Patent Description:
In general, a line pipe is manufactured by forming a steel plate manufactured by a plate mill or a hot rolling mill into a steel pipe by UOE forming, press bend forming, roll forming, or the like.

The line pipe used to transport crude oil and natural gas containing hydrogen sulfide is required to have so-called sour resistance such as resistance to hydrogen-induced cracking (HIC resistance) and resistance to sulfide stress corrosion cracking (SSCC resistance), in addition to strength, toughness, weldability, and so on. Above all, in HIC, hydrogen ions caused by corrosion reaction adsorb on the steel surface, penetrate into the steel as atomic hydrogen, diffuse and accumulate around non-metallic inclusions such as MnS in the steel and the hard second phase structure, and become molecular hydrogen, thereby causing cracking due to its internal pressure.

Several methods have been proposed to prevent such HIC. <CIT> (PTL <NUM>) and <CIT>(PTL <NUM>) propose methods for suppressing central segregation in a high strength steel plate by keeping the C and Mn contents low, while performing morphological control of sulfide inclusions by keeping the S content low and adding Ca, and supplementing the decrease in strength associated therewith by adding Cr, Mo, Ni, and the like and performing accelerated cooling.

On the other hand, the demand for a steel plate with higher strength and higher toughness is increasing from the viewpoint of increasing the size of steel structures and reducing costs. For the purposes of property improvement and alloying element reduction of steel plates and elimination of heat treatment, high strength steel plates are usually manufactured by applying a so-called TMCP (Thermo-Mechanical Control Process) technique combining controlled rolling and controlled cooling.

In order to increase the strength of the steel material by using TMCP technique, it is effective to increase the cooling rate at the time of controlled cooling. However, when the control cooling is performed at a high cooling rate, the surface layer of the steel plate is rapidly cooled, and the hardness of the surface layer becomes higher than that of the inside of the steel plate, and the hardness distribution in the plate thickness direction becomes uneven. Therefore, it is a problem in terms of ensuring the material homogeneity in the steel plate.

To solve the above problems, for example, <CIT> (PTL <NUM>) and <CIT> (PTL <NUM>) describe methods for producing a steel plate for line pipes in which a steel plate surface after subjection to accelerated cooling is heated to a higher temperature than the interior using a high-frequency induction heating device such that the hardness is reduced at the surface layer.

On the other hand, when the scale thickness on the steel plate surface is uneven, the cooling rate is also uneven at the underlying steel plate during cooling, causing a problem of local variation in the cooling stop temperature in the steel plate. As a result, unevenness in scale thickness causes variation in the steel plate material property in the plate width direction. On the other hand,<CIT> (PTL <NUM>) and <CIT> (PTL <NUM>) describe methods for improving the shape of a steel plate by performing descaling immediately before cooling to suppress cooling unevenness caused by scale thickness unevenness. <CIT> describes a steel sheet or steel slab for high strength sour resistant line pipe, for which a concentration mapping analysis in a region is carried out.

However, although the techniques of PTLs <NUM> to <NUM> focus on central segregation area, none of these documents consider the uniformity of the HIC resistance in the plate width direction. Variation in central segregation in the plate width direction in a slab result in variation in the HIC resistance in the plate width direction of the rolled steel plate.

Further, according to the present inventors' study, it turned out that there is still a room for improvement in high strength steel plates obtained by the methods described in PTLs <NUM> and <NUM> in terms of uniformity of the HIC resistance in the plate width direction. The reason can be considered as follows. The methods of PTLs <NUM> and <NUM> apply descaling to reduce the surface characteristics defects due to the scale indentation during hot leveling and to reduce the variation in the cooling stop temperature of the steel plate to improve the steel plate shape. However, no consideration is given to the cooling conditions for obtaining a uniform material property.

Thus, conventionally, when combining low-cost chemical compositions and controlled cooling at a high cooling rate, it was impossible to manufacture a high strength steel plate that has both of proper material homogeneity in the steel plate and proper HIC resistance.

It would thus be helpful to provide a high strength steel plate for sour-resistant line pipes that is excellent in HIC resistance in which variation in the HIC resistance in the plate width direction is suppressed, and a high strength steel pipe using the same.

