SPE Projects, Facilities & Construction
Volume 6, Number 1, March 2011, pp. 5-12

SPE-130513-PA

Guidelines for Filler-Material Selection To Minimize Preferential Weld Corrosion in Pipeline Steels

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DOI  More information 10.2118/130513-PA http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/130513-PA

Citation

  • Mahajanam, S.P.V. and Joosten, M.W. 2011. Guidelines for Filler-Material Selection To Minimize Preferential Weld Corrosion in Pipeline Steels. SPE Proj Fac & Const  6 (1): 5-12. SPE-130513-PA. doi: 10.2118/130513-PA.

Discipline Categories

  • 4.5.3 Materials and Corrosion

Keywords

  • Preferential weld corrosion, selective weld attack, heat affected zone, filler metal, weld microstructure, weld metal composition

Summary

Preferential weld corrosion (PWC) has long been a problem in the oil and gas industry for pipelines used in process facilities, seawater injection, produced-water service, offshore platforms, and downhole-production systems. This paper reviews recent PWC field failures in light of mitigation guidelines from existing literature. Environmental effects take precedence over chemical composition and microstructure in determining PWC susceptibility. Therefore, the primary approach to minimize PWC is continuous corrosion inhibition. The ideal PWC-prevention method would be the use of autogenous welds or welds made with matching consumables. However, this is not a practical option in the field where most pipelines are typically made from carbon (C) manganese (Mn) steels with broad chemical compositions, thereby making them susceptible to PWC. The feasible alternative is to use filler materials with strict compositional control concerning the following elements: nickel (Ni), silicon (Si), and chromium (Cr). In addition, increased-preheat and high-heat input welding processes should be employed to minimize PWC susceptibility.

© 2011. Society of Petroleum Engineers

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History

  • Original manuscript received: 22 February 2010
  • Meeting paper published: 24 May 2010
  • Revised manuscript received: 12 June 2010
  • Manuscript approved: 21 June 2010
  • Published online: 28 February 2011
  • Version of record: 3 March 2011