The validity of the American Petroleum Institute's Recommended Practic
e 14E (API-RP 14E) erosion velocity limit to restrict flow rates is ex
amined, and its conservatism is discussed. A C-factor of 450 is recomm
ended for use in seawater injection systems constructed from corrosion
-resistant alloys. In cases where corrosion can occur, such as in carb
on steel systems, the API-RP 14E recommendation seems unclear. For car
bon steel water injection systems, this report presents equations for
selecting allowable C-factors in terms of desired life and operating c
onditions such as oxygen level and temperature.