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Paper No.
11112 2011

DIFFICULTIES IN THE USE OF NACE MR0175/ISO 15156

Jeff Vatne Regina Verdolin

Worley Parsons Bantrel
Calgary, Alberta Calgary, Alberta
Canada Canada

ABSTRACT

From 1975 to 2003, guidelines and latest industry practices to avoid sulfide stress cracking
(SSC) in upstream H2S-containing services have been published in NACE Standard MR0175.
Over those years, many changes have been made to the standard, culminating in its evolution
to NACE MR0175/ISO 15156 seven years ago. However, there have been difficulties for
Owner/Operators in the application of this latest standard, and for vendors in meeting its
requirements.

As a result, there are those who are choosing to invoke NACE MR0175-20021, instead. This
paper will discuss some of the reasons why this is so, including the effects of changes in the
sour service definitions. Examples of exceptions taken will be examined. And cost issues
involved in meeting MR0175/ISO 15156 will be presented.

Keywords: sulfide stress corrosion cracking, sour service, NACE MR0175

INTRODUCTION

With the cooperation of NACE and the European Federation of Corrosion (EFC), Working
Group 7 of Technical Committee ISO/TC 67 prepared ISO 15156, basing that standard on
NACE MR0175 and EFC Reports 162 and 173.

NACE International adopted ISO 15156 and in 2003, published the last two parts of a three-
part document “… to provide requirements and recommendations for materials qualification
and selection for safe application in environments containing wet H2S in oil and gas production
systems.” In 2008, the last of eight technical corrigenda and circulars was published. These
eleven documents are collectively known as NACE MR0175/ISO 151564, hereby referred to as
“NACE/ISO”.

©2011 by NACE International. Requests for permission to publish this manuscript in any form, in part or in whole, must be in writing to NACE
International, Publications Division, 1440 South Creek Drive, Houston, Texas 77084. The material presented and the views expressed in this paper are
solely those of the author(s) and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association.
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The result of these efforts was an expansion in scope and detail for the requirements for
materials in wet H2S service.

Now, it is not uncommon for project specifications and corporate policies to invoke the latest
revision of a published industry standard in order: to apply the latest available information,
technology and lessons learned; to mitigate liability in the case of an accident; and, for some
state and provincial jurisdictions, to comply with mandated legislation.

However, here in western Canada, the land where the seeds for NACE MR0175 were first
sown over 40 years ago, some owner/operators of sour service facilities have been taking
exception to NACE/ISO.

Between the authors, we know of at least three projects that have chosen to invoke NACE
MR0175-2002, instead of NACE/ISO, and as recently as in 2010 – seven years after the initial
NACE/ISO publication. Material suppliers and fabricators have also take exception to the
requirements for compliance with NACE MR0175/ISO 15156.

The question naturally arises, “why deviate from the latest available industry standard?” The
fact is that there are difficulties in the application of the standard.

The intention of this paper is to bring attention to some of those difficulties encountered in the
application of NACE/ISO, its technical circulars and corrigenda. We will compare and contrast
differences between NACE MR0175 -2002 and NACE/ISO. We will present data collected
during surveys with vendors. Finally, we will offer some recommendations for improvement in
the use of the standard.

SCOPE OF NACE MR0175/ISO 15156

Part 1 of NACE/ISO defines sour service as, “exposure to oilfield environments that contain
H2S and can cause cracking of materials by the mechanisms addressed by this part …” These
cracking mechanisms are namely: Hydrogen Induced Cracking (HIC), Step-Wise Cracking
(SWC), Stress-Oriented Hydrogen Induced Cracking (SOHIC), Stress Corrosion Cracking
(SCC), Galvanically-Induced Hydrogen Stress Cracking (GHSC) and Soft Zone Cracking
(SZC), in addition to SSC addressed in the previous versions of NACE MR0175. Note that
NACE MR0175-2002 includes only SSC in its scope.

One significant difference between NACE/ISO and NACE MR0175-2002 is the imposition of
environmental limitations on austenitic stainless steels (UNS S30400 and S31600, for
example) found in Table A.2 of Part 3. Presumably, the limitations are intended for chloride
SCC, in the presence of H2S.

These limitations published in 2003 (Figure 1) have caused particular difficulties for
owner/operators and vendors. Note that stainless steel grades UNS S30400 and S31600
would not have been compliant with NACE/ISO in 2004 at temperatures exceeding 60 °C (140
°F), even though these materials have been used widely in sour services as materials for
instruments, etc., and were “NACE-compliant” the year before.

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Subsequently, Technical Corrigendum 2 and Technical Circular 1 were published in 2005 and
2007, respectively, to revise Table A.2 (Figures 2 and 3) and provide more latitude in the
application of these stainless steels. Other efforts continue towards the same goal.5, 6

LOWER H2S PARTIAL PRESSURE THRESHOLD

NACE MR0175-2002 and its previous versions established a lower threshold of H2S partial
pressure, above which precautions against SSC were necessary and the requirements of
NACE MR0175 applied to all metallic materials. This lower threshold of H2S partial pressure
was 0.3 kPaa (0.05 psia).

