1. Womic Steel: Manufacturing Capabilities & Company Strength for X52 Sour Service
Womic Steel Group operates dedicated production lines for sour service LSAW pipes. X52 PSL2 sour service requires:
● Low carbon equivalent (CEV ≤ 0.40%, typical ≤ 0.38%)
● Low sulfur (S ≤ 0.002%) and low phosphorus (P ≤ 0.015%)
● Calcium treatment for inclusion shape control (globular sulfides)
● Post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) for all pipes, regardless of wall thickness
● 100% hardness testing (weld, HAZ, base metal)
● HIC and SSC testing per NACE standards
Production processes: JCOE, UOE, rolled plate with mandatory PWHT furnace (car-bottom, 12m length, 600°C soak). Third-party inspection by SGS, BV, TÜV, DNV, or ABS for full sour service certification.
Annual sour service X52 LSAW capacity: 30,000 tons.
Production Flexibility for Sour Service X52 PSL2:
JCOE: 406–1,422mm OD × 6.0–50.8mm WT × ≤ 18m
UOE: 508–1,220mm OD × 6.0–40.0mm WT × ≤ 24m (preferred for sour due to lower residual stress)
Rolled plate: 600–1,600mm OD × 25–60mm WT × ≤ 12m
All sour service pipes receive PWHT (600°C ± 10°C, hold 1 hr per 25mm thickness, slow cool)
2. API 5L X52 PSL2 Sour Service: Material Composition & Performance Characteristics
For sour service, chemistry is tighter than standard PSL2. The goal is to achieve high resistance to HIC and SSC in wet H₂S environments.
Chemical Composition (Ladle Analysis, typical targets for sour service):
| Element | Standard PSL2 max | Sour Service Target (Womic) |
| C | 0.22 | ≤ 0.14 (typical 0.08-0.12) |
| Mn | 1.40 | ≤ 1.30 (typical 1.10-1.25) |
| P | 0.025 | ≤ 0.015 |
| S | 0.015 | ≤ 0.002 (0.0015 typical) |
| Si | 0.45 | 0.20-0.40 |
| V | 0.10 | ≤ 0.06 |
| Nb | 0.05 | 0.03-0.05 |
| Ti | 0.04 | ≤ 0.025 |
| CEV | ≤ 0.43 | ≤ 0.40 (typical ≤ 0.38) |
| Pcm | Not required | ≤ 0.22 |
Calcium treatment (Ca/S ratio ≥ 1.5) ensures globular sulfide inclusions that are resistant to HIC.
Mechanical Properties (After PWHT):
| Property | X52 PSL2 Sour Service (Womic) |
| Yield Strength (min) | 360 MPa (52,200 psi) |
| Yield Strength (max) | 530 MPa (76,900 psi) |
| Tensile Strength (min) | 460 MPa (66,700 psi) |
| Elongation (min) | 21% |
| Hardness (max) – many projects | 85 HRB (Womic achieves 78-85 HRB) |
| Impact Toughness @ 0°C | ≥ 27 J (typical 80-120 J) |
Mandatory Testing for Sour Service:
● HIC per NACE TM0284 (Solution A, 96h) – acceptance: CLR ≤ 5%, CTR ≤ 1.5%, CSR ≤ 0.5% (many projects require 0%)
● SSC per NACE TM0177 (Method A, 720h, 90% SMYS) – no cracking
● Hardness traverses across weld, HAZ, and base metal (max 85 HRB)
● Charpy V-Notch at 0°C (or lower if specified)
3. Dimensional Range & Standards Compliance
| Item | Specification |
| Standard | API 5L PSL2 with sour service supplement |
| NACE | NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 |
| Manufacturing Processes | JCOE, UOE, rolled plate (all with PWHT) |
| Outside Diameter Range | 219mm – 1,600mm (8″ – 63″) |
| Wall Thickness Range | 6.0mm – 60mm (JCOE/UOE max 50.8mm, rolled plate max 60mm) |
| Length Range | 6m – 18m standard; up to 24m (UOE) |
| End Finish | Beveled End (BE) per API 5L |
| Surface Finish | Bare, 3LPE, FBE (coatings must be sour service qualified) |
| Tolerances | OD: ±0.5%; WT: -0% / +15%; Length: +50mm / -0mm |
4. Available Dimensions & Specifications – API 5L X52 PSL2 Sour Service LSAW Steel Pipe (Selected Typical Sizes)
| OD (mm) | WT Options (mm) | Process | Approx Weight (kg/m) | Standard Length | Sour Service Features |
| 219 | 6.4, 8.0, 10.0, 12.5 | JCOE | 33.6 – 63.6 | 12m | PWHT, HIC tested |
