Inspection Procedure

02-SAIP-01 2 August 2009

Inspection of Positive Seal Coupling Systems
Document Responsibility: Inspection Engineering Standards Committee

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Table of Contents

1 Scope............................................................. 2
2 Purpose.......................................................... 2
3 References..................................................... 2
4 Definitions...................................................... 2
5 Background of the PSPC Joining System...... 3
6 Inspection Procedure..................................... 3

Previous Issue: 31 August 2002 Next Planned Update: TBD

Revised paragraphs are indicated in the right margin Page 1 of 6
Primary contact: Kakpovbia, Anthony Eyankwiere on 966-3-8747226

Copyright©Saudi Aramco 2009. All rights reserved.

Document Responsibility: Inspection Engineering Standards Committee 02-SAIP-01
Issue Date: 2 August 2009
Next Planned Update: TBD Inspection of Positive Seal Coupling Systems

1 Scope

This Saudi Aramco Inspection Procedure (SAIP) establishes the Inspection requirement
for the Positive Seal Coupling (PSC) System. Every pipe joint that is connected using
this system shall be inspected in accordance with this SAIP. Use of this coupling
system to join pipe shall be limited to API SPEC 5L line pipe.

2 Purpose

The purpose of this SAIP is to provide the inspector with the procedures for inspection
of the Positive Seal Pipe Coupling System.

3 References

3.1 Saudi Aramco References

Saudi Aramco Engineering Standard

SAES-H-002 Internal and External Coatings for Steel pipelines
and Piping

Saudi Aramco Materials System Specification

09-SAMSS-091 Shop-Applied Internal FBE Coatings

3.1 Industry Codes and Standards

American Petroleum Institute

API SPEC 5L Specification for Line Pipe

Steel Structures Painting Council

SSPC SP1 Solvent Cleaning
SSPC SP3 Power Tool Cleaning
SSPC SP6 Commercial Blast Cleaning

4 Definitions

PSPC-Joint: A PSPC joint consists of a coupling sleeve that has a pipe end
hydraulically rammed in each end. This provides a structural joint with a gas tight fit.

Coupling Threads: The internal, sharp threads like (or serrations) are machined in the
bore of each end of the coupling. These threads provide the gripping action that help to
secure the pipe in the coupling.

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Document Responsibility: Inspection Engineering Standards Committee 02-SAIP-01
Issue Date: 2 August 2009
Next Planned Update: TBD Inspection of Positive Seal Coupling Systems

5 Background of the PSPC Joining System

PSPC joints consist of a coupling sleeve that has a pipe end rammed in each end, giving
a gas tight interference fit. The first pipe end can be pressed into the coupling either in
the yard or in the field. The second pipe end is pressed into the second coupling end in
the field to effect pipeline construction. The Ramming operation is done with a
hydraulically powered joining unit. Two part epoxy coating compound is applied to the
pipe end exterior and coupling ends interior before joining them. This epoxy provides
lubrication during ramming, the filling of joint interface voids, and the sealing of
exposed joint interfaces against corrosion. PSPC joints are particularly intended for the
joining of internally coated pipe without welding. The Positive Seal Coupling System
joins sections of pipe while maintaining continuity of the internal coating across the
joint interfaces.

6 Inspection Procedure

6.1 Inspection of the Coupling

6.1.1 The coupling shall be free from blisters, pits, and other defects which
would impair the efficiency of the coupling. It shall be free from dirt,
grease, scale and other foreign materials.

6.1.2 The coupling shall be made of materials equal to or greater in

mechanical properties to that of the pipe. The coupling shall be die
stamped or paint stenciled on the outside of the coupling with the
following information:

The Positive Seal Coupling Manufacturer's - Design Specification (Part)

Number and - coupling's Serial Number.

6.1.3 The nominal outside diameter and length dimensions of the coupling for
the relevant pipe and pipeline shall be as specified by the Manufacturer.

6.1.4 Internal serrated threads shall be free from any damage which will break
the continuity of the threads.

6.1.5 If the coupling is used to join internally coated pipe, the recessed area of
the coupling may optionally be coated in accordance with
09-SAMSS-091, except that the thickness is reduced to 300-425 microns
(12-17 mils). Whenever a Seal Ring Gasket (SRG) is used in the
coupling recessed area between the pipe ends, it is neither necessary nor
required to coat the internal recess area of the coupling as the SRG
effects a seal between the pipe ends.

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Document Responsibility: Inspection Engineering Standards Committee 02-SAIP-01
Issue Date: 2 August 2009
Next Planned Update: TBD Inspection of Positive Seal Coupling Systems

6.1.6 If the coupling will be installed on pipe that will be buried, it shall
receive an external coating in accordance with SAES-H-002. This
coating may be applied after pipe joining.

