Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), part of Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), recently signed an agreement with Curtin University in Australia to combine efforts on addressing corrosion issues in the oil and gas industry. Under the agreement, researchers, scientists, and engineers from the QEERI Corrosion Center and Curtin Corrosion Center will join forces to tackle some of the most severe and reoccurring corrosion and material challenges faced by the industry in Qatar and Australia.

The QEERI-Curtin University Alliance in Corrosion will focus on four main issues: Acid Corrosion (hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide), Corrosion under Insulation, Microbiologically-Influenced Corrosion, and Coatings Degradation. It will also enable capacity building through the exchange of researchers and PhD students. Energy companies have been invited to join the alliance and contribute to reducing the financial and environmental impact of corrosion on the industry. A Technical Steering Committee will be set up to oversee project plans and progress, and it will include local industry experts and international corrosion professionals.

As part of the alliance’s objectives to build capacity in corrosion engineering, Curtin University will be offering four scholarships to international and Australian candidates who are currently pursuing PhDs. The deadline for applications is June 29, 2020.

Dr. Hanan Farhat, Senior Research Director of the Corrosion Center, QEERI, explained that Qatar’s environmental conditions make engineering materials more prone to corrosion at very early stages, at a cost of millions to the industry. She said: “Corrosion is a major concern in most industrial applications including oil and gas, desalination plants, infrastructure, and transportation. Our research aims to investigate the root causes of corrosion and material failures, determine the factors that contribute to these failures, and provide solutions to eliminate them. By ensuring that a majority of the studies are done either in the field or simulated field conditions, we can get a better understanding of the impact corrosion has in Qatar.”

Professor Mariano Iannuzzi, Director, Curtin Corrosion Center, added: “The environmental conditions in Qatar are similar to certain environments in Australia. As a result, the oil and gas industry in both countries faces similar corrosion challenges. This collaboration provides our teams an opportunity to share knowledge, learn from each other, and to work together towards our shared goal of mitigating the challenges posed by corrosion.” 

Commenting on the importance of the agreement, Dr. Marc Vermeersch, Executive Director, QEERI, said: “One of our core values at QEERI is to establish partnerships that can support Qatar in attaining its research, technology, and development goals. This collaboration with Curtin University will help QEERI enhance our research capabilities in corrosion, build in-country capacity and support us in achieving our vision to become the leading solution provider for corrosion-related concerns in Qatar and the region. We are looking forward to working closely with their skilled scientists, engineers, and researchers.”

Since its launch in 2019, QEERI’s Corrosion Center has been committed to engaging and working closely with stakeholders in Qatar to determine industry needs and identify technical and research support that can be provided by the institute.