OCTGP: The Market Outlook

The market for oil and gas has undergone a significant shift lately; however, many experts continue to predict an overall pattern of growth which producers and providers of OCTG Pipe appreciate in their highly demanding and competitive sector. With more companies entering into the field, it is important for clients to understand the very specific requirements behind the manufacturing of quality OCTGP pipe.

Defining OCTG Pipe

OCTG is the acronym for Oil Country Tubular Goods. This covers a range of products including:

• Drill Pipe (sometimes not included as OCTG since it is holds the drill bit and/or explosives)
• Casing (linings for the wellbore to protect the tubing)
• Tubing (the delivery or production tubes responsible for the transportation of oil and/or gas from its source to the surface or for sending water down into the well)

These items alternate during the different phases of a drilling operation. Applications for OCTG equipment is for both on and off shore ventures. OCTG pipes for such projects may be welded or seamless.

While it is possible for many companies to produce OCTG items, including OCTG pipes, they may not be able to comply with the very precise specifications required by the American Petroleum Institute (API). This standardization of the various pipes and equipment associated with OCTG can effectively reduce the ability of some companies to compete.

OCTG Pipes and API Standards

All OCTG pipes must conform exactly to API standards. These specifications set the properties of each items involved and classify them into 10 grades. These grades indicate such desirable characteristic as corrosion resistance, durability, thickness and hardenability. When considering OTCG, commonly the following grades appear: J/K55, N80 type 1 and type Q, L80 and P110.

The producer of such products achieves the required properties through their choice of steel. While steel is capable of excellent results on its own, heat treatment is essential to raise the bar and obtain the right degree required for the production of specific OCTG products. This is definitely true if the company is determined to reach and/or exceed API standards for OCTG pipes. The API will also expect to receive a manual of the producer’s specifics before they approve the products as achieving the stated aims of the API in the industry.

OCTG Pipes: The Outlook

Serving a global market, the Kelly Pipe Co.’s OCTG Division provides API product solutions in a cost-effective manner to both on land and off shore commercial operations in the oil and gas industry. As the market continues to grow, the company remains committed to supporting this sector with quality products that meet and exceed API standards for OCTG pipes and other products.

Welded Steel Pipe: Classification and Production Methods

North American clients favor welded steel pipe based on economics, quick availability and a more consistent thickness. The characteristics arise from the material and, of course the production methods.

Producing Welded Steel Pipes: Classification

Companies produce welded steel pipes by taking such flat substrates as steel plate or HR coil, and shaping and welding them. Classification of the pipes can be the result of different approaches. Professionals consider whether the steel pipe is straight seam or spiral welded. Others may divide the material into its purpose e.g. mining, oil drilling, agricultural, or manufacturing.

One of the more common ways of classifying welded steel pipes is by looking at the process. In other words, classifying steel pipes according to production methods and/or sub-processes. The results fall into one of three classifications. These are:

1. Electric-Resistance Welded (ERW): ERW is either high or low frequency. Restricted to a size of a maximum of approximately 24” in diameter, this type of welded steel pipe is the result of longitudinally welded HR coil.
2. Longitudinal (LSAW or DSAW): The main substrate for this method is heavy steel plate. Producers use one of two methods, submerged arc welded (SAW) and the double submerged arc welded (DSAW). The resulting flat plate features a straight seam stretched the full length of the pipe. Standard sizes for this type of pipe range between 12m and 18m. By using this method, the weld quality is high with few defects.
3. Spiral Welded or Spiral Welded Longitudinal: Spiral welded, like the name indicates, is the result of a circular motion. The manufacturer takes the plate, and winds and welds the substrate of an HR coil or steel plate in a spiral. This method is called helical submerged arc welded (HSAW). The resulting product is longer and thicker than other methods. Overall, this method is favored because it proves to be simple, efficient, cost-effective and fast.

