Question – What is the difference between

a- Specification
b- Standard

Answer - Standards are always internationally accepted and universally followed

Specifications – are derived from Standards and with respect to specific project
requirements. The details of the specification will also cover the requirements of the
international standards. The specification can be stringent as well as can be more liberal
depending upon the project requirement.

API / AWS / ASME are International Standards

ARAMCO – SAES –W-013 / 12-SAMSS -018 are specifications.

Specification and Standards always are referred with respect to year of Edition.

1- It is mandatory when referring to any Standard or Specification to refer and mention the
year of Edition. – Why?
2- The Designing of a project are conceived based on the codes available at the time of
conception. This can be five to six years before fabrication of the project starts.

The things we are going to discuss are with respect to the Fabrication of Offshore Platform.

Two types of Codes are always required

1- Reference Code
2- Fabrication Code

Offshore platform the reference Code is API RP 2A- WSD (Primary)

Planning, Designing and Constructing Fixed Off-Shore Platforms.

Other reference Codes for

SAMMS – Saudi Aramco Materials System Specification

Material –

1- Material - 12-SAMS-018 Structural Plates, Rolled Shapes & Tubular Specification for Fixed
Offshore Platforms.
2- Fabrication
3- Welding

Scope – Defines the grades of Carbon Steel plates, rolled shapes and Tubular that are used for
construction of a fixed offshore platform should be as per API RP 2A-WSD.It also gives the minimum
additional requirement for the manufacture and supply of these material. It also gives the
acceptable substitute material details.

Steels as per API RP 2A –WSD (Group III should not be used)

Table 8.1.4-1 & 4-2 and 8.2.1-1 (Group I & II)

All Steels shall be killed or Semi-Killed.

What is meant by Killed or Semi-killed?

Classification of Steels into three types with respect to its use in service

What is the Specification – SAES- M-005

Critical Service Primary Service General Service

Plates - PL1 /PL2/ PL4

Rolled Shapes – SH2 / SH4

Rolled Tubulars – RT1 – PL1 / RT2-PL2 / RT4- PL4

Pipe Material – T2 (Grade – X52 ) / T3 (Grade – X52) / T4 (Grade B,X42 or X 52)

Material Requirements

1- Use of wall thickness in excess of that given in the drawing & outside of the dimensional
tolerances for the given product is not permitted without written approval from Saudi
Aramco
2- Pcm & CE will be used. CE formula will be used if carbon content is more than 0.12% .Pcm
will be used if carbon content is less than or equal to 0.12%

3- Yield strength to tensile strength ratio shall not exceed the following for PL1 / PL2 / RT1 /
RT2 &T2

Restrictions in Fabrication for the materials as per API Spec 2W

a-Heating or hot forming should not exceed 550 0C

b-Thickness should not be more than 75 mm

What are the supplementary requirements?

Where is it defined? API SPEC 2H or 2W

1- S1 – UT Testing
2- S3 – Individual plate testing
3- S4 – Through testing for material over 19mm in thickness
4- S5 – Low Sulphur
5- S7- Low Nitrogen

Material Grade Supplementary Welding Average CE max Pcm

procedure max
PL1 / RT1 API SPEC 2H Impact Avg.34 J 0.42 0.23
Gr.42 or testing at – Min 26 J
Gr.50 (-)400C
API SPEC S1;S3;S4(T>19);S5;S7
2WGr.50
PL2/RT2 API SPEC 2H Impact Avg.34 J 0.42 0.23
Gr.42 or testing at – Min 26 J
Gr.50 (-)400C
API SPEC 2W S5 ; S7
Gr.50
PL4/RT4 API t>13 to be Avg.27 J 0.45 0.25
RP2A(Group- impact Min 20 J
I &II) tested /
heat.
Impact
testing at –
(-)180C
SH2 API Sulphur <0.010% Flange Avg.27 J 0.42 0.23
RP2A(Group- thickness>13 Min 20 J
I &II) to be impact
tested /
heat.
Impact
testing at –
(-)180C
SH4 API Flange Avg.27 J 0.45 0.25
RP2A(Group- thickness>13 Min 20 J
I &II) to be impact
tested /
heat.
Impact
testing at –
(-)180C
T2pipe API SPEC 5L Wall Thickness <38 Impact Avg.40 J 0.42 0.23
X52 mm testing at – Min 30 J
Seamless / Welded (-)180C
( SAW)
Hydro test & API Spec
5L monogram not
required
T3pipe API SPEC 5L Wall Thickness <38 0.42 0.23
X52 mm
Seamless /
longitudinal seam
welded ( SAW)
Hydro test & API Spec
 5L monogram not
required
T3pipe API SPEC 5L Wall Thickness <38 0.45 0.25
Gr B / X42 / mm
X52 Seamless /
longitudinal seam
welded ( SAW)
Electric Resistance
welded pipe
Hydro test & API Spec
5L monogram not
required

Tolerances

Rolled Shapes & Plates – as rolled – ASTM A6 Section 13.3.2

T2/ T3/T4 – as per API SPEC 2B