To solve the above problems, the present inventors made intensive studies on the chemical compositions and microstructures of steel materials and the manufacturing methods of a high strength steel plate having a strength of X65 grade in accordance with the API standard in order to prevent HIC generation from the central segregation area, suppress the variation in the HIC resistance in the plate width direction, and improve the material homogeneity in the steel plate. As a result, it was discovered that it is possible to suppress the variation in central segregation in the plate width direction of a steel plate by a combined use of secondary cooling of a cast steel (slab) under particular conditions and controlled cooling after hot rolling under particular conditions, and the present disclosure was completed based on this discovery.

We thus provide a high strength steel plate as defined in claim <NUM> and a high strength steel pipe using the high strength steel plate as defined in claim <NUM>.

The high strength steel plate for sour-resistant line pipes disclosed herein has excellent HIC resistance in which variation in the HIC resistance in the plate width direction is suppressed. Accordingly, the high strength steel pipe disclosed herein using this high strength steel plate has excellent HIC resistance in which variation in the HIC resistance in the pipe circumferential direction is suppressed.

Hereinafter, the high strength steel plate for sour-resistant line pipes according to the present disclosure will be described in detail.

First, the chemical composition of the high strength steel plate disclosed herein and the reasons for limitation thereof will be described. Hereinbelow, all units shown by % are mass%.

C contributes effectively to the improvement of strength. However, when the content is less than <NUM> %, sufficient strength can not be secured. On the other hand, when the content is more than <NUM> %, the hardness of the surface layer is increased during accelerated cooling, and the HIC resistance deteriorates. The toughness also decreases. Therefore, the C content is set in a range of <NUM> % to <NUM> %.

Si is added for deoxidation. However, when the content is less than <NUM> %, the deoxidizing effect is insufficient. On the other hand, when the content is more than <NUM> %, the toughness and weldability deteriorate. Therefore, the Si content is set in a range of <NUM> % to <NUM> %.

Mn contributes effectively to the improvement of strength and toughness. However, if the content is less than <NUM> %, the addition effect is poor, while if it exceeds <NUM> %, the hardness of the surface layer is increased during accelerated cooling, and the HIC resistance deteriorates. The weldability also decreases. Therefore, the Mn content is set in a range of <NUM> % to <NUM> %.

P is an inevitable impurity element that degrades the weldability and increases the hardness of the central segregation area, causing deterioration in HIC resistance. This tendency becomes more pronounced when the content exceeds <NUM> %. Therefore, the upper limit is set at <NUM> %. The content is preferably <NUM> % or less. Although a lower P content is preferable, the P content is set to <NUM> % or more from the viewpoint of refining cost.

S is an inevitable impurity element that forms MnS inclusions in the steel and degrades the HIC resistance, and hence a lower S content is preferable. However, up to <NUM> % is acceptable. Although a lower S content is preferable, the S content is set to <NUM> % or more from the viewpoint of refining cost.

Al is added as a deoxidizing agent. However, an Al content below <NUM> % provides no addition effect, while an Al content beyond <NUM> % lowers the cleanliness of the steel and deteriorates the toughness. Therefore, the Al content is in a range of <NUM> % to <NUM> %.

Ca is an element effective for improving HIC resistance through morphological control of sulfide inclusions. If the content is less than <NUM> %, however, the addition effect is not sufficient. On the other hand, if the content exceeds <NUM> %, not only the addition effect saturates, but also the HIC resistance is deteriorated due to the reduction in the cleanliness of the steel. Therefore, the Ca content is in a range of <NUM> % to <NUM> %.

The basic components according to the present disclosure have been described above. Optionally, however, the chemical composition according to the present disclosure may also contain at least one selected from the group consisting of Cu, Ni, Cr, and Mo in the following ranges to further improve the strength and toughness of the steel plate.

Cu is an element effective for improving the toughness and increasing the strength. To obtain this effect, the Cu content is preferably <NUM> % or more, yet if the content is too large, the weldability deteriorates. Therefore, when Cu is added, the Cu content is up to <NUM> %.

Ni is an element effective for improving the toughness and increasing the strength. To obtain this effect, the Ni content is preferably <NUM> % or more, yet excessive addition of Ni is not only economically disadvantageous but also deteriorates the toughness of the heat-affected zone. Therefore, when Ni is added, the Ni content is up to <NUM> %.

