Hydril To Introduce Chrome Production Tubing

Houston - Hydril has successfully manufactured seamless pipe from A-21, a proprietary stainless steel that provides high strength, good toughness, and excellent corrosion resistance at a lower cost than conventional super 13% chromium (Cr) steels used in oil and natural gas wells. A-21 production tubing is ideally suited for sweet and slightly sour oil and gas applications and certain hostile environments including offshore, cold climate and deep (hot) wells. Hydril anticipates a commercial launch for A-21 seamless tubing late this year.

Hydril has completed piercing and pipe rolling trials of A-21 tubing at two international steel mills. In 2005 Hydril secured the exclusive worldwide license to manufacture and market A-21, a unique martensitic stainless steel that can be easily made into seamless tubing with a yield strength ranging from 80 to 140 ksi, the widest range available for any 13Cr or super 13Cr alloy. A-21 is protected by three U.S. patents and thirteen foreign patents. A-21 is included in NACE MR-0175 and ISO 15156 international standards which govern the use of materials in sour service (where H2S is present).

SOURCE: Hydril Company LP