In the oil and gas industry, sour gas and sweet gas are distinguished primarily based on

the presence of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S):

Difference Between Sour Gas and Sweet Gas

Criteria Sour Gas Sweet Gas

Contains significant H₂S (≥ 4 ppm

H₂S Content Contains little to no H₂S
is typical)

Smell Rotten egg smell (due to H₂S) Odorless

Highly corrosive to metals and

Corrosiveness Low corrosive potential
alloys

Requires strict safety and material Easier to handle and

Handling
controls process

Safe in normal
Health Hazard Toxic and potentially lethal
concentrations

Treatment Needs sweetening (removal of

No sweetening required
Required H₂S)
 Quick Tip for Field Professionals
To identify sour gas, use H₂S detectors or analyze gas samples in the lab. Anything over
4 ppm H₂S is generally treated as sour for safety and materials selection.

Here's a detailed breakdown of H₂S (Hydrogen Sulfide) and CO₂ (Carbon Dioxide) in
the context of the oil and gas industry, covering properties, corrosion risks, health
hazards, treatment, and applicable standards.

Standards for Sour and Sweet Gas Handling

Standard / Code Purpose / Application

NACE MR0175 / Materials for use in H₂S-containing oilfield environments

ISO 15156 (sour service)

NACE MR0103 Materials for sour refining environments

API RP 14E Design criteria for erosional velocity (sour service)

Line pipe specification including sour service

API 5L / ISO 3183
considerations

AMPP SP0775
(formerly NACE Guidelines for handling H₂S in production operations
SP0775)
 Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S)

Aspect Details

Chemical Formula H₂S

Nature Colorless, highly toxic gas with a strong rotten egg odor

Lethal even at low concentrations (>100 ppm can be fatal

Toxicity
within minutes)

Flammability Highly flammable and explosive

Causes sulfide stress cracking (SSC) and hydrogen

Corrosion Impact
embrittlement in steels

Environments Found Sour oil and gas fields, sulfur-rich reservoirs

Amine sweetening, scavengers (triazines), iron sponge,

Main Treatments
caustic scrubbers

Standards to Follow NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156, NACE MR0103, API RP 14E
 Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)

Aspect Details

Chemical Formula CO₂

Nature Colorless, odorless gas, non-flammable

Not toxic at low levels, but can cause asphyxiation at high

Toxicity
concentrations

Forms carbonic acid (H₂CO₃) in water → leads to sweet

Corrosion Impact
corrosion

Environments Common in most gas reservoirs, especially in CO₂ injection

Found EOR projects

pH control, corrosion inhibitors (film-forming amines), CO₂

Main Treatments
removal units

Standards to API 521, API 939-C, ISO 13623, AMPP SP0109 (for CO₂
Follow corrosion monitoring)
 Key Differences in Corrosion Behavior

Gas Corrosion Mechanism Material Risk

H₂S Sulfide Stress Cracking (SSC), HIC High-strength steels, carbon steels

CO₂ Uniform/general corrosion via acid Mild steels, internal pipeline surfaces

Important Safety Thresholds

Gas Threshold Limit Value (TLV) Immediate Danger to Life (IDLH)

H₂S 10 ppm (OSHA), 1 ppm (ACGIH) 100 ppm

CO₂ 5,000 ppm 40,000 ppm

 Comparison Chart: H₂S vs CO₂ Corrosion in Oil & Gas Industry

Parameter H₂S (Hydrogen Sulfide) CO₂ (Carbon Dioxide)

Sulfide Stress Cracking (SSC), Sweet corrosion (uniform

Corrosion
Hydrogen Embrittlement, corrosion from carbonic
Type
Hydrogen-Induced Cracking (HIC) acid)

Risk to Carbon steel pipelines and

High-strength steels, low alloy steels
Materials vessels

Forms of Localized cracking, blistering, General wall thinning,

Attack pitting pitting

Formation of carbonic acid

Corrosive Formation of metal sulfides +
(H₂CO₃) in presence of
Mechanism atomic hydrogen ingress
water

