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API 1169 practice questions

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Question 1Pre-Construction and Design Considerations

A new natural gas transmission pipeline will cross a perennial stream that is a water of the United States. Which authorization is typically required before the crossing is installed?

  1. A Clean Water Act Section 402 NPDES permit for stormwater discharges
  2. A Resource Conservation and Recovery Act hazardous waste permit
  3. A Federal Energy Regulatory Commission certificate of public convenience and necessity
  4. A Clean Water Act Section 404 permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Correct answer.

Explanation

Placement of fill or excavation in waters of the United States, including many stream crossings, requires a Section 404 permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, often under a nationwide permit. Other permits may apply, but Section 404 is the authorization specifically tied to the crossing.

Question 2Pre-Construction and Design Considerations

Before excavation begins on a pipeline project, what is the primary purpose of notifying the 811 one-call center?

  1. To schedule the owner's pre-construction meeting
  2. To obtain the construction permit required for work within the public right-of-way
  3. To arrange for environmental inspection of the site
  4. To have existing underground utilities located and marked before digging Correct answer.

Explanation

The one-call system receives notice of planned excavation and notifies member utility operators to locate and mark their buried facilities. This protects existing utilities and workers before digging begins.

Question 3Pre-Construction and Design Considerations

Which construction document primarily shows the pipeline alignment, stationing, property lines, roads, and utility crossings?

  1. The alignment sheet (construction drawing) Correct answer.
  2. The material test report
  3. The welding procedure specification and procedure qualification record
  4. The hydrostatic test record

Explanation

Alignment sheets are the construction drawings that depict the route, stationing, property lines, roads, and utility crossings. They guide installation and are used to record as-built changes.

Question 4Pre-Construction and Design Considerations

Maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP) is best described as:

  1. The maximum pressure at which a pipeline may be operated under design and regulatory requirements Correct answer.
  2. The highest internal pressure the pipe can withstand before the steel yields permanently in a tensile test
  3. The pressure used during the hydrostatic strength test
  4. The pressure at which relief valves are set to open

Explanation

MAOP is the maximum pressure at which a pipeline may be operated in accordance with its design and the applicable regulations. It is established from design pressure, class location, and test requirements, and is not the same as test pressure or yield strength.

Question 5Pre-Construction and Design Considerations

What is the primary purpose of the pre-construction meeting?

  1. To review specifications, permits, responsibilities, and schedule among the parties Correct answer.
  2. To finalize the pipeline route survey
  3. To complete the as-built drawings
  4. To perform the hydrostatic strength test and record the results for the owner's records

Explanation

The pre-construction meeting brings the owner, contractor, and inspector together to review specifications, permits, responsibilities, and schedule before work starts. It helps prevent misunderstandings that could cause delays or compliance problems.

Question 6Pre-Construction and Design Considerations

Before construction crews may enter private property to install a pipeline, the project must have:

  1. A completed as-built survey showing all underground facilities and crossings
  2. Acquired the necessary right-of-way easements from the landowners Correct answer.
  3. Received the final hydrostatic test results
  4. Installed the cathodic protection system

Explanation

Pipeline construction on private property requires acquired right-of-way easements that grant the company the right to install and maintain the facility. Entry without the necessary easement can result in trespass claims and work stoppage.

Question 7Pre-Construction and Design Considerations

A Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) for a pipeline construction project is primarily intended to:

  1. Control erosion, sediment, and other pollutants leaving the site in stormwater Correct answer.
  2. Establish the maximum allowable operating pressure
  3. Document welding procedure qualifications and welder performance for the project
  4. Specify the pipeline coating system

Explanation

The SWPPP identifies erosion and sediment controls and best management practices to keep stormwater from carrying pollutants off the construction site. It supports compliance with the NPDES construction stormwater permit.

Question 8Pre-Construction and Design Considerations

Before pipe is accepted on the right-of-way, the inspector should verify that:

  1. The pipe is installed in the trench
  2. The coating has been applied in the field
  3. The pipe has already been hydrostatically tested and the charts have been reviewed
  4. Heat numbers and mill test reports match the specified material Correct answer.

Explanation

Pipe acceptance depends on verifying that the material delivered matches the specification, including heat numbers and mill test reports. This confirms the pipe's grade, chemistry, and mechanical properties before installation.

