Three Important Uses for Line Pipe

Line pipe is used in various situations where a non-solid material (i.e. gas or liquid) is transported over a large distance. As a type of steel pipe, it is utilized across a number of various industries. From water and sewage to oil and gas, even mineral slurry; pipelines are essential for a wide range of resources we consume any given day of the week.

Water & Sewage:
Water and sewage pipelines are imperative for administering a hygienic and sterile water supply which includes impeding the spread of viruses and diseases. In order to avoid being structurally compromised, water and sewage pipelines must be able to defy both internal and external forces. These forces may consist of internal stress from water pressure, external stress from the surrounding geographical features and even corrosion. Typically, this type of line pipe used to move a flow of fresh water.  

Oil & Gas:
Perhaps the most evident use for line pipe is in the oil and natural gas industry. Subject to transport large volumes of natural resources, certain types of pipelines are entrusted to fulfill a certain purpose. In the oil and natural gas industries, stretches of line pipe are referred to as gathering lines. This type of line pipe moves oil and gas from where it uncovered to a larger pipeline or even a storage facility. Natural gas producers also use another version of line pipe called “trunk lines.” Generally a steel pipe larger in diameter, trunks lines haul large volumes of natural gas through what is called a transmission pipeline system.

Mineral Slurry:
Seamless or welded line pipe is generally the type of steel pipe utilized by the mining industry due to its versatile nature. More often than not the application will determine the type of line pipe used. Internal pipe coatings are also determined by the project in which they will be used for. Along with transporting mineral slurry, these pipelines are utilized to carry treated and untreated water for urban water supply systems.

Conclusion:
There are a number of various daily applications for line pipe that go unnoticed by the general population. These variations are line pipe are considered to be instrumental in providing valuable resources necessary to continue on with everyday life.

Things Know about Tubular Goods

A group of seamless rolled products consisting of drill pipe, casing and tubing subjected to loading conditions according to a specific application is called tubular goods. A drill pipe is nothing but a heavy seamless tube that rotates the drill bit in order to circulate the drilling fluid. Segments of pipe that are almost 30 ft. long are coupled with tool joints to make it. Drill pipe is also simultaneously subjected to high torque by drilling, axial tension, and internal pressure by exclusion of drilling fluid. Casing pipe is subject to axial tension, internal pressure and it helps line the borehole. Casing is exposed to axial tension and internal pressure by pumped oil or gas emulsion. Tubing is pipe through which the oil or gas is transported. Sometimes, alternating bending loads are superimposed on these basic loading patterns. 

 Corrosion resistance is a very vital Tubular Goods characteristic, especially for casing and tubing under sour service conditions. A typical manufacturing process for above goods includes continuous mandrel-rolling process, push bench process, plug mill rolling, cross-roll piercing and pilger rolling. Most of these processes usually do not allow thermomechanical processing customary for the products used for welded pipe. Hence, high-strength seamless pipe has to be produced. This is usually done by increasing the alloy content and with a suitable heat treatment like quench or tempering. 

Chromium and Manganese are the major alloys used to produce good hard enable steel. Good harden ability is required to ensure large pipe wall thickness which is a fundamental requirement of any micro structure. Though the requirement of good sulphide stress cracking resistance limits the use of Manganese and Chromium, they are still used for their advantages. Manganese does tend to segregate during continuous casting and can reduce hydrogen induced cracking resistance. Higher levels of Chromium can lead to formation of chromium carbide precipitates with coarse plate-shaped morphology, which in turn collect hydrogen and initiate cracks. 

The limitations faced by use of Manganese and Chromium can be overcome by using Molybdenum which is much stronger and a better hardener. In the recent past, due to deep well drilling and reservoirs containing contaminants that cause corrosive attack, there is a demand for higher strength materials that can be resistant to hydrogen embrittlement and sulphide stress cracking.

