How LSAW Pipe Is Manufactured Longitudinal submerged arc welded (LSAW) pipe is formed from steel plate and joined along a longitudinal seam using submerged arc welding. Common plate-forming routes include JCO and UO methods, sometimes followed by controlled mechanical expansion. The selected forming and welding procedures are qualified to meet the applicable product and project specifications. Submerged arc welding uses an electric arc beneath a granular flux layer and normally deposits filler metal. Welding may be performed from the inside…

Why Offshore Projects Often Specify PSL2 Offshore pipelines may experience substantial external hydrostatic pressure, installation bending, low operating temperatures, cyclic loads and demanding inspection conditions. API 5L Product Specification Level 2 (PSL2) provides more tightly controlled material and manufacturing requirements than PSL1 in several important areas. This is why many offshore pipeline specifications call for PSL2. However, offshore location alone does not create a universal rule that every pipe must be PSL2. The governing pipeline design standard, regulatory requirements, operator…

Understanding Electric Fusion Welded Steel Pipe Electric fusion welded (EFW) steel pipe is manufactured by forming steel plate into a cylindrical shell and joining its edges by a fusion-welding process that uses electrical energy to produce the heat required for welding. Depending on the applicable product specification and approved procedure, filler metal may be deposited in the longitudinal weld. EFW is a manufacturing description, not a single material grade or a guarantee of suitability for every pressure system. It should…

The difference between offshore and onshore pipeline pipe comes down to the operating environment each system must survive. An offshore pipeline pipe runs across seabeds, through tidal zones, or in deep-water fields where saltwater corrosion, hydrostatic pressure, and subsea fatigue loads govern every design decision. Onshore pipelines cross land-based terrain—deserts, mountains, or industrial corridors—where soil chemistry, thermal cycling, and ground movement are the primary concerns. Both categories fall under API 5L (API Specification 5L, 2018 edition), yet their wall thickness, coating…

If you work in oil and gas pipeline procurement, you’ve probably been asked this question more than once: Should I go with a longitudinal submerged arc welded pipe or an ERW pipe for my project? It is determined by the pressure class, wall thickness, diameter range and service environment. LSAW pipe is made of heavy steel plate, formed by JCOE or UOE process and welded by submerged arc welding along one straight seam, therefore it is the first option for large-diameter…

When engineers are choosing pipe grades for a new project, the first question they commonly ask is the same one: which class really meets their pressure and temperature numbers? The ASTM A671 CC60 pipe is the bottom end of a three grade family of carbon steel including CC65 and CC70. The classes have varied minimum tensile strengths, chemistry restrictions and manufacturing requirements. This tutorial lays down the differences in mechanical data, cost variables, and an actual supply scenario so your team…

Oil and gas projects use line pipe, well casing and tubing, process pipe, and specialized corrosion-resistant or low-temperature pipe. These categories describe different functions. Within each category, pipes may also be distinguished by material, manufacturing method, grade and protective coating. Selecting the right pipe means matching all of these characteristics to pressure, temperature, fluid composition, installation and the governing design requirements. Carbon steel is widely used for transportation pipelines because of its strength, availability and cost. Stainless steel, alloy steel…

Longitudinal submerged arc welded pipe is commonly formed by JCO, UO or plate-roll bending processes. Where mechanical expansion follows welding, the press-forming routes are commonly described as JCOE and UOE. The forming operation bends a steel plate into a cylindrical shell; submerged arc welding then joins the longitudinal edges. The E denotes expansion, a separate operation used to control the finished pipe geometry. The appropriate route depends on pipe diameter, wall thickness, steel properties, production quantity and available equipment. Each…

In API 5L, X80 identifies a high-strength line pipe grade associated with an 80 ksi yield-strength designation. For product acceptance, use the actual values in the specified edition rather than converting the grade name directly. API 5L 46th edition lists X80 PSL2 with a minimum yield strength of 555 MPa and minimum tensile strength of 625 MPa in its SI table. The corresponding listed values are 80,500 psi and 90,600 psi. X80 is used in suitable high-pressure and long-distance pipeline…

Carbon steel pipes are commonly classified by how they are manufactured: seamless pipe has no longitudinal weld, while welded pipe is formed from steel strip or plate and joined along a seam. Major welded types include electric resistance welded (ERW), longitudinal submerged arc welded (LSAW) and spiral submerged arc welded (SSAW) pipe. Each can be supplied to suitable product standards and dimensions. A pipe may also be described by its grade, application or surface treatment. For example, galvanized pipe has…

FBE coated steel pipe is carbon or alloy steel pipe protected by a heat-cured fusion bonded epoxy layer that resists moisture, soil chemicals, and oxygen exposure. This guide explains how the coating works, how it compares with 3LPE and galvanized options, and what buyers should specify before placing an order. You will find standards references, a project case study, pricing factors, and a quality checklist built for procurement teams managing pipeline, water, and heating projects across the Middle East, Southeast…

Choosing the right external coating for an offshore pipeline is an important decision for EPC procurement teams and operators. FBE forms a thin, bonded corrosion barrier; 3LPE adds an adhesive and polyethylene outer layer; 3LPP uses polypropylene for applications requiring suitable higher-temperature performance. None is automatically best for every water depth or installation method. Selection depends on the qualified system, operating temperature, installation loads, cathodic-protection design and project budget. Offshore Pipeline Coatings: FBE, 3LPE, and 3LPP What Is FBE Coating?…

Electric fusion welded steel pipe does not need heat treatment in every case. Whether treatment applies depends on the ASTM class, steel grade, wall thickness, and the pressure and temperature conditions written into your purchase specification. Some classes under ASTM A671 allow pipe to ship in the as-welded condition, while others require stress relieving or normalizing to reach the toughness and hardness values a project demands. This guide walks through when heat treatment applies to electric fusion welded steel pipe,…