Details
Pipe Types Explained
The oil and gas industry uses three main steel pipe types: Seamless, ERW (Electric Resistance Welded), and LSAW (Longitudinal Submerged Arc Welded).- Seamless pipes are made from solid steel billets that are heated and pushed or pulled over a form to create a hollow tube without any welded seams.
They are commonly used for high-pressure applications in upstream operations like drilling and exploration, midstream fluid transmission, downstream refining, and utility services. - ERW pipes are made using cold-forming, shaping steel coils into cylindrical forms, and the seam is welded together using an electric current.
The weld seam runs along the length of the pipe. ERW pipes are cost-effective for low-to-medium-pressure applications, such as transporting water, oil, and gas. - LSAW pipes are made by bending and welding steel plates along the length, with the seam running straight (longitudinal seam) or in a spiral.
They are used for large-diameter pipes (16-60 inches) in critical applications, such as long-distance oil and gas pipelines crossing through cities or underwater.
| Pipe Type | Manufacturing | Pressure Rating | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seamless | No weld seam | High | Upstream, midstream, downstream |
| ERW | One straight seam | Low-medium | Water, oil & gas transport |
| LSAW | 1-2 straight or spiral seams | Low-medium | Water, oil & gas transport |
Summarized
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Welded Line Pipe |
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Thickness |
1/8" (6mm), 1/4" (8mm), 3/8" (10mm), 1/2" (15mm), 3/4" (20mm), 1" (25mm), 1-1/4" (32mm), 1-1/2" (40mm), 2" (50mm), 2-1/2" (65mm), 3" (80mm), 3-1/2" (90mm), 4" (100mm), 5" (125mm), 6" (150mm), 8" (200mm)
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Standard |
API 5L, ASME/ANSI B36.10 |
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NDT |
API 5L Annex E (as per client requirement) |
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Heat Treatment |
As per request |
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Coating |
Internal and external coating available as per request |
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Specification |
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Carbon Steel |
API 5L Gr.B
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High Yield Carbon Steel |
API 5L X42/ 46/ 52/ 60/ 65/ 70 - PSL1/2 |
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Low Temp Carbon Steel |
ASME/ASTM SA/A671 CC65 CL22 |
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Stainless Steel |
ASME/ASTM SA/A312 304/304L, 316/316L, 317/317L,321/321H,310 |
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Duplex / Super Duplex |
UNS S31803, S32205, S32750, S32760, S31254 |
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Size Range |
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ERW |
2" (50mm), 2-1/2" (65mm), 3" (80mm), 3-1/2" (90mm), 4" (100mm), 5" (125mm), 6" (150mm), 8" (200mm), 10" (250mm), 12" (300mm), 14" (350mm), 16" (400mm), 18" (450mm)
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LSAW |
16" (400mm), 18" (450mm), 20" (500mm), 22" (550mm), 24" (600mm), 26" (650mm), 28 (700mm)", 30" (750mm), 32" (800mm), 34" (850mm), 36" (900mm), 38" (950mm), 40" (1000mm), 42" (1050mm), 44" (1100mm), 46" (1150mm), 48" (1200mm), 50" (1250mm), 52" (1300mm), 54" (1350mm), 56" (1400mm), 58" (1450mm), 60" (1500mm) |
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