- Completed
- PSPP-DE-SAWL-MOTHER-PIPE-2026
Third-Party Inspection & Manufacturing Expediting of SAWL Mother Pipes for Offshore Subsea Pipelines
3BPSPP tehnične dejavnosti d.o.o. carried out third-party inspection, manufacturing surveillance, and expediting activities for the production of carbon steel Submerged Arc Welded Longitudinal (SAWL) mother pipes intended for hot induction bends used in an offshore subsea pipeline project.
- 20
- SAWL mother pipes under surveillance
- X65MS
- API 5L PSL2 grade, sour service
- 3
- Months of surveillance and expediting
The Challenge
The assignment covered the manufacturing surveillance and progress monitoring of 20 SAWL mother pipes manufactured from API 5L Grade X65MS PSL2 material, with specific requirements for sour-service applications. The primary objective was to monitor manufacturing progress, verify compliance with approved Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs), support quality assurance, identify potential production and delivery risks, and coordinate outstanding technical and inspection activities.
Scope & Approach
Scope of Services
- Manufacturing Expediting: Monitoring production schedules, manufacturing progress, material availability, critical milestones, and delivery priorities.
- Material & Traceability Verification: Reviewing material identification, plate-to-pipe traceability, heat numbers, production records, and applicable material documentation.
- Fabrication Surveillance: Monitoring plate edge preparation, cold forming (JCO process), fit-up, tack welding, and longitudinal submerged arc welding operations.
- Welding Quality Verification: Reviewing welding activities, welding parameters, consumables, personnel qualifications, and compliance with approved Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) and ITP requirements.
- NDT & Testing Coordination: Monitoring the scheduling and documentation of non-destructive examinations, including automated ultrasonic testing (AUT), ultrasonic testing (UT), radiographic testing (RT), and magnetic particle testing (MT), as applicable.
- Mechanical & HIC Testing Follow-Up: Coordinating mechanical testing and hydrogen-induced cracking (HIC) testing requirements, laboratory arrangements, and inspection witnessing schedules.
- Non-Conformity Management: Following up on technical deviations, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), corrective actions, and Non-Conformance Report (NCR) closure requirements.
- Documentation & Reporting: Preparing inspection updates, manufacturing progress reports, expediting reports, and supporting traceable manufacturing documentation.
Project Execution & Quality Assurance
The assignment involved multiple on-site manufacturing surveillance visits and technical coordination activities at production facilities in Germany.
During manufacturing surveillance, the inspection team monitored the fabrication sequence, including cold forming, longitudinal welding, and subsequent quality control activities. Production progress was assessed against approved procedures and planned delivery milestones.
Following manufacturing activities, additional expediting efforts focused on coordinating testing requirements, addressing outstanding technical observations, and establishing appropriate follow-up actions to maintain compliance with project specifications.
Particular attention was given to HIC testing requirements for sour-service pipeline materials, including re-testing arrangements, laboratory coordination, inspection witnessing requirements, and structured follow-up of technical non-conformities.
Project Results
- Verified manufacturing progress through completion of cold forming and longitudinal SAW welding for the 20-pipe production scope.
- Supported welding quality surveillance and traceability of manufacturing activities.
- Provided structured reporting of manufacturing progress, technical observations, and delivery-related risks.
- Coordinated HIC re-testing arrangements and inspection requirements with the relevant technical parties.
- Established systematic follow-up of root cause analysis, outstanding non-conformities, and corrective action responsibilities.
- Strengthened technical communication and visibility of critical manufacturing and inspection milestones.
These activities supported effective quality surveillance and informed decision-making throughout the manufacturing and inspection process.
The Outcome
Through systematic manufacturing surveillance, technical inspection, and proactive expediting, 3BPSPP tehnične dejavnosti d.o.o. supported production quality control, traceability, and coordination of critical inspection and testing activities for offshore subsea pipeline components. The assignment demonstrated the company’s capabilities in third-party inspection, welding surveillance, manufacturing expediting, technical quality assurance, and non-conformity follow-up for demanding oil and gas applications.
Codes & Standards
Photographic record
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