No matter how you classify welded steel pipe, the market for both producers and distributors remains strong. Diversification is one means of maintaining consistency in profits. Quality, and meeting and even exceeding the specifications of such organizations as the API, are essential for ensuring the producers and distributors remain competitive globally. Kelly Pipe continues to provide the quality welded steel pipe its clients have come to expect, including OCTG and water well pipes from its extensive inventory.

The NASPD and Steel Pipe Distributors

Steel pipe markets have always been competitive. For producers, a fluctuating market continues to offer challenges. For steel pipe distributors, the challenge is to retain old markets and expand into new ones. Having been in the market since 1898, Kelly Pipe is able to look at the various aspects of the industry and its potential. Further, they are one of the distributors that have responded to the competitive market through organizing and being a part of the National Association of Steel Pipe Distributors (NASD).

History of the National Association of Steel Pipe Distributors

The first meeting of the NASPD took place on April 17, 1975, hosted by Peter Knowles and Jerry Rubenstein. On this momentous occasion, 51 steel pipe distributors sent a total of 68 representatives. Suzanne Letch became the first Executive Director, remaining in this post until 1979. She helped put together the first annual convention that took place the following year. Two hundred members and their guests attended.

Yet, the NASPD intended to be about more than conventions and social gatherings. In 1978, they released the first edition of The Tubular Products Manual. By 1989, they had a list of publications and material that addressed specifically to steel pipe distributors including:

• Pipeline Magazine
• The Tubular Products Manual
• The Pipe Distribution and Compliance Manual for OSHA
• Hazcom Training Package
• Pipe Handling Video
• Site Inspection/Safety Requirements Appraisal

Further publications and educational materials followed including The NASPD Training Manual and The NASPD Fundamental of Steel Pipe Products. The association even began to conduct education classes including an OCTG Specialty Education Class in 2009. In 2011, NASPD began to recognize prominent individuals in the company by establishing a Hall of Fame. Earle Cohen, with Kelly Pipe from 1993 until 2009, was one of the 2012 inductees. He was a founding member of the association and its president for 1975-1976.

Role of the National Association of Steel Pipe Distributors

The NASPD is a national trade association representing the steel pipe and tubular products distribution industry and its related businesses. Member companies enjoy a variety of benefits such as:

• Professional Services
• Conferences and Conventions
• Seminars and Workshops
• Industry Publications
• Pipe Listings Website

They are working hard to continue to inform and educate steel pipe distributors on issues within the industry and other matters that may affect them. In 2015, the NASPD celebrated their 40th anniversary. Kelly Pipe, one of the country’s largest steel pipe distributors, has always been and will remain a supportive member.

The Necessity of Water Well Pipe

How and where people get clean water remains a problem in some communities and parts of the world. While some people are able to draw water from city reservoirs or natural springs, others cannot. Around the globe, many people depend upon water wells and therefore companies who manufacture and distribute equipment for water wells like water well pipe and other parts and supplies is necessary.

Water Well Pipe and Supplies

Water well development and construction has become a strong global industry offering steel manufacturers and distributors another market. Those companies that focus on drilled wells require water well pipe and other water well supplies which include:

• Well Casing
• Perforated Pipe
• Drive Shoes
• Well Screen
• PVC Casing
• Cone Strainers
• Basket Strainers

While PVC may supply well casings, much of the water well pipes are made from steel. The well casing consists of segments of steel substrate welded together to produce varied length of pipe.

Basic Requirements of Water Well Pipe and Supplies

Wells components must meet a high standard to achieve a long lasting and functioning well. For the most part, the demands of a water well pipe and related water well supplies are met by steel. This metal possesses the properties wells require:

• Strength: To allow the pipes and other components to withstand the stresses of installation and endure any other types of stress during any stage of well development and use
• Tensile Strength: To withstand tension
• Resistance: Against collapsing
• Elasticity and Resiliency: These characteristics make it possible for a water well pipe, well screen or pump to react in a positive manner during an earthquake or other subterranean earth shift

Easily and inexpensively formed into tubes, steel makes the perfect casing for pumps, pipes and screens, meeting all the above requirements.

