Evaluation of Welding Practices on Sour Service Performance of Carbon Steel Pipeline Girth Welds

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harpreet Sidhar ◽  
Neerav Verma ◽  
Chih-Hsiang Kuo ◽  
Michael Belota ◽  
Andrew Wasson
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Steel ◽  
Service Performance ◽  
Steel Pipeline ◽  
Girth Welds ◽  
Sour Service

Evaluation of Welding Practices on Sour Service Performance of Carbon Steel Pipeline Girth Welds

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harpreet Sidhar ◽  
Neerav Verma ◽  
Chih-Hsiang Kuo ◽  
Michael Belota ◽  
Andrew J. Wasson
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Steel ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Pipeline Steel ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Welding Parameters ◽  
Line Pipe ◽  
Steel Pipeline ◽  
Weld Root ◽  
Girth Welds ◽  
Sour Service

Abstract In recent past, there have been unforeseen sour service pipeline failures in the oil and gas industry. Sub-optimal microstructure resulting in high hardness (above 250 HV10) in pipeline steel is one of the root causes of such failures. Poor girth weld quality is another leading cause which adversely affects pipeline integrity and safe operations in sour environments. While advancements in welding technologies have led to consistency in production girth welds, effects of welding parameters on performance of carbon steel pipeline girth welds for sour service are not well understood. So, a systematic study is needed to understand the effects of various welding parameters on weld properties and performance. This paper aims at evaluating the effects of various welding parameters on performance of girth welds to provide welding practice guidelines for sour service pipeline applications. In this effort, several welds on X65 grade line pipe girth welds using commercially available welding consumables were made to study the effects of preheat, hot pass tempering, copper backing, root pass heat input, wire consumable chemistry, single vs. dual torch, metal transfer mode, pipe fit-up (root gap, misalignment), on weld root performance. Detailed microhardness mapping and microstructural characterization were conducted. It was evident that the welding parameters studied have a significant impact on root performance. While preheat and pipe fit-up showed most significant impact on weld root performance, other parameters also affected the root performance by varying degree. Based on these results, recommendations for industry are provided to improve reliability of pipeline girth welds in sour service application.

Improving Reliability of Carbon Steel Girth Welds in Sour Environment

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harpreet Sidhar ◽  
Neerav Verma ◽  
Chih-Hsiang Kuo ◽  
Michael Belota ◽  
Andrew J. Wasson
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Steel ◽  
Base Material ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Critical Parameters ◽  
Welding Parameters ◽  
Pipe Material ◽  
Line Pipe ◽  
Weld Root ◽  
Girth Welds ◽  
Sour Service

Abstract The oil and gas industry has seen unexpected failures of sour service carbon steel pipelines in the recent past. Below par performance of girth welds and line pipe material have been identified as the root causes of such failures. Although mechanized welding can achieve good consistency, the weld region is more heterogeneous as compared to base material, which can lead to inconsistencies and poor weld performance. Overall, the effects of welding parameters on performance of carbon steel pipeline girth welds for sour service are not well understood. Furthermore, industry is moving towards more challenging environments, such as production of hydrocarbons from ultra-deepwater, which further necessitates the need to improve welding practices for additional high criticality applications. Many of the critical parameters for sour service performance will also improve general weld performance for ultra-deepwater. So, there is a clear need to understand the effects of various welding parameters on weld properties and performance. This effort aims at assessing the effects of key welding parameters on performance of girth welds to develop improved welding practice guidelines for sour service pipeline applications. In this study, several API X65 grade line pipe girth welds were made using commercially available welding consumables. The effects on weld root performance of preheat, wire consumable chemistry, hot pass tempering, single vs. dual torch, copper backing, root pass heat input, metal transfer mode, pipe fit-up (root gap, misalignment) were studied. Generally, carbon steel welds with hardness 250HV or below are considered acceptable for sour service. So, detailed microhardness mapping and microstructural characterization were conducted to evaluate the performance and reliability of welds. It was evident that the welding parameters studied have a significant impact on root performance. Preheat and pipe fit-up showed the most significant impact on weld root performance. Based on the results and understanding developed with this study, recommendations for industry are provided through this paper to improve reliability of pipeline girth welds in sour service application.