Question 9Pre-Construction and Design Considerations

A one-mile segment of steel transmission pipeline is in a rural area with 8 buildings intended for human occupancy within 220 yards of the centerline. Under 49 CFR Part 192, this segment is:

  1. Class 3
  2. Class 1 Correct answer.
  3. Class 2
  4. Class 4

Explanation

Class 1 locations include offshore areas and onshore areas with 10 or fewer buildings intended for human occupancy within 220 yards of the centerline. Class 2 begins above 10 and below 46 buildings, Class 3 at 46 or more, and Class 4 includes buildings of four or more stories.

Question 10Pre-Construction and Design Considerations

Under 49 CFR Part 192, the maximum design factor (F) permitted for steel pipe in a Class 3 location is:

  1. 0.72
  2. 0.40
  3. 0.60
  4. 0.50 Correct answer.

Explanation

The design factor decreases as population density increases: 0.72 for Class 1, 0.60 for Class 2, 0.50 for Class 3, and 0.40 for Class 4. A lower design factor requires greater wall thickness for the same pressure and pipe grade.

Question 11Pre-Construction and Design Considerations

For a new transmission line in a Class 3 location, the maximum spacing between sectionalizing block valves under 49 CFR Part 192 is:

  1. 2.5 miles
  2. 10 miles
  3. 5 miles Correct answer.
  4. 7.5 miles

Explanation

Sectionalizing block valve spacing limits are 10 miles for Class 1, 7.5 miles for Class 2, 5 miles for Class 3, and 2.5 miles for Class 4. Closer spacing reduces the volume of gas that could be released from a failed segment.

Question 12Pre-Construction and Design Considerations

In a Class 1 location, the minimum cover for a buried transmission pipeline in normal soil, outside road crossings and drainage ditches, is:

  1. 30 inches Correct answer.
  2. 36 inches
  3. 18 inches
  4. 24 inches

Explanation

In normal soil, minimum cover is 30 inches for Class 1 locations and 36 inches for Class 2, 3, and 4 locations. Cover is increased to 36 inches at road crossings and drainage ditches and may be reduced to 24 inches in consolidated rock.

Question 13Pre-Construction and Design Considerations

A pipeline will cross a public highway. Which document typically governs the crossing and must be obtained before construction?

  1. A Clean Water Act Section 404 permit for discharge of dredged or fill material
  2. A welding procedure specification
  3. An SPCC plan
  4. A highway occupancy or utility crossing permit from the road authority Correct answer.

Explanation

Crossing a public road generally requires a highway occupancy or utility crossing permit from the state or local road authority, along with an approved crossing design. The permit sets requirements for installation method, cover, and casing.

Question 14Pre-Construction and Design Considerations

A pre-construction survey identifies a previously unrecorded archaeological site within the right-of-way of a federally permitted pipeline. Review is required under:

  1. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act hazardous waste requirements
  2. Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act Correct answer.
  3. The Clean Air Act
  4. The Safe Drinking Water Act

Explanation

Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act requires federal agencies to consider the effects of federally permitted undertakings on historic properties, including archaeological sites. A find within the right-of-way must be evaluated before construction proceeds.

Question 15Pre-Construction and Design Considerations

If a federally listed threatened or endangered species may occur in the project area, the pre-construction environmental process typically requires:

  1. An SPCC plan
  2. Consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, often through a biological assessment Correct answer.
  3. A National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit for construction stormwater discharges
  4. A hydrostatic test plan

Explanation

When a listed species may be present, the project typically undergoes consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, often supported by a biological assessment. The outcome may require avoidance, minimization, or other conservation measures.

Question 16Pre-Construction and Design Considerations

At a horizontal directional drilling (HDD) crossing, the entry and exit points are set back from the feature being crossed primarily to:

  1. Eliminate the need for a hydrostatic strength test on the crossing
  2. Allow the pipeline to be welded after it is pulled through the bore
  3. Provide space for the rig and pipe layout before the crossing Correct answer.
  4. Reduce the required wall thickness of the carrier pipe

Explanation

HDD entry and exit points are set back to provide space for the drilling rig, pipe layout, and support equipment and to let the bore reach the required depth before passing beneath the feature. The setback also helps maintain a safe entry angle.

Question 17Pre-Construction and Design Considerations

In wetlands and saturated soils, which method is commonly used for buoyancy control of a buried steel pipeline?

  1. Adding additional block valves
  2. Concrete weight coating or set-on weights Correct answer.
  3. Increasing the design factor
  4. Increasing the cathodic protection current output at the nearest rectifier

Explanation

Buoyancy control keeps the pipe from floating in saturated soils and wetlands, where the pipe may be lighter than the displaced soil-water mixture. Concrete weight coating, set-on weights, and anchors are common methods.

