost forms part of the
operating costs of the carbon steel pipe. Inspection
Costs can be added for Carbon Steel and CRA.
Inspection Interval: The inspection interval can be
altered and the typical inspection cost per km of pipe
can be set. Inspection Interval can be added for Carbon
Steel and CRA.
Monitoring Equipment Cost: Monitoring equipment is
normally purchased where carbon steel is being used
and corrosion is expected to be taking place. Monitoring
equipment can vary widely in sophistication and
 therefore in cost. The monitoring equipment cost is
accounted for as an element of the capital cost of using
carbon steel. Monitoring Equipment Cost can be added
for Carbon Steel and CRA.

© Wood plc 2020  

Welding Costs
 
The Welding Costs tab of the Flowline Life Cycle Calculator is
used to enter the welding reference data into the Flowline
LCC.

CRA Pipe Unit Length: The welding reference data

includes the length of the individual CRA pipes. The
standard pipe length is 12.2m but some CRA pipes can
be supplied in longer lengths in certain sizes from some
manufacturers, whilst in other cases the pipes are
shorter than 12.2m. The model assumes that carbon
steel pipes are always supplied in 12.2m lengths.
Cost for welding onshore: The cost for the welding
spread on land, or the lay barge for offshore S-laying is
entered on this page.
Lineup Time: The factors affecting the speed of
completing welding are given, all these pre-set values
can be altered as required. The lineup time for the weld
will depend upon the diameter, accuracy of the end
dimensions of the pipe and the criticality of the bevel
design. Generally, CRA's require a little more time for
lineup than carbon steel because of the greater
criticality of fit-up.
Root Welding Rate: The root welding rate is important in
influencing the overall cost of fabrication. The rates of
welding given are 150mm/min (typical of GTAW, or TIG
welding) which has been frequently used in the past for
CRA root run welding, and 250mm/min (typical of GMAW
or MIG welding) which is typically used for welding
carbon steels. It is important to note that GMAW welding
has, however, been used with great success for welding
several CRA flowlines. As this is the trend, there is an
 incentive to set the welding rate of both materials to the
same welding rate. Where the actual welding rate is
known then that can be entered in place of the guideline
figures.
Weld Repair Rate: The repair rate reflects the inevitable
need to repair some of the welds made. The time
required for a cut-out and re-weld will vary for different
materials depending upon the selected welding method
and pipe dimensions. Rather arbitrary values have been
preselected for weld repair rate and weld repair time but
these guideline figures can be altered when more
accurate estimates have been made.

© Wood plc 2020  

Net Present Value
 
The Net Present Value (NPV) graph of the Flowline Life Cycle
Calculator displays the changing cost of the CRA and carbon
steel options as a function of time, up to the given life of the
project. The graph shows the CRA option as a straight line.
This is because there are no operating costs calculated for
this material option, there is no need for inhibitor injection,
inspection or corrosion monitoring with CRA's.
The carbon steel + inhibitor line shows an annual increase
because of these operating costs. Costs later in the future
are less than costs today, so the slope of the line gradually
becomes less steep in later years. The mathematical
explanation for the shape of the graph is given in the topic
Life Cycle Cost Calculation.
The carbon steel option has a lower annual operating cost,
just arising from inspection and monitoring, but with no
inhibitor injection.
The model does not include any costs associated with
insurance of the pipeline. Insurance costs reflect the
relatively high reliability of CRA pipelines in that the
probability of failure is so much lower (based upon past field
experience) than carbon steel lines that the annual
insurance premiums are lower. However, the inclusion of
this cost item would have a very small effect on the general
cost picture
The NPV graph will frequently show a jump in value at some
point in time because the pipe is estimated to require
replacement in that year. In reality it is highly unlikely that a
material would be chosen for a flowline when it is
anticipated that the line will require replacement before the
end of the project life. If there are such jumps in the carbon
steel line(s) it would be more typical to consider a greater
corrosion allowance on the pipe. This can be tested by
increasing the wall thickness of the carbon steel pipe on the
LCC Input sheet.
The program is pre-set to have minimum time for first
replacement of a line at one year. This generalization may
introduce some inaccuracy in the output graph when
corrosion rates are extremely high. In such circumstances it
will anyway be clear that the replacement frequency of the
carbon steel option is impractical.
The most economic material option is the one that is lowest
in cost (the lowest line) at the end of the required project
life.

Capital Graph: Displays just the capital costs of

purchasing the two types of pipe and laying it initially.

© Wood plc 2020  

Installation
 
S-laying is the conventional offshore pipe-lay method
suitable for moderate water depths. The cost of laying
depends principally upon the time required to hire the lay
barge. This depends upon the speed of making the first weld
run in the case of carbon steel welding, since after the first
run is complete the barge can move forward to add in the
next piece of pipe whilst the rest of the weld is completed in
the other welding stations. Thus lining up the weld and
completing the first run are the critical steps for which the
time has to be estimated. For more information see Flowline
Life Cycle Calculator.
The lineup time is taken from the value given on the welding
ref data sheet.
The approximate time to complete the root run is taken
from the circumference of the pipe (taken from the OD)
divided by the welding rate.
The model takes these times together and multiplies them
by the number of welds in the line (calculated from the
pipeline length divided by the length of individual pipes).
To this is added the time required to make the repairs. This
is the total number of welds X the repair rate (%) X the time
required for the complete weld repair.
These figures together give the total time the welding
operation will take. (Note that the working day is assumed
to be 24hours on a welding lay barge). This time, multiplied
by the cost of hiring the given barge of the correct diameter
capacity, gives the fabrication cost.
In the case of CRA pipes the model assumes that both the
root run and the second pass have to be completed before
the pipe can be moved. This is because all CRA's require gas
shielding of the root of the weld to prevent excessive
oxidation. It is generally assumed that the heat flux from the
third weld-bead onwards is not too great to cause
blackening of the weld region and so the shielding gas
device can be moved after the second pass. This means
that the model effectively doubles the number of welds for
the CRA pipe, compared to the carbon steel pipe. If the user
wishes to consider the case of moving onto the next weld
after just the root run is complete, then they may simply
double the welding rate. This will have the same effect as
welding just the root run at the normal speed.
For Onshore laying the costs can similarly be estimated from
the cost of completing the root run, since several welding
stations can be used for completing the weld once the
critical line-up and root weld is completed. The cost of the
welding spread on land is lower than offshore. The welding
day is taken to be just 12 hours on land.
For Reel laying, most of the time is spent welding pipe
onshore, preparing stalks of 6 pipes which are subsequently
welded together and ‘reeled’ onto reels to be ‘unreeled’ at
sea. Since this welding work is done on land, the costs are
taken to be the same as onshore welding costs. The welding
of the stalks and the reeling operation are taken to require
an extra one hour for every stalk (6 pipes). An additional
charge (at the same rate as the onshore welding rate per
day) is taken for the costs of the reeling operation itself
based on a barge time for unreeling of 10km/day. (Actual
reeling times varying with pipe length and diameter and
depending upon whether the barge has to return to shore to
collect another ‘reel’ of pipe. Such details are not
incorporated in this model).
NOTES:
1) This model does not include certain other costs in the calculation of the cost
of fabrication. No charge is included for welding consumables, such as filler
metals and gases or for pipe bevelling. These costs would increase the
fabrication costs, particularly of the more expensive CRA's, but the percentage
error on the total fabrication cost due to ignoring these items is not large.
2) No costs are taken for mobilizing the barge to the project location as these
costs will vary for every project. They are also the same for every type of pipe
material and so the costs cancel out in the LCC comparison. The same argument
applies to many other overhead costs which are essentially the same
irrespective of the material selected.

