Experience with flexible pipe in sour service environment: A case study (the Arabian Gulf)

Conference · Tue Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1996

OSTI ID:423165

Al-Maslamani, M J

The suitability of a flexible pipe was evaluated on a trial basis for a lift gas line in a sour oil field in the State of Qatar, in the Arabian Gulf. Flexible pipes have been successfully used in the oil and gas industries for transportation of methanol, benzene and gas condensates in wet sweet environment at temperatures of up to 80 C. However, there is little or no information available as to its corrosion resistance in sour service wells containing 6% CO{sub 2} with 3% mole H{sub 2}S and at moderate temperatures. The present experience with a flexible pipe in the gas field of Qatar has shown that under sour service conditions, the layered, composite material can suffer severe degradation leading to failure. A detailed inspection and failure analysis of the flexible pipe forms the basis of this paper. The failure demonstrates the significant effects of stress level, environmental aggressiveness, and localized hard zones in promoting Sulfide Stress Cracking (SSC). Permeability of this sour gas through the composite layer of the flexible pipe resulted in varying degree of sulfide attack and hydrogen embrittlement depending on the susceptibility of the multi layered material.

• OSTI ID: 423165
• Report Number(s): CONF-960525--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
CARBON DIOXIDE
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
CORROSION
CORROSIVE EFFECTS
CRACKS
DATA
FAILURE MODE ANALYSIS
GAS LIFTS
HYDROGEN SULFIDES
LAYERS
MATERIALS TESTING
OIL FIELDS
POLYETHYLENES
QATAR
STAINLESS STEEL-316L