Managing Black Powder in Sales
Gas Transmission Pipelines
Authors: Dr. Abdelmounam M. Sherik, Dr. Arnold L. Lewis and Dr. Sebastien Duval
ABSTRACT
Despite its common occurrence in the gas industry, black
powder is a problem that is not well understood across the
industry, in terms of its chemical and physical properties,
sources, formation mechanisms, prevention or management of
its impacts. To prevent or effectively manage the impacts of
black powder, it is essential to have knowledge of its chemical
and physical properties, formation mechanisms and sources.
This article is a follow-up to an earlier article published in
the Saudi Aramco Journal of Technology Fall 2007 issue. In
that issue, it was shown that black powder is regenerative,
and is formed inside natural gas pipelines as a result of
corrosion of the internal walls of the pipeline. More
specifically, black powder forms through reactions of the
pipeline steel with condensed water containing oxygen (O2),
hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and carbon dioxide (CO2).
This article is divided into three parts. The first part of this
article is a synopsis of published literature including our
earlier findings. New field evidence showing the presence of
excess moisture in the lines will be presented and discussed.
The second part is a summary and short discussion of various
black powder management philosophies and methods. Finally,
the ongoing black powder research activities at the Saudi
Aramco Research and Development Center (R&DC) are
briefly presented.
Fig. 1. Shows wet tar-like black powder collected at the scraper door
receiver of a Sales Gas pipeline.
42 FALL 2008 SAUDI ARAMCO JOURNAL OF TECHNOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
Black powder is a worldwide phenomenon experienced by
most, if not all, Sales Gas pipeline operators1-6. In the gas
industry, the term “black powder” is a color-descriptive term
loosely used to describe a grayish material that is generated
inside the gas pipelines. Black powder can be found in several
forms, such as wet with a tar-like appearance, Fig. 1, or dry in
the form of a very fine powder, Fig. 2. Black powder was
reported in recently commissioned as well as older Sales Gas
transmission pipelines1-6. Black powder could have major
adverse effects on customers by contaminating the customer
Sales Gas supply leading to an interruption of the customer’s
operations and/or poor quality of products in which the Sales
Gas is used as feedstock. It could also negatively affect gas
pipeline operations. For example, it can lead to instrument
scraping delays, reduced inline inspection accuracy, control
valve erosion as well as flow reduction. Finally, black powder
could present a major health and environmental hazard. This
is because some black powder is contaminated with mercury
and naturally occurring radioactive materials, such as
radioactive Lead-210 (Pb-210). Iron sulfides are also
potentially pyrophoric. These hazardous substances require
special procedures for handling and disposal of the removed
black powder.
Fig. 2. Dry fine black powder collected at the scraper door receiver of
a Sales Gas pipeline.
COMPOSITION AND SOURCES
As used in the surveyed literature, “black powder” means
various forms of iron sulfide (FeS), iron oxide (Fe3O4, FeOOH)
and iron carbonate (FeCO3), mechanically mixed or
chemically combined with any number of contaminants, such
as salts, sand, liquid hydrocarbons and metal debris. Different
gas pipeline operators report different compositions for the
black powder removed from their pipelines. For example,
whereas some literature reports black powder as being
predominantly iron sulfides1-3, others report the complete
absence of iron sulfides, but the presence of iron oxides and
hydroxides such as Fe3O4 and FeOOH4, 6, while others report
a combination of all of these products (iron sulfides, iron
carbonates and iron oxides)5. These products have one
common source, which is that they are formed inside natural
gas pipelines as a result of corrosion of the internal walls of
the pipeline1-6. More specifically, they are formed by reactions
of iron (Fe) present in ferrous pipeline steel with condensed
moisture containing oxygen (O2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and
carbon dioxide (CO2). Internal corrosion in “dry” gas