VALLOUREC VM 85 13Cr

Alloy Digest ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Fracture Toughness ◽  
Corrosion Resistance ◽  
Carbon Steel ◽  
Yield Strength ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Tensile Properties ◽  
Alloy Carbon ◽  
Sour Service ◽  
Minimum Yield

Abstract Vallourec VM 85 13Cr (minimum yield strength 85 ksi, or 586 MPa) is a low alloy carbon steel for use in oil country tubular goods as a material suitable for sour service. This datasheet provides information on composition, physical properties, hardness, and tensile properties as well as fracture toughness. It also includes information on corrosion resistance as well as forming. Filing Code: CS-198. Producer or source: Vallourec USA Corporation.

VALLOUREC VM 90 13CR

Alloy Digest ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Fracture Toughness ◽  
Corrosion Resistance ◽  
Carbon Steel ◽  
Yield Strength ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Tensile Properties ◽  
Alloy Carbon ◽  
Sour Service ◽  
Minimum Yield

Abstract Vallourec VM 90 13CR (minimum yield strength 90 ksi, or 620 MPa) is a low alloy carbon steel for use in oil country tubular goods as a material suitable for sour service. This datasheet provides information on composition, physical properties, hardness, and tensile properties as well as fracture toughness. It also includes information on corrosion resistance as well as forming. Filing Code: CS-197. Producer or source: Vallourec USA Corporation.

SUMITOMO SM110XS

Alloy Digest ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 64 (5) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Corrosion Resistance ◽  
Carbon Steel ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Tensile Properties ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Heat Treating ◽  
Sour Service

Abstract Sumitomo SM110XS is a low-alloy, high-strength carbon steel for use in oil country tubular goods as a material suitable for sour service. This datasheet provides information on physical properties, hardness, elasticity, and tensile properties. It also includes information on corrosion resistance as well as forming and heat treating. Filing Code: CS-188. Producer or source: Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metal Corporation.

Extending FMC Based Ultrasonic Imaging Practices to Smaller Wall Thickness

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niels Pörtzgen ◽  
Ola Bachke Solem
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Steel ◽  
Wall Thickness ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Ultrasonic Inspection ◽  
Ultrasonic Imaging ◽  
Advanced Technology ◽  
Front Wall ◽  
Thin Wall ◽  
Destructive Testing ◽  
Girth Welds

Abstract During the construction of pipelines for the transportation of oil and gas, the inspection of girth welds is a critical step to ensure the integrity and thereby the safety and durability of the pipeline. In this paper we present an advanced technology ‘IWEX’ for the non-destructive testing of welds based on 2D and 3D ultrasonic imaging. This technology allows for safe, fast, and accurate inspection whereby the results are presented comprehensively. This will be illustrated with results from a recent project. The IWEX technology is based on an ultrasonic inspection concept, whereby ‘fingerprints’ of ultrasonic signals are recorded, also referred to as ‘full matrix capture’ (FMC) data. Then, an image area is defined, consisting out of pixels over an area large enough to cover the inspection volume. With the FMC data, image amplitudes are calculated for each pixel so that the shape of geometry (back wall, front wall, cap, and root) and possible indications are revealed. As opposed to traditional ultrasonic testing strategies, the detection and sizing of indications is therefore less dependent on its orientation. The project concerned the inspection of J and V welds from a 5.56″ diameter carbon steel pipe with an 8.4mm wall thickness. The wall thickness is relatively thin compared to common inspection scopes. Therefore, the inspection set-up was adapted, and procedural changes were proposed. Consequently, additional validation efforts were required to demonstrate compliance with the required inspection standard; DNVGL-ST-F101: 2017. As part of this, welds were scanned with seeded indications and the reported locations were marked for macro slicing under witnessing of an independent representative from DNVGL. The resulting images from the indications in the welds showed great detail with respect to the position, orientation and height of the indications. A quantitative comparison with the results from the macro slices was performed, including a statistical analysis of the height sizing and depth positioning accuracies. From the analysis, it could be observed that the expected improvements with respect to the resolution and sizing accuracy were indeed achieved. Thereby, the procedure has proven to be adequate for the inspection of carbon steel girth welds within the thin wall thickness range (~6mm to ~15mm). The IWEX technology is a member of the upcoming inspection strategy based on imaging of ultrasonic FMC data. This strategy can be considered as the next step in the evolution of inspection strategies after phased array inspection. The IWEX technology has been witnessed and qualified by independent 3rd parties like DNVGL, this makes the IWEX technology unique in its kind and it opens opportunities for further acceptance in the industry and other inspection applications.

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