© Wood plc 2020  

Life Cycle Cost Calculation
 
The Life Cycle Cost Calculation is the mathematical
definition of the Life Cycle Cost. For more information see
Flowline Life Cycle Calculator.
The usual economic method of dealing with inflation and the
time-cost of money is to make all the calculations in terms
of value in year zero. The coefficient 1/(1+i)n reduces the
actual cash value in year n to its net present value. It should
be noted that this coefficient is < 1 which accounts for the
time value of the money.
The discount rate, i, will vary, not only for different
companies, but potentially for different projects. Net present
values should always be quoted with the year of starting
and the discount rate used. The real discount rate which is
entered in the LCC Input sheet should be the current
interest rate minus the inflation rate to give the real
effective discount rate.
The Life Cycle Cost symbols have the following meanings:

LCC: Life Cycle Cost

AC: Initial acquisition cost of materials
IC: Initial installation costs (including fabrication)
OC: Operating +/or maintenance costs
LP: Lost production costs during downtime
RC: Replacement materials costs
SC: Residual value of replaced materials
N: Desired life time (years)
i: Discount rate
n: year of the event
 

© Wood plc 2020  

Flowline Life Cycle Calculator Report
 
The Flowline Life Cycle Calculator Report option is used to
display the Flowline Life Cycle Calculation Results produced
by the Flowline Life Cycle Calculator.

With the Flowline Life Cycle Calculator open, select File,

Flowline Life Cycle Calculator Report.
When exporting to Microsoft Excel ECE will display an error message if Microsoft
Excel is not installed. To continue with the export, install Microsoft Excel.

© Wood plc 2020  

Bulk Flowline Corrosion Predictor
Calculation
 
The Bulk Flowline Corrosion Predictor Calculation dialog is
used for the bulk import of multiple Flowline Corrosion
Prediction values for calculation in ECE. For more
information see Flowline CRA Evaluator.

From Flowline Tools, select Bulk Corrosion Predictor

Calculation to display the Bulk Flowline Corrosion
Predictor Calculation dialog.
Download Template: From the Bulk Flowline Corrosion
Predictor Calculation dialog, click Download to Save the
file ECE Flowline Corrosion Predictor Calculation.xlsm
Complete Template: Using Microsoft Excel complete the
Template. Macros must be enabled in Microsoft Excel to
use this file. Where incorrect values have been entered
the cell will be shaded red. You can upload the template
with errors, however these values will not be included in
the calculation.
Save and Close Template: From Microsoft Excel close the
Template. The Template must be closed for the
calculation to run correctly.
Browse for Template: From the Bulk Flowline Corrosion
Predictor Calculation dialog, click Browse to select and
upload the completed Template.
Calculate: From the Bulk Flowline Corrosion Predictor
Calculation dialog, click Calculate to complete the
calculations.
Calculations Performed Successfully: The Bulk Flowline
Corrosion Predictor Calculation dialog will confirm that
the calculations have been performed successfully.
 Save Results: Save the results. ECE will confirm the
results have been saved successfully.
View Results: Results can then be viewed in the file ECE
Flowline Corrosion Predictor Calculation_Result.xlsm.

© Wood plc 2020  

Bulk Flowline CRA Evaluation
Calculation
 
The Bulk Flowline CRA Evaluation Calculation dialog is used
for the bulk import of multiple Flowline CRA values for
calculation in ECE. For more information see Flowline CRA
Evaluator.

From Flowline Tools, select Bulk CRA Evaluation

Calculation to display the Bulk Flowline CRA Evaluation
dialog.
Download Template: From the Bulk Flowline CRA
Evaluation dialog, click Download to Save the file ECE
Flowline CRA Evaluation Calculation.xlsm
Complete Template: Using Microsoft Excel complete the
Template. Macros must be enabled in Microsoft Excel to
use this file. Where incorrect values have been entered
the cell will be shaded red. You can upload the template
with errors, however these values will not be included in
the calculation.
Save and Close Template: From Microsoft Excel close the
Template. The Template must be closed for the
calculation to run correctly.
Browse for Template: From the Bulk Flowline CRA
Evaluation dialog, click Browse to select and upload the
completed Template.
Calculate: From the Bulk Flowline CRA Evaluation dialog,
click Calculate to complete the calculations.
Calculations Performed Successfully: The Bulk Flowline
CRA Evaluation dialog will confirm that the calculations
have been performed successfully.
 Save Results: Save the results. ECE will confirm the
results have been saved successfully.
View Results: Results can then be viewed in the file ECE
Flowline CRA Evaluation Calculation_Result.xlsm.

© Wood plc 2020  

CO2 Corrosion Rate Model
 
The CO2 Corrosion Rate Model recognises the occurrence of
two cathodic processes:

The first reaction is mainly controlled by the electrochemical

processes at the liquid/metal interface, while the second
reaction is controlled by the mass transfer of the carbonic
acid to the metal. The sum of the flow of electrons from
these reactions is balanced by the anodic dissolution
reaction of the metal, for example:

The basic CO2 corrosion rate is the combination of these two

processes:

For normalised steels the equation for the reaction controlled

part is:

and for the mass-transfer controlled part:

where t is the temperature (°C), fCO2 is the fugacity of the
CO2(bar), pHCO2 is the pH of pure water saturated with CO2
at prevailing temperature and pressure.
pHactual is the pH resulting from the presence of dissolved
salts. These can be various dissolved carbonate and
bicarbonate salts; whose concentration is adjustable in ECE.
A very important bicarbonate is dissolved iron bicarbonate,
which is the primary corrosion product in the absence of H2S.
Because of its slow conversion to insoluble iron carbonate,
its presence can increase the pH considerably. Further
information is given under the topic "pH".
All units are expressed in the kg.m.sec system. The above
equations are normalised / as-rolled steels. For quenched
and tempered steels these equations are slightly different.
These equations represent a best fit to a large number of
flow-loop data measured at IFE (Institutt For Energiteknikk) in
Norway, where test conditions and environments were
strictly controlled. From a regression analysis with these
data, the error distribution obtained with this fit had a
standard deviation of 25%.
The results from the above equations are adjusted for the
presence of protective scale, H2S, crude oil or condensate,
glycol and inhibitor by means of multipliers on the basic CO2
corrosion rate:

The basic corrosion rate Vcor is adjusted by the use of a

number of multiplying factors to account for situations which
differ from the base case. While in wet gas systems the
corrosion takes the form of "mesa" type attack (pits with flat
bottoms), the corrosion normally experienced in oil systems
is also localised, but with rounded pits. The model actually
predicts the pit penetration rate.
The fugacity of CO2 is similar to its partial pressure, but
corrected for non-ideality of natural gas & CO2 at high
pressure and temperature. The same basic CO2 fugacity
correction is used as in previous versions of ECE:

The maximum pressure in this equation, P, is limited to 250

bar and the equation is adjusted slightly for temperatures
above 140°C to provide a better fit to curves of fugacity
against reduced pressure and reduced temperature.
Reference:
C. de Waard, U. Lotz and A. Dugstad, Influence of liquid velocity on CO2 corrosion:
a semi-empirical model, NACE Corrosion 1995, Paper 128.
L. Smith, C de Waard, Corrosion Prediction and Materials Selection for Oil and Gas
Producing Environments, NACE Corrosion 2005, Paper 05648.

