Pipeline Failure Investigation: Is it MIC?

The investigation of pipeline corrosion failures, including those caused by microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC), requires multiple lines of evidence to identify causative mechanisms and contributing factors. The types of evidence needed for the corrosion analysis include information about the design and history of operation of the asset; the physical, environmental, and metallurgical conditions present where corrosion is observed; and microbiological conditions. Next, this information is integrated and analyzed to assess whether biotic or abiotic processes were responsible for the failure. While the ability to diagnose MIC in the oil and gas industry is improving, practical limitations associated with sample collection in remote locations or from inside pipelines still present challenges to conclusively determine the cause.