DNV GL has announced that it is launching a joint industry project (JIP) to better understand how sour gas affects pipeline performance and reliability in deeper water.

The project is predicated on the notion that pipe material and welds are more vulnerable to fractures and cracks in a pressurized sour environment.

Dr Jens Petter Tronskar, DNV GL Vice President and CTO of the Deepwater Technology Centre in Singapore, says: “Sour gas is evident in various oil and gas producing regions of the world, in particular, the Middle East and the Commonwealth of Independent States. The JIP will involve detailed experiments and analysis to provide a better understanding of the key parameters known to impact fracture toughness test results. This will enable the development of a guideline which may further develop into a Recommended Practice which will provide significant technical, logistical and financial savings to the industry.”