Investigations assessed the surface chemistry, morphology and depth profile of Hg for gas processing pipe steel coupons of API 5L-X52 after adsorption with elemental Hg at 25 0 C in the presence of air. We investigated the effect of Hg adsorption periods and surface Hg levels as well as characterizations of Hg depth profiles. We observed no reasonable correlation between surface Hg levels and Hg adsorption periods. Forms of Hg found on the top surface and in the depth profile were in oxide and elemental forms, respectively. However, most of the Hg present was superficial and did not penetrate below the surface significantly. The lowest concentration lixiviant, with 0.2 Molar iodine and 2.0 Molar potassium iodide, worked well with all ranges of Hg contamination observed, with the final surface Hg levels of less than 0.1 atom% by XPS analysis, for a relative percentage of Hg removal about 99%.