Sanders

Update on the API Work Group Activities on Pipe Markings

API Pipe GradesAPI Pipe Grades

Grade B, X42, X52, X60, X65, X70, X80


Grade B, X42, X52, X60, X65, X70, X80

And TwoAnd TwoProduct Specification LevelsProduct Specification Levels


Grade B, X42, X52, X60, X65, X70, X80

And TwoAnd TwoProduct Specification LevelsProduct Specification Levels

PSL 1 and PSL 2

API Grade X60, PSL 2Yield Strength Range 60.2 – 81.9 ksi

60 62 64 66 68 70 72 74 76 78 80 82 84 86 88 90 92 94

API Grade X65, PSL 2Yield Strength Range 65.3 – 87 ksi

Yield Strength in ksi


Historically, it has been a common Historically, it has been a common practice to apply dual-grade practice to apply dual-grade

markings at the lower end of the markings at the lower end of the grade spectrumgrade spectrum

The most common dual gradeThe most common dual gradeproduct has always beenproduct has always been

Grade B/X42 Grade B/X42

Other common dual-grade items are:

-X42/X46

-B/X42/X46

-X42/X52

- Pipe manufactured as Grade X60 (415) or higher shall not be substituted for pipe ordered as Grade X52 (360), or a lower grade, without the purchaser's approval.

API Specification 5L Provides Only Minimal Guidelines regarding dual markings for Line Pipe:

- API Spec 5L, Annex N specifically allows marking pipe with comparable specifications. This allows pipe to have API markings as well as CSA or ISO designations

In the last few years, pipe mills have In the last few years, pipe mills have seen an increased number of seen an increased number of

requests for application of dual-grade requests for application of dual-grade markings in upper grades.markings in upper grades.

- X60 / X65- X60 / X65-X65 / X70-X65 / X70

- X60 / X65 / X70- X60 / X65 / X70

-X70 / X80-X70 / X80

API Grade X60, PSL 1Yield Strength Minimum 60.2 (no maximum for PSL 1)

60 62 64 66 68 70 72 74 76 78 80 82 84 86 88 90 92 94


Yield Strength in ksi



96 98 100 102 104


X52 PSL 1, X60 PSL1, X65 PSL 1, X70 PSL 2, X80 PSL 2

There have been reports of pipe being stenciled and certified as follows:


60 62 64 66 68 70 72 74 76 78 80 82 84 86 88 90 92 94

API Grade X65, PSL 2Yield Strength Range 65.3 – 87 ksi


Welding Procedures shall be qualified within the following grade ranges:

< X42X46, X52, X56 (including intermediate grades)

For X60 & above, each grade is qualified individually

API 1104 for Field Welding of Line Pipe contains the following restrictions on welding

procedure qualification:

One pipeline operator reported that they were laying a line of X65 PSL 2 pipe. They were using X65 / X70 dual grade

pipe in the line. They were audited by the pipeline regulatory agency (PHMSA) and all of their welding

documentation referenced qualification of API Grade X65, PSL 2. Since the pipe was X65 / X70 and each grade is required to be qualified separately, the auditor would not

accept the X65 documentation.

Proposal Issued for Vote to the API Membership for requirements to be added to API Spec 5L:

Marking of Pipe to Multiple Grades:Marking of pipe to multiple grades is permitted only by agreement between the purchaser and the manufacturer within the following guidelines:

- Pipe may have multiple markings within the following grade ranges:< X42X46, X52, X56 (including intermediate grades) For X60 & above, marking of multiple grades is prohibited

- The manufacturer is responsible to assure that the pipe conforms to all requirements of each of the certified grades. This allows pipe to be used as any of the grades individually.

- Pipe shall be marked to only one PSL level.

- Where pipe is marked to multiple grades, a single certification document shall be issued referencing the grade combination as marked on the pipe. The certification document may contain a specific statement that pipe conforms to each grade individually.

- Pipe shall only be re-graded and re-marked under the manufacturer’s control. Certificates for re-graded pipe may only be issued by the pipe manufacturer.

The results of the ballot were surprising. Overall, the votes were for acceptance of the new requirement. However, as expected, there were a number of negative votes.

The biggest objection was that the current proposal restricts dual-grading of X42 / X52, which has been a common industry practice.

API requires that negative ballots must be resolved before the item can go forward.

The work on this item is currently on-going.

A new edition of API Specification 5L will probably be issued early 2011. It is the intent of the work group to have this item finalized and ready for publication in the next edition of the Specification.

Before that can happen, all negative votes have to be resolved and the exact wording of the requirement will need to be finalized.

The final version will be reviewed by members of the API 1104 group as well as the API Quality group to assure compliance with those requirements.

Marking of Pipe to Multiple Grades:Marking of pipe to multiple grades is permitted only by agreement between the purchaser and the manufacturer within the following guidelines:

- Pipe may have multiple markings within the following grade ranges:< X42X46, X52, X56 (including intermediate grades) For X60 & above, marking of multiple grades is prohibited

- The manufacturer is responsible to assure that the pipe conforms to all requirements of each of the certified grades. This allows pipe to be used as any of the grades individually.

- Pipe shall be marked to only one PSL level.

- Where pipe is marked to multiple grades, a single certification document shall be issued referencing the grade combination as marked on the pipe. The certification document may contain a specific statement that pipe conforms to each grade individually.

- Pipe shall only be re-graded and re-marked under the manufacturer’s control. Certificates for re-graded pipe may only be issued by the pipe manufacturer.

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