pipelines is often overlooked due to an underestimation of the
corrosion risk due to the perceived absence of condensed
water in the line1, 7. Under normal conditions, gas pipelines
are under minimal corrosion risk; however, it is generally not
feasible to completely eliminate water from pipelines7. Water
vapor can potentially condense on the inner walls of the
pipeline due to high dew points. It can also enter the pipeline
through periodic upsets that cause moisture carry-over into
the line. This water, coupled with corrosive species such as
CO2, H2S and O2, even in small amounts, as low as ppm
levels, can result in unexpected internal corrosion with the
formation of corrosion products, namely FeCO3, FeS and iron
oxides, respectively1, 5. It should be noted that CO2, H2S and
O2 are benign in dry gas, but become corrosive in the presence
of condensed water1.
FORMATION MECHANISMS
Internal corrosion of Sales Gas pipelines is the main cause for
the formation of black powder. Corrosion due to H2S, CO2
and O2 in Sales Gas pipelines has well established
mechanisms. Following are simplified electrochemical
reactions that describe these corrosion processes and their
respective corrosion products. It is important to note that in
all of these electrochemical reactions, condensed water is a
necessary condition for these reactions to proceed.
Iron Carbonate Formation due to CO2 Corrosion
Iron carbonate corrosion product found in black powder is
formed by the chemical reaction of CO2, a naturally occurring
constituent of natural gas, with condensed water producing
carbonic acid (H2CO3), which in turn reacts directly with steel
to produce FeCO3, in accordance with these reactions8:
H2O (condensed water) + CO2 (in gas) → H2CO3 (1)
H2CO3 + Fe (pipeline steel) → FeCO3 + H2 (2)
Iron Sulfides Formation due to H2S Corrosion
Hydrogen sulfide can be a naturally occurring constituent of
natural gas, or alternatively, produced by sulfate reducing
bacteria (SRBs)1. These anaerobic bacteria use the reduction
of sulfate as a source of energy and oxygen, in accordance
with reaction such as1, 2:
2H+ + SO4-2 + CH4 → H2S + CO2 + 2H2O (3)
Iron sulfide corrosion products are usually formed from H2S
dissolved in condensed moisture reacting directly with the
steel wall of the pipeline shown in the following reactions1, 2:
H2O (condensed water) + H2S (in gas) → H3O+ + HS- (4)
HS- + Fe (pipeline steel) → FeS + H2 (5)
Iron Oxides Formation due to Oxidation
The source of oxygen in gas pipelines is oxygen ingress
through leaks at low-pressure points throughout the systems1.
Oxygen ingress in gas lines can cause significant corrosion in
small concentrations and even combustion, if present, in larger
amounts9, 10. A 1988 survey of 44 natural gas transmission
pipeline companies in North America indicated that their gas
quality specifications allowed maximum O2 concentrations
ranging from 0.01 mol% to 0.1 mol% with a typical value of
0.02 mol%9, 10. It has been shown that oxygen content of
approximately 0.01 mol% has little effect on steel corrosion
in the presence of stagnant water inside Sales Gas
transmission pipelines, while 0.1 mol% produces fairly high
corrosion rates. As a general rule of thumb, it is recommended
that transmission pipelines should consider limiting maximum
oxygen concentrations to 10 parts per million by volume
(ppmv) (0.001 mol %)9, 10.
In cyclical wet-dry environments with low dissolved
oxygen, such as those experienced in gas pipelines, iron oxides
are usually formed by the direct oxidation of pipeline steel
walls, in accordance with the following reactions8:
2Fe + H2O (condensed water) + 3/2 O2 → 2 FeO(OH) (6)
The FeO(OH) can be in α, β or γ form. In these type of
environments, γFeO(OH) is unstable and will quickly
transform to magnetite (Fe3O4) and water by the following
reaction8:
8γ -FeO(OH) + Fe → 3Fe3O4 + 4H2O (7)
But if the water is nearly saturated with dissolved oxygen,
then hematite (Fe2O3) is often present8.
SAUDI ARAMCO JOURNAL OF TECHNOLOGY FALL 2008 43
 Compound Main Source Minor Source
Fe3O4 Low dissolved oxygen-induced 1. Bacterial-induced corrosion (APB, IOB).
corrosion (reactions 6 and 7). 2. Conversion of FeCO3 and FeS (in-situ) due
to oxygen ingress (reactions 8 and 9).
3. Mill scale (minor and short-term).
α -FeOOH Low dissolved oxygen-induced
corrosion (reaction 6).
FeCO3 CO2 corrosion (reactions 1 and 2).

