QP-STD-R-001-3 Material Selection-Sour Service

STANDARDS PUBLICATION
QP STANDARD FOR
MATERIAL SELECTION FOR SOUR SERVICE
DOC NO: QP-STD-R-001

(SUPPLEMENT TO NACE MR 0175/ISO 15156-1/2/3 & NACE MR0103)
REVISION 3
CORPORATE QUALITY & MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS DEPARTMENT

QP STANDARD FOR MATERIAL SELECTION FOR SOUR SERVICE
DOC. No. QP-STD-R-001 Rev. 3
TABLE OF CONTENT
Page
FOREWORD No.
1.0 INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………...................... 4
2.0 SCOPE………………………………………………………………....................... 4
3.0 APPLICATION ………………………………………………………..................... 5
4.0 TERMINOLOGY ……………………………………………………...................... 5
5.0 REFERENCE STANDARDS AND CODES ……………………….................... 8
6.0 CRACKING MECHANISM IN H2S CONTAINING ENVIRONMENT................ 12
7.0 FACTORS AFFECTING THE BEHAVIOUR OF METALLIC MATERIAL IN

H2S CONTAINING ENVIRONMENTS............................................................. 15
8.0 NACE/ISO CLASSIFICATION OF SOUR SERVICE LEVEL/SEVERITY....... 15
9.0 SIMPLIFIED APPROACH FOR SELECTION OF MATERIAL RESISTANT

TO SSC............................................................................................................ 16
10.0 MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR RESISTANCE TO HIC/SWC.................. 16
11.0 SSC/HIC RESISTANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR CARBON & LOW ALLOY

STEELS............................................................................................................ 17
12.0 REQUIREMENTS FOR STAINLESS STEEL ................................................. 20
13.0 REQUIREMENTS FOR NON-FERROUS MATERIALS.................................. 22
14.0 SPECIFIC REQUIREMENT FOR CARBON STEEL PRODUCT FORMS....... 23
15.0 INSPECTION AND TESTING REQUIREMENTS............................................ 31
16.0 QUALITY REQUIREMENTS............................................................................ 39
17.0 CERTIFICATION.............................................................................................. 39
18.0 IDENTIFICATION MARKING AND COLOUR CODING.................................. 41
19.0 APPENDICES.................................................................................................. 43
19.1 FIGURES.......................................................................................................... 43
19.2 APPENDIX – A : STAINLESS STEELS ACCEPTABLE FOR DIRECT
EXPOSURE TO SOUR ENVIRONMENTS...................................................... 47
19.3 APPENDIX – B : NONFERROUS MATERIALS ACCEPTABLE FOR
DIRECT EXPOSURE TO SOUR ENVIRONMENTS........................................ 48
19.4 APPENDIX – C : ACCEPTABLE CONDITIONS AND MAXIMUM
HARDNESS FOR NON-FERROUS MATERIALS EXPOSED TO SOUR
ENVIRONMENT……………………………………………………………………. 50
19.5 APPENDIX – D: MILL CERTIFICATE VERIFICATION CHECKLIST............... 55
REVISION HISTORY LOG............................................................................... 57
Doc. File No.: STD.R.001.R3 Page 2 of 57 Custodian Dept.: QA

FOREWORD
This standard has been revised by Corporate Quality & Management Systems Department,
in cooperation with Standard Working Group (4) - Task Force (5) for Material Selection
(WG4-TF5), reviewed by User Departments and endorsed by QP Management for use as
QP Standard.
This Revision 3, which is considered a Supplement to NACE MR 0175/ISO 15156 & NACE
MR 0103, will supersede Revision 2 with effect from the date of its endorsement by QP
Management.
This document is published for QP Departments/ Contractors/ Consultants utilization. It should

be emphasized that the document is to be used for QP operations wherever applicable and
appropriate.
The document in its present form reflects as far as possible the current QP requirements taking
into account the known available industry practices and the applicable latest national and
international codes and standards.
This document is subject to periodic review to re-affirm its adequacy and to conform to any
changes in the corporate requirements or to include new developments on its subject.
It is recognised that there will be cases where addenda, data sheets, or other clarifications
need to be attached to the standard to suit a specific application or service environment. As
such, the content of the document shall not be changed or re-edited by any user (QP or its
contractors, suppliers, agents, etc.), but any addenda or clarifications entailing major changes
shall be brought to the attention of the Custodian Department.
The custodian of this document is Corporate Quality and Management Systems Department
(QAP Division). Therefore, all technical comments, views, recommendations, etc, on this
document shall be forwarded to the same and copied to Manager, Corporate Quality &
Management Systems Department (QA).
Year 2014

1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 This Standard defines the corporate requirements for the selection of materials for
construction of facilities for wet sour service.
1.2 Materials specification and selection under sour environment are normally based on the
following three categories of sour services as defined in NACE MR0175/ISO 15156,
Parts 1, 2 & 3 and illustrated in Figure 1 under Appendices, in addition to the non-sour
service domain (Domain 0).
i. Domain 1 - Mild Sour Service
ii. Domain 2 - Intermediate Sour Service
iii. Domain 3 - Severe Sour Service
However, for the purpose of QP operations, materials for use in sour service shall comply
with the requirements of severe sour service (Domain 3, Clause 8.0) irrespective of its
domain, as clarified in Clause 9.0.
1.3 As per QP Philosophy detailed in Sub-clause 7.2 of QP Philosophy For Corrosion
Control and Mitigation(QP-PHL-L-001), all pipelines shall be designed for sour service
except where it can be confirmed that they shall be used for sweet service only.
1.4 Sour service as used throughout this document shall mean ‘wet sour service’.
1.5 Materials intended for utility service which are originally designed for non-sour service
may be used for sour service, provided that they comply with the requirements for severe
sour service.
1.6 Licensor(s) requirements shall be applicable if they are more stringent than the
requirements of NACE MR0175/ISO 15156 and this Standard.
2.0 SCOPE
This Standard specifies detailed QP requirements for various construction materials to
be used in wet sour services covering upstream and downstream oil and gas production
systems.
The document defines the requirements for the resistance of metals to damage that may
be caused by Sulphide Stress Cracking (SSC), Chloride Stress Corrosion Cracking
(SCC), Hydrogen Induced Cracking (HIC) and its related phenomena, Hydrogen
Blistering and Step Wise Cracking (SWC) and Stress Oriented Hydrogen Induced
Cracking (SOHIC) / Soft Zone Cracking (SZC).
The minimum QP requirements defined in this Standard shall apply in addition to the
requirements specified in NACE MR0175/ISO15156, Parts 1, 2 & 3 for upstream facilities
and those specified in NACE MR0103 and supplemented by SHELL DEP 30.10.02.17-
Gen for downstream facilities.
Materials qualified or selected using this Standard are designed to be resistant, but not
immune under all service conditions to Sulphide Stress Cracking (SCC), Hydrogen
Induced Cracking (HIC) and its possible development into Hydrogen Blistering and Step
Wise Cracking (SWC) in hydrogen sulphide-containing environments.
Materials selection for non-sour services are precluded from the more stringent
requirements specified in this Standard.

3.0 APPLICATION
This document shall be used by QP, QP subsidiaries and their contractors/vendors
engaged in materials procurement and construction activities for wet sour service
applications.
This Standard covers all materials of construction for equipment which is required to
handle fluids that are considered to constitute a wet sour service environment (i.e. which
contain a suitably high concentration of hydrogen sulphide and free water).
It is also applicable to all buried, insulated or shielded equipment and components such
as external bolting which are considered to be particularly vulnerable, in the event of
leakage, to be exposed to hydrogen sulphide.
This Standard shall be applicable to upstream and downstream production and
construction facilities.
4.0 TERMINOLOGY
4.1 DEFINITIONS
Brinell Hardness - A hardness value obtained by use of a 10 mm diameter
(HB) hardened steel (or carbide) ball and normally a load of
3,000 kg, according to ASTM E 10.
Carbon Equivalent - A parameter related to the chemical composition which
(CEIIW) describes the ease with which steel material can be
welded, normally calculated from the formula:
CEIIW = C+Mn/6+(Cr+Mo+V)/5+(Ni+Cu)/15
Chloride Stress - Failure by cracking under the combined action of tensile
Corrosion Cracking stress and corrosion in the presence of chlorides and
water.
Consultant - A party to a contract with the Company who is responsible
for providing design, engineering and other related
consultancy services under a contract
Contract - A written agreement between QP or QP subsidiaries and
another party under which such party performs works
and/or services in return for payment
Contractor - A party engaged by QP or QP subsidiaries to perform all
works and services specified in the Contract. A
Contractor may be responsible for the duties of both
Consultant and Contractor.
Criticality Rating - A ranking of the importance of an item to the overall safety,
performance and availability of a system or installation from
a risk assessment of the material and environment.
Downstream Facilities used in the refining, processing and distribution
facilities of petroleum products.
Free Machining - Steel to which elements such as sulphur, selenium or lead
Steel has been added to improve its machinability.
Manufacturer - A party responsible for the manufacture and assembly of
equipment or material to perform duties specified by the
Company.

Material Cracking - A parameter related to the chemical composition which

Parameter (PCM) describes the susceptibility of a steel to crack
propagation. It is to be calculated from the formula:
PCM =C+Si/30+(Mn+Cu+Cr)/20+Ni/60+Mo/15+V/10+5B
(as %)
Non-Sour - A service environment that is completely dry or wet with
Environment H2S partial pressure below the level (0.05 psia) expected
to cause sulphide stress corrosion cracking.
Partial Pressure - In a mixture of gases, the pressure that each component
of gas would exert if present alone at the same
temperature in the volume occupied by the mixture. It is
determined by multiplying the mole fraction of the
component (mole%/100) by the total gas pressure
Pressure Containing - Those parts whose loss of integrity under design
Parts conditions would result in a release of retained fluid to the
atmosphere e.g. vessel walls, valve bodies and bonnets.
QP Engineer - The appointed QP Discipline Specialist Representative
under the conditions of the Contract.
Recrystallization - The minimum temperature at which a new strain-free
Temperature structure is produced in cold-worked metal within a
specified time
Rockwell C - A hardness value obtained by use of cone-shaped
Hardness (HRC) diamond indenter and a load of 150 kg according to ASTM
E 18.
Shielded Equipment - Equipment that is encased or not directly exposed to the
atmosphere.
Sour Environment - Environment containing free water and an H2S partial
pressure of or exceeding 0.05psia (0.3kPa).
Unified Numbering - An alloy designation system widely accepted in North
System America.
Upstream Facilities - Facilities used in the exploration and production of oil &
gas.
Utility Service - Process/Service which can be changed from being sour
to non-sour, and vice versa.
Vendor/Supplier - A party responsible for the supply of equipment, materials
or products and related services in accordance with a
Purchase Order issued by QP or its nominees.
Vickers Hardness - A hardness value obtained by use of diamond pyramid
shaped indenter and a load of 10 kg according to ASTM
E 384.
Weld Metal - That portion of a weldment that has been molten during
welding.

4.2 ABBREVIATIONS
AWS - American Welding Society
BHN - Brinell Hardness Number
BOF - Basic Oxygen Furnace
CE - Carbon Equivalent
CLR - Crack Length Ratio
CRA - Corrosion Resistance Alloys
CSR - Crack Surface Ratio
CTR - Crack Thickness Ratio
DWTT - Drop Weight Tear Test
FCAW - Fluxed Cored Arc Welding
GMAW - Gas Metal Arc Welding
GTAW - Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
HAZ - Heat Affected Zone
HB - Hardness Brinell
HFIW - High Frequency Induction Welding
HIC - Hydrogen Induced Cracking
HRC - Hardness Rockwell Scale C
HRB - Hardness Rockwell Scale B
HV - Hardness Vickers
H2S - Hydrogen Sulphide
IIW - International Institute of Welding
ISO - International Organisation for Standardisation
LSAW - Longitudinal Submerged Arc-Welding
LTS - Low Temperature Service
MT - Magnetic Particle Testing
NDT - Non Destructive Testing
OCTG - Oil Country Tubular Goods
PCM - Material Cracking Parameter
PQR - Welding Procedure Qualification Record
PWHT - Post Weld Heat Treatment
PT - Liquid Penetrant Testing
QP - Qatar Petroleum
QP PVL - QP Preferred Vendor List

RT - Radiographic Testing
SAE - Society of Automotive Engineers
SAW - Sub-merged Arc Welding
SMYS - Specified Minimum Yield Strength
SOHIC - Stress Oriented Hydrogen Sulphide
SSC - Sulphide Stress Cracking
SWC - Step Wise Cracking
SZC - Soft Zone Cracking
UNS - Unified Numbering System
UT - Ultrasonic Testing
WPS - Welding Procedure Specification
WQTR - Welding Qualification Test Record
WPQR - Welding Procedure Qualification Report
5.0 REFERENCE STANDARDS AND CODES

The most recent edition of the following referenced Standards and Codes shall apply.
5.1 QP STANDARDS
QP-GDL-R-007 QP Guideline for Material Selection (Special Applications-Non
Sour Service)
QP-PHL-L-001 QP Philosophy for Corrosion Control and Mitigation
QP-STD-Q-004 Corporate Standard for Quality Requirements for Projects
QP-STD-R-002 QP Standard for Fabrication, Inspection and Installation of
Carbon, Carbon-Manganese and Low-Alloy Ferritic Steel
Process Pipe work
QP-STD-R-003 QP Standard for Fabrication, Inspection and Installation of
Austenitic and 25% Chromium Super Duplex Stainless Steel,
Copper Based and Nickel Based Alloy Process Pipe Work.
QP-STD-R-006 Corporate Standard for Welding of Onshore Transmission
Pipelines
QP-STD-R-008-1 QP Standard for Non Destructive Testing
Part 1: Contractor/Subcontractor Management System &
Personnel Certification
Part 2: Radiographic Testing
Part 3: Ultrasonic Testing
QP-SPC-L-002 QP Specification for Painting & Wrapping of Metal Surfaces
(New Construction & Maintenance)

