A Review of Corrosion under Insulation

Abstract

Corrosion under insulation (CUI) is defined as any form of external corrosion that occurs on the underlying metal beneath insulated equipment, due to water ingress through the insulation layer. This type of corrosion is frequently observed in oil and gas production, where insulated piping is prevalent, and has historically remained a predominant materials integrity issue. The prediction and direct visualisation of CUI are challenging tasks because of the coverage of the insulation layer(s) and any external jacketing or cladding. Several factors, including the local/ambient envi-ronment, system design, and the piping installation process, can influence how CUI initiates and propagates. In this review, CUI background, CUI monitoring, and CUI mitigation strategies are discussed.