Technological solutions for ultra-high strength gas pipelines

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Technological solutions for ultra-high strength gas pipelines

Hillenbrand, Hans-Georg / Kalwa, Christoph / Liessem, Andreas

Long distance pipelines are a save and economic way to transport the gas from remote gas fields to the end users. To find technological solutions in view of increasing pipeline length and operating pressure the development of ultrahigh-strength steels is a very fundamental necessity. EUROPIPE has delivered more than 500 km line pipe made of X80 and comparable grades. Therefore, X80 is considered as a standard grade in the entire supply chain from steel making to plate making and to pipe manufacturing. The production results of one of the latest X80 projects are presented in this paper. After having developed X100 several demonstration lines have been installed and have been put into operation. As the development to X100 gives an intention of future challenges and possibilities updated production results of X100 pipes are presented to describe the materials properties as well as the service behaviour. The next step in the development work consequently led to grade X120. The latest results from the production of a number of prototype pipes in grade X120 demonstrate that this ultra high strength steel grade as well is feasible. Amongst various technical limitations the development of appropriate technologies for pipe forming and seam welding are the most challenging aspects of an industrial scale production.