Evolution of Internal Corrosion Monitoring: Two Decades of Strategic Lessons from Planning to Optimized Implementation - CANCELLED (C2026-00147)

Yousef Khuraibut, Farah Al-Tabbakh, Barzan Mejbel, Abeer Rashed

Internal corrosion remains a persistent and A significant threat to oil and gas operations, directly impacting asset integrity, safety, and operational reliability. Over the past two decades, the Internal Corrosion Monitoring Program (ICMP) has undergone a structured evolution through a two-phase approach. The initial phase, launched in 2002 at the South and East Kuwait (SEK) facilities, focused on establishing baseline corrosivity using corrosion coupons, probes fluid sampling, and microbiological assessments across various process streams without prioritization or optimization. Lessons learned from this initial implementation guided the second phase introduced in 2015 at West Kuwait (WK), where the program transitioned to a more targeted approach. This included reorientation and relocation of monitoring stations, prioritization of corrosion-prone locations, and optimization of service intervals based on extensive data evaluation and trend analysis. By 2018, these refinements led to substantial improvements in program efficiency and effectiveness. The enhanced program enabled proactive corrosion assessments, timely corrective actions, and a measurable reduction in corrosion-related incidents, thereby supporting long-term asset reliability. This paper presents the key insights, challenges, and strategic decisions that shaped the ICMP evolution, offering practical guidance for advancing corrosion monitoring programs across the oil and gas industry.