6.1.7 Any coupling not meeting the above requirements shall be separated
from those that are acceptable, and repaired or discarded.

6.2 Inspection of the Pipe Ends

6.2.1 The pipe ends shall be furnished with beveled plain ends per
API SPEC 5L.

6.2.2 The surface of the pipe ends shall be free from dirt, rust, scale, oil and
grease in accordance with SSPC SP1 and preferably in accordance with
SSPC SP6. If SSPC SP6, Commercial Blast Cleaning, is not practical,
then SSPC SP3 Power tool is acceptable. The inside and outside edges
of the ends of the pipe shall be free from burrs, seams, and sand. The
pipe shall be sufficiently free from indentations, projections and other
such defects for a distance greater than one-half the coupling length from
the end of the pipe, to permit proper make-up of the coupling.

6.2.3 The outside diameter of the pipe ends which are to be inserted into the
coupling shall conform to the pipe end tolerances of API SPEC 5L. The
Inspector shall confirm that the PSPC installer has checked the size of the
pipe ends with the Go/No/Go ring gages or any other Reliable measuring
tool such as Varner Caliber and that they are acceptable. The small gage
shall not be able to fit over the pipe end and the large gage shall be able to
slip over the end, for at least 4 inches. The Go ring is also used to check
for excessive Ovality, which will be cause for rejection of the pipe.

6.2.4 Pipe ends that fail to meet the dimensional requirements above shall be
repaired, or cut-off to a location on the pipe that is acceptable.

6.2.5 A scribe mark shall be put on the pipe at the specified insertion distance
from the end of the pipe. This mark will guide the insertion distance.

6.3 Inspection of Coupling Insertion on First Pipe

6.3.1 An SRG shall be installed into the coupling recess area before first pipe
end insertion.

6.3.2 Epoxy lubricant/sealant shall be put on the outside surface of one end of
the pipe and the inside surface of one end of the coupling to prevent
metal galling during installation. Saudi Aramco approved two-parts
epoxy lubricant/sealant systems include:

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Document Responsibility: Inspection Engineering Standards Committee 02-SAIP-01
Issue Date: 2 August 2009
Next Planned Update: TBD Inspection of Positive Seal Coupling Systems

Hempadur 8554
Hempadur 85542
3M, Scotch Kote 312

6.3.3 At the completion of each insertion, the inspector shall confirm that
sufficient hydraulic pressure was developed upon full insertion of the
pipe end into the coupling. If the gage pressure is below the limits
specified by the Positive Seal Coupling Manufacturer, it shall be cause
for rejection of the joint. There are no "standard" minimum insertion
pressures for each pipe size. The Manufacturer will provide the
minimum joining unit insertion pressure gauge requirement for each
pipeline job. That minimum pressure will be specific to the pipe size,
wall thickness, grade, relevant coupling design being used, and the
specific insertion characteristics of the particular joining unit being used.

6.3.4 After the pipe is inserted into the coupling, the Inspector shall check that
the pipe has been inserted to the correct required distance, which is one-
half of the coupling length, ± 3/8 inch. The scribe mark shall be covered
by the coupling or stick out by no more than 3/8 inch. Verification of in-
tolerance first-end insertion distance will confirm sufficient insertion
depth for the second-end, field insertion, if the remaining insertion
distance is less than the minimum requirement, then the end of the pipe
shall be cut off, and the coupling discarded.

6.3.5 The Inspector shall also check that excess sealant from paragraph 6.3.2
has been removed from the exposed face of the SRG.

6.4 Shipping

6.4.1 Before loading pipe with Positive Seal Pipe Coupling on trucks for
transport, the pipe will be blown out with compressed air to remove all
dirt, sand, or other foreign matter.

6.4.2 The pipe ends will then be wrapped with plastic and taped in such a way
to ensure the internal areas of the pipe and coupling remain free of dirt,
sand, and other foreign matter.

6.5 Inspection of Complete Joint Assembly

6.5.1 The inspection steps of 6.3.1 and 6.3.2 shall be repeated for the second
pipe.

6.5.2 After insertion, the pipe scribe marks shall be checked. The marks on
each pipe shall either be covered or stick out from the end of the
coupling by no more than 3/16 in. If either mark is more than 3/16 in.

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Document Responsibility: Inspection Engineering Standards Committee 02-SAIP-01
Issue Date: 2 August 2009
Next Planned Update: TBD Inspection of Positive Seal Coupling Systems

from the coupling, the joint shall be rejected by the Inspector and the
coupling cut out.

Revision Summary
2 August 2009 Editorial revision to change document Primary Contact.

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