1. Product Design and Qualification (Validation) Testing for HPHT Systems
2010

2. HPHT Designer Issues HPHT Design
Materials
Performance Test
Design Methodology much more rigorous FEA and Fracture Mech.
No clear definition of Material Properties needed for FEA and Fracture Mech.
Need to establish appropriate HPHT performance validation testing to prove FEA
Is one needed for fracture mechanics? 2

3. FAD , S-N low /infinite No
Yes
Proposed PER15K 3 3

4. HPHT Designer Issues HPHT Design
Materials
Performance Test
Design Methodology much more rigorous FEA and Fracture Mech.
FEA, Thermal,
FAD – BS 7910 DnV C203, API 579
Should be limited to pressure containing, pressure controlling, seals, and fasteners… 4

5. HPHT Designer Issues Much work remaining with respect to materials
Metallic properties derating, thermal growth, da/dN, K1Scc
ASME, API 6AF1
Seals, fasteners need creep or stress relaxation (DMM) for life expectancy
Thermal FEA to justify temperature zone use?
Non-metalics life expectancy tests
HPHT
Design
Materials
Performance Test
Thermal FEA plot illustrating an example
of insulating the body while keeping an adjacent
component (actuator) uninsulated to optimize seal use
Crush contact of BX Gasket
Bolt Loading
Hoop Stress Energized Force
High Contact Compressive Stress
PL-M = Temp (log tr +C)
Larson-Miller Regression Curve
From API TR 6J1 5

6. Over complicating H2S Failure to Fast Fracture
Elevated temperature probably increases crack growth rate / shortens design life
K1Scc
Assumed flaw size detectable at factory during manufacture

7. HPHT Designer Issues HPHT Design
Materials
Performance Test
Need to establish appropriate HPHT performance validation testing to prove FEA
Is one needed for fracture mechanics? 7

8. Background / History / Needs Assessment
Recognition that current industry standards are not specific in addressing the requirements for seals therefore it is left to the equipment manufacturer/user to determine applicability of the requirements/standardized tests
• Procedures that are typically used (eg. API 6A PR2 Annex F) are not satisfactory to provide product designs with proven, long term reliability
Short term tests do not expose product weaknesses
Same test scenario regardless of type of product or environment
Separate testing for material and product
Material testing typically only covers compatibility with the environment but lacks stressed induced failure mechanisms that directly apply to the product design

9. Goals for Improved Testing / Qualification Program
Develop protocols / methodology that will provide a better indication of the of the long term performance of a product / design
Educate the industry on the benefits of more rigorous testing methods
Develop measurements/codes/processes/product markings to ensure that products that are tested are in conformance to the requirements

10. Current PR-2 Verification Process
API 6A Appendix F does not specifically state any requirement for the verification of metallic seals.
FMC requires that metallic seals be verified to the same requirements as wellhead equipment, connectors and fittings.
API 6A, Appendix F requires that wellhead equipment, connectors and fitting be subjected to three temperature cycles. Each temperature cycle starts at ambient temperature, heats the equipment to the maximum rated temperature, cools the equipment to the minimum rated temperature and then brings the equipment back to the ambient temperature. At the maximum and minimum rated temperature, the equipment is pressured to the maximum rated pressure and held for one hour, while checking for leakage.

11. API 6A, Annex F, PR-2

12. API 17D (FDIS) – New Additions
New draft brings seals up to same testing cycle as valves and connectors
New draft has an Annex J for fluid compatibility
New draft has Annex L for hyperbaric (external) pressure tests

14. Proposed PR-3 Test Philosophy
HPHT pressure containing, pressure controlling and seals have many characteristics which need to be studied in greater detail than API 6A, Appendix F, PR2 addresses.
Material properties which can be affected during HPHT exposure include, but are not limited to, wear, galling, fatigue, stress relaxation, corrosion, and exposure to sand or grit.
Material properties “weaken” at elevated temperatures
Option 1 - Possible higher test pressure at ambient temperature needs to be addressed properly stress components, or
Option 2 - Consider cycle testing of pressure and temperature in tandem.
Additional endurance test criteria which needs to be discussed includes the addition of make-and-break cycles, additional temperature/pressure cycles, and confirmation testing of seal designs.

15. ASME Cycle Count

16. Higher Level of Qualification Testing

17. “Annex F” PR-3, phase 1

18. Larson-Miller Regression Curve
“Annex F” PR-3, phase 2
Qualification tests may still not catch fatigue life or material regression issues – but how long is long enough?
Larson-Miller Regression Curve

19. “Annex F” PR-3, phase 3 Endurance Tests
Courtesy of Kawasaki Heavy Industries / Ship Partners Ltd.

20. “Annex F” PR-3, phase 1