bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
How Do We (Actually) Know Our Quality Is Improving?
Authors: Papp Justin R. , Forbes William H. , Yarmuch Matthew A. R. 
Published: November 2018

We have all dealt with performance metrics in the pipeline industry. How do we measure operational excellence? Are we prioritizing the right corrective actions? Are our existing metrics fair and driving the right behaviors? Will they recognize success and actually show us and our clients that we are improving?
This paper describes how Enbridge Major Projects measures and knows our Quality is improving; how we prioritize, focus, and monitor Quality improvement.
Using our roadmap, your organization can transform existing data streams from anecdotal to well established facts that produce actionable results and drive business objectives.
To reach this outcome, Enbridge Major Projects quickly matured our Quality Culture by leveraging our strong Safety Culture and habits. On our journey to meaningful overall Quality metrics, Enbridge built a foundation through non-punitive incident reporting using incident resolution tools and a Cost of Quality model.
Cost of Quality models can be designed and executed in a variety of ways. This paper will focus on applying a model specifically suited for pipeline construction and operational activities. Key topics to be addressed include:
• basic common principles of an overall Cost of Quality model,
• various data collection methods to suit the model’s design, and
• how a Documented Defects Quality cost model allows Enbridge to identify, prioritize, and monitor Quality improvements focused on preventing recurrence and occurrence of Quality issues.
Examples will be provided for common pipeline applications, including valves, pipe, and other commodities and services. This approach has enabled Enbridge Major Projects to prioritize improvement actions and meet business objectives.
Applying a Cost of Quality model will enhance your operational excellence and greater adoption would provide the foundation for industry-wide Quality performance metrics that will recognize success and validate that Quality is improving in the pipeline industry.
Integration of Welding, NDT, Mechanical Testing and Field Control When Using an ECA Flaw Acceptance Criteria in Pipeline Construction
Authors: Lu Junfang , Huntley Bob , Ludwig Luke , Aulin Axel , Duncan Andy 
Published: November 2018

The fracture mechanics based engineering critical assessment (ECA) method has been accepted as a fitness for service (FFS) approach to defining weld flaw acceptance criteria for pipeline girth welds. Mechanized gas metal arc welding (GMAW) processes are commonly used in cross country pipeline girth weld welding because of the advantages in good quality and high productivity. With the technical advancements of non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques, automated ultrasonic testing (AUT) has greatly improved flaw characterization, sizing and probability of detection during weld inspection. Alternative weld flaw acceptance criteria are permitted in pipeline construction code to assess the acceptability of mechanized girth welds using an ECA. The use of an ECA based weld flaw acceptance criteria can significantly reduce the construction cost. Mechanized girth weld acceptance criteria have been progressively transitioned from workmanship standards into using fitness for service based ECAs.
To successfully deliver an ECA on a pipeline project, a multidisciplinary approach must be taken during the welding design and construction stages. Welding, NDT, mechanical testing and field control are all integral elements of pipeline construction. All these four elements have to be fully integrated in order to implement the ECA and achieve the overall integrity of a pipeline. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the importance of the integration of these four elements necessary for proper implementation of the ECA weld flaw acceptance criteria.
Development of a Pipeline Post Seismic Response Screening Process
Authors: Warman David J. , Kendrick David Z. , Mackenzie John D. 
Published: November 2018

US pipeline operators may receive USGS automated earthquake notifications. In most of these cases, the seismic event poses little threat to pipeline assets. However, until an analysis is performed there can be uncertainty as to when and what actions should be taken.
The paper describes the development and implementation of a simplified screening process to assess the effects of seismic events on buried pipelines. A design basis was established based on a literature review of seismic models, seismic-pipeline interactions, von Mises equivalent pipeline stress limits, standards, regulations, and practices that are currently used to assess seismic effects on buried pipelines. This design basis was used to develop a screening tool that provides a simple “pass/no pass” determination and is based on the readily obtained attributes (seismic magnitude and pipeline distance from the earthquake epicenter).
“No Pass” scenarios are sub-divided into medium or high threat categories, with the latter likely needing to be evaluated on a more detailed basis.
General guidelines and charts have been developed and incorporated into a general procedure to assess when and what actions should be taken.
A Method to Analyze the Impact of Inline Inspection Accuracy on Integrity Management Program Planning of Pipelines
Authors: Xie Mingjiang , Tian Zhigang , Sutherland Jeff , Fang Bingyan , Gu Bill 
Published: November 2018

