Abstract
The first step in ensuring pipeline integrity is materials selection during design. This document describes the approach to offshore production pipeline and riser materials selection from a European perspective. In the North Sea, many of the remaining undeveloped fields are either small, in deeper waters, or are high temperature high pressure (HP/HT), or approaching this condition. These field types each represent differing challenges in materials selection, ranging from cost minimization to high level materials performance at increased temperatures and potentially sour conditions. Variations in national standards, legislative requirements and operator procedures and risk tolerance also play a substantial role in the materials selection process. These challenges require different approaches to pipelines materials selection, which may vary strongly between different nations and operators. While carbon steel pipelines still form the bulk of the pipelines designed, there is a greater tendency towards the use of corrosion resistant alloy (CRA) and flexible pipelines within the European sector, often driven by the use of full life cycle as opposed to CAPEX assessment and the standards used.
