ABSTRACT
As more offshore gas and oil fields approach the end of their useful life, it is necessary to address decommissioning of installations and structures. This paper describes the methodology that has been applied to determine the slowest deterioration rates for abandoned pipelines. Abandonment studies compare lower bound corrosion rate data with the original design data. Typical data sources are from archaeological findings and ship wrecks. Operational history must be reviewed together with survey data, and any inspection results that may be available. Evaluation of these factors, suggest that deterioration times in excess of 500 years are to be expected.
