The Steel Supplier for Offshore Application Faces Many Challenges

Ambient hydraulic pressure and bending associated with it are concerns with deepwater pipelines. Pipes need lower diameter to thickness ratios and should be made from higher strength materials for these applications. At Corpac Steel Products, we understand how pipe manufacturing and various coatings can alter stress-strain behavior in offshore pipeline applications. Today's projects are located in ever more remote areas and expose pipe to more extreme conditions than in the past. Can your steel supplier meet these challenges?

Concerns at Different Stages of Manufacture

When steel is manufactured, its chemical composition, cleanness, and surface quality are the primary determinants of its quality. At the plate stage of manufacture, slab reheating, rolling parameter, and cooling parameter affect plate microstructure, mechanical properties, and resistance to corrosion. Formation of pipes must address pipe and weld geometry, weld quality, mechanical properties, and residual stresses on the pipe. Ensure that your supplier understands all aspects of the manufacturing process.

What Today's Market Demands

Today's petroleum projects demand (among other things) steel purity that is up to the challenges of transporting sour gas, high strength steels that demand superior plate rolling and pipe formation, and arctic grade pipe that demands the highest quality longitudinal seam welding. Pipe geometry for deep sea applications must meet tough specifications due to hydraulic pressures and chemical reactions in these environments.

Concerns of Submerged Arc Welded Seams

Mechanical properties and corrosion resistance must meet stringent toughness and hardness specifications, which have to do with welding parameters like consumables and base metals. Misalignment of weld shapes or problems with weld linearity can cause problems in offshore applications. It's critical for project managers to work with suppliers with the engineering expertise to understand exactly what is needed and why it's needed.

Delivery Logistics Effects on Schedule and Budget

Corpac Steel Products understands that having the products that meet specifications is only part of the job. Getting the products to customers quickly, safely, conveniently, and cost-effectively is critical too. A supplier's distribution system can have serious effects on schedules and budgets when there are problems. Choose a supplier with widespread industry experience and the logistics know-how to deliver on promises consistently.

API Steel Casing and Tubing

API steel is used in offshore drilling projects, for drill pipe, drill casing, and production tubing. It may be used in pipe for cement pumping, oil lines, or drill fluid pumping. After production is established, API line pipe is used for transportation of the petroleum product as well as distribution. Corpac Steel Products has extensive experience in supplying products meeting American Petroleum Institute specifications to projects of all sizes in all locations.

API Casing

Casing maintains borehole stability, prevents contamination of water sands, controls well pressures during drilling and production, and is where blowout preventers, wellhead equipment, and production tubing is installed. Casing is a major part of the overall cost of a well. Therefore selection of size and grade of casing, as well as connectors must be made with engineering and economic factors in mind.

API Tubing

Oil and gas are transported from their producing formations to the field surface using tubing, which must be strong enough to resist the loads and deformations that can occur in the production process. API tubing must be sized according to the expected rate of oil or gas production. API standards for tubing and casing have to do with how these products are manufactured, steel grades used, types of joints, wall thickness, and length ranges.

API Connection Ratings and Failure

The API recognizes three basic types of joint connections: rounded thread coupling, asymmetrical trapezoidal thread coupling, and trapezoidal thread casing without coupling. Casing failures usually occur at connections and may be caused by improper design or use, failure to meet manufacturing tolerances, or damage during handling or storage. Your supplier should understand casing failure and why you need the casing or tubing you order.

Your Casing and Tubing Supplier

Corpac Steel Products supplies casing and tubing to projects worldwide and knows how to get products to customers even in remote areas and even when products must cross one or more international borders. Customizing a delivery system to the client can go a long way toward helping projects stay on schedule and within budget. Make sure that your API casing and tubing supplier knows the products thoroughly, and understands the importance of on-time delivery.

Choosing ASTM Structural Steel and Steel Pipe Properly

Design and construction materials are usually designated by reference to ASTM specifications that simplify design and construction since they're matched to engineering needs. However, there are dozens of ASTM specifications that apply to steel building construction projects, so it's important to check that you use current standard designations in your contracts. At Corpac Steel Products we're knowledgeable about these specifications and understand your needs.

Don't Be Afraid to Ask Your Supplier Questions

If you are not sure about availability of ASTM steel products, ask your supplier. Top suppliers have networks that allow them to obtain the exact products you require, wherever your project is located. Your supplier should understand that ASTM specs change and expand, and that a specification that applied 20 years ago may not apply to your specific situation today.

ASTM Steel Pipe Isn't the Same as Round Hollow Structural Section

While ASTM steel pipe is a lot like round hollow structural section material, it isn't the same, and different ASTM standards apply to each. For example, ASTM A500 applies to hollow structural section, while ASTM A53 applies to steel pipe. Often, round hollow structural section with the same cross-section dimensions as steel pipe is stocked and available, so you'll have an easier time procuring round hollow structural section in cross section geometry that matches that of available steel pipe.

Anchor Rods and Bolts

Anchor rods and bolts are not the same, though some people confuse the two. ASTM A325 and A490 apply to cover headed bolts with specific thread lengths and lengths up to eight inches. They're governed by specifications for steel-to-steel structural joints. ASTM F1554 covers hooked, headed and threaded or nutted rods in three different strength grades. Accurate specification will help reduce miscommunication with your supplier.

ASTM Structural Steel Supplier with Comprehensive Knowledge

At Corpac Steel Products, we have comprehensive knowledge of ASTM standards and speak your language when it comes to steel construction projects. When your supplier is conversant in the various standards you require, and when they are experienced in logistics and delivery across international lines and in remote areas, you have fewer worries with your construction project.