© Wood plc 2020  

Influence of Carbonate Scales
 
Above certain temperatures which are CO2 partial pressure
dependent, the corrosion rate decreases with increasing
temperature through formation of a protective carbonate
scale on the steel's surface. For more information see CO2
Corrosion Rate Model. This is expressed by means of a
multiplier on Vcor, the so-called scaling factor:

with Fscale < 1. A minimum value is applied at higher

temperatures and CO2 partial pressures.
Refer to Effect of H2S for the effect of sulphides formed in
the presence of H2S.
 

© Wood plc 2020  

Effect of H2S
 
The effect of the presence of H2S on corrosion in the ECE
model is threefold:

Increasing the acidity of the water.

Scavenging the dissolved Fe ions by forming Fe- sulphide
precipitates, which decrease the pH and increase the
corrosion rate
Covering the steel with a protective iron sulphide layer.

For more information see CO2 Corrosion Rate Model. Factors

(1) and (2) can slightly increase the corrosion rate under
certain conditions, but, except at very low concentrations of
H2S, these effects are usually outweighed by significant
reductions in corrosion rate due to sulphide scaling, factor
(3).
The protectiveness of the sulphide layer is expressed in the
form of a multiplier on the CO2 corrosion rate:

where H2Saq and CO2aq are the concentrations of H2S and

CO2 dissolved in the water, f and fr are functions and a & b
are constants. This formula is a development of the formulae
in previous versions of ECE, in light of field experience of
corrosion in sour systems. The principal difference from ECE
4.x is that slightly lower corrosion rates are predicted for CO2
/ H2S ratios of around 200 and less and particularly from
ratios of 20 or less. This better reflects the common
experience of low corrosion rates in many highly sour
production environments.

Warning: this formula is a proposal rather than an

established model! However, it describes many of the
trends often observed both in laboratory test work and in
actual field experience.

It will be observed that the presence of H2S can significantly

reduce the general corrosion rate. This is in line with field
experience of sour equipment which forms an adherent FeS
film on the surface. Successful operators of carbon steel in
sour service take operational steps to optimise and sustain
this sulfide film. Typically, equipment is commissioned for
service by flushing with a solution of inhibitor and/or
continuous inhibition is maintained throughout the service
life. Great effort is taken to prevent the entry of air into the
equipment as this can oxidise the FeS, releasing elemental
sulfur, which is very aggressive.

Pitting Corrosion: Although low corrosion rates due to

protective sulphide films are often the norm in
production conditions, very much higher corrosion rates
can occur if film breaks down. The form of corrosion
which takes place is pitting corrosion. Without the
protective film, the rate of attack is typically similar to
the rate of CO2 corrosion. When H2S is present, ECE re-
models the environment where the surface is completely
filmed. When the dissolved iron is precipitated as FeS,
this H2S-containing environment is more acid than
without the FeS film because there is no dissolved iron
carbonate. The corrosion rate in this environment is
taken as a possible rate of pitting corrosion, in case the
film breaks down locally, leading to isolated pitting.
When H2S is present, this potential pitting rate is also
reported in the Corrosion Rate Graph.
Likelihood of Pitting Corrosion: This is an area of active
research and satisfactory quantitative models have not
been fully developed, however the main trends are
known from laboratory studies and field experience.
Many of these parameters also impact the filming
corrosion rate, pH or pitting corrosion rate (as opposed
to the likelihood) calculated within ECE.
Flow velocity: This is the most important factor in field
experience. Pitting is expected in stagnant and low flow
conditions, possibly related to the velocity at which
deposits settle or are not moved. At very high velocities,
erosion can damage sulphide films: this effect is included
in ECE via the API 14E erosional velocity limit.
Flow Regime: Pitting is more commonly experienced in
low velocity, stratified flow. This can be viewed as an
alias for flow velocity, not an independent factor.
Dissolved Solids and Chlorides: Evidence is inconsistent.
Some laboratory studies suggest that the presence of
chloride is necessary or helpful in the film break-down
process. However, in field experience with produced
fluids where there is nearly always some level of
chloride, correlation between chloride concentration and
the occurrence of pitting attack is poor.
pH: Most iron sulphides are more soluble at low pH, so
there is a basis for film breakdown and higher corrosion
at lower pH, and this is seen in some laboratory
conditions. However, field experience is less clear and
very low corrosion rates are observed in some lower pH
environments, such as sour gas lines with condensed
water.
Temperature: Field and laboratory data is inconsistent,
with different ranges being found to be worse for sour
pitting attack. The weight of evidence is that lower
temperatures, below about 60°C, are most severe.
Watercut: Effects of water cut, fluid velocity, oil-wetting
and chlorides are difficult to separate in field conditions.
ECE includes modelling of oil-water effects related to
water cut.
Sour Pitting Risk Ranking: ECE includes a qualitative
ranking scheme to describe the risk of sour pitting
corrosion based on the model inputs. Note that the
occurrence of pitting can be affected by operational
factors not in the scope of ECE, for example pigging,
stability of process conditions, contamination with trace
oxygen, presence of solids. These factors are NOT
included in the ranking model.
Pitting risk ranking is based on Flow Velocity (main
factor), modified by chloride content, pH and
temperature.
Main factor - Flow Velocity: High risk, liquid velocity < 1
m/s; Medium 1 -2 m/s; Low > 2 m/s, or superficial gas
velocity > 3 m/s.
Modifying Factors:
Chloride: high > 10,000ppm; medium 1000 - 10,000
ppm; low < 1000 ppm
pH: high < 3.2; medium 3.2-5; low > 5
Temperature: high, < 60°C; medium 60-90°C; low > 90°C
The overall Risk is described as Very High, High,
Moderate or Low based on the above factors.
Cracking in Sour Conditions: H2S also causes cracking in
carbon steels by various mechanisms. The severity of
the environment as regards of sulfide stress cracking of
carbon steels is assessed against the criteria defined in
ISO 15156-2: 2015 / Cir. 1 & 2/ NACE MR0175 and the
result is reported on the Details page in the Corrosion
Predictor.
 H2S can cause hydrogen induced cracking (HIC) (also
called step-wise cracking). No evaluation of this risk is
made since it is extremely sensitive to the material
properties and manufacturing processes. It is assumed
that HIC-sensitive materials (such as rolled carbon steel
products not specifically produced for sour service) may
suffer HIC even in the presence of traces of H2S.
The CRA Evaluation tools provide guidance on
appropriate CRA alloys in sour service.
Refer to other resources for further advice on the
avoidance of cracking risks in H2S, including EFC
Document nr 16, and ISO 15156-3: 2015/ Cir. 1 & 2:
NACE MR0175
Reference:
Michel Bonis (TOTAL E&P), Weight-loss corrosion with H2S: From facts to leading
parameters and mechanisms, NACE Corrosion 2009, Paper 09654.
Stephen N. Smith, Michael W. Joosten, Corrosion of Carbon Steel by H2S in CO2 -
containing Oilfield Environments, NACE Corrosion 2006 Paper 06115.

