Challenges and developments in pipeline weldability and mechanical properties

Abstract

Recent economic and political events have further highlighted the need for new and strategically accessible sources of oil and gas. With the continually increasing demand for oil and gas, the requirement for pipeline steels with higher strength, toughness and weldability has been one of the most important factors driving the development of high strength pipeline steels, particularly with the oil exploration proceeding into arctic and deep sea regions, enhancing the weldability and mechanical properties of the new pipeline steels and weld consumables. Developments in the welding processes for manufacture and field welding are described in terms of process principles, equipment, consumables, weld quality, process economics and further developments. The increasing and changing requirement for weldability and mechanical properties in the heat affected zone and weld metal of pipeline welds are presented along with the reported solutions to the problems.