5.2 EUROPEAN FEDERATION OF CORROSION

Publication EFP Guidelines on Material Requirements for Carbon and Low
No.16 &17 Alloy Steels for H2S Containing Environments in Oil and Gas
Production
EEMUA 179 A Working Guide for Carbon Steel Equipment in Wet H2S
Service
5.3 SHELL DEP
DEP 30.10.02.15 Materials for Sour Service Use
DEP30.10.02.17-Gen Wet H2S Requirements for Downstream Pressure Vessel
and Piping
DEP 30.10.60.18 Welding of Metals
5.4 BRITISH STANDARDS
BS 5383 Specification for Material Identification of Steel, Nickel Alloy
and Titanium Alloy Tubes by Continuous Character Marking
and Colour Coding of Steel Tubes
BS EN 10204 Metallic Product Type of Inspection Documents
5.5 AMERICAN STANDARDS
NACE MR 0103 Materials Resistant to Sulphide Stress Cracking in Corrosive
Petroleum Refining Environments
NACE MR 0175/ISO Petroleum and Natural Gas Industries – Materials for Use
in H2S Containing Environments in Oil & Gas Production,
15156 – 1, 2, 3 Part-1: General Principles for Selection of Cracking-
Resistant Material
Part-2: Cracking–Resistant Carbon and Low Alloy Steels,
and the Use of Cast Irons
Part-3: Cracking–Resistant CRAs (Corrosion-Resistant
Alloys) and Other Alloys
NACE TM 0177 Laboratory Testing of Metals for Resistance to Sulphide
Stress Cracking and Stress Corrosion Cracking in H2S
Environments
NACE TM 0284 Test Method for Evaluation of Pipeline and Pressure Vessel
Steels for Resistance to Hydrogen-Induced Cracking
NACE RP 0296 Guidelines for Detection, Repair and Mitigation of Cracking
Existing Petroleum Refinery Pressure Vessels in H2S
Environment
NACE SP 0472 Methods and Controls to Prevent In-Service Environmental
Cracking of Carbon Steel Weldment in Corrosive Petroleum
Refining Environments
API Specification 5CT Specification for Casing and Tubing
API Specification 5D Specification for Drill Pipe
API Specification 5L Specification for Line pipe

API Specification 5LC Specification for CRA Line Pipe

API Specification 5LD Specification for CRA Clad or Lined Steel Line Pipe
API Specification 6D Specification for Pipeline Valves (Gate, Plug, Ball and Check
Valves)
API RP 5L3 Recommended Practice for Drop Weight Tear Tests on Line
Pipe
API RP 571 Damage Mechanisms Affecting Fixed Equipment in the
Refinery Industry
API RP 582 Welding Guidelines for Chemical Oil & Gas Industry
API 620 Design and Construction of Large, Welded, Low-Pressure
Storage Tanks
API 650 Welded Tanks for Oil Storage
ASME B31.3 Process Piping
ASME B31.4 Pipeline Transportation Systems for Liquid Hydrocarbons
and other Liquids
ASME B31.8 Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems
ASTM A53/A53M Standard Specification for Pipe, Steel, Black and Hot-
Dipped, Zinc-Coated, Welded and Seamless
ASTM A105/A105M Standard Specification for Carbon Steel Forgings for Piping
Application
ASTM A106/A106M Standard Specification for Seamless Carbon Steel Pipe for
High Temperature Service
ASTM A193/A193M Standard Specification for Alloy Steel and Stainless Steel
Bolting Material for High Temperatures
ASTM A194/A194M Standard Specification for Carbon and Alloy Steel Nuts for
Bolts for High Pressure and High Temperature Service, or
Both
ASTM A216/A216M Standard Specification for Steel Castings, Carbon, Suitable
for Fusion Welding, for High Temperature Service
ASTM A234/A234M Standard Specification for Pipe Fittings of Wrought Carbon
Steel and Alloy Steel for Moderate and High Temperature
Service
ASTM A278/A278M Standard Specification for Gray Iron Castings for Pressure-
Containing Parts for Temperatures Up to 650°F (350°C)
ASTM A320/A320M Standard Specification for Alloy/Steel Bolting Materials for
Low Temperature Service
ASTM A333/A333M Standard Specification for Seamless and Welded Steel Pipe
for Low Temperature Service with Required Notch
Toughness

ASTM A350/A350M Standard Specifications for Carbon and Low-Alloy Steel

Forgings Requiring Notch Toughness Testing for Piping
Components
ASTM A351/A351M Standard Specification for Castings, Austenitic, Austenitic-
Ferritic (Duplex), Pressure Containing Parts
ASTM A352/A352M Standard Specification for Steel Castings, Ferritic and
Martensitic, for Pressure Containing Parts Suitable for Low
Temperature Service
ASTM A370 Standard Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical
Testing of Steel Products
ASTM A395/A395M Standard Specification for Ferritic Ductile Iron Pressure-
Retaining Castings for Use at Elevated Temperatures
ASTM A420/A420M Standard Specification for Piping Fittings of Wrought Carbon
Steel and Alloy Steel for Low-Temperature Service
ASTM A487/A487M Standard Specification for Steel Castings Suitable for
Pressure Service
ASTM A494/A494M Standard Specification for Castings, Nickel and Nickel Alloy
ASTM A516/A516M Standard Specification for Pressure Vessel Plates, Carbon
Steel, for Moderate and Lower Temperature Service
ASTM A537/A537M Standard Specification for Pressure Vessel Plates, Heat
Treated, Carbon-Manganese Silicon Steel
ASTM A578/A578M Standard Specification for Straight-Beam Ultrasonic
Examination of Rolled Steel Plates for Special Applications
ASTM A743/A743M Standard Specification for Castings, Iron-Chromium, Iron-
Chromium-Nickel, Corrosion Resistant, for General
Application
ASTM A744/A744M Standard Specification for Castings, Iron-Chromium-Nickel,
Corrosion Resistant, for Severe Service
ASTM A860/A860M Standard Specification for Wrought High-Strength Ferritic
Steel Butt-Welding Fittings
ASTM E10 Standard Test Method for Brinell Hardness of Metallic
Materials
ASTM E18 Standard Test Methods for Rockwell Hardness of Metallic
Materials
ASTM E23 Standard Test Methods for Notched Bar Impact Testing of
Metallic Materials
ASTM E112 Standard Test Method for Determining Average Grain Size
ASTM E384 Standard Test Method for Knoop and Vickers Hardness of
Materials
ASTM G39 Standard Practice For Preparation & Use of Bent Beam
Stress Corrosion Test Specimen

SAE AMS 4779 Nickel Alloy, Brazing Filler Metal 94Ni-3.5Si – 1.8 B 1800 to
1950° F (982 to 1066°C) Solid-Liquid Range
SAE AMS 2430 Shot Peening Automatic
AWS A5.13 Specification for Surfacing Electrodes for Shielded Metal Arc
Welding
5.6 ISO STANDARDS
ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems Requirements
ISO 15156/ Petroleum and Natural Gas Industries – Materials for Use in
NACE MR0175 H2S-Containing Environments in Oil & Gas Production
Part -1 General Principles for Selection of Cracking-Resistant
Material
Part -2 Cracking–Resistant Carbon and Low Alloy Steels and the
Use of Cast Irons
Part -3 Cracking–Resistant CRAs (Corrosion-Resistant Alloys) and
Other Alloys
ISO 21457 Materials Selection and Corrosion Control for Oil & Gas
Production Systems
In the event of conflict between this document and the standards / codes referenced
herein or other purchase or contractual requirements, the most stringent requirement
shall apply unless otherwise specified.
6.0 CRACKING MECHANISM IN H2S CONTAINING ENVIRONMENT
Cracking of equipment exposed to wet hydrogen sulphide can be classified into the
following categories.
6.1 SULPHIDE STRESS CRACKING (SSC)
SSC is a form of cracking which occurs when atomic hydrogen diffuses into the metallic
matrix from a corrosion reaction at the metal surface and remains in solid solution,
primarily at internal defects such as dislocation sites in the crystal structure. By so doing,
they lock such features as glide planes in the structure and thereby reduce the ductility
and deformability of the metal. The phenomenon is otherwise known as hydrogen
embrittlement and the primary role played by the hydrogen sulphide in promoting its
occurrence is to react with the metal surfaces to form iron sulphide, which is adsorbed
on the sites at which the otherwise thermodynamically favoured cathodic desorption of
atomic hydrogen from the surfaces in the form of hydrogen molecules would occur. With
these sites effectively poisoned for hydrogen activity, a much larger percentage of the
atomic hydrogen formed on the surfaces will enter and diffuse through the metallic
structure. Under tensile stress, whether applied or residual from cold forming or welding,
etc., this embrittled metal cracks more readily and gives rise to sulphide stress cracks.
The cracking process can be very rapid and has been known to take as little as a few
hours for a crack to form and cause catastrophic failure, although in other cases it may
take many years for the phenomenon to manifest itself.
The tendency for SSC to occur is increased by the presence of hard microstructures
such as untempered or partly tempered low temperature transformation products
(martensite and bainite), which are less ductile in themselves. These microstructures

may be inherently present in high strength alloy steels or may be caused by inadequate
or incorrect heat treatment. Hard microstructures may also arise in welds and particularly
in low heat input welds in the heat affected zones. The main method used to prevent
such cracking is to control material hardness or yield strength and, in some cases, stress
level by post-fabrication heat treatment.
6.2 CHLORIDE STRESS CORROSION CRACKING (SCC)
This is a form of cracking which commonly occurs in otherwise passive materials (such
as stainless steel and certain other corrosion resistant alloys) when they are subject to
applied and/or residual tensile stresses in chloride-containing solutions. Chloride stress
corrosion cracking is otherwise known as “active path SCC”, because it is caused by
intense localized corrosion of the material, generally along grain boundaries but
sometimes also across grains, by the chloride-containing process environment, generally
at elevated temperatures. A classical example of this is the SCC of austenitic stainless
steels in aerated chloride-containing solutions. The presence of H2S exacerbates the
occurrence of this form of damage and it can also occur in de-aerated brines when
sulphides are present.
The main method used to prevent such cracking is to select a material that is resistant
to SCC under the service conditions, with particular attention to the chloride
concentration, pH and maximum temperature of the process stream.
6.3 HYDROGEN INDUCED CRACKING (HIC)
When atomic hydrogen diffuses into the metallic structure, as described for SSC, if the
material contains large quantities of inclusions, particularly elongated manganese
sulphide inclusions, or other major microstructural defects, these will be high surface
energy sites at which the atomic hydrogen ions will adsorb and subsequently combine
to form hydrogen molecules within the metal. The continual formation of gaseous
hydrogen molecules at these inclusion and defect interfaces will result in the build up of
excessive internal gas pressure within the metal that will locally rupture the crystal
structure and give rise to the formation of voids, which will become the sites for further
gaseous hydrogen formation. This phase is known as the crack initiation phase. The
voids so formed will extend under the influence of further molecular hydrogen formation
and propagate along weaker planes and features within the metallurgical structure to
form cracks, which often link up with other propagating voids to form extended cracks.
This is known as the crack propagation phase and it results in various forms of internal
cracking, or blistering if the cracked area swells under the influence of the internal
gaseous hydrogen pressure. Damage can be manifested in various forms, depending
upon the type and location of the inclusions and defects that are present and the stress
pattern in the material. These forms include blistering, stepwise cracking (SWC) and
stress oriented hydrogen induced cracking (SOHIC).
This form of hydrogen damage generally takes many years to manifest and it is
commonly referred to as delayed hydrogen cracking, although in severe cases it can
cause failure within a relatively short period of time. The main method used to prevent
such cracking is to select materials that have a clean, uniformly fine grained
microstructure and are as free from inclusions, particularly elongated inclusions, and
internal stress raisers, such as dissolved gases, as possible. The presence of sulphur
and excessive carbon are seen as the primary contributors to this form of hydrogen
damage, so limitations are placed on their concentrations, whilst calcium additions are
required for rolled products to control the shape of any inclusions.

6.3.1 Stepwise Cracking (SWC)

As explained above, SWC is a form of hydrogen induced cracking. It can be manifested
in the form of surface blistering and/or cracking which is orientated parallel to the rolling
direction of the steel plate. This form of damage may arise without any externally applied
or residual stress within the metal itself. As more hydrogen enters the voids created by
hydrogen gas formation within the metal, the pressure rises and blisters may become
visible at the surface if the gas pressure deforms the surrounding metal. If the highly
strained metal around the voids causes them to propagate as cracks and link up with
adjacent cracks, SWC results. The arrays of cracks formed by SWC have a characteristic
step-like appearance.
As explained, the most favourable sites for such hydrogen gas formation to occur are
elongated inclusions or segregated bands of microstructure that are typically found in
rolled products. Whilst small individual blisters or hydrogen induced cracks are unlikely
to affect the overall structural strength and integrity of the material and component, their
presence is an indication of an ongoing internal cracking problem, which may continue
to develop unless the causative factors can be stopped or controlled. At the stage when
the individual cracks link up to form SWC damage, they are likely to have a seriously
effect on the strength and integrity of the material and component. Whilst failures due to
blistering and SWC can occur within a short period of time, their occurrence and
development generally occurs over a long period of time and their progress can, in less
critical situations, be monitored by suitable NDE. The methods used to prevent HIC are
designed to prevent this form of damage.
6.3.2 Stress Orientated Hydrogen Induced Cracking (SOHIC)/Soft Zone Cracking (SZC)
These forms of damage are related to both SSC and HIC. With SOHIC, small staggered
cracks are formed approximately perpendicular to the principal stress (applied or
residual) resulting in a “ladder-like” crack array. This form of cracking can be categorised
as SSC caused by a combination of external stress and local straining around hydrogen
induced cracks. It is generally encountered at welds but has also been observed in the
parent material of longitudinally welded pipe.
SZC is the name given to this form of damage when it occurs specifically in softened
heat affected zone (HAZ) of welds in rolled plate steels. The strain in the softened HAZ
may approach or even exceed the yield strain under the influence of stress (both applied
and residual).
The main method used to prevent SOHIC, in addition to the material control measures
used to prevent HIC and SSC, is to reduce internal stresses by heat treatment. New
generations of line pipe steel which are considered to be resistant to HIC and/or SSC
have been found to suffer from SOHIC in certain environments. In these circumstances,
the hydrogen concentration within the metal structure is not sufficient to cause
conventional HIC, but adequate to cause a combination of HIC/SSC in presence of large
external stresses, particularly when there is a soft zone at welds, hence the occurrence
of SOHIC and SZC.

