Steel in sour corrosive service is prone to various forms of hydrogen induced cracking (HIC). This can take several forms such as centre line cracking surface blisters and stress oriented HIC (SOHIC).In this paper we consider the effect of the corrosion scenario steel microstructural heterogeneity steel surface condition and scales on the type of damage that is manifest particularly in reference to legacy steels which are more prone to HIC. It is hoped the paper will contribute to our knowledge of both the cause of HIC damage manifest in damaged pipe and the susceptibility to HIC that can be expected from legacy steels which face prospectively more severe sour service.