Launchpad, July - August 2003
For a full list of proposed, active and closed projects see here
C-Mn Steel pipelines in sour service: KISCC for weld flaw acceptance criteria
Launched: April 03
Cost per sponsor: £20 000 pa, two payments
Project Leader: Richard Pargeter
The capability of automated ultrasonic examination to size flaws in pipeline girth welds allows a new approach to the definition of flaw acceptance levels in pipe laying, through the application of fracture mechanics, providing more reliable, but also often more relaxed, acceptance criteria. For sour service pipelines, however, the effect of the environment on fracture behaviour needs to be taken into account. A method will be developed which will allow the application of fracture mechanics based acceptance criteria to sour service pipelines.
Avoiding hydrogen embrittlement and cracking of supermartensitic stainless steel pipe
Launched: January 03
Cost per sponsor: £25 000 pa, two payments
Project Leader: Paul Woollin
Several hydrogen-related cracking problems have arisen in supermartensitic stainless steels both in subsea use under cathodic protection and during fabrication. This project proposes to address the problem of cracking under cathodic protection, to establish preferred test methods and identify preferred microstructure/strength conditions for optimising resistance to cracking of welded joints. Fabrication hydrogen cracking of matching composition weld metal and the effect of hydrogen on fracture toughness may also be addressed.
Surface inspection methods for detection of stress corrosion cracking in austenitic and duplex stainless steel
Launched: July 03
Cost per sponsor: £25 000 pa, two payments
Project Leader: Andrew Leonard
Chloride stress corrosion cracking (SCC) causes rapid failure of austenitic and duplex stainless steels (DSS) under conditions of combined stress, environment and temperature. Recent failures of DSS due to external SCC has highlighted the need to more readily inspect for the initial presence of such surface cracking, ideally without the need to reduce the operating temperature of the equipment. A range of NDE inspection technologies will be assessed for their suitability to detect the presence of SCC. This will allow improved safety through more reliable inspection of areas at potential risk on plant and equipment, thus avoiding failure, via an effective corrosion management scheme.
Best practice for surface preparation and adhesion of paints to stainless steels and corrosion resistant alloys
Launched: June 03
Cost per sponsor: £20 000 pa, two payments
Project Leader: David Harvey
Industry has concerns regarding the surface preparation of stainless steels and other corrosion resistant alloys (CRAs) for application of paints and other coatings to ensure satisfactory corrosion mitigation. Present guidelines for surface preparation are derived from those for carbon steel substrates and no suitable standards exist regarding surface preparation of CRAs. A programme of work will be carried out to determine the relationship between surface preparation, the resulting coating adhesion and service performance for topsides and subsea components. The project outcome will be clear and practical guidance for contractors and operators to ensure that target life to first maintenance is achieved.
Corrosion fatigue of steel catenary risers in sweet production
To be Launched: June 03
Cost per sponsor: £28 000 pa, two payments
Project Leader: Richard Pargeter
Carbon manganese steel is generally the most economic material for the construction of steel catenary risers, and offers other advantages such as ease of inspection. Where the product is corrosive, however, it is necessary to be confident that the resistance to corrosion fatigue, particularly at the girth welds, will be sufficient for the design life. In the absence of data on the influence of sweet, CO2 containing production environments on corrosion fatigue, work is proposed to explore the effects of such environments, with and without inhibition.