7.0 FACTORS AFFECTING THE BEHAVIOUR OF METALLIC MATERIAL IN

H2S CONTAINING ENVIRONMENTS
7.1 GENERAL
The behaviour of metallic materials in wet H2S containing environments is governed by
complex interactions between the following parameters:
a) Chemical composition, strength, heat treatment and microstructure of the material.
b) Hydrogen sulphide partial pressure or equivalent dissolved concentration in the water
phase.
c) Acidity (pH) of water phase.
d) CO2 Partial Pressure.
e) Exposure temperature.
f) Total tensile stress (applied plus residual).
g) Exposure time.
h) Method of manufacture.
i) Hardness of materials.
j) Grain size.
k) Chloride ion concentration in water phase.
l) Presence of sulphur or other oxidants.
The relative resistance of metallic materials in H2S containing environments will depend on
the level of control that can be exercised over these parameters relative to their limits for
sour service.
7.2 For refinery applications, where, in addition to wet H2S, detrimental agents such as
cyanides and ammonium salts are likely to be present, different severities of wet sour
service are defined, and the following information shall be supplied by the Process Engineer
for material selection:
a) Design and operating pressure, temperature and other process parameters.
b) Partial pressure of H2S.
c) Presence and concentration in the gaseous and aqueous phases of other detrimental
contaminants, such as cathodic poisons (e.g. cyanides at greater than 20% ppmw and
ammonia), acid salts (e.g. NH4HS in concentrations greater than 2 wt%), chlorides,
acids and oxygen that could increase the severity of any H2S damage.
d) pH of the aqueous phase.
e) Dew point temperature of gas streams that normally operate above the dew point.
f) Details of any upset or other operating conditions that could increase the risk of H2S
and other material damage.
g) Details of any corrosion inhibitors used.
7.3 For all downstream equipment including refinery applications, the additional requirements
of NACE MR0103 and supplementary requirements of SHELL DEP 30.10.02.17-Gen shall
be complied with.
8.0 NACE/ISO CLASSIFICATION OF SOUR SERVICE LEVEL/SEVERITY
The severity of an environment with respect to sulphide stress cracking of carbon and low
alloy steel is classified into sour service domains based upon the H2S partial pressure and

pH value of the aqueous phase by NACE MR 0175/ISO 15156, as illustrated in Fig. 1,

Clause 19.1 under Appendices. Four severity levels or domains are specified as follows:
a) Domain 0 → Sweet Service
b) Domain 1 → Mild Sour Service
c) Domain 2 → Intermediate Sour service
d) Domain 3 → Severe Sour Service
9.0 SIMPLIFIED APPROACH FOR SELECTION OF MATERIAL RESISTANT
TO SSC
a) All materials which have not been qualified for sour service can be used in Domain 0
(Sweet Service) without any sour service material requirements.
b) For Sour Service Domains 1, 2 and 3, i.e. when the partial pressure of hydrogen
sulphide gas is equal to or greater than 0.05psi (0.3kPa), materials and components
shall be selected and qualified in accordance with the requirements of and
procedures for the severe sour service conditions of Domain 3, as defined in this
Standard, for the full aqueous pH range and all H2S partial pressures.
c) It is QP philosophy to use materials in sour service, irrespective of Domain, as those
suitable for Domain 3, as stated in Clause 1.2.
d) Material selection and qualification for Domain 3 shall be based upon NACE MR
0175/ISO 15156 (all parts) plus the supplementary requirements specified in Clause
11.0 below for carbon and low alloy steels, Clause 12.0 below for stainless steels
and Clause 13.0 below for non-ferrous materials.
e) Documented field experience of similar sour service applications may also be used
as a basis for material selection for a specific sour-service application.
10.0 MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR RESISTANCE TO HIC/SWC
In addition to their resistance to SSC, materials for use in sour service also require to
have demonstrated resistance to HIC/SWC, particularly plate and pipe and fittings
manufactured from plate. The following requirements for material selection shall
therefore also apply.
a) The probability of HIC/SWC is influenced by steel chemistry and manufacturing
process, with the sulphur content being of particular importance.
b) The limiting sulphur content for flat rolled and seamless products shall be 0.003% and
0.01% respectively.
c) Conventional forgings with less than 0.025% sulphur and castings are not considered
sensitive to this form of attack.
d) The maximum allowable sulphur and carbon contents specified in Table 2 below for
various product forms shall be complied with to reduce the risk of hydrogen induced
cracking.
e) Where there is a concern about the HIC resistance of a component for sour service
based upon either component type, its chemical composition or its manufacturing
history, an HIC/SWC resistance test shall be performed on the steel heat under
consideration in accordance with NACE TM 0284 using test solution A for 96 hours.
f) Contamination of a system with rust, sulphur or oxygen can contribute to this attack.

Table 2: Maximum Allowable Carbon and Sulphur Content for HIC Resistance
PRODUCT TYPE % Carbon (max) % Sulphur (max)
Plates 0.16 0.003

Seamless Line Pipes & Fittings 0.16 0.010
Welded Line Pipes & Fittings 0.16 0.003
Seamless Process Piping 0.23 0.010
Welded Process Piping 0.23 0.010
Forgings (Fittings/Flanges/Valves) 0.23-0.25 0.025
Weldments (Fittings/Valves) 0.23 0.010
Castings (Fittings/Flanges/Valves) 0.25 0.025
11.0 SSC/HIC RESISTANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR CARBON & LOW ALLOY

STEELS
11.1 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
a) Steel material to be used for wet sour service plate, pipe and fitting manufacture,
shall be produced by the Basic Oxygen Furnace or Electric Arc Furnace Process.
b) The steel shall be fully killed by purging with argon, and subsequently adding silicon
and/or aluminium to absorb residual gases and calcium for inclusion shape control.
c) The steel material shall be vacuum degassed and continuously cast into slabs for
plate and line pipe production.
d) The plate steel materials for welded vessels and line pipes susceptible to SSC/HIC
shall be of fine austenitic grain size (7 or finer) in line with ASTM E 112.
e) Carbon and low alloy steel products and components that comply with the
requirements of NACE MR0175/ISO 15156-1 & 2 and those tests specified in Clause
14.0 for the various product forms are considered to be qualified for H2S sour service
with respect to SSC and/or HIC.
11.1.1 Parent Metal Composition, Heat Treatment and Hardness
Carbon and low alloy steels materials and components are acceptable at a hardness
of up to 220 HV maximum, provided that they meet the following requirements:
a) Contain less than 1% nickel
b) Are not free machining grades.
c) Are used in one of the following heat treated conditions:-
 Hot rolled (for carbon steel only)
 Annealed;
 Normalized;
 Normalized and tempered;
 Normalized, austenitized, quenched and tempered;
 Austenitized, quenched and tempered;
Exceptions to above are:
i) Forgings to ASTM A105 which are acceptable up to a hardness of 195 HV maximum
(187 HB or 91 HRB).

ii)Wrought pipe fittings to ASTM A234 grades WPB and WPC, which are acceptable up
to a hardness of 206 HV maximum (197 HB or 93 HRB). A cold work restriction as per
NACE MR0175/ISO 15156-2 also applies.
11.1.2 Welding
a) Welding and repair by welding shall be carried out in accordance with appropriate
design and fabrication Codes and Standards. All welding repair shall require QP
approval.
b) Welding Procedure Specification (WPS) and Procedure Qualification Record (PQR)
shall comply with the requirement of Clause 5.5 of EEMUA 179 and Clause 12.6 of API
RP 582 in addition to the equipment or piping design and fabrication Codes and
Standards, and be approved by QP prior to the commencement of welding.
c) Hardness testing of the PQR weldment shall be normally carried out using Vickers
hardness testing machine as per ASTM E384 using 10 kg load.
d) Production welding should strictly adhere to the conditions of qualified welding
procedure plus Clause 5.6 of EEMUA 179 and Clause 12.6 of API RP 582, but with a
maximum permitted hardness of 248 HV 10.
e) Use of any proposed welding methods other than those qualified shall require QP
approval.
f) Welding consumables and procedures which may produce a deposit containing more
than 1% nickel, shall not be used.
g) NDE requirements for welds shall be set by the equipment or piping Specification and
design and fabrication Codes and Standards but they shall be subject to
comprehensive hardness testing of the external, and where accessible the internal,
weld surfaces. The surface hardness of the production welds shall not exceed 248 HV
10.
h) Low-alloy steel and martensitic stainless steel weldments shall be stress-relieved at a
minimum temperature of 620C (1150F) after welding. The weld surface hardness
after stress relief shall not exceed 208 HV (200 HB or 93 HRB).
i) Carbon steel welds shall only be post-weld heat treated when this is required by the
equipment or piping Specification and referenced Codes and Standards.
11.1.3 Surface Treatment, Overlay, Plating, Coating and Lining
a) Metallic coatings (electroplated and electroless), conversion coatings, plastic coatings
and linings and CRA cladding or weld overlays are not acceptable for preventing SSC
of base metals. These coatings shall be provided for various other reasons over
NACE/ISO Sour Service compliant base metals.
b) When smaller plated/coated components are required, Electroless Nickel Plating
(ENP) with minimum coating thickness of 75m is a QP approved coating system
and practice for corrosion and wear resistance for new components (e.g. for
fastener components and for application over balls in ball valves). ENP shall be high
phosphorus ENP; phosphorus shall be above 10% as per ASTM B 733. ENP shall
pass the salt spray test as per ASTM B 117-11.
c) Poly-tetra-fluoro-ethylene (PTFE) and hot dip galvanized coatings but not Zinc
coating may also be considered for the corrosion protection of new fastener
components in sour service but a corrosion inhibited grease, such as Ilex OT and
MolyCote, shall be required for the maintenance coating of these components,
preferably in conjunction with fitted plastic caps.

QP does not accept chromium and cadmium plating in sour service.

Application of these plated coatings shall be restricted to external service
applications in which the material does not come into contact with sour fluid.
d) Overlays applied by thermal process such as welding, silver brazing or spray metalizing
system are acceptable when they comply with one of the following requirements:
i) The heat treatment condition of the substrate is unchanged i.e., it does not
exceed its lower critical temperature during the application of the overlay.
ii) The maximum hardness and final heat-treated condition of base metal substrate
conforms to the sour service hardness limit.
e) The materials listed in NACE MR0175/ISO 15156 (all parts) are acceptable as weld
overlays provided they meet the relevant requirements of Sub-clause 11.1.2.
Other acceptable overlays include:
i) Tungsten carbide alloys.
ii) Ceramics.
iii) Cobalt - chromium - tungsten alloy to AWS A5.13.
iv) Nickel - boron - hard facing alloy to SAE AMS 4779.
v) Nickel - chromium - boron alloys to AWS A5.13.
vi) Joining of dissimilar metals, such as cemented carbides to steel by silver brazing
is acceptable provided the base metal meets the requirements of Sub-clause
11.1.1.
vii) Nitriding with a maximum case depth of 0.15 mm (0.006 in.) is an acceptable
treatment when conducted at a temperature below the lower critical temperature
of the base metal.
11.1.4 Cold Deformation and Thermal Stress Relief
Metal shall be thermally stress relieved following any cold deformation by rolling, cold
forging or another manufacturing process that results in a permanent outer fibre
deformation greater than 5%.
a) Thermal stress relief shall be performed in accordance with an appropriate Code or
Standard. The minimum stress relief temperature shall be 595C(1150F). The final
hardness value shall not exceed 248 HV (234 HB or 22 HRC), except for ASTM A234
grades WPB &WPC pipe fittings, which shall not exceed 208 HV (200HB or 93 HRB).
i) This requirement does not apply to cold work imparted by pressure testing according
to an applicable Code or Standard.
ii) Testing in accordance with NACE TM 0284 and NACE TM0177 for HIC and SSC
respectively may be used to justify other cold deformation limit.
b) Cold rotary straightened pipe is acceptable only where permitted in the appropriate ISO
or API Specification.
c) Cold worked carbon steel line pipe fittings to ASTM A53 Grade B, ASTM A106 Grade B,
API Specification 5L Grade X-42 or lower strength grades with similar chemical
composition are acceptable with cold strain equivalent to 15% or less, provided the
hardness in the strained area does not exceed 196 HV (190 HB or 91 HRB).
11.1.5 Threading
a) Machine-cut threading processes are acceptable.
b) Cold-formed (rolled) threads are acceptable provided that they comply with the above
heat treatment and hardness requirements.

11.1.6 Cold Deformation of Surfaces

a) Cold deformation of surfaces by processes such as burnishing, which do not impart cold
work exceeding that attributable to normal machining operations, such as turning or
boring, rolling, threading, drilling, etc, are acceptable.
b) Cold deformation by controlled shot peening is permitted when applied to base
materials which meet the requirement of this standard and when limited to the use of
a maximum shot size of 2.0 mm (0.08 in) and a max. of 10 C Almen Intensity. The
process shall be controlled in accordance with SAE AMS 2430.
12.0 REQUIREMENTS FOR STAINLESS STEEL
Stainless steel materials for use in severe sour service shall comply with the requirement
of NACE MR0175/ISO 15156-1 and 3.
The chemical composition of the various grades of stainless steel to be used for sour
service shall comply with the requirements of NACE MR0175/ISO 15156–3, Tables D.1,
D.2, D.5, D.6, D.7 and D.8.
Stainless steel materials that are considered acceptable for direct exposure to sour
environments are listed in Appendix A Other grades require to be qualified by SSC testing.
The restrictions on the use of austenitic stainless steels, and on non-ferrous metals, with
H2S partial pressure, chloride concentration and temperature for different applications shall
be as stated in ISO NACE MR0175/15156-3 Tables A.2 – A.42.
12.1 AUSTENITIC STAINLESS STEELS
12.1.1 Stainless steels listed in Appendix A, either in cast or wrought form, in the solution annealed
condition up to a maximum hardness of 248 HV (234 HB or 22 HRC) are acceptable,
provided they are free of cold work designed to enhance their mechanical properties.
Specific requirements for, and limitations on the use of, other commonly encountered highly
alloyed grades of austenitic stainless steel are given below.
12.1.2 Austenitic stainless steel UNS S20910 in the annealed or hot-rolled (hot / cold worked)
condition up a maximum hardness of 345 HV (327 HB or 35 HRC) is acceptable, provided
it is free of subsequent cold work designed to enhance its mechanical properties.
12.1.3 Austenitic stainless steel UNS N08020 in the annealed or cold-worked condition up to a
maximum hardness of 318 HV (300 HB or 32 HRC) is acceptable.
12.1.4 Wrought austenitic stainless steel UNS S31254 in the annealed or cold worked condition
up to a maximum hardness of 345 HV (327 HB or 35 HRC) is acceptable.
12.1.5 Austenitic stainless steel UNS N08367 in the solution-annealed and cold-worked condition
up to a maximum hardness of 345 HV (327 HB or 35 HRC) is acceptable for use in sour
environments free from elemental sulphur and with a salinity of less than 5,000 mg/l and
an H2S partial pressure not exceeding 310 kPa (45 psi) at temperatures up to 150°C (302°
F).
12.1.6 Wrought UNS S32200 in the annealed or annealed and cold-worked condition up to a
maximum hardness of 336 HV (319 HB or 34 HRC) is acceptable for use in sour
environments free from elemental sulphur with an H2S partial pressure below 100 kPa (14.6
psi or 1 bar) at temperatures up to 170° C (338° F).
12.1.7 Wrought stainless steel UNS N08926 in the annealed or cold-worked condition up to a
hardness of 345 HV (327 HB or 35 HRC) is acceptable for use in sour environments
containing up to 100ppm H2S, 200ppm CO2 and 10% NaCl at temperatures up to 121° C
(250° F), as specified by NACE.

