Tenaris understands the complex requirements that the J-Lay method dictates to ensure optimal performance during the pipe laying process. In response to ourcustomers' request to reduce welding time and overall laying costs, Tenaris developedthis innovative solution that can enable you to achieve the same results.

Innovative Tubular Accessories

J-Lay Collars

J-Lay Collar CommonManufacturing Process Common manufacturingprocesses involve creating J-lay collars by forging thesteel into the desired shape.Unfortunately, this methodhas the potential to slowdown production and createlower delivery times.Additionally, if theengineering team needs tomake adjustments on thedimensions, a new mold willbe needed.

Once the J-lay collar hasbeen forged, it generallygoes through a manual UTinspection process, which isnot as accurate as theautomatic UT process thatdetects all longitudinal andtransversal outside diameter(OD) / internal diameter(ID) imperfections.

Furthermore, the manualprocess cannot performinspections on the shoulderarea, which is the mostcritical area of the J-lay collar, since it willsupport the pipe column.

Overall, performing manualUT inspections presentsgreater risks for humanerror and does not cover100% of the body of the J-lay collar.

The Tenaris SolutionThe Tenaris J-lay collars canbe designed to adapt to anycustomer requirement. Forexample, a two shoulderdesign can be used toprovide support when theweight of the pipe exceedsthe tensioning devicecapacity or to stop anybuckle in the pipe. The J-laycollars are also used towithstand the tensile load of a multi-joint pipe, themisaligned bearing load atthe collar, and the pipelinecolumn from the vessel tothe seabed.

In order to achieve suchreliable use of the J-laycollars, Tenaris designs themother pipe with a specialchemical composition andoutstanding mechanicalproperties. A CNC Lathemachine is used to machineboth the OD and the ID,along with the shoulders of the J-lay collar. Most

importantly, the mother pipeis machined with a sizablewall thickness (WT) thatensures that the ID of the J-lay collar correspondswith the ID of the flow line,which is key for deep waterprojects. The mother pipecan also be customized tocomply with specialrequirements such as NACE,heavy WT (i.e. 65 mm andmore) and high specifiedminimum yield strength(SMYS).

To ensure reliability of the J-lay Collar, Tenaris alsodeveloped a “state of theart” Non-DestructiveTesting (NDT) process withautomated UT.

This NDT process coversboth the mother pipe andthe final product, andinvolves the following: FullLength Ultrasonics on theMother Pipe, Blanking andFinal Machining, Visual andDimensional Inspection,Ultrasonics on Machined J-lay collar (CompressionWave over 100% of collarlength), Wet FlourescentMagnetic Particle Inspectionand Packing and Shipping.

! Finished J-lay collar machined from a mother pipe

Full Length AutomatedUltrasonic TestingAfter the heat treatment,which involves quenchingand tempering, the motherpipe is inspected by theultrasonics to assure theintegrity of the materialprior to blanking ormachining operations.

The mother pipe materialfor the fabrication of the J-lay collars is subject to100% volumetric ultrasonicinspection using Shear Waveultrasonics for Longitudinaland Transverse ID/OD flawdetection, and CompressionWave ultrasonics for thedetection of wall variationsand Laminar imperfections.

The finished J-lay collarsalso receive a Compression Wave inspection for Laminartype imperfections over theentire length of the J-laycollar including the bodyand the shoulders. Theartificial reference reflectorsshown on the screen shot(next page) demonstrate the sensitivity of theCompression Wave. Thesereflectors are artificiallyinduced holes used for thecalibration of the AutomaticUltrasonic Scanning System.The actual size of thereflectors range from 1mmto 3 mm.

Advantages of the TenarisSolutionThe Tenaris solutionconsiderably reduces weldingtime due to the specialchemical composition andproperties of the J-lay collar,which is designed to have aperfect match with the steelof the flowline. It also ensuresthat there will be an exactmatch between the J-laycollar ID and the flowline ID.

The automated UT systemincreases reliability byguaranteeing a 100%inspection frequency on boththe mother pipe and the J-laycollar. Due to the automatednature of the system, itavoids the “human error”factor, and also has a datastorage capability thatenables the future retrieval ofinspection data.

Lastly, our solution providesyou with the flexibility tomake adjustments to the J-lay collar design prior tomachining, if necessary.Overall, these advantagesenable the J-lay collar tobetter withstand the tensileload of multi-joint pipes andprovide better mechanicalproperties while improvingthe laying process.

The Tenaris NDT Inspection Process

The screen shot shows the C-Scan presentation of theReference Standard used for the calibration of theAutomatic UltrasonicScanning System. Theartificial reference reflectorsrange in size from 1mm to3mm and clearly demonstratethe system sensitivity.

SHOULDERSBODY

Artificial Reference Reflectors

Artificial Reference Reflectors

SCREEN SHOT OF FULLY AUTOMATED ULTRASONIC SCANNING SYSTEM

J-LAY COLLAR IN UT TESTING MACHINE

Technical Specifications Full Product Range ofTubular Accessories At Tenaris, ensuring that we develop the right productsolutions to meet the needsof our valued clients is apermanent objective. Weoffer a full suite of innovativetubular accessories whichinclude Anode Pads, Bends,Buckle Arrestors and serviceslike Internal and ExternalCoating and DoubleJointing. To support ourproduct offering, we providecustomers with their ownTenaris Project Manager.This individual serves as thesingle, proactivecommunications channelthroughout the duration ofthe project and ensures on-time delivery of the full order.

ID Tolerances: + 0/ -0.1mmDesign: According to Customer Specification

Innovative Tubular Accessories J-Lay Collars

ID ID

Contact UsFor further information, please contact your local Sales Representative orServices Development ManagerCésar Pulidocpulido@tenaris.com(52) 229 989 1109 tel(52) 229 989 1115 fax

Wet Fluorescent MagneticParticle InspectionThe entire surface of eachfinished J-lay collar is wetmagnetic particle examinedaccording to customerspecification. Thecontinuous method ofexamination is used, alongwith longitudinal andcircular magnetizationtechniques. The ID and OD surfaces are examinedand parts are demagnetizedbefore packaging.

Dimensional InspectionDimensional inspection isperformed on both the IDand OD surfaces of the J-laycollar to assure compliancewith the applicable J-laycollar design.

Inspection Frequency• Ultrasonic inspection of “Mother Pipe”: 100%• Dimensional & Visual Inspection of Finished J-Collar: 100%• Ultrasonic Inspection of Finished J-Collar: 100% • Wet Fluorescent Magnetic Particle Inspection: 100%

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