Table 1. Compounds in black powder and their respective potential sources

45.00 50.00

Moisture in Gas, lb/mmscf

45.00
40.00
Moisture in Gas, lb/mmscf

40.00
35.00
Average of Moisture 35.00
30.00
Contents during Upset Period 30.00
25.00 25 lb/mmscf
25.00
20.00 20.00
15.00 15.00
10.00 10.00 7 lb/mmscf

5.00 5.00
5.0 °C 25 °C
0.00
0.00
6/12 8/11 10/10 12/9 2/7 4/8 6/7 -15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

Time (July 2006 - June 2007) Dew Point, °C

Fig. 3. Actual reading of moisture content in the Sales Gas in plant A. Two Fig. 4. A variation of the dew point with moisture in the gas. The water content
extended upsets can also be seen. An average value of moisture content value experienced during process upset shown in Fig. 3 and corresponding dew
experienced during the latter upset is indicated. point are indicated14.

Alternatively, iron oxides may be formed due to microbio-
logically induced corrosion (MIC) resulting from acid
producing bacteria (APB) or iron oxidizing bacteria (IOB)11.
Once again, condensed water is a prerequisite for these
bacteria to thrive and multiply, and as such, MIC cannot
occur in the absence of water.
Magnetite found in black powder can also come from other
sources, namely, (1) mill scale, which is expected to be a minor
and short-term (in new pipelines) black powder4 contributor,
and (2) conversion, by oxidation inside the pipeline, of FeCO3
and FeS corrosion products. The conversion of FeCO3 to
Fe3O4 is sluggish and takes place during the dry cycles in
accordance with the following reaction12:
3 FeCO3 + 1/2 O2 → Fe3O4 + 3CO2
The conversion of FeS is rapid and can occur during the
wet cycles according to the following reaction7:
2Fe9S8 + 9H2O + 27/2 O2 → 18γ -FeO(OH) + 2S8
The produced γ-FeO(OH) will quickly transform to Fe3O4
in accordance with reaction (7)8.
SAUDI ARAMCO BLACK POWDER
Our recent findings13 have shown that black powder: (1) is
regenerative and is formed inside Sales Gas pipelines as a
result of internal corrosion of the pipeline, (2) black powder
particles are jagged in shape and exhibit a high hardness,
which makes it highly erosive to the currently used pipeline
control valves, and (3) is mainly composed of the corrosion
products Fe3O4 and FeO(OH), with fewer samples showing
small amounts of FeCO3 in addition to the iron oxides. Table 1
summarizes black powder compounds and their potential
sources. In addition, we found that some black powder
samples contained mercury.
Further, the reason for the internal corrosion was determined
to be condensed water containing H2S, CO2 and O2, with
oxygen being the most critical element. The source of the
condensed moisture is the inefficient gas dehydration processes in
some of the gas treating plants. Inefficient dehydration causes the
(8) Sales Gas to contain high levels of moisture in excess of the
maximum allowable level of 7 lb/mmscf (7 pounds of water in a
million standard cubic feet of gas) as per Saudi Aramco Sales Gas
Product Specification (SA-120). Figure 3 shows levels of moisture
in the Sales Gas from one gas treating plant. It is clear from this
(9)
Figure that two deviations (upsets) from the 7 lb/mmscf standard
level have occurred for extended periods of time. Figure 414
shows dew point variations vs. moisture content in the gas at a
line pressure of 900 psig. It can be seen from this Figure that
strict adherence to the Saudi Aramco specification of 7 lb/mmscf
(with a dew point of 5 °C) is sufficient, under typical ambient
temperatures in Saudi Arabia, to ensure no water condensation.
This Figure also shows that if excess moisture enters the gas grid

