$$??
” 3969
Effects of Metal Thickness and Temperature
On Casing and Tubing Design
For Deep, Sour Wells
J. Brison Greer, Esso Production ResearchCo
Introduction
The production of deep, sour wells places severe de-
mands on tubular goods. Below about 15,000 ft it
becomes necessary either to use strength grades
higher than C-75 or to employ special equipment
such as tapered strings or down-hole hangers because
d ~tie~~~s
. . . . cZLGU
@UG1
..+..-l k.,
UJ
th.
.-
hanoi~u
.. Up ~
weiuht Of tdle
..+.o..-
steel. In addition, it is not uncommon to have a
20,000-psi BHP in a 20,000-ft well and this creates
a high ‘burst requirement & a restdt, speck] Weds
,1,
m q s>”.w”....--
nnllfai-tll red by the quench-and-temper process
have been developed”’ for use in these wells. This
paper is concerned with the effects of temperature,
wall thickness, and defect size on the sulfide stress
crackhg (SSC) performance of commercial steel
used for casing and tubing and how these factors af-
fect manufacturing, design, and completion practices.
There has been considerable interest lately3 in the
effect of high temperature in reducing the SSC poten-
tial. Studies involving hydrogen embrittlement from
cathodic charging 4,5 show that embrittlement is most
severe at about room temperature or slightly below
and becomes less severe for both lower and higher
temperatures; a study of embrittlement due to hydro-
chloric acid6 revealed the same general temperature
dependence. These results are helpful in that a recent
study involving embrittlement from hydrogen sulfide’
suggested that the temperature effect might be due to
a change in corrosion products and should not be
counted on for field application. Although the cor-
rosion reaction is an important factor gwerniiig the
Studies show that increasing temperature alleviates the eflects of sulfide stress cracking
in high-strength steel. This means that higher strength steels can be used in the hotter
portion of the hole as a means of lowering stresses in the more critical, cooler portion.
I
I I
APRIL, 1973 rm
4d/q73 m
35?W
embrittlement potential, once the hydrogen is in the
steel its effect seems to be controlled to a large extent
by the temperature, probably through a diffusion
mechanism; therefore, temperature could be used as
a design parameter.
Practically all stress corrosion experiments meak-
ure stress as a variable; however, this may be one of
the most poorly undemtood parameters used.8 In re-
cent years, testing concepts have changed dramati-
cally through the use of fracture mechamcs. In frac-
ture mechanics, materials are assumed to have fiaws
due to inadequacies in manufacturing and inspection,
and a relationship is obtained between permissible
stress, flaw size, and a property that is characteristic
of the material.
The state of stress can greatly affect the load to
failure of a flawed material. This does not normally
pose a problem for steels of interest in oil production
because the steel strength is relatively low, ductility
is high, and walls are not thick enough to produce
other than plane stress conditions at fracture. Even
so, ductility can be decreased considerably by chang-
ing the stress from uniaxial to biaxial.9 Where em-
brittlement is involved, however, the state of stress
may approach plane strain and become important in
the lower-strength steels used in oil production. The
advent of deeper wells and the use of stronger steels
having thicker walls would also aggravate the state-
of-stress problem. Unfortunately, theoretical frac-
+*..-
cu.w m.=~h-mks
,.!W”.,MW-”hs
... c. ..
not. . heen
---.- extended to Cover the
499
+..-d+:n” f.nm nl.n - dr.-cc to nlane ~t~@ $$0 that IABLE Z—l_LAl ltNINki IESIZ$
L1=UC$lL,”,, .1”1., y.....” .,.. -.?- .- r.----

testing is required to ascertain these performance API

characteristics. Distance
Distance Betwean
Experimental Procedure OD Weight Between Plates
Designation ——
(in.) (lb/ft) D/t Plates (maximum)
Materials 38
Mod N-80 C4 N-80 NT 7 13 0.46D 0.79D
The steels examined inthis series of tests consist of 0.52D
0.61D
heavy-wall, 7-in. OD commercial casing and 8-in.
OD coupling stock manufactured, for the most part, Mod N-80 A3 N-80 7 32 15 0.53D 0.73D
0.52D
for service in sour environments. Results of tensile 0.53D
and chemical analyses are shown in Table 1. Gen- Mod N-80 B7821 i’ 38 13 0.36D 0.79D
erally, yield strengths averaged 10,000 psi greater 0.48D
than the nominal grade strength; e.g., Mod N-80 — N.80 16315 7 38 13 0.48D 0.79D
90,000 psi. Chemical analyses fall into two general 0.57D
0.59D
groups (1) carbon-manganese (typical of most API
products) and (2) chromium-molybdenum (or vana- 90 C2874 7 48 9.5 0.520 0.930
0.47D
dium) where an increased capacity to harden was 0.46D
desired, as in the heavier-walled products. API flat- 95 C3814 7 38 13 0.39D 0.B4D
tening properties for some of the steels used in the 0.41D
temperature study are given in Table 2. 0.46D
. -- . ...
95 V2-95 i 32 i5 U.33V 0.780
Specimen 0.58D
0.59D
C-rings (Figs. 1 through 3) cut transversely from the
P-no E?P-no 7 32 15 0.66D 0.B3D
tubular goods were used exclusively in the SSC tests. 0.640
To insure uniformity these were machined to &0.001 0.71D
in. tolerance. All rings were 0.875 in. wide and P-no C2898 7 35 14 0.66D 0.86D
were either 7 or 8 in. in nominal OD, depending on 0.61D
0.79D
whether they were from casing or coupling stock.
Wall thickness variations were obtained by removing
material from the inner surface. A Charpy V notch
was introduced on the outer surface as a stress raiser, tothe ring diameter and prevent torsional stresses on
----- --- of the wall
and its depth is reported as a p,ruw]tiigu ~~e ~o:: l-h:” SY
.,,.+
~.~,.,
L U,ij
m +imm-f.nnc>lming ~~~ ~~~
,,,9.
“ u.1 &,&n, b–-”..o . . . . . . .