12.1.8 Cast UNS J93254 (CK-3MCuN) to ASTM A351, A743, or A744 in the solution heat-treated
condition up to a maximum hardness of 105 HV (100 HB or 56 HRB) requires QP approval
for sour service even in the absence of elemental sulphur.
12.2 FERRITIC STAINLESS STEELS
Ferritic stainless steels in the annealed condition up to a maximum hardness of 248 HV
(234 HB or 22 HRC) are acceptable, provided that they also meet the criteria specified in
Sub-clauses 11.1.3 - 11.1.6 for overlay welding, identification stamping, threading and
cold deformation processes. Acceptable commonly encountered ferritic stainless steels
are listed in Appendix A.
12.3 DUPLEX STAINLESS STEELS
The use of duplex stainless steels (22%Cr) and super duplex stainless steel (25%Cr) for
sour service is subject to approval by QP. However, fabrication, welding, inspection and
testing of duplex and superduplex stainless steel materials and equipment shall meet the
requirments stated in QP-STD-R-003.
12.4 MARTENSITIC STAINLESS STEELS
a) Commonly encountered martensitic stainless steels listed in Appendix A, either cast
or wrought form up to a maximum hardness of 248 HV (234 HB or 22 HRC), are
acceptable provided that they are double temper heat treated in accordance with
Clause 12.4.1. Martensitic stainless steels meeting this specification have provided
satisfactory field service in some sour environments, but they may exhibit threshold
stress levels in the NACE TM0177 SSC test lower than those for other materials
specified for in this Standard.
b) Valve stems and other highly stressed valve components should not be specified in
these materials for sour service applications.
12.4.1 Double Temper Heat Treatment Procedure for Martensitic Stainless Steels
I. Normalize or austentize and quench.
II. Temper at 620°C (1150°F) minimum; then cool to ambient temperature.
III. Temper at 620°C (1150°F) minimum, but lower than the first tempering temperature;
then cool to ambient temperature.
12.4.2 After cold deformation (see Sub-clause 11.1.4) the material shall be furnace stress
relieved at 620 °C (1150° F) minimum to produce a hardness of below 248 HV (234 HB
or 22 HRC).
12.4.3 Martensitic stainless steel weldments shall be stress relieved at a minimum
temperature of 620°C (1150°F) after welding. The weld surface hardness after stress relief
shall not exceed 208 HV (200 HB or 93 HRB).
12.5 LOW-CARBON MARTENSITIC STAINLESS STEELS
12.5.1 Cast and wrought low-carbon martensitic stainless steels meeting the chemistry
requirements of ASTM A487 Grade CA6NM and UNS S42400 are acceptable up to a
maximum hardness of 23 HRC (or 255 HB, which has been empirically determined as
its equivalent for these alloys), provided they are double temper heat treated in
accordance with Sub-clause 12.5.2.
12.5.2 Double Temper Heat Treatment Procedure for Low-Carbon Martensitic Stainless
Steels
a) Austenitize at 1010°C (1850°F) minimum and air - quench to ambient temperature.

b) Temper at 648°C to 690°C (1200° to 1275°F) and air cool to ambient temperature.
c) Temper at 593°C to 620°C (1100° to 1150° F) and air cool to ambient temperature.
12.6 PRECIPITATION-HARDENED STAINLESS STEELS
These materials may be subjected to chloride stress corrosion cracking in certain
environments.
12.6.1 Wrought UNS S17400 martensitic precipitation-hardened stainless steel up to a
maximum hardness of 327 HV (311 HB or 33 HRC) is acceptable, provided that it has
been heat treated in accordance with Sub-clauses (a) or (b) below. Precipitation-
hardened martensitic stainless steels meeting this specification have provided
satisfactory field service in some sour environments but they may exhibit threeshold
stress levels in the NACE TM 0177 SSC test that are lower than those of other
materials specified in this Standard.
a) Double Age Heat Treatment Procedure at 6200C0 (1150°F) – Two Stage Process
 Solution anneal at 1040°C + 14°C (1900°F+ 25°F) and air cool, or liquid quench
to below 32°C (90°F)
 Harden at 620°C + 14°C (1150°F + 25°F) for 4 hours minimum and cool in air.
 Cool to below 32°C (90°F) before the second precipitation-hardening step.
 Harden at 620°C + 14°C (1150°F + 25°F) for 4 hours minimum and cool in air.
b) Double Age Heat Treatment Procedure at 760°C (1400°F) and 620°C (1150°F) -
Three-Step Process
 Solution anneal at 1040°C ± 14°C (1900F ± 25°F) and air cool, or suitable liquid
quench, to below 32°C (90°F).
 Harden at 760°C ± 14°C (1400°F ± 25°F) for 2 hours minimum and cool in air to
below 32°C (90°F) before second precipitation hardening step.
 Precipitation harden at 620°C ± 14°C (1150°F ± 25°F) for 4 hours temperature
and cool in air.
12.6.2 Austenitic precipitation-hardened stainless steel to UNS S66286 chemistry in the
solution-annealed and aged or solution-annealed and double-aged condition up to a
maximum hardness of 345 HV (327 HB or 35 HRC) is acceptable.
12.6.3 Wrought UNS S45000 martensitic precipitation-hardened stainless steel up to a
maximum hardness of 310 HV (294 HB or 31 HRC) is acceptable, provided that it has
been heat treated in accordance with Sub-Clause 12.6.4 below.
12.6.4 Heat-Treatment Procedure (Two-Step Process):
a) Solution anneal at minimum temperature of 10400C (19000F).
b) Precipitation hardens at 620°C (1150°F) minimum for 4 hours.
13.0 REQUIREMENTS FOR NON-FERROUS MATERIALS

Non-Ferrous materials that are acceptable for direct exposure to sour environments are
listed in Appendix B, although these materials may be subject to SSC failure when highly
stressed and exposed to sour environments or to a well-stimulating acid either with or
without inhibitors. Some of the materials in the wrought condition may be susceptible to
failure by hydrogen embrittlement when strengthened by cold work and stressed in the
transverse direction. Preventing plastic deformation in service is therefore necessary in
order to avoid any increase in the SSC susceptibility of these alloys.

13.1 GENERAL
Non-ferrous materials for use in sour service environments shall comply with the
requirements of NACE MR0175/ISO 15156 - 1 and 3 and their chemical composition shall
comply with NACE MR0175/ISO 15156 - 3, Tables D.3, D.4, D.9, D.10, D.11, and D.12.
Non-ferrous materials listed in Appendix B that meet the stated condition and hardness
requirements specified in this Sub-clause 13.1 are considered to be acceptable for direct
exposure to sour service environments (as defined by Clauses 8.0 and 9.0) without
qualification testing. Non-ferrous materials not listed in Appendix B require to be qualified
for sour service applications by SSC testing. The limitations specified for the presence of
elemental sulphur, the environmental temperature and the more limited material
hardness of some corrosion-resistant alloy (CRA) materials does not mean that those
materials, within their specified limits, do not resist stress corrosion cracking as well as
other materials in the same class that do not have such limitations imposed upon them.
Acceptable conditions and maximum hardness for non-ferrous materials exposed to sour
environment are given in Appendix C.
14.0 SPECIFIC REQUIREMENT FOR CARBON STEEL PRODUCT FORMS
Except as modified below, the general requirements of Clauses 9.0, 10.0 and 11.0 shall
apply to all product forms.
14.1 DOWNHOLE CASING AND TUBING
Casing and tubing directly exposed to sour environment shall meet the following
requirements.
a) Material Requirement: API 5CT Grade L-80 Type 1 (Seamless) is recommended.
The chemical requirements are given in Table 3 below.
Table 3: Chemical Composition of L-80 Type 1
Elements Composition (Wt. %)
C 0.43*
Mn 1.9
Ni 0.25
Cu 0.35
P 0.03
S 0.03
Si 0.45
* Carbon content may increase to 0.5 % if product is oil quenched.
Heat Treatment Condition: Quenched & Tempered.
b) If tubes and tubular components are cold straightened at, or below 510°C (950°F),
they shall be stress relieved at a minimum temperature of 480°C (900°F). If tubes
and tubular components are cold formed (pin nosed and/or box expanded) and the
resultant permanent outer fibre deformation is greater than 5%, the cold-formed
regions shall be thermally stress relieved at a minimum temperature of 595°C
(1100°F).

c) Cold forming the connections of high-strength tubulars with hardness above 248
HV (equivalent to 234 HB and 22 HRC) shall require them to subsequently be stress
relieved at a minimum temperature of 595°C (1100°F).
14.2 PLATE (PRESSURE VESSEL)
a) Pressure vessel plates conforming to A516 Grades 55 to 70 and ASTM A537
Class 1 shall be used. The chemical requirements are as in Table 4 below.
b) Heat Treatment Condition: Normalised or stress relieved or both.
c) Plate material is a rolled product, and is very susceptible to HIC corrosion. An HIC
test shall therefore be carried out on a minimum of one steel plate per thickness
per heat using NACE TM-0177 Solution A.
Any plate material that fails an HIC test shall be rejected, together with all other
plates of that thickness manufactured from that steel heat in the case of HIC test
failure or all other plates manufactured
Table 4: Chemical Composition of Carbon Steel Plate (wt. %)

SMYS<355N/mm2 SMYS> 355N/mm2
Element Heat (%) Product (%) Heat (%) Product (%)
Carbon (C) 0.16 max 0.16 max 0.18 max 0.18 max
Manganese (Mn) 1.40 max 1.40 max 1.40 max 1.50 max
Phosphorus (P) 0.020 max 0.020 max 0.015 max 0.015 max
Sulphur (S) 0.002 max 0.003 max
Silicon (Si) 0.45 max 0.45 max
Copper (Cu) 0.40 max 0.40 max All Other Elements
Calcium (Ca) 0.006 max 0.006 max Identical
Vanadium (V) 0.10 max 0.10 max
Niobium (Nb) 0.05 max 0.05 max
Nickel (Ni) 0.30 max 0.35 max
14.3 PURCHASE SPECIFICATION FOR PLATES

14.3.1 When purchasing steel plates for sour service, the following requirements, which are in
accordance with Clause 5 of NACE MR0175/ISO 15156-2, shall be specified in the
Purchase Order:
a) The grade of steel, which shall be as specified in Sub-clause 14.2.
b) The chemical composition, which shall conform to Table 4 of Sub-clause 14.2.
c) The steel supply condition, which shall be fully killed, calcium treated, vacuum
degassed and continuously cast, with a uniform fine austenitic grained
microstructure of grain size of 7 or finer, as specified in Sub-clause 11.1.
d) The plate heat treatment condition, which shall be as specified in Sub-clause 14.2.
e) The requirements for HIC resistance.
f) Steel plates for higher criticality rating applications shall also be 100% ultrasonically
examined as per ASME SA578 Level 1 and supplementary requirement S1.
14.3.2 Atmospheric and low pressure storage tanks to API 650 and API 620 may not be subject
to any sour service domain, as defined in Figure 1 – Clause 19.1 (The severities of

sour environments with respect to SSC of carbon and low alloy steels) in spite of
the presence of wet H2S, because of the relatively low operating pressure. However, in
those situations where it is considered that the tank contents are likely to constitute a
sour service environment, all materials that are used for tank construction and repair
shall comply with the sour service material requirements of this document.
14.4 PIPE
14.4.1 Line Pipe
General
For onshore and offshore pipelines, QP accepts only three (3) categories of line pipe in
sour service as follows:
Up to 406.4 mm (16 inch) “diameter: Seamless Pipe.
Above 406.4 mm (16 inch) ” diameter: i) Longitudinal Submerged Arc Welded Pipe
(LSAW).
ii) High Frequency Induction Welded Pipe
(HFIW).
a) Material Specifications: As per API Specification 5L
 Seamless line pipes, Longitudinal Submerged Arc Welded (LSAW) line pipes
and High Frequency Induction Welded (HFIW) line pipes under this Standard
shall be ordered in accordance with Grades B, X42, X46, X52, X56, X60, and
X65 of API Specification 5L according to the Pipeline Design Specification.
 Intermediate line pipe grades shall not be used and higher grade line pipe shall
not be substituted for lower grade pipe without approval by QP.
 Chemical composition of the steel pipe material shall be as per Table 5.
 SSC tests shall be required for each heat of line pipes produced by the LSAW,
HFIW and Seamless process.
 HIC tests shall be required for each batch of line pipes manufactured by the
LSAW and HFIW process.
 Seamless pipes are not prone to HIC phenomenon and therefore do not require
to be HIC tested, unless there is a concern about the chemical composition of
the steel or the quality of the pipe. However, since the presence of sulphur,
oxygen or rust, particularly in combination with chloride in the service
environment, can increase the probability of HIC damage, the quantities of these
agents should be controlled to the minimum possible and a maximum sulphur
content of 0.01% has been specified for Seamless line pipe
 Final acceptance of the steel heat and line pipe for service shall be on the basis
of the HIC and SSC test results (See Table 8 for additional recommended tests)
b) Since some elements of the chemical analysis (Mn, P and S) do not act
independently with respect to H2S corrosion, the combined effects of these elements
shall be taken into account. Hence, the maximum allowable levels shall, under no
circumstances, be higher than the maximum values given in the Table 5 below.
c) Fracture Toughness
Fracture toughness testing shall be carried out on each batch of line pipe. The
fracture toughness of line pipes for low temperature service applications shall be
determined at the test temperature specified in Table 6 and shall meet the

acceptance criteria specified in Table 7. Line pipe for large diameter gas
transmission pipelines shall also be subject to transverse DWTT testing as per the
requirements of API RP 5L3.
Table 5: Chemical Compositions for Product Analysis (wt %)

MAXIMUM VARIATION
MAXIMUM PERMITTED ALLOY
ON SPECIFIED
CONTENT, Wt %
ELEMENT COMPOSITION NOTE
SEAMLESS, LSAW &
SEAMLESS LSAW HFIW
HFW
C 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.03
Mn 1.40 1.30 1.30 0.30
Si 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.25
P 0.015 0.015 0.015 --
S 0.01 0.003 0.003 --
V 0.08 0.08 0.08 0.02 1
Nb 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.02 1
Ti 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.02 1
Cr 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.05 2
Mo 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.05 2
Ni 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.10 2
Cu 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.10 22
Al 0.06 0.06 0.06 -- 3
N 0.012 0.012 0.012 -- 3
B 0.0005 0.0005 0.0005 --
Ca 0.006 0.006 0.006 -- 4
CE 0.41 0.39 0.30 -- 5
PCM 0.22 0.21 0.21 -- 6
Note:
1. V + Nb + Ti shall not exceed 0.15%.
2. Cr + Mo + Ni + Cu shall not exceed 0.65%.
3. The total Al : N ratio shall not be less than 2.
4. Calcium shall be 2 times of S content, for S in the range 0.0015 – 0.003%.
5. CEIIW = C + Mn/6 + (Cr+Mo+V)/5 + (Ni+Cu)/15 (Ref: IIW)
6. Pcm = C + Si/30 + (Mn+Cu+Cr)/20 + Ni/60+Mo/15+V/10+5B