44 FALL 2008 SAUDI ARAMCO JOURNAL OF TECHNOLOGY

(as the case of inefficient dehydration experienced in plant A,
Fig. 3) the dew point significantly increases and water
condensation could potentially occur at 25 °C.
BLACK POWDER MANAGEMENT METHODS
Generally, pipeline companies practice various methods to
manage and control black powder in the gas line grid. These
methods can broadly be divided into two categories: (a)
Removal methods, and (b) Prevention methods.
Removal Methods
For many years, pipeline companies have observed the
presence of black powder and its effects, but have viewed it
only as a nuisance and therefore have done little to
understand it and prevent it. Because of this management
philosophy, most efforts have focused on the removal of black
powder. There are several removal methods:
• Mechanical cleaning. Mechanical pigs are commonly
deployed into a pipeline to scrape debris from the pipeline
wall and remove black powder. In cases where black
powder is not a major problem, this cleaning method may
suffice to keep the pipeline in a fairly clean condition,
however, this cleaning method gives poor results when the
black powder problem becomes major (large quantities).
• Chemical cleaning. There are several chemical cleaning
agents used for the removal of black powder from gas
pipelines. Gel and surfactant cleaning are the most
common solutions used. The gel shows an excellent
capability to carry large amounts of solids, but in
situations where cleaning has to be done online, dealing
with large batches of gel becomes problematic. Also,
removal of gel residues from the pipeline needs extra
attention. Surfactant cleaning has a proven record in
removing black powder. These chemicals can be dissolved
in diesel or organic solvents (dissolution in water should be
avoided to ensure the pipeline is not exposed to water).
Surfactants will have the ability to penetrate contaminants
and lower the surface tension properties of the pipeline
leading to the removal of large amounts of black powder.
• Separators. The use of separators and cyclones is based on
the principle of centrifugal force. The black powder-laden
gas passes through these devices and the black powder
particles are physically knocked out of the gas stream to
the walls of the separator where they fall and are collected
at the bottom in a collection hub. This removal method is
effective only if the concentration of solid particles is
relatively high, and if the particle size is relatively large
(larger than 8 μm to 10 μm). It should be noted that the
Saudi Aramco black powder exhibited an average particle
size of less than 1 μm.
• Filters. These are usually cartridge filters placed
downstream of the gas pipeline to protect control valves
and customers. The design and size of these filters will
depend on the amount of black powder, its particle size
and hardness.
• Cyclo-Filters. These combine the best features of cyclones
and filters in a two-stage removal process. The first stage
of the removal is achieved by the cyclone, which knocks
out black powder particles larger than 8 μm to 10 μm. The
second stage of cartridge filters removes the finer black
powder particles.
Each of the above methods can be applied separately or in
combination. For example, mechanical cleaning by instrument
scraping can be combined with installation of filters
downstream closest to the customer. This combination ensures
that the scraped black powder gets filtered out from the gas
supply before reaching the customer.
Although the removal approach is successful in protecting
downstream operations, including the customers from the
impact of black powder, the removal methods have several
common drawbacks: (a) they are after-the-fact treatments, i.e.,
they do not address the root cause of black powder formation,
(b) these methods are not a one-time solution but require
frequent applications, (c) multiple installations are most often
necessary as in the case of filters and cyclones, (d) these
methods constitute and add on to the ongoing operational
costs of gas transport systems, and (e) subsequent handling
and disposal procedures and processes are required. The
handling and disposal procedures could become challenging
and costly if the black powder contains health and environ-
mentally hazardous materials, such as mercury and any
naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM).
Prevention Methods
This management philosophy has at its core, the belief that
internal corrosion of gas pipelines is the source of black
powder. As such, these methods are based on preventing
corrosion from occurring. These methods include:
• Internal coatings. These are organic coatings, such as high
solids solvent based epoxy polyamine films that have
originally been applied to protect the internal surfaces of
pipelines from corrosion during storage. Nowadays, they
are typically used for reducing drag; however, prevention of
black powder formation would be an added benefit. These
coatings are typically applied with a thickness range of 2
mils to 3 mils (50μm to 80μm) to cover pipe roughness
(Ry5 = 30μm). They have been in use for the last 55 years
and are used in over 300,000 km of pipelines worldwide.
They have demonstrated very good ageing properties (for
example, no degradation after 30 years of exposure to
Sales Gas). International Standards (API 5 L 2 and ISO
15741) cover the specification of internal coatings for gas
pipelines. Internal coatings are considered a cost-effective
means of prevention of black powder in new Sales Gas
pipelines. They are very difficult to apply and are not cost-
effective for existing pipelines, particularly buried pipelines.
Figure 515 shows an internally coated new pipeline.
SAUDI ARAMCO JOURNAL OF TECHNOLOGY FALL 2008 45