Question 18Pre-Construction and Design Considerations

The primary purpose of a cathodic protection system on a coated steel pipeline is to:

  1. Prevent third-party excavation damage
  2. Protect exposed steel at coating holidays from corrosion Correct answer.
  3. Increase the maximum allowable operating pressure
  4. Provide electrical grounding for remotely operated valve actuators

Explanation

Cathodic protection supplies a small direct current that makes the pipe surface cathodic, so exposed steel at coating holidays does not corrode. It works together with the coating, which provides the primary barrier.

Question 19Pre-Construction and Design Considerations

For a newly constructed transmission pipeline, the minimum hydrostatic strength test pressure under 49 CFR Part 192 is generally:

  1. 1.1 times MAOP
  2. 1.5 times MAOP
  3. 2.0 times MAOP
  4. 1.25 times MAOP Correct answer.

Explanation

Under 49 CFR Part 192, the hydrostatic strength test for a new transmission line must be at least 1.25 times MAOP and held for the specified duration. Higher test pressures may be used based on design and class location.

Question 20Pre-Construction and Design Considerations

An Inspection and Test Plan (ITP) for pipeline construction typically identifies:

  1. The pipeline route, alignment sheets, and stationing for each construction spread
  2. The mill test reports for the pipe
  3. Inspection activities, acceptance criteria, and hold points Correct answer.
  4. The landowner easement agreements

Explanation

An ITP defines the inspections and tests required at each stage, the acceptance criteria, and the hold points at which work cannot proceed without approval. It is a key quality management tool for the inspector.

Question 21Pre-Construction and Design Considerations

A pipeline is designed for an MAOP of 1,000 psig using 12.75-inch OD pipe with SMYS of 52,000 psi and a design factor of 0.72. Using the Barlow formula, the minimum required wall thickness is closest to:

  1. 0.250 inch
  2. 0.125 inch
  3. 0.375 inch
  4. 0.170 inch Correct answer.

Explanation

Barlow's equation gives t = P × D / (2 × S × F). Substituting 1,000 psi, 12.75 inches, 52,000 psi, and 0.72 gives about 0.170 inch as the minimum nominal wall thickness for pressure containment.

Question 22Pre-Construction and Design Considerations

For a pipeline installed in rocky, abrasive soil, which coating property is most important in the coating selection?

  1. High ultraviolet resistance for long-term exposure during storage
  2. Low application temperature
  3. Abrasion resistance and mechanical toughness Correct answer.
  4. High electrical conductivity

Explanation

Rocky, abrasive backfill can damage a coating during lowering-in and backfilling, so abrasion resistance and mechanical toughness are critical. The coating must survive installation and in-service soil loads while maintaining dielectric integrity.

Question 23Pre-Construction and Design Considerations

A proposed route crosses a steep slope underlain by unstable soils. The most appropriate pre-construction design response is to:

  1. Perform a geotechnical evaluation and consider rerouting or stabilization Correct answer.
  2. Install additional block valves
  3. Delete the hydrostatic test for that segment
  4. Increase the design factor for that segment to reduce required wall thickness

Explanation

Unstable slopes create risks of landslide, pipe strain, and loss of cover, so the design must address geotechnical stability. Options include rerouting, slope stabilization, drainage control, and special construction methods.

Question 24Pre-Construction and Design Considerations

A route change moves a pipeline segment from an area with 9 buildings within 220 yards to an area with 30 buildings within 220 yards. What is the most direct design consequence under 49 CFR Part 192?

  1. The MAOP must be increased to compensate for the additional buildings
  2. The segment changes from Class 2 to Class 3, lowering the design factor
  3. The minimum cover may be reduced because of the increased population
  4. The segment changes from Class 1 to Class 2, lowering the design factor Correct answer.

Explanation

With 9 buildings the segment is Class 1; with 30 buildings it becomes Class 2 because more than 10 but fewer than 46 buildings are within 220 yards. The design factor drops from 0.72 to 0.60, which generally requires greater wall thickness for the same MAOP.

Question 25Pre-Construction and Design Considerations

For a pipeline crossing a large river by horizontal directional drilling, the bore path is designed to pass below the riverbed at a depth that primarily:

  1. Allows the pipeline to be installed without any external coating or cathodic protection
  2. Reduces the required hydrostatic test pressure
  3. Keeps the bore below scour depth and avoids disturbance of the riverbed and banks Correct answer.
  4. Eliminates the need for a Section 404 permit

Explanation

The bore path is set below expected scour depth and well beneath the riverbed to avoid disturbance of the waterway and to protect the pipe from riverbed changes. The design considers geotechnical conditions, crossing length, and environmental permits.