Water Well Pipe: The Issue of Corrosion

All items placed into the ground are subject to corrosion. One reason why stainless steel is selected for well parts is its anti-corrosion qualities. Producers using steel should not combine steel with a dissimilar metal or add specific chemicals. By doing so, they can decrease the ability of steel to resist corrosion and therefore reduce the longevity and durability of the water well pipe, screen and casing.

PVC casing is one means of improving the life of a water well. By casing steel or other metal well components in PVC, the manufacture and well supplies distributor can help to maintain the integrity of a drilled well. Such measures can help to improve the overall efficiency of the water well.

At Kelly Pipe, water well companies can find an extensive selection of water well supplies in stock. As one of the largest pipe distributors in the United States, they can quickly, efficiently and economically provide you with the water well pipe and supplies you need to start and finish the job successfully, meeting health and safety standards.

Oil Field Pipe – Global Uses

The oil and gas industry happens to be one of the first industries where piping and fittings and other mechanical pipe joining systems were installed. This includes global processes of exploration, extraction, refining and treatment of petroleum products. Kelly Pipe offers a diverse selection of domestic and imported steel pipe to an array of clients nationally and beyond, including pipe well-suited as oil field pipe for the oil drilling industry.

Oilfields

Oilfields deal with the extraction of oil from land-based sources. While there are less and less of these in the United States as patches dry up, they are still far from nonexistent. Oil workers can expect to work long, hard hours. Oil drilling work is divided into two subsets: fields and rigs. Rigs are on the ocean, while fields are on land. This means that there are two remarkably different sets of working conditions. While rig workers need to live on site for days or weeks at a time, field workers can travel to and from the field like any other job.

Aging Infrastructures

Process manufacturing companies in the oil and gas, utilities, chemicals and natural resource industries rely on proprietary infrastructure to run their operations. Much of this infrastructure is rapidly aging, thus increasing the risk of failure. Subsequent disruptions impede opportunities for growth, with the impact of these interruptions felt worldwide. As a result, executives in these industries must make tough decisions about where, when and how much to invest in infrastructure upgrades, such as oil field pipe replacement.

Entry-Level Pipeline Worker

The oil industry has entry-level jobs on the oil pipeline crews. A pipe-liner worker does general maintenance on the line, such as removing rust, painting the pipeline and cutting brush and overgrowth from around the pipeline. A pipeline walker is an entry-level worker who inspects the line for leaks, makes minor repairs and ensures there are no major pipeline problems. Both of these positions are performed in the field and require the worker to be away from home for long periods of time.

Whether your requirements are for offshore or land based applications, Kelly Pipe has an extensive inventory and guarantees on-time delivery for your operation. The company has proven its capabilities to efficiently and effectively support both large drilling programs as well as immediate project needs.

Steel Pipe Distributors – Providing Piping Products for Many Uses

Steel is one of the most common and useful materials in the world today, with over a billion tons produced annually. Steel pipe distributors have been serving various industries so that buildings, infrastructure, tools, ships, automobiles, machines and appliances and so much more can benefit from this safe and durable material. Kelly Pipe has been leading the industry for over 110 years and offers an extensive selection of steel pipe for your structural and other industry needs.

Safe and Durable

Steel is frequently used because it is durable and safe. Building materials underground may be susceptible to decay and to pests. Steel will not rot and is invulnerable to pests like termites.  Steel also doesn’t need to be treated with preservatives, pesticides or glue, so it is safe to handle and work around. Since steel is non-combustible and makes it harder for fire to spread, it is good to use when building various types of structures. Steel frame buildings are more resistant to natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes.

Practical and Effective

Many steel pipe distributors offer piping that is well-suited for a variety of needs in residential, commercial and industrial applications. They can be used for various structural support requirements where other shapes such as wide-flanges and channels are not as efficient and effective. They can also be used for other purposes such as water distribution systems.