© Wood plc 2020  

pH and Water Chemistry
 
The pH is evaluated by calculating the concentration of the
following species:
CO2, H2CO3, HCO3-, CO3--, H2S, HS-, S--, H+, OH-, H2O, Fe++ ,
CH3COOH (acetic acid), CH3COO-.
For more information see CO2 Corrosion Rate Model. The
effective carbonic acid concentration is calculated from the
CO2 fugacity and Henry's constant, which is temperature
dependent. The concentrations of the carbonate and
bicarbonate species then follow from the dissociation
constants, which are also temperature dependent. For the
H2S derived species the calculations are analogous.
The pH is finally obtained by changing the H+ concentration
until all ionic species are in equilibrium of charge.
An important role is played by dissolved iron bicarbonate,
which is the initial corrosion product formed. Although the
solubility of FeCO3 is quite low, the slow reaction: Fe(HCO3)2
---------> FeCO3 +H2CO3
causes a supersaturation with dissolved Fe++, which
increases the pH (=pHact) and reduces the corrosion rate.
The extent of supersaturation with Fe(HCO3)2 is temperature
dependent (more supersaturation at lower temperature).
The precipitation rate of FeCO3 (=removal rate of Fe(HCO3)2
from solution) can be calculated from van Hunnik's formula:

where Ksp is the solubility product of FeCO3, A/V is the

surface area/volume ratio and S is the supersaturation level.
The iron bicarbonate concentration [Fe++] is calculated as a
function of distance into the pipe. This is done by dividing
the pipe into segments of equal size, and determining the
pH and ferrous ion mass balance for every segment. For a
stable, once-through system, like a pipeline the dissolved
iron carbonate concentration will become time independent,
and for every segment the fluxes of the concentration
(=change per time unit) brought about by corrosion,
precipitation of FeCO3, and flow into and out of the segment
should balance.
All chemical equilibria, pH and resulting Fe++ concentration
are recalculated in each segment, with the dissolved iron
from a previous segment acting as input for the next one.
Note that the pH calculated in this way for any location is
dependent on the flow velocity.
The model needs to know whether the inlet water is
supersaturated with iron carbonate, or whether this water
contains no iron at all (condensed water). The default
setting is for supersaturation with iron carbonate, but this
can be changed in Defaults. The possible cases are:

Unsaturated: Applicable to laboratory conditions or

condensing water straight from a gas phase (for
example, after a compressor and cooler).
Supersaturated: Applicable to the majority of flowing
systems where there is insufficient time to achieve
equilibration and therefore there is an over-saturation of
iron carbonate in the water.

In the presence of H2S, the effect of iron carbonate

supersaturation disappears because the dissolved iron is
converted to insoluble sulphides (and the corrosion rate is
lowered by the presence of H2S). The precipitation rate of
Fe-sulphides, once the solubility product has been
exceeded, is much faster than that of FeCO3, and can be
assumed to be instantaneous. This effect is also calculated
as function of pipe length from the solubility of FeS, which is
a function of temperature.
For systems which are producing a formation water that
contains alkali bicarbonates which are input on the
bicarbonate scroll bar, the effect of iron carbonate
supersaturation then vanishes. Note that when this input is
set to zero, there is still some bicarbonate corresponding to
the dissolved CO2. Adding more bicarbonate increases the
pH and lowers the corrosion rate.
Note that the CRA Evaluation tools also give pH values, both
at in-situ temperature and pressure and also in the given
environment but at 20ºC.

Impact of Dissolved Salts: Dissolved salts have two main

impacts on water chemistry, namely salting out effect
on gas solubility and impact on hydrogen ion activity.
Within ECE, dissolved salts are treated as being NaCl.
The overall impact on corrosion rates is for reduced
corrosion at very high ionic strength. This is observed in
laboratory studies.
Salting out: The general trend is that gas solubility
decreases with ionic strength, and to a first
approximation this is consistent over a wide range of
pressure and temperature. ECE bases salting-out on the
empirical formula derived by Enick and Klara.
Hydrogen Activity: Starting from pure water and
increasing ionic strength, the trend is initially for slightly
lower activity, then increasing activity in very
concentrated solutions. There are simple equations for
dilute solutions (Debye – Huckel equation for example).
Activity coefficient corrections in ECE are based on a
 combination of values from dilute solution equations
and empirical data for higher strength solutions.

pH = -log (γ [H+])

Where γ is the hydrogen activity coefficient, which is a

function of ionic strength.
Reference: C. de Waard, U. Lotz and A. Dugstad, Influence of Liquid Velocity on
CO2 Corrosion: a Semi-Empirical Model, NACE Corrosion 1995 Paper 128.
E.W.J. van Hunnik et al, The formation of protective FeCO3 corrosion product
layers in CO2 corrosion, NACE Corrosion 1996, Paper 6.
Fang et al, High salt concentration effects on CO2 corrosion and H2S corrosion,
NACE Corrosion 2010, Paper 10276.
L. Smith, C de Waard, Corrosion Prediction and Materials Selection for Oil and
Gas Producing Environments, NACE Corrosion 2005, Paper 05648.
R. Enick, S Klara, CO2 solubility in water and brine under reservoir conditions,
Chem Eng Comm 1990, Volume 90 pp 23-3.

© Wood plc 2020  

Influence of Crude Oil
 
The presence of hydrocarbons may have an important effect
on corrosion rate. At higher velocities, the water may be
entrained in the oil, and the effect on corrosion than depends
on how well the water can wet the steel's surface. For more
information see CO2 Corrosion Rate Model. The ECE model
proposes that this wetting ability depends on the amount of
water which the oil can carry in the form of an emulsion. The
ability of an oil to form emulsions with water can be
expressed as the emulsion breakpoint, which is the amount
of water above which the emulsion will separate. Water
contents less than this breakpoint will cause less water
wetting of the steel, and give less corrosion since the water
is being carried as an emulsion in the oil. The corrosion rate
reduces as the water content reduces. Water contents
greater than the breakpoint will result in more corrosion, as
there is water separation. This results in water wetting of the
steel even if the water remains entrained in the oil because
of turbulent flow. The oil then still has an inhibiting effect on
the corrosion rate.
It has been found that there is a simple relationship between
the API gravity of the oil and the emulsion breakpoint. Data
were used from Craig (Corrosion Vol.54, 8, p.657).

Where WBreak = the water cut in the oil at the emulsion

breakpoint, API = gravity of the oil in °API
A light oil with a very high API density can hardly carry any
water in emulsion, and the emulsion breakpoint will be
exceeded already with a very small water cut. This in line
with the accepted fact that gas condensate does not give
any protection at all,.
The oil factor, Foil for production tubing is given by:

where W is the water cut (as fraction of total liquid volume),

Uliq = liquid velocity, and
alpha = angle of deviation (from vertical)
This formula extrapolates field experience for vertical flow
and deviated flow which showed that at low watercuts the
corrosion from oil/water mixtures is highly dependent on the
angle of tubing. Straight vertical oil wells have shown lower
tendency to corrode than deviated wells. This probably
reflects the tendency for the denser water phase to contact
the tubing wall when flowing at an angle. Furthermore, the
formula attempts to quantify the intuitive notion that heavier
crude oils are more protective against corrosion than light
crudes or condensates.
At high water cuts at some point there will be a change from
water-in-oil emulsion to an oil-in-water emulsion and that
there will always be wetting of the steel above a certain
water cut so that Foil = 1. ECE The program is set to give a
straight line transition between the oil factor equation and
Foil = 1 over a transition range. In ECE 4.x the transition
range was set at water cut of 70% to 80%. Experience with
oil wells at high water cuts has shown that in practice the
protective effect of oil extends to higher water cuts, even in
excess of 90%, and the transition range has therefore been
changed to 80-90% for the Tubing Corrosion Predictor only.
Based on field experience, this range is still conservative for
many wells. The transition range for Flowlines is 70-80%.
 Warning: the stability of oil/water emulsions is influenced
strongly by the natural presence of surface active
chemicals, or by the presence of added chemicals like
"emulsion breakers". These are often used in operations
to facilitate the separation of water from crude oil and
downstream of the separators, and they may still be
causing water to separate out more easily than the API
gravity and flow rate would predict.

