The main purpose of this study was the failure analysis of a Heavy-Weight Drill Pipe 5" (HWDP5) that showed radial cracks in the threaded connection sections. Metallographic results were obtained using stereoscopic microscopy, image analysis and scanning electron microcopy (SEM), with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). Hardness tests and chemical analysis of the HWDP5 sample and semi-micro inorganic qualitative analysis of the mud were also carried out. It could be seen by visual inspection that the male member of the threaded connection (pin member) was not able to reach the last two threads of the female screw (box member), promoting in this area a high stress concentration. It was also observed that cracks were formed from corrosion pitting at the screw base. The chemical analysis gave a positive result confirming the presence of H2S in the mud. Sulfide stress cracking (SSC) could be observed due to three main factors: 1. Changing in the manganese sulfides size, 2. High values of hardness and 3. Existence of H2S showed by the EDS spectra of the samples and chemical analysis of the drilling mud. It could be concluded that sulfide stress cracking resulting from the presence of the H2S in the mud in addition to the existence of high stressed areas were responsible for the premature failure of the HWDP5 device.
Keywords: SCC, drillpipes, off-shore drilling, H2S induced corrosion failure