Standards Resource & Research Request (SR3) Form

File Name:

Standards Resource & Research Request (SR3) Form

Committee on Standardization of Oilfield Equipment & Materials

Document Information

Standard Designation: / API Standard 6A718
Title: / Nickel Base Alloy 718 (UNS N07718 for Oil and Gas Drilling & Production Equipment
Edition: / Second Edition, December 2009
Budget Year: / 2012
Committee / Subcommittee: / SC2 / SC5 / X / SC6 / SC8 / SC10 / SC11 / SC13
SC15 / SC16 / SC17 / SC18 / SC19 / SC20 / ECS
Priority Matrix Ranking:
(to be completed by API) / Class 1
(Rank 11-15) / Class 2
(Rank 6-10) / Class 3
(Rank 1-5)
Proposed Action: / New Standard / X / Revise Current Standard
Withdraw Current Standard / Research Only
Proposed Funding Type: / Budget Request / Special Solicitation
Total Funding Request
(Parts A & B):
Name of Submitter(s): / Tim Haeberle (GE Oil & Gas) and Joel Russo (FMCTI)
Date: / 30 June 2011

Part A – Resource Plan

I. Background and Information:

1. Explain the business need for the proposed action. Indicate potential cost savings to industry where possible.

API Standard 6A718, 1st and 2nd Editions, have included only one strength class: 120K
A 120 KSI min yield strength is what has been historically required for Alloy 718 tubing hangers. The 120 KSI min yield strength exceeds the 75 KSI design criteria applicable to valve gates, seats & stems, and therefore has been acceptable for these components too.
API Standard 6A718 was developed “to supplement the existing requirements of API 6A and ISO 10423”, and it is still meeting that objective. However, API Standard 6A718 is being used for other types of equipment. Although intended for API 6A equipment, API 6A718 has now been specified for other types of oil and gas production equipment, such as down-hole safety valves.
The manufacturers of down-hole safety valves specify Alloy 718 with minimum yield strengths of:
• 120 KSI
• 130 KSI
• 135 KSI
• 140 KSI

2. What is the scope of the standard?

Requirements for Alloy 718 that are intended to supplement the existing requirements of API 6A and ISO 10423.
These additional requirements include detailed process control requirements and detailed testing requirements. The
purpose of these additional requirements is to ensure that the Alloy 718 used in the manufacture of API 6A or ISO 10423 pressure-containing and pressure-controlling components is not embrittled by the presence of an excessive level of deleterious phases.

3. Is this standard on the work program of another standards development organization (check all that apply)?

ISO / IADC / ASME / SAE
Other, please provide:

If yes, is the work being coordinated with the appropriate group? Are there special circumstances that would justify independent API initiation of the proposed action?

4. Are a volunteer chair and group of experts available to perform the proposed action?
Please include names and company affiliation and indicate chair, if available.

Tim Haeberle, GE Oil & Gas – Chairman, API Spec 6A718 Task Group
API Spec 6A718 Additional Strength Classes Work Group
Joel Russo, FMCTI - Chairman, Work Group
Sarwan Mannan, Special Metals
Rashmi Bhavsar, Schlumberger
Stan Gregory, Foroni Metals
Bill Bailey, Backer Packers

5. Is there a need to commit resources to supplement the development of the draft? Would a paid content specialist accelerate progress on the development/revision? Is there a readily available content specialist?

6. Are there special format requirements for final document, i.e. knowledge of ISO template required), significant graphics, photos or equations) required that would need extraordinary resources?

Yes / No / X

If Yes, please provide details:

7. Please provide any other information that is pertinent to the proposed action.

The 135 KSI and 140 KSI strength classes would require testing and evaluation of the environmental cracking resistance of each grade, if heat treated using a precipitation hardening temperature or time outside of the ranges specified in API 6A718. More specifically, the 135 and 140 KSI grades typically need to be precipitation hardened at a lower temperature than permitted by API 6A718, thereby rendering material heat treated in this manner out of compliance.
There is a concern that the 135 and 140 KSI grades are not fully commercial grades, and should not be included in an API Standard. Material in the 135 and 140 KSI grades is frequently “hand picked” from vendor inventory since it is difficult to achieve these strength levels while still meeting the NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 hardness limit of HRC 40. Does “hand picked” material belong in an API Standard?
If a decision is made to move forward with this objective, the 130 KSI strength class could simply be added as another strength class without having to make any other changes. However, the 135 KSI and 140 KSI strength classes cannot simply be added in this manner. The 135 KSI and 140 KSI strength classes would require testing and evaluation of the environmental cracking resistance of each grade, if heat treated using a precipitation hardening temperature or time outside of the ranges specified in API 6A718. Additionally, there needs to be a review to determine if the 135 KSI and 140 KSI strength classes are actually commercial grades, or if the requirement for “hand picking” material from inventory makes them too special inclusion in an API standard.

8. What are the implications of not initiating the proposed action? Include potential safety, reliability, environmental and financial impacts that may arise.

The down-hole tool manufacturers and others will not be able to utilize API Standard 6A718 as a reference standard for the high yield strength classes of this alloy.

9. Is there research proposed to accomplish the proposed action?

Yes / X / No
If yes, complete Part B of this form.

II. Project Timing

Proposed start date: / Jan 2012 / Proposed date draft will be ready for letter ballot: / Feb 2013
TG/WG: (estimated number of volunteers needed) / Content Management:
($ amount "if needed" or volunteer)

PART B – Research Plan

I. Background and Information

1. Proposed Research Title:

Environmental Cracking Resistance Of High Strength Alloy 718

2. Proposed Project Scope:

The 135 KSI and 140 KSI strength classes of Alloy 718 will require testing and evaluation of the environmental cracking resistance of each grade. More specifically, testing in H2S requirements in accordance with NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 is needed along with documentation of the appearance of the microstructures of the specimens that both pass and fail the testing.

3. Research Amount:

$ / 100,000

4. What is the business need for the proposed research?

5. Is the proposed research edition-specific for a single standard or will it result in technology enhancement for multiple standards?

Yes / X / No
If multiple standards, please cite the standards effected:

6. Research Timing:

X / Research is necessary prior to scheduled revision. / Research can be done concurrent with revision.

7. How does the research support the proposed action identified in Part A?

The proposed addition of Alloy 718 strength classes 135 KSI and 145 KSI will not be balloted by the API 6A718 Task Group without sufficient technical justification.

8. Is a joint industry project (JIP) a possibility?

Yes / No / X
If Yes, with who?

9. Are there opportunities for leveraged research with other organizations?

Yes / No / X
What organizations?

10. What are the implications of not performing the proposed research?

Either the alternate strength classes of 135 KSI and 145 KSI will not be balloted or the downhole equipment manufacturers who want to have these strength classes added will have to fund the research themselves.

II. Dates and Funding:

Estimated Completion Date / Prior Research Funding Requested / Anticipated Future Research Funding Needs
Dec 2012 / $ / 0 / Year 2: $ / Year 3: $ / Year 4: $

PART C – Proposal Feedback/Approval Information For API Use ONLY

SC comments to Proposer/WG:
Date approved by subcommittee:
ECS comments:
Date approved by ECS:
Date entered into API Publications DB:

Rev 6-14-10