The CEPA Report on Circumferential Stress Corrosion Cracking

Author(s):  
Robert L. Sutherby

According to the NEB Report of the recent inquiry on pipeline stress corrosion cracking (NEB Order No. MH-2-95), six of the Canadian failures to that time had been leaks resulting from circumferentially-oriented cracks. A review has been made of the five CEPA leaks; two leaks from non-CEPA companies; and a case of non-leaking circumferential SCC, also from CEPA. All of the Canadian cases occurred in regions of west and central Alberta. Circumferential stress corrosion cracking is a rare cause of pipeline leakage. Canadian cases have occurred in very specific conditions that exist in only a small proportion of the regions where pipelines operate. All cases of circumferential SCC, to date, have occurred under either polyethylene tape or a polyethylene backed shrink sleeve. The SCC appears to have been of the neutral-pH form and initiated and grew in response to high axial stresses generated by soil creep and/or localized pipe bending on slopes of 10° or greater. In this sense, circumferential SCC is a manifestation of a geotechnical instability in an area of SCC susceptibility. It would be prudent for operators of susceptible pipelines to consider the potential risks of such failures and to manage those risks accordingly. Management of circumferential SCC may be largely achieved by effective management of geotechnical concerns on slopes. Geotechnical programs directed toward preventing soil movement or pipe loading could have benefit with respect to preventing circumferential SCC in susceptible areas. Other management approaches, involving in-line inspection tools, may also be found to have benefit. Given that circumferential SCC (C-SCC) is driven by geotechnical instability, a significant research effort directed specifically toward C-SCC is not considered warranted at this time. Rather, geotechnical research will augment SCC research in progress to provide insight and capabilities to manage the concern. To assist pipeline operators, CEPA will issue, in 1998, a revision of the SCC Recommended Practices providing guidance to manage this concern.

Author(s):  
Neil Bates ◽  
Mark Brimacombe ◽  
Steven Polasik

A pipeline operator set out to assess the risk of circumferential stress corrosion cracking and to develop a proactive management program, which included an in-line inspection and repair program. The first step was to screen the total pipeline inventory based on pipe properties and environmental factors to develop a susceptibility assessment. When a pipeline was found to be susceptible, an inspection plan was developed which often included ultrasonic circumferential crack detection in-line inspection and geotechnical analysis of slopes. Next, a methodology was developed to prioritize the anomalies for investigation based on the likelihood of failure using the provided in-line inspection sizing data, crack severity analysis, and correlation to potential causes of axial or bending stress, combined with a consequence assessment. Excavation programs were then developed to target the anomalies that posed the greatest threat to the pipeline system or environment. This paper summarizes the experiences to date from the operator’s circumferential stress corrosion cracking program and describes how the pipeline properties, geotechnical program, and/or in-line inspection programs were combined to determine the susceptibility of each pipeline and develop excavation programs. In-line inspection reported crack types and sizes compared to field inspection data will be summarized, as well as how the population and severity of circumferential stress corrosion cracking found compares to the susceptible slopes found in the geotechnical program completed. Finally, how the circumferential SCC time-average growth rate distributions were calculated and were used to set future geohazard inspections, in-line inspections, or repair dates will be discussed.


Author(s):  
Raymond R. Fessler ◽  
Millan Sen

While much more rare than axial stress-corrosion cracking (SCC), circumferential SCC (CSCC) has been observed in pipelines in Canada, the United States, and two European countries. In some cases, the CSCC has been of sufficient size to cause in-service leaks. Because the orientation of stress-corrosion cracks invariably is perpendicular to the maximum tensile stress, the axial stresses at the locations of the cracks must have been greater than the hoop stress. The Poisson effect and thermal effects can account for about half of the axial stresses. Evidence from the field suggests that there are three probable sources of additional axial stresses that can promote CSCC: residual stresses in bent pipe, axial stresses caused by movement of unstable soil on slopes, and residual stresses opposite rock dents. CSCC can be managed by one or a combination of the following procedures: direct assessment (DA), in-line inspection (ILI), or hydrostatic testing. Guidance for selection of sites for DA is derived from industry experience, which was determined from responses to a questionnaire and published reports. The capabilities of ILI to detect circumferential stress-corrosion cracks or the conditions that promote them are summarized. The benefits and limitations of hydrostatic testing also are described. A method for calculating the size of circumferential flaws that can cause ruptures is presented and compared with service experience. That information can provide useful guidance for ILI requirements and decisions about which flaws need to be removed immediately.


