ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India has become the first steel company in the world to produce the highest strength welded pipes (EQ70 grade) used in marine engineering projects, with certification from the American Bureau of Shipping.
The ABS is a leading maritime classification society that provides independent validation of compliance with globally recognised standards, including strength parameters.
Indigenously produced high-strength welded pipes will replace imported seamless pipes for critical applications such as oil and gas platforms, offshore wind structures, and deepwater pipelines.
The Indian offshore and engineering sectors will benefit from enhanced supply security, shorter lead times, and lower costs, the company said.
Backed by global R&D and technology expertise
The company’s latest advancement was supported by the strong technological expertise, R&D capabilities and global best practices of its parent companies ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel, it added.
AM/NS India has already supplied a substantial quantity of welded pipes to a leading oil and gas producer in the country.
EQ70 grade: high-strength steel for extreme conditions
Equivalent to the American Petroleum Institute (API) 5L X100Q, the EQ70 grade is a high-strength, low-alloy steel with a minimum yield strength of 690 megapascals (MPa) and exceptional toughness. EQ70 grade welded pipes meet the demanding requirements of offshore applications such as leg bracing in jack-up rigs and deepwater pipelines.
The successful fabrication of welded pipes from ABS EQ70 grade plates using Submerged Arc Welding (SAW) was carried out at the company’s flagship plant in Hazira, Gujarat.