Home > Insights > Prediction of the Risk of Circumferential Stress Corrosion Cracking by Analysis of Digital Twins

Prediction of the Risk of Circumferential Stress Corrosion Cracking by Analysis of Digital Twins

Abstract

Stress corrosion cracking is a well-recognised threat which can affect the risk of pipeline failure for susceptible pipelines, pipeline failures due to SCC are not unknown within industry. In general SCC risk factors are reasonably well understood, however predicting specific locations with high susceptibility to circumferential stress corrosion cracking (CSCC) remains difficult.

In an ideal scenario all pipelines would have appropriate coatings, cathodic protection and additional risk reduction measures. For new pipelines this is feasible. However, many pipelines in use today were installed in an era where SCC risk factors were not fully understood. It would not be economically feasible for example, to re-coat all pipelines. This results in a requirement for robust integrity management processes to target local inspection and remediation.

While the average prices of oil and gas remain low the pressure to reduce cost of additional measures will remain high. One of the ways in which the pipeline industry can maintain a safe transportation system with a finite level of resource, is to implement intelligent risk-based integrity and inspection strategies.

As part of the digital strategy for integrity work undertaken by Penspen, the authors have applied advanced analytical techniques to develop digital twins of pipelines which are known to be at risk of CSCC to assist the development of a CSCC risk model.

By utilising modern computing capabilities combined with custom analysis coding, the authors have developed a methodology to predict and categorise the relative risk ranking posed by CSCC at an ultra-high resolution. In most cases resolution is substantially better than girth-weld basis.

Whole pipeline networks can be rapidly risk categorised in ultra-high resolution by applying the risk model to subsequent digital twins. Ultimately this can help to recommend specific locations for further detailed inspection which assists the operator in the optimisation of limited resources.

Insights & News

Penspen Our People
Find Out More
20-05-2025 Insights

“There’s a real collaborative culture here”: Our People – Rishan

Rishan is a Principal Piping Engineer at Penspen, based in Abu Dhabi. He’s also the Technical Discipline Authority for the piping engineering section of Penspen’s Engineering Body of Knowledge,...

Learn More
world day of safety and health at work
Find Out More
28-04-2025 Insights

“Workplaces that champion positive wellbeing are vital”: Our People – Beatriz

Beatriz joined Penspen as an HSE Coordinator in our office in Villahermosa, Mexico in 2018. Ahead of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, we caught up with her to hear about what a hike up...

Learn More
Find Out More
02-04-2025 Insights

Overcoming the Challenges in Implementing a Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) Program

Risk Based Inspection (RBI) is a risk assessment and management process that focuses on loss of containment of pressurised equipment in processing and refining facilities, due to applicable damage...

Learn More
Find Out More
26-03-2025 Insights

From Carpentry to Colnbrook: Our People – Tom

Tom is a Shift Leader at Colnbrook Rail Terminal, which transports aviation fuel to London Heathrow Airport. In this Our People feature, he shares how a redundancy early in his career showed him the...

Learn More
A female Penspen employee wearing branded coveralls
Find Out More
19-05-2025 News

Penspen Secures Multi-Million-Pound Contract to Advance Groundbreaking HyNet CO₂ Pipeline Project

A 70-strong expert team based in London and Aberdeen – with newly created roles – will deliver the detailed engineering design for one of the UK’s most ambitious decarbonisation projects....

Learn More
Penspen ISO27001
Find Out More
12-05-2025 News

Penspen Achieves ISO27001 Certification for Information Security

Penspen, a leading international engineering consultancy, has achieved the prestigious ISO27001:2022 certification – a testament to our unwavering commitment to the highest standards of data...

Learn More
Find Out More
17-04-2025 News

Exclusive: Peter O’Sullivan Discusses the Vision for the Future of Energy at Penspen with Inspenet at AMPP 2025

Penspen CEO shares how the company is leveraging its rich heritage to deliver the future of energy in an exclusive interview with Inspenet at AMPP 2025. (Interview preview featuring Richard Blaser,...

Learn More

More insights