By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, May 12 -- Exxon Mobil Corp. and TransCanada PipeLines Ltd. have successfully demonstrated the suitability of the new high-strength X-120 steel line pipe for use in commercial applications. The world's strongest line pipe, X-120 is 50% stronger than X80, the strongest line pipe steel currently used for gas transmission pipelines. Last year TransCanada announced the succussful installation and testing of X-100 line pipe (OGJ. Feb. 3, 2003, p. 72).
Construction of a 1 mile pipeline section of X-120 line pipe as part of a longer looping operation in Northern Alberta in February demonstrated that the X-120 steel is compatible with standard pipeline construction practices, even under severe Canadian winter conditions, ExxonMobil reported. The construction rate was comparable to rates expected for winter installation, and the weld defect rate was lower than rates commonly reported for major pipeline projects, the company said.
The pipeline was constructed to TransCanada's specifications under Canadian standards, using welding wire and procedures that ExxonMobil developed.
ExxonMobil, Mitsui & Co. Ltd., and Nippon Steel Corp., which supplied the steel, jointly developed the X-120 line pipe.
X-120 steel is expected to substantially reduce pipeline project costs, facilitating the more- economical development of resources in remote areas, and it may be an enabling technology in some cases (OGJ, Dec. 1, 2003, p. 56).
Others contributing to this project were installation contractor Louisbourg Pipelines Inc.; welding equipment supplier CRC-Evans, which worked with ExxonMobil to develop the welding procedures; and pipeline safety regulator Alberta Energy and Utilities Board, which authorized the assets to be fit for operation.