thickness of the sample. Stress was exerted by means results were no more accurate than those obtained
of a bolt through the C-ring. by simply flattening the C-rings with a Tinius-Olsen
tester and recording the load-deflection curve. The
Calibration calibration curves yield information on sulfide stress
The C-rings were initially calibrated by the strain- cracking; typical data are shown in Figs. 9 through 15.
gauge setup shown in Fig. 1. The bolt was loaded The samples were loaded for SSC testing by de-
through vee blocks and bearings to localize the load flection. Some indication of the stresses involved can

TABLE l+ATA FROM TENSILE-STRENGTH TESTS AND CHEMICAL ANALYSES

Percent
Chemistry Strength (psi) Elongation
Grade Designation c Mn —— P s —Si Cr Mo Yield Ultimate in 2 in.
Mod N-80 C4 N-80 NT 0.29 1.73 0.009 0.030 0.20 =63 ml 81,200 107,100 28
Mod N-80 A3 N-80 0.18 1.23 0.016 0.038 0.26 0.08 0.10 83,000 101,700 32.5
. .. J.. #..n -9” sx nnn I.-T,
nA nnn
MOO IY-WJ Vi N -%j U.a+ 1.25 G.035 0.030 0.22 0.55 (0.!?5!laiJ “+,””” --- 3A
Mod N-80 B7821 0.33 1.24 0.007 0.025 0.25 — 0.19 89,400 102,500 36
Mod N-80 16545 0.32 1.22 0.010 0.027 0.27 — 0.18 89,500 106,600 34
Mod :4-$30 Et78i5
~ ~~ i.~g 0.009 0.(X2i !?.29 — ~.Jg QQ
“-,-””WI() lnAnM
-.. .r---- 34
Mod N-80 A3673 0.32 0.58 0.010 0.024 0.26 0.93 0.15 90,200 111,500 40
N-80 16315 0.36 0.74 0.009 0.023 0.31 0.94 0.19 99,700 119,400 33
90 C2874 0.30 0.44 0.008 0.026 0.25 0.97 0.17 95,600 120,500 34
90 B2935 0.29 0.48 0.012 0.028 0.23 0.92 0.19 96,500 116,300 34
90 E2907 0.31 0.49 0.010 0.015 0.27 0.95 0.19 100,000 120. A(J(J 33
90 C8331 0.35 0.53 0.006 0.022 0.26 1.00 0.17 99,400 117,900 37
95 C3814 0.33 1,24 0.009 0.020 0.29 — 0.21 104,800 132,600 30
95 B7586 0.32 1.25 0.010 0.023 0.26 — 0.18 103,800 122,500 28
95 V2 95 0.31 0.68 0.010 0.025 2.5 0.68 0.27 105,800 132,400 25
P-no U1 P-no 0.35 1.58 0.015 0.035 0.11 0.04 0.03 113,000 132,700 25
P-no E2 P-11O 0.33 1.25 0.012 0.040 0.21 0.58 0.09 131,900 143,200 21.5
P-no C2898 0.35 1.32 0.010 0.018 0.25 — 0.19 121,200 137,500 21
125 B8625 0.34 0.60 0.011 0.024 0.28 0.94 0.16 133,000 149,000 27

500 JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY

 Fig. l—C-ring calibration setup.

be obtained by comparing the deflections we used was neutralized by bubbling through a caustic solu-
with theioad-deflection curves in Figs. 9 through 15. .:--
LIU1l
u.c-.. h-:-” lQL-USWU
UGIU1 G UGU1~
.~Ia..A intn
I.I.U
thp air ~0 w~~hstand
. ..- -...

