Norway depends on an 8900 km extensive network of subsea pipelines to transport oil and gas safely to onshore facilities in Norway and Europe. This infrastructure is critical for European energy supply. Damage to these pipelines can, in the worst case, lead to serious accidents, major environmental consequences, and significant economic losses. With increasing concern about sabotage targeting offshore installations, the need for safe and effective repair methods is becoming more important.
To protect pipelines from corrosion, cathodic protection is applied. This method has however one drawback: it causes hydrogen to form on the steel surface. This hydrogen can enter the material and weaken it, a phenomenon known as hydrogen embrittlement. Repair welds and offshore tie-ins often lack external coating and are therefore particularly vulnerable to hydrogen ingress.
In the SubCPipe project, we will combine laboratory experiments and numerical simulations to better understand how hydrogen affects the mechanical properties of welds. The goal is to optimize welding processes to reduce the risk of hydrogen embrittlement. SINTEF’s laboratories for hyperbaric welding and weld simulation (Gleeble) will be utilized. Material investigations from the nano-to-macro-scale will be performed at SINTEF’s laboratories.
SINTEF and NTNU will collaborate to carry out the planned research. NTNU will host one PhD student in the project. Uppsala University is an associated international partner. The project will also collaborate with research groups in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Finland.
