Commonly Used Surplus Steel Pipe Acronyms
One of the most versatile types of material in the heavy civil and marine construction industries (as well as the oil and gas industry) today is steel pipe. These long, hollow steel tubes are sold as either welded or seamless pipe.
The primary purpose of pipes is to transport materials (namely oil, gas, or water) over distances, but steel pipe also has many other useful applications. In this post, we’ll discuss the benefits of steel pipes and their use in structural (construction) and transportation applications.
There are a lot of acronyms that are used to describe surplus pipe. Here is a list of some of the most common acronyms and what they mean.
API (American Petroleum Institute) – The API issues pipe standards for the oil and gas industry. API designates Grade A25, A, B and X. The Grade X pipe is followed a number which is the yield strength in kips. For example, a pipe labeled X-52 is a line pipe with yield strength of 52,000 PSI.
ASTM (American Society for Testing Materials) – ASTM issues line pipe and steel standards.
BE (Bevel End) – Pipe that is beveled on the end. The bevel end is typically 30 degrees on line pipe. BBE stands for Bevel Both Ends.
__BTC (Buttress Threaded and Coupled) –__P ipe that has a buttress thread on both ends requiring a coupling to join two pipes together.
BW (Butt Weld) – Pipe that has a butt welded joint, the most common type of pipe joint technique.
CE (Coupled End) – Pipe that has been coupled on one end. The pipe is typically threaded on the opposite end.
CFT (Hundred Foot) – This is a method of pricing pipe per hundred foot purchased. Example: 100 Feet of pipe at $500.00/CFT is $50,000.00.
CW (Continuous Weld) – Pipe that is produced with a continuous weld, typically small diameter pipe. The steel is formed into the pipe shape while hot, then the edges are fused or welded together.
CWT (Hundred Weight) – This is a method of pricing pipe per hundred pounds. For example, $25.00/CWT is $0.25/LB, so 10,000LBS of pipe would be $2,500.00.
DRL (Double Random Length) – Surplus Pipe that has a minimum average of 35’ feet long – by definition. However, DRL’s typically range from 38’-42’ and average 40’. The average depends on the pipe manufacturer’s specification.
ERW (Electric Resistance Weld) – A pipe manufacturing method that cold-forms a sheet of steel into a cylindrical shape. The material then has high frequency current passed through to join the edges together without the use of welding filler material.
EUE (External Upset Ends) – This is common with drill pipe. The end is thicker than the tubing to make for a stronger connection between two pipes.
FBE (Fusion Bond Epoxy) – Epoxy based powder coating used to protect steel pipe. Commonly used in pipeline construction, resulting in surplus or used pipe having this type of coating.
FOB (Free on Board) – This is a term used in shipping pipe. The FOB point designates where the pipe is provided. For example, “FOB: Delivered” means the pipe pricing includes delivery to your jobsite.
ID (Inside Diameter) – The dimension of the inside diameter of the pipe.
LS (Limited Service) – Pipe that has limited service and generally does not meet the specification it was manufactured to. This pipe is usually rejected at the mill.
NPS (Nominal Pipe Size) – North American set of standards for pipes that are used for either high or low pressures or temperatures.
OD (Outer Diameter) – The dimension of the outer diameter of the pipe.
POE (Plain One End) – Also referred to as PE for Plain End. Pipe that has a 90-degree cut on the end, without additional or special treatment. PBE stands for Plain Both Ends.
PEB (Plain End Beveled) – Pipe that has one side plain end and the other side with a beveled end.
SAW (Submerged Arc Weld) – A pipe manufacturing process where pipe is rolled and welded together, typical for large diameter pipe.
SMLS (Seamless) – Pipe that is manufactured without a seam, typical for small diameter pipe.
SRL (Single Random Length) – Surplus pipe that typically averages 20’, but ranges between 16’-22’.
SST (Stainless Steel) – Also referred to as SS. Pipe made of stainless steel, containing carbon, chromium, and other alloy elements.
Std./STD (Standard) – Pipe that is manufactured at a standard schedule 40 wall thickness.
T&C (Threaded and Coupled) – Pipe that has one threaded end and the opposite end is coupled.
T&D (Tested and Drifted) – Surplus/used pipe that has been hydrostatically tested.
TOE (Threaded One End) – Also referred to as TE for threaded end. Pipe that has been threaded on one end. The pipe is typically coupled on the opposite end. TBE stands for Threaded Both Ends.
WT (Wall Thickness) – Denotes the wall thickness/weight of the pipe.
XHY (Extra Heavy) – Pipe that is manufactured at schedule 80 wall thickness.
XS (Extra Strong) – Pipe that is extra heavy or strong.
XXHY (Double Extra Heavy) – Pipe that is manufactured with double the wall thickness as schedule 80 pipe.
XXS (Double Extra Strong) – Pipe that is double extra heavy/strong or double extra heavy/strong.
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