| 273 | 8.0, 10.0, 12.5, 14.0 | JCOE | 52.3 – 89.4 | 12m / 18m | Hardness ≤ 85 HRB |
| 324 | 8.0, 10.0, 12.5, 14.0, 16.0 | JCOE | 62.4 – 121.5 | 12m / 18m | CEV ≤ 0.40 |
| 406 | 10.0, 12.5, 14.0, 16.0, 19.0 | JCOE/UOE | 97.7 – 181.4 | 12m / 18m | SSC tested |
| 508 | 10.0, 12.5, 14.0, 16.0, 19.0, 22.0 | UOE | 122.8 – 263.8 | 12m / 18m / 24m | Full hardness traverse |
| 610 | 12.5, 14.0, 16.0, 19.0, 22.0, 25.4 | UOE | 184.2 – 366.2 | 12m / 18m / 24m | HIC acceptance |
| 711 | 14.0, 16.0, 19.0, 22.0, 25.4, 28.0 | JCOE/UOE | 240.7 – 471.7 | 12m / 18m | PWHT mandatory |
| 813 | 16.0, 19.0, 22.0, 25.4, 30.0 | JCOE | 314.4 – 579.8 | 12m / 18m | NACE MR0175 |
| 914 | 19.0, 22.0, 25.4, 30.0, 35.0 | JCOE/Rolled | 419.5 – 759.2 | 12m | Calcium treated |
| 1,016 | 22.0, 25.4, 30.0, 35.0, 40.0 | Rolled | 539.2 – 963.9 | 12m | Low S (≤ 0.002%) |
*All sour service pipes receive PWHT regardless of wall thickness. For UOE pipes, expansion is limited to 0.8-1.0% to avoid over-stressing.*
5. Common Standards for Sour Service Line Pipe
| Standard | Application | Testing Requirements |
| API 5L PSL2 + Annex H | Sour service line pipe | HIC, SSC, hardness ≤ 90 HRB |
| NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 | Materials for H₂S environments | Limits on hardness, chemistry |
| NACE TM0284 | HIC test method | CLR, CTR, CSR |
| NACE TM0177 | SSC test method (Method A, B, C, D) | No cracking |
Usage summary: Sour gas gathering, sour crude oil flowlines, refinery sour water, amine units, acid gas injection.
6. Manufacturing Process – LSAW for Sour Service X52 PSL2
Sour service requires additional steps beyond standard LSAW:
JCOE / UOE Forming (as per standard process) + Sour Specific Steps:
● Plate selection – Low sulfur, calcium treated TMCP plates with CEV ≤ 0.40%.
● Forming – Standard JCOE or UOE (UOE preferred for lower residual stress).
● SAW welding – Heat input controlled to ≤ 2.5 kJ/mm (lower than standard). Interpass temperature ≤ 200°C.
● 100% UT with TOFD – More sensitive than standard UT.
● Post-Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT) – All sour service pipes are stress relieved. Soaking temperature 600°C ± 10°C for 1 hour per 25mm thickness (minimum 1 hour). Furnace cooling at ≤ 200°C per hour.
● Mechanical expansion – Limited to 0.8-1.0% (vs 1.5% for standard) to avoid cold work hardening.
● Hardness testing – 3-point traverse per pipe (base metal, weld, HAZ). Maximum 90 HRB, typically 78-85 HRB.
● HIC testing – Per NACE TM0284 Solution A, 96h. Samples taken from pipe ends.
● SSC testing – Per NACE TM0177 Method A (tensile) or Method B (bent beam). 720h exposure.
PWHT Furnace Specifications:
● Car-bottom furnace: 12m L × 3m W × 3m H
● Temperature uniformity: ±10°C
● Data logger recording for each batch
7. Quality Control & Testing for Sour Service X52 LSAW
| Stage | Inspection | Acceptance Criteria |
| Plate | Chemical (OES) | C ≤ 0.14, S ≤ 0.002, CEV ≤ 0.40 |
| Plate | Ultrasonic (lamination) | No laminations > 5mm |
| Weld | 100% UT with TOFD | No indications > 1.6mm |
| Weld | Radiographic Test (spot) | No cracks, lack of fusion |
| After PWHT | Hardness (HRB) – BM, Weld, HAZ | ≤ 85 HRB (target) |
| Finished | HIC (NACE TM0284) | CLR ≤ 5%, CTR ≤ 1.5%, CSR ≤ 0.5% |
| Finished | SSC (NACE TM0177 Method A) | No cracking after 720h |
| Finished | Charpy @ 0°C | ≥ 27 J, average ≥ 40 J |
| Finished | Hydrostatic Test | 85-100% SMYS |
Each sour service order includes a quality dossier with all test reports, heat traceability, and PWHT charts.
