What Is Corrosion Protection? The 10 Most Important Answers for Extending Equipment Life in Oil & Gas
Water is one of the most underestimated threats in oil and gas operations. When tanks or equipment sit directly on the ground, standing water collects at contact points. Over time, this accelerates under-tank corrosion, pitting, and metal loss that can lead to costly failures. In an industry where uptime and safety are paramount, water corrosion is a risk that cannot be ignored.
Understanding what is corrosion protection and applying it effectively is essential for extending equipment life, ensuring compliance, and reducing risk. Here are the 10 essential answers executives and engineers need to protect their equipment.
Table of Contents
1. What is corrosion protection?
Corrosion protection is the science and practice of slowing or preventing the deterioration of metals caused by environmental exposure. In oil and gas, one of the biggest threats comes from water pooling beneath tanks, vessels, and equipment. Protection means preventing that exposure, which is often achieved by elevating assets away from standing water.
2. Why is water corrosion critical in oil and gas?
Steel infrastructure is vulnerable when it stays in contact with water. Standing water promotes oxygen concentration cells, accelerates rusting, and encourages microbial-induced corrosion. Left unchecked, this leads to bottom leaks in tanks and structural failures in equipment bases.
3. What is the economic impact?
NACE estimates that production losses from corrosion amount to $1.37 billion annually in the U.S. alone. Unplanned shutdowns, pipeline replacements, and downhole failures add billions more. Preventive corrosion protection delivers far lower lifecycle costs compared to reactive repairs or replacements.
4. What are the primary protection methods?
- Tank Bases: Elevate tanks above grade to prevent water pooling at the base.
- Equipment Bases: Provide a stable, elevated platform for compressors, pumps, and other assets, reducing direct contact with water.
- Drainage planning: Site preparation that ensures water flows away from assets.
- Protective coatings: Used alongside elevation strategies to add another layer of defense.
Operators often combine these methods for multi-layer defense.
5. Is rust only cosmetic?
No. Rust indicates ongoing corrosion and metal loss. On tank bottoms, even minor pitting can penetrate through steel plates, causing leaks. In equipment, corrosion weakens supports and compromises reliability. Addressing water exposure early prevents small issues from becoming catastrophic.
6. How do tank and equipment bases work?
AssetGuard’s Tank Bases and Equipment Bases are engineered solutions that create a known elevation point for assets. By lifting tanks and equipment out of standing water, they remove one of the most common causes of corrosion. Their design promotes drainage and ensures long-term stability, extending the service life of critical infrastructure.
7. What are the environmental benefits?
Leaks caused by water-related corrosion often lead to contaminated soil or groundwater. Bases that prevent under-tank corrosion reduce the chance of environmental releases. By keeping tanks elevated and leak-free, operators minimize regulatory risk under EPA and Clean Water Act rules while protecting surrounding ecosystems.
8. How does water corrosion protection enhance safety?
A corroded tank bottom or compromised equipment base poses serious safety risks. Failures can result in sudden releases of hydrocarbons or produced water. By preventing corrosion at the ground interface, bases safeguard workers, nearby communities, and critical production assets.
9. What is the ROI of preventing water corrosion?
Benefits include:
- Longer tank and equipment service life
- Reduced unplanned maintenance costs
- Fewer leaks and environmental incidents
- Greater operational uptime
The return on investment is clear: keeping equipment out of standing water saves far more than the cost of remediation or replacement.
10. How does AssetGuard lead in water corrosion protection?
AssetGuard designs and manufactures U.S.-made Tank Bases and Equipment Bases that directly address water-related corrosion risks. With widespread adoption across U.S. oilfields and facilities, these solutions provide proven elevation, durability, and long-term protection against under-tank and under-equipment corrosion.
Protecting Your Assets Starts Here
Water corrosion is inevitable if equipment and tanks are left in contact with the ground. But equipment failure does not have to be. By understanding what is corrosion protection and applying AssetGuard’s engineered tank and equipment bases, operators can keep assets out of standing water, extend service life, and reduce costly downtime.
Learn more about corrosion protection to keep your assets in service and your operations running with confidence.