Methanol-Induced Axial Stress Corrosion Cracking in a Northern Canadian Liquids Pipeline

Three in-service leaks on a crude oil pipeline operating in Canada were investigated to identify their metallurgical cause(s). The releases were found to be associated with cracks originating from the internal surface of the pipeline. Further similarities between the releases included: (1) the axial directionality of the cracks, (2) the short crack length, (3) the crack location adjacent to girth welds, (4) the circumferential location of the...