Titanium alloys are currently being considered for use as downhole tubulars in high pressure, high
temperature (HPHT) wells to provide an alternative to nickel-base alloys. A titanium alloy, Ti-6Al-2Sn-
4Zr-6Mo (Ti -6246, UNS R56260), has been qualified for Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) use in
corrosive and highly sour wells. Ti-6246 is a 135 ksi (931 MPa) yield strength (YS) alloy that
demonstrates excellent resistance to environmental stress cracking and corrosion in production,
workover and completion environments that may occur in severe HPHT and deepwater fields. This
paper documents the qualification test program for sour production environments, completion brines,
and acids. Qualification test methods includes C-rings per NACE TM0177-20051, slow strain rate per
NACE TM0198-20042, fracture toughness per ASTM E399-20063 using single-edge notched bend
(SENB) geometry, sand erosion and erosion corrosion test loops, and corrosion coupons. As with any
Corrosion Resistant Alloy (CRA) materials selection, project-specific testing should always be
considered to define material performance with respect to the environments and stresses assumed for
the completion.
Keywords: Ti-6246, Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-6Mo; UNS R56260, OCTG, HPHT wells, galvanic corrosion, packer
fluid, erosion, erosion-corrosion, engineering critical assessment