Wood Group

Pressure Control

Selection of Wellhead &

Christmas Tree Products
in compliance with
API 6A 19th Edition

Mandatory February 1, 2005

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API specs are for CUSTOMERS to use

API specifications are for the user:

For selecting materials suited to well conditions
For ordering equipment

API specifications impact the manufacturing process: (Criteria)

Temperature Class
Material Class (trim)
PSL (Product Specification Levels)
Recommended by API to the user for various service conditions
PR (Performance Requirements)
Levels of testing done to qualify product designs for monogram

API requires every monogrammed product to meet API specs for all 4
Criteria

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 With or without the API monogram
builds all new products to meet API requirements for
Temperature Class
Material Class
PSL
PR
Companies can be API Licensed for marketing reasons, but then
rarely comply with API requirements
Licensed for 2 or 3 product types?
Dont actually monogram parts?
Buy-out equipment of someone elses design?

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API Material Classes (Trims)
w/ limits for 17-4 SS (0.5 psia) and 410 SS (1.5 psia) stems & hanger mandrels

standard sour service ratings are 0,5 or NL

H2S Partial Pressure
0 to < 0.05 psia 0.05 to 0.5 psia > 0.5 and < 1.5 psia > 1.5 psia
AA EE-0,5 or DD-0,5 DD-1,5 or EE-1,5 DD-NL or EE-NL
0 to
Non-Sour Sour Sour Sour
< 7 psia
Non-Corrosive Non-Corrosive Non-Corrosive Non-Corrosive
BB EE-0,5 EE-1,5 EE-NL
7 psia to
CO2 Partial Pressure

Non-Sour Sour Sour Sour

30 psia
Slightly Corrosive Slightly Corrosive Slightly Corrosive Slightly Corrosive
CC FF-0,5 FF-1,5 FF-NL
> 30 psia to Non-Sour Sour Sour Sour
< 200 psia Moderately to Highly Moderately to Highly Moderately to Highly Moderately to Highly
Corrosive Corrosive Corrosive Corrosive
CC or HH FF-0,5 or HH-0,5 FF-1,5 or HH-1,5 FF-NL or HH-NL
200 psia
Non-Sour Sour Sour Sour
and up
Highly Corrosive Highly Corrosive Highly Corrosive Highly Corrosive
Corrosion Wood Group Pressure Control recommends that Corrosion Resistant Alloys be considered beginning
resistant at CO2 partial pressures of 200 psia.
alloys may
be needed. Consult with engineering for material selection. Additional factors should be considered.
Material Class ZZ may be used when materials and trims previously used for sour service will not comply with current NACE
MR0175/ISO15156 standards
17-4 stainless steel is not allowed for stems or tubing hangers above 0.5 psia H2 S.
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410 stainless steel is not allowed for stems or tubing hanger above 1.5 psia H2 S.
Temperature Classes
API 6A 19th Edition

All products are built for a specific API temperature class

Consider max flowing and min ambient temperature (mud temp?)
K -75 to 180 F
L -50 to 180
N -50 to 140
P -20 to 180
R Room Temperature
S 0 to 140
T 0 to 180
U 0 to 250
V 35 to 250
X 0 to 350 (ref Annex G)
Y 0 to 650 (ref Annex G)

Choosing temperature ratings is the ultimate responsibility of the user

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NACE: limits for materials in H2S service

17-4 Stainless Steel

Industry has historically used 17-4 SS for valve stems and tubing hangers for EE and
FF sour service up to 3 or more psia H2S

API 6A 19th Edition

17-4 SS is not allowed in sour service for hanger mandrels and stems above
0.5 psia H2S partial pressure
Inconel has NO LIMIT for H2S partial Pressure
In many applications, 410 SS cannot be used as a substitute due to tensile
strength requirements (re: hanger mandrels, stems)

WGPC 19th Edition products for sour service:

Hanger Mandrels and Products with stems
17-4 SS up to .5 psia max H2S partial pressure
Inconel for No Limit to H2S partial pressure

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 NACE: limits for materials in H2S service

316 Stainless Steel

Industry has historically used 316 SS for fittings, needle valves and pressure gauges
for EE and FF Sour service with no limit to H2S partial pressure

API 6A 19th Edition

316 SS is not allowed in sour service when chlorides are present and
temperatures are above 140 F
Effects grease & test fittings in all products in standard temperature ranges
Next NACE expected to change to max 200 F?

