Training on Significant Changes made in

Recently Published API Spec. 5L 46th edition

Prepared by:
Jahanzeb Mahar
Manager OCTG & MR
The goal of this training is to:
 Understand what is a Linepipe

 Understand why do we need a Linepipe specification

 A bit of the history of development of API 5L document

 Overview of 46th edition of API Spec. 5L

 Some of the specific changes that make the 46th

edition different form 45th
 Question Answers, Comments & Feedback
What is a Linepipe

A Linepipe is a high strength carbon steel pipe used

for transporting crude oil, petroleum products, and
natural gas. It is a pipeline which carries only one
type of fuel. These pipes are made as per
metallurgical specifications developed by API. Line
pipes are manufactured in a wide range of pipeline
mainly diameter size ranging from 0.450 to 84
inches.
Why does U.S developed a specification for
Linepipe:
U.S Pipeline structure across the country
 Why does U.S developed a specification for
Linepipe:
This picture shows all the branches that have been developed in U.S, it does not
include all the product lines to homes and offices

US has 2.5 Million Miles Pipeline network, making it largest network in the world
Why does U.S developed a specification for Linepipe
 Why does US developed a specification for
Linepipe

As you just saw in the video oil and gas pipelines play crucial
role in the development of countries’ economy and growth,
they are also considered to be the safest way of transporting
hazardous fluids, no one really afford its failure as they are
catastrophic. The feel of need for development of line pipe
specification/standard was recognized by Americans way
back in 1920’s. They wanted to make sure each length of
Linepipe must be manufactured in a way to pass some
quality assurance criteria.
 History of Development of 5L specification
 The first 5L document was published 90 years ago in 1928.
 During first 50 years there were three 5L documents, covering various
grades and manufacturing methods. In 1982, 5LX and 5LS were withdrawn
leaving one single integrated document
 In 2000 publication of 42nd edition, was significant because it introduced
product specification level 1 and 2
Many of the requirements had to be ordered individually were made standard practice
such as: for PSL-2 pipes. Fracture toughness test, min. Yield strength, carbon equivalent,
limits of several chemical elements and product traceability records
 About the same time world wide harmonization of document became the
driving force, while working on harmonization, the 43rd edition was
published in 2004.
 The 44th edition was published in 2007 and became effective in 2008, it was
a international adoption of ISO 3183. this edition included new
requirements for pipe manufacturers. 1st time dimensions and tolerances of
United states customary units rounded to SI units, Requirements for
offshore and sour services were introduced.
 Overview of 46th edition of API Spec. 5L

The Scope of API 5L Linepipe is as follows:

This specification specifies requirements for the
manufacture of two product specification levels (PSL 1
and PSL 2) of seamless and welded steel pipe for use
in pipeline transportation systems in the petroleum
and natural gas industries. This specification is not
applicable to cast pipes
 Overview of 46th edition of API Spec. 5L
API 5L covers a wide range of product grades:
L175 to L830 (A25 to X120) where the number associated
with the grade is the approximate Yield Strength in Pounds
per square inches (PSI). For instance, Grade X42 has Yield
Strength of 42100 which is rounded off to 42000.
5L has covered several Manufacturing Methods
PSL-1 PSL-2
SMLS SMLS
CW HFW
LFW SAW
HFW COW
LW
SAWL
SAWH
 Overview of 46th edition of API Spec. 5L

API 5L covers a wide range of Diameters:

Pipe diameter and wall thickness covered:

• From 10.3 mm to 2139 mm (0.405” to 84”)

• Wall thickness form 1.7 mm to 52.0 mm (0.06” to 2.050”)

Note: All the different diameters can not be made for each
thickness. The ratio of diameter to thickness is known as D/t
ratio.
 Overview of 46th edition of API Spec. 5L

API 5L ensures communication between the

Purchaser and Manufacturer:

• There are 94 items of information to be supplied by

purchaser, these are listed in Paragraph 7.

• Paragraph 7 of the document list 94 items of information to

be supplied by purchaser, these are itemized to ensure
that there is clear understanding of the requirement of the
product that is being ordered.

