Why is fracture control important when operating at a higher alternative MAOP?
At higher operating stress, the likelihood that a failure could also cause a running fracture is increased because of the increased energy in the pipeline due to the increased pressure. This leads to the need to have some method of eliminating or arresting running fractures. Newer high strength steels have some properties that will assist in reducing the chances of a fracture running. An operator must demonstrate that the pipeline steel has these properties or must provide for another method of arresting running fractures.
At a higher operating stress there is an increased likelihood that a pipeline failure could also cause a running fracture is increased because of the increased energy in the pipeline due to the increased pressure. Operators must have some method of eliminating or arresting running fractures. Newer high strength steels have some toughness properties that will assist in reducing the chances of a running fracture. Operators must demonstrate that the pipeline steel has these properties or must provide for another method of arresting running fractures.