Table 6: Impact Test Temperature

(Note: T is the minimum designed temperature)
Nominal Wall Thickness Test Maximum Test

Wt (mm) Temperature ºC Temperature ºC
Wt < 16.0 T 0
16.0 < wt < 25 T – 10 0
25 < wt < 32 T – 20 0
Wt > 32 T – 30 0
Table 7: Minimum Impact Energy Requirement for Full Size Specimens

(Note: Orientation of the samples is transverse to the pipe axis)
Minimum Average Minimum Individual
Grade
Value (J) Value (J)
B 27 22
X42 27 22
X46 32 24
X52 36 27
X56 39 29
X60 41 31
X65 45 34
14.4.2 Process Piping

Process piping (according to ASME B31.3 standard and related standards) shall be
constructed from Seamless line pipe up to 406.4 mm (16” inch) diameter, unless written
agreement is given by QP to use welded pipe and fittings.
a) Material Requirements
Carbon manganese steel process piping shall be in accordance with following
specifications:
 ASTM A106 Grade B
 API Specification 5L Grade X 52
 API Specification 5L Grade X 60
 ASTM A333 Grade 6.
In addition, the carbon content shall be limited to 0.23% maximum, sulphur to 0.01%
maximum, manganese to 1.20% maximum, and the CE shall be 0.43% maximum.
b) Other requirements are:
i) Material in the Quenched and Tempered condition is acceptable.
ii) When Seamless carbon manganese steel pipes are not available and if larger
diameter pipes are required, process piping may with QP approval be fabricated
from the following type and grade line pipes with the carbon content limited to

0.23% maximum and the sulphur content limited to 0.01% maximum:-

 LSAW pipe API Specification 5L Grade B, (Longitudinal Double Submerged
Arc Welded line pipe)
 HFIW pipe API Specification 5L Grade B, (High Frequency Induction Welded
line pipe)
c) Low alloy steel pipe for sour service shall be subjected to PWHT after welding,
irrespective of pipe size or wall thickness as per QP-STD-R-002.
14.5 FITTINGS
Fittings may be cast, forged, manufactured/formed from forgings, extrusions and
seamless pipe, or fabricated from plate or longitudinal submerged arc-welded pipe.
14.5.1 General Material Requirements for Fittings
The chemical composition and mechanical properties of steel to be used for fittings shall
be as stated in the relevant Product Standard. The fittings shall be manufactured from
killed carbon steel castings, forgings, bars, plates, seamless or fusion welded products
with filler metal added and shall finally conform to the requirements of ASTM A234 Grade
WPB, A420 Grade WPL 6 or (for high strength welded fittings) ASTM A860 up to Grade
WPH 65, with limitations on the carbon and sulphur contents.
14.5.2 Steel Castings:
a) Material Specification:
The following grades of material with the carbon content limited to 0.25% maximum
and sulphur content limited to 0.025% maximum shall be used, unless otherwise
approved by QP.
ASTM A216 WCB or WCC
ASTM A352 LCB or LCC
b) Impact Strength:
For low temperature service or where steel castings to ASTM A352 Grade LCB or
LCC are specified, the material requires to be impact tested. The required average
Charpy impact test value for full size specimens (10mm X 10mm) shall not be less
than 20J, with a minimum value 16J for individual specimens at a test temperature
of -46C.
14.5.3 Steel Forgings:
The material used for forgings (such as flanges) shall meet the requirements of
ASTM A105 and ASTM A350 Grade LF2, with the carbon content limited to 0.25%
maximum and 0.23% maximum, respectively, and the sulphur content limited to
0.025% maximum.
b) Impact Strength:
For low temperature service or where low temperature carbon manganese steel
forgings to ASTM A350 Grade LF2 are specified, the material requires to be impact
tested. The required average Charpy impact test value for full size specimens (10mm
X 10mm) shall not be less than 27J, with a minimum value 20J for individual
specimens at a test temperature of -46C
14.5.4 Steel Weldments:
The material used for welded fittings shall meet the requirements of the parent steel

pipe, plate, bar stock or forging Standard, with the carbon content limited to 0.23%
maximum and the sulphur content limited to 0.01% maximum, and the fittings shall
meet the requirements of the appropriate wrought welded fitting Standard.
b) Impact Strength:
For low temperature service or where low temperature carbon manganese steel
forgings to ASTM A420 Grade WPL6 or ASTM A860 Grade WPHY 42 to WPHY 65
are specified, the material requires to be impact tested. The required average
Charpy impact test value for full size specimens (10mm X 10mm) shall not be less
than 27J with a minimum value 20J for individual specimens for ASTM A420 Grade
WPL6 forgings and not less than 30J with a minimum value 25J for individual
specimens for ASTM A860 WPHY forgings at a test temperature of -46C.
14.6 BOLTING AND FASTENERS
a) Exposure Environment:
Only bolting that may be exposed directly to a sour environment or that will be buried,
insulated and equipped with flange protectors, or otherwise denied direct
atmospheric exposure requires to meet sour service material requirements. The
material shall conform to the general requirements of Clauses 10.0 and 11.0 and the
particular requirements of Sub-clause (b) below. There are no sour service material
requirements for bolting that is external to the sour process environment and are
freely exposed to the atmosphere.
Note: Designers and users should be aware that it may be necessary to lower
equipment pressure ratings when using SSC resistant fasteners.
b) Material Specification:
Bolting Exposed to Sour Fluids:
The following carbon steel bolting materials are acceptable for sour service:
i) Bolts/Studs to ASTM A193 Grade B7M and ASTM A320 Grade L7M.
ii) Nuts to ASTM A194 Grades 2HM and 7M.
Bolting Exposed Only to Atmosphere:
In the absence of sour service material requirements, the following materials are
acceptable:
i) Bolts/Studs to ASTM A193 Grade B7 or ASTM A320 Grade L7.
ii) Nuts/Washers to ASTM A194 Grade 2H or ASTM A194 Grade 7.
Note: Stainless steel bolts and nuts shall not be used because of galling and
austenitic stainless steel bolts and nuts shall not be used for any external
application, because of the risk of chloride stress corrosion cracking at the
high atmospheric exposure temperatures.
14.7 VALVES
a) Material selection for valves and valve internals that are specified for sour service
shall be in accordance with the requirements of NACE MR0175/ISO 15156 (all parts)
and the materials shall conform to the general requirements of Sub-clauses 10.0 and
11.1. The primary pressure-retaining components shall also meet the specific
material requirements of Sub-clause 14.5 for the material type.
b) The packing material selected shall be compatible with the stem material.
Uninhibited graphite or carbon type packing is not acceptable.
c) When bellows-sealed safety or relief valves discharge into a common header or

piping system, the valve spring material shall comply with the requirements of NACE
MR0175/ISO 15156 (all parts).
d) Structural welding of any cast valve component or weld repair of valves or their
component ball, gates, plugs, etc. that will be in contact with the sour environment
shall be followed by appropriate PWHT.
e) For all Produced Water (PW) and Produced/Powered Water Injection (PWI)
applications, QP approved material of construction for valves, both future installation
and replacement works shall be solid Inconel 625 up to and including 4inch, and
Inconel 625 weld overlay on carbon steel valves sizes 6inch and above.
f) Threaded plugs or threaded joints shall not be used in the valve design and
construction for Produced Water and Produced Water Injection Systems and sour
service.
14.8 BELLOWS
a) Bellows shall comply with all the sour service material requirements of NACE
MR0175/ISO 15156 (all parts) when in contact with any concentration of wet H2S.
b) Austenitic stainless steels shall not be used for bellows, but material selection may
be made from the following materials according to the process conditions:
 UNS N08825 (Incoloy 825)
 UNS N06625 (Inconel 625)
 UNS N04400 (Monel 400)
c) Other materials may be proposed for consideration by QP.
14.9 INSTRUMENTATION
a) Instrument piping shall be in accordance with the associated process piping
specification unless otherwise specified by QP.
b) Bellows, diaphragms, bourdon tubes and other items, which cannot be heat-treated
after welding, and components which cannot function in a softened condition, shall
be fabricated from materials that are resistant to SSC in the hardened or non-heat
treated conditions as defined in NACE MR0175/ISO 15156-3. UNS 08825 and UNS
N04400 have given satisfactory service in certain sour service environments, and
may be proposed for QP approval.
c) For instrument piping and fittings that are exposed to the air in marine atmospheric
conditions, externally painted austenitic stainless steel type 316L in the solution
annealed condition shall be used. Type 304 stainless steel is not acceptable.
14.10 CRA METALLIC OVERLAY
a) The requirements for ferritic steel pressure vessels to be clad or weld overlaid with
a CRA, such as stainless steel or a non-ferrous metal, for sour service shall be
subject to specific agreement with QP.
b) Explosively clad, roll bonded and fusion bonded Corrosion Resistant Overlays, such
as austenitic stainless steels (such as UNS S31603) and nickel alloys (such as UNS
N08825) shall only be designed to prevent corrosion rather than eliminate SCC of
the base material.
c) The base material for all clad plates (whether weld overlaid, clad or bonded) shall
meet NACE MR 0175/ISO 15156 - Parts 2 & 3 sour service material requirements,
to ensure that it is inherently SSC resistant.

14.11 CAST IRON

a) Gray, austenitic, and white cast irons are not acceptable for use for pressure
containing components. These materials may be used considered for internal
components, provided that they meet the appropriate design standards and their use
is approved.
b) Ferritic ductile iron in accordance with ASTM A395 can be accepted for equipment
when its use is approved by appropriate design standards.
c) Packers and Subsurface Equipment
Cast irons are acceptable as listed for the following applications.
 Drillable packer components: Ductile iron (to ASTM A536, A571)
 Drillable packer components: Malleable iron (to ASTM A220, A602)
 Compression members: Gray iron (to ASTM A48, A278)
14.12 COMPRESSORS AND PUMPS
a) The primary pressure-retaining components of compressors and pumps for sour
service applications shall conform to the general requirements of Sub-clauses 10.0
and 11.1. The primary pressure-retaining components shall also meet the specific
material requirements of Sub-clause 14.5 for the material type. AISI 4320 and a
modified version that contains 0.28 to 0.33% carbon are acceptable for compressor
impellers at a maximum yield strength of 620 Mpa (90 ksi) provided they have been
heat treated in accordance with the following, double tempering procedure.
 Austenitize and quench.
 Temper at 620°C (1150°F) minimum, but below the lower critical temperature.
Cool to ambient temperature before the second temper.
 Temper at 620°C (1150°F) minimum, but lower than the first tempering
temperature. Cool to ambient temperature.
b) Special provisions for compressors and pumps.
Soft carbon steel (i.e steel which has become ductile with no internal stresses due
to full annealing) is acceptable for gaskets.
Cast irons are acceptable under the conditions stated in Sub-clause 14.11.
c) Special provisions of cast iron for compressors and pumps:
Gray cast iron (ASTM A278 Class 35 or 40) and nodular iron (ASTM A395) are
acceptable as compressor cylinders, liners, pistons, and valves. Low - carbon iron
is acceptable for gaskets in compressors handling sour gas.
15.0 INSPECTION AND TESTING REQUIREMENTS
15.1 INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS
In addition to normal inspection, the following shall apply:
a) Documentation and inspection shall be provided to prove the identity and
traceability of all materials of construction and to establish that the correct heat
treatment has been applied so that the finished product complies fully with this
Standard. Inspection documents shall be Type 3.1 or Type 3.2 inspection
certificates to BS EN 10204 that meet the specified requirements of Clause 17.0
or the supplier may submit alternative proposals for QP approval.

b) Where the hardness can be checked without damaging the component, the
manufacturer shall conduct hardness tests to ensure that the hardness
requirements of this Standard are met. QP inspectors will carry out random
hardness tests. Where hardness values in excess of the requirements of this
Standard are obtained, the component shall be rejected.
c) For small items, e.g. small springs, pins etc. which cannot be hardness tested
individually, the manufacturer shall conduct tests on a random basis by selecting
components from production runs or stores batches to ensure that the product
complies fully with this Standard. Procedures for doing this shall be subject to the
approval of QP.
d) For welded components, hardness measurements can only realistically be taken
on the weld metal and parent metal. Acceptability of the HAZ hardness shall be
based on (a) welding procedure qualification tests and (b) production test plates.
e) For all corrosion resistant alloys, it shall be proved to the satisfaction of the
Inspector that the specified heat treatment has been carried out correctly.
15.2 TESTING REQUIREMENTS FOR QUALITY CONTROL
15.2.1 QP required tests for sour service qualification shall be as indicated in Table 8 below:
These tests are in-addition to the tests required by the respective material specifications
and other project specifications.
Table 8: Recommended Tests for Sour Service
Product Form
Test Type Plate Line Pipe/Ftngs Process Piping Process Fittings/Valves
Seam- LSAW/ Seam- LSAW/ Forged Welde Cast
less HFIW less HFIW d
a) Tensile Test √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
b) Hardness Survey √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
c) Fracture √ √ √ √* √* √* √* √*
Toughness.
d) Metallography √ √ √ √ √
e) Pressure/Hydrost √ √ √ √ √** √** √**
atic Test
f) (i) NDE (UT & RT) √ √ √ √ √ √ √***
f) (ii) NDE (MT or PT) √ √ √ √ √ √ √
g) HIC Test √ √**** √ √**** √**** √**** √**** √****
h) SSC Test √***** √*****
i) Chemical √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
Compos.
j) Bend Test √ √ √
* Fracture toughness testing is only required for low temperature service applications
or where required by the product specification or project specification.
** Hydrostatic testing is required for valves and fittings.
*** RT examination of valve castings is only required when there is a concern about the

valve manufacturing source or quality.

