Damage Review and Risk Assessment of Midstream Amine Processing Units

Amine treating units are important components in midstream processing, as they are responsible for removing acid gases such as CO₂ and H₂S from hydrocarbon streams. However, these units pose significant corrosion and cracking challenges which account for many midstream reliability issues. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the amine treating process, discusses rich/lean amine loading, identifies key damage mechanisms and areas of concern, and offers recommendations for corrosion mitigation. Additionally, it outlines the importance of applying a risk-based inspection (RBI) methodology to the integrity management of these units.