Types of Oil & Gas Pipes: Seamless, ERW, LSAW

Three types of pipes are used in Oil, and Gas industry are Seamless pipes, ERW Pipes, and LSAW Pipes. All these types of Pipes are available in many materials and grades. A seamless pipe is manufactured without making any weld and by forming a hard steel billet on a shrill rod. Welded pipes are manufactured by applying processes like cutting, bending, and final welding of coils or plates.

 

 

Seamless Pipe

Seamless pipes are manufactured without seam welds. These pipes are manufactured from steel billets which are heated and drilled to generate the tubular section. Seamless pipes are utilized for different purposes in the oil and gas industry such as upstream operations, and midstream operations like carrying and distribution of different fluids like oil, gas, slurries, steam, and acids. Also used in downstream operations like process piping to refine oil and gas in secondary produce. Seamless Pipes are suitable to use in general plumbing applications in this industry.

Types of Seamless pipes used in the oil and gas industry are:

• Carbon Steel Seamless Pipes in grades such as ASTM A106, A333, A53, and API 5L .
• Chrome-moly alloy steel seamless pipes in grades like ASTM A335 Grades P5 to P91 for high temperature and pressure applications.
Stainless steel seamless pipes in ASTM A312 Series of 300 and 400 such as 304, 316, 321, and 347.
• Duplex and super duplex Seamless pipes in ASTM A790/ A928 with double ferritic and austenitic structure.
• Seamless Pipes are available in different nickel alloys such as Inconel, Hastelloy, Cupronickel, Monel, and Nickel.

ERW Pipe (Electric Resistance Welding)

ERW pipes are produced by utilizing steel coils. These Pipes are formed by using coils which are uncoiled, polished, cut, and then formed into the shape of the pipe by aligning its two edges electrically. These pipes are obtainable in different sizes between 1/2 to 20 inches. ERW Pipes are available in different materials such as carbon steel like ASTM A53 and stainless steel like ASTM A312. The ASME B36.10 and ASME B36.19 are the fundamental recommendations of these Pipes. By considering rate and performance, ERW Pipes are an adequate alternative to Seamless type of Pipes.

LSAW Pipe (Longitudinal Submerged Arc Welding)

LSAW pipe made with submerged arc welding. The process is cutting, bending, and welding of steel plates. LSAW pipes are available in the maximum size range as compared to other Pipes. These Pipes are available between 16 and 24 inches but they also suitable for pipelines beyond 24 inches. LSAW pipes are categorized into two main types. One is the longitudinal which includes a single or double straight seam weld, and another is the spiral type which includes HSAW, SSAW, or SAWL.
DSAW pipes have a joint weld on the interior side as well as the outer side of the pipe. But LSAW pipes have only one seam weld on the outer cover of the pipe. API 5L large-diameter LSAW pipes are popularly used to convey hydrocarbons to lengthy distances in the oil and gas industry. HSAW or SSAW spiral weld pipes are not much used in the Oil and Gas industry.

 

 

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