Pipeline steel from BaoWu Steel is a strategic product, and expected to an increased exportation to key international oil & gas market in the near future. The recent fractures occurred at in-service girth welds (welded using cellulosic electrodes) under the condition of longitudinal stress highlighted the problem of weld integrity. This project aims at developing a practical, reliable, cost effective and accurate method of demonstrating adequate weld strength through investigating the recent failure cases in Australia and North America, identifying strain distribution across the weld, and quantifying the correlation between mechanical properties and microstructure of HAZ (Heat Affected Zone).