For horizontal flow, when the flow regime is stratified,

the multiplier Foil=1 when the water separates from the
oil so that there is complete water wetting of the surface.
The velocity of water separation is dependent upon pipe
diameter, pipe angle, oil density etc. A lower limit can be
taken in general to occur at liquid velocities < 1 m/s, and
there is some dependence on pipeline diameter. In ECE,
a critical velocity of 1 m/s or 2.25 x (pipe diameter) ^0.5
is applied (whichever is greater). This constraint for Foil
is superimposed on the formula for Foil given above.
Force Water Drop-out: In pipelines, which are never
perfectly horizontal, there may be pockets of water
holdup at low points even at flow velocities above the
general critical value. Pressing the Force Water Drop Out
button on the Throughput tab can check the corrosion
rate with forced water dropout for systems where the
bulk velocity is higher than the critical velocity. Force
Water Drop Out can also be selected for other situations
where oil-water separation is expected, for example if
demulsified chemicals are present.
Reference:
B Craig, Predicting the Conductivity of Water-in-Oil Solutions, Corrosion Volume
54, 8, p. 657 1998.
C. de Waard, L. Smith, P. Bartlett and H. Cunningham, Modelling Corrosion Rates
in Oil Production Tubing, Eurocorr 2001, Paper 254.
C. de Waard, L. Smith and B. Craig, The Influence of Crude Oil on Well Tubing
Corrosion Rates, NACE Corrosion 2003, Paper 03629.
C. de Waard and U. Lotz, Prediction of CO2 Corrosion of Carbon Steel, Working
Party Report on Predicting CO2 corrosion in the oil and gas industry, European
Federation of Corrosion 1994.
J. Cai, S. Nesic and C de Waard, Modeling of Water Wetting in Oil-Water Pipe Flow,
NACE Corrosion 2004, Paper 4663.

© Wood plc 2020  

Condensation of Water
 
The amount of water inside the pipe or tubing is
recalculated for every point along the length. For more
information see CO2 Corrosion Rate Model. Use is made of a
computerised graph from McKette and Wehe (Hydroc Proc
Aug 1958) of gas temperature vs. water content of natural
gas, with gas pressure as parameter. This changes liquid
hold up and liquid velocities and water cut along the pipe
length or up the height of the tubing. Gas temperature and
water content will not always be in equilibrium at high flow-
rates: this effect is outside the scope of ECE.
When glycol is added for hydrate or corrosion control in a
pipe, the amount of condensed water is modified as function
of the glycol injection rate.
ECE can be used to estimate the total amount of condensed
water from gas at the outlet by subtracting the water at
inlet rate (Throughput page) from that at the outlet (Details
page).
 

© Wood plc 2020  

Top of Line Corrosion
 
When there is a stratified flow pattern in a flowline, there is
the potential for Top-of-Line Corrosion. This is corrosion
attack on the upper part of the internal pipe surface in
contact with the gas phase, in contrast to attack on the
lower part in contact with the bulk liquid water phase. In
sweet conditions, severe Top-of-Line corrosion is typically
associated with high temperature gradients and high rates of
water condensation on the pipe walls. Note that Top-of-Line
Corrosion includes the whole surface in contact with the gas
phase, not just the 12 clock position. For more information
see CO2 Corrosion Rate Model.
The predicted Top-of-Line corrosion rate is proportional to the
rate of condensation of water from the gas (per unit area of
pipe wall) and the maximum Fe concentration in water at the
particular conditions of pressure, temperature and gas
composition. In physical terms, this expresses the maximum
rate at which water can remove iron ions from the pipe wall
as it condenses and then runs-off down to the bulk liquid
phase at the bottom of the pipe. This limits the potential rate
of corrosion of the pipe wall.

The iron concentration is the iron super-saturation limit, not

the equilibrium saturation limit, as the precipitation of iron
carbonate is a slow reaction and the water phase does not
reach equilibrium. The water condensation rate is calculated
from the temperature profile, pressure and gas rate. The
concept is similar to that proposed by Olsen & Dugstad, but
the details of the calculation of iron concentration differ.

Scale and Oil factors are not applied to the Top-of-Line

corrosion rate.
 Chemical inhibition is not applied to Top-of-Line corrosion
rate
Acetic acid is slightly volatile and has a significant
vapour pressure. Hence it is present in the gas phase
and can enter the condensed water phase at Top-of-Line.
Acetic acid is therefore included in the pH and Fe
solubility calculations at Top-of-Line. In contrast,
bicarbonate is not present in the condensed water at the
Top-of-Line. Organic acids have been associated with
several field examples of severe Top-of-Line corrosion.
Advice for Modelling Top-of-Line Corrosion: Because the
Top-of-Line corrosion rate depends on water
condensation rates, it is important to use a realistic
temperature profile. We recommend you use the option
to calculate temperature profile on the Flowline
Corrosion Predictor Conditions page. Alternatively, heat
transfer factors and ambient temperature can also be
entered as sectional data on the Sections tab.
Sour Conditions: Top-of-Line corrosion has occasionally
been reported in sour conditions, but it is not related to
high water condensation rates and appears to be a
different mechanism to that which applies in sweet
conditions. The ECE model will predict very low Top-of-
Line corrosion rates in sour conditions due to the low
solubility of iron sulphide. This reflects the majority of
field experience. In at least some cases, the top of line
corrosion seen in sour conditions may be similar to the
pitting corrosion rate which is also displayed on the
Corrosion graph.
Reference:
Stein Olsen, Arne Dugstad, Corrosion under Dewing Conditions, NACE Corrosion
1992, Paper 472
Rolf Nyborg, Arne Dugstad, Top of Line Corrosion and Water Condensation Rates
in Wet Gas Pipelines, NACE Corrosion 2007, Paper 07555.
 

© Wood plc 2020  

Corrosion Inhibition
 
Corrosion inhibitors, when carefully selected and
conscientiously applied, can give a significant reduction of
the corrosion rate. In ideal situations, well-chosen inhibitors
can achieve efficiencies of 99%.

For more information see CO2 Corrosion Rate Model. In

practice, the main factor for inhibitors to be less effective is
that the reliability (or availability) of the injection is seldom
100% and frequently much lower. Availability is defined as
the percentage of operating time during which inhibitor is
injected at or above the minimum rate required for effective
protection.

The corrosion during the uninhibited periods of time may

quickly reaches uninhibited rates. In the model, the corrosion
rate is assumed to be the full uninhibited rate during these
periods. For continuous inhibition, ECE allows you to alter
both the availability and efficiency of the corrosion inhibitor
to test its effect on the overall corrosion rate.
Note that in all cases, the inhibited corrosion rate per year
output by ECE is the overall corrosion rate taking into
account periods with and without inhibition.

