What is BS ISO 3845:2024 - Full ring ovalization test method about?
Sour service cracking problems in pipeline steels are caused by the presence of wet hydrogen sulphide (H2S). BS ISO 3845:2024 provides a protocol for ensuring these pipelines are properly tested to avoid pipeline failure.
NOTE 3 The test also allows measurement of hydrogen permeation rates.
Who is BS ISO 3845:2024 - Full ring ovalization test method for?
Anyone specifying and qualifying welded line pipe for transportation of fluids containing H2S, including:
- materials manufacturers;
- fabricators;
- test laboratories;
- asset owners;
- lead engineering contractors;
- pipeline installation contractors; and
- pipe mills.
What does BS ISO 3845:2024 - Full ring ovalization test method cover?
Steel line pipe used in upstream oil and gas production applications in sour service (hydrogen sulfide (H2S)) can be susceptible to cracking problems from hydrogen-induced cracking (HIC), stepwise cracking (SWC), sulfide stress cracking (SSC) and stress-oriented hydrogen-induced cracking (SOHIC).
BS ISO 3845:2024 gives a test method for assessing the cracking resistance of steel line pipe to the above damage mechanisms. This method augments small scale testing methods and provides a “realistic” test of line pipe and girth welds, retaining residual stresses which are lost when small specimens are used. It also allows single-sided exposure as will be the case in the actual pipeline.
Why should you use BS ISO 3845:2024 - Full ring ovalization test method?
BS ISO 3845:2024 details a reliable, industry-proven technique for assessing steel line pipe by stressing a full ring specimen in a sour environment using mechanical means to deform the pipe by ovalization.
This method has been successfully deployed in the qualification of materials and weldments for pipelines designed for sour service and also in the assessment of SSC arising from Local Hard Zones related to TMCP line pipe. It delivers:
- Efficacy: it ensures pipelines are properly tested, instilling greater confidence in stakeholders.
- Flexibility: it can be used on a wide range of pipe diameters via two forms of stress loading configuration.
- Safety: it provides a means to make line pipe more resistant to cracking, helping ensure safe operation.
- Economy: it helps avoid loss of content, helping ensure more efficient operation.
- Environmental protection: it helps avoid leaks that can have detrimental impact on people and the environment.
What's changed?
BS ISO 3845:2024 is a new international standard that replaces BS 8701:2016.