lt ..u” fnl,nd
a. WnQ .“---- that
...-. the -- .---—-.. cor~sponding
.... deflection .- to fi~t pressure, the baths used in the high-temperature tests
yield was essentially a constant, although the deflec- were specially constructed and lined with Hastelloy
tion at failure varied strongly with flaw size and C. Room-temperature baths were constructed of
manufacturing considerations. The SSC experimental Plexiglas.
results include information on stresses. These corre-
spond to stresses whose calculationl” assumes that Environment
the material has not yieldcxl and which include no Except when the temperature was O°F and 25 per-
stress concentration for the notch. This calculation cent salt was used, the aqueous HA environment was
matches the calibration data very well at the onset prepared for the tests in accordance with a proposed
of yield. Calculations assuming perfect plasticity after NACE Standard Test Method.” This produces an
yield show good agreement with the calibration loads oxygen-free H,S-saturated aqueous solution contain-
observed at full yield.11 For deflections greater than ing also 5 percent NaCl and 0.5 percent acetic acid
the onset of yield, some estimate of the stress can be by weight. Oxygen was initially removed from the
obtained from the load-deflection curve. There is
obviously a more complex relationship between the
state of stress and deflection than the calibration
curves are able to describe; unnotched samples are
in a state of plane stress, whereas notched samples
display varying degrees of triaxiality as evidenced by
Fzl--m- PRESSURE
RELIEF
the reduced ductility.
GAS IN
Test Apparatas
The general arrangement of the test apparatus is
shown in Fig. 2. It consisted of baths equipped to SAFETY
hold 20 electrically isolated 7-in. C-rings and various SHUT-OFF

feedthroughs for the H,S gas and liquid samples. The

baths were placed in a hood and equipped with a H2S

pressure relief valve and safetv shut-off (in case of ; d

hood failure) on the H,S supply. Gas leaving the baths Fig. 2-General arrangement of the testing apparatus.

APRIL, 1973 501

water bath by boiling. Hydrogen sulfide was then
bubbled through the solution for 24 hours before the
samples were introduced, and bubbling was main-
tained throughout the tests. For high-temperature
tests, the C-ring samples were preheated in an oven
to the temperature of the bath before they were placed
in the bath. The baths were operated at pressures
corresponding to the vapor pressure of water at the
operating temperature. Saturated sulfide contents for
these conditions” are shown below:
Pressure Saturated H,S
Temperature (psi) (ppm)
72°F (24”C) 0.4 3,900
! 5!YF (65 “c) 3.7 1,670
200°F (93°C) 11.5 1,260
Examination
The samples were visually examined for evidence of
cracking by being removed from the bath, usually at
intervals of 3, 10, and 30 days. Unfailed samples were
broken at the end of the 30-day exposure to the
environment; the load, deflection at failure, and frac-
notch; data are given in Tables 3 and 4 and illustrated
in Figs. 4 and 5.
Figs. 4 and 5 show both the calibration and the
SSC deflections sustained at failure. Additionally,
they indicate the deflection corresponding to yield
stress in order to shed light on the relative amount
of embrittlement due to the environment. For ex-
ample, if a sample held a deflection corresponding to
the yield stress in an SSC test, one might assume a
false indication of the actual embrittlement if he did
not know how much additional deflection ordinarily
to expect. The data on “breaking deflection in air”
show a rather wide scatter and appear to depend pri-
- marily on manufacturing considerations.
Figs, 4 and 5 convey the impression that high tem-
perature is highly beneficial to sulfide-cracl&g re-
sistance. By changing the test temperature from 750
7“ O. D. X D.4 WALL WITH 12Yi% NOTCH _ DEFIECllON SUSTAINED
SATURATED SOLUTION H2S - H*O,
BY All HEATS
0 DEFLECTION SUSTAINED
5% NoCl, 0.5% ACETIC ACID BY ONE OR MORE
.82
~
; .67

ture appearance were used to determine if cracking 0

~ .s0
had begun. Typical C-ring failures are show in Fig. 3. .

Suuide stress
And Discussion
Temperature
cracking

Tests
Reds

The temperature range of 0° to 200°F was investi-

ill 50 100
NOMINALl::$L:sf TRENGTH
150
L
50 100
NOMINAL1;::L;s; TRENGTH
150

gated with steels having nominal yield strengths of ~

80,000 to 125,000 psi. Numerous tests were run in z
order to fill in gaps, duplicate data, and evaluate o
~
different heats of the same product. A solution con- ‘5
3
taining 25 percent NaCl (to prevent freezing) was 0

0
used to obtain the O°F results, and a test with this z
z~
solution was performed at room temperature to com-
pare results. Tests were performed with samples of so 100
NOMINA:JI:L:C:TRENGTH
150 so 100
NOMINA\o~:L:S;TRENGTH
I 50

two sizes, 7 iii. 012 X 0.5 in. tlick X Xl-percent ,“.... . . .

notch and 7 in. OD X 0.4 in. thick X 121%-percent Fig. ~Effect of temperature on sulfide stress cracking
of high-strength steei. (0. i3-in. riefiection corresponds
to approximateiy 62,500. psi stress.)