Author(s):  
Brett Johnson ◽  
Bereket Tesfaye ◽  
Cory Wargacki ◽  
Thomas Hennig ◽  
Ernesto Suarez

Since the late 1980’s Ultrasonic tools have been used for the detection and sizing of crack like indications. ILI service providers developed inspection technologies for liquid and gas lines that are widely used nowadays. In comparison to axial cracking, circumferential cracking is not a prevalent risk to most pipelines and therefore is not as well understood. Nevertheless, pipeline Operators observe from time to time circumferentially oriented defects, often in combination with circumferential welds or local stress/strain accumulations. These are often caused by pipeline movement, which may especially occur in mountain areas. With the introduction of Ultrasonic circumferential crack inspection tools in the late 2000’s the knowledge has steadily increased over time. Extensive data collected from in-ditch NDE validations has provided NDT Global with an increased knowledge of the morphology of single cracking and stress corrosion cracking defects both in the axial and circumferential orientations. Field verifications have shown that not all features have the same morphology. Some of the challenges with circumferential cracking are for features that fall outside of the industry standard specifications. These types of features can exhibit characteristics such as being sloped, skewed or tilted. In 2016 NDT Global was approached by Plains Midstream Canada to complete inspections utilizing the 10″ Ultrasonic Circumferential crack inspection technology. The pipeline system spans 188km within Canada and consists of 2 segments. The pipeline traverses several elevation changes and crosses several creeks and roads. Circumferential cracking was identified during dig campaigns performed for other threats, therefore the need to inspect each pipeline segment with the Ultrasonic circumferential technology was identified. Plains Midstream Canada and NDT Global formed a close collaboration to assess the severity of circumferential crack features in this line. This paper will discuss integrity aspects from an Operator and Vendor perspective. Challenges identified due to the morphology of the circumferential crack like indications and derived analysis rules and interpretation methodologies to optimize characterization and sizing are presented. Finally, potential opportunities to maintain the integrity of similar assets by applying some of the findings and enhance the management and decision making process are suggested.


Alloy Digest ◽  
1969 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  

Abstract AMBRONZE 413 is a copper-tin bronze recommended for plater's plates and electrical contact springs. It is relatively immune to stress-corrosion cracking. This datasheet provides information on composition, physical properties, hardness, elasticity, and tensile properties. It also includes information on corrosion resistance as well as forming, heat treating, machining, joining, and surface treatment. Filing Code: Cu-201. Producer or source: Anaconda American Brass Company.


Alloy Digest ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 34 (11) ◽  

Abstract NICROFER 5716 HMoW is a nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy with tungsten and extremely low carbon and silicon contents. It has excellent resistance to crevice corrosion, pitting and stress-corrosion cracking. This datasheet provides information on composition, physical properties, elasticity, and tensile properties. It also includes information on corrosion resistance as well as forming, machining, and joining. Filing Code: Ni-324. Producer or source: Vereingte Deutsche Metallwerke AG.


Alloy Digest ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  

Abstract NAS 825 is a corrosion-resistant nickel alloy that has resistance to both oxidizing and reducing environments, and with 42% nickel, the alloy is very resistant to chloride-ion stress-corrosion cracking. This datasheet provides information on composition, physical properties, hardness, elasticity, and tensile properties. It also includes information on corrosion resistance as well as forming, heat treating, machining, and joining. Filing Code: Ni-694. Producer or source: Nippon Yakin Kogyo Company Ltd.


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