****HIC testing of seamless line pipe, process piping and fittings is only required when
there is a concern about the manufacturing source or quality or the chemical
composition of the material.
*****SSC testing is only required for the material heat from which the plate, pipe or fitting
has been manufactured.
a) Tensile Test: Tensile test shall be carried out as per ASTM A370 on duplicate
samples taken from each material heat. The yield to tensile strength (Y/T) ratio
shall be ≤0.87 for base metal and ≤0.90 for all weld metal. Yield to tensile strength
ratio greater than the specified shall require QP approval.
b) Hardness Survey
i. Hardness Testing During Welding Procedure Qualification
For hardness surveys during Welding Procedure Qualification, the preferred
hardness testing equipment is the Vickers Pyramid Machine (HV10) at 10Kg
load. Specimens shall be cut through test weldments and polished and lightly
macro etched to show the microstructure of the parent metal, HAZ and weld
metal. The locations for hardness indentation are shown in Fig. 2a and 2b under
clause 19.1. The distance between each hardness measurement location shall
be 0.5mm. Any deviations from these requirements with respect to location,
type of load, machine, technique, etc. shall require QP approval. The hardness
test values across the weld and its associated heat affected zones shall not
exceed 248HV at any location as indicated in Table 9 below. The highest
measurement obtained shall be recorded in the materials test certificate.
ii. On-Site/In-Situ Hardness Testing
For site-based hardness testing of welds, weld repairs and parent materials, a
sufficient number of hardness measurements shall be taken at appropriate
external locations and, where accessible, the wetted surface of the weld to fully
characterize the material hardness profile using a suitable portable rebound
hardness tester. The hardness measurements obtained shall be converted to
Brinell, Vickers and/or Rockwell hardness values using an approved hardness
conversion table. The surface hardness of the production welds shall not
exceed 248Hv as shown in Table 9 below

Table 9 — Maximum Acceptable Hardness Values for Carbon, Carbon-

Manganese and Low-alloy Steel Welds During Welding Procedure Qualification
Hardness Hardness Test Locations Maximum
Test Methods for Welding Procedure Acceptable Hardness
Qualification
Vickers HV 10 or HV 5 Weld root:
or
Rockwell HR 15N Base metal, HAZ and 248 HV
weld root metal as shown 70.5 HR 15N
in Figure 2a
Base metal and HAZ
For weld overlays as 248 HV

shown in Figure 2b 70.5 HR 15N
Weld cap:
Base metal, HAZ and
weld metal of unexposed 248 HV (but see Note
Weld cap as shown in a)
Figures 2a
As shown in Figure 2 22 HRC
Base metal and HAZ:

Rockwell HRC
For weld overlays as 22 HRC
shown in Figure 2
a The maximum hardness shall be 248 HV or 70.5 HR 15N unless
-
-
- to the sour environment
c) Fracture Toughness Tests (for Low Temperature Service or Materials)
i) Charpy V-notch tests shall be performed on each test sample of the material
taken for tensile testing and shall be tested in accordance with API Specification
5L, ASTM E23 or ASTM A370. The impact test temperature shall be lower than
or equal to that specified in Table 6, where T is the minimum design temperature,
as specified in the Purchase Order. If no minimum design temperature is
specified, it shall be taken as 0ºC.
The minimum impact energy requirements for various grades of line pipe are
specified in Table 7, whilst those for process piping and fittings are specified in
the relevant Product Standards. The minimum impact requirement for plates are
also specified in the relevant applicable Codes.
The equivalent Charpy value of sub-size specimens or specimens from other
orientations shall be obtained from the multiplication factors listed in Table 10
below:

Table 10: Multiplication Factor for Sub-Size and Differently Orientated Charpy
Test Specimens to Determine Corrected Charpy Acceptance Value
Size Orientation Factor
10x10 Longitudinal 1.5
10x7 Ditto 1.125
10x5 Ditto 0.75
10x10 Transverse 1.0
10x7 Transverse 0.75
10x5 Ditto 0.5
ii) The shear area of the fracture surface of the test specimens of line pipes shall
be measured and recorded. Each sample shall exhibit not less than 80% fibrous
shear.
iii) The specified Charpy test acceptance values specified are based on crack
initiation principles. For steel line pipe in gas transmission service and two-phase
pipelines, higher absorbed energy requirements may be specified to avoid the
risk of fracture propagation. In this situation, QP shall state the required
minimum values in the Purchase Order or Contract Specifications.
iv) If stress relieving is required for field welds, Charpy testing is also required in
the stimulated stress relieved condition. QP shall inform the manufacturer at the
time of Enquiry/Order, of the need for testing in the stress relieved condition.
v) Sampling Locations:
For Plate and Seamless Line Pipe: One set of three specimens oriented
transversely for plate and, where the line pipe thickness and diameter will permit,
for line pipe shall be taken. For smaller diameter thinner wall line pipe,
longitudinally orientated specimens shall be taken.
For LSAW Line Pipe: One set of three specimens shall be taken from the mid-
thickness location in the LSAW pipe wall at the following positions
 Pipe body at 90 degrees to the weld.
 Weld centreline.
 Fusion line.
 Fusion line + 2mm.
 Fusion line + 5mm.
Figure 3 under Clause 19.1 shows the sample locations with respect to weld and
HAZ. For Weld Centreline and HAZ Impact Tests, only transverse test
specimens shall be used.
For HFIW Line Pipe: One set of three specimens shall be taken from the mid-
thickness location in the HFIW pipe wall, with one specimen being located
transversely across the weld.
(vi) Supplementary Drop Weight Tear Test for Large Gas Transmission Pipelines:
For gas transmission pipelines with a diameter of 16 inch or greater, two
transverse DWTT specimens shall be taken from one length of line pipe from
each heat supplied in accordance with API Specification 5L. DWTT tests shall
be performed at the minimum design temperature in accordance with API RP

5L3 and transition curves shall be established from full thickness specimens
taken randomly from the pipe. The acceptance criterion will be that the 85% of
shear area transition temperature value shall not exceed minimum design
temperature.
d) Metallographic Examination
Three specimens from one plate or one pipe length per heat shall be extracted at
orientations 120º from a location chosen by QP, polished and etched for
microscopic examination and checked for microstructure. In the case of welded
pipe, one of the three sample locations shall encompass the full weld cross section.
e) Hydrostatic Tests of Pipe
i) Each length of line pipe of all sizes shall withstand, without leakage, an inspection
hydrostatic test to at least a test pressure designed to produce a hoop stress
value between 95% and 100% of the specified minimum yield strength in the
material, calculated on the basis of the minimum specified wall thickness and
including stresses from end loading.
ii) The end load compensation factor as determined from the formula given in API
Specification 5CT shall be used.
iii) The test pressure shall be held for not less than 20 seconds.
iv) The hydrostatic testing apparatus shall be equipped to provide a record of the
test pressure and the duration of the test. Such test records for every length of
pipe shall be available for review by the QP Representative.
f) Non Destructive Testing
i) NDT methods shall be qualified and conducted in accordance with QP-STD-R-
008. All personnel performing NDT activities shall be qualified in the appropriate
examination technique applied, in accordance with QP Standard QP-STD-R-
008-1.
ii) All NDT shall be performed in accordance with written procedures. These
procedures shall have the prior approval of QP.
iii) All butt joints on plates of the vessels shall be subjected to 100% RT together
with 100% UT of nozzle attachment welds. In addition all internal welds
(including attachment welds), where accessible, shall be subject to 100%
WFMPI (or PT in case of non-magnetic materials) and all external welds
(including attachment welds) shall be subject to 100% MT ( or PT in case of non-
magnetic materials).
iv) The following additional MT shall be applicable only from outside (external) on
the weld seam of LSAW line pipes in long pipeline projects, as identified by the
QP quality engineer, for hydrocarbon service. This requirement shall not apply
to process piping.
 100% external MT on long seam of 10 nos minimum, selected at random from
First day Production pipes only, excluding the pipes selected for the Fist day
Production Tests and Procedure Qualification Tests. These tests shall be
witnessed by QP approved TPC/TPI.
 100% MPI (inside & out-side) of 200 mm of L-seam weld at both ends of all
pipes.
v) 100% MT (or PT in case of non-magnetic materials) shall be carried out on
process piping where UT/ Non-destructive Electric test cannot be done. Pin and
box of drill pipe shall be subjected to 100% Wet Fluorescent Magnetic Particle

Inspection (WFMPI).
vi) Final NDT acceptance of the vessel, pipeline and pipe shall take place after all
heat treatment and expansion operations have been completed but may take
place before cropping, bevelling and end sizing.
vii) To avoid the occurrence of the Liquid Metal Embrittlement (LME) cracks in
LSAW pipes, the following requirements shall be implemented in addition to the
specified requirements.
 The flux recycling process controls/checks shall be included in the Inspection
and Test Plan (ITP) of the LSAW pipes as per the production set up especially
the functioning of the magnets, to avoid copper contamination of the welding
pool. This shall be a “witness point” for the Third Party Inspector.
 Conduct 100% MT on pipes long seams at a frequency of one (1) pipe out of
twenty-five (25) of regular production, especially for new manufacturers
outside QP PVL for which LME cracking has been encountered previously,
and manufacturers having a production set-up, which may lead to this type of
crack. This requirement may be reduced or deleted depending on the
manufacturer’s past experience with QP. These requirements shall be
reviewed and finalized by QP Quality Engineer prior to start of production.
Any additional requirements shall be added to the Inspection and Test Plan
(ITP) of the line pipe manufacturing and attended by manufacturer and QP
approved TPC/TPI.
viii) If MT results of points (iv) a and (vii) bullet point 2 of clause 15.2.1 (f) are not
satisfactory, the line pipes manufacturer / Contractor shall investigate the root
cause of failures to the satisfaction of QP Quality Engineer. Based on the
failure analysis and root cause(s) and the outcome of investigation, QP Quality
Engineer will advise any additional frequency of MT.
g) Hydrogen Induced Cracking (HIC) Sensitivity Tests
HIC testing of a minimum of one plate per heat per thickness and one length of
LSAW, HFIW and Seamless line pipe per heat per thickness shall be conducted in
accordance with the requirements of NACE TM 0284 using test solution A as
NACE TM 0177 to determine the following cracking properties:
i) Crack Length Ratio (CLR)
ii) Crack Thickness Ratio (CTR)
iii) Crack Surface Ratio (CSR).
The HIC test shall be conducted for a period of 96 hours.
Acceptance Criteria for HIC Sensitivity Tests
The values of crack length ratio (CLR), crack surface ratio (CSR) and crack
thickness ratio (CTR) shall be reported for each test specimen examined and for
the average of three required test specimens per material heat and thickness. The
averaged results of the specimens of each tested material shall be used for
evaluating the HIC susceptibility.
The following QP acceptance criteria for HIC tested material shall be achieved:-
CLR < 15%
CTR < 5%
CSR < 2%*
* 5% if all cracks are within the centre segregation zone and there is no
crack face separation of greater than 0.1 mm.

The maximum individual acceptable crack length shall be 5mm.

Any plate or pipe material that fails an HIC test as above shall be rejected, together
with all other plates or pipes of that thickness manufactured from that steel heat.
Note:
 All cracks within any part lying within 1mm of the test specimen shall be
discarded from the evaluation.
 If subdivided specimens staggered over the thickness of heavy wall materials
are used, all cracks within each set of specimens covering the full wall thickness
shall be considered to be cumulative and CLR, CSR and CTR values shall be
evaluated as for one full size specimen.
Reporting
The following information shall be supplied in a report together with the Material Test
Certificates.
 Results of cracking evaluation indicating CLR, CTR and CSR for each specimen
and also the average for the three specimens, with pass/fail assessments.
 Photomicrographs of the tested specimens showing any cracking, together with
the adjacent material microstructures.
 PH of the H2S saturated test solution at the beginning and at the end of the test,
the H2S content and the type of solution.
 Photographs of the tested specimens, showing any blisters, or alternatively
dimensioned sketches.
 Location and dimensions of the tested specimen, and whether taken from pipe/
plate or weld.
 Full chemical analysis of material tested.
 Mechanical properties of material tested.
h) Sulphide Stress Cracking Test (SSC Test)
i) SSC test shall be conducted to establish the resistance of the material to brittle
fracture by cracking of the material under the combined action of tensile stress
and corrosion in a sour environment.
ii) The test shall be carried out in accordance with the requirements of NACE MR
0175/ISO 15156-2, and as detailed in NACE TM 0177. The test duration shall
be a minimum of 720hrs in specified test solution A.
iii) The normal SSC qualification test used is the Four-Point Bend Test (Method B),
as specified in EFC Publication 16 Appendix 2 (see Table B1 of NACE
MR0175/ISO 15156-2), and this test shall be accepted for SSC testing. For
welded pipes the weld root shall be in tension during testing”. However,
wherever it is possible to obtain uniaxial tensile specimens, the preferred test is
the Uniaxial Tensile Test (Method A) of EFC 16
iv) The SSC test shall be carried out on one pipe length of each material heat to
represent all the components from that heat. The sample shall be taken from an
item or component that is proposed for use.
v) For each grade and heat of material, the largest wall thickness shall be tested.
The specimens shall be taken in the transverse direction wherever possible.
vi) The test shall be carried out at 60, 72, 80, 90 and 100% Actual Yield Strength to
produce a curve. One specimen shall be tested at each stress level, except that

the 90% Actual Yield Strength shall require a set of three specimens. Minimum
stress for failure after 720 hours shall be ≥90% Actual Yield Strength. Any plate
or pipe material that fails an SSC test as above shall be rejected, together with
all other plates or pipes manufactured from that steel heat.
16.0 QUALITY REQUIREMENTS

a) The Manufacturer/Contractor shall operate a quality system based on latest revision of
ISO 9001 Standards to satisfy the requirements of this document.
b) The Manufacturer/Contractor shall demonstrate compliance by providing a copy of
the accredited Certificate or the Manufacturer's/Contractor's Quality Manual.
Verification of the Manufacturer's/Contractor’s Quality Management System is
normally part of the pre-qualification procedure, and is therefore not detailed in the
core text of this document.
c) The Manufacturer shall have all the required approval/certificates to use the required
stamps or monogram such as ASME stamps or API monogram.
17.0 CERTIFICATION
17.1 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
17.1.1 The normal requirement shall be for all materials for sour service to be supplied with EN
10204 type 3.2 certificates issued by the Product Manufacturer and endorsed as
witnessed by the QP approved Third Party Certification Agency (TPCA). Contractors and
Manufacturers shall comply with this requirement.
17.1.2 EN 10204 Type 3.2 material certification shall confirm that the assigned TPCA has
witnessed all the specified analysis, inspection and tests in accordance with QP-STD-R-
001, Purchase Order (PO) and Product Standard during the manufacture of the material
or component, thereby providing additional assurance over-and-above the
Manufacturer’s standard EN 10204 type 3.1 certification.
17.1.3 There are, however, situations where it is difficult to comply with these EN 10204 type
3.2 certification requirements. Typically, these are when there are time constraints,
availability problems, inability of suppliers to provide type 3.2 certification for materials,
for specific types of the component or equipment, when limited quantities of materials
are required and when only small additional/top-up quantities are required during the
execution of the project.
Such situations shall be presented by the Contractor, (in advance, before placing the
PO) with all the evidence and constraints attached, for QP Engineer review and approval.
17.2 SPECIFIC COMPONENT CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
For each material heat or charge, the Manufacturer shall furnish a certificate of ladle
analysis and shall furnish a report of the check analysis from each plate or component.
Acceptance of each material heat for sour service shall require QP approval.
Based on the above considerations, the following material certification methodology shall
be followed by Contractors and Manufacturers for the procurement and supply of specific
types of sour service material and equipment.
a) Line Pipe, Fittings and Valves for Pipelines:
i) Finished Product: The finished line pipe and pipeline components, fittings and
valves, shall be provided with EN 10204 type 3.2 certification.

