Sulfide Stress Cracking of C-110 Steel in a Sour Environment

Abstract

The scope of this study includes modeling and experimental investigation of sulfide stress cracking (SSC) of high-strength carbon steel. A model has been developed to predict hydrogen permeation in steel for a given pressure and temperature condition. The model is validated with existing and new laboratory measurements. The experiments were performed using C-110 grade steel specimens. The specimens were aged in 2% (wt.) brine saturated with mixed gas containing CH4, CO2, and H2S. The concentration H2S was maintained constant (280 ppm) while varying the partial pressure ratio of CO2 (i.e., the ratio of partial pressure of CO2 to the total pressure) from 0 to 15%. The changes occurring in the mechanical properties of the specimens were evaluated after exposure to assess material embrittlement and SSC corrosion. Besides this, the cracks developed on the surface of the specimens were examined using an optical microscope. Results show that the hydrogen permeation, and subsequently SSC resistance, of C-110 grade steel were strongly influenced by the Partial Pressure Ratio (PPR) of CO2 when the PPR was between 0 and 5%. The PPR of CO2 had a limited impact on the SSC process when it was between 10 and 15 percent.