Types of Inhibition: Two modes of inhibition are

considered. In the case of flowlines only continuous
inhibition is appropriate. For tubing there is also the
option of using squeeze inhibition. Here the inhibitor
solution is injected into the producing reservoir
formation, and then slowly released into the produced
 oil. The inhibition effect inside the tubing is then built up
in about one month, and then reduces slowly in about 2
months. The corrosion model adds the effect of
consecutive squeezes for the calculation of the average
corrosion rate per year.
Top-of-Line corrosion: In stratified gas-liquid multi-phase
systems, conventional inhibitors are generally unable to
reliably protect the top part of the pipeline where fresh
water may condense. Inhibition is therefore not applied
to the Top-of-Line corrosion rate in ECE. It is possible that
the corrosion at the top of the line becomes decisive for
the life of the line (for example where the bottom of the
line rate is reduced by favourable oil protection) and the
addition of inhibitor cannot influence this. The presence
of crude oil also does not reduce the Top-of-the-Line
corrosion rate.
Inhibition in presence of H2S: Note that in the ECE model,
the inhibition only reduces the overall corrosion rate, but
the Isolated Pitting line with H2S present in the Corrosion
graph is not affected by the presence of inhibitor. In
practice, inhibition may have an effect on the likelihood
of pitting occurring, although perhaps not on the pitting
rate if or when it does occur.
References:
B.F.M. Pots and E.L.J.A. Hendriksen, CO2 corrosion under scaling conditions – The
special case of top-of-Line corrosion in wet gas pipelines, NACE Corrosion 2000.

© Wood plc 2020  

Flow Patterns
 
Complete modelling of flow patterns in multi- phase flow is
an extremely complex problem, requiring knowledge of
many parameters which in practice are often not accurately
known, or which will in any case change over time or from
point to point in the tubing or flowline. For more information
see CO2 Corrosion Rate Model. Even in ideal laboratory
conditions, accurate prediction of flow patterns has proved
difficult. However, for the purpose of corrosion modelling it
is possible to group the possible patterns into several
broader classes: the fundamental distinctions are between
annular-mist flow, slug and bubble type flow patterns, and
(for flowlines) stratified, non-symmetrical flow patterns. ECE
uses flow pattern regimes based on a simplified version of
the scheme of Petalas and Aziz. Additionally, there is a
Liquid Full regime.

Flow Pattern Types for Flowlines: Annular Mist Flow,

Intermittent Slug/Bubble Flow, Stratified Flow and Liquid
Full. This schematic diagram displays the flow pattern
regimes for horizontal flow in Flowlines. The model does
not allow the stratified regime for up-hill flow above a
very low angle (about 1-2 degrees).
Flow Pattern Types for Tubing: Annular Mist Flow,
Slug/Bubble Flow and Liquid Full. Click here to view a
schematic diagram of the flow pattern regimes for
vertical flow in Tubing. The evaluation of flow regime
has an impact upon the holdup calculations and actual
gas and liquid velocities which may influence the
corrosion rate. Note that in the Tubing Corrosion
Predictor, the calculation of oil-wetting effects on
corrosion rates is also influenced by the tubing deviation
 angle. Top-of-Line corrosion only applies to stratified
flow in flowlines.
Liquid Full Regime: In multi-phase flow, the dissolved
concentrations of CO2 or H2S along the flow-line can
change with temperature and pressure due to
equilibrium with the gas phase. In contrast, this cannot
occur where there is no gas phase present. This effect is
accounted for when the liquid full flow pattern applies.
Reference:
N. Petalas and K. Aziz, A Mechanistic Model for Multiphase Flow in Pipes,
Stanford University, 1998.

© Wood plc 2020  

Glycol Injection
 
A special form of inhibition consists of the injection of
concentrated glycol in flowlines carrying wet natural gas
without formation water production. For more information
see CO2 Corrosion Rate Model. The glycol acts in two ways:

As a drying agent, lowering the water dew point of the

gas and the condensation rate of pure water.
As a corrosion inhibitor.

The inhibitive action is a function of the water content of the

glycol: when it is diluted with too much water, the corrosion
reduction disappears. The effect of glycol is also treated as
a multiplier to the corrosion rate:

where A is a constant =1.6, which weakly depends on the

type of glycol, and Water% is the water content of the
glycol/water mixture. The concentration of the glycol is
recalculated at every point in the line from the water vapour
pressure in equilibrium with the concentration of the glycol.
At high temperatures of (for example, above 50ºC), the gas
carries too much water, which dilutes the glycol excessively.
For the same reason the technique is only practical when
most of the liquid water has been knocked out from the gas
before entering the line.
There are several types of glycol which can be used, the
most common one being diethylene glycol (DEG). ECE
assumes that any glycol which is injected is DEG of 95%
purity. At equal concentrations, the inhibitive action of the
various types of glycol (MEG, DEG, TEG) is quite similar.
Hence other glycol types can be treated as equivalent to
DEG for the purpose of corrosion modelling. Top-of-the-line
corrosion is also suppressed in (at least) the same
proportion by the injection of glycol.
Reference:
C.de Waard, U.Lotz and D.E. Milliams, Predictive model for CO2 corrosion
engineering in wet natural gas pipelines. NACE Corrosion 1991 Paper 577.
R. Nyborg, A. Dugstad and L. Lunde, NACE Corrosion 1993, Paper 77.

© Wood plc 2020  

Erosion-Corrosion
 
The Corrosion Model incorporates the erosional effect of
high gas velocities in removing protective layers like iron-
carbonates and –sulphides, and inhibitor films. Their effect
is disabled in the model when a critical gas velocity is
exceeded, under the condition that the flow regime is
annular mist. For more information see CO2 Corrosion Rate
Model.
In the present model, this velocity is calculated from API RP
14E, for example, if the velocity is greater than API erosional
velocity, and the flow regime is annular mist, then the
protective layers are presumed to fail. The standard API
14RE critical velocity limit is likely to give conservative
results. It is calculated from the following formula:

Here "dens" stands for the gas/liquid mixture density at

flowing pressure and temperature, and c is an empirical
constant. For continuous solids-free service c=100 when
empirical units are used: c then has the dimension
(lb/ft.)^0.5/s (Verosion in ft/s), or c=122 (kg/m)^0.5/s, when
metric units are used (Verosion in m/s).
The mixture density is calculated approximately from the
proportions of fluids flowing. A liquid density of 900 kg/m3 is
assumed and the density of gas is taken to be 0.7 of that of
air (which is 1.226 kg/m3 at 1 bar and 15 °C), and corrected
for prevailing temperature and pressure according to the
ideal gas laws. Changes in these assumptions only give
changes in the decimal places of the calculated critical
velocity in most practical cases.
It should be appreciated that the critical velocity is also a
function of the smoothness of the bore of the pipe and that
the above velocity approach is an extrapolation of
experience with piping systems, and does not necessary
apply to pipelines or tubing. At the present, however, this
approach is used in industry.
The behaviour of protective layers is treated in the model as
a step-function: the layer is either on or off. The erosional
velocity is recalculated for every point in the line. This can
lead to a sharp jump in the graph of corrosion rate vs
distance when the erosional velocity is exceeded, where in
actual practice the loss of protection will be less sudden.
A separate model is provided to calculate particle erosion in
the Tubing module, see “Particle Erosion”.