• Many of the requirements are determined when the

description of the product is defined
 Overview of 46th edition of API Spec. 5L

API 5L also defines the tolerances for the

finished products, these includes:

• Chemical Composition

• Mechanical Properties

• Dimensional Measurements

• Table 4 through 16 provide quick references for most of

these tolerances
 Overview of 46th edition of API Spec. 5L
API 5L also defines the tolerances for the
finished products, these includes:
• Table 17 (for PSL-1 pipes) and Table 18 (for PSL-2 Pipes) provide a
list of all the inspection as well as the required frequency for each
inspection

• Table 19 – 21 and 5 – 9 provide assistance with the number,

orientation, location and size of the test pieces

For example:
Fig 5 b) shows the orientation and
location of the test pieces that are
described in table 19 and 20

Requirements for Nondestructive testing are covered in Annex E. for

certain pipe orders the NDT requirements of Annex K may also apply.
 Overview of 46th edition of API Spec. 5L

• In addition to main body text there are 16

Annexes, Annex A to Annex P

• And purchaser may add their requirements as

supplementary specification which need to be
followed in conjunction with the 5L spec.
 What's New is the API 5L 46th editions

This is the cover page of 46th

edition

You may noticed that the title

page does not read
specification for line pipe, just
Linepipe and the word API
Monogram Program has been
added before the effective date
 What's New is the API 5L 46th editions

• So what is new with the 46th edition, before we talk

about what is changed, just look at what stayed the
same.

• Those who are familiar with API Spec. 5L 45th

edition have little trouble navigating the 46th edition.

• In-fact all the 27 tables and 9 figures (of main body

text) that were present in 45th edition are still
present in 46th edition and similarly named.
 What's New is the API 5L 46th editions
There has been some obvious changes in the 5L document
Throughout the document, the formatting style has been
updated to more traditional U.S grammar and numerals for
example:
 “25,400 Psi” replaces “25 400 Psi”
 “10.5 mm” replaces “10,5 mm”
 “Millimeters” replaces “Millimetres”
 “Color” replaces “Colour”

The coverage has been updated and an Annex A has been

added to emphasize the relationship to the API Monogram
Program
 What's New is the API 5L 46th editions
• Paragraph 1, Scope has been changed to include the
requirements of new Annex A, provide the product is to
be manufactured at a licensed facility and is intended to
bear the API Monogram
• The Paragraph Normative References has been moved
to paragraph 2 and sorted alphabetically, some items
have been updated, deleted or replaced
• All the Terms, Definitions, Symbols and Abbreviations
have been combined into paragraph 3
• Conformity is now found in paragraph 4. It still
discusses the requirements for units of measurements
and rounding but Compliance to this specification has
been moved to a new paragraph
 What's New is the API 5L 46th editions

• Compliance to this specification is now a new paragraph

5. in addition to the requirements for quality are two new
sub-paragraphs

-5.2 Other terms and definitions

-5.3 References to Annexes

• The Title and Topics of remaining paragraphs 6 – 14,

remained unchanged
 What's New is the API 5L 46th editions
Pipe end straightening is not a new concept. However, the
tolerance for pipe end straightness and how to take
measurements has been changed. The local deviation from
a straight line in the 1.5 m (5 ft.) portion at the end shall be
< 3.2 mm (0.125”) as shown in figure 2. previously it was 4
mm (0.156”) in 1.2 m (4 ft.)
 What's New is the API 5L 46th editions
Eccentricity has been highlighted for seamless pipe at clause
N 6.5.
It says that at pipe ends eccentricity shall not exceed the values
given in Table N.4.