Fig. 5. Sales Gas pipeline internally coated with solvent based organic coatings15.
• Moisture control. Elimination of water condensation in the
pipeline, particularly internally uncoated pipelines, is the
most critical step in preventing black powder formation in a
gas grid. This can be achieved by improving the efficiency of
the gas dehydration process to ensure dry gas in the pipeline.
Appropriately sized tri-ethylene glycol (TEG) dehydration
units, coupled with the installation of appropriately sized
refrigeration and knockout drum units upstream and
downstream of TEG dehydrator units, respectively, will help
ensure drier gas entering the gas lines. Controlling and
minimizing process upsets, such as water carry-over, (i.e.,
sales gas with water levels in excess of the maximum
allowable level of 7lb/mmscf) is also important in limiting
moisture in the pipeline. The use of appropriately sized,
designed and maintained molecular sieves and chillers might
be an expensive capital expenditure (CAPEX), but it would
ensure drier gas.
In internally bare Sales Gas pipelines, strict adherence to
the Sales Gas standard would ensure elimination of condensed
water, and in turn the prevention of black powder formation.
Nevertheless, because of process upsets, excess water may
enter the line grid leading to potential condensation and
internal corrosion. Moisture control in a gas grid with
multiple connected gas treating plants (as in the case of Saudi
Aramco) is especially challenging because of the potential
additive effect of process upsets. For example, in a gas
network connected to seven treating plants, a three-day upset
per year in each plant results in a potential accumulative 21
days of moisture condensation.
• Commissioning practices. This concept involves the
improvement of the required hydrotesting. More
specifically, during dewatering and drying procedures air
drying should not be used, but flash drying with methanol
or nitrogen gas should be used instead. The use of sweet
water with biocides and corrosion inhibitors will ensure
no corrosion takes place during the hydrotest wait-in
periods. If sweet water is readily available in the field,
such as the case in many Middle East regions, then fresh
water slugs can be used between pigs to wash the line and
remove salt water. Following hydrotesting, chemical
cleaning should be practiced in Sales Gas pipelines to
46 FALL 2008 SAUDI ARAMCO JOURNAL OF TECHNOLOGY
ensure that the pipeline is clean from loose debris and mill
scale prior to starting operations.
BLACK POWDER RESEARCH AT
SAUDI ARAMCO R&DC
In addition to our recent findings which led to the identi-
fication of the composition, source and formation mechanism
of the black powder in Saudi Aramco Sales Gas pipelines,
there remains several fundamental unknowns that are critical
for the successful prevention and management of black
powder. Four of these unknowns are: (a) the internal
corrosion rate and corresponding black powder formation
rate, (b) the erosive properties of black powder with respect to
pipeline control valve candidate materials, (c) the potential
need for special handling and disposal procedures of black
powder, and (d) the potential of need for developing an
inhibition method that would prevent black powder from
forming is essential to investigate. To resolve these unknowns,
the Upstream R&D program at the R&DC has launched a
4-year applied research study titled “Black Powder
Management Project.” This project consists of several main
R&D activities which collectively are designed to enhance
Saudi Aramco’s capability in preventing black powder and
managing its impact. This project and its results will be the
subject of a possible future Saudi Aramco Journal of
Technology article.
In addition, Saudi Aramco’s R&DC is leading a broad
black powder program with several National Oil Companies