Cost-Effective

Carbon steel pipe suppliers know that their steel pipes are cheaper than copper pipes. The unmatched strength of steel piping increases longevity and reduces the need for replacement and repairs. The versatility of these pipes also makes them cost-effective.

Kelly Pipe is one of the largest distributors of pipe in the nation. Founded in 1898 and headquartered in Santa Fe Springs, CA, the company serves more than 3000 customers in all 50 states, as well as overseas, from its extensive inventory of pipe ranging in size from 1/8″ to 54″ diameter.

Kelly Pipe functions as a master distributor of standard and line pipe, marketing to other pipe distributors throughout the nation. They in turn sell Kelly’s products to energy companies, municipalities, water distributors, contractors, power plants and governmental institutions.

Upgrade with Seamless Steel Pipe

For anyone that’s ever seen a construction site before, we probably all assume that all steel pipe is the same. This is not the case, however. There are quite a few varieties of steel piping used in the construction industry. Kelly Pipe offers an array of quality seamless steel pipe to meet the needs of a variety of clients. Not sure why any one pipe would get a job done better than another? Keep reading for some of the key advantages to using seamless steel.

Better Pressure Ratings

The key to understanding the benefits of seamless steel pipe is to understand the pressure that pipes are typically put under. In welded steel pipes, the welded seam is the most vulnerable to pressure, as it has been fused at this fault line. Seamless steel pipes do not have this seam because they have not been welded, meaning that the pipe is equally strong around its entire circumference. Herein lies seamless steel’s key advantage – it can withstand more pressure. This also means that it’s much easier to determine any pressure calculations since you don’t have to take weld quality into consideration.

Seamless pipe can be more expensive than traditional welded pipes, but the increased pressure-withstanding ability means you can use thinner, lighter pipes, which cuts down on costs overall. Talking to the steel experts at Kelly Pipe can help you make the right choice for your project.

Uniformity

Seamless pipe is a continuous extrusion of alloy, which gives it a round section you can rely on. This makes it incredibly useful for adding fittings or installing pipes. Traditional welded pipe, on the other hand, is wrapped around another form when it’s welded, introducing stress and other variables to the process, meaning it can never be perfectly round.

Greater Strength

Seamless steel pipe has greater strength under loading than welded pipes. When a pipe is filled with materials, it’s crucial that it not burst with the weight. Since seamless pipes don’t have a seam, they’re less likely to leak or falter. This is why they’re so popular in modern applications such as oil rigs, pipelines, offshore rigs and ship building.

Benefits of Carbon Steel Pipe

Every day, we pass by countless buildings, automobiles, appliances, and machines that are made using carbon steel pipe just like the ones provided by Kelly Pipe. But have you ever stopped to wonder why this material is so prevalent and used in so many important applications? With over 1.3 billion tons of steel produced annually, there is obviously a good reason why this material is so widely used. Read on for some features that make steel pipe such a good choice.

Reliable Safety and Durability

Above all, carbon steel pipe is consistently safe and durable. This is especially important when it’s used underground, because many other materials are susceptible to rotting and pests. Steel, on the other hand, is impervious to termites and other pests and doesn’t need to be treated with preservatives like glue or pesticides. This makes it safe to handle and work around. Steel is also non-combustible, making it harder for fire to spread in the case of an emergency. This makes it great for building homes. Using steel pipe in certain aspects of building frames provides structures with good resistance to severe, high winds and other detrimental loads.

Structural Stability

Carbon steel pipe itself consists of a shape that is useful in various types of situations and applications. Kelly Pipe offers an array of steel pipe to meet your requirements. The shape offers equal stability along both axes making it uniquely useful compared to certain other structural shapes. The pipe can be support very heavy loads depending on the requirements. Pipe walls consist of various thicknesses and pipe diameters vary as well. These characteristics determine the elements of strength that the particular strength possesses.

