Welding1, following is information.
1.The pipe size is 26 in.
2.Pipe thickness is 17.4 mm
3.It has 2.3 mm thickness over required
4.Welding process is GTAW/SMAW
5.The fluid is natural gas saturated with water and miximum carbondioxide contents in the gas are 1.1% by volume.
The concern is with backwelding on internal of weld joint with relation to sigma failure. We have tried to demonstrate that if WPS is properly qualified,sigma failure will not be a concern, as a comment has been made that backwelding is not permissible under any circumstances as it causes sigma failure and we have tried through various other means to demonstrate that it is permissible if properly qualified and controlled. Any further comments are appreciated.