API Pipe Buying Guide
API pipe was standardized by the American Petroleum Institute about 30 years ago. With the discovery of oil and the emergence of refineries, the need for pipes with special features for the rapid transport of oil and petrochemicals gradually increased.This led to the idea of making thicker pipes with higher pressure resistance. API pipe quickly gained a place in the industry due to its unique construction and features. To buy pipes and profiles, you need to be familiar with their features. So, stay tuned with us to learn more about API pipe.
History and background of API pipe
After World War I and simultaneously with the industrial revolutions taking place in various countries, one of the main challenges in the industry was the transportation of petroleum products and gas condensate from refineries and factories to different locations.On the one hand, this process was carried out with existing steel pipes. However, the transfer time was very long due to the low pressure of the fluid inside the pipe. Engineers were looking for a way to increase the pressure inside the pipe so that the fluid could move faster and on the other hand, the pipe would not leak and would withstand the pressure.
At times, the pressure inside the pipe varied between 100 and 150 bar, which made the use of Mannesmann pipes uneconomical due to their production process and high price. Until welded pipes with high thickness and resistance to withstand high working pressures were produced and put on the market.
Due to the production method identical to that of welded pipes, this pipe model had a lower production cost and a high production line speed. On the other hand, like seamless pipes, it had high resistance to corrosion or rupture and leakage from the weld seam.This style of pipe quickly became famous all over the world and became the solution to the challenges of transmission line engineers. It also found various uses in industry, such as shipbuilding industries, etc. API pipes are produced from API sheet in different thicknesses for different working pressures, which we will discuss in more detail below.
API pipe material
API pipe sheet is made of carbon-manganese steel, which has achieved high strength by adding small amounts of microalloying elements. This type of steel has special properties that have made API pipe production very popular.
API Pipe Features
For oil and gas transportation, the speed of transportation is the main factor. There are two solutions for this. The first option is to increase the volume of fluid being transported in the pipe. The second solution is to increase the pressure to increase the speed of fluid transportation in the pipe.In both of these methods, steel sheets are required that not only have high strength but also react quickly to heat and temperature transfer. For this reason, the emergence of API pipe sheets with these characteristics has greatly contributed to the oil and gas industries. The main feature of API pipes is their ability to withstand high pressure as well as low transfer temperature. As a result, it is possible to produce pipes with large thicknesses and diameters so that with increasing pressure and transfer speed, no issue arises in the pipe’s strength and the pipe’s temperature does not increase. The main need of engineers in the oil and gas industries, which was the speed of material transfer, was met with the production of API pipes. Another advantage of producing API pipes is the high production speed of the pipe itself as well as its lower cost compared to seamless pipes. These features have a significant impact on the speed of implementing oil and gas transmission lines as well as on managing and reducing costs.
Production Method of Welded API Pipe
Welded pipes are produced in such a way that large steel sheets are first cut into strips. Then, by passing through several rollers and undergoing multiple processes, they are formed into a cylindrical shape. At the point where the two sheet edges meet, a gap or distance is created, which is welded together by welding machines, thereby eliminating the gap. This moving cylinder, while being transformed from a strip into an open cylinder and then welded, continues to move forward on a conveyor belt. After the weld is cooled, it proceeds to finishing and sanding. Afterwards, the pipes are measured and cut into 6-meter lengths.
Then, the 6-meter pipes are placed on the next conveyor and prepared for hydrostatic testing, pressure testing, and so on. In the pressure testing stage, depending on the pipe thickness, they are tested under pressures ranging from 120 to 350 bar. After passing these stages and undergoing various tests, the pipes are transferred to another conveyor line for marking and packaging.
Types of Welding Methods
As mentioned, welded pipes require welding to fill the gap created in the cylinder formed from strip sheets. Two main welding methods can be used: electrofusion welding or resistance welding.
API Pipe Manufacturing Plants
In our country, Iran, many well-known factories are active in the production of API pipes. Among the most famous brands are API Kachu, API Sepahan, API Sepanta, and API Yaran. Kachu factory, with the production of API pipe under the Iranian national standard 3574, is considered one of the most reputable. You can purchase Kachu API pipe through the official website of Foulad Niagostar Shargh Barthava Company.
Applications of API Pipe
In Iran, as in other countries, API pipes are widely used in industries such as oil and gas, petrochemicals, refineries, power plants, steel plants, automotive and shipbuilding industries due to their high resistance under high working pressures. However, these pipes are also used in the construction sector and for gas distribution in buildings. For example, they are suitable for concealed installations or fire extinguishing systems in buildings where the pump’s working pressure for water flow is high.
Application of API Pipe in Domestic Gas Networks
Over time, with the domestic production of API pipes and considering their more affordable price compared to seamless pipes, the use of API pipes in Iran has grown. One of the applications is in gas risers. Another common use is in concealed gas piping for buildings. Concealed gas systems require pipes with a high safety factor, since the pipes are placed inside floors and walls. Therefore, high-strength pipes must be used, and as a result, API pipes are commonly used instead of seamless pipes.
API Pipe Sizes
Kachu API pipes for domestic gas networks, under standard code 3574, are produced in various sizes. These include 1/2, 3/4, 1, 1 1/4, 1 1/2, 2, 2 1/2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 inches.
API Pipe Thickness
Kachu API pipes for domestic gas networks are produced in only one thickness according to the standard.
Factors Affecting the Price of API Pipe
Kachu API pipe is one of the reputable brands in the Iranian market. This brand has always strived to offer high-quality products in competition with other producers. Kachu API pipes can be purchased in 6-meter lengths from the official website of Foulad Niagostar Company at www.fouladniagostar.ir
. You can also benefit from free expert consultation about Kachu API pipes through the website. The price of Kachu API pipe depends on several factors:
Type of steel sheet material used
Type of building application
Global steel prices
Building area
Exchange rates
Design and project plans
Total floor area
Price of 6-Meter API Pipe
The official reference for the prices of various Kachu API pipes is the official website of Foulad Niagostar Shargh Barthava Company. Due to market fluctuations, the price of Kachu API pipes may change frequently. Therefore, we recommend visiting the official company website to obtain up-to-date and accurate prices and to consult with our experts for guidance.
Foulad Niagostar Shargh Barthava Company is a supplier of both welded and seamless pipes from the most reputable manufacturers in the country, produced according to international standards. With a wide variety of products, the company is ready to cooperate and sign contracts with governmental and non-governmental organizations, contractors, and project managers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between seamless pipe and API pipe?
The main difference lies in the production method. Seamless pipes are made from steel billets, machined inside and outside to form the pipe. API pipes, however, are produced by welding API steel sheets. The key distinguishing feature of API pipe is its thickness and the longitudinal weld seam visible along the pipe.
Which manufacturers of API pipe does Foulad Niagostar work with?
Foulad Niagostar always prioritizes quality in its offerings to customers. For this reason, we have chosen Kachu API pipe, produced under the Iranian national standard 3574, from one of the most reputable manufacturers of pipes and profiles, as our top priority.