Choosing a Line Pipe Supplier

              When it comes to finding line pipe there are so many companies that are available to choose from. There are many steel suppliers that offer their products on the market making it difficult to always know which company will efficiently fit all of the necessary requirements and purposes. Each supplier has its own advantages and disadvantages to those in industry that utilize line pipe, which is why it is important to take more than just one or two companies into consideration when deciding on a supplier.  Give the decision the proper weight it deserves by first assessing exactly what will and will not be needed, and then exploring whether or not various companies will have any problems meeting those needs. Be prepared that doing so will require some research in cost, quality and service, but the additional work will greatly pay off in the end.

                                          

Quality products

              One of the most important factors when it comes to choosing a Line Pipe Suppliers is making sure the company in question is using products made from high-quality steel. Check the certification of each product to ensure that it meets or exceeds standards. Products that prove to be low grade may cost less when it comes to upfront pricing but the cost of the problems associated with, as well as the cost of replacement, will add up quickly. Save time, money and resources by investing in a supplier that only distributes products constructed from the upmost quality.

Product in Stock

              Some suppliers keep large quantities of line pipe stocked at all times to meet the needs of customers, however some do not. It is important to be sure that the company being chosen as a line pipe supplier has the product and amount needed available for purchase. If the product is not in stock, it is important to know if the supplier can get it, how long it would take and how much extra it would cost.  Prior to committing to a supplier, be sure every product and need can be accommodated to prevent any unnecessary delays of shipment. 

Extra services

             Before selecting a line pipe supplier, another critical factor that should be regarded is whether or not the supplier will provide any additional services like cutting, slitting and shearing. The line pipe that is ordered by a supplier should be able to be tailored to a customer’s specifications and intended purposes. It is much more convenient when every service is done by only one company and it saves both time and money.  Expedited delivery options is another service that should be considered in case it is needed. 

Consider local

             Search first for a local supplier because doing so would greatly cut down on delivery services, time and fees. However, do not compromise on quality and be sure that the source is still a reputable line pipe supplier before purchasing by considering the factors that are mentioned above. It is also wise to consider both the advantages and disadvantages of finding a supplier of line pipe that is domestic or international.

Seven Processes for Creating Rolled Steel Products

                     Many people are not aware of the numerous options available to create some form of rolled steel product.  Majority of the processes involve rolling the steel or other metal material through a series of rollers to create a desired shape or thickness.  Some more intricate, while others deceivingly simple.

Roll Bending

            Both steel sheets as well as bars of steel or other metals can be processed via roll bending.  Roll bending occurs by passing the metal through a mechanical jig that consists of three different rollers.  As the bar or sheet of steel is moved through the jig, it begins to take the form of a circular arc.  All three rollers are set on their own axle of which the outer two rollers, generally immobile, are set an equal distance from the center roller on a horizontal plane. The middle roller sits atop of the material and when pressure is added, creates the circular arc. 

Roll Forming

          Roll form is an uninterrupted bending process where, typically, coils of steel are run through a series of successive rollers.  Each roller, or stand, plays a particular role in a certain type of bend until the desired shape is reached.  This variance of manipulating steel is ideal for large quantity production and also producing parts with extensive length. 

Flat Rolling

            The most basic form of rolling steel and other metals is through the process of flat rolling.  With flat rolling, the material maintains its rectangular shape from beginning to end.  Material is fed through two rollers which rotate in opposite directions.  The desired thickness of the finished product is determined by the gap between the two rollers.  A decrease in material thickness, caused by the roller gap being thinner than the starting material, forces the material to stretch and elongate.  

Foil Rolling

          As a specialized form of flat rolling, foil rolling is used to produce foil.  The foil end product is actually sheet metal rolled to a thickness less than 0.0079 in.  To reduce the need for small rollers, pack rolling is used.  Pack rolling involves rolling multiple sheets together to raise the active beginning thickness.  When sheets move through the rollers, they are manicured and given slits to cut the material into several sheets.

Ring Rolling
 

          A unique version of hot rolling that enhances the diameter of a ring of metal material is referred to as ring rolling.  The cylindrical material is placed between two rollers, one larger than the other, of which the larger of the two adds pressure to the material.  As the material is pressed, the diameter of the ring increases while the wall thickness decreases.  Some common end uses for this process are rockets, turbines, pipes, among others.   

