A North Sea topside facility specified 316L stainless for a hot, high-chloride amine service. NORSOK L-002 Rev 4 clearly states (Clause 6.4.3) that 316L is not permitted for chlorides > 1000 ppm above 60°C. They were forced to retrofit with 6Mo CRA, costing $12 million.
NORSOK L-002 is heavily referenced by NORSOK L-001 (Piping). For valves, the PDF specifies: norsok l-002 pdf
Always verify the revision. Using an obsolete PDF (e.g., Rev 2 or 3) can lead to non-compliance, rejected procurement orders, or unsafe designs. A North Sea topside facility specified 316L stainless
While NORSOK L-001 typically defines the piping classes, L-002 dictates how those classes are applied in design scenarios. It provides guidelines on material compatibility and corrosion allowances, particularly vital for Norwegian fields where reservoir conditions can be aggressive. NORSOK L-002 is heavily referenced by NORSOK L-001 (Piping)
| Standard | Scope | Key Difference | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Offshore piping & valves | Strict material classes, mandatory HIC testing | | NACE MR0175/ISO 15156 | Sour service environments | General requirements; less prescriptive on classes | | ASME B31.3 | Process piping design | Construction rules; no material selection criteria | | API 6A | Wellhead equipment | Upstream; narrower focus on well control |
When an engineer downloads the , they are accessing a document that dictates the "how" and "where" of piping. The standard is comprehensive, covering several technical pillars: