bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GRl-91-0204 Gas Reservoir Wellbore Orientation - Sensitivity Analysis of Parameters Affecting Production
Authors: Maurer William , Deskins Gregory
Published: August 2023

A parametric study was performed to investigate the effects of numerous well and reservoir parameters on gas well productivity. GMODl, an analytical model for gas production in homogeneous reservoirs, was used to calculate production data for more than 250 sets of reservoir/wellbore parameters. Vertical, horizontal, slant and fractured wells were investigated. Several conclusions were reached as a result of parametric sensitivity analyses.

In the right applications, horizontal gas wells produce 3 to 6 times more than vertical wells. At angles above about 60�, slant wells have significantly increased production rates over vertical wells due to increased wellbore exposure. Additionally, horizontal wells intersecting multiple natural fractures can produce significantly more gas than vertical wells intersecting a single fracture.
L51980 Monitoring Pipeline Coatings With the Elastic Wave In-Line Inspection Vehicle
Authors: Morgan  , Gardiner
Published: August 2023

This report describes a program with the aim of improving discrimination of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) from non-SCC in data from the Elastic Wave (EW) in-line inspection tool. A major component of the work reported here was to create a database of features reported from Elastic Wave inspections. This allows consistent information to be collated for excavated features, as a basis for characterization of the EW tool's response to particular features. Following completion of the work reported here the database was transferred to Pipeline Integrity International, vendors of the Elastic Wave service.
L52053 Experimental Validation of Constraint Effects
Authors: Wang  , Rudland  , Liu
Published: August 2023

This project is a part of a continuing effort in developing more realistic and precise Engineering Critical Assessment procedures for assessing planar defects in pipeline welds.� The primary objective of this work was to review and generate experimental fracture toughness data relevant to linepipe materials and their welds.� These data should be helpful in quantitatively determining the constraint effects on fracture toughness.� In addition to improving the accuracy of ECA for new construction, the same information can also be useful in performing more realistic assessment of older welds which may have very low toughness.� This can lead to savings in maintenance and to the continued use of older pipelines.
L51870 Unequal Wall-Thickness Pipeline Transition Joint Design Criterion Based on Plastic Collapse
Authors: Leis  , Zhu
Published: August 2023

The committee�s objectives for this project were:

to determine the limit of wall-thickness and properties mismatch for safe serviceability when joining high strength grades with high Y/T to lower strength grades with much lower Y/T, and
to develop guidelines for joint design that ensure failure is controlled by plastic-collapse in the higher-strength thinner wall line pipe.
L52070 Circumferential Guided Wave for Enhanced Defect Detection Classification and Sizing in Piping
Authors: Rose  , Zhao
Published: August 2023

Because of interest in using EMAT sensors in the PIG for circumferential guided wave defect detection and quantification analysis, this work was undertaken to explore computational modeling aspects for improved sensor design, and data acquisition and analysis. Significant findings were obtained in that a monotonic increase in amplitude could occur with defect depths provided the proper frequency range and mode were utilized. Results show �Lamb type� waves are useful for frequencies under 200 KHz whereas shear longitudinal were potentially useful from 50 KHz to 1 MHz. Results are also reported to show that small benign internal stringers would not result in any false alarm indications.
L51458 A Method for Evaluating the Ductility of the Seam Weld in ERW Pipe
Authors: Williams
Published: August 2023

A notched-tensile test procedure was developed that requires two test specimens, a side-notched transverse flattened strap and an unnotched axial specimen. The weld ductility is defined in terms of the ratio of the notched to unnotched tensile strength (NTS/TS ratio) and the ratio of the notched tensile strength to unnotched yield strength (NTS/YS ratio). This test is proven to be useful for electric resistance welded (ERW) pipes from grade B to grade X70. However, although weld ductility can be improved by heat treatment (as shown by the NTS/TS ratio), the NTS/TS ratio failed to assess the effects of laboratory heat treatment due to strain-hardening that occurred during the laboratory procedure.
L51962 Coating Failure Consequences to CP Shielding
Authors: Payer
Published: August 2023

The objective of this project was to better understand the failure mechanisms of pipeline coatings, and to determine if the coating damage is conducive to external corrosion or SCC. The focus was on coatings where the failure mechanism and consequence of coating damage are not fully understood. The selected coating system for study was a 3-layer coating comprised of an inner layer of FBE; an intermediate adhesive layer of copolymer polypropylene; and an outer layer of extruded polypropylene.
L51957 Permanent Field Repair of SCC - Review
Authors: Hart  , Jaske
Published: August 2023

Implementing an engineering critical assessment (ECA) to guide the SCC flaw disposition is a valuable tool operators have in making a repair decision. When SCC is found by inspection, the effect of this cracking on failure stress and remaining life must be evaluated to decide what action should be taken � continued operation, type of repair, or replacement. This is not widely practiced in industry because of either the unfamiliarity of the analysis or the costs involved. One option considered during this research project was to have operators conduct a generic ECA on their entire line ahead of time, which can be used in the assessment process if SCC is found at a later date. Performing an ECA often demonstrates that a less conservative repair option than what is typically selected by the operator is acceptable for certain SCC defects.

