What is H-Saw?
H-Saw stands for helical, submerged arc welding. Helical or spiral indicates the welding process is joining hot rolled coil (of various widths), creating a helical seam around the finished pipe. Saw or submerged arc welding means the electrode used to join the coil edges is submerged in flux to protect the weld pool from contamination.
What is the difference between H-Saw and L-Saw pipe?
Spiral weld pipe is made from hot rolled coil and has a helical submerged arc weld while
L-Saw pipe is made from plate and has a longitudinal submerged arc weld.
What are the advantages of H-Saw over L-Saw pipe?
H-Saw is manufactured from hot rolled coil which is less expensive than plate used in the L-Saw process. Pipe manufactured in the L-Saw process has a maximum length of 40 feet unless double jointed (adding to cost). H-Saw is a less capital intensive process. H-Saw produces product of equal quality to L-Saw at lower cost.
What is the difference between the "One Step or On-line" process and a "Two Step" mill?
One Step or On-line mills form the pipe and complete the weld simultaneously utilizing multiple welding heads. The Two Step process forms the pipe and places only a tack or root weld in the pipe and subsequently moves the pipe to another welding station where welding is completed.
Why is the plant being located in the United States?
PSL-NA is building this facility because there is a significant imbalance with domestic demand far exceeding domestic supply of Large Diameter Line Pipe for Natural Gas Transportation requirements. The company expects Large Diameter Line Pipe demand to continue to grow in the coming years to meet increased natural gas consumption, connect new natural gas sources such as Liquid Natural Gas terminals, and replace existing infrastructure as it reaches the end of useful life. PSL-NA is strategically locating this facility along the gulf coast to minimize overall freight costs with access to barge, railroad, and truck.
How much time is required between ordering and receiving pipe?
Although this is dependent on the grade of steel ordered and available coil supply, typically a customer can start receiving pipe in about 6 months after order. However, mills world wide currently are book for many months or even years requiring that orders be placed well in advance of expected construction.
PSL-NA is soliciting orders for delivery in the first quarter of 2008 however orders are currently being accepted for delivery in 2007 as supplied by our sister mill at Kandla India owned by PSL Limited. This mill is fully API certified. Orders placed in 2007 on the India mill may be converted to the US mill once certified and owner inspected/approved.
