Abstract: The paper reviews the basic theories, applicability, advantages and disadvantages of previous and latest R6, EPRI and ASME IWB-3650 pressure pipeline evaluation criteria. For their applicability, corresponding suggestions arepresented in view of different pipeline cracks. As for simple cracks, failure evaluation maps could be used. For pipelineswith non-penetrated cracks, the plastic limit load and stress intensity factor should be calculated directly and crack initiationor plastic instability should be used as a criterion of pipeline failure. If the plastic limit load of a pipeline with cracks couldnot be determined, fracture mechanics theory and calculation would be recommended. If the plastic limit load could notbe estimated with formulas, the approach of finite element might be used to calculate the numerical results.