A pipeline integrity management program is greatly affected by integrity planning methods and inline inspection (ILI) tool performance. In integrity management program planning, inspection and maintenance activities are in common practice, determined from risk and integrity assessment practices with the objective to reduce risk and effectively exceed a reliability target for the safe operation of the pipeline. An efficient and effective integrity planning method can address the most significant risk and optimize the operational and maintenance costs.
In this paper, a method is presented for analyzing the impact of ILI tool accuracy on integrity planning for pipelines for fatigue cracks. Crack inspection and threat of fatigue cracking was used as the working case for the analysis although the approach could potentially be used for any pipeline threat type. The proposed method is based on the use of a Monte Carlo simulation framework, where initial crack defect size and ILI measurement errors are considered as key random variables.
The integrity (severity) assessment of the crack population scenarios used the CorLAS™ burst pressure model, and the Paris’ law crack growth model based on API 579. The subsequent pipeline reliability assessments also considered single and multiple cracks scenarios. Using a reliability / probability of failure (PoF) approach, the impact of ILI tool accuracy and initial crack size on when to set reinspection and reassessment intervals was investigated.
Furthermore, integrity program cost scenarios for pipeline integrity programs with multiple cracks was also evaluated with respect to different (crack) populations, pipe conditions and ILI accuracies. A sensitivity analysis was performed considering different inspection costs, maintenance costs and relative crack severity for pipelines with financial metrics. Various scenarios were discussed regarding maintenance and inspection planning and a “total cost rate” for different situations. The proposed method can support integrity management program planning by linking risks with integrity plan costs associated with ILI accuracies, and optimal re-assessment intervals.
Remaining Strength in Pressure Vessels With Pitting Type Metal Loss: Part 1
Authors: Trujillo-Tadeo J. J. , González-Velázquez J. L. , Rivas-López D. I. 
Published: November 2018

This work proposes an assessment procedure for the determination of the remaining strength in pressure vessels with pitting type metal loss, trough the developed of integrity diagrams according to the pitting density, pitting depths and the internal pressure of the component using Finite Element Analysis simulations.
The simulations results indicate that the pitting density and depths according to the Gumbel Max Distribution, are the main factors that determine the mechanical integrity of the component; where 45% damaged area by pitting generates a stress concentration that multiplies at least ten times the stress compared with components without defects, since these variables present a synergistic behavior in the stress state.
The proposed assessment procedure facilitates the evaluation of the components that present pitting corrosion damage, due to the geometric and population effect of the pitting is considered in the finite element simulation.
Competency Standards for the Pipeline Industry
Authors: Unger Michelle , Hopkins Phil 
Published: November 2018

Pipeline standards and regulations explicitly require personnel to be both competent and qualified to work on pipelines, but they neither define competent or qualified, nor provide methods or processes to demonstrate competence and qualifications.
This paper defines competence and qualification and introduces and describes “competency standards.” These standards are used to assess the competence of an individual and are an integral part of the process to qualify individuals as being competent. Individuals are proven to be qualified in a competency if they are successfully assessed against these standards.
The paper recommends the contents of a competency standard: the standard should clearly state its purpose and outcomes, and detail the knowledge, training, mentoring, and experience requirements, as well as an assessment method. Examples of these standards are presented, showing how competency standards provide a common definition of a competence and showing how competencies can be assessed against these standards. A case study of an assessment of an individual is also detailed.
The choice between a prescriptive and a performance-based competency standard is discussed, and it is shown that the choice is affected by the level of the competence, the complexity of the competence, the homogeneity of the industry, and the government regulator’s resources and capabilities to police the standard.
The paper explains that qualifications must be “portable”: as individuals move jobs, the qualifications they obtain need to be recognized by all companies. Portability is achieved by having the qualification “certified”. This certification is conducted by an independent body, which certifies that the processes followed (including any assessments) meet the requirements of the competency standard, and that the assessment and the award of the qualification have been audited and verified. Hence, a qualification is a two-step process: award and certification.
Prediction of Mechanical Properties of ERW Pipes Considering Manufacturing Process Through Numerical Analysis
Authors: Han Seong-Wook , Kang Soo-Chang , Yi Jiwoon , Kim Ho-Kyung 
Published: November 2018