Note:
Eccentricity shall be defined as the difference between the maximum and minimum wall thickness in a
circumferential section.
 What's New is the API 5L 46th editions
New paragraph 9.12.6 defines end square-ness and how
the measurements should be made. The tolerance for end
square-ness remains the same. Figure 3 shows using a
fixed square.
 What's New is the API 5L 46th editions
• Test pieces for CVN impact test are defined in Paragraph
10.2.3.3. the size, orientation and source of the test
pieces are given in table 22. the values in table 22 have
been revised accordingly
• A new note 2 has been added to the table 22 warning
against unit conversion when calculating charpy test
size.
Basically, it is advising that there is no conversion in
between SI and USC units when calculating the charpy
Size
• There is no change in the values, there is change in
attaining the largest sample according to dia and
thickness
 What's New is the API 5L 46th editions

In 45th edition, Annex A was the specification for welded

jointers. This has moved to Annex M to make room for an
informative Annex that is being added to all API product
specifications that are eligible for Monograming

The Annex A describe requirements that are mandatory if

the API Monogram is to be applied to the product.

Annex B, C, D, E, F, G, I, K, L, O and P remain essentially

the same as in the 45th edition.
 What's New is the API 5L 46th editions
Annex H and J have been revised to add a new figure H.1
d) and J.1 d). The figure is same in Annex H, J and N. it
established the location of harness test impressions of
HFW full body normalized or full body quenched and
tempered pipe
 What's New is the API 5L 46th editions
• A revised and enhanced specification for welded jointers
is now located in Annex M.
• This Annex distinguishes Mill jointers from “double joints”
using language that was in previous editions of API 5L
but omitted from 44th and 45th editions
It states that double joints are not within the scope of API 5L
Annex M defines requirements for mill jointers:
- Welding Methods and Qualification
- Process Testing
- Workmanship and Inspection
- Nondestructive Testing
- Weld Repairs
- Marking
 What's New is the API 5L 46th editions

• Annex N is a new Annex for PSL-2 Pipes ordered for

applications requiring longitudinal Plastic Strain Capacity.
• This Annex specifies additional provisions that apply for
PSL-2 pipes that ordered for applications with design
requiring longitudinal Plastic strain Capacity
• N.3.1 Manufacturing Procedure: All pipe shall be
manufactured in accordance with a manufacturing
procedure that has been qualified in accordance with
Annex B, with supplementary testing of the properties
required in this annex.
 What's New is the API 5L 46th editions
The users should consider including additional requirements
specific to the intended application as part of the manufacturing
procedure qualification tests. Additional items that should be
considered for specific applications are listed below:
a) weldability testing, including suitable toughness tests of the
HAZ of girth welds;
b) coating simulation tests to characterize the effects of coating
thermal cycles on pipe properties;
c) tests, including small-scale, medium-scale, and/or full-scale
testing, to qualify tensile, and compressive strain capacity of
the pipe as a part of qualification;
d) for reel lay applications (i.e. strain before service): reeling
simulation tests, strain-aging tests, and characterization of
properties after reeling, including sour service properties, if
applicable.
 What's New is the API 5L 46th editions

• Tolerances for Diameter, Wall Thickness, and Straightness

• N.6.1 The diameter and out-of-roundness shall be within the
tolerances given in Table N.2.
• N.6.2 The wall thickness shall be within the tolerances given in
Table N.3. If agreed, more stringent wall thickness tolerances
shall be required.
• N.6.4 The tolerances for straightness shall be as follows: the
total deviation from a straight line, over the entire pipe length,
shall be ≤ 0.15 % of the pipe length.
• N.6.5 For seamless pipe, eccentricity at pipe ends shall not
exceed the values given in Table N.4.
 What's New is the API 5L 46th editions
• N.4.2 Tensile Properties
• N.4.2.1 The tensile properties requirements for PSL 2 pipe in
the main body of the specification shall apply. This annex
specifies additional requirements for longitudinal tensile
properties.
• N.4.2.2 Requirements for the following longitudinal tensile
properties shall be by agreement:
a) minimum and maximum yield strength (Rt0.5),
b) minimum and maximum tensile strength (Rm),
c) maximum yield to tensile ratio (Rt0.5/Rm), and
d) minimum uniform elongation (UEL).
 API Committee Rule

The Committee rules of API 5L states that all documents

must be reviewed every 5 years and either revised,
reaffirmed or withdrawn

This conclude our training