Engineering Standard

SAES-L-136 31 August 2005

Selection and Restrictions
of Carbon Steel Pipe
Materials and Corrosion Control Standards Committee Members
Al-Anezi, Mohammed A., Chairman
Al-Rumaih, Abdullah M., Vice Chairman
Abdulhadi, Abdullatif I.
Al-Anizi, Salamah S.
Al-Gahtani, Moraya S.
Al-Ghasham, Tawfiq Y.
Al-Mugbel, Wajdi M.
Al-Nabulsi, Khalid M.
Al-Sannaa, Muhsen S.
Balhareth, Nasser M.
Bash, Fahad M.
Burgess, Brian W.
Choi, Ho J.
Cruz, Ivan C.
Dias, Olavo C.
Kermad, Abdelhak
Lobley, Graham R.
Mehdi, Mauyed S.
Moore, Mark A.
Niemeyer, D.C.
Palmer, Robert E.
Stark, Gregory D.
Tems, Robin D.

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Table of Contents

1 Scope............................................................ 2
2 Conflicts and Deviations............................... 2
3 References.................................................... 2
4 Definitions..................................................... 3
5 General......................................................... 4
6 Materials Selection........................................ 4
7 Restrictions................................................... 5
8 Material Selection and Testing
Subcommittee....................................... 7

Previous Issue: 28 January 2004 Next Planned Update: 1 September 2010

Revised paragraphs are indicated in the right margin Page 1 of 7
Primary contact: Abdullah M. Al-Rumaih on 873-4398
Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control SAES-L-136
Issue Date: 31 August 2005 Selection and Restrictions
Next Planned Update: 1 September 2010 of Carbon Steel Pipe

1 Scope

This Standard supplements the ASME B31 Pressure Piping Codes, and provides
requirements for the selection and restriction of carbon steel pipe.

2 Conflicts and Deviations

2.1 Any conflicts between this standard and other applicable Saudi Aramco
Engineering Standards (SAESs), Materials System Specifications (SAMSSs),
Standard Drawings (SASDs), or industry standards, codes, and forms shall be
resolved in writing by the Company or Buyer Representative through the
Manager, Consulting Services Department of Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.

2.2 Direct all requests to deviate from this standard in writing to the Company or
Buyer Representative, who shall follow internal company procedure SAEP-302
and forward such requests to the Manager, Consulting Services Department of
Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.

3 References

The selection of material and equipment, and the design, construction, maintenance, and
repair of equipment and facilities covered by this standard shall comply with the latest
edition of these documents to the extent specified in this standard.

3.1 Saudi Aramco References

Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedure

SAEP-302 Instructions for Obtaining a Waiver of a
Mandatory Saudi Aramco Engineering
Requirement

Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards

SAES-B-064 Onshore and Nearshore Pipeline Safety
SAES-L-100 Applicable Codes and Standards for Pressure
Piping Systems
SAES-L-105 Piping Materials Specifications
SAES-L-130 Material for Low Temperature Service
SAES-L-131 Fracture Control of Line Pipe
SAES-L-132 Material Selection of Piping Systems
SAES-L-133 Corrosion Protection Requirements for
Pipelines/Piping

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Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control SAES-L-136
Issue Date: 31 August 2005 Selection and Restrictions
Next Planned Update: 1 September 2010 of Carbon Steel Pipe

SAES-L-310 Design of Plant Piping

SAES-L-410 Design of Pipelines
SAES-W-011 Welding Requirements for On-Plot Piping

Saudi Aramco Materials System Specifications

01-SAMSS-016 Qualification of Pipeline, In-Plant Piping and
Pressure Vessel Steels for Resistance to
Hydrogen-Induced Cracking
01-SAMSS-022 Fracture Control Testing Procedures for Line
Pipe
01-SAMSS-035 API Line Pipe
01-SAMSS-038 Small Direct Charge Purchases of Pipe
01-SAMSS-332 High Frequency Welded Line Pipe, Class B
01-SAMSS-333 High Frequency Welded Line Pipe, Class C

3.2 Industry Codes and Standards

American Petroleum Institute

API SPEC 5L Specification for Line Pipe

American Society of Mechanical Engineers

ASME B31.3 Process Piping
ASME B31.4 Liquid Transportation Systems for Hydrocarbons,
LPG, Anhydrous Ammonia, and Alcohols
ASME B31.8 Gas Transmission and Distribution Systems

4 Definitions

Code: The appropriate code (ASME B31.3, ASME B31.4, or ASME B31.8) as
specified in SAES-L-100.

