Paper: Becky Ogden, NovaStar LP

The phenomenon of sulfide stress cracking (SSC) can result in catastrophic failures of pressurized equipment and piping, resulting in extensive damage, injuries and possible fatalities. Sulfide stress cracking was first identified as a serious problem in the oil industry in the late 1950's with the development of deeper sour reservoirs. The high strength materials required for these wells began to fail as a result of brittle fracture that was later identified as SSC. Research began on this phenomenon, and a task group was formed, which later became associated with NACE. In 1975, the T-1B committee of NACE published the first edition of MR-0175, "Metals for Sulfide Stress Cracking and Stress Corrosion Cracking Resistance in Sour Oilfield Environments". This presentation will discuss SSC, identify the requirements for SSC to occur and give designers and operators practical options for the prevention of SSC in equipment operating in an aqueous H2S environment.