WGPC 19th edition products for sour service:

Low alloy fittings will be used in all alloy bodies
Nickel plated alloy or Inconel fittings are used in Stainless Steel bodies

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NACE effects API Material Classes

19th Edition sour service Material Classes (Trims) must be labeled with the
maximum allowable H2S partial pressure, depending on the materials of
construction (may vary by manufacturer)

WGPC 19th Edition Sour Service Material Classes (Trims)

API 6A 17th Edition & earlier API 6-A 19th Edition

DD DD-0,5 (17-4 SS stem is allowed)

or DD-NL (w/ low alloy NACE stem
* inconel stem is allowed)

EE EE-0,5 (w/ 17-4 SS stem)

or EE-NL (w/ inconel stem)
FF FF-0,5 (w/ 17-4 SS stem)
or FF-NL (w/ inconel stem)

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19th Edition Changes
NACE changes affect API materials

0,5 suffix will appear on our products with internal parts

Valves
Tubing Hanger Mandrels*
API considers the tubing hanger mandrel an internal part of a
wellhead assembly (as a stems are considered internal parts of valves)

NL suffix will appear on our products with no internal parts

Heads, Spools & Flanges
Tubing Heads (lockscrews are not addressed by API 6A)
Tubing Head Adapters, DSAs (with or without packoffs)
Tees, Crosses, Tree Caps

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API 6A 19th Edition

Determine the required material class for sour service (EE or FF)
Find the exact H2S partial pressure
Your well(s) may be able to use 17-4 SS stems & tubing hangers

It takes a lot of H2S to go over .5 psia

@ 5,000# 100 PPM H2S = .5 psia
@ 10,000# 50 PPM H2S = .5 psia
@ 15,000# 33.3 PPM H2S = .5 psia

If WGPC quotations dept. doesnt know the H2S partial pressure

WGPC will quote Valves & Hanger Mandrels (as applicable) rated by API for .5
psia maximum H2S partial pressure. A statement will appear on the quotation.

Choosing material class and specific materials for specific conditions is

the ultimate responsibility of the user 08-0394-9
PSL (Product Specification Level)

Quality Control & testing recommendations increase with severity of

service
Working Pressure
H2S Concentration
More quality control = more measurements during manufacture & more
extensive pressure testing

PSL 3G (new in 19th edition)

Replaces PSL 4 in API decision tree
PSL 3 QC for manufacturing + gas testing
PSL 4 is still available (if customer elects)

PSL decision tree criteria

Alternate questions can be used

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PSL (Product Specification Level)
API recommendations to users

Many customers dont follow these recommendations

Do customers assume this is taken care of because their supplier follows API
requirements?
PSLs are recommended by API to the user to specify his requirements to
the manufacturer

Are customers unaware of the details of API recommendations?

PSL recommendations apply to the 4 Primary Parts of a wellhead
assembly
Tubing Head
Tubing Hanger
Tubing Head Adapter
Lower Master Valve
In some frac operations, the customer may consider the annulus
valve on the side of the tubing head as a primary part as well.

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PSL (Product Specification Level) Decision Tree
Alternate questions
High H2S Concentration?
Yes, if a leak will result in 70 PPM or more in air
If your well has less than 70 PPM H2S, the answer is NO

Alternate:
Is the 100 PPM radius of exposure greater than 50 ft. from the wellhead?
Depending on flow rate, it is possible for wells with 70 PPM H2S or
more to have a 100 PPM ROE less than 50 ft. from the wellhead

Radius of Exposure formulas are shown in API 6A, Annex A, A.4.5

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PSL (Product Specification Level) Decision Tree
Alternate questions

Gas Well?

Alternate: customer may use Close Proximity and

Radius of Exposure Analysis
Yes, if 100 PPM ROE > 50 ft. and includes any part of a public area except a
public road

Yes, if 500 PPM ROE > 50 ft. and includes any part of a public area including a
public road

Yes, if well is located:

In any environmentally sensitive area such as parks, wildlife preserve,
city limits, etc.
Within 150 ft. of an open flame or fired equipment
Within 50 ft. of a public road (lease road excluded)
In or near inland navigable waters
In or near domestic water supplies
Within 350 ft. of any dwelling

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PR (Performance Requirement)

Performance Requirement
Testing of product designs is required by API before a product is eligible to be
monogrammed by the manufacturer
PR 1 (minimum required)
At room Temperature
Pressure and mechanical cycles

PR 2 (option of customer or manufacturer)

At room temperature
Additional pressure and mechanical cycles

Annex F adds temperature cycles (option of customer or manufacturer)

F PR 1 adds temperature max & min
F PR 2 most severe testing includes added # of cycles

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Quality Control at different PSLs

Bodies, End/Outlet Connections And Hub End Connections

Requirement PSL 1 PSL 2 PSL 3/3G PSL 4

Temp K, L, N and P Temp K, L, N, P, R, S,

Temp K and L only Same as PSL 3/3G
only T, U and V only
Impact Testing of Raw
Material
Test at or below Test at or below Test at or below
Same as PSL 3/3G
bottom of temp range bottom of temp range bottom of temp range

5M & below - sample

testing
Same as PSL 2 plus
Hardness Testing of 10M & above - test Test all parts for all
test locations on each Same as PSL 3/3G
Raw and Machined Parts every part working pressures
end connection face
Sour service - test
every part

