Brad Etheridge, Senior Engineer, DNV GL – Oil & Gas.
Pipeline development projects are becoming increasingly complex, spanning longer and deeper terrains. Pipelines must operate at higher pressures and temperatures, in harsher environments and to stricter regulatory requirements. Projects must also be feasible in a cost-constrained market. DNV GL is inviting industry players to take part in two Joint Industry Projects (JIP) to help the industry work more efficiently while maintaining safety.
The first JIP will reduce uncertainty in tensile testing results and the associated costs of inaccuracies and delays, while the second will help operators save time and money in adapting to new industry requirements.
Gaining confidence in tensile testing results
Inaccurate yield strength measurements can have significant negative implications for a pipeline project, ranging from schedule disruptions and commercial disputes to unanticipated costs and potential regulatory challenges. Current industry standards allow a wide range of tensile testing parameters, creating variability and uncertainty in the test results.
The Standardization of Flattened-strap Tensile Testing of Line Pipe JIP will investigate different tensile testing variables that affect results, including material properties, sample flattening and preparation practices, testing equipment and testing procedures. The objective is to establish testing parameters and procedures to reduce the variability in yield strength results for large diameter line pipe. The results will be applicable to both onshore and offshore pipelines.
“The project will ensure that the tensile testing results are both more reproduceable and indicative of line pipe performance. It will reduce the uncertainty of the results and give pipeline operating companies the confidence they need when purchasing new line pipe as well as during the testing and analysis of existing pipe, ultimately saving time and cost, ” says Melissa Gould, Senior Engineer, DNV GL – Oil & Gas.
The JIP will be carried out in conjunction with recognized parties such as the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Material Measurement Laboratory (MML) and the former chair of the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) Committee E28, Earl Ruth. The project is expected to last for 18 months and the results will be suitable for incorporation into standards and recommended practices, as applicable.
Standardized approach to meet new requirements for girth weld repairs
The offshore and onshore pipeline industry is adapting to the updated requirements for repair welding in the Twenty-First Edition of the well-known API Standard 1104, “Welding of Pipelines and Related Facilities”. The updates place more requirements on the qualification of repair welding procedures and welders.
The JIP on the Development of Industry Best Practice for Girth Weld Repairs will, in cooperation with pipeline engineering specialists Kiefner/Applus RTD, address the technical aspects of girth weld repairs and the practical aspects of repair welder qualification during the construction of new pipelines. The project is expected to be concluded within 18 months and will result in procedures and guidelines to help the industry meet the new API 1104 requirements.
“Repair welds are often made under more challenging conditions than production welds, which can potentially reduce the quality of the completed welds, ” says Brad Etheridge, Senior Engineer, DNV GL – Oil & Gas. “The project fulfils an industry need to meet new requirements and has the potential to reduce cost and complexity, increase safety and reliability, and deliver better quality pipelines.”
Read more about the JIPs here:
Standardization of Flattened-strap Tensile Testing of Line Pipe
For more information, please contact:
Project Manager: Melissa Gould
Senior Engineer, Welding Technology
DNV GL – Oil & Gas
Tel: +1 281 396 1855
E-mail: Melissa.Gould@dnvgl.com
Development of Industry Best Practice for Girth Weld Repairs
For more information, please contact:
Project Manager: Brad Etheridge
Senior Engineer, Welding Technology
DNV GL – Oil & Gas
Tel: +1 614 761 6996
E-mail: Brad.Etheridge@dnvgl.com
About DNV GL
As of 12 September 2013, DNV and GL have merged to form DNV GL. Driven by our purpose of safeguarding life, property and the environment, DNV GL enables organizations to advance the safety and sustainability of their business. We provide classification and technical assurance along with software and independent expert advisory services to the maritime, oil & gas and energy industries. We also provide certification services to customers across a wide range of industries. With our origins stretching back to 1864, our reach today is global. Operating in more than 100 countries, our 16, 000 professionals are dedicated to helping our customers make the world safer, smarter and greener.
About DNV GL – Oil & Gas
In the oil and gas industry, GL Noble Denton and DNV’s Oil & Gas business have joined forces to enable safe, reliable and enhanced performance in projects and operations. We provide a broad range of services, such as technical assurance; marine assurance and advisory; risk management advisory and offshore classification. Our 4 000 employees combine industry expertise, multidisciplinary skills and innovation to solve complex challenges for our customers. Together with our partners, we drive the industry forward by developing best practices and standards across the asset lifecycle.