Question 26Pre-Construction and Design Considerations

A project specification requires that every length of line pipe be traceable to the heat of steel from which it was made. The document that provides the chemical composition and mechanical test results for that heat is the:

  1. Coating applicator's surface preparation and application record
  2. Bill of lading issued by the carrier that delivered the pipe
  3. Mill hydrostatic test chart recorded at the end of the pipe mill
  4. Mill test report issued for the heat of steel Correct answer.

Explanation

The mill test report documents the chemical analysis and mechanical properties (yield strength, tensile strength, elongation, impact results where required) for a specific heat of steel, and the heat number is stenciled on each joint so the report can be matched to the pipe. Material requirements in 49 CFR Part 192 and the project specification make this report part of the permanent construction record used to confirm the pipe meets the specified grade. Shipping documents and coating records do not report steel properties.

Question 27Pre-Construction and Design Considerations

A proposed route parallels and then crosses a 12-inch natural gas transmission line owned and operated by another company. Before construction, the project team should:

  1. Notify the foreign operator in writing only after the crossing has been installed and backfilled
  2. Obtain a crossing agreement and approval from the foreign line's operator Correct answer.
  3. Relocate the foreign pipeline outside the new right-of-way at the project's expense before construction begins
  4. Install a full-bore tap on the foreign pipeline to equalize operating pressures during the crossing work

Explanation

A crossing of another operator's pipeline is governed by a crossing agreement negotiated during design, which fixes separation, construction methods, shoring, observation and notification requirements, and assigns liability. The foreign operator must review and approve the crossing details before work begins, and often a company representative observes the excavation and backfill. Unilateral actions on another operator's facility are not permitted.

Question 28Pre-Construction and Design Considerations

An engineer is calculating the design pressure of a new steel transmission line using the B31.8 / 49 CFR 192 design formula. For the wall thickness term in the formula, the engineer should use:

  1. The nominal wall thickness specified in the purchase order Correct answer.
  2. The nominal wall thickness reduced by the permitted mill under-tolerance
  3. The lowest wall thickness measured on a sample of joints from the mill test report
  4. The nominal wall thickness increased by the corrosion allowance stated in the design basis

Explanation

The design pressure equation is built around the nominal wall thickness of the pipe as specified, together with the specified minimum yield strength, diameter, design factor, longitudinal joint factor and temperature derating factor. Mill under-tolerance and measured wall variations are not deducted in the formula; they are addressed through the material specification and the design factor. This keeps the calculation consistent and reproducible for every joint of a given specification.

Question 29Materials and Equipment

In the designation API 5L X70 line pipe, what does the number 70 represent?

  1. Nominal wall thickness of 0.70 in
  2. Maximum permitted hardness of 70 HRB
  3. Specified minimum yield strength of 70,000 psi Correct answer.
  4. Specified minimum tensile strength of 70,000 psi

Explanation

API 5L grade designations state the specified minimum yield strength in thousands of pounds per square inch, so X70 pipe has an SMYS of 70,000 psi (about 483 MPa). Tensile strength is a separate requirement given in the same specification and is always higher than yield.

Question 30Materials and Equipment

Which specification governs the manufacture of steel line pipe used in pipeline construction?

  1. ASME B16.9
  2. API 1104
  3. API 6D
  4. API 5L Correct answer.

Explanation

API 5L is the specification for line pipe and covers chemistry, mechanical properties, dimensions and tolerances. The other documents address valves, fittings, and welding, respectively.

Question 31Materials and Equipment

How should coated line pipe be positioned for storage at a stockpile?

  1. Stacked upright in racks with the coating covered by tarps
  2. On steel rails so the pipe ends drain freely
  3. On timber skids or dunnage clear of the ground Correct answer.
  4. Directly on the graded surface with the coating facing up

Explanation

Pipe is stored on timber skids, sandbags or other dunnage so it is kept off the ground, which limits coating damage and ground-level corrosion. Supports also spread the load and allow the stack to be blocked against rolling.

Question 32Materials and Equipment

Which lifting arrangement is acceptable for moving fusion-bonded epoxy coated pipe?

  1. Forklift tines placed directly against the coated surface of the pipe
  2. Chain slings with end hooks engaged in the bevel
  3. Wire rope chokers placed at third points
  4. Nylon slings or padded hooks bearing on the pipe body Correct answer.