(NOCs). The NOCs of Brazil, China, Norway and Saudi
Arabia are the current members of this program. The
objective of this program is to share and develop knowledge
and experience, and best practices among the participating
NOCs to improve the understanding of black powder
formation mechanisms, predictions, mitigation and
management, as well as development of new technologies for
the prevention and management of black powder. The
technical topics of this program and their results will also be
presented in a future article.
CONCLUSIONS
1. Black powder is a worldwide phenomenon experienced by
most, if not all, gas pipeline operators. Black powder is
regenerative and is formed inside natural gas pipelines as a
result of corrosion of the internal walls of the pipeline.
More specifically, black powder forms through chemical
reactions of Fe present in ferrous pipeline steel with
condensed water containing O2, H2S and CO2. These
chemical species are benign in dry Sales Gas, but can
become corrosive when dissolved in water moisture.
2. In Sales Gas pipelines that experience oxygen
contamination, black powder is composed mainly of iron
hydroxides, iron oxides and iron carbonates.
Contaminants, such as sand, dirt, hydrocarbons, elemental
 sulfur and metal debris typically make up 20 wt% of black
powder. The jagged shape and high hardness of black
powder make it very erosive to pipeline control valves.
3. There are several removal and prevention methods
available to gas operators for mitigating the formation and
managing the impact of black powder.
4. In the case of existing uncoated pipelines, strict adherence
to the Sales Gas standard would ensure elimination of
condensed water, and in turn the formation of black
powder. Because of process upsets; excess moisture may
enter the line grid leading to potential condensation and
internal corrosion. The best black powder management
practice usually consists of a combination of several
control methods that are collectively designed to minimize
its occurrance and manage its impacts. These measures
include cost-effective minimization of water carry-over into
the gas grid and in-pipeline removal and control methods.
5. In the case of new pipelines, organic solvent-based internal
coatings, primarily used for drag reduction, provide a cost-
effective and economical method for the prevention of
black powder.
6. The R&DC is currently engaged in an extensive black
powder research program designed to enhance Saudi
Aramco’s capability for preventing black powder formation
and reducing its impact.
6. Godoy, J.M., Carvalho, F., Cordilha, A., Matta, L.E. and
Godoy, M.L.: “(210)Pb Content in Natural Gas Pipeline
Residues (“Black Powder”) and its Correlation with the
Chemical Composition,” Journal of Environmental
Radioactivity, 1985, pp. 101-111.
7. “Corrosion Solutions for Gas Transmission Pipelines,”
Honeywell Solution Note, www.honeywell.com/ps.
8. Craig, B.: “Corrosion Product Analysis - A Road Map to
Corrosion in Oil and Gas Production,” Materials
Performance, August 2002, pp. 56-58.
9. Sridhar, N., Dunn, D.S., Anderko, A.M., Lencka, M.M.
and Schutt, H.U.: “Effects of Water and Gas Compositions
on the Internal Corrosion of Gas Pipelines - Modeling and
Experimental Studies,” Corrosion, Vol. 57, No. 3, 2001,
pp. 221-235.
10. Lyle, F.F.: “Carbon Dioxide/Hydrogen Sulfide Corrosion
under Wet Low-Flow Gas Pipeline Conditions in the
Presence of Bicarbonate, Chloride and Oxygen,” PRCI
Final Report PR-15-9313.
11. Zhu, X.: GTI Report No. 080306, Contract No. with
Saudi Aramco.
12. Davis, B.R. and Calabretta, D.: “Thermodynamic
Analysis of Formation of Black Powder in Sales Gas
Pipelines,” Purchase No. 6510217086 for Saudi Aramco
Report No. 6510217086, 2007.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 13. Sherik, A.M.: “Black Powder in Sales Gas Transmission