Cr, like Mn, is an effective element for obtaining a sufficient strength even at low C content. To obtain this effect, the Cr content is preferably <NUM> % or more, yet if the content is too large, the weldability deteriorates. Therefore, when Cr is added, the Cr content is up to <NUM> %.

Mo is an element effective for improving the toughness and increasing the strength. To obtain this effect, the Mo content is preferably <NUM> % or more, yet if the content is too large, the weldability deteriorates. Therefore, when Mo is added, the Mo content is up to <NUM> %.

The chemical composition according to the present disclosure may further optionally contain one or more selected from the group consisting of Nb, V, and Ti in the following ranges.

At least one selected from the group consisting of Nb: <NUM> % to <NUM> %, V: <NUM> % to <NUM> %, Ti: <NUM> % to <NUM> %
All of Nb, V, and Ti are elements that can be optionally added to enhance the strength and toughness of the steel plate. If the content of each added element is less than <NUM> %, the addition effect is poor, while if it exceeds <NUM> %, the toughness of the welded portion deteriorates. Therefore, the content of each added element is preferably in a range of <NUM> % to <NUM> %.

The balance other than the above-described elements is Fe and inevitable impurities. However, there is no intention in this expression of precluding the inclusion of other trace elements, without impairing the action or effect of the present disclosure.

In the high strength steel plate for sour-resistant line pipes disclosed herein, it is important that in a cross-section perpendicular to a rolling direction (plate length direction) of the steel plate, the number of Mn-concentrated spots that are approximated to an elliptical shape having a major axis length of more than <NUM>, in a measuring region located ±<NUM> from a plate thickness center toward a plate thickness direction, is <NUM> or less per <NUM> in length in a plate width direction.

As used herein, a "Mn-concentrated spot" refers to a site in which the Mn concentration is higher than the addition amount of Mn (the Mn content in the steel plate) due to segregation. This site is specifically identified as a site in which the Mn concentration is <NUM> % or more when the Mn content in the steel plate is <NUM> % or less, and as a site in which the Mn concentration is at least <NUM> % higher than the Mn content in the steel plate when the Mn content in the steel plate is more than <NUM> % and <NUM> % or less.

According to the present inventors' studies, it was revealed that HIC cracking is likely to occur from the positions of those Mn-concentrated spots having a major axis length of more than <NUM> among the Mn-concentrated spots specified as described above, and that HIC cracking occurs when the number of Mn-concentrated spots having a major axis length of more than <NUM> exceeds <NUM> per <NUM> in length in the plate width direction. Therefore, in the present disclosure, the number of Mn-concentrated spots having a major axis length of more than <NUM> is <NUM> or less per <NUM> in length in the plate width direction.

In the present disclosure, "the number of Mn-concentrated spots having a major axis length of more than <NUM> per <NUM> in length in the plate width direction" is measured as follows. First, a sample for analysis is cut out from a steel plate and polished for preparation. This setup is carried out such that the surface of the sample becomes a cross-section perpendicular to the plate length direction of the steel plate (a C cross-section). Then, as illustrated in <FIG>, in the C cross section, Mn concentration mapping is performed using an electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA) for three regions centering on each of the three points at the plate thickness center (t/<NUM> position; t is the plate thickness) of the steel plate and ranging ±<NUM> in the plate thickness direction (i.e., <NUM> thick) and ±<NUM> in the plate width direction (i.e., <NUM> wide), at a W/<NUM> position, a W/<NUM> position, and a 3W/<NUM> position from one end in the plate width direction of the steel plate, where W denotes the plate width (hereinafter, simply referred to as "W/<NUM> position", "W/<NUM> position", and "3W/<NUM> position", respectively). Note that the three regions may be one overlapping area depending on the plate width of the steel plate. The mapping is performed using an electronic probe with a accelerating voltage of <NUM> kV and a diameter of <NUM>. In each EPMA analyzing region (<NUM> thick and <NUM> wide), the number of Mn-concentrated spots having a major axis length of more than <NUM> is counted and converted to the number per <NUM> in length in the plate width direction.

