API Issues New Pipeline Welding Standard
November 28, 2005
The standard covers:
- The welding of butt, fillet and socket welds in carbon and low-alloy steel piping used in the compression, pumping and transmission of crude petroleum.
- Petroleum products.
- Fuel gases.
- Carbon dioxide.
- Nitrogen.
Where applicable, it also covers welding on gas distribution piping.
The standard also includes procedures for radiographic, magnetic particle, liquid penetrant and ultrasonic testing and the acceptance standards for production welds tested to destruction or inspected by these as well as by visual testing methods.
The standard applies to both new construction and in-service welding.
Changes from the 19th edition of the standard include:
- A new revision in the radiographic testing acceptance standard in the area of "burn-through."
- A revision in the procedures for radiographic test methods (the total elimination of the use of hole-type penetrameters).
- Removal of the requirement for nick break testing.
- Improved practices for welding on in-service pipelines.
The U.S. Department of Transportation will incorporate API's revised standard into regulation by reference in the Federal Register within the next six to 12 months, according to API.
Source: American Petroleum Institute (API).