Pipeline Failure Investigation: Is it MIC?

The investigation of pipeline corrosion failures, including those causedby microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC), requires multiple lines ofevidence to identify causative mechanisms and contributing factors. Thetypes of evidence needed for the corrosion analysis include informationabout the design and history of operation of the asset; the physical, environmental, and metallurgical conditions present where corrosion isobserved; and microbiological conditions. Next, this information is integrated and analyzed to assess whetherbiotic or abiotic processes wereresponsible for the failure. While theability to diagnose MIC in the oil andgas industry is improving, practicallimitations associated with samplecollection in remote locations or frominside pipelines still present challenges to conclusively determine thecause