Recently, a Petro´leos de Venezuela S. A. (PDVSA) oil pipeline, 230 Km (143 miles) in length and 660 mm (26 in.) in diameter, had a leak in the longitudinal seam weld of one of its sections. The analysis of this failure revealed that the leakage was originated in a fatigue crack which nucleated at a stress concentrator associated to a weld defect, and it propagated due to the cyclic stresses induced by the internal pressure changes. Partial external inspection of the pipeline revealed that the problem was extended to other sections. This paper summarizes the actions taken for the refurbishment of the oil pipeline which included: 1- the management plan set to face the problem; 2- the inspection of the pipeline, externally and internally; 3- the analysis of the inspection results; 4- the defect tolerance assessment / fitness-for-purpose study, to estimate both, the critical crack sizes as well as the crack propagation rates; 5- the development of repair procedures, and, 6- the determination of future inspection and maintenance recommended programs. All of it, with the main purpose of maintaining the operation of this line with complete guarantee of its integrity. Thanks to these actions, it has been possible to prevent additional failures in the same pipeline as well as to reduce in about MM$ 25 the maintenance cost associated with it.
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2002 4th International Pipeline Conference
September 29–October 3, 2002
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Conference Sponsors:
- Pipeline Division
ISBN:
0-7918-3620-7
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
Refurbishment of a 230 KM Oil Pipeline With Longitudinal Seam Weld Fatigue Cracking Problem
Marianela Ledezma,
Marianela Ledezma
PDVSA, Maracaibo, Venezuela
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Jose´ G. Aranguren,
Jose´ G. Aranguren
PDVSA, Maracaibo, Venezuela
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Fabrizio Paletta
Fabrizio Paletta
PDVSA, Maracaibo, Venezuela
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Marianela Ledezma
PDVSA, Maracaibo, Venezuela
Jose´ G. Aranguren
PDVSA, Maracaibo, Venezuela
Fabrizio Paletta
PDVSA, Maracaibo, Venezuela
Paper No:
IPC2002-27065, pp. 1555-1564; 10 pages
Published Online:
February 24, 2009
Citation
Ledezma, M, Aranguren, JG, & Paletta, F. "Refurbishment of a 230 KM Oil Pipeline With Longitudinal Seam Weld Fatigue Cracking Problem." Proceedings of the 2002 4th International Pipeline Conference. 4th International Pipeline Conference, Parts A and B. Calgary, Alberta, Canada. September 29–October 3, 2002. pp. 1555-1564. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/IPC2002-27065
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