The authors would like to acknowledge the Saudi Arabian Oil
Company (Saudi Aramco) for support and granting
permission to present and publish this article. The authors
would also like to thank Mr. Mater Al Dhafeeri, Lead Process
Engineer, Khursaniyah Gas Plant Department for providing
the field moisture measurements data.
Pipelines,” Saudi Aramco Journal of Technology,
Fall 2007.
14. ISO 18453:2004 Natural Gas - Correlation between
Water Content and Water Dew Point.
15. Eupec Web site at http://www.eupec-
services.com/html/onshore/line-pipe-coatings.php.

REFERENCES

1. Baldwin, R.M.: “Black Powder in the Gas Industry -

Sources, Characteristics and Treatment,” GMRC, Report
No. TA97-4, May 1998.
2. Baldwin, R.M.: “Here are Procedures for Handling
Persistent Black-Powder Contamination,” Oil & Gas
Journal, October 1998, pp. 109-115.
3. Baldwin, R.M.: “Black Powder Control Starts Locally,
Works Back to Source,” Pipeline & Gas Industry, April
1998, pp. 81-87.
4. Tsochatzidis, N.A. and Maroullis, K.E.: “Methods Help
Remove Black Powder from Gas Pipelines,” Oil & Gas
Journal, March 2007, pp. 52-58.
5. Arrington, S.: “Pipeline Debris Removal Requires Extensive
Planning,” Pipeline & Gas Journal, November 2006, pp.
61-62.

SAUDI ARAMCO JOURNAL OF TECHNOLOGY FALL 2008 47

BIOGRAPHIES
Dr. Abdelmounam M. Sherik joined
Saudi Aramco in 2004 and is a Science
Specialist with Saudi Aramco’s Research
and Development Center, and is currently
the project leader of R&DC’s Black
Powder Management Project and the
NOC Black Powder Project. In 1986 he
received a B.Sc. in Materials Science and Engineering from
Tripoli University, Libya and in 1990 and 1994 he received
both his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Materials and Metallurgical
Engineering from Queen’s University, Canada. Abdelmounam
has over 20 years of professional experience in the areas of
materials and corrosion.
Abdelmounam has authored or co-authored more than 50
publications and made many international presentations on
the corrosion of sales gas pipelines, particularly the black
powder phenomenon. He has several patents in the area of
nanotechnology. Abdelmounam is an active member of the
National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE).

Dr. Arnold L. Lewis joined Saudi

Aramco in 1988 and is a Research
Science Consultant with Saudi Aramco’s
Research and Development Center
(R&DC). In 1975 Arnold received a
B.A. in Chemistry from the Pacific
Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA and
in 1981, he received a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from
Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR. He has 30 years of
professional experience in scientific research and
development.
Arnold’s current research focus is atomic hydrogen
permeation studies in hydrogen sulfide environments. His
other research interests are corrosion and corrosion
inhibition technology, and cathodic protection processes.
Arnold has authored or coauthored many publications in
his areas of expertise and has four U.S. patents with
Saudi Aramco.

Dr. Sebastien Duval is a Lab Scientist

at Saudi Aramco’s Research and
Development Center (R&DC). He
received his Ph.D. from the University
of Paris IV in Electrochemistry in 2000.
Prior to joining Saudi Aramco in 2006,
Sebastien held the following positions:
Research Scientist at Institut Français du Pétrole, Materials
Selection and Corrosion Principal Engineer at Saipem SA,
and then as a Consultant for Offshore Projects. He has
authored and coauthored more than 30 papers and holds
six patents. He is member of National Association of
Corrosion Engineers (NACE) International and the Society
of Petroleum Engineers (SPE).

48 FALL 2008 SAUDI ARAMCO JOURNAL OF TECHNOLOGY