| Title | Pipeline Failure Analysis of Bending Pipe on the Geothermal Production Well KMJ-X7 in Kamojang Geothermal Field, Indonesia |
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| Authors | Achmad Sri FADLI, Muhammad Achyar KARIM, Rahmad HARAHAP, Ahmad TAUFIK |
| Year | 2015 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | Finite Element Analysis, Erosion, Metal Loss |
| Abstract | A leak in the Bend of Pipe 10” Sch.40 in production wells KMJ – X7 has been found. The pipe has been operated approximately 2 years . The leak position occurred about 12 Oclock and 30 cm from the flanged downstream direction . From the results of field observation , inspection and laboratory test, and finite element simulations with FLUENT showed that the cause of the Bend pipe leak was erosion mechanisms . From the analysis of the chemical composition, microstructure and mechanical test in the laboratory shows that the Bend of pipe material still meets the specification of standard code API 5L Grade B. Therefore, it can be concluded that the failure was not caused by the pipe material and fabrication process. The root cause of the leak was due to significant contains of silica sand (SiO2), that flowed out of the well and follow the steam flow into the Bend of pipe (internal aspects ). From the simulation it can be predicted that the silica content of the existing pipeline will have a remaining life of 3.4 years since the operation was first installed in 2008 . The premature leak, in addition to erosion problem, was also caused by the contribution and role of CO2 corrosion mechanism so that the rate of metal loss becomes very high at 4.6 mm / year. Key Words : Finite Element Analysis, Erosion, Metal Loss |