BS EN ISO 15156-2:2020: Cracking-resistant Materials for Oil and Gas Industries

In the ever-evolving world of petroleum and natural gas industries, ensuring the integrity and safety of materials used in production environments is paramount. The BS EN ISO 15156-2:2020 standard is a critical resource for professionals in the oil and gas sector, providing comprehensive guidelines on the selection and use of materials that are resistant to cracking in environments containing hydrogen sulfide (H2S).

Overview of the Standard

This standard, officially titled Petroleum and natural gas industries. Materials for use in H2S-containing environments in oil and gas production. Cracking-resistant carbon and low-alloy steels, and the use of cast irons, is an essential document for engineers, material scientists, and safety officers working in the oil and gas industry. Released on December 2, 2020, and spanning 56 pages, it provides detailed specifications and guidelines to ensure the safe and effective use of materials in challenging environments.

Key Features and Benefits

• Comprehensive Guidelines: The standard offers in-depth information on the selection of carbon and low-alloy steels, as well as cast irons, that are resistant to cracking in H2S-rich environments.
• Industry Relevance: Tailored specifically for the petroleum and natural gas industries, this standard addresses the unique challenges faced in these sectors, ensuring materials can withstand harsh conditions.
• Safety Assurance: By adhering to the guidelines set forth in this standard, companies can significantly reduce the risk of material failure, thereby enhancing operational safety and reliability.
• Global Recognition: As an internationally recognized standard, BS EN ISO 15156-2:2020 is widely accepted and implemented across the globe, facilitating international trade and collaboration.

Technical Specifications

The standard number for this document is BS EN ISO 15156-2:2020, and it carries the ISBN 978 0 539 06870 2. It is classified as a standard, ensuring it meets the rigorous requirements set by international bodies for quality and reliability.

Applications in the Industry

In the oil and gas industry, materials are often exposed to environments that can lead to sulfide stress cracking (SSC) and hydrogen-induced cracking (HIC). The BS EN ISO 15156-2:2020 standard provides the necessary criteria for selecting materials that can resist these forms of degradation, ensuring the longevity and safety of equipment and infrastructure.

Typical applications include:

• Pipelines: Ensuring the integrity of pipelines that transport oil and gas through H2S-rich environments.
• Drilling Equipment: Selecting materials for drilling equipment that are exposed to high-pressure and corrosive conditions.
• Storage Tanks: Designing storage solutions that prevent material failure due to cracking.

Why Choose BS EN ISO 15156-2:2020?

Choosing the right materials for use in H2S-containing environments is crucial for maintaining the safety and efficiency of oil and gas operations. The BS EN ISO 15156-2:2020 standard provides a trusted framework for making informed decisions about material selection, helping companies to:

• Enhance Safety: Reduce the risk of catastrophic failures that can lead to environmental damage and loss of life.
• Optimize Performance: Ensure that materials perform optimally under challenging conditions, minimizing downtime and maintenance costs.
• Comply with Regulations: Meet industry regulations and standards, avoiding potential legal and financial penalties.

Conclusion

The BS EN ISO 15156-2:2020 standard is an indispensable tool for professionals in the petroleum and natural gas industries. By providing detailed guidelines on the use of cracking-resistant materials, it helps ensure the safety, reliability, and efficiency of operations in H2S-containing environments. Whether you are involved in the design, construction, or maintenance of oil and gas infrastructure, this standard is a valuable resource that can guide your material selection and usage decisions.

BS EN ISO 15156-2:2020

This standard BS EN ISO 15156-2:2020 Petroleum and natural gas industries. Materials for use in H2S-containing environments in oil and gas production is classified in these ICS categories:

• 75.180.10 Exploratory, drilling and extraction equipment

This document gives requirements and recommendations for the selection and qualification of carbon and low-alloy steels for service in equipment used in oil and natural gas production and natural gas treatment plants in H₂S-containing environments, whose failure can pose a risk to the health and safety of the public and personnel or to the environment. It can be applied to help to avoid costly corrosion damage to the equipment itself. It supplements, but does not replace, the materials requirements of the appropriate design codes, standards or regulations.

This document addresses the resistance of these steels to damage that can be caused by sulfide stress cracking (SSC) and the related phenomena of stress-oriented hydrogen-induced cracking (SOHIC) and soft-zone cracking (SZC).

This document also addresses the resistance of these steels to hydrogen-induced cracking (HIC) and its possible development into stepwise cracking (SWC).

This document is concerned only with cracking. Loss of material by general (mass loss) or localized corrosion is not addressed.

Table 1 provides a non-exhaustive list of equipment to which this document is applicable, including exclusions.

This document applies to the qualification and selection of materials for equipment designed and constructed using load controlled design methods. For design utilizing strain-based design methods, see ISO 15156-1:2020, Clause 5.

Annex A lists SSC-resistant carbon and low alloy steels, and A.2.4 includes requirements for the use of cast irons.

This document is not necessarily suitable for application to equipment used in refining or downstream processes and equipment.