A generic repair procedure was developed for this study. The applicable repair techniques depend on the degree of severity of SCC.
L41045 Factors Affecting Pipe Collapse
Authors: Kyriakides  , Yeh
Published: August 2023

This report presents the results of an one year program carried out at the University of Texas and funded by the PRCI, in which factors affecting pipe collapse due to external pressure were studied. The study concentrated on pipes with low diameter to thickness ratios ( 10
L22273 Measuring the Yield Strength of Pipe in the Mill Expander
Authors: Maxey
Published: August 2023

This study validates the use of either a mechanical or a hydraulic type of mill expander for measuring the yield strength of each joint of cold-expanded pipe. Yield pressure measurements were taken from both types of expanders in several pipe mills and compared with values obtained by pressure vessels, ring specimens, and transverse flattened tensile specimens. Supplemental tests involving several biaxial stress states were also performed to explain the correlations between expander yield pressures and those measured by other methods. The pipe samples ranged from 26 to 42 inches in diameter and 0.287 to 0.469 inches in wall thickness, and the strengths ranged from API 5L Grade B to 5LX65.
L20173 Relationships of Earth Fracture Systems to Productivity of a Gas Storage Reservoir
Authors: Overbey W.K. , Sawyer W.K. , Henniger B.R.
Published: August 2023

To determine the effects of earth fracture systems on the deliverability of gas storage fields, the Bureau of Mines studied the following: surface joints and stresses; airborne remote sensing imagery; compass-oriented borehole televiewers; numerical simulations of fractured wells; and well productivity. The results indicate that useful information can be obtained by studying oriented cores for fractures and directional permeability, orientation of induced hydraulic fractures for alignment of well patterns, and aerial photos and multispectral scanner images for surface geology. However, the absence of known tetonic elements associated with flat-lying sediments, such as faults or fracture zones that can be seen on the surface, indicates that remote sensors such as aerial photography may not be useful in picking drilling locations.
L52073 Integrated Test Plan
Authors: Olsen
Published: August 2023

This report assimilates and interprets the large body of data generated under the Integrated Test Program (ITP), with particular emphasis on the investigation of formaldehyde formation in large bore natural gas engines. Formaldehyde is a toxic emission that is specifically troublesome for natural gas engines because it is a primary combustion intermediate. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently developing air toxic regulations for oil and gas production, as declared by the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments. The EPA is scheduled to promulgate air toxic regulations for internal combustion engines during 2001.
GRl-93-0024 Critical Performance Parameters for Horizontal Well Applications in Gas Storage Reservoirs
Authors: Hall  , Joshi  , Ding
Published: August 2023

This report identifies, classifies, and illustrates the importance of a number of reservoir, operational, and well design parameters that are likely to strongly influence horizontal well performance in gas storage reservoirs. The objective of this project was to provide guidelines for the gas storage industry to identify and evaluate potential candidate reservoirs for horizontal drilling, and thereby increase the likelihood of success of implementing horizontal wells in gas storage reservoirs.

The technical approach entailed investigating critical performance parameters to determine horizontal well suitability for different reservoir types, sensitivity analysis of reservoir parameters, reviewing historical drilling costs for different horizontal drilling methods, and evaluating alternative completion options. The two most critical reservoir performance parameters are the reservoir thickness and vertical to horizontal permeability ratio.
L32176 Ductile Fracture Arrest in Gas Pipelines
Authors: Maxey  , Kiefner  , Eiber
Published: August 2023

This report discusses an empirical correlation (developed by Battelle Columbus Laboratories in 1974) that predicts ductile failure arrest and compares it with correlations developed by other investigators. The Battelle correlation applies only to all gas decompressions and to materials that do not exhibit separations on the Charpy fracture surface. Tables are presented in this report to determine Charpy energies for ductile fracture arrest at other stress levels, for air and gas with backfilled pipe and for gas with non-backfilled pipe. The occurrence of separations on the Charpy surface provides a lower transition temperature for the material and higher toughness levels above the transition temperature.
L52204 Framework for the Optimization of Inspection Intervals
Authors: Desjardins
Published: August 2023

The goal of this project is to develop a methodology to find the optimal inspection timing of pipelines carrying hazardous materials. The four principle parameters affecting the need for inspection are:

- Anomaly severity

- Deterioration rate Limit state

- Consequences of failure

In addition to these parameters, considered in this research, uncertainty needs to be understood and accounted for. Knowledge of each of the above parameters is limited by various factors. Morrison has chosen to approach this uncertainty with a probabilistic method that leads to a risk and reliability solution. As applicable to the optimization of inspection timing, the goal of this report is to provide a set of procedures to:

- Assess pipeline integrity

- Assess corrosion rates Predict future corrosion severity

- Predict the increase of probability of failure (POF), reliability, and risk as a function of time and location along the pipeline