Along with the development of the energy industry, demand for oil and gas pipelines has increased, and as the low oil price era has been prolonged, more economical pipe design and construction are required. Especially, ERW pipe has been expanding its range of applications, which is advantageous in terms of productivity and price. ERW pipes are made by passing through continuous rollers, where unintentional plastic deformation such as the Bauschinger effect occurs. Since plastic deformation caused by repetitive loading and unloading changes the initial properties of steel, it is necessary to precisely predict the final properties of the pipe as well as an accurate understanding of the manufacturing process. So, this study focused on evaluating the effects of manufacturing process considering plastic deformation for high performance ERW pipe manufacturing.
In this paper, three manufacturing process stages of ERW pipe were simulated as 3D nonlinear finite element models using ABAQUS: forming stage, sizing stage, and flattening stage. And the ABAQUS model was verified by comparison with the outer diameter measured from full-scale size pipes. In order to maintain the continuity of analysis between each manufacturing process stage, PEEQ, Alpha and residual stress were obtained from each manufacturing process stage, and then these mechanical properties were mapped to the next manufacturing process stage. And change of mechanical properties during the each manufacturing process stage were examined. Finally, the change of material properties at the flattening stage where reverse bending occurs was evaluated, especially in influence of sizing ratio on the flattening stage. Through the developed analytical model, numerical prediction of the mechanical properties of ERW pipe is possible.
Crack Formation in Charpy Tests of the Heat-Affected Zone of Large-Diameter Linepipe Material
Authors: Schemmann Lars , Stallybrass Charles , Schröder Jens , Liessem Andreas , Zaefferer Stefan 
Published: November 2018

Double submerged arc welding is an efficient process used during the production of longitudinally-welded large-diameter pipes. It is well known that the associated high heat input has a negative influence on the toughness of the heat-affected zone (HAZ). The toughness drop is related to changes in the HAZ microstructure compared to the base metal. The austenite grain size increases significantly and larger carbon-rich martensite/austenite particles (M/A-particles) are formed within a coarse bainitic matrix during the phase transformation compared to the as-rolled base material. The exact relationship between the microstructure, the processing conditions, base metal composition and the weld metal are at the focus of attention of materials development efforts at EUROPIPE and Salzgitter Mannesmann Forschung GmbH (SZMF).
In the present study, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) were used to investigate the HAZ of X70 large-diameter pipe material as well as tested Charpy specimens from the same material. Secondary cracks in the direct vicinity of the primary fracture surface of tested Charpy specimens from the HAZ were analyzed by EBSD and SEM to investigate the damage mechanism in detail. It was found that these cracks originate at M/A-particles and that the dominant crack path depends on the crystallographic orientation of the surrounding matrix. The analysis of several EBSD measurements and a 3D-analysis of the propagation direction of the crack showed that secondary cracks frequently propagate parallel to {100} and rarely along {110}-planes. It is known from literature that these are preferred cleavage planes in ferritic steels. The SEM analysis performed in the HAZ of the investigated steel showed that the volume fraction of elongated M/A-particles is elevated close to the fusion line and decreases within the first few hundred micrometers distance from the fusion line. The EBSD measurements illustrate that the geometrically necessary dislocation density is significantly increased in the neighborhood of M/A-particles. This indicates that the bainitic matrix is work-hardened around the M/A-particles during testing and is therefore more prone to the formation of microcracks than other surrounding regions.
Effect of Initial Bainite Microstructure on Tensile Properties After Long-Term Exposure at Elevated Temperature
Authors: Shimamura Junji , Ota Shusaku , Yokota Tomoyuki , Muraoka Ryuji 
Published: November 2018

In the oil sand production field in Canada, steel pipes are used for injecting steam into the sands. Pipes for steam distribution are subjected to high operating temperature such as 350 degrees C for a long time. In this study, in order to insure the reliability of high strength pipe for steam distribution, long-term heating tests were conducted for X80 grade UOE pipe. To simulate the long-term operation at 350 degrees C for 40 years, accelerated tests were conducted at 400 degrees C for up to 4400 hours. The effect of initial bainite microstructure on tensile properties after long-term heat treatment was investigated by using two kinds of steel pipes with different bainite microstructure. One is accelerated cooling (ACC) type, and the other is heating on-line process (HOP) type just after accelerated cooling in plate manufacturing process.
It was revealed that strength decrease in ACC type steels produced by only accelerated cooling was mainly governed by decomposition of hard phase MA (Martensite-Austenite constituent) and recovery of dislocations. On the other hand, HOP type steels had small amount of MA and nanometer-sized carbides by applying HOP after accelerated cooling. The HOP type steels had almost the same initial strength in spite of small amount of MA. Fine niobium carbides gave enough precipitation strengthening. Formation of fine niobium carbides was promoted by the addition of niobium. The precipitates were stable after long-term heat treatment at 400 degrees C. It is confirmed that the fine niobium carbides in HOP type steels remained even after long-term heat treatment. The suppression of initial MA also lead to minimize the strength decrease by MA decomposition. Therefore, HOP type steels tend to have higher resistance to the strength decrease after long-term heat treatment.
Exceeding Limitations: Ultrasonic Crack Inspections Become Feasible for Liquid Natural Gases
Authors: Hennig Thomas , Guajardo Rogelio , Suarez Ernesto , Haro Victor , Haberl Peter 
Published: November 2018

