PR350-233804-R01 Comprehensive Review of SSWC Assessment

Selective seam weld corrosion (SSWC) is a form of corrosion attack that preferentially occurs along the weld bond line/fusion zone of linepipes. SSWC is an integrity threat mainly for vintage pipes, particularly those manufactured before 1970 using ERW (DC-ERW and LF-ERW) and flash welding. SSWC has resulted in multiple pipeline failures. Assessing the significance of SSWC, e.g., producing a reasonably accurate prediction of burst pressure of a pipeline segment containing SSWC, remains a challenge for the pipeline industry.

This project consists of four major parts:

1. Review prior work on burst pressure prediction,
2. Evaluate the performance of current burst pressure models against the 12 SSWC failures described in a previously published report,
3. Use a first-principles approach to examine the relative impact of factors affecting the burst pressure prediction of SSWC, and
4. Develop directions for improving burst pressure predictions for pipeline segments containing SSWC.

The evaluation of the current burst pressure models enables the understanding of their limitations and the potentials for improvements. The examination of various factors affecting burst pressure prediction allows the identification of major factors that must be incorporated into future burst pressure models for accurate burst pressure prediction. The outcomes of this work provide clear directions for future model improvements.