- Optimize inspection, repair, and mitigation programs to maintain target integrity levels

There is software related to this research.
L52229 SCC Avoidance in Ethanol Pipelines
Authors: Denys  , Lefevre
Published: August 2023

The objectives of the present work were (1) to identify and document a potent stress corrosion cracking environment for carbon steels in fuel-grade ethanol, together with a test protocol for laboratory studies, and (2) to evaluate the SCC susceptibility of pipeline steel Base Metal and welds compared with that of a tank steel known to be susceptible.
L52196 Practical Guidelines for Conducting an External Corrosion Direct Assessment (ECDA) Program
Authors: Powell
Published: August 2023

The purpose of integrity assessments of gas transmission or liquids pipelines is to minimize hazards to the general public, minimize pipeline leaks and spills, ensure continuous operations of the pipelines, optimize expenditures for reducing risk, and satisfying governmental regulatory requirements. The purpose of this document is to provide a bridge to help pipeline professionals follow NACE RP 0502-2002 (Standard Recommended Practice Pipeline External Corrosion Direct Assessment Methodology) and conduct pipeline integrity assessments for their pipeline systems. This document presents the four-step ECDA process, with an appropriate level of details to facilitate pipeline professionals in conducting integrity assessments using the ECDA process. Numerous figures and tables are presented to emphasize salient points related to integrity assessments for pipelines, using the ECDA process. Attachments include a questionnaire for collecting relevant data as part of the pre-assessment step and a worksheet to be used during direct examinations.
NR198601 The Modelling of Stress Corrosion Crack Growth in Pipelines
Authors: Parkins R.
Published: August 2023

Describes the development of a model to predict stress corrosion cracking circa 1986 for high pressure gas transmission pipelines. Also includes a related paper presented at Corrosion '86.
PR-15-NQ15-R02 The Use of Short Run Tracer Detection Techniques for Pulsative Flow Measurement
Authors: Sparks Cecil , Buss Graydon , Wachel J.
Published: August 2023

Describes the development and use of a tracer method to be used as a flow verification method. The method focused on cold air injection and hot wire detection, although some later work was done on infrared absorption techniques. Of specific interest in this document is how these techniques perform in the presence of pulsating flows.
PR-328-083501-R01 Evaluation of EMAT Tool Performance and Reliability by Monitoring Industry Experience
Authors: Tandon Samarth , Gao Ming , Krishnamurthy Ravi
Published: August 2023

PRCI project SCC 3-7 consists of two phases: Phase I: "Evaluation of EMAT Tool Performance by Monitoring Industry Experience" (2008-2011) and Phase II: "Evaluation of the Reliability of EMAT Tool by Monitoring Industry Experience" (2012-2015).

In this report, performance of the EMAT tools based on analysis of the data from 15 pipeline segments from Phase I and 35 pipeline segments from Phase II is presented. The performance is updated with the newly analyzed data in terms of the probability of detection, identification, false calls, and sizing. Categorization of these 35 segments is presented at three different levels of using EMAT ILI as an integrity tool alternative to hydrotest for management of SCC in gas pipelines. Finally, the reliability of EMAT for SCC management is evaluated incorporating the performance measures and the assessment methodology. The reliability of the hydrotest is calculated based on the collected historical data from one Gas Pipeline Operator.
PR-178-516-R02 Experience with Geotech and the Current Complex Programs
Authors: Author Unknown
Published: August 2023

An evaluation of the GEOTECH program developed by Jean Prevost of Princeton University for project PR-158-151. The program predicts static and transient, two and three dimensional soil behavior for general initial value problems. The integrated current complex computer program was also evaluated as developed by Applied Science Associates, Inc. for project PR-169-186. The

programs predict (wave parameters and) the current velocities from an integration of a continental shelf circulation model, a wind-wave model, and a bottom boundary layer model.
PR-182-124505-R04 Developing Tools to Assure Safety Against Crack Propagation
Authors: Biagio Massimo Di
Published: August 2023

Recent industry experience is showing that modern lower grade steels (X60 to X70) are not having the same fracture behavior as older steels of the same grade. As a major consequence, past material qualification test methods may be no longer valid for these new steels and may not provide safe design guidance, both for the evaluation of the brittle to ductile transition temperature and for the prediction of ductile fracture arrest requirements. MAT-8-1 Project Phase 2 was specifically focused on brittle-to-ductile transition temperature assessment and may ultimately lead to reliable testing methods to evaluate the behavior of modern steels, to allow the industry to design safe gas pipelines. Specific small and full-scale experimental activities have been carried out, with the aim to verify the correspondence between the brittle-to-ductile transition temperatures determined using different small-scale sample geometries and comparing the results with four full-scale West Jefferson tests.
PR-186-113600-R01 Grinding Limits for Repair of SCC on Operating Pipelines
Authors: Gould Melissa , Bruce Bill , Arnett Vince
Published: August 2023