Ultrasonic crack inspection services have become a standard solution for pipeline integrity programs, especially for liquid pipelines. ILI tools provide reliable and accurate data for assessment of axial and circumferential cracking defects to derive educated decisions on the integrity and maintenance of the asset. This technology inspects common media such as crude and light oils, water, diesel, benzene, or similar. Running tools in mediums used for commercial operations does not affect the throughput of the line. Crude and light oils, water, diesel, benzene etc. have relatively constant ultrasonic characteristics with varying pressures and temperatures and are very suitable for ultrasonic inspections, therefore called common media within the context of this paper.
If the medium in the pipeline does not fall within the common media, the situation changes. These media are called challenges media. Especially for liquefied natural gases (LNG) or liquefied petroleum gases (LPG) where temperature and pressure have a significant impact on the ultrasonic characteristics of speed of sound, density, and attenuation. LNGs and LPGs typically contain high amounts of propane, butane, and some other higher order alkanes. Due to the high variability of these components to external boundary conditions, inline inspections in these type of pipelines are usually performed by replacing the medium with a more feasible one, e.g. water or diesel. This causes significant impact to productivity and throughput and increases costs and efforts.
The authors will present the work performed to overcome and solve this workaround and run an ultrasonic crack inspection tool in LNG. This paper highlights the challenging aspects considered to successfully perform inline inspections in LNGs. We will present a standardized and systematic approach to overcome limitations of the technology in such media. Starting with the challenges and ideas for enhancement of the service, the paper will discuss the design of the experiment, the experiment itself, the results, and present the conclusions that resulted in the tool development and the analysis procedure. Finally, the authors will present the application of the enhanced service in a customer pipeline, including ILI preparation, execution, analysis, and in-the-ditch verifications.
The structured and systematic approach allows the inspection company to perform successful and reliable crack detection inspections in LNG lines. This includes axial and circumferential cracking threats.
Advanced Constitutive Model for the Accurate Evaluation of the Structural Performance of Welded Pipes in Offshore Applications
Authors: Cooreman Steven , Van Hoecke Dennis , Liebeherr Martin , Thibaux Philippe , Luccioni Hervé 
Published: November 2018

To guarantee the structural integrity of oil and gas transporting pipelines, a detailed analysis of the pipe’s structural response has to be performed. This is of particular importance for offshore applications. As large scale testing is costly and time consuming, one often relies on FE (Finite Element) modelling to accomplish, at least, part of this task. Properties that typically need to be evaluated are compressive strain capacity, collapse resistance and ovalization during reel-lay installation. Furthermore, it can be assumed that those properties are influenced by the pipe forming process, as pipe forming will change the mechanical properties and the level of anisotropy and will modify/introduce residual stresses. Therefore, a first logical step is to simulate pipe forming before evaluating the pipe’s structural performance, to account for these effects.
The reliability of FE simulations largely depends on the capability of the constitutive model to accurately describe the mechanical behaviour of the material being studied. Most commercial FE codes only offer combined kinematic-isotropic hardening models. Those models cannot capture the so-called cross-hardening effect and can therefore not predict the evolution of anisotropy during pipe forming. The present paper discusses the implementation and calibration of a more advanced constitutive model, more specifically the Levkovitch-Svendsen model, which accounts for isotropic, kinematic and distortional hardening. The model was implemented in Abaqus/Implicit through a UMAT user subroutine. An inverse modelling approach was applied to calibrate the constitutive model, whereby an extensive set of mechanical tests, involving cyclic tension-compression tests and tests with changing strain paths, was conducted.
To assess the model’s performance, it was used in two case studies. The first study focused on the evolution of mechanical properties during spiral pipe forming. The results show that the Levkovitch-Svendsen model allows prediction of the properties in both the transverse and longitudinal direction on pipe. When applying a kinematic-isotropic hardening law only, the properties in the longitudinal direction are significantly underestimated. In the second study, different hardening models were used to predict the evolution of ovality during reel-lay installation. It was observed that the predictions made with the Levkovitch-Svendsen model were much closer to the experimental values than the results obtained by means of a kinematic-isotropic hardening model.