7“ O. D. X 0,5” WALL WITH 20% NOTCH - DEFLECnON SUSTAINEO

BY ALL HEATS
SATURATED SOLUTION H# - H20, = DEFLECTION SUSTAINED
5% NaCl, 0.5% ACETIC ACID BY ONE OR MORE

z .s
//////////////
BREAKING DEFLECTION IN AIR
g .4 ..
G
: .*Z

:
~ 0.13

z
-.
NOMINA;o~l$-~s;TRENGTH

g .s4 ///// /////// //////’/’// ‘///’/’

,, BRE,AKING D; FLECNON, IN AIU BREAKING DEFECTION JN,A)R
z //, /,,,,
0 .40~ Z Z ““‘ // // / / / / //,
--

Fig. S-Effect of temperature on sulfide stress cracking

of high-strength steel. (O. 16-in. deflection corresponds
Fig. 3—Typical sulfide stress cracking failure (SA x ). to approximately 57,000-psi stress.)

502 JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY

 (7 in. x 0.4 in. x 12~2 percent notch samples)

Time to Failure (days) at These Deflections (in.):

Tempee~$ and Test
Designation Number 0.08 0.12 0.16” 0.25
—— 0.33 0.42
—— 0.50 0.59
—
— ——

O“F{–12”C)
Mod
Mod
Mod
N-80
N-80
N-80
A3 N-80
62 N-80
C4 N-80 NT
21**

2i
21
w
NF
L:
30
3
3

Mod N-80 67821 21 1: 3

90 C2874 21 :; :; 3
C3814 21 NF NF 1: 3
:: V2 95 21 10 3 3

75°F (24”C)
Mod N-80 A3 N-80 3 3
: :
30
NF NF
22* *
MX 10

Mod N-80 C4 N%o NT

z4
w
NF
NF
MX
MX
10
3 3 3
!5 MX 3 3 3
8 Mx 3
8 30
NF NF
;; NF NF 3
N-80 16315 4 3 3 3
8 :;
Mod N-80 67821 5 NF : 3 3
NF 3
NF
NF NF 1: 10
90 C2874 NF 3 3
NF 3
NF
NF K 10 10
95 C3814 NF 3 3 3
RF 3
NF NF
NF NF 10 3
95 V2 95 4 3 3
: :
NF
MX 1; 3
3 3 3 3
3
N? 3 3 3
3 3

150”F (65”C)
Mod N-80 A3 N-80 7 NF N; NF
95 w % 7 NF
95 C3814 7 NF NF :
P-no E2 P.llo 7 NF 3
P-no C2898 7 NF N? 3

200”F (93”C)
Mod N-80 A3 N-80 6 NF NF 3
9 N% 3
Mod N-80 ~#J580 NT 9 NF
N-80 9 iF iF 3
Mod N-80 B7821 9 NF NF NF
90 C2874 9 NF NF NF
95 — 6 NF NF
9 : :
95 (X814 6 ?4!= NF NF
;: NF 3
P-no E2 P-11O NF 3
: :
P-110 C2898 NF NF NF
9 3 3

NF = No Failure
MX = Microscopic cracking
●Corresponds to approximately 57,000 psi
“625 percent NaCi

APRIL. 1973 503

 TABLE 4-SULFIDE STRESS CRACKING OF HIGH-STRENGTH STEEL CASING
(7 in. x 0.5 in. x 20 percent notch samples)

Test
Time to Failure (days) at These Deflections (in.)
Temperature
and Material Designation Number 0.13’s 0.20 0.27 0.33 0.40
—.

32° F (0°)

Mod N-80 16545 18 3 3

B7815 i~ 3 ~ 3
8?821 18 3 3 3
90 E2907 18 3. 3 3
B2935 18 3 3 3
95 B7586 18 3 3 3
C3814 18 3 3 3

75°F (24”C)

Mod N-80 16545 10 NF, 3 3

17** 3 3
B7815 15t 3
17 3 3
B7821 1 MX 3 3 3 3
N-80 16315 10 NF, 3 3
90 B2935 10 NF, NF 3
17 3 3
C2874 1 MX 3 3 3 3
E2907 15 3 3
17 3 3
95 B7586 10 NF, NF 3
15 3 3
17 3 3
C3814 1 30 3 3 3
15 3,3 3,3
17 3 3
P-no U1 P-no 1 3 3 3 3 3
C2898 10 3,3
125 B8625 10 3,3