Grinding is an accepted repair method for stress corrosion cracking (SCC) on buried pipelines. Grinding is routinely performed while the pipeline remains in service (i.e., pressurized and flowing). When grinding on a live pipeline, there is a risk that the pipe wall will rupture, either by reducing the wall thickness to below that which is appropriate for the operating pressure or by causing the cracking that is being removed to become 'critical' or unstable as the result of increased local stresses, etc. This project involved a review of current limits, practices, and previous work relevant to this topic. A full-scale experimental program was carried out in an effort to validate the premise that, during the removal of a crack or crack colony by grinding, there is a reduction in stress intensity as grinding proceeds and that the reduction in stress intensity more than compensates for the reduction in wall thickness. The project objective was to provide confidence for those who perform an SCC repair by grinding on an operating pipeline; while the experimental program produced some unexpected results, industry experience indicates that, with an appropriate pressure reduction prior to repair, this practice can be safe.
PR-472-174502-R01 Pipeline Construction Using Mechanical Connectors
Authors: Smit Edward , Koolstra Erik , Zdonkiewicz Tomasz
Published: August 2023

Construction of subsea pipelines using mechanical connections rather than welding has been proposed by various parties during the past decades and has been the subject of various studies.

Despite the extensive use of mechanical connections in offshore (deep water) drilling and active marketing by various vendors, to date the use of mechanical connections instead of welding as the primary means of joining line pipe into subsea pipelines has been limited to a couple of small pilot projects. Therefore, a thorough and systematic study of the current industry status for mechanical connectors for line pipe joining has been performed.

The results of the study are presented in this report, along with the assessment of the viability of mechanical connectors as alternative to welding for a range of pipeline applications.
PR-185-133739-R01 Quantifying Re-Rounding in Pipeline Damage Severity Models
Authors: Leis Brian , Zhu Xian-Kui , McGaughy Tom
Published: August 2023

The objective of this work was to quantify re-rounding effects on mechanically damaged pipelines. This was done to determine if curvature suffices to identify where the effects of re-rounding are localized. It also was done to establish a framework that could be calibrated through subsequent analysis as an input to guidelines for damage severity assessment. Recognizing the expanding role of ILI and related in-the-ditch evaluation tools to help size and characterize damage, brief consideration was also given to ongoing work within the PRCI Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) Program. This was done regarding the use of such technologies to assess metallurgical changes in the damaged zone and their integration into model development and sensitivity analysis.

Key conclusions for the analysis completed for this project and its validation by comparison to full-scale data include:

- Re-rounding can cause significant nonlinear effects in otherwise simple pressure cycling, due in part to localized strain hardening and localized kink formation when it occurs within dents and/or gouges;

- Metal-loss due to gouging can be simply idealized without jeopardizing the utility of analysis of the effects of re-rounding, as shown by three validation cases benchmarked against full-scale test-ing;

- Re-rounding showed a first-order dependence on pipe geometry and pressure; and

- Curvature change appears adequate to quantify re-rounding, but is inadequate to quantify local damage severity in a Level 1 damage screening tool: this also requires consideration of membrane strain (stress) and wall thinning where it is evident.

The dependence of re-rounding on pipe geometry and pressure should be broadly quantified, with analyses to trend the role of membrane stress included to build the basis for an ILI-based model to screen damage severity.
PR-214-144500-R05 Weld Hydrogen Cracking Susceptibility Characterization
Authors: Dinovitzer Aaron
Published: August 2023

Hydrogen cracking has been and continues to be observed in both heat-affected zones and weld metals. High carbon equivalent weldment heat-affected zones (HAZ) combined with rapid cooling have been related to the development of hydrogen cracking susceptible microstructures. Weld metal cracking is observed in both high and low strength weldments and is a particular concern for root passes due to the use of cellulosic electrodes, parent metal dilution, applied load, and weld fault stress riser effects promoting cracking. The risk of HAZ and weld cracking are increased for repair and in-service welds and/or welds deposited on older generation materials (e.g., pipe or fittings) and this can pose a significant risk to the integrity of welded connections.

This report presents the result of research in the application and extension of the "Slow Bend" testing technique used to quantify the hydrogen cracking susceptibility of a weldment. This testing is being used to quantify the susceptibility of a microstructure to hydrogen cracking by defining the critical combinations of strain and hydrogen concentration (i.e. hydrogen embrittlement curves) that result in cracking in a given material. The testing and modelling results have been used to define relationships between the hydrogen embrittlement curve parameters (i.e. ductility and hydrogen embrittlement indices) and the properties of the deposited weld metal. These preliminary relationships were defined separately for cellulosic and basic SMAW electrodes providing insight to the factors that make a weld material susceptible to hydrogen cracking.
PR-398-133725-R02 Evaluation of Large Standoff Magnetometry Techniques
Authors: Wall Martin , Lee Richard , O'Brien John
Published: August 2023

The final version, presented by the NDE-3-1 project team as a group review and commentary on the blind trial reports from Transkor and Speir Hunter. this describes the development program on Large Standoff Magnetometry (LSM) techniques claimed to provide integrity assessments on buried pipelines.