It is preferable that the steel microstructure of the high strength steel plate for sour-resistant line pipes disclosed herein is bainite microstructure in order to have a tensile strength as high as <NUM> MPa or more. In this case, the bainite microstructure includes a microstructure called bainitic ferrite or granular ferrite which contributes to transformation strengthening. These microstructures appear through transformation during or after accelerated cooling. If different microstructures such as ferrite, martensite, pearlite, martensite austenite constituent, retained austenite, and the like are mixed in the bainite microstructure, a decrease in strength, a deterioration in toughness, a rise in surface hardness, and the like occur. Therefore, it is preferable that microstructures other than the bainite phase have smaller proportions. However, when the volume fraction of such microstructures other than the bainitic phase is sufficiently low, their effects are negligible, and up to a certain amount is acceptable. Specifically, in the present disclosure, if the total of the steel microstructures other than bainite (such as ferrite, martensite, pearlite, martensite austenite constituent, and retained austenite) is less than <NUM> % by volume fraction, there is no adverse effect, and this is acceptable.

In the high strength steel plate for sour-resistant line pipes disclosed herein, it is important that the HIC resistance at a W/<NUM> position, a W/<NUM> position, and a 3W/<NUM> position is <NUM> % or less in terms of CAR, and that the variation in the HIC resistance in the plate width direction in terms of 3σ is <NUM>% or less when σ denotes a standard deviation of CARs. This means that the high strength steel plate has excellent HIC resistance in which variation in the HIC resistance in the plate width direction is suppressed. The HIC resistance at a W/<NUM> position, a W/<NUM> position, and a 3W/<NUM> position is preferably <NUM> % or less in terms of CAR.

In this disclosure, the "HIC resistance at a W/<NUM> position, a W/<NUM> position, and a 3W/<NUM> position" is evaluated as follows. As illustrated in <FIG>, in a C-section of the steel plate, centering on the plate thickness center at a W/<NUM> position, a W/<NUM> position, and a 3W/<NUM> position (total of three points) in the plate width direction, test pieces of <NUM> thick and <NUM> wide are collected. From each of the three test pieces thus obtained, three samples are collected, and a total of nine samples are subjected to hydrogen-induced cracking (HIC) resistance examination. This examination is conducted in the Method A environment according to NACE TM0284, and the crack area ratio (CAR) is determined as a hydrogen-induced cracking criterion. In the high strength steel plate for sour-resistant line pipes disclosed herein, all nine CARs thus obtained are <NUM> % or less, and preferably <NUM> % or less.

Further, in this disclosure, the "variation in the HIC resistance in the plate width direction" is evaluated in terms of 3σ when the standard deviation of nine CARs described above is calculated as σ.

The high strength steel plate disclosed herein is a steel plate for steel pipes having a strength of X60 grade or higher in API <NUM>, and thus has a tensile strength of <NUM> MPa or more.

Hereinafter, the method and conditions for manufacturing the above-described high strength steel plate for sour-resistant line pipes will be described concretely. The manufacturing method disclosed herein comprises: subjecting steel having the above chemical composition to continuous casting to prepare a cast steel (slab); heating the slab; then hot rolling the slab to obtain a steel plate; and then subjecting the steel plate to controlled cooling. At this time, by performing secondary cooling in the continuous casting under particular conditions, and by performing the slab heating and controlled cooling under particular conditions, it is possible to manufacture a high strength steel plate for sour-resistant line pipes that has excellent HIC resistance in which variation in the HIC resistance in the plate width direction is suppressed.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the following secondary cooling method is used. Coolant is sprayed on a cast steel <NUM> in a mist form from a plurality of two-fluid spray nozzles 10A and 10B to cool the cast steel <NUM> while feeding the cast steel <NUM> in its longitudinal direction. The plurality of two-fluid spray nozzles 10A and 10B are arranged at predetermined intervals in the width direction of the cast steel <NUM>. Regarding the two-fluid spray nozzles <NUM> (10A and 10B), the positions on the cast steel at which a water flux density is <NUM> % of the water flux density immediately below the two-fluid spray nozzles <NUM> are located away by a distance S (mm) from both ends of each spraying range of the coolant in the width direction of the cast steel <NUM>. The overlapping margin between the spraying ranges of the coolant sprayed from the two-fluid spray nozzles 10A and 10B adjacent to each other is set in a range of <NUM> to <NUM>.

<FIG> schematically illustrate the injection ranges and the water flux density distributions of the coolant injected from two-fluid spray nozzle(s). <FIG> illustrates a distance S from both ends of the injection range at which a ratio of a water flux density at that position to a water flux density immediately below the two-fluid spray nozzle <NUM> is <NUM> %, and <FIG> illustrates the overlapping margin between the injection ranges of the coolant injected from the two two-fluid spray nozzles 10A and 10B.