150”F(65”C)
Mod N-80 16545 11 MX MX 3
B7821 2* NF NF 3 3 3
N-80 16315 11 NF 3 3
90 B2935 11 NF
C2874 2 NF NF 3 3 3
95 E7586 11
. . NF 3 3
C3814 2 NF NF 3 3 3
P-no U1 P-no 2 NF 3 3 3 3
C2898 11 NF NF 3 3
125 B8625 11 NF 3 3 3

200°F (93”c)
Mod N-80 16545 12 NF NF 3
B7821 3 NF NF 3 3 3
N-80 16315 12 NF NF 3
90 B2935 12 NF NF NF
C2874 3 NF NF NF 3 3
95 B7586 12 NF 3 3
C3814 3 NF NF NF 3 3
P-no U1 P-no 3 NF 30 3 3 3
C2898 12 NF NF NF NF
125 12 NF NF NF 3

*Corresponds to approximately 62,500 psi.

..21j00F+750F due to heater faihre.
t125° F+75” Fdue to heater failure.
$Test discontinued after 3 days.
NF= No Failure.
MX = Microscopic cracking.

<C)A
JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY
to 150°F, it was possible to make the P-110 samples
match the performance exhibited by Mod N-80 at
75 ‘F. Since Figs. 4 and 5 reflect a “group” response,
a more accurate idea of the effect of temperature can
be gained by examining the performance of individual
alloys in Tables 3 and 4. It is also helpful to note
whether the product has a simple carbon-manganese
chemistry or is a more highly alloyed chromium-
containing product (Table 1). Additionally, the cali-
bration curves (Figs. 9 through 15) give an indication
of the ductility inherent in the material. Two high-
temperature tests (Nos. 15 and 17, Table 4) are
shown with the room - temperature tests because
there were heater failures and all the samples subse-
quently failed.
The situation below room temperature is less clear
because threshold stresses are not always bracketed
by “no failure” data. Limited time-to-failure response
data indicate that embrittlement is more severe at
320F than at 750F. The O°F stress data are more
complete and generally indicate equal SSC resistance
or perhaps less. The change in SSC resistance between
0° and 75°F does not appear as great as that observed
between 750 and 150°F. Perhaps 0° to 750F repre-
sents the temperature range of maximum cracking
severity, and perhaps both lower and higher tempera-
tures are less severe environments, as hydrogen
charging experiments have shown.
Thickness and Flaw-Size Tests
Three steels of high hardening capacity used for
coupling stock were selected for thickness-variation
tests because of their uniform hardness — both
through the wall and from end to end. Typical hard-
ness data for these steels are shown in Table 5. The
coupling stock was at first somewhat greater than 8
in. OD and 1 in. thick. After machining, the OD was
maintained at 8 in. and material was removed from
the inner surface to produce wall thicknesses varying
from 0.25 to 0.85 in. Three sizes of defects were
introduced — zero, 5 percent, and 12% percent of
the specimen wall thickness — by means of a Charpy
V notch. The samples were loaded to equal stress
ieveis caicuiateci as if the rnat,<riai had riot @ided
and disregarding the notch size completely. Data ob-
tained by using this calculation procedure are re-
ported in Table 6. Studies wifh iarger notches how-
ever, demand that the notch size be included in the

TABLE 5_~PlCAL HARDNESS DATA FOR STEELS USED IN THE SIZE-EFFECT STUDY

Wall
Thickness
Designation (?:) (in.)

C8331 8.017 0.946

Front of Tube Back of Tube

Hardness (Rc) Hardness (Rc)
Quad-
rant Test Outer Midwall Inner ~ Test
—— Outer Midwall
—
Inner
—. Diff.
~~.~
A-B 1 20.1 19.8 19.8 i 22.5 22.s
2 19.8 20.1 20.1 2 22.5 21.3 24.0
3 20.2 20.6 20.4 3 23.1 22.8 24.1
Avg. 20.0 20.2 20.1 0.2 Avg. 22.7 22.2 24.3 2.1

B-C 1 21.1 20.0 20.4 1 20.0 21.2 24.5

2 20.0 19.9 20.2 2 22.8 22.5 24.8
3 19.9 20.0 21.3 3 23.0 21.9 24.1
Avg. 20.3 20.0 20.6 0.6 Avg. 21.9 21.9 24.5 2.6

C-D 1 21.0 20.9 21.3 1 22.8 22.6 23.9

2 20.4 21.0 21.4 2 22.8 23.5 25.0
3 20.8 21.1 21.7 3 22.7 22.0 24.8
Avg. 20.7 21.0 21.5 0.8 Avg. 22.8 22.7 24.6 1.9

D-A 1 20.1 20.8 20.8 1 22.1 22.5 25.0

2 20.0 20.0 20.3 2 22.8 22.5 24.9
3 19.9 20.6 20.0 3 23.0 22.6 25.0
Avg. 20.0 20.5 20.4 0.5 Avg. 22.6 22.5 25.0 2.5

