Pipeline design and construction using high strength steels

As the demand for natural gas as a prime global energy source continues to grow, the search for new sources of the fuel spreads into geographical areas that are more remote from the marketplace. Along with this comes the need for longer and ever more efficient pipelines. This requirement for higher value in natural gas transportation is satisfied to a large extent through the application of high strength pipeline steel technology and innovative design approaches that support increased design and operating pressures. This paper reviews the latest accomplishments and successes in these technologies for use in gas transmission. The paper will focus on the application of Gr. 555 (X80) and Gr. 690 (X100) steel technology, the application of stress-based and strain-based designs and the implications of these technologies in terms of the approach with respect to construction welding technologies. It also explores some of the technologies which are targeted for the future to allow the industry to achieve even higher benchmarks in reliability and cost-effectiveness. (AU) Copyright © 2013 Companhia Brasileira de Metalurgia e Mineração (CBMM) All Rights Reserved