HIGH-STRENGTH NICKEL-ALLOY TUBULARS FOR DEEP, SOUR GAS WELL APPLICATION.

Recent work has identified two potential problems with high-strength, nickel-alloy tubulars. These problems are related to environmental embrittlement: (1) hydrogen-embrittlement cracking, which is a concern in the cooler, upper portion of the well during extended periods of shut-in and (2) stress-corrosion cracking, which is a concern at elevated temperatures downhole. This study describes these problems and discusses the major environmental and metallurgical variables in terms of the conditions present in a deep, sour-gas-well completion. In addition, the progression from laboratory testing to full-scale high-alloy tubular manufacture, including specifications, is reviewed.