The distance S from both ends of the injection range of the coolant injected from the two-fluid spray nozzle <NUM> can be obtained as follows. First, a water flux density distribution in the width direction of the cast steel of the coolant injected from the two-fluid spray nozzle <NUM> is measured. The water flux density distribution can be measured by placing the two-fluid spray nozzle <NUM> above a group of measures finely divided in the width direction of the cast steel <NUM> and weighing the coolant injected from the two-fluid spray nozzle <NUM> for each measuring apparatus.

The reason for setting the overlapping margin in a range of <NUM> to <NUM> is as follows. That is, in the case of the cast steel being subjected to secondary cooling with a plurality of two-fluid spray nozzles, even if the two-fluid spray nozzles are arranged such that the water flux density of the coolant injected from each two-fluid spray nozzle is uniform in the width direction of the cast steel, the collision pressure is low at both ends of each injection range of the coolant, resulting in low ability of cooling cast steel. Thus, it is impossible to cool the cast steel uniformly in the width direction. However, if the overlapping margin is adjusted in the range of <NUM> to <NUM>, it is possible to uniformly cool the cast steel in the width direction, considering the collision pressure distribution in addition to the water flux density distribution in the width direction of the cast steel. That is, according to this method, it is possible to cool the cast steel without lowering the cooling ability in a region over which the injection ranges of the coolant from the adjacent two-fluid spray nozzles 10A and 10B overlap, and to suppress the surface temperature deviation in the width direction of the cast steel, enabling substantially uniform cooling. Accordingly, it is possible to prepare a slab with suppressed variation in the central segregation in the width direction.

Although <FIG> illustrates an example using two two-fluid spray nozzles 10A and 10B, in the case of performing secondary cooling of the cast steel with three or more two-fluid spray nozzles, the overlapping margin of the injection ranges of the coolant may be set as described above for those adjacent to each other among three or more two-fluid spray nozzles.

Further, the two-fluid spray nozzle include, but is not limited to, for example, a mist nozzle provided with a feed pipe for coolant and air, a mixing pipe, and a nozzle tip.

If the slab heating temperature is lower than <NUM>, carbides do not solute sufficiently and the necessary strength can not be obtained. On the other hand, if the slab heating temperature exceeds <NUM>, the toughness is deteriorated. Therefore, the slab heating temperature is set to <NUM> to <NUM>. This temperature is the temperature in the heating furnace, and the slab is heated to this temperature to the center.

In a hot rolling step, in order to obtain high toughness for base metal, a lower rolling finish temperature is preferable, yet on the other hand, the rolling efficiency is lowered. Thus, the rolling finish temperature in terms of a temperature of the surface of the steel plate needs to be set in consideration of the required toughness for base metal and rolling efficiency. From the viewpoint of improving the strength and the HIC resistance, it is preferable to set the rolling finish temperature at or above the Ar<NUM> transformation temperature in terms of a temperature of the surface of the steel plate. As used herein, the Ar<NUM> transformation temperature means the ferrite transformation start temperature during cooling, and can be determined, for example, from the components of steel according to the following equation. Further, in order to obtain high toughness for base metal, it is desirable to set the rolling reduction ratio in a temperature range of <NUM> or lower, which corresponds to the austenite non-recrystallization temperature range, to <NUM> % or more. The temperature of the surface of the steel plate can be measured by a radiation thermometer or the like. <MAT> where [%X] indicates the content by mass% of the element X in steel.

If the temperature of the surface of the steel plate is low at the start of cooling, ferrite forms in a large amount before controlled cooling, in particular, when the temperature drop from the Ar<NUM> transformation temperature exceeds <NUM>, ferrite forms in a volume fraction of more than <NUM> %, causing a significant reduction in the strength and a deterioration in the HIC resistance. Therefore, the temperature of the surface of the steel plate at the start of cooling is set to (Ar<NUM> - <NUM>) or higher.

If the average cooling rate in a temperature range from <NUM> to <NUM> in terms of an average temperature of the steel plate is lower than <NUM>/s, a bainite microstructure can not be obtained, causing deterioration in the strength and HIC resistance. Therefore, the cooling rate in terms of an average temperature of the steel plate is set to <NUM>/s or higher. From the viewpoint of variation in the strength and hardness of the steel plate, the steel plate average cooling rate is preferably <NUM>/s or higher. The upper limit of the average cooling rate is not particularly limited, yet is preferably <NUM>/s or lower such that excessive low-temperature transformation products will not be generated.