Changing the C-constant: You can change the value of

the C-constant on the Advanced page. Alternative
values for different situations have been suggested by
some researchers. This option allows you to work with
different C-values or erosional velocity limits depending
upon User's policies for assessing the threat of erosion.
Also, entering a very high C value in effect allows you to
over-ride the erosional limit feature.
Reference:
Russell et al, Choosing Better API RP 14E C Factors for Practical Oilfield
Implementation, NACE Corrosion 2011, Paper 11248.

© Wood plc 2020  

Particle Erosion
 
The Tubing Erosion Predictor model is a slightly simplified
implementation of the smooth straight pipe and bend
models from DNV-GL RP O501:2015 “Managing sand
production and erosion”. The tool is intended for a first –
pass assessment or exploratory modelling. For detailed
assessment, reference to the full DNV-GL Code is
recommended. For more information see CO2 Corrosion Rate
Model.
The substrate material properties are for Carbon Steel.
The particle correction factor is fixed at 1 (worst case
assumption). Accurate information on the particle size
distribution and density is needed to calculate this
parameter and this is very often not available. Fixing this
value gives an upper bound result in terms of the RP O501
model.
The erosion values are calculated with the smooth straight
pipe formula and also with the pipe bend formula using the
radius of curvature from the tubing deviation profile. The
largest of these two values is reported.
The other necessary data for erosion calculation including
pipe dimensions and fluid flow velocities are calculated from
the inputs in ECE such as pressure, temperature and flow
rates.
Note that there is no interaction between the particle
erosion model and corrosion model, and any synergistic
effects that might occur are not covered. The corrosion
model removes the protective effect of scale and sulphide
filming at velocities above the API 14E erosional limit (see
“Erosion–corrosion”).
In practice, to produce significant particle erosion rates in
tubing (essentially straight, smooth pipe) requires rather
extreme conditions of flow velocity and particle loading.
Reference: DNV-GL RP O501:2015 “Managing sand production and erosion”

© Wood plc 2020  

Risk of Failure
 
The corrosion prediction models used in ECE have a limited
accuracy. For more information see CO2 Corrosion Rate
Model. The formulas used for CO2 corrosion prediction give a
standard deviation of about 25% for the corrosion rate over
their validated ranges, which means that there is a chance
of almost 16% that the actual corrosion rate is outside the
range ± 25%, assuming the statistics for a normal
distribution apply. Anyone who has been involved in
practical corrosion rate measurements in the laboratory or
the field will also appreciate that actual measurements on
replicate coupons or at equivalent positions can sometimes
vary by at least this much, often without a clear reason.
ECE calculates a normal distribution curve around the
maximum corrosion rate (truncated at zero corrosion rate)
and converts this to an accumulated risk of failure by
dividing into the wall thickness and integrating over time.
This yields a curve for the accumulated risk of failure vs
time: the time to reach a 50% risk of failure corresponds to
the nominal value of the maximum corrosion rate. Longer
exposure of the pipe or tubing will increase the risk of
failure, until finally a point is reached where failure is almost
certain.
In the presence of H2S there is a risk that the protective
sulphide layer on the steel is disturbed, and that localised
pitting corrosion occurs. The rate of penetration at these
pits are often equal to the CO2 corrosion rate. This is
accounted for in the risk of failure prediction by adding an
arbitrary 25% chance that the corrosion rate is based
entirely upon the localised pitting corrosion rate. The
standard deviation for the resulting prediction is larger (=
less certain) and has been set to 30%. When H2S is present,
the risk of loss of protection of the sulphide layer shows up
as a plateau early in the life in the accumulated risk curve,
when, of course, the CO2 corrosion rate is high enough to
show the effect.
 

© Wood plc 2020  

Acetic Acid
 
Natural gas can contain small amounts of vapour of organic
acids, notably acetic acid. In view of the high solubility in
water, this can lead to concentrations of dissolved acetic
acid in condensed water, which can be significant in
increasing the corrosion rates to higher values than with CO2
only. This is particularly noticeable in increasing the top of
the line corrosion rates since in such condensing conditions
the local environment is not influenced by alkaline
constituents like dissolved carbonates. For more information
see CO2 Corrosion Rate Model.
It is customary to report the acetic acid or acetate
concentration dissolved in the water, rather than the partial
pressure (in contrast to the case of CO2). If dissolved acetic
acid is detected in the field, the effect on corrosion rate can
modelled by changing the default value for this acid from
zero.
The action of dissolved acetic acid has been shown to be
analogous to that of carbonic acid: the un-dissociated acetic
acid is directly reduced at the metal's surface in addition to
the reduction of the un-dissociated carbonic acid. This
modifies the Vm term in the corrosion rate formula, and
causes the larger part of the increase in corrosion rate.

This theory has been validated by laboratory tests.

The dissociated part of the acid can modify the Vr term in
the CO2 corrosion rate formula through a effect on pH. Since
the un-dissociated part of the acetic acid is the most
corrosive, an increase in pH will reduce the effect of the
acid, because this will cause the acid to dissociate to form
more acetate ions, which are relatively harmless. For this
reason, the presence of dissolved iron at lower
temperatures can be very important for prediction of the
effect of acetic acid, especially when iron carbonate
supersaturation can occur.
With H2S present and acetic acid, the model can predict high
corrosion rates due to the impact of sulphide in removing Fe
from solution and in lowering the ph. It is important to
include any Bicarbonate present in the water phase because
this will also affect the pH and corrosion rate.
Reference:
Keith George, Srdjan Nesic and C. de Waard, Electrochemical Investigation and
Modelling of CO2 corrosion in the presence of Acetic Acid, NACE Corrosion 2004,
Paper 04379.

© Wood plc 2020  

Model Predictions
 

Guidance on Accuracy of
Prediction

The original de Waard corrosion model was largely based on

experimental data including flow loop data produced at IFE.
Wood have developed the ECE implementation of the de
Waard model and calibrated it with field corrosion data over
many years. For more information see CO2 Corrosion Rate
Model.
Generally, ECE is optimized for realistic production scenarios
with moderate corrosion rates (about 0.05 – 10 mm/yr.),
where carbon steel (with or without inhibition) might be an
option. Output values in several 10s of mm/yr. are not
necessarily accurate – but carbon steel is not a realistic
option in this situation. CO2 corrosion typically is not
uniform, but has regions of lower and higher corrosion rates.
The prediction in ECE is for the regions of maximum
corrosion.

Summary of Application
Limits

Sweet Service: Any mixture of Liquid Hydrocarbon, Gas

and Water. Any level of Bicarbonate. In oil production
where emulsion formation is significant, water
separation is a threshold effect as a function of fluid
velocity, which means that behaviour both in real
service and in the model can be variable at velocities
round the threshold value.
 Sour Service: Corrosion in sour conditions is often very
low due to protective sulphide filming, but occasionally
very high where films are not protective. As yet, no fully
satisfactory model has been developed for sour
corrosion.
Filming Corrosion Rates: These are based on field data
for H2S partial pressures from nil to about 15 bar, and
only a few data points at higher H2S partial pressure.
Although filming corrosion rate predicted by ECE is often
lower than for other corrosion models in many cases
ECE still over-predicted the filming corrosion rates in this
range compared with field.
Potential Pitting Corrosion Rates: Prediction of the
potential pitting corrosion rates is subject to the same
trends as the sweet corrosion model: for example, tend
to under-predict at very low velocities; very large rates
>> 10 mm/yr. are not necessarily accurate.
Pitting Corrosion in Sour Conditions: Typically, inhibition
has some impact in reducing the rate or frequency of
pitting corrosion in sour conditions. This is NOT included
in the ECE model and pitting corrosion rates are
uninhibited.
Presence of both H2S and Acetic Acid: If both H2S and
acetic acid are present, the ECE model typically predicts
high corrosion rates, often in 10s of mm/yr. depending
on other inputs. This is based on laboratory data. We
lack the field data to bench-mark this situation and are
not able to state if ECE is correct or under/over-
predicting.