The projectis a continuation of the PRCI research program on above the pipe NDE methods and is designated as Project NDE 3-1. The scope was as follows: Project kick-off and initial data review, noting any gaps in data. Performing the initial reliability analysis of the Transkor MTM and Speir Hunter SCZ data from PRCI; provision of draft final report to PRCI on the analysis of trial data. If necessary, establish contact with technology suppliers,more...
PR-218-063505-R03 Safe Inspection Procedures for Dent and Gouge Damage
Authors: Rosenfeld Michael , Kiefner John
Published: August 2023

Recommendations are often made that the operating pressure of a pipeline be reduced prior to investigating suspected mechanical damage in the field, due to the unknown severity of the dam-age. The ensuing question is: knowing only what can be inferred from in-line inspection and the characteristics of the pipeline, what is the appropriate amount of pressure reduction? A common recommendation is to lower the operating pressure to 80% of a recent high pressure level. Oper-ators may question whether the same pressure reduction is necessary or adequate for all pipelines, e.g. different Location Classes, and all modes of damage, e.g. rock-induced damage as opposed to encroachment damage. With some operations, pressure reduction by an arbitrary proportion is impractical or very costly.

Two levels of assessment are provided: a conservative "Level 1" assessment relying mainly on qualitative information and requiring no calculation, and a "Level 2" assessment that is consider-ably more involved but which could justify a smaller pressure reduction (or even no pressure re-duction). The choice of assessment level will depend on the information available to the operator, as well as on the degree of conservatism the operator desires to invoke.

This report presents procedures for determining whether or not a pressure reduction is needed to assure safety of maintenance personnel before excavating and examining plain dents or dent-with-gouge defects on pipelines based on information obtained from in-line inspection (ILI) data. The procedures also allow for calculating the amount of pressure reduction that is needed.
PR-218-173859-R01 ILI Crack Reliability Performance Evaluation and Integrity Management
Authors: Nestleroth Bruce , Rosenfeld Michael
Published: August 2023

This work compiled and statistically analyzed results from two types of ultrasonic in-line inspection (ILI) tools designed to detect axial cracks. Phase 1 of NDE-4E provided a robust series of statistical results related to liquid coupled ultrasonic crack detect (UTCD) ILI performance. In a follow-on project, additional data collection in Phase 2 provided a similar overview of electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) tool performance. This complementary work communicates how the tech-nical results from NDE-4E Phases 1 and 2 can be used by pipeline operators as part of an opera-tor's robust integrity management program for cracks. This report demonstrates approaches to integrate the technical results from NDE-4E into integrity management frameworks to enhance the technology transfer of the results of several years of industry data collection. It also com-municates how these technical results can be used by PRCI member companies to improve program effectiveness, efficiency, and compliance with regulations and recommended practices.
PR-000-18COMP-R06 Pipeline Repair Compendium
Authors: Marlow Thomas
Published: August 2023

The PRCI Technical Committees have carried many research projects related to the subject of Pipeline Repairs. This report; therefore, presents a summary of past PRCI-funded studies in the area of Pipeline Repairs. Since studies sponsored by other industry groups (e.g., INGAA, EPRG, APIA, CEPA, etc.) or by individual pipeline companies are not included, this report does not represent a review of the topic in the broader industry-wide sense. Instead, it is designed to provide a guide to past work so that current TC members can identify and locate project reports that might be of use in addressing their current day-to-day Pipeline Repair issues.
PR-350-124504-R03 Essential Welding Variables Methodology for X70 Linepipe Steels
Authors: Wang Yong-Yi , Jia Dan
Published: August 2023

High productivity mechanized welding processes, such as variants of multi-wire pulsed-gas metal arc welding (GMAW-P) have become increasingly popular due to their high production rates. Compared to conventional single-wire/single-torch GMAW processes, the higher productivity variants of the GMAW processes are more complex in welding procedure design, qualification, and field welding, which leads to more complex heating and cooling cycles. As a result, the deposited weld metal and heat-affected zone (HAZ) performance can be quite different from those from more traditional welding processes applied to the same materials. These changes have not been adequately considered and incorporated into essential welding variables in codes and standards.

The objective of this project is to validate the essential welding variable methodology (EWVM) for welding of X70 line pipe steels by modern, high-productivity pulsed-gas metal arc welding (GMAW-P) techniques to achieve desired weld properties while keeping the cost and time needed for welding procedure qualification to a minimum. Four girth welds with various combinations of heat input and torch configurations were made using GMAW-P. The microstructure response and mechanical properties of weld metal and/or HAZ by testing thermally simulated weld and pipe steel base metals were analyzed. Correlation of welding parameters and thermal history was summarized. The application of EWVM is briefly presented in a step by step procedure. The girth weld properties demonstrate the sensitivity of thermal cycles and the ability of EWVM to predict the trend of the properties. In the long run, welding procedure qualifications focusing on the control of cooling rate could allow a reduction in the number of essential variables.
PR663-18602-Z01 Guidance for Applying Revised AGA Report 8 Based on Measurement Uncertainty
Authors: Peterson Warren
Published: August 2023

The 2017 revision of AGA (American Gas Association) Report #8 encourages adoption of the new GERG2008 EOS (Equation of State) technology but leaves users with the decision on whether to upgrade. Due to the technical complexity of the subject and the potential financial impact, users seek additional technical guidance so that they may confidently apply this discretion. This project investigates technical methods for arriving at choices which are technically defendable and financially responsible.

