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Determining the suitability of existing pipelines and producing facilities for wet sour service

Journal Article · · Mater. Performance; (United States)
OSTI ID:5875455

Existing pipelines and producing facilities originally built for sweet and/or dry service are sometimes considered for conversion into wet sour multiphase service. In such cases it is prudent to address the potential for sulfide stress cracking (SSC) and hydrogen-induced cracking (HIC) in the proposed new service. This article provides a methodology for determining if SSC and/or HIC occurrence should be anticipated. This is done by adding liquid, free water phase curves to the well-known graphs in NACE MR0175-84, ''Sulfide Stress Cracking Resistant Metallic Materials for Oilfield Equipment,'' delineating susceptible and nonsusceptible regions both for SSC and HIC. The article also deals with how to evaluate the HIC susceptibility of the existing facilities with a coupon testing program based on the test described in NACE TM0284-87, ''Test Method for Evaluation of Pipeline Steels for Resistance to Stepwise Cracking.''

Research Organization:
Arabian American Oil Co., Dhahran 31311 (SA)
OSTI ID:
5875455
Journal Information:
Mater. Performance; (United States), Journal Name: Mater. Performance; (United States) Vol. 28:6; ISSN MTPFB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English