© Wood plc 2020  

Acknowledgements
 
Thanks go to all who have contributed towards ECE. For
more information see About ECE, What's New in ECE and
Version Compatibility.

Corrosion Model: Liane Smith, Mike Billingham, C. de

Waard
ECE Team: Andrew Simm, Emmanuel Onuoha, Rachel
Barson, Daniel Thomas, Ross Kilhams, Trudi Stevenson,
Ellen McMahon, Huseyin Ozyilmaz
Contributors: Thank You to all ECE users for their
comments, feedback and suggestions.
Credits: Microsoft© Word, Microsoft© Excel and
Microsoft© Windows are either registered trademarks or
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States
and/or other countries.

Support and Maintenance contact the ECE Development Team -

For
Email: [email protected] - Telephone: +44 (0) 1244 336386

© Wood plc 2020  

Disclaimer
 
Materials and Corrosion Engineering is (not yet) an exact
science. The information and model predictions contained in
this program is claimed to be state of the art, but no
responsibility is accepted for damages from or related to, its
use.
The Electronic Corrosion Engineer is a tool for the corrosion
or materials engineer to evaluate some important aspects of
corrosion control and materials selection. It is intended for
use by an engineer who understands the significance of the
input data and how to apply the output data. ECE is not an
expert system or a replacement for a corrosion engineer.
The technical background to this program has been
meticulously researched and it is believed to present the
state-of-the-art in terms of quantitative corrosion modelling
and materials selection for corrosive oil and gas production
environments. However, a full consideration of all issues
related to materials selection requires detailed knowledge of
the precise operating conditions, the external environment
and the intended mode of operation. This is beyond the
scope of the model. The writers, therefore, do not accept
any liability for any damage resulting from actions or
decisions based on the output of ECE.
Electronic Corrosion Engineer and ECE are registered
trademarks or trademarks of Wood plc in the United
Kingdom and other countries.
Electronic Corrosion Engineer is the copyright of Wood plc
and is protected by copyright laws and international treaty
provisions. It may not be copied, modified or distributed in
any way. It is illegal to attempt to reverse engineer, de-
compile or disassemble this software for any purpose
whatsoever.
Copyright © 2020 Wood plc. Electronic Corrosion Engineer and ECE are
registered trademarks or trademarks of Wood plc in the United Kingdom and
other countries.

© Wood plc 2020  

Flowline Corrosion Predictor
 
The Flowline Corrosion Predictor is used to predict the
internal corrosion rate of a carbon steel flowline. For more
information see Flowline Corrosion Prediction Tools.

Data Input: Input operational parameters to display the

output results.
Project: Used to input Project information into the
Flowline Corrosion Predictor.
Conditions: Used to input Temperature, Pressure, Gas
Composition and Water Chemistry information into the
Flowline Corrosion Predictor.
Throughput: Used to input Crude Oil/Condensate, Gas,
Water, Holdup and Watercut information into the
Flowline Corrosion Predictor.
Advanced: Used to input the Glycol Injection Rate,
Inhibition, the Dissolved FE at Inlet and the Erosional
Velocity of Gas information into the Flowline Corrosion
Predictor.
Sections: Allows the entry of flowline elevation, heat
transfer factor and ambient temperature as a function of
distance
Data Output: Output Results are displayed in the tabs;
Corrosion Rate, Risk Analysis, All Graphs and Details.
Corrosion Rate Graph: Displays the Flowline Corrosion
Rate Graph, Corrosion Rate (mm/year) over Distance
(km) along the flowline.
Risk Analysis: Displays a graph of accumulated risk of
failure vs. time.
 All Graphs: Used to select parameters to display as a
graph over distance along the flowline.
Details: Used to view Output Details for the selected
Flowline Corrosion Prediction Project.

© Wood plc 2020  

Chemistry
 
The Chemistry tab of the Tubing Corrosion Predictor is used
to input Gas Composition and Water Chemistry.

Gas Composition: The mole percent of acid gases CO2

and H2S are entered directly into text boxes or by the
sliders. The range buttons on the right-hand side of the
sliders allow selection of appropriate composition
ranges. The software does not allow entry of CO2 and
H2S beyond certain limiting partial pressures (mol% x
total pressure).
It should be noted that a change in flow rates should be
accompanied by a change of the pressure and
temperature gradient in the Conditions tab. This is NOT
done automatically, and you are responsible for making
sure that all parameters are in reasonable agreement
with each other.
Water Chemistry: The bicarbonate level influences the
pH, which can be observed on the output pages. The
unit here is mg/l of HCO3- ions. It relates to the
bicarbonate present, as soluble salts of any kind, for
example, sodium, potassium, iron, after any dissolved
gases are flashed off.
Bicarbonate (as dissolved): Sodium Chloride Affects
hydrogen activity, solubility of acid gases and the Risk
Ranking for sour pitting. Other neutral salts can be
treated as if NaCl; the Total Dissolved Solids value can
be entered here.
Acetic Acid: Enter the total Acetic Acid value in parts per
million by weight (ppmw). Concentration can be entered
with the text box or using the slider. Entry is as ppmw
(mg/l) of total dissolved acetic acid (both associated and
 non-dissociated). Other similar organic acids (for
example. formic) can be treated as equivalent to acetic
acid and added to the input value. Since this type of
information is relatively rare, the default setting is zero.

© Wood plc 2020  

Chemistry
 
The Chemistry tab of the Tubing Erosion Predictor is used to
input Gas Composition and Water Chemistry.

Gas Composition: The mole percent of acid gases CO2

and H2S are entered directly into text boxes or by the
sliders. The range buttons on the right-hand side of the
sliders allow selection of appropriate composition
ranges. The software does not allow entry of CO2 and
H2S beyond certain limiting partial pressures (mol% x
total pressure).
It should be noted that a change in flow rates should be
accompanied by a change of the pressure and
temperature gradient in the Conditions tab. This is NOT
done automatically, and you are responsible for making
sure that all parameters are in reasonable agreement
with each other.
Water Chemistry: The bicarbonate level influences the
pH, which can be observed on the output pages. The
unit here is mg/l of HCO3- ions. It relates to the
bicarbonate present, as soluble salts of any kind, for
example, sodium, potassium, iron, after any dissolved
gases are flashed off.
Bicarbonate (as dissolved): Sodium Chloride Affects
hydrogen activity, solubility of acid gases and the Risk
Ranking for sour pitting. Other neutral salts can be
treated as if NaCl; the Total Dissolved Solids value can
be entered here.
Acetic Acid: Enter the total Acetic Acid value in parts per
million by weight (ppmw). Concentration can be entered
with the text box or using the slider. Entry is as ppmw
(mg/l) of total dissolved acetic acid (both associated and
 non-dissociated). Other similar organic acids (for
example. formic) can be treated as equivalent to acetic
acid and added to the input value. Since this type of
information is relatively rare, the default setting is zero.

© Wood plc 2020