To provide guidance and tools for users, the project constructed deterministic and probabilistic models that illustrate potential impact of EOS upgrades, applying real-world gas composition, pressure, temperature and flow. A step-by-step sequence for evaluating upgrade potential was also created.

Includes calculation spreadsheets.
PR317-17700-R01 Accuracy of Temperature Logging for Calculating Gas Inventory in Storage Caverns
Authors: Voegeli Sam
Published: August 2023

Fundamentally, measurements of the temperature and pressure within a cavern are required to estimate the gas inventory. To obtain these measurements, downhole wireline logging has been the conventional industry standard, and several calculation methods have been developed to esti-mate the gas inventory based on wireline measurements. However, wireline logs only measure the temperature at the centerline of the cavern, which requires an assumption that the temperature at the cavern centerline represents the entire gas temperature at that particular depth. If horizontal variations in temperature exist at that measurement depth, particularly near the cavern walls (which may be significantly warmer or cooler than the gas), the calculated inventory may be inaccurate. Therefore, this study presents an initial computational fluid dynamics investigation into the appro-priateness of wireline temperature logging for gas inventory calculations.

This report has a related webinar.
PR-350-154501-R01 Evaluation of Girth Weld Flaws in Vintage Pipelines
Authors: Wang Yong-Yi
Published: August 2023

Being able to estimate the tensile strain capacity (TSC) of vintage girth welds is sometimes necessary in the integrity management of vintage pipelines. For instance, assessing the girth weld integrity could be a top priority after a confirmed ground movement event. Decisions may also be needed about the disposition of a girth weld when weld anomalies are found.

This project is aimed to develop a TSC estimation tool for vintage girth welds. The work includes two parts: (1) the development of a TSC estimation tool via numerical analysis and (2) the evaluation of the developed tool via experimental testing.

This report covers both the development and evaluation of the TSC estimation tool. The tool was developed by taking the outcome of the case-specific TSC analysis using Level 4a procedures of the PRCI-CRES tensile strain models and considering large ranges of material and dimensional parameters. The curved wide plate (CWP) and accompanying small-scale tests were conducted to evaluate the tool. The applicability and limitations of the tool are covered in this report.

The tool developed in this project has a user-friendly interface and an accompanying help manual. The tool takes user inputs, such as the geometry and material properties of pipe and weld, flaw dimensions, and pipeline pressure, and provides an estimated TSC. For the inputs that might not have readily available values, recommended values are provided. This tool allows the evaluation of the impact of various input parameters on TSC.

The ability to estimate the TSC enables operators to assess the integrity of vintage girth welds, thus facilitating the prioritization of maintenance activities and reducing unnecessary remediation work.
PR-469-173823-R01 In Line Inspection and Evaluation of Pinholes in Oil and Gas Pipelines
Authors: Hailiang Zhang , Fuxiang Wang , Shengyi Sha , Lianshuang Dai , Wenbo Xuan , Zhong Ren
Published: August 2023

Pinhole leaks have been reported as a significant cause of oil and gas pipeline failures in recent years. From 2010 to 2015, at least 131 significant incidents involving oil and gas pipelines in the United States (101 and 30, respectively) were attributed to pinhole leaks. The 9th European Gas Pipeline Incident Data Group Report states that as of 2013, the five-year moving average failure frequency for pinholes was equal to an approximate annual rate of 0.105 failures per 1,000 kilometers of pipeline(1). Pinholes may result from normal pipeline corrosion during routine operations, such as microbiologically induced corrosion, or can be created by third-party activities, such as illegal tapping. These small leaks have become a major risk for many pipeline companies. Pinhole leaks are more likely to lead to serious consequences than larger leaks because they are difficult to discover through normal monitoring and patrolling. An undetected pinhole leak can lead to significant soil and groundwater pollution over time.