ii) Raw Materials: The raw material billet for production of line pipe and fittings shall
be certified by the steel mill for production control, chemical analysis and
mechanical testing, including continuous casting, vacuum degassing and calcium
treatment as per EN 10204 type 3.2 certification. Where the required EN 10204
type 3.2 certification cannot be obtained, then the raw materials shall as a minimum
be certified as per EN 10204 type 3.1 certification.
iii) The intermediate material plate for manufacturing welded line pipe and
components shall be certified as per EN 10204 type 3.2 by the plate material
Manufacturer.
b) Piping, Piping Components, Valves and Valve Components and Material for
Pressure Vessels and Rotating Machinery and Packages:
i) Large/Bulk Quantities:
 For large/bulk quantities and for materials that are directly procured from
material manufacturers, the materials shall be provided with EN 10204 type
3.2 certificates.
 In situations where it is confirmed by the QP Engineer that a genuine effort
by the Contractor and/or QP to obtain type 3.2 certification has been
unsuccessful, a Technical Deviation Request (TDR) for review and approval
shall be raised by the Contractor or, where procurement has been carried out
by QP, the Manufacturer for type 3.1 certification to be accepted. The TDR
shall provide an assurance that all required verification tests and inspection
witnessed and certified by a QP approved TPCA as per Sub-clause 17.4 will
be carried out prior to equipment, component and material procurement.
ii) Small/Top-Up Quantities (as defined by Contractor and approved by the QP
Engineer):
Small quantities of materials and materials that are sourced from a
Stockist/Trader, where verifiable EN 10204 type 3.2 certification is not available
and this is confirmed by the QP Engineer, can be sourced with EN 10204 type
3.1 certification issued by the material Manufacturer, followed by the verification
tests and inspection specified in Sub-clause 17.4, witnessed and certified by a
QP approved TPCA.
iii) Materials and components of categories (a) and (b) above shall only be sourced
from reputable Manufacturers listed for relevant components in the QP Preferred
Vendors List with a proven history of supplying sour service material.
17.3 MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT PROCURED PRIOR TO EPIC/CONSTRUCTION
AWARD (EXCLUDING PIPELINE COMPONENTS)
a) Material, equipment and components that are ordered and procured at the FEED
stage before the award of EPIC/Construction Contract shall be procured with EN
10204 type 3.2 certification.
b) However, in situations where it is confirmed by the QP Engineer that a genuine effort
by the Contractor and/or QP to obtain type 3.2 certification has been unsuccessful, a
Technical Deviation Request (TDR) for review and approval, shall be raised by the
Contractor or, where procurement has been carried out by QP, the Manufacturer for
type 3.1 certification to be accepted. The TDR shall provide an assurance that all
required verification tests and inspection specified in Sub-clause 17.4, witnessed and
certified by a QP approved TPC, will be carried out prior to equipment, component
and material procurement.

17.4 VERIFICATION INSPECTIONS AND TESTS

The extent of verification inspection and tests required, in addition to the data provided
in the EN 10204 type 3.1 certificate, shall vary on a case-to-case basis, depending upon
the component type, size, numbers and heats involved.
These verification inspection and tests shall cover in general all the specified inspections
and tests required by the project specification and product standard, as well as by QP-
STD-R-001 for each material heat. Any unavoidable exclusion shall be formally identified
and referred to the QP Engineer for resolution and approval.
The required verification inspections and tests shall be listed and detailed in an
Inspection and Test Plan (ITP) by the Contractor and submitted for QP Project QC
Engineer review and approval.
17.5 ALL CERTIFICATES IDENTIFIED IN THIS SECTION SHALL SPECIFY:
a) Name of Manufacturer and factory symbol (identical factory symbol shall be stamped
on the material, using a low stress hand stamp)
b) Purchase Order, Contract Number, Revision Number and date.
c) Manufacturer’s Order Number.
d) Certificate identification number and date of issue.
e) Dimensions in metric units.
f) Material specification
g) Quantity and / or weight.
h) Heat Number, Charge number or batch number.
i) Specified chemical, mechanical and physical properties
j) Actual chemical, mechanical and physical properties.
k) When applicable heat treatment procedure, furnace charge and heat treatment
records.
18.0 IDENTIFICATION MARKING AND COLOUR CODING
18.1 MARKING
18.1.1 General
a) Marking shall be in accordance with the appropriate ASTM and API Specification 5L
requirements.
b) On ferrous materials with a thickness below 5mm (austenitic steels below 10mm)
and all non-ferrous materials, marking shall be applied by engraving or stenciling.
c) On ferrous materials with a thickness of 5mm or over (austenitic steels of 10mm and
over) marking shall be applied by low-stress hard-die stamping on a painted
background. Low-stress stamps shall be round-nosed with a radius of minimum
radius of 0.25 mm.
d) Stencil marking shall use water-insoluble ink that does not contain substances,
which could adversely affect the material such as metallic pigments e.g. lead, tin,
zinc, and copper, or species such as sulphur, sulphides or chlorides.
e) Castings shall have the charge or heat number cast into the material. It is preferential
that the other required markings are also cast in.
f) In case it is physically impossible to apply the full required markings to components
(e.g. for small sized components), it is acceptable to apply the marking on a durable,
securely affixed metal tag or to codify the marking.
g) Stamping or marking shall include: -
 Manufacturer’s symbol (stamp to be identical to symbol on certificate)
 Material and product identification.

 Heat or batch number.

 Heat treatment chart or furnace charge reference.
 Non-destructive testing symbols or code where applicable.
 Size and schedule.
 Welder’s identifications.
18.1.2 Marking by Hard Stamps
Conventional sharp ‘V’ stamping is acceptable only on the outer circumference of
flanges. Round ‘U’ stamps may be used elsewhere, provided the identifiers are placed
on the external surfaces of low stress areas. Where stamps have been inadvertently
applied to high stress areas, subsequent heat treatment (stress relieve at a minimum
temperature of 595C) is required for carbon and low alloy steel. External hard stamping
to identify material selected for wet sour gas service is mandatory unless agreed
otherwise by QP in writing.
18.1.3 Temporary Marking by Paints, Crayons etc.
Conventional paints, crayons and adhesive tapes frequently used for temporary marking
during fabrication etc., may contain significant amounts of chloride and heavy metals.
Unless approved by QP these marking materials shall not be used on any stainless steel,
and if used in carbon or low alloy steels they shall be removed before any heat treatment
(if applied) and before shipment if heat treatment is not required.
18.1.4 Colour Coding
Where applicable, colour coding shall be in accordance with BS 5383 for material type
and temperature service. It is the responsibility of manufacture to ensure that the correct
colour coding.

19.0 APPENDICES
19.1 FIGURES
Figure 1: The severities of sour environments with respect to SSC of carbon and
low alloy steels
Key
X H2S partial pressure, expressed in kilopascals
Y in situ pH
0 Domain 0 = Non-sour
1 SSC Domain 1= Mild Sour
2 SSC Domain 2 = Intermediate Sour
3 SSC Domain 3 = Severe Sour

Figure 2a: Location of Micro-Hardness Measurements

Figure 2b : Location of Hardness Test on Weld Overlays
Key
A : weld heat-affected zone (visible after etching)
B : lines of hardness survey indentations 1 to 12
C : layer of weld overlay (visible after etching)
D : hardness impressions
aUsing the Vickers or Rockwell 15N measurement methods, hardness impressions 2, 6

and 10 should be entirely within the heat-affected zone and located as close as possible
to, but no more than 1 mm from, the fusion boundary between the weld overlay and HAZ.

Figure 3: Sample location with respect to Weld and HAZ

(3 positions for Weld Centre Line and HAZ Charpy Tests)

19.2 APPENDIX – A: STAINLESS STEELS ACCEPTABLE FOR DIRECT EXPOSURE

TO SOUR ENVIRONMENTS
(Materials listed in this table should be used only under conditions noted in the text
of this standard.)
Precipitation-
Ferritic Martensitic Austenitic
Hardening
AISI AISI ASTM AISI

405 410 A 453 Gr 660 302
(A)
430 501 A 638 Gr 660 304

(A)
304L
305
308
309
310
316
316L
317
321
347
ASTM ASTM UNS S17400 ASTM

A 268 A 217 Gr CA 15 UNS S45000 A 182
TP 405, TP A 268 GR TP 410 UNS S66286 A 193
430,
TP XM 27, TP A 743 Gr CA 15 M Gr B8R, B8RA, B8, B8M,B8MA
XM 33 A 487 CL CA 15M
A 487 CL CA 6NM A 194
Gr 8 R, 8 RA, 8A, 8MA
A 320
UNS S42400 Gr B8, B8M
A 351
GrCF3,CF8,CF3M,CF8M,CN7M(B)
A 743
Gr CN7M (D)
A 744
Gr CN7M (D)
B 463
B 473
(A) See Paragraph 8.6.2.

(B) Carbide solution-treated.
(C) As modified in Paragraph 8.1.
(D) Aging over 260° C (500° F) may reduce low-temperature toughness and reduce resistance to environmental cracking.
(E) This table is taken from NACE MR 0175-2001.

19.3 APPENDIX – B: NONFERROUS MATERIALS ACCEPTABLE FOR DIRECT

EXPOSURE TO SOUR ENVIRONMENTS
Materials listed in this table should be used only under conditions noted in the text of
this standard.
Mechanical properties described in the specification noted below are not necessarily
in Accordance with NACE MR 0175.
Nickel-Iron-
Nickel-Copper Alloys Nickel-Iron Chromium Nickel-Chromium Alloys Coatings,
Chromium Alloys Molybdenum Overlays, and
Alloys Special Process
UNS (A) UNS UNS N08800 Parts
N05500 N04400 UNS UNS
N06007 N08825 UNSN06600 UNS N07750
SAE/ ASTM SAE/ ASTM SAE/ ASTM ASTM ASTM SAE/ ASTM SAE/A Co-Cr-W Alloys as in
AMS AMS AMS AMS MS AWS A5.13-80
4676 B 127 4544 B 163 5766 B 366 B 163 B 163 5540 B 637 5542 Ni-Cr-B Alloys as in
AWS A5.13-80
B 163 4574 B 366 5871 B 581 B 366 B 166 5580 5582
B 164 4575 B 407 B 582 B 423 B 167 5665 5598 Tungsten Carbide
B 366 4730 B 408 B 619 B 424 B 366 7232 5667 Alloys
B 564 4731 B 409 B 622 B 425 B 516 5668
7233 B 514 B 626 B 704 B 517 5669 Ni-B Alloys as in
B 515 B 705 B 564 5670 AMS 4779
B 564 5671 Ceramics

5698
5699
A 494
Gr M 35-1
Gr M 35-2 UNS N06250
UNS N06255
UNS N06686
UNS N06952
UNS N07048
UNS N07773
UNS N08024
UNS N08028
UNS N08042
UNS N08535
UNS N08826
UNS N09777
UNS N09925
UNS N04405
a) Metals and Alloys in the Unified Numbering System: ASTM E 527 or SAE J1086
b) This table is taken from NACE MR 0175

Nickel-Chromium –Molybdenum
UNS N06625 UNS N10002 UNS UNS N07718 UNS N06002

N10276
ASTM SAE/AMS ASTM SAE/AMS ASTM ASTM SAE/AMS ASTM SAE/AMS UNS N06022
B 336 5581 A 597 Gr4 5388 B 366 B 637 5383 A 567 5390 UNS N06030
B 443 5599 5389 B 574 B670 5589 Gr 5 5536 UNS N06059
B 444 5666 A 494 5530 B 575 5590 B 366 5587 UNS N06060
B 446 5837 Gr Cw-12 5750 B 619 5596 B 435 5588 UNS N06110
MW
B 564 Gr Cw2M(B) B 622 5597 B 572 5754 UNS N06686
B 704 B 626 5662 B 619 5798 UNS N06975
B 705 5663 B 622 5799 UNS N06985
5664 B626 7237 UNS N07031
5832 UNS N07716
UNS N07725
UNS N08135
Cobalt-Nickel- Cobalt-Nickel-
Chromium- chromium
Cobalt-Nickel-Chromium- Tungsten Molybdenum Other Alloys
Molybdenum Alloys Alloys Tungsten
Alloys
UNS R 30035 UNS UNS R30605 UNS R30260 Aluminum Tantalum Titanium Alloys
R30003
UNS R03004 UNS R30159 Base Alloys UNS R05200 UNS R50400
UNS R53400
Copper alloys UNS R56260
UNS R56323
UNS R56403
UNS R56404
UNS R58640
UNS R 31233
(B) As modified in Paragraph 9.1.5.8

This table is taken from NACE MR 0175

19.4 APPENDIX- C: ACCEPTABLE CONDITIONS AND MAXIMUM HARDNESS FOR NON-FERROUS MATERIALS
EXPOSED TO SOUR ENVIRONMENT
Type of Alloy Grade Condition Maximum Hardness
Nickel-Copper NS N04400, ASTM A494 Grades M- 345 HV (327 HB or 35 HRC)

35-1 and M-35-2, and UNS N04405
UNS N05500 in the hot-worked and age-hardened, solution 345 HV (327 HB or 35 HRC)
annealed or solution-annealed and age-hardened
condition
Nickel-Iron UNS N08800 345 HV (327 HB or 35 HRC)
Chromium
Nickel-Iron- UNS N08825, UNS N06007, wrought 345 HV (327 HB or 35 HRC)
Chromium- UNS N06250, wrought UNS N06255,
Molybdenum and wrought UNS N06975
UNS N06950 372 HV (353 HB or 38 HRC
UNS N06985 382 HV (362 HB or 39 HRC
UNS N09925 cold-worked or solution-annealed condition 345 HV (327 HB or 35 HRC
UNS N09925 in the solution-annealed and aged condition 353 HB (372 HV or 38 HRC
cold-worked and aged or hot-finished and aged 392 HV (371 HB or 40 HRC)
condition
Cast UNS N09925 in the solution-annealed and aged condition in the 345 HV (327 HB or 35 HRC
absence of elemental sulphur
UNS N08024 318 HV (301 HB or 32 HRC)
UNS N08028 in the solution-annealed and cold-worked condition 327 HV (311 HB or 33 HRC
Nickel–iron- UNS N06030 in the solution-annealed or solution-annealed and 402 HV (381 HB or 41 HRC
chromium- cold-worked condition
molybdenum- UNS N07048 in the solution-annealed, solution annealed and 392 HV (371 HB or 40 HRC
tungsten aged, or direct aged condition
Wrought UNS N07773 in the solution-annealed and aged condition and free 392 HV (371 HB or 40 HRC
from elemental sulphur and for use at temperatures
up to 149o C (300o F) in the presence of elemental
sulphur
Doc. File No.: STD.R.001.R 3 Page 50 of 57 Custodian Dept.: QA