Structural Shape Rolling

          Viewed as the most cost-effective way of bending certain types of material, structural shape rolling requires less set-up time and uses pre-made dies that work the material into the desired shape.  Some shapes capable of being rolled include: I-beams, H-beams, T-beams, U-beams, angle iron, channels, bar stock, and railroad rails.  This process can even manipulate the steel in full circles.

Controlled Rolling

          As a type of thermomechanical processing, controlled rolling combines monitored deformation with heat treatment.  The same heat that is applied to the material bring it over its recrystallization point is the same heat that performs the heat treatments.  This efficient process eliminates the need for any further heat treatment down the road.  For the best results, the entire process must be closely monitored to ensure the material does not become damaged.

Conclusion

          There they are, seven processes for creating rolled steel products.  It is unbelievable how many variations of processing steel there are.  A good number of these processes create the material we may see only a daily basis, but never realize what it took to make that piece of material.

Crank Up the Tubular Goods Production, New Pipelines Are a Comin’

Already one of the major crude oil hubs and oil storage facilities in the world, Cushing, Oklahoma will continue to see an influx of tubular goods in order to build additional pipelines.  Cushing serves as the pricing settlement point for West Texas Intermediate crude on the New York Mercantile Exchange.  More than 70 million barrels of crude oil are stored in tank farms at this hub.  Majority of the oil stored here includes holding terminals for Rose Rock, Plains All-American Pipeline, Enbridge, Magellan Midstream Partners all of whom are major oil companies.

The construction of three new pipelines are behind the vast expansion of this important oil storage site.  Flanagan South, White Cliffs II and The Grand Mesa pipelines will be connected to Cushing’s already busy hub.  Both White Cliffs II and The Grand Mesa pipelines will transport oil from Colorado, while Flanagan South will be moving oil from the Chicago area.  

The Grand Mesa Pipeline

            This 550-mile pipeline system is a joint venture between NGL Energy Partners and Rimrock Midstream LLC.  Once complete the pipeline will be capable of moving 130,000 barrels per day from production.  However, NGL and RimRock are still waiting for sufficient commitments from oil producers.  NGL Energy Partners was quoted saying “the pipeline does not just support continued growth and production in the area, but does so in a cost-effective and environmentally responsible way by reducing current utilization of rail and truck transportation.”  Basically, NGL and Rimrock will be investing in the pipeline as a long-term option to minimize the impact rail and truck transportation has on expenses.  

Flanagan South Pipeline

            Built by Enbridge, Inc., the 600-mile Flanagan South pipeline is no small operation.  Stretching from Flanagan, Illinois near Chicago, this massive pipeline will transport 600,000 barrels of crude oil per day.  If necessary, this pipeline was built to move as much as 850,000 barrels of oil per day.  Flanagan South runs along the same route as another Enbridge built pipeline known as Spearhead.  This pipeline is not quite complete, yet should be operational within a few weeks time.  

White Cliffs II

               

            Running parallel to the already existing White Cliffs pipeline, White Cliffs II will increase the capacity of crude oil by 150,000 barrels per day.  The White Cliffs addition will stretch the same 527 miles from Platteville, Colorado to Cushing that the original system does.  CEO of SemGroup, Carlin Conner, said “the additional pipeline capacity being added to deliver crude oil in Cushing underscores the critical role Cushing plays as a major crude oil logistics interchange and marketing hub.”  White Cliffs II is already in operation, contributing to the mass influx of oil into the Cushing hub.

            Once all three pipeline systems are fully operational, Cushing will be seeing almost one million barrels of crude oil per day from the three pipelines alone.  That is a quite a significant amount of oil when taking into consideration the 70 million barrels of oil in storage tanks at Cushing.  Just think, it would take roughly two months of transporting oil to Cushing to reach the quantities that are in storage.  Will this minimize our dependence on foreign oil and help reduce our gas prices?  We can only hope.