NACE/ISO prescribes this lower threshold in Part 2 only, so that only carbon steels, low alloys
and cast irons are subject. No such lower threshold is found in Part 3; it does not apply to
corrosion resistant alloys (CRAs).

Note that the material selection tables in Part 3 of ISO 15156 (Cracking-resistant CRAs and
other alloys), contain environmental limits for materials but the partial pressures of H2S listed
are the maximums allowed; there is no minimum threshold of H2S below which NACE/ISO
does not apply to CRAs.

The authors believe that, in practice, most users still implement the lower threshold of 0.3 kPaa
(0.05 psia) H2S partial pressure to define application of NACE/ISO for all materials, including
CRA’s.

PERMITTED EXCLUSIONS

As previously mentioned, 2002 uses the 0.3 kPa (0.05 psi) ppH2S delineation to determine its
application. NACE/ISO does so similarly but only for carbon steels, low alloys and cast irons.

Exclusions to this delineation are permitted in both standards. 2002 makes allowances so that
the User need not apply the standard in low pressure cases for both gas and multiphase
systems (refer to Section 3.1 of that standard and Figures 4 and 5). Table 1 (found in all 3
parts) lists the permitted exclusions for NACE/ISO (Figure 6).

It is obvious that there are great differences between the two standards. In particular,
NACE/ISO does not contain the low pressure exclusions for gas and multiphase that 2002
allows. This effectively increases the scope of NACE/ISO’s application.

As an example, a user of a produced emulsion system, where the H2S partial pressure is
greater than 0.3 kPaa (0.05 psia) but the total pressure is less than 1.83 MPaa (265 psia), may
be tempted to invoke the -2002 permitted exclusion allowed for multiphase streams, and
forego NACE/ISO because no such exemption is found there.

Likewise is the case for produced gas systems: NACE/ISO does not contain -2002’s “less than
65 psia total pressure” allowance either.

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For these reasons, Users have been considering the advantages of -2002, even up to as late
as 2010.

COMPLIANCY

Case Study: One recent EPC project contained both stainless steel and carbon steel
equipment and piping systems in wet H2S services, sufficient to be designated as “sour
service”. The Client directed compliance with NACE/ISO was required. Bidders were
requested to comply with the latest version of the NACE standard, namely, NACE
MR0175/ISO 15156 (and the associated technical circulars and corrigenda). Exceptions were
taken in virtually every case, citing NACE MR0175-2002 as the proposed alternative.

An informal survey was conducted involving three equipment package vendors. All three
responded that they routinely provide compliance with NACE MR0175-2002 as their standard
offering. None of the three had used NACE MR0175/ISO 15156 successfully on a project, up
to that point, although one of the three had tried on one past project without success. The
difficulties encountered included:

• Lack of sufficient environmental descriptions and material selection from the User. (Under
Part 3, Section 6, Qualification and Selection of CRAs and Other Alloys With Respect to
SSC, SCC and GHSC in H2S-Containing Environments: “To enable qualification and/or
selection of CRAs and other alloys, the equipment purchaser may be required to provide
information on the proposed conditions of exposure to the equipment supplier.”)
• NACE/ISO specifications for hardness test traverses in welding procedure qualifications
were more onerous than previously demanded, and would result in revision to existing
procedures.
• Some suppliers of carbon and stainless steel valves stocked for bulk purchase (typically
manually actuated valves found in piping line class specifications) took exception to
NACE/ISO and offered to provide mill test reports (MTR’s) with references made to NACE
MR0175-2002, instead.

Another, more detailed, survey was commissioned with the eventual successful vendor. The
salient results from that survey were:

• Suppliers of flanges and pipe indicated compliance to NACE MR0175/ISO 15156-2003 but
refrained from offering compliance with the eight circulars and corrigenda. No explanation
was given.
• Equipment fabricators took similar exception; again, no explanation was given.
• Suppliers of carbon and stainless steel valves stocked for bulk purchase offered NACE
MR0175-2002 compliant valves only. “Factory delivery” orders were required to provide
NACE/ISO compliancy and would take up to 30 weeks. Cost impacts to meet NACE/ISO
compliancy were not available.

Ultimately, the feedback received impacted long lead delivery items and caused an all out
reversal in the Client requirement for the project.

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COMPLEXITY

NACE MR0175/ISO 15156 is structured in 3 parts. Part 1 was initially published in 2001, with
Parts 2 and 3 following in 2003. That was seven years ago and during that time there have
been eight technical circulars and corrigenda added to modify the original three parts.

Unfortunately, those technical circulars and corrigenda have not been consolidated back into
the original 3 parts, at the time of this writing. We have found that this absence of
consolidation has contributed to exceptions taken by vendors, in particular those exceptions
relating to MTR’s previously mentioned.

