In recent times, the increase in pressure, depth and diameter of wells has required Oil
Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) with higher yield strength. Because Sulphide Stress Cracking
(SSC) can occur when high strength steel is exposed to wet sour gas, SSC characterization of
such materials must be addressed to avoid failures in sour wells. A test program was designed,
using NACE TM0177 Method A, C (C-Ring) and Four Point Bent Beam (FPBB) tests according to
EFC publication N°17, in order to assess the high s trength carbon steel alloys grades P-110,
Q-125, 140 and 150. This was in order to determine the risk in the use of such steel grades for
production casing in H2S containing well environment. The results from this test program revealed
that the well known relation between yield and SSC resistance (the higher the yield strength the
lower the SSC performance) was confirmed also for these steel grades. Steel grade P-110, in fact,
has the largest window of applicability compared to steel grades Q-125, 140 and 150. Fit for
purpose tests performed on steel grade Q-125, with 1 bar of ppH2S and NACE solution A, using
NACE TM0177 Method A, at test temperature of 80°C p roduced no SSC failure. A threshold
temperature was determined by means of NACE TM0177 Method C for steel grade 140 (90 °C).
Key words: high strength steels, OCTG, production casing, corrosion, H2S, sulfide stress
cracking, environmental cracking