APRIL, 1973 505

 calculations in order to normalize the calculated
stresses; the same data calculated on the basis of the
wall thickness remaining under the notch are shown
in Fig. 6.
The size effect experiments show that there are
SSC threshold stress changes due both to material
thickness and to flaw size. Increasing the wall thick-
ness from 0.25 to 0.85 in. decreases the SSC threshold
stress by about 20,000 psi for samples containing the
same percentage notch depth, Similarly, increasing
fh~ llQtCh Sk? frC3m Zero tO 5 pe.rCent Or from 5
to 12% percent of nominal wall ‘decreases the SCC
20 t ❑ MOD N-80 V1 N80
resistance by about 20,000 psi. With botlh eilects
4.s---
LaA&u
kin
Ubw
mvnmnt
-“w” ----,
the
. ..-.
deflection
-
required to cause
failure varies from values less than half those corre-
0~ ~’, ~’~ o’~ 0’8 1:0 1:2 sponding to yield to values above yieid.
“ -. -
. .:... uu
~~ CQP i. nnt twit;relv sU~-
WA-ll- THICKNESS - iNCH T’ne ~f?(?~l Of notch ~K U-.. ------- .,

Fig. 6-Effect of wall thickness and Charpy notch depth prising; some stress concentration might be expected.
on threshold stress for sulfide stress cracking. Ductile materials are not usually designed with stress
concentration factors, except when there is fatigue,
‘“”’ooo~ because localized yielding supposedly allows redistr-
ibution of the stresses. The calibration curves (see
Figs. 9 through 15) for samples containing notches of
di.fIerent depths confirm this procedure; there is no
noticeable ditlerence in the load-deflection curves
even when compared with deflections corresponding
to as much as full yield for an unnotched specimen.
It k ~nSatiSfac~opj, h~weverj to analyze the data on
the basis of traditional stress concentration factors,
because these factors become unrealistically large for
the defect sizes of interest. Addhionally, the tradi-
tional factors are based on plane stress, whereas the
variations in wall thickness indicate the effect of
triaxial stress.
T- 4?
~U~1 . ~ULbl
. ..4 . . =
. afihm+.
m=wll-..,., ti=ctc
----- --- are u~ua~y run under
plane-strain conditions because this represents a
“worst case” and because a know relation exists
1000$
I I I I 1 I between a material constant, Kc, the applied nominal
0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2
WALL THICKNESS - INCH
stress, and crack length. Plane strain is achieved by
Fig. 7— -—,
RelaTion5ni~
-&____ I_.
L-A...
U~LWt5~ll
--” ..,..,18 +h; ,.k”
WCIII U1l-!e-=.
cc mmtph
!----
depth, increasing the thickness of the sample as required.
and energy absorbed during calibration. For a fracture-mechatics specimen, whether plane
, I , , stress or plane strain is achieved is governed by con-
F 1 ,
-1
traction through the thickness, or z direction, so that
I Oc 8331
❑ A 3693 ? the state of stress at the crack tip14 changes from
biaxial to triaxial; i.e.,

Plane Stress Plane Strain

Ce = u~ Uz= %
i
Wz= o fJz = V(IJC+ UJ

Here u., CM,a, are normal stresses, ~d” is poisson’s

ratio. The dtierence in stress state caused by increas-
ing thickness may be responsible for the effect of
thickness noted in the SSC tests.
It would be desirable to have a means of evaluating
t 1 a steel’s SSC performance from physical rather than
environmental testing. It appears that the data ob-
.-:-.-~ :- AAL
Lt4411GU UI WL1l
+ha tamtmratnre
u.- .W...y-. -----
tes~~ng ~d
‘--
the Sk-
effect testing discussed here can be interpreted in
I 1 I 1 1 , 1 I
‘“0030 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 terms of the energy absorbed during the C-ring load-
SSC THRESHOLD STRESS -1000 PSI
deflection calibration of the samples. These energies
Fjg. ~orre!ation between energy abscrrbed d u ring
.. ”.- fihtnined
w~r~ .,------- ~~ @ar plaslirnetry and correspond to
calibration and threshold stress for
sulfide stress cracking. the work done on the C-ring du~ng calibration nor-

JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY

realized by the cross-section beneath the notch. A
somewhat similar approach to the study of fracture
mechanics behavior of intermediate strength steels
has been proposed” for use where plane strain stress
conditions are satisfied. A plot of energy absorbed
for various wall thicknesses and notch sizes is shown
in Fig. 7. The correlation seems to depend on the
relative cleanliness of the steel and the “goodness of
quench.” Later data show that a false indication of
SSC performance can be expected if the steel is well
quenched but dirty (calibration energy too low) or
clean but poorly quenched (calibration energy too
high). Also, caution should be exercised in testing
other geometries*8 since it is not known how cMer-
ent slip-line fields might influence the SSC-calibration
energy correlation.
Calibration energies for samples studied in the
temperature portion are given in Table 7. Although
the 75 ‘F threshold SSC stresses were not so accu-
rately determined in these tests, the data appear to
be in agreement with the correlation energies from
the size-effect study.

