ChampionX to supply non-toxic corrosion inhibitor to North Sea operator duo

Texas-based oilfield tech company ChampionX has secured two contracts to deliver ‘non-toxic’ anti-corrosion chemicals to two major North Sea operators.

ChampionX said on Thursday that the deal with the two companies was worth a combined £2.8 million or around $3.9 million.

According to the company, its “environmentally acceptable corrosion inhibitor product line has been developed to enable E&P organisations to economically extend the life of their assets in a sustainable way, without sacrificing efficiency”.

Corrosion inhibitor chemicals are widely used as a preventative measure in pipeline systems and are deployed from wellheads to processing facilities and export lines. This infrastructure is typically made of carbon steel and exposed to dissolved acidic components such as CO2 and organic acids in the presence of water, which creates a continuous threat of corrosion.

ChampionX added that the latest range of its corrosion inhibitors meets the strict North Sea environmental regulations and use active components that are biodegradable, making them non-toxic to marine life. The anti-corrosion solutions ensure that the assets will operate safely for years to come, with a reduced environmental impact.

The company has deployed its new inhibitor to help avoid production deferment on a major UKCS operator’s platform in the North Sea while the second client will use the chemicals on its floating production, storage, and offloading vessel (FPSO) from the second quarter of next year.

The new, non-toxic corrosion inhibitor is the result of a four-year research and development programme at the company’s technology centre in Aberdeen and is specifically suited to the harsh and severe corrosion environment of the North Sea.

Susan Hart, ChampionX general manager for Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, stated: “Operators must comply with strict environmental regulations to ensure that chemical discharge from offshore assets does not exceed the authorised amounts. As a result of this, production rates often need to be decreased to comply.

“We recognised the value in developing a more environmentally acceptable solution, with the goal of enabling our customers to prolong the life of assets and maximise recovery without sacrificing on efficiency. The non-toxic, biodegradable corrosion inhibitor is a more sustainable option to traditional chemicals, producing a more environmentally acceptable solution”.