ERW Pipe: Electric-resistance welded pipe, also referred to as electric-welded pipe by

API SPEC 5L. This also includes other designations and varieties such as high
frequency welded (HFW), high frequency induction (HFI), high frequency ERW
(HFERW), and high frequency resistance (HFR).

Hazardous Service: Any fluid service other than Category D as defined in

ASME B31.3.

RSA: Delegated Responsible Standardization Agent.

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Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control SAES-L-136
Issue Date: 31 August 2005 Selection and Restrictions
Next Planned Update: 1 September 2010 of Carbon Steel Pipe

Spiral-weld Pipe: Double submerged-arc welded (DSAW) pipe with one spiral
(helical) seam; referred to by API SPEC 5L as helical seam submerged-arc welded pipe.

Transportation Pipelines: Pipelines constructed to ASME B31.4 or ASME B31.8

codes. See SAES-L-100.

5 General

5.1 Saudi Aramco Materials System Specifications

Carbon steel line pipe shall be in accordance with the applicable specification
(SAMSS) as follows:
01-SAMSS-016 Qualification of Pipeline, In-Plant Piping and
Pressure Vessel Steels for Resistance to
Hydrogen-Induced Cracking
01-SAMSS-022 Fracture Control Testing Procedures for Line
Pipe
01-SAMSS-035 API Line Pipe
01-SAMSS-038 Small Direct Charge Purchases of Pipe
01-SAMSS-332 High Frequency Welded Line Pipe, Class B
01-SAMSS-333 High Frequency Welded Line Pipe, Class C

5.2 Fabricator Supplied Pipe

Pipe used for shop-fabricated assemblies when supplied from vendor's stock
shall comply with the API or ASTM (or equivalent) specification listed in the
applicable Code, Standard, or Specification and as further limited in paragraphs
6 and 7.

5.3 Minimum Wall Thickness

For sour service applications, straight seam SAW pipe shall have a minimum
wall thickness of 0.375 inch (9.5 mm).
Commentary Note:

Experience has shown that thinner wall thicknesses will have an increased
susceptibility to HIC in straight seam SAW pipe produced from plate.

6 Materials Selection

Materials selection of pipe for specific services shall be in accordance with

SAES-L-130 and SAES-L-132.

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Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control SAES-L-136
Issue Date: 31 August 2005 Selection and Restrictions
Next Planned Update: 1 September 2010 of Carbon Steel Pipe

7 Restrictions

The following Restrictions apply in addition to those given in the applicable Code:

7.1 Furnace butt-welded pipe shall not be used.

7.2 Cast iron pipe specifications shall not be used for hazardous services.

7.3 Only steel pipe specifications shall be used to handle flammable fluids.

7.4 Carbon steel pipe for hazardous service shall have specified minimum yield
strength (SMYS) of not less than 35 ksi (241 MPa).

7.5 Restrictions on use of ERW carbon steel pipe

7.5.1 ERW Pipe shall comply with the following requirements:

a) Requirement Class A - For non-hazardous service, e.g. fire water
system, high frequency welded pipe meeting the requirements of
01-SAMSS-332 shall be used.
b) Requirement Class B - For hazardous liquid hydrocarbon, water
injection, sweet dry gas service, tank farm and bulk plant
applications, high frequency welded pipe meeting the requirements
of 01-SAMSS-332 shall be used. High frequency welded pipe for
SAMS stock shall meet Requirement Class B in accordance with
01-SAMSS-332.
c) Requirement Class C - For sour gas or corrosive services, and any
offshore pipelines, high frequency welded pipe meeting the
requirements of 01-SAMSS-333 shall be used.

7.5.2 ERW pipe shall not be used in the following applications:

a) ASME B31.3 in-plant piping in hazardous service, with the
exception of tank farm and bulk plant applications.
b) Gas pipelines in sour or corrosive services, as defined in
SAES-L-133 Section 6, in locations Class 3 and 4 as defined in
SAES-B-064.
c) Gas pipelines within 500 meters of the battery limits of plants and
permanently manned facilities.
d) High strength pipe Grade X70 and above in sour service.