After the completion of rolling, a bainite phase is generated by performing controlled cooling to quench the steel plate to a temperature range of <NUM> to <NUM> which is the temperature range of bainite transformation. When the cooling stop temperature exceeds <NUM>, bainite transformation is incomplete and sufficient strength can not be obtained. In addition, if the cooling stop temperature is lower than <NUM>, the hardness markedly increases in the surface layer. The cooling stop temperature is preferably <NUM> to <NUM>.

Although an average temperature of the steel plate can not be directly measured physically, a temperature distribution in a cross section in the plate thickness direction can be determined in real time, for example, by difference calculation using a process computer on the basis of the surface temperature at the start of cooling measured with a radiation thermometer and the target surface temperature at the end of cooling. The average value of temperatures in the plate thickness direction in the temperature distribution is referred to as the "average temperature of the steel plate" in this description.

By forming the high strength steel plate disclosed herein into a tubular shape by press bend forming, roll forming, UOE forming, or the like, and then welding the butting portions, a high strength steel pipe for sour-resistant line pipes (such as a UOE steel pipe, an electric-resistance welded steel pipe, and a spiral steel pipe) that has excellent material homogeneity in the steel plate and that is suitable for transporting crude oil and natural gas can be manufactured.

For example, an UOE steel pipe is manufactured by milling and beveling the edges of a steel plate, forming the steel plate into a steel pipe shape by C press, U-ing press, and O-ing press, then seam welding the butting portions by inner surface welding and outer surface welding, and optionally subjecting it to an expansion process. Any welding method may be applied as long as sufficient joint strength and joint toughness are guaranteed, yet it is preferable to use submerged arc welding from the viewpoint of excellent weld quality and manufacturing efficiency.

Steels having the chemical compositions listed in Table <NUM> (Steel Sample IDs A to M) were prepared and subjected to continuous casting to obtain slabs with a slab width of <NUM>. Secondary cooling was performed with the overlapping margin of the injection ranges of the coolant injected in a mist form from the three two-fluid spray nozzles arranged at predetermined intervals in the width direction being set as listed in Table <NUM>. Note that a distance S from both ends of the injection range of the coolant in the width direction of the cast steel <NUM> to the position where the ratio of a water flux density at that position to a water flux density immediately below the two-fluid spray nozzles is <NUM> % was fixed to <NUM>.

Each slab thus obtained was heated to the temperature as listed in Table <NUM>, and then hot rolled with the rolling finish temperature and the rolling reduction ratio as listed in the table, to thereby obtain a steel plate with the plate thickness as listed in the table. Then, each steel plate was subjected to controlled cooling using a water-cooling type controlled-cooling device under the conditions listed in Table <NUM>.

The microstructure of each obtained steel plate was observed with an optical microscope and a scanning electron microscope. The microstructures at the plate thickness center (i.e., t/<NUM> position) of the steel plate are listed in Table <NUM>.

From each obtained steel plate, a full-thickness test piece (as prescribed in API-<NUM> specification) in the transverse direction (direction orthogonal to the rolling direction) was taken and subjected to tensile test as a tensile test piece to measure the yield stress (<NUM>% proof stress) and the tensile strength. The target ranges were a yield stress of <NUM> MPa or more and a tensile strength of <NUM> MPa or more. The results are listed in Table <NUM>.

Three samples were respectively collected from a W/<NUM> position, a W/<NUM> position, and a 3W/<NUM> position in the manner described above, and CARs were measured. The maximum value of the nine measured values thus obtained is presented in the column of "HIC resistance" in Table <NUM>. Table <NUM> also lists 3σ when the standard deviation of nine CARs is calculated as σ. The target range was <NUM> % or less for the maximum value and <NUM> % or less for 3σ.

The number of Mn-concentrated spots having a major axis length of more than <NUM> was counted per <NUM> in length in the plate width direction in the manner described above. The target range was <NUM> or less. The results are listed in Table <NUM>.