As further evidence of its complexity and the difficulties encountered in understanding the
document, consider:

• The necessity for the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers’ “Guide on the Use of
International Standard NACE MR0175/ISO15156”, dated December 20057
• Dedicated seminars conducted by NACE and others
• 81 pages of inquiries and interpretations up to June 22, 2010 (“Inquiries and
Interpretations for NACE MR0175/ISO 15156”)8
• The existence of user project specifications that invoke the severity chart, Figure 1 from
Part 2 (see Figure 7) for purposes other than an alternate way of qualifying and selecting
SSC-resistant materials.
• Even though the definition in NACE/ISO, Part 1 includes the presence of water as a
necessary condition for SSC, Part 2, Section 7 (where the requirements for the selection of
SSC-resistance steels is specified) contains no mention of water. It is believed that this
omission could be cause for misapplication.
• At the very least, NACE MR0175/ISO 15156 is a larger document than its predecessors,
weighing in at 187 pages, all in all, versus the relatively scant 41 pages of NACE MR0175-
2002.

ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS

It has been difficult to fairly assess the cost implications of using NACE/ISO. We do know from
our surveys that extended delivery times for instrumentation items can be expected. Also, the
environmental limits placed on austenitic stainless steel equipment and components can result
in material upgrades with the commensurate increases in cost and deliveries times. Some
fabricators have had to redo their welding procedure qualifications so that the hardness testing
meets the more onerous NACE/ISO requirements.

RECOMMENDATIONS

• NACE to consolidate revisions to NACE/ISO annually.

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• NACE to clarify in Part 3 the value of the lowest H2S threshold to which this part applies.
• Users to ensure the relay of environmental conditions to equipment, control devices and
instrumentation suppliers via datasheets.
• Users to develop piping line class specifications to include NACE/ISO environmental limits
for CRA’s components (including valve trim).
• Users to conduct technical audits of material suppliers to resolve issues surrounding mill
test reports.
• Users to conduct technical audits of fabrication shops to resolve issues surrounding
welding procedure qualifications.
• Users to remind bidders of the requirement for compliancy with the latest NACE
MR0175/ISO 15156, including its associated technical corrigenda and circulars, in all
materials and fabrication requests for quotation.
• Users to perform verifications of compliance to NACE/ISO during bid evaluations and at the
points of material receipt.

REFERENCES

1. NACE Standard MR0175-2002, “Sulfide Stress Cracking Resistant Metallic Materials for
Oilfield Equipment”
2. EFC 16, 2nd Edition, “Guidelines on Material Requirements for Carbon Steel and Low Alloy
Steels for H2S-Containing Environments in Oil and Gas Production”, 1994
3. EFC 17, 2nd Edition, “Corrosion-Resistant Alloys for Oil and Gas Production: Guidance on
General Requirements and Test Methods for H2S Service”, 1996
4. NACE International Standard MR0175/ISO 15156, “Petroleum and Natural Gas Industries –
Materials for Use in H2S-Containing Environments in Oil and Gas Production”
o Part 1, “General Principles for Selection of Cracking-Resistant Materials”, First
Edition, 2001
ƒ Technical Corrigendum 1, 2005-09-01
ƒ Technical Circular 1, 2007-12-15
o Part 2, “Cracking-Resistant Carbon and Low Alloy Steels, and the Use of Cast
Irons”, First Edition, 2003
ƒ Technical Corrigendum 1, 2005-09-01
ƒ Technical Circular 1, 2007-12-15
o Part 3, “Cracking-Resistant CRAs (Corrosion-Resistant Alloys) and Other Alloys”,
First Edition, 2003
ƒ Technical Corrigendum 1, 2005-02-15
ƒ Technical Corrigendum 2, 2005-09-01
ƒ Technical Circular 1, 2007-12-15
ƒ Technical Circular 2, 2008-11-17
5. Minutes of Meeting for the 26th Meeting of ISO/TC 67/WG 7 "Materials for Use in H2S-
Containing Environments in Oil and Gas Production" as a Combined Meeting with the
NACE TG 299 (ISO 15156 OSC), Saturday, 06 September 2008

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6. Briony K. Holmes, Stuart Bond, “Sour Service Limits of Dual-Certified 316/316L Austenitic
Stainless Steel and Weldments”, CORROSION 2010, paper no. 10308 (San Antonio, TX:
NACE, 2010).
7. A Guide on the Use of International Standard NACE MR0175/ISO15156, December 2005,
Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP)
8. “Inquiries and Interpretations for NACE MR0175/ISO 15156 (Updated June 22, 2010)”,
www.iso.org/iso15156maintenance

FIGURES

Figure 1 – Initial 2003 Limits from NACE/ISO, Part 3

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Figure 2 – Subsequent 2005 Limits from NACE/ISO, Part 3

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Figure 3 – Subsequent 2007 Limits from NACE/ISO, Part 3

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Figure 4 – Permitted Exclusions for Sour Gas Systems, NACE MR0175-2002

Figure 5 Permitted Exclusions for Sour Multiphase Systems, NACE MR0175-2002

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Figure 6 - Permitted Exclusions from NACE/ISO, Parts 1, 2 and 3

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Figure 7 – SSC Regions of Severity, from NACE/ISO, Part 2

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