TECHNICAL ALERT

CONSULTING SERVICES
DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: AVOIDING INADVERTENT ALERT NO: DATE:
INSTALLATION OF NON-SOUR SERVICE 34/98 11/02/98
PIPE IN SOUR SERVICES

SUMMARY

Some users are having difficulty recognizing which pipe items in the SAMS
catalog (or DC Surplus) are suitable for use in sour services. Descriptions for
longitudinal submerged-arc welded (SAW), spiral submerged-arc welded, and
electric resistance welded (ERW) pipe that is qualified for use in sour service
always refer to the sour service purchase specification 01-SAMSS-016, “Sour,
Wet Service Line Pipe”. Never install welded pipe in sour service if the
catalog description does not specifically refer to 01-SAMSS-016.

BACKGROUND

• The Problem

Recently, several joints of non-sour service pipe were inadvertently installed in a sour gas piping system
in Abqaiq plants. Severe HIC blistering occurred after nine months service. Follow-up investigation
indicates that users do not always understand from the stock descriptions which pipes are suitable for sour
service and which ones are not.

• How to Recognize When Pipe in SAMS is Suitable for Sour Service

The descriptions in the SAMS catalog for longitudinal submerged-arc welded

(SAW), spiral submerged-arc welded, and ERW pipe that is qualified for use in
sour services always refer to 01-SAMSS-016, “Sour, Wet Service Line Pipe”.

In addition, Standardization has recently reviewed all the line item descriptions
for sour service pipe to ensure that they also contain the statement, “For wet,
sour gas.”

Note: Stock descriptions for seamless pipe do not refer to 01-SAMSS-016.

Seamless pipe is highly resistant to HIC damage and can be used in sour
services without testing for compliance with 01-SAMSS-016.
• Two Common Mistakes

Some users mistakenly assume that if pipe is “Grade B”, it is resistant to HIC damage in service. This is
incorrect. The strength level (grade) of pipe does not affect its susceptibility to HIC damage. Grade B
pipe is no more, and no less, intrinsically susceptible to HIC damage than X65. None of these grades of
pipe should be installed in sour services if the line item description does not refer to 01-SAMSS-016.

Some users assume that longitudinal SAW pipe is intrinsically less susceptible
to HIC damage than spiral SAW pipe or ERW pipe. This is also incorrect.
Susceptibility to HIC damage relates primarily to the steel-making practice used
when the steel is cast. The HIC susceptibility of the steel from which the pipe is
made determines whether or not the finished pipe is suitable for sour service.
The method of pipe fabrication does not affect its HIC susceptibility.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Never install any welded pipe in sour service if the catalog description does
not specifically refer to 01-SAMSS-016.
2. Plants should review the stock descriptions used for any longitudinal or spiral SAW pipe installed in
sour services in the past 3 years. If any inappropriate, or questionable, pipe was installed, implement
Recommendation #3 below.

3. If you discover non-sour service pipe already installed and operating in sour service, take the
following actions:

a) Conduct a visual survey to look for blisters

b) Conduct spot ultrasonic surveys in bands around the pipe looking for laminations and step-
wise cracking.

c) For recommendations to operate, repair, or replace the pipe based on the results of the surveys,
contact the Supervisor, Materials Engineering Unit, CSD, on telephone 874-6125.

Original approved
_________________________
G. A. BARGAWI, Manager
Consulting Services Department