TABLE 6-EFFECT OF SAMPLE THICKNESS AND NOTCH SIZE ON TIME TO FAILURE

~QR ~~~F!~~ ~TR&&s CRACK!NG

Time to Failure (days)

Notch Size, Material, Stress* x 10-* psi

Wall Thickness (in.) 20
—— 30 40
—— 50 .60 .70 80
.— 90 100
—— 125 150
—— 175 .200
12% Percent Notch

90-C8831
0.850 NF NF MX 3
0.500 NF NF NF 3
0.250 NF NF 3

Mod N-80 A 3673

0.850 NF NF MX 30 3 3
0.500 NF NF NF 10 3 3
0.250 NF NF NF 3 3 3
Mod N-80 VI N-80
0.850 NF NF MX 3
0.500 NF NF 33
0.250 NF NF NF 3 3

5 Percent Notch
90-C8831
0.850 NF NF NF 3 3 3
0.500 NF NF NF 10 3 3
0.250 NF NF NF 3 NF 3
Mod N-80 A 3673
0.850 ‘ NF NF NF NF 3 3
0.500 NF NF NF 3 3 3
0.250 NF NF NF 3 53
Mod N-80 V1 N-80
0.850 NF NF NF 5 3 3
0.500 NF NF NF 9 5 3
0.250 NF NF NF NF 30 NF

0 Percent Notch

90-C8831
NF MX MX 3 3
NF NF 10 33
NF ~~ NC
,., 33

Mod N-80 A 3673

0.850 NF NF NF MX MX 3
0.500 NF NF NF MX 6 3
0.250 NF NF NF NF 3 MX
Mod N-80 V1 N-80
0.850 NF MX MX MX
0.500 NF MX MX MX MX 10
0.250 NF NF MX 3
“Calculated assuming no yielding and no notch.
NF = No Failure in 30 days.
MX = Microscopic cracwng.

APRIL, 1973 507

 1
600

400
.

200
v
OK 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.8
0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0
DE:FLECTION - IN
x 0.5-in. x 20.percent-riOtch materials.
Fig. x-ring calibration of T-in.

in this dkection are stresses that become more com-

Implications for Design and Completion
Temperature Effects
Decreasing SSC susceptibility with temperature sug-
gests that higher strength grades could be utilized at
depth, saving weight and subsequent stresses on the
upper, cooler, more critical members. Also helping
~A=l F ~-cAL!!3RAT10N ENERGY
pressive with depth; SSC is not considered a problem
for compressive loadlng. These data indicate that
P-1 10 casing can be used as safely at 2000F as Mod
N-80 at 75”F. More complete testing may lower this
temperature limitation somewhat.
In shutting in critical wells, care should be taken
to prohibit a cold sulfide environment from contact-
ing high-strength tubular goods. This could be accom-
plished by using down-hole shut-inf-- devices
-r AL..1.,.1- or by
FOR c9wamnle

‘ ‘7~fipERATURE sTUDY SAMPLES heating the upper part w L1lc W,=, ,UL “a-.=.”.
Energy*
M e+ml.isI Designation (in-lb/sq in’I
,V,ca.=m
,“s

7 in. x 0.4 in x 121A percent notch

I
966
Mod N-80 A3 N-80
a N-80 NT 1,419 I 163? 5
—
B7821 1,393 \
1000 -
16315 2,024
N-80
C2874 2,177
90
C3814 2,625
95 VI
P-no V295 1,841 n
1,282 z 750 -
E2 P-no >
C2898 1,969 0
k

7 in. x 0.5 in. x 20 percent notch n

: 50 0-
16545 1,039
Mod N-80 A
B7815 952
B7821 952 _ C4 N-8” NT
90 B2935 1,022
25 0-
C2874 1,065
E2907 1,264
L
B7586 1,186
95
C3814 1,558 ! ! 1 I
I
o 2
P-no U1 P-no 1,022 o

C2898 1,402 D::LECTl:d - lNCOi:S (BEOtiEEN T;?S)

125 B8625 1,022 Fig. 10-C-ring calibration of 80,000-psi yield strength
materials, 7 in. x 0.4 in. x 121\2-percent notch.
“Normalized by dividing by the cross+.ection under the notch.
JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY
508
.

