Welding Technology Makes Impact on Petro-China WEST-EAST III Pipeline Project
With the drive to construct more efficient oil and gas pipelines in increasingly remote areas, more owners are turning to high-strength steel to meet the demand. Materials like API 5L Grade X80 steel are a common choice. In addition to providing increased strength and pressure tolerances, which allow more materials to pass through, high-strength pipe also offers the ability to work with thinner wall thickness (as little as 18 millimeters). This wall thickness decreases the weight of the pipe and offers considerable savings in terms of transportation cost and labor. Specifically, it minimizes fuel usage and cost for hauls to the jobsite, and also reduces the amount of welding to complete a weld joint.