Wrought UNS N09777 in the solution- for sour environments that are free from elemental 371 HB (392 HV or 40 HRC)
annealed and aged condition sulphur and for use at temperatures up to 121°C
(250°F) in the presence of elemental sulphur.
UNS N08535 in the solution-annealed and cold–worked condition 345 HV (327 HB or 35 HRC)
Wrought UNS N08042 in the solution-annealed or solution-annealed and 310 HV (294 HB or 31 HRC
cold-worked condition
for sour environments that are free from elemental
sulphur
UNS N06952 in the solution-annealed or solution-annealed and
cold-worked condition 345 HV (327 HB or 35 HRC
for environments that are free from elemental
sulphur
Cast UNS N08826 in the solution-annealed plus thermal stabilization 180 HV (172 HB or 87 HRB.
annealed condition
for sour environments that are free from elemental
sulphur and for use at temperatures up to 121°C
(250°F) in the presence of elemental sulphur
Wrought UNS N08032 in the solution-annealed or solution-annealed plus 279 HV (264 HB or 27 HRC
cold-worked condition
For use at temperatures up to 150°C (302°F) in sour
environments that are free from elemental sulphur
Nickel-Chromium UNS N06600 345 HV (327 HB or 35 HRC
UNS N07750 in the solution-annealed and aged, solution- 345 HV (327 HB or 35 HRC)
annealed, hot-worked and hot-worked and aged
condition
Nickel-Chromium- UNS N06002 and UNS N06625 345 HV (327 HB or 35 HRC
Molybdenum UNS N10002, UNS N 10276, ASTM in the solution-annealed or solution–annealed and 345 HV (327 HB or 35 HR)
A494 Grade CW-12 MW, and UNS cold-worked condition
N06059


Wrought alloys UNS N06022 and in the solution annealed or solution-annealed and 392 HV (371 HB or 40 HRC)
UNS N06686 cold worked condition
Alloy UNS N10276 in the cold-worked when used at a minimum temperature of 121°C (250° 446 HV (421 HB or 45 HRC)
and un-aged condition F).
Wrought UNS N07718 in the solution-annealed, hot-worked and hot-worked 345 HV (327 HB or 35 HRC)
and aged condition
Wrought UNS N07718 in the solution-annealed, aged and cast 392 HV (371 HB or 40 HRC)
UNS N07031 in the solution annealed in the solution–annealed and aged and cast, 345 HV (327 HB or 35 HRC)
condition solution-annealed and aged condition
UNS N07031 in the solution-annealed and aged (at 760°C to 392 HV (371 HB or 40 HRC)
870°C (1400° to 1600°F) for a maximum of 4 hours)
condition
UNS N06110 and wrought UNS in the annealed or cold-worked condition of 392 HV (371 HB or 40
N06060 HRC
UNS N07716 and wrought UNS in the solution-annealed and aged condition 392 HV (371 HB or 40 HRC
N07725
UNS N07626, dense hot compacted by a powder metallurgy 392 HV (371 HB or 40 HRC
process and in the solution-annealed (925°C
[1700°F] minimum) plus aged (525°C and
825°C[1000°F to 1500°F]) condition
a maximum tensile strength of 1,380 Mpa (200 ksi
Cast Grade CW-2M meeting ASTM non-down hole applications in the following 248 HV (234 HB or 22 HRC)
A494 conditions (there are no industry standards that
currently address these melting and casting
requirements):
Castings produced as argon oxygen decarburization
(AOD) refined heats, re-melted AOD refined heats, or
virgin re-melt stock. Use of scrap, such as turnings,


chips and returned material is prohibited unless
followed by AOD refining;
Solution-annealed at 1232°C ± 14°C (2250°F ± 25°F)
or solution annealed at 1232°C + 14°C (2250°F ±
25°F) and welded with AWS EniCrMo-7, ERNiCrMo-
7, EniCrMo-10, or ERNiCrMo-10;
The CW2M composition specified in ASTM A494
shall be further restricted to 0.015% maximum
sulphur and 0.05% maximum aluminum
UNS N08135 in the solution-annealed and cold-worked condition 327 HV (311 HB or 33 HRC
For sour environments that are free from elemental
sulphur and for use at temperatures up to 137°C
(278°F) in the presence of elemental sulphur.
Cobalt-Nickel- Alloys UNS R30003, UNS R30004, except when otherwise noted 345 HV (327 HB or 35 HRC
Chromium- UNS R30035, and British Standard,
Molybdenum Aerospace Series HR3
UNS R30035 in the cold reduced and high-temperature aged 528 HV (496 HB or 51 HRC
heat-treated condition as per Table 1C
Wrought UNS R31233 in the solution-annealed condition 248 HV (234 HB or 22 HRC
Cobalt- Nickel- 19.1 UNS R30605 345 HV (327 HB or 35 HRC
Chromium-
Tungsten
Other Alloys
Commercially Pure UNS R05200 in the annealed conditions condition 595 HV (560 HB or 55 HRC)
Tantalum

Titanium Alloys UNS R53400 in the annealed condition, with annealing carried out 204 HV (195 HB or 92 HRB)
at 744°C ± 14°C (1425°F ± 25°F) for 2 hours
followed by air cooling
UNS R58640 412HV (390 HB or 42 HRC)
UNS R50400 254HV (240 HB or 23 HRC)
UNS R56260 in the annealed, solution-annealed and solution- 446 HV (421 HB or 45 HRC)
annealed and aged condition
Wrought UNS R56403 in the annealed condition 354 HV (336 HB or 36 HRC)
UNS R56404 in the annealed condition 345 HV (327 HB or 35 HRC)
UNS R56323 in the annealed condition 318 HV (301 HB or 32 HRC)
Table 1C Ageing Treatment (Time versus Temperature)

Minimum Time (hours) Temperature
4 704ºC (1300ºF)
4 732ºC (1350ºF)
6 774ºC (1425ºF)
4 788ºC (1450ºF)
2 802ºC (1475ºF)
1 816ºC (1500ºF)

19.5 APPENDIX – D: MILL CERTIFICATE VERIFICATION CHECKLIST
Project: Report Number: Date:

Pipe Plate Beam casting Tubing Pipeline Forging Bellows Instrumentation Cast Iron
Application Compressors and Pumps Fittings Valve
Location: xxxxx PS2 PS3 Halul xxxxx xxxxxxx
Part Heat no: Material / Spool Tag # :

Transmittal
QP Code/Standard : QP-STD-R-001R3 & NACE MR0175
No. :
Accepted
S/N Description Ref. Yes No
√ √
1. Mill/Manufacture in PVL?
Certificate type (EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2), verify TDR and CT results in
2.
case of Ty
3. Material Specification, Grade, size, thickness, heats, item number
4. Steel Making Processes:
Basic Oxygen Furnace or Electric Arc Furnace Process
Fully killed, purging with argon, treated with silicon and/or
Aluminium to absorb residual gases
Treated with calcium for inclusion shape control
Vacuum degassed
Continuous Casting into slabs for plate and line pipe production
Grain refining, fine austenitic grain size (7 or finer) in line with
ASTM E 112
5. Chemical Composition
Individual Limits such as max. 1% nickel, C, MN, S, P, Ni, Si, Mo,
Cr, V, AL
MN CR+MO+V NI+CU
Carbon Equivalent(CE)= C + + +
6 5 15
Si MN+CU+Cr Ni Mo
Material Cracking Parameter (Pcm)=C + 30 + + 60 + +
20 15
V
+ 5B
10
Heat Treatment for Product supplied/delivered condition, Seam
6. welded Low- alloy steel and Martensitic stainless steel weldments
shall be stress relieved
7. Mechanical Properties
Tensile and Yield Strength values and ratio, as per ASTM A 370.
Impact Test, energy and shear values, as per ASTM A 370 or
ASTM E 23.

Accepted
S/N Description Ref. Yes No
√ √
Hardness Test, values and locations, (Max. 248 HV10) as per
ASTM E 92.
Bend Test as per ASTM 370, if required.
8. Corrosion Tests
HIC test as per NACE TM 0284 using test solution A as per NACE TM
0177. Required Values as follow: CLR≤15%, CTR≤5%, CSR≤2%, test
duration: 96 hours.
SSCC according to NACE TM 0177 (using Method A or FPBT as
specified in EFC Publication 16 Appendix 2). The test duration shall be a
minimum of 720hrs in solution A. Test shall be carried out at 60, 72, 80,
90 and 100% AYS. Minimum stress for failure after 720 hours shall be
≥90% of SMYS (for Method A) and ≥90% of AYS (for Method B).
9. Hydrostatic test (if required)
NDT (as required), UT lamination check, UT & RT for forgings and
10. castings, RT, UT & MT for welds, etc.
Valves components and its requirements tests for the wet parts(any
11. repair or weld in the valve shall be subject to PWHT (repair by
welding is not permitted on forged items)
Surface Treatment, Overlay, Plating, Coating and Lining: hard
12. Chromium. Chromium, cadmium and zinc plating are not accepted
in sour service.
Comments:
Accepted Rejected
Organization Contractor/ Sub - Third Party Qatar Petroleum
Name
Sign
Date

REVISION HISTORY LOG
Revision Number 3 Date: 01/10/2014
Item Revised: Reason for Change/Amendment:
Revision 3 Changes/Amendments Made:
This is the third revision of the QP Standard for Material Selection for Sour
Service. This Standard is revised to be a Supplement of NACE MR
0175/ISO-15156 & NACE MR0103. Changes have been made from the
Revision 2 to include the latest developments in the world wide standards
referenced in the document, the latest market research and QP specific
requirements.
The changes made on this standard from its last revision are not reflected
by triangle indicator markers as specified by (QP-PRC-A-002), because
the changes are in large scales and touch most parts of the standard.
Revision 2 Changes/Amendments Made:

29-06-2008
This is revision 2 of the QP Standard for Materials for Sour Service. This
document was revised to satisfy the requirement of Standardization
documents NACE MR0175/ISO 15156 (all parts), and recent development
in industry practices.
It was also revised to include the latest developments in the world wide
standards referenced in the document, the latest market research and QP
specific requirements.
Note:
The revision history log shall be updated with each revision of the document. It shall contain a
written audit trail of the reason why the changes/amendments have occurred, what the
changes/amendments were, and the date at which the changes/amendments were made.

QP-STD-R-001-3 Material Selection-Sour Service

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

QP-STD-R-001-3 Material Selection-Sour Service

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

QP-STD-R-001-3 Material Selection-Sour Service

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

STANDARDS PUBLICATION

DOC NO: QP-STD-R-001

CORPORATE QUALITY & MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS DEPARTMENT

DOC. No. QP-STD-R-001 Rev. 3

3.0 APPLICATION ………………………………………………………..................... 5

4.0 TERMINOLOGY ……………………………………………………...................... 5

5.0 REFERENCE STANDARDS AND CODES ……………………….................... 8

6.0 CRACKING MECHANISM IN H2S CONTAINING ENVIRONMENT................ 12

7.0 FACTORS AFFECTING THE BEHAVIOUR OF METALLIC MATERIAL IN

8.0 NACE/ISO CLASSIFICATION OF SOUR SERVICE LEVEL/SEVERITY....... 15

9.0 SIMPLIFIED APPROACH FOR SELECTION OF MATERIAL RESISTANT

10.0 MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR RESISTANCE TO HIC/SWC.................. 16

11.0 SSC/HIC RESISTANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR CARBON & LOW ALLOY

12.0 REQUIREMENTS FOR STAINLESS STEEL ................................................. 20

13.0 REQUIREMENTS FOR NON-FERROUS MATERIALS.................................. 22

14.0 SPECIFIC REQUIREMENT FOR CARBON STEEL PRODUCT FORMS....... 23

15.0 INSPECTION AND TESTING REQUIREMENTS............................................ 31

16.0 QUALITY REQUIREMENTS............................................................................ 39

18.0 IDENTIFICATION MARKING AND COLOUR CODING.................................. 41

REVISION HISTORY LOG............................................................................... 57

Doc. File No.: STD.R.001.R3 Page 2 of 57 Custodian Dept.: QA

DOC. No. QP-STD-R-001 Rev. 3

This document is published for QP Departments/ Contractors/ Consultants utilization. It should

Doc. File No.: STD.R.001.R3 Page 3 of 57 Custodian Dept.: QA

DOC. No. QP-STD-R-001 Rev. 3

Doc. File No.: STD.R.001.R3 Page 4 of 57 Custodian Dept.: QA

DOC. No. QP-STD-R-001 Rev. 3

Doc. File No.: STD.R.001.R3 Page 5 of 57 Custodian Dept.: QA

DOC. No. QP-STD-R-001 Rev. 3

Material Cracking - A parameter related to the chemical composition which

Doc. File No.: STD.R.001.R3 Page 6 of 57 Custodian Dept.: QA

DOC. No. QP-STD-R-001 Rev. 3

Doc. File No.: STD.R.001.R3 Page 7 of 57 Custodian Dept.: QA

DOC. No. QP-STD-R-001 Rev. 3

5.0 REFERENCE STANDARDS AND CODES

Doc. File No.: STD.R.001.R3 Page 8 of 57 Custodian Dept.: QA

DOC. No. QP-STD-R-001 Rev. 3

5.2 EUROPEAN FEDERATION OF CORROSION

Doc. File No.: STD.R.001.R3 Page 9 of 57 Custodian Dept.: QA

DOC. No. QP-STD-R-001 Rev. 3

API Specification 5LC Specification for CRA Line Pipe

Doc. File No.: STD.R.001.R3 Page 10 of 57 Custodian Dept.: QA

DOC. No. QP-STD-R-001 Rev. 3

ASTM A350/A350M Standard Specifications for Carbon and Low-Alloy Steel

Doc. File No.: STD.R.001.R3 Page 11 of 57 Custodian Dept.: QA

DOC. No. QP-STD-R-001 Rev. 3

Doc. File No.: STD.R.001.R3 Page 12 of 57 Custodian Dept.: QA

DOC. No. QP-STD-R-001 Rev. 3

Doc. File No.: STD.R.001.R3 Page 13 of 57 Custodian Dept.: QA

DOC. No. QP-STD-R-001 Rev. 3

6.3.1 Stepwise Cracking (SWC)

Doc. File No.: STD.R.001.R3 Page 14 of 57 Custodian Dept.: QA

DOC. No. QP-STD-R-001 Rev. 3

7.0 FACTORS AFFECTING THE BEHAVIOUR OF METALLIC MATERIAL IN

Doc. File No.: STD.R.001.R3 Page 15 of 57 Custodian Dept.: QA

DOC. No. QP-STD-R-001 Rev. 3

pH value of the aqueous phase by NACE MR 0175/ISO 15156, as illustrated in Fig. 1,

Doc. File No.: STD.R.001.R3 Page 16 of 57 Custodian Dept.: QA