Management of SCC on Pipelines: Panelists agree that sharing SCC-related information is beneficial for both operators and regulators

摘要

Openness and diligence are two key elements of a proactive program for managing stress corrosion cracking (SCC) on natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines, according to a panel of operators and regulators assembled by MP to discuss their views on addressing what some consider a growing problem. SCC occurs when steel or another material develops cracks as a result of corrosion combined with residual or applied tensile stress. Although there have been cases where internal SCC has been reported in ethanol pipeline facilities, the primary problem with SCC of underground pipelines is associated with externally initiated cracking. SCC occurs less frequently than some other failure causes such as external corrosion, internal corrosion, and third-part damage, but it nevertheless continues to threaten the integrity of both natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines under specific conditions. Recent failures underscore the need to deal with the problem. In fact, five pipeline failures have been linked to SCC in 2003 in the U.S. alone-in Arizona, Illinois, North Dakota, and twice in Washington.