7.6 Restrictions on use of spiral welded pipe

Spiral weld carbon steel pipe shall not be used except when manufactured and
tested in accordance with 01-SAMSS-035.

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Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control SAES-L-136
Issue Date: 31 August 2005 Selection and Restrictions
Next Planned Update: 1 September 2010 of Carbon Steel Pipe

Spiral weld pipe shall not be used in sour gas service, either for ASME B31.3
in-plant piping or for pipelines, unless it is heat treated in a furnace to relief
residual stress. Spiral weld pipe that is not heat treated may be used for sour
crude lines if approved by the Chairman of the Materials and Corrosion Control
Standards Committee.
Exception:

Spiral weld pipe may be used for sour flare systems, including headers and lines,
with no need for stress relief heat treatment.

7.7 For ASME B31.3 plant piping, and at other permanently manned facilities, the
following restrictions shall apply for sour gas service and stress corrosion
cracking environments listed in SAES-W-011 paragraph 13.3:
a) For pipe diameters up to, and including, 20 inch O.D., seamless pipe shall
be used.
b) Above 20 inch O.D., straight-seam submerged-arc welded (SAW) pipe
that is cold expanded or heat treated, as required in 01-SAMSS-035 and
01-SAMSS-038, shall be used. As specified in paragraph 7.6, spiral weld
pipe may also be used if each pipe is heat treated in a furnace to relief
residual stress.
Commentary Note:

The above provisions are related to reducing the probability of stress

corrosion cracking and stress-oriented hydrogen-induced cracking
(SOHIC). SAES-L-133 also addresses corrosion and environmental
cracking considerations.

7.8 Pipe per API SPEC 5L grades X65 and X70 shall be derated to X60 when used
in specifications within the scope of ASME B31.3 and shall be subject to review
and approval by the Chairman of the Piping Standards Committee and the
Chairman of the Materials and Corrosion Control Standards Committee. The
pipe shall be marked with the actual grade. In addition, girth weld requiremets
established in Saudi Aramco welding standard SAES-W-011 for grades X65 or
greater shall be followed.

X70 or higher strength pipe shall not be used in any sour service unless
specifically approved by the Chairman of the Materials and Corrosion Control
Standards Committee for the maximum carbon equivalent tested. High
Frequency (ERW/HFI) welded pipe shall not be used for sour service as
indicated in paragraph 7.5.2(d) above.

7.9 Piping Design Minimum Temperature

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Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control SAES-L-136
Issue Date: 31 August 2005 Selection and Restrictions
Next Planned Update: 1 September 2010 of Carbon Steel Pipe

7.9.1 When the design minimum temperature (defined in SAES-L-310 or

SAES-L-410 as applicable) is at minus -18°C and above, pipe in
accordance with 01-SAMSS-035, 01-SAMSS-038, 01-SAMSS-332, or
01-SAMSS-333 shall be used, subject to the above restrictions.

7.9.2 When the design minimum temperature is between minus -18°C and
-45°C, pipe shall be in accordance with SAES-L-130.

7.10 The additional requirements of 01-SAMSS-022 shall be applied as specified in

SAES-L-131 for fracture control of transportation pipelines.

8 Material Selection and Testing Subcommittee

Graham Lobley Coordinator

Abdullah Al-Rumaih Member
Gregory Stark Member
Abdelhak Kermad Member
Dennis Niemeyer Member
Muhsen Al-Sannaa Member
Olavo Dias Member
Fahad Al-Bash Member
Mike Morrow Member
Mauyed Mehdi Member
Nasser Balhareth Member
Khalid Al-Nabulsi Member
Robin Tems Member
Brian Burgess Member
Hojin Choi Member
Wajdi Al-Mugbel Member

Revision Summary
31 August 2005 Minor revision. Included minimum thickness for sour service welded pipe, added restriction
for grade X70 pipe and higher strengths against sour service, allowed use of ERW pipe for
offshore pipelines, fire water system, tank farm and bulk plant applications, removed class 2
location restriction and corrosion servive from ERW pipe restrictions, restricted the use of
spiral pipe from sour gas service, either for in-plant piping or pipleines applications, unless
each pipe is stress relief heat treated, and revised committee and subcomitte list.
Revised the "Next Planned Update".

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