Study on the Corrosive Nature of Soil Physico-Chemical Characteristics Toward Pipelines in Oil Producing Communities in Niger Delta of Nigeria

Aim: This research was carried out to investigate physicochemical characteristics of soils in oil producing areas of Delta State, Western Niger Delta region of Nigeria as they influence corrosion of buried pipelines in the region.

Study Design: Soil samples were collected along oil pipelines and at 500m away in three oil producing communities (Kokori, Otu-Jeremi and Okpai) in Delta State. Duration of Study: The study lasted for eighteen months.

Methodology: Standard methods were adopted in the collection of samples and the determinationof the physicochemical properties of the samples.

Results: The soil characteristics could influence soil corrosiveness towards buried pipelines. Soil characteristics determined were texture, soil pH, moisture content, temperature, nitrogen content, redox potential, electrical conductivity, phosphorus, sulphate, sulphide and chloride content and total organic carbon. The pH of all the soil samples was acidic (pH=5.54±0.16-6.32±0.29), soil from Okpai pipeline area had the highest electrical conductivity, chloride content and silt content of 148.00±3.02 µS/CM, 23.32±2.67 mg/g and 39.96±4.26 % respectively. Sulphate content of the soil samples was lower than 200ppm. The values were lower in soils along pipeline than soils in the farmland.

Conclusion: The soil samples have the potentials of being corrosive towards buried metal pipes. There is need for safe practices in the region.