Abstract: Pipeline is one of the most important ways of transportation for the oil and natural gas. The welding quality has a great effect on the safety and reliability of the pipeline. It is essentially significant for ensuring the operation of the pipeline system to conduct the fracture assessment for the pipeline and to ensure that the pipeline girth weld attained enough toughness level. The development of theoretical research and engineering method on fracture assessment for the pipeline is introduced, and the difference of several assessment methods has been discussed, and the current development trend are forecasted. It is considered that the research achievements can provide a scientific basis and theoretical guidance to the welding of the pipeline.