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API standard and product specification level(PSL) for pipeline

API standard for pipeline

Line pipe is a dedicated pipe which can transport oil, steam or water to oil and gas industry enterprises. Pipeline includes seamless and welded steel pipe which the ends are flat end, threaded end and the socket end. The connection mode is welding, connection, socket connection and so on.

api standards for pipelineAPI is known to everyone in the steel industry and it has long been inscribed in the hearts of every person in the steel tube. API refers to the American Petroleum Institute, while API 5L is the production execution standard of pipe line.

API 5L pipe production is currently using micro alloy heating treatment process. The production costs of seamless stainless steel pipe are significantly higher than the welding pipe and with the increase of steel grade, the limit of carbon content is more and more strict. At present, all the major manufacturers carry out research work in order to improve the corrosion resistance of the pipeline and ensure the stable performance in low and high temperature.

PSL product specification level

PSL is referred to as the level of product specification. The product specification of the pipeline is divided into PSL1 and PSL2, there is a difference of only a single word, but the content of these two standards are completely different. The quality level of PSL2 is higher than that of PSL1, these two standards are not only different from the inspection requirements, but also the chemical composition and mechanical properties are different.

Pipeline chemical composition

Chemical composition analysis of PSL1(%)
Steel grade C Mn P S Ti
Max Max Min Max Max Max
A25 0.21 0.60 - 0.030 0.030 -
A25 0.21 0.60 0.045 0.080 0.030 -
A 0.22 0.90 - 0.030 0.030 -
B 0.28 1.20 - 0.030 0.030 0.04
X42 0.28 1.30 - 0.030 0.030 0.04
X46,X52,X56 0.28 1.40 - 0.030 0.030 0.04
X60 0.28 1.40 - 0.030 0.030 0.04
X65 ,X70 0.28 1.40 - 0.030 0.030 0.06

Chemical composition analysis of PSL2(%)
Steel grade C Mn P S Ti
Max  Max  Max Max Max
B 0.24 1.20 0.025 0.015 0.04
X42 0.24 1.30 0.025 0.015 0.04
X46,X52,X56,X60 0.24 1.40 0.025 0.015 0.04
X65,X70,X80 0.24 1.40 0.025 0.015 0.06


Pipeline stretching performance

PSL1 Tensile Requirements
Steel grade Yield strength Tensile strength
Min Min
psi MPa psi MPa
A25 25000 172 45000 310
A 30000 207 48000 331
B 35000 241 60000 414
X42 42000 290 60000 414
X46 46000 317 63000 434
X52 52000 359 66000 455
X56 56000 386 71000 490
X60 60000 414 75000 517
X65 65000 448 77000 531
X70 70000 483 82000 565

PSL2 Tensile Requirements
Steel grade Yield strength Tensile strength
Min Max Min Max
psi MPa psi MPa psi MPa psi MPa
B 35000 241 65000 448 60000 414 110000 758
X42 42000 290 72000 496 60000 414 110000 758
X46 46000 317 76000 524 63000 434 110000 758
X52 52000 359 77000 531 66000 455 110000 758
X56 56000 386 79000 544 71000 490 110000 758
X60 60000 414 82000 565 75000 517 110000 758
X65 65000 448 87000 600 77000 531 110000 758
X70 70000 483 90000 621 82000 565 110000 758
X80 80000 552 100000 690 90000 621 120000 827


Water pressure and non-destructive requirements for pipeline

Each line pipe is required to do the hydrostatic test, and the standard is not allowed nondestructive testing replace the hydraulic pressure test.

PSL1 does not require nondestructive testing, but each pipe of PSL2 is required for nondestructive testing.

pipeline hydrostatic test

Pipeline impact performance

The impact performance test of PSL1 has no requirements.

All steel grade except X80 in PSL2: Test temperature is 0℃, the minimum average value of the full size longitudinal sample is not less than 41J, the lowest average value of the full size horizontal sample is not less than 27J. X80 grade steel: Test temperature is 0℃, the minimum average value of the full size longitudinal sample is not less than 10J, the lowest average value of the full size horizontal sample is not less than 68J.

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