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Stress corrosion cracking susceptibility of duplex stainless steels in sour gas environments

  • Published:
Journal of Materials for Energy Systems

Abstract

The stress corrosion cracking (SCC) susceptibility of duplex stainless steel tubulars in oxidant-free NaCl/H2S solutions simulating downhole sour gas well environments has been evaluated. The alloys tested had compositions of 21 to 25 pet Cr, ∼5 pct Ni, and ∼3 pct Mo and included both annealed and cold reduced products.

The SCC tests were conducted in autoclaves pressured with H2S/CO2 and H2S /CO2/CH4 gas mixtures. Test specimens included a variety of statically loaded specimens (U-bends, C-rings, notched C-rings, tensiles, and precracked double cantilever beams) as well as dynamically strained specimens. SCC susceptibility increased with yield strength, comparing specimens stressed to their yield point.

In Cl−/H2S solutions free of oxidants, SCC initiated under anodic (pitting corrosion) rather than cathodic conditions, similar to a Cl−/H2S synergism promoting both pitting and active corrosion. SCC susceptibility was measured over the full range of test temperatures: 23 ‡C to 288 ‡C. The composition-temperature region of SCC immunity has been partially defined and is largely dependent upon minimizing the H2S partial pressure, NaCl content, and the acidity established by the CO2 partial pressure.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Shell Development Company, Houston, TX

    P. R. Rhodes & L. Abrego

  2. Shell Oil Company, USA

    G. A. Welch

Authors
  1. P. R. Rhodes
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  2. G. A. Welch
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  3. L. Abrego
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Rhodes, P.R., Welch, G.A. & Abrego, L. Stress corrosion cracking susceptibility of duplex stainless steels in sour gas environments. JMES 5, 3–18 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02833502

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