A new stainless steel alloy for wirelines has been developed by Swedish steel maker Sandvik Steel for use in highly corrosive oil and gas well environments. Already established as a leading supplier of wirelines in a range of material qualities, Sandvik has developed the new steel to meet the needs of well service companies operating sour wells at ever greater depths.

Designated Sanicro 26Mo (UNS N08926), the new wireline contains high levels of alloying elements molybdenum and nitrogen. It has exceptional tensile strength (1585 MPa minimum/230 ksi minimum), very good corrosion resistance in chloride-bearing environments and very good resistance against stress corrosion cracking. The new wirelines are available in weld-free lengths up to 30,000 feet and in the recognised industry diameters of 0.082, 0.092, 0.108 and 0.125 inches.