Launchpad, March - April 2006
For a full list of proposed, active and closed projects see here
Two recently proposed GSPs (also known as JIPs in the oil and gas sector) are now underway at TWI. Both projects welcome additional sponsors.
Definition of sour service limits for welded type 316L and cost effective CRAs
Launched: March 2005
Cost per sponsor: two payments of £25 000
Project Leader: Briony Lee
Many applications in sour service require use of cost effective CRA materials such as Type 316L (UNS S31603) stainless steels but the limits of application are not well defined and hence conservative restrictions exist in ISO 15156-3:2003/MR0175. To allow less conservative material selection and to ensure safe application in the welded condition, further data are required to avoid environmental cracking in sour service. This project will consider both low and high concentrations of chloride to give guidance for both downhole and well-head conditions, and environments appropriate to locations downstream of water separation such as compressors etc.
Safe specification and operation of plastically strained C-Mn steel pipelines for sour service
Launched: May 2005
Cost per sponsor: two payments of £25 000
Project Leader: Thomas Sourmail
The purpose of the work is to demonstrate the effect of plastic strain on Sulphide Stress Cracking resistance in sour and mildly sour conditions for welded pipeline material. It will also determine safe engineering limits in terms of materials, welds, applied strain and environment, hence ensuring freedom from SSC. This will provide improved requirements for weld procedure qualification of pipe laying/reeling operations intended for sour or mild sour service, and improved confidence in the safety of pipelines in such duties.
