StatoilHydro notified the PSA about these circumstances. Certain pipe components made of duplex steel from a supplier do not meet the requirements for material properties as regards impact resistance.
The deviation in quality does not emerge on the material certificates and could entail a higher risk of brittle fractures. The cause of the quality deviation is faults during heat treatment.
It has been revealed that pipe components with this variation in quality have been delivered since the beginning of 2006. Most of the pipe components are delivered by wholesalers.
We have reason to believe that similar material has been delivered to a number of operating companies, shipowners and contractors.
The PSA has asked all companies to check whether such quality variations occur on their installations and facilities.
If pipe components with potential quality deviations are found, we have asked the companies to prepare an assessment of risk factors and implement measures to compensate for the problem.