Budget Friendly

Steel pipes can be made thinner that pipes from other materials, giving them a greater carrying capacity with the same dimensions. This makes these pipes cheaper upfront, but also in the long run as their unmatched strength stands the test of time. With little need for replacement or repairs, steel is a smart investment for any business. Versatility also plays a role in the savings, as steel can be bent to fit anywhere it needs to go. This means that you can get joints, valves, and other fittings at relatively low prices.

The Importance of Fusion Bond Pipe

Pipe and piping is an essential component for many businesses, especially the OCTG industry. Carbon steel pipe is commonly used in a wide range of applications and because steel is subject to oxidation and corrosion, the steel must be protected. One of the most popular and cost effective ways to protect piping, involves fusion bond pipe coatings. This process provides a number of benefits and can serve many different uses.

What is Fusion Bond Pipe?

Fusion bonding is also known as fusion bond epoxy coating (FBE) and it is a special kind of powder coating which utilizes epoxy based resins and hardening agents. These resins have thermosetting properties and when heat is applied they are bonded electro statically to steel pipe. This is far more effective than simply dipping pipe in a coating solution.

History

Fusion bonding applications are nothing new. In fact, this method has been around for more than 50 years. However, it has evolved considerably since the 1960s and today it can be applied in multi-layers and can have a number of different properties to suit the application and environment. In addition, both internal and external surfaces may be coated.

Proper Preparation is the Key

Steel pipe must be properly prepared in order to make the FBE adhere to the pipe. Steel can contain a number of contaminants which are not visible to the naked eye. Hydrocarbons and ionic salts must be completely removed. Otherwise, the coating may fail in the field.

Environmental Conditions

Before applying FBE coatings, the environmental conditions of the pipe must be taken into consideration. For example, extreme temperatures may break down standard coating methods and low or high temperature FBE coatings must be used.

Uses for Fusion Bonded Pipe

You will find FBE coated pipe in many applications today. Here are just a few:

• Oil Pipelines
• Natural gas industry
• Refineries
• Sewage treatment facilities
• Water treatment applications
• Electric power plants
• Food handling industry

Common Causes for Coating Failure

Although fusion bond pipe is one of the most effective and durable coatings you can use, it can fail under certain conditions. However, most cases of failure are due to improper preparation of the pipe before coating application. This is why it is essential to choose a supplier with many years of experience and a company who is a leader in their field, like Kelly Pipe. We have been serving customers since 1898, and today we supply an international market with both standard and line pipe products designed for a huge number of commercial applications.

Welded Pipe vs. Seamless Pipe

There has always been a large debate about which is the best for your project; welded or seamless. There are advantages to each type and often it is going to depend on your own personal preference and the job which you are doing. Below are some of the advantages which you can get from each of the options.

Advantages of Welded Steel Pipe

Welded steel pipes are more enticing in terms of cost compared to the seamless options. These pipes are often more available when you need them compared to seamless. The seamless ones will take longer because of their lead time so they are not always as available as the welded steel pipe.

The thickness in welded pipes is going to be more consistent compared to the seamless options.

The surface of the welded steel pipe is able to be checked out before they are released for sale to ensure they are going to work out for your needs. This is something which is not available with the seamless options.

Advantages of Seamless Steel Pipe

The main advantage of these pipes is they do not have the issue with a welded seam. This is usually seen as an area which is weak in the pipe and many people worry this is going to mean it will break easier. With improvements in manufacturing, this is not as true anymore and the absence of the weld seam is not as big of an issue anymore.

These pipes can provide you with some peace of mind. They do not have a seam so you will not have to worry about getting any seams which are not as strong as they should be.

These kinds of pipes will have more roundness or oval shape than welded steel pipes, making them better to use for a lot of projects which you have since they are not going to get caught on anything.

As you can see, each pipe offers its own unique advantages over its counterpart. Often the welded steel pipes are preferred because they have better prices, are easier to get whenever you need them, and the perceived disadvantages in terms of the welded seam has been fixed and is not as apparent. Each of the pipes will be used for various projects and everyone is going to have a preference for the one that they would like to use for their needs.