INVESTIGATING THE EFFECTS OF CORROSION IN THE DOWNSTREAM SECTOR OF MALAWI’S PETROLEUM INDUSTRY

The focus of this research was on investigating the various effects of the different mechanisms of corrosion present in the downstream sector of the petroleum sector of Malawi for the purpose of with the goal of improving the performance and reliability of equipment and infrastructure. The study was carried out with the specific objectives of: assessing the specific causes of corrosion in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry, identifying the different types of mechanisms of corrosion occurring in the industry as well as their effects and finally, the mitigation techniques currently being applied by the industry.
As for the research design, a mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection (Tegan, 2021). This approach allowed a comprehensive and more in-depth understanding of the research topic by combining the strengths of both quantitative and qualitative research. The quantitative methods involved were the collection of quantitative data on corrosion incidents of the past and their effects in the industry. The qualitative methods employed, on the other hand, were collecting non-numerical data which were interviewing the employees of NOCMA and Total as well as credible personnel and observations on the conditions of storage and transportation tankers. These methods provided rich and contextual insights into people's experiences, perspectives, and beliefs. In this research, interviews with industry experts and maintenance personnel were conducted to gather insight on corrosion causes and mechanisms on storage and transportation tanks in Malawi, their impacts, and suggestions for improvement.