Bal Seal Achieves NACE Compliance for Oilfield Seal Energizers

Bal Seal Achieves NACE Compliance for Oilfield Seal Energizers

Foothill Ranch, Calif. – U.S.A. – Bal Seal Engineering, Inc., a leading producer of custom-engineered sealing solutions for equipment used in oil and gas processes, has achieved NACE Level VII compliance for the Inconel® X-750 springs it employs as seal energizers. An independent organization has confirmed that the springs are resistant to cracking under NACE Level VII conditions as defined by MR0175/ISO 15156-3 Annex E.

 “The NACE test results give us an unbiased confirmation that this material performs well in these harsh conditions,” says Jim Harty, global market manager for energy. “Moreover, these tests demonstrate to our customers that the seals we engineer with these materials will meet their toughest requirements.”

Inconel® alloy X-750 is a precipitation-hardenable nickel-chromium alloy known for its corrosion and oxidation resistance and high strength at temperatures to 1200 °F, when used for springs and fasteners. It is frequently employed in the design of the company’s Bal Seal® spring-energized seals, which protect against fluid leakage in top drives, progressive cavity pumps and other critical oilfield equipment.

During the testing, which was conducted by Houston-based Honeywell Corrosion Solutions, Bal Seal subjected both age-hardened and cold-worked springs to 180,000 mg/L chloride brine solution at 401°F with 500 psia H2S and 500 psia CO2 for 720 hours. The springs were resistant to cracking under NACE Level VII conditions applied stresses up to at least 90% of the room temperature yield stress.

Developed by the National Association of Corrosion Engineers, MR0175, “Sulfide Stress Cracking Resistant Metallic Materials for Oilfield Equipment” defines the requirements for materials resistant to sulfide stress cracking (SSC) in sour oilfield environments. The standard addresses the resistance of these materials to damage that can be caused by SSC and galvanically induced hydrogen stress cracking (GHSC). 

ISO 15156-3 sets out the requirements and recommendations for the selection and qualification of carbon and low-alloy steels, corrosion-resistant alloys, and other alloys for service in equipment used in oil and natural gas production and natural gas treatment plants in H2S-containing environments. Both the NACE and ISO standards are designed to help engineers avoid health and safety risks posed by potential material corrosion and resulting equipment failure. 

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