The research objective of this project was to investigate the applicability of magnetic flux leakage (MFL) to the inspection of oil and gas pipelines for pinhole defects. The MFL signal may be affected by pinhole diameter, depth, position, and so on. MFL inline inspection (ILI) technologies from five vendors were tested in blind scenarios involving pipeline with manufactured defects. Multiple pull through tests, field dig verification, and sampling were conducted to assess the effectiveness of MFL-ILI in pinhole detection. An optimal practice was developed by comparing the gap between MFL tracks, sampling frequency, intensity of magnetic field, etc. This report also outlines tests conducted to investigate the feasibility of using hydrostatic testing to detect pinholes.
PR-459-133750-WEB Fast, Accurate, Automated System to Find and Quantify Natural Gas Leaks
Authors: Christensen Lance
Published: August 2023

Thursday, August 8, 2019

11:00 am ET

PRESENTER: Lance Christensen, PhD, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

HOST: Francois Rongere, PG and E

MODERATOR: Carrie Greaney, PRCI

CLICK BUY/DOWNLOAD TO ACCESS WEBINAR REGISTRATION LINK

Join the PRCI Surveillance, Operations and Maintenance Technical Committee as they present research, conducted by NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), related to the Open Path Laser Spectrometer (OPLS). New advances in sensor technology, with high sensitivity towards detecting methane and ethane, present the energy pipeline industry with cost effective ways to improve safety, comply with state and federal regulations, decrease natural gas emissions and attribute natural gas indications to thermogenic or biogenic sources. This webinar will present the results of this research that included both laboratory and field testing.

Benefits of attending:

1) Learn capability of miniature natural gas sensors

2) Learn how miniature natural gas sensors are applied on drones

3) Learn leak localization and flux measurements using miniature drone sensors

Who should attend?

Natural gas pipeline operators interested in the application of methane detection using unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) on pipeline operations will find this research especially informative.

Recommended pre-reading: PR-459-133750-R02 Fast, Accurate, Automated System to Find and Quantify Natural Gas Leaks
PR-214-154503-R01 Pipeline Strains Induced by Slope Movement
Authors: Dinovitzer Aaron
Published: August 2023

Pipeline integrity may be affected by the action of the external soil loads that can be generated by ground movements or slope failures and the structural integrity threat of these geotechnical failures is not well understood. The threat presented to a pipeline by a localized slope failure is not directly related to magnitude of the soil movement involved, but related to the stress and strains induced in the pipeline by the moving soil block. This project demonstrated and applied advanced pipe-soil interaction numerical modeling tools in the assessment of slope movements directed long the pipeline axis. The geotechnical hazard assessments completed in this project provide a conservative means of estimating the pipeline axial strain accumulation resulting from slope movements. These modeling results are presented such that an understanding of the influence of pipeline, slope and operational parameters on strain accumulation is demonstrated and the relative importance of each parameter is demonstrated. The relationship between surface expression of a geotechnical event and the subsurface parameters to facilitate conservative characterization of the event is defined. The data describing axial strain as a function of ground movement magnitude presented in this project may be compared to the axial strain capacity (resistance) engineering tools to evaluate the significance of slope movements on pipeline integrity.
PR-328-173866-R01 Performance Capabilities Evaluation of ILI for ERW Pipe Long Seam Features
Authors: Cazenave Pablo , Jimenez Katina , Gao Ming
Published: August 2023

The PRCI project IM-3-1 "Performance Capabilities Evaluation of ILI for Long Seam Features in ERW Pipe" is part of an integrated multi-year, multi-phased program and systematic approach for evaluating the performance capabilities and limitations of NDE and ILI inspection technologies to detect, identify, and size features, flaws, and indications potentially present in the longitudinal seam of ERW pipe. This project is also closely tied to the NDE-4 Program on Improving/Enhancing ILI Technologies.

Prior inspection technology development and performance qualification for ERW threats relied on artificial notches that limit the reliable simulation of actual ERW seam features. Through an extraordinary effort made by PRCI and its pipeline operator membership, a string of joints containing the largest set of actual ERW features available in the industry have been put together. This string is being used in performance testing of in-line inspection (ILI) and in-the-ditch non-destructive examination (NDE) technologies with regard to the detection, identification and sizing of ERW seam anomalies.

Operators benefit from this research through a quantified analysis of tests performed on actual ERW features concluding the performance of commercially available NDE and ILI ERW seam inspection technologies. The dataset development includes over 257 metallographic sections of ERW seam anomalies to provide "truth" data, against which the inspection technologies performance is measured.

Discussions are provided based on the research findings to date, with recommendations for additional research and how that future work ties to the PRCI Research Roadmaps.
PR-328-183838-R01 Hard Spot NDE Verification and Validation - Phase II
Authors: Krishna Shree , Krishnamurthy Ravi
Published: August 2023

The presence of hard spots, a localized confined region of relatively higher hardness, cause pipelines to be prone to crack initiation and hydrogen embrittlement. Early detection and mitigation of hard spots following plate manufacturing are essential to mitigation of any hard spot-related failures. This issue of early detection of hard spots and the related verification and validation of applicable technologies are the primary focus of PRCI project NDE 4-11. PRCI project NDE 4-11 consisted of two phases: Phase I, "Review of Existing and Emerging Technologies for Hard Spot Detection" (2017-2018), and Phase II, "Statistical Evaluation and Performance Assessment of Emerging Hard Spot Detection Technologies" (2018-2019). Phase I of this project reviewed the electromagnetic principles that apply to hard spot detection/discrimination, and the identification of applicable non-destructive evaluation technologies that have either been developed or are being developed. Six different non-destructive evaluation technologies were identified for their further evaluation during Phase-II.
PR-000-14216-Z01 Add-On Instructions for Advanced Compressor Unit Control
Authors: Choquette Gary
Published: August 2023

