22 November 2023
The 2023 Fracture Summit in Rome
EPRG, PRCI, and APGA joined forces in Rome to discuss the vital problem of long running fracture in pipelines.
In November 2023, the Fracture Summit took place in the historic city of Rome, Italy. This event marked a significant collaboration between the world’s three leading pipeline research organizations: EPRG, PRCI (USA), and APGA (Australia).
Addressing the Vital Problem
The primary focus of the summit was the phenomenon of long running fracture, a challenge that has defined EPRG’s work since its founding in 1972.
Key Outcomes of the Summit:
- Global Alignment: Establishing a common understanding of fracture control across different continents and regulatory environments.
- CO2 Transport: Intensive discussions on the unique fracture behavior of pipelines transporting dense-phase CO2 for CCS projects.
- Hydrogen Impact: Reviewing how hydrogen embrittlement might affect the fracture toughness of existing steel grades.
Technical Sessions Overview:
| Topic | Focus Area | Organization Lead |
|---|---|---|
| Ductile Fracture | Propagation models for high-strength steel | EPRG |
| Brittle Fracture | Arrest temperatures and testing methods | PRCI |
| New Media | Fracture control for H2 and CO2 | Joint Task Force |
The summit concluded with a commitment to continue sharing experimental data and bundle expertise to update internationally accepted guidelines.