Under the API 5CT specification, L80 tubing is divided into three main types based on their chemical composition and the specific corrosive elements they are designed to resist.
While all three types share the same mechanical properties (80,000 psi yield strength and a maximum hardness of 23 HRC), they differ in how they handle Carbon Dioxide ( CO2 ) and high temperatures.
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L80 Type 1 Oilfield Tubing (Standard / Carbon Steel)
This is the most common and "basic" version of L80.
Material: Low-alloy carbon steel.
Primary Use: Standard sour service ( H2S ) environments.
Corrosion Resistance: It protects against Sulfide Stress Cracking (SSC) but has low resistance to CO2 corrosion.
Cost: The most economical of the L80 types.
L80-1 oil country tubular goods Technical Specification
| Item | Requirement / Specification |
| Yield Strength | 80,000 - 95,000 psi (552 - 655 MPa) |
| Tensile Strength | ≥ 95,000 psi (655 MPa) |
| Rockwell Hardness | ≤ 23 HRC |
| Heat Treatment | Quenched & Tempered (Q&T) |
| Main Chemistry | C: ≤0.43%, Mn: ≤1.90%, P: ≤0.030%, S: ≤0.030% |
| Applicable Environment | Sour Service ( H2S environments) with minimal CO2 corrosion. |
| API Color Code | One Red Band |
L80 9Cr Oil Well Casing Steel Pipe (9% Chromium)
This type adds Chromium to the chemical makeup for better protection against weight-loss corrosion.
Material: Alloy steel containing 9% Chromium and 1% Molybdenum.
Primary Use: Wells with moderate CO2 levels.
Corrosion Resistance: Better than Type 1 for CO2, but usually chosen only when 13Cr is considered "overkill" or too expensive.
Status: It is less commonly used today, as many operators prefer to jump straight to 13Cr for better performance.
L80 9Cr Casing Tubing Technical Specification
| Item | Requirement / Specification |
| Yield Strength | 80,000 - 95,000 psi (552 - 655 MPa) |
| Tensile Strength | ≥ 95,000 psi (655 MPa) |
| Rockwell Hardness | ≤ 23 HRC |
| Heat Treatment | Quenched & Tempered (Q&T) |
| Main Chemistry | Cr: 8.00-10.00%, Mo: 0.90-1.10%, C: ≤0.15% |
| Applicable Environment | Moderate CO2 environments with some H2S presence. |
| API Color Code | One Red Band + One Brown Band |
L80 13Cr Oilfield Casing (13% Chromium)
This is a martensitic stainless steel and is highly popular in offshore and high-budget land operations.
Material: High-alloy steel containing 12% to 14% Chromium.
Primary Use: Harsh environments with high CO2 concentrations and high temperatures.
Corrosion Resistance: Exceptional resistance to CO2 induced pitting and weight-loss corrosion. It is the industry standard for "wet" CO2 gas wells.
Cost: Significantly more expensive than Type 1 due to the high Chromium content.
L80 13Cr Oilfield Casing Pipes Technical Specification
| Item | Requirement / Specification |
| Yield Strength | 80,000 - 95,000 psi (552 - 655 MPa) |
| Tensile Strength | ≥ 95,000 psi (655 MPa) |
| Rockwell Hardness | ≤ 23 HRC |
| Heat Treatment | Quenched & Tempered (Q&T) |
| Main Chemistry | Cr: 12.00-14.00%, C: 0.15-0.22%, Si: ≤1.00% |
| Applicable Environment | Severe CO2 corrosion with presence of formation water and high heat. |
| API Color Code | One Red Band + One Green Band |
Comparison Summary
| Type | Material | Key Alloy | Best For... |
| L80-1 | Carbon Steel | Manganese/Boron | Standard Sour Service ( H2S ) |
| L80-9Cr | Alloy Steel | 9% Chromium | Moderate CO2 environments |
| L80-13Cr | Stainless Steel | 13% Chromium | Severe CO2 & High Temperature |
Selection Guide Table: L80 Series Tubing
| Selection Criteria | L80 Type 1 (Standard) | L80 9Cr (Moderate) | L80 13Cr (High Performance) |
| Core Positioning | Standard Sour Service |
H2S + Moderate CO2 |
Premium CO2 Resistance |
|
H2SH2S Resistance |
Excellent. Fully compliant with NACE MR0175. | Excellent. | Good. However, may be limited in extremely high
H2S. |
|
CO2CO2 Resistance |
Poor. Susceptible to uniform corrosion and pitting. | Moderate. 9% Chromium provides a protective layer. | Excellent. Designed specifically to prevent weight-loss corrosion. |
| Temperature Range | No specific limitations. | Best performance below 100°C (212°F). | Optimal between 60°C - 150°C (140°F - 302°F). |
| Fluid Environment | Sweet wells or Sour wells with only
H2S. |
Wells with moderate CO2 and some formation water. | Wet gas wells, saline water, and high CO2 partial pressure. |
| Connection Advice | API Standard (EUE/NUE) is sufficient. | Premium Connections are recommended. | Premium Connections Mandatory (to prevent galling). |
| Relative Cost | 1.0x (Baseline) | Approx. 2.5x - 3.5x | Approx. 4.0x - 6.0x |
| Life Cycle Cost | Low initial cost; high workover frequency in CO2. | Medium. | High initial cost; significantly lower maintenance/workovers. |
FAQ
What is L80 Type 1 material?
L80 Type 1 is a restricted-yield, carbon steel grade used for tubing and casing in oil and gas wells.
What is L80 material?
L80 is a mid-to-high strength steel grade for tubing and casing, regulated by the API 5CT specification.
