Spotting the rot

摘要

For the oil industry, with its sprawling and hazardous facilities, keeping on top of corrosion is a particularly difficult affair. Crude oil is full of corrosive chemicals and abrasive minerals, so damage to pipework is a constant risk. The consequences of failure, though, are serious. A hole in a corroded pipe can cause not only an unscheduled shutdown, costing millions of dollars, but also a grave risk to life, limb and the environment.