Petrochem/Utilities Industry Trends

Line Pipe Manufacturers Getting on Board with New Specification

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Quality Guidelines That Resonate Around the World API Adopts ISO Standard for New Wellhead Specification Line Pipe Manufacturers Getting on Board with New Specification Related Standards and Publications

Companies that manufacture pipes and participate in the American Petroleum Institute (API) Monogram Program will soon be required to adopt the 43rd edition of API Specification 5L, Specification for Line Pipe, if they wish to continue using the API Monogram on their products. API Spec 5L was released March 2004 and goes into effect October 4, 2004.

Designed to provide standards for pipes suitable for use in conveying gas, water, and oil, Spec 5L covers seamless and welded steel line pipe. It includes guidelines for plain-end, threaded-end, and belled-end pipe, as well as for through-the-flowline (TFL) pipe and pipe with ends prepared for use with special couplings.

The 43rd edition represents the first update of API Spec 5L offered since its release in January 2000. The most significant change in this edition is the rewrite of the specification’s guidelines on non-destructive inspections. This update reflects changes made in non-destructive inspection technology that have been introduced since the last release of Spec 5L. These new developments make it easier for companies to perform inspections of their line pipe already in use in the field.

As discussed in the other articles in this newsletter, API is working closely with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to merge their standards into a single set of internationally recognized documents. At this point, however, the API specification for pipe manufacturers remains distinct from the ISO guidelines.

“The difficulty is that line pipe design and construction is highly regulated by individual countries, which might have their own requirements,” explains Mike Spanhel, coordinator of upstream standards, API. He points out that some countries might reference the ISO specification in their regulations, while others, such as the United States, rely on the API document. But as pipelines carrying oil and gas cross boundaries and suppliers look to become more efficient in providing pipe for customers in different countries, each potentially with its own standards, there is a push to move forward with the creation of a single, global specification.

To fulfill this demand, API and ISO have created a joint committee to develop the next iteration of the standard. The committee recently released the first draft of its joint standard for review by industry representatives around the world. Only after it receives this feedback will the committee know whether or not it can proceed with creating a single document. Even then, release of this document is still several years away.

For more information on API Spec 5L, visit store.ihs.com.