📋 Case Study

Selecting Material for Offshore Pipeline

Simultaneous threats of sour service SCC, pitting, and microbial corrosion under cathodic protection

🏗️ Project Overview

Subsea gas export pipeline in Norwegian North Sea (120 km, 22 MPa, 120°C, high H₂S/CO₂)

🎯 Challenge

Simultaneous threats of sour service SCC, pitting, and microbial corrosion under cathodic protection

🔧 Design Approach

Hybrid material specification: UNS S32760 for flowlines, UNS N08825 cladding on carbon steel risers; qualified per ISO 21457 + NORSOK M-001

📐 Design Diagram

FlowlineUNS S32760PREN ≥ 40RiserCS + N08825 CladISO 21457 / M-001CPCorrosion Threats• Sour Service SCC• Pitting• Microbial CorrosionASTM G48-F40°C, 72hΔW < 0.1 mg/cm²Cathodic Protection(Applied to both)

AI-generated project design illustration

📐 Key Calculations

PREN Requirement

PREN = %Cr + 3.3×%Mo + 16×%N
Result: ≥40 for flowline base metal
Ensures resistance to initiation in acidic chloride media

CPT Validation

ASTM G48 Method F at 40°C
Result: No weight loss <0.1 mg/cm² after 72h
Confirms crevice corrosion immunity at max operating temp

📊 Results

Zero corrosion-related shutdowns in first 8 years; 22% lower inspection frequency vs. legacy 2205 design

💡 Lessons Learned

  • Cathodic protection potential must be monitored continuously to avoid hydrogen embrittlement
  • Clad interface integrity is more critical than bulk alloy performance

Key Takeaways

  • 1Cathodic protection potential must be monitored continuously to avoid hydrogen embrittlement
  • 2Clad interface integrity is more critical than bulk alloy performance