PRCI

Recent Results

Welding of High Strength Steel Pipelines

This seminal multi-year project provides foundation knowledge and tools for future research activities to improve welding in pipeline applications. This is especially important research because welding is an enabling technology that affects multiple aspects of oil and gas transmission pipeline design, construction and in-service modification and repair. Research has been completed and the report is currently undergoing final review.

Key Results

The results are presented in a multi volume comprehensive report that addresses two major focus areas:  an update of weld design, testing, and assessment procedures for high strength pipelines; and the development of optimized welding solutions for X100 line pipe steel.  The advanced concepts were developed with emphasis on high strength steels, but are easily applicable to lower grades of steel and research is currently underway to extend the benefits of the project to a wider range of users.

Another key finding was that differences in weld testing methods lead to wide variations in results, thus making it difficult to compare results or to make consistent design decisions. Therefore, there needs to be industry agreement upon on standard practices for important weld specimen testing methods.  A follow-on project is already underway to bring together specialists to seek agreement on test procedures.

The importance, scope and depth of this research led to the scheduling of a special session at the 2012 Research Exchange to present both the results and their implications for our industry. Also, a one day seminar has been scheduled on the last day of the Research Exchange to discuss the differing test methods for Curved Wide Plate testing and seek agreement on standardization of this important test procedure. This is the first of a series of initiatives. Future sessions will consider other weld specimen testing and seek agreement on consistent procedures.

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