JFE Steel Corporation has developed the world’s first API X80-grade high-frequency-welded (HFW) steel pipe with thickness of one inch. The pipe is being manufactured at a refurbished 26-inch HFW steel pipe mill within the company’s Chita Works. An API X80-grade assures that the pipe’s minimum yield strength is 555 MPa.
JFE Steel also announced that it has received the first two commercial orders for its uniquely thick HFW pipe. The orders for the new 1” wall HFW steel pipe were placed by Dril-Quip and GE Oil & Gas, two leading manufacturers of oil and natural gas drilling equipment. They will use the pipes as conductor casing, or steel pipe that is mainly used to secure blowout preventers and wellhead equipment before drilling the casing hole. Shipments to both customers will take place this spring.
JFE Steel developed forming technology for the cost-effective production of X80-grade HFW steel pipe with a thickness of 1”. The company also established an integrated system of processes, from steelmaking to pipe forming, to produce this special pipe. The company expects its new HFW steel pipe to be used not only as conductor casing, but also as high-quality line pipes for offshore pipelines and other purposes.
