Mike;
Thanks for taking the time to answer my question. That is exactly why I was asking because our specs. do not call for welding on the seam of the pipe (out of service). This pipe had been in service for a number of years, and the leak was thought to be on a branch connection at the weld, but it was on the seam of the pipe right up next to the branch connection weld. The crew ended up plugging the tee with a steel pin, cutting both flush with the main, and installed a full encirclement fitting over all and welding it. My only concern was I had heard once a seam starts to split, it can propogate lengthwise and keep splitting unless it is taken out of service. By welding a circumferencial fitting, does that arrest the propogation? Sorry for the terminology, but it is what I am use to. I think you know what I am after.
Cathy