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Title: Welding needs specified for X-80 offshore line pipe

Journal Article · · Oil and Gas Journal; (United States)
OSTI ID:5573795
 [1]
  1. Brown and Root Inc., Houston, TX (United States)

High-quality, defect-free welds can be deposited in API Grade 5L X-80 line pipe with pulsed gas-metal-arc welding (GMAW) and shielded metal-arc welding (SMAW) processes. The newly developed Grade X-80 combines higher yield-strength pipe with thinner walls to reduce fabrication costs and improve some projects' economics. Use of X-80 pipe can yield as much as 7.5% cost savings over construction with X-65 steel. Increased demand of natural gas has prompted development of large gas fields which will require large-diameter pipelines at higher operating pressures. API 5L X-80 line pipe could, therefore, become commonplace by the end of the decade if welding technology can be developed to match mechanical properties without affecting productivity. The paper discusses large-diameter projects, welding processes, GMAW shielding gas, SMAW filler wires, hardness and weldability, toughness and corrosion resistance, economics, and what's been learned.

OSTI ID:
5573795
Journal Information:
Oil and Gas Journal; (United States), Vol. 91:51; ISSN 0030-1388
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English