Previous work has shown that the implementation of advanced compressor unit control routines have not been readily or consistently adopted by the industry. There are several barriers to the consistent adoption of advanced control methods:

- Some of the control methods are complicated which makes them difficult to describe in a research report and also difficult to extract from the report and put into a software format that can be used in engine control systems;

- The development of software code is performed independently by each adopter which can be time consuming and expensive; and

- The recognized benefits of adopting the advanced methods were not perceived as being sufficient to justify the effort to adopt them.

This effort attempts to lower the barrier of entry into the industry by providing the source code for a core set of advanced control routines. Examples of their usage are also provided.
PR-670-183906-R01 Literature Survey of Sensor Capability Embedded in Coating for Leak Detection
Authors: Clough Matthew
Published: August 2023

The detection of pipeline leaks is essential for pipeline operators. The quicker the leak can be identified and located, the less product is likely to be lost from the pipeline. Reducing the loss of product results in a reduction of monetary penalties both in the value of the product lost and the associated cleanup operation that is required to remove the product from the surrounding environment. As well as preventing the reputational damage that a leak can cause. Internally based leak detection systems struggle to find small leaks and externally based systems each have their own sensitivities and difficulties in affixing near to or on the pipeline.

A demand therefore exists amongst the pipeline operators to investigate the future possibilities for leak detection using methods that can be incorporated in the pipeline coating. These methods could be introduced to a pipeline when repairs are carried out to provide extra instrumentation to find leaks at these positions that are vulnerable from previous damage or points at which a leak from the pipeline would cause significant damage to the surrounding environment.

This document therefore provides a literature review of currently available leak detection sensors that are embedded in pipeline coatings for the detection of small leaks and continues to give a landscape view of the research into coating embedded leak detection sensors at this time that could be built on to bring these coating embedded leak detection systems to a commercially viable state.

The report gives an indication of the state of the art of the sector and the possibilities for future development of systems and techniques. Many of these techniques are at early stages of development and would require significant time and investment to commercialize as a viable system.
PR-685-184506-R03 Monitoring Techniques For Determining Critical Return Period Flood Alert Triggers
Authors: Budzich Jeffrey
Published: August 2023

This document provides a summary of developing regional rainfall intensity-duration-frequency (IDF) curves for determining critical return period alert triggers, and compare with pipeline operator-specific QPE monitoring locations for known crossings of potential concern. These IDF curves aid in determining the rainfall depth that has accumulated within a specified period of time. One example of a trigger alert requested by a pipeline operator might be the 100-year return period rainfall at a location upstream of their pipeline crossing in a small watershed.
PR218-173602-R01 Assessment of Fitness-for-Service for Crack-within-Corrosion Anomalies
Authors: Danican(archived) Li
Published: August 2023

Continuous crack defects in corroded areas of pipe have been identified as potential cause failures and significant accidents. PRCI was tasked with providing a model to pipeline operators with detailed step-by-step procedures for evaluating the effect of interacting corrosion and crack threats on the integrity of pipelines. There are several existing assessment methodologies for different types of anomaly such as blunt type and crack-like type. The predicted failure pressure PFP results from existing assessment methods were compared and reviewed in this research. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is a well-documented tool for the accurate assessment of crack-in-corrosion (CIC). Hence, FEA was used in this research to conduct the PFP assessment the results of which were verified with burst tests performed at the Kiefner laboratory as well as data from previous PRCI research: PR-186-113600, Grinding Limits for Repair of SCC on Operating Pipelines (see Ref 18). Additionally, data analytics methodology was used in conjunction with FEA results to develop a relationship between stress intensity and CIC geometry and material properties. The resultant data-analytics derived equation was subsequently verified against burst test results taken from Hosseini's 2010 publication (see Ref 3 and Ref 4).
PR-363-18605-R01 High Pressure Calibration of Turbines with an Inert Gas
Authors: Graham Emmelyn
Published: August 2023

More cost-effective high-pressure calibrations could be provided by using inert gas instead of natural gas. However, the impact of the different gas properties must be investigated to reduce any bias that could result in substantial financial risks for trading large volumes of gases. The research objective was to develop and test a transfer model for turbine flowmeters that could be used to translate a calibration in an inert gas to be suitable for use in natural gas applications.

This report covers the turbine flow meter modelling and verification data for the transfer of turbine flow meter calibrations between natural gas and an inert gas.
PR-3-42-R01 Fracture Investigation of Pipe for LNG Service
Authors: Eiber R. J. , Naxey W. A. , Dully A. R.
Published: August 2023

The objective of this investigation was to investigate the conditions governing the initiation, propagation, and arrest of fracture in pipe materials that might be suitable for LNG line pipe.