Corrosion Increases with pH and H₂S partial Increases with CO₂ partial
Rate Factor pressure pressure, temperature, flow

Treatment Scavengers, corrosion-resistant Film-forming corrosion

Methods alloys, inhibitors inhibitors, pH adjustment

Detection Ultrasonic Testing (UT), Hydrogen Inline inspection tools,

Methods Probes, Acoustic Emission corrosion coupons

Standards to NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156, NACE API 939-C, AMPP SP0109,
Refer TM0177 ISO 13623
 Parameter H₂S (Hydrogen Sulfide) CO₂ (Carbon Dioxide)

Industry CO₂-rich gas fields,

Upstream oilfields, sour gas
Sectors pipelines, CO₂ injection
processing, refineries
Affected EOR fields

Safety Asphyxiant at high

Extremely toxic – fatal at >100 ppm
Concern concentration

Case-Based Q&A Practice – H₂S and CO₂ Corrosion

1. Case Study: SSC in a Pipeline

Q: A carbon steel pipeline in a sour gas field showed sudden brittle fracture without prior
wall loss. Which gas and corrosion mechanism is likely involved?

A: H₂S – Sulfide Stress Cracking (SSC)

Explanation: H₂S causes hydrogen to enter the steel matrix, weakening the metal
structure and leading to cracking under tensile stress.

2. Case Study: CO₂ Corrosion

Q: A pipeline carrying CO₂-rich wet gas shows uniform wall thinning over time. Which
treatment is most appropriate?

A: Film-forming corrosion inhibitor (e.g., amine-based)

Explanation: CO₂ forms carbonic acid in water, leading to sweet corrosion. Inhibitors
can reduce corrosion rate by forming a barrier.

3. Case Study: H₂S Safety

Q: A technician enters a vessel containing residual H₂S. What safety standard and level
must be followed?

A: NACE MR0103, OSHA max exposure limit = 10 ppm

Explanation: H₂S is fatal at low concentrations; safety and PPE protocols are essential.

4. Case Study: CO₂ EOR Project

Q: During CO₂ injection for enhanced oil recovery, which material risk must be
considered?

A: Corrosion of carbon steel lines due to carbonic acid formation

Explanation: Dissolved CO₂ in water creates acidic conditions that rapidly corrode
carbon steel.

5. Case Study: Failed Separator

Q: A separator in a gas processing plant operating with high H₂S concentration fails due
to internal blistering. Likely cause?

A: Hydrogen-Induced Cracking (HIC) due to H₂S

Explanation: Atomic hydrogen from H₂S diffuses and accumulates in voids causing
blisters and cracking.

6. Case Study: pH Influence

Q: Why does higher pH reduce CO₂ corrosion but increase H₂S stress corrosion
cracking?

A: CO₂: Less carbonic acid at high pH; H₂S: Promotes sulfide film stability leading to
cracking

Explanation: The chemistry of both gases responds differently to pH.

7. Case Study: Inspection Method

Q: Which inspection technique is best to monitor internal CO₂ corrosion in pipelines?

A: Corrosion coupons, ultrasonic thickness gauging

Explanation: CO₂ corrosion is uniform; wall thickness measurements are effective.

8. Case Study: Material Selection

Q: Which material is best for a high-pressure H₂S pipeline?

A: Duplex stainless steel or CRA compliant with NACE MR0175

Explanation: Resistant to SSC and meets sour service standards.

9. Case Study: Mixed Gases

Q: What is the risk when both H₂S and CO₂ are present in the gas stream?
A: Synergistic corrosion: Higher general corrosion and risk of SSC

Explanation: The gases together can accelerate corrosion and increase cracking risk.

10. Case Study: Monitoring in CO₂ Fields

Q: What is the purpose of pH monitoring in CO₂-rich systems?

A: To assess acid formation and guide chemical dosing

Explanation: Lower pH indicates carbonic acid presence and higher corrosion risk.

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