8. Primary Applications – API 5L X52 PSL2 Sour Service LSAW Steel Pipe
● Sour gas gathering lines – Collecting natural gas with H₂S from wellheads (5-50 ppm H₂S)
● Crude oil flowlines with H₂S – Transporting sour crude from pads to central facilities
● Refinery sour water lines – Ammonium bisulfide and H₂S containing water
● Amine treating unit piping – Rich and lean amine service (H₂S and CO₂)
● Acid gas injection lines – Reinjecting H₂S/CO₂ into disposal wells
● Offshore sour service pipelines – Subsea lines in H₂S environments
● Gas lift lines – Injection of sour gas for well lifting
● Sulfur recovery unit piping – Claus unit tail gas lines
9. Packaging & Shipping – Sour Service X52 PSL2 LSAW Pipe
Same as standard LSAW packaging, with additional protection for end bevels (stainless steel end caps recommended to avoid contamination). Documentation includes full sour service test reports (HIC, SSC, hardness, PWHT charts) in addition to standard MTC.
10. Womic Steel Advantages & FAQ – Sour Service X52 LSAW
Why Womic Steel for Sour Service X52?
● Dedicated PWHT furnace with 12m length
● Low CEV (≤ 0.38%) and low sulfur (≤ 0.0015%) capability
● In-house HIC and SSC testing (accredited by CNAS)
● Third-party witnessed sour testing available (SGS, BV, TÜV)
● Over 500 km of sour service pipes supplied globally
● Full documentation package for project approval
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: What is the difference between standard X52 PSL2 and sour service X52?
A: Standard PSL2 has limits of C ≤ 0.22%, S ≤ 0.015%, CEV ≤ 0.43%, and no mandatory HIC/SSC testing. Sour service adds: lower C (≤ 0.14%), S (≤ 0.003% typical), CEV ≤ 0.40%, mandatory PWHT, hardness ≤ 90 HRB (often ≤ 85 HRB), and HIC/SSC testing.
Q: Is PWHT required for all sour service X52 regardless of wall thickness?
A: Yes, per NACE MR0175 and common client specifications. Even for 6.4mm WT pipes, PWHT is mandatory for sour service.
Q: What are typical HIC acceptance criteria?
A: CLR ≤ 5%, CTR ≤ 1.5%, CSR ≤ 0.5%. For severe sour service (e.g., > 50 ppm H₂S, pH < 5), clients may require CLR = 0%. Womic can achieve CLR 0%.
Q: Can you supply SSC testing per NACE TM0177?
A: Yes. We offer Method A (uniaxial tensile) at 90% SMYS, 720h, with no cracking. Third-party witnessed testing available.
Q: What is the typical lead time for sour service X52 LSAW?
A: 60-90 days, depending on HIC/SSC testing requirements. Without third-party witness: 60 days. With third-party witness: 75-90 days.
Project Reference – Alberta Sour Gas Gathering Pipeline (Canada)
Country: Canada (Alberta, Fox Creek area – Deep Basin)
Standard & Grade: API 5L X52 PSL2 with sour service supplement per NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156
Dimensions & Quantity:
● OD 323.9mm (12.75″) × WT 9.5mm – 32,000 meters (approx. 2,200 tons) – JCOE
● OD 406.4mm (16″) × WT 11.9mm – 18,000 meters (approx. 1,900 tons) – JCOE
● OD 508mm (20″) × WT 12.7mm – 9,000 meters (approx. 1,300 tons) – UOE
Total: 59,000 meters (59 km), approx. 5,400 tons
Specifications: Beveled ends, 3LPE coating, hydrotest at 10.5 MPa. PWHT for all pipes. Hardness max 85 HRB. HIC: CLR 0%, CTR 0%, CSR 0%. SSC: no cracking. Charpy at -20°C (min 27J, achieved 90-150J). Third party inspection by ABS Canada.
Application: Sour natural gas gathering in the Deep Basin with H₂S 8-35 ppm, operating pressure 6-8 MPa, winter temperature -40°C.
Technical Challenges & Solutions:
● Extreme low temperature (-40°C) combined with sour service: Womic added Ni (0.20-0.30%) to improve low temperature toughness. Charpy at -40°C achieved 45-80J.
● Zero crack HIC requirement: ultra low sulfur plates (S ≤ 0.0012%) with Ca/S ratio 2.0-2.5.
● Remote logistics with ice roads: two winter deliveries using heated trucks.
Result: Pipeline commissioned in Q2 2024. No HIC or SSC failures after 18 months. Womic is now an approved sour service supplier.
Contact:
Website: www.womicsteel.com
E-mail: sales@womicsteel.com
Tel / WhatsApp / WeChat:
Victor: +86 15575100681
Jack: +86 18390957568
Womic Steel – Your reliable partner for API 5L X52 PSL2 sour service LSAW steel pipes for H₂S-containing oil and gas gathering, refinery sour water, and acid gas injection systems worldwide.
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