From each obtained steel plate, a DWTT test piece conforming to the API-<NUM> was taken and tested at test temperatures of <NUM> to -<NUM> to determine a transition temperature at which the SA value (Shear Area: percent ductile fracture) was <NUM> %. The target range for transition temperature was -<NUM> or lower. The results are listed in Table <NUM>.

<NUM> to <NUM>, which are our examples, the chemical compositions were within the scope of the present disclosure and the manufacturing conditions were within the range suitable for obtaining steel plates according to the present disclosure. All of our samples had a yield stress of <NUM> MPa or more, a tensile strength of <NUM> MPa or more, a <NUM> % SATT of -<NUM> or lower in the DWTT test, and small variation in the HIC resistance in the plate width direction, any of which properties were considered good.

In contrast, for Nos. <NUM> to <NUM>, which are comparative examples, although the chemical compositions were within the scope of the present disclosure, the manufacturing conditions were outside the scope of the preferred conditions for obtaining steel plates according to the present disclosure. For No. <NUM>, the slab heating temperature was low, the homogenization of the microstructure and the solid solution state of carbides were insufficient, and the strength was low. For No. <NUM>, since ferrite generated excessively due to the low cooling start temperature, the strength was low and the HIC resistance was inferior. <NUM> and <NUM>, since pearlite excessively generated as a microstructure in the mid-thickness part due to the controlled cooling condition outside the suitable range, the strength was low and the HIC resistance was inferior. For No. <NUM>, since hard phases such as martensite and martensite austenite constituent (MA) were formed due to the low cooling stop temperature, the DWTT property and the HIC resistance were inferior. <NUM> to <NUM>, since the secondary cooling conditions of the slabs were outside the suitable range, Mn concentration in the central segregation area was high, variation in the HIC resistance in the plate width direction was large, and the HIC resistance was inferior. <NUM> to <NUM>, since the chemical compositions were outside the scope of the present disclosure, Mn concentration in the central segregation area was high, variation in the HIC resistance in the plate width direction was large, and the HIC resistance was inferior.

Claim 1:
A high strength steel plate for sour-resistant line pipes comprising: a chemical composition containing, by mass%, C: <NUM> % to <NUM> %, Si: <NUM> % to <NUM> %, Mn: <NUM> % to <NUM> %, P: <NUM> % to <NUM> %, S: <NUM> % to <NUM> %, Al: <NUM> % to <NUM> %, and Ca: <NUM> % to <NUM> %, optionally at least one selected from the group consisting of Cu: <NUM> % or less, Ni: <NUM> % or less, Cr: <NUM> % or less, and Mo: <NUM> % or less, Nb: <NUM> % to <NUM> %, V: <NUM> % to <NUM> %, and Ti: <NUM> % to <NUM> %, with the balance being Fe and inevitable impurities, wherein
in a cross-section perpendicular to a rolling direction of the steel plate, the number of Mn-concentrated spots that are approximated to an elliptical shape having a major axis length of more than <NUM> is <NUM> or less per <NUM> in length in a plate width direction, in three regions centering on each of the three points at the plate thickness center of the steel plate and ranging ± <NUM> in the plate thickness direction and ± <NUM> in the plate width direction at a W/<NUM> position, a W/<NUM> positon and a 3W/<NUM> position from one end in the plate width direction of the steel plate, where W denotes the plate width, and where the Mn-concentrated spot is defined as a site in which the Mn concentration is <NUM>% or more when the Mn content in the steel plate is <NUM>% or less, and as a site in which the Mn concentration is at least <NUM> % higher than the Mn content in the steel plate when the Mn content in the steel plate is more than <NUM> % and <NUM>% or less,
where, in the cross-section perpendicular to the rolling direction of the steel plate, centering on the plate thickness center at the W/<NUM> position, the W/<NUM> position, and the 3W/<NUM> position (total of three points) in the plate width direction, test pieces of <NUM> thick and <NUM> wide are collected, and from each of the three test pieces thus obtained , three samples are collected, and a total of nine samples are subjected to hydrogen-induced cracking (HIC) resistance examination, HIC resistance of all the nine samples are <NUM> % or less in terms of CAR and where the CAR is measured according to NACE TM0284, variation in the HIC resistance in the plate width direction in terms of 3σ is <NUM> % or less when σ denotes a standard deviation of CARs of the nine samples, and
a tensile strength is <NUM> MPa or more, where the tensile strength is measured according to API-<NUM>.