Sie Effects
Steel may become more susceptible to SSC simply
because of its thickness. This susceptibility depends
greatly on the size of any defects in the steel. Typical
defects that should be considered are corrosion pits
and faulty threads and pipe seams. Unavoidable
notches such as threads could be compensated for
by using heavier sections, proprietary couplings, etc.
Manufacturing defects can be inspected for and
ground out if they are greater than a predete~ined
size. Corrosion control takes on added significance
when viewed in terms of the defect-size effect; a good
inhibition program will pay an additional dividend.
Manufacturing
The energy absorbed by steel loaded to failure is
strongly a function of the manufacturing process;
quenched and tempered, clean steels absorb more
o 1 1 1
1

0.2
1

0.4 “.6 “.8 1.” 1.2

energy to failure than normalized, dirty steels. The
0
DEFLECTION - INCHES quench-and-temper process is not a guarantee of good
Fig. ll<-ring calibration of 90,000- to 95,000-psi structure and properties, however, for as section size
yield strength materials, 7 in. x 0.4 in. increases, additional capacity to harden (obtained by
x 121/2-percent notch.
using alloying elements) is required to maintain the
same structure quality. Inspection and defect re-
moval become more important for goods destined
for sour service. It is to be hoped that the relation-
ship observed between calibration energy absorbed
1
I

2 Soo NO NOTCH
1 / i

II
=-C 2898
1 F~n/
4 !C!QQF
~
SO’j1\,%NOTCH11:NoTcH30 ,010

u
0 1.0 2.0
.6 0.8 1.0 1.2
DEFLECTION - INCHES
DEFLECTION -INCHES ------
Fig. 14-C-ring calibration of 80,0ClCS-psi yieici strength
Fig. 12—C-ring calibration of 110,000-psi yield strength
material, VI N80 8-in. x 0.50-in. samples,
materials, 7 in. x 0.4 in. x 121/2-percent notch.

NO NOTCH

A1,l,..NOTCM . . . . . . . ..- .. . ~5\NoTcH ~

I/
0[ i , 1 Ov , i
0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 o 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0
DEFLECTION - INCHES DEFLECTION - INCHES

Fig. 13—C-ring calibration of 80,000-psi yield strength Fig. 15—C-ring calibration of 80,000-psi yield strength
materials, A3673 8-in. x 0.850-in. samples. material, A3673 8-in. x 0.25-in. samples.

~pp~~, 1973 509

and SSC performance can be furthered to permit 6. Greer, J. B., Von Rosenberg, E. L. and Martinez, J.:
“Effect of Temperature and State of Stress in Hydrogen
easier, more knowledgeable control of manufacturing Embrittlement of High Strength Steel,” Corrosion
requirements. ( 1972) 28.378-384.
7. Hudg&s, C. M.: “The Effect of Temperature on the
Conclusions Aqueous Sulfide Stress Cracking Behavior of an N-80
Steel,” paper presented at the NACE Canadian Western
1. Increasing temperature is beneficial in reducing Regional Conference, Calgary, Alta. (1971).
the sulfide stress cracking susceptibility of high- 8. Novak, S. R. and Rolfe, S. T.: “Comparison of Fracture
strength steel. This temperature effect can be used to Mechanics and Nominat-Stress Analyses in Stress-
Corrosion Testing,” paper presented at the NACE 26th
advantage in the design and completion of sour wells. Annual Conference, Philadelphia, Pa. (1970).
2. Wall thickness and defect-size effects are im- 9. Dieter, G. E.: Mechanical Metallurgy, McGraw-Hill,
portant in sulfide stress cracking. A thicker steel of Book Co., Inc., New York (1961 ).
the same material is more subject to cracking than 10. Fernandez, S. O. and Tisinai, G. F.: “Stress Analysis
of Unnotched C-Rings Used for Stress Cracking Studies,”
a thin one. Notches of 12%2 percent of the wall can J. of Engineering for Industry, ASME (1968) 90-B,
lower threshold SSC stresses from yield to less than 147-152.
half the yield. 11. Nadai, A.: “Plastic Bending of Bars,” Theory Of F~OW
3. The energy absorbed in loading a sample to and Fracture of Solids, McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc.,
New York (1950) Chap. 22, 369.
failure (in air) appears to correlate with its SSC per-
12. “Evaluation of Metallic Materials for Resistance to
formance. This criterion may be useful in establishing Sulfide Stress Cracking at Ambient Temperature}
manufacturing requiremen~ for high-strength steel NACE, Houston (Aug. 20, 1970).
iptended for service in sour environments, 13. Hodgman, D.: “Volubility of Gases in Waterfl Hand-
book oj Chemistry and Physics, Fortieth ed. Chemical
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IA. p&.i~, p. C. and Sib, C.. S,: “Stress Analysis of Cracks,”
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2. Swanson, T. M. and Tralrner, J. P.: “High Strength Failure Criterion,” Scientific Paper 71-1E7-FMPWR-P3,
f)n.nch.d ~IKI Tern~red Steel Casing for SOur ofl and
x -------- ‘Westinghouse Research Laboratories, Pittsburgh, Pa.
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4. Toh, T. and Baldwin,
W. M., Jr.: Stress Corrosion
Cracking and W. D. Robertson, Ed.,
Embrittlement,
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JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY