A detailed survey of Hydrogen Induced Cracking (HIC) was conducted in a Saudi Gas
Oil Separation Plant (GOSP). The piping system was not originally fabricated using HIC
resistant steel and has been employed in wet sour crude and gas services for the last 24 years.
This particular GOSP was built in 1982. It produces 300 thousand barrels oil per day (MBOD) of
crude; and 100 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd) of associated sour gas. There were
170 pipe spools that were identified with HIC in the GOSP facilities using ultrasonic on-stream
inspection (OSI). The objective of this survey was to inspect, monitor and identify severely
effected plant piping to avoid occurrence of any catastrophic failure that could result from HIC
damage. Indications of HIC, categorized as moderate to severe with continuous loss of back
wall reflection, have been recorded for many pieces of equipment and piping spools.