Examine ALL
Examine all accessible
Surface NDE of accessible surfaces
Not Required wetted and sealing Same as PSL 3/3G
Machined Parts plus areas prepped for
surfaces
weld overlay

Examine 100% volume

Same as PSL 3/3G plus
Volumetric NDE of Raw as practical, both After
Not Required Not Required restricted acceptance
Material heat treating and
criteria
Before machining

PSL 3, 3G and 4 require serialization of each part

Non-Destructive Examination

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Quality Control at different PSLs

Stems
Requirement PSL 1 PSL 2 PSL 3/3G PSL 4
Temp K, L, N, P, R, S, T, U
Temp K, L, N and P only Same as PSL 3/3G
and V only
Impact Testing of Raw Manufacturer's
Material Material Specification Test at or below bottom of Test at or below bottom of
Same as PSL 3/3G
temp range temp range

5M & below - sample

testing

Hardness Testing of 10M & above - test

every part Test all parts for all working pressures
Machined Parts
Sour service - test
every part

Examine all accessible Examine ALL accessible

Surface NDE of
Not Required wetted and sealing surfaces plus areas Same as PSL 3/3G
Machined Parts
surfaces prepped for weld overlay

Volumetric NDE of Raw After heat treating and

Not Required Not Required Same as PSL 3/3G
Material Before machining

PSL 3, 3G and 4 require serialization of each part

Non-Destructive Examination

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Quality Control at different PSLs

Valve Bore Sealing Mechanisms And Choke Trim

Requirement PSL 1 PSL 2 PSL 3/3G PSL 4

Tensile Testing of Manufacturer's Material Manufacturer's Material

Not required Not required
Raw Material Specification Specification

Test all parts for sour

Hardness Testing
service (DD, EE, FF, HH Test all parts for all working pressures
of Machined Parts
trims)

Examine all accessible Examine ALL accessible

Surface NDE of
Not Required wetted and sealing surfaces plus areas Same as PSL 3/3G
Machined Parts
surfaces prepped for weld overlay

PSL 3, 3G and 4 require serialization of each part

Non-Destructive Examination

Choke trim: only surface NDE and serialization are required

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Quality Control at different PSLs

Valve Testing

Requirement PSL 1 PSL 2 PSL 3 PSL 3G PSL 4

One 3-minute hold One 3-minute hold One 3-minute hold

Hydrostatic Body Two 3-minute Two 3-minute
plus one 15- plus one 15- plus one 15-minute
Test holds holds
minute hold minute hold hold

One 3-minute hold One 3-minute hold One 3-minute hold

Hydrostatic Seat Two 3-minute Two 3-minute
plus one 15- plus one 15- plus one 15-minute
Test holds holds
minute hold minute hold hold

One 15-minute One 15-minute hold

Gas Body Test Not required Not required Not required
hold @ WP @ WP

One 1-hour hold @

One 15-minute
WP fully open &
hold @ WP plus
Gas Seat Test Not required Not required Not required close valve, one 1-
one 15-minute
hour hold at 5 to 10%
hold @ 300 psi
WP
One 1-hour hold @
Optional One
Gas Back-Seat WP, disengage /
Not required Not required Not required 15-minute hold @
Test reengage, one 1-hour
WP
hold @ 5 to10% WP

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Quality Control at different PSLs

Casing and Tubing Hanger Mandrels/Bodies

Requirement PSL 1 PSL 2 PSL 3 PSL 4

Impact Testing of
Temp K & L only Test every part Same as PSL 2 Same as PSL 2
Raw Material

Hardness Testing
after all heat Same as PSL 2 plus Same as PSL 2 plus
Test every part Same as PSL 1
treatment and additional test locations additional test locations
machining

Examine ALL accessible

Examine all accessible
Surface NDE of surfaces plus areas
Not Required wetted and sealing Same as PSL 3
Machined Parts prepped for weld
surfaces
overlay

Examine 100% volume

Same as PSL 3 plus
Volumetric NDE of as practical, both After
Not Required Not Required restricted acceptance
Raw Material heat treating and Before
criteria
machining

Non-Destructive Examination

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Quality Control at different PSLs

Testing Of Casing & Tubing Heads, Tubing Head Adapters, Chokes, Crossover Connectors, Adapter And Spacer Spools

Requirement PSL 1 PSL 2 PSL 3 PSL 3G PSL 4

One 3-minute hold One 3-minute hold One 3-minute hold

Two 3-minute Two 3-minute
Hydrostatic Test plus one 15- plus one 15- plus one 15-minute
holds holds
minute hold minute hold hold

One 15-minute One 15-minute hold

Gas Test Not required Not required Not required
hold @ WP @ WP

PSL 2 and above: Serialization of assemblies is required.

PSL3G assemblies are built with PSL3 components.

Separate tests are required above & below crossover seal.

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