Explanation

Coated pipe is handled with non-abrasive slings, padded hooks or coated end hooks so the coating is not cut, gouged or crushed. Hard metal contact points such as bare chain, cable or tines are padded or avoided entirely.

Question 33Materials and Equipment

During receiving inspection, which document links a length of pipe to its chemical and mechanical test results?

  1. The coating applicator's cure record
  2. The daily construction report
  3. The purchase order line item
  4. The mill test report showing the heat number Correct answer.

Explanation

The mill test report records the chemical analysis and mechanical test results for a specific heat, and the heat number on the report is matched to the number stencilled on the pipe. This traceability demonstrates that the delivered material meets the ordered specification.

Question 34Materials and Equipment

Low-hydrogen electrodes are found in a package that has been torn and exposed to humid air. What is the appropriate action?

  1. Return the entire shipment to the supplier and reject all electrodes
  2. Bake them at 800 °F for one hour to restore the hydrogen level
  3. Use them immediately, since the flux coating is still intact
  4. Dry them in a holding oven per the manufacturer's directions Correct answer.

Explanation

Moisture picked up by low-hydrogen electrode coatings must be driven off by reconditioning in a controlled drying oven at the time and temperature the manufacturer specifies. Electrodes are then transferred to a holding oven until issued.

Question 35Materials and Equipment

Electrodes of the E7018 classification awaiting use should be held in a holding oven at approximately what temperature?

  1. 150 °F to 200 °F
  2. 250 °F to 300 °F Correct answer.
  3. 400 °F to 450 °F
  4. 100 °F to 150 °F

Explanation

Low-hydrogen electrodes are stored in holding ovens typically maintained around 250 °F to 300 °F to keep the coating dry until the electrode is issued. Temperatures must follow the manufacturer's recommendation and be recorded.

Question 36Materials and Equipment

Which method is used to detect pinholes and holidays in a pipeline coating after application?

  1. Dry film thickness gauge readings at one-metre intervals
  2. An ultrasonic wall thickness survey
  3. A holiday detector passed over the surface at the specified voltage Correct answer.
  4. A tape adhesion pull test

Explanation

Holiday detection applies a voltage across the coating so that a current path through a pinhole or thin spot is indicated, either audibly or visually. The test voltage is selected according to coating type and thickness so that sound coating is not damaged.

Question 37Materials and Equipment

What is the primary function of an internal mandrel during field bending of line pipe?

  1. It heats the pipe to the required bending temperature
  2. It applies the pulling force to the pipe end
  3. It measures the bend angle as the bend progresses
  4. It supports the pipe bore and limits ovality and wrinkling Correct answer.

Explanation

An internal mandrel is positioned in the pipe at the point of bending to support the bore, which limits ovality and prevents wrinkling on the inside of the bend. Its size and position are adjusted to suit the pipe diameter and wall thickness.

Question 38Materials and Equipment

Which technique is used in the field to verify pipe wall thickness without cutting the pipe?

  1. Magnetic particle inspection of the outside surface
  2. Wet fluorescent penetrant inspection
  3. Hydrostatic proof testing of each joint
  4. Ultrasonic thickness gauging Correct answer.

Explanation

Ultrasonic thickness gauging sends a pulse through the steel and times the echo from the inner surface, giving a direct wall thickness reading. The instrument is calibrated against a step block of the same material before use.

Question 39Materials and Equipment

How should valves be prepared for outdoor storage before installation?

  1. With the stem removed and the bore oiled
  2. With the flange faces greased and left exposed
  3. With the packing gland fully loosened to relieve pressure
  4. With the end closures left in place to keep out dirt and moisture Correct answer.

Explanation

Valves are shipped and stored with protective end caps or flange covers that keep out water, grit and animals until the valve is installed. The valve is stored in a clean, dry location and lifted by approved points, not by the stem or handwheel.

Question 40Materials and Equipment

Which gasket type is typically specified for high-pressure pipeline flanges?

  1. PTFE envelope gasket
  2. Full-face elastomer sheet gasket
  3. Compressed fibre sheet gasket
  4. Spiral-wound metallic gasket Correct answer.

Explanation

Spiral-wound gaskets combine a metal winding with a soft filler and are used in high-pressure, high-temperature flanged joints where a confined seating load is needed. They must be matched to the flange facing, bolting and service conditions.

Question 41Materials and Equipment

Why is concrete weight coating applied to a section of river-crossing pipe?

  1. To reduce the external diameter of the pipe for pull-through
  2. To provide the primary corrosion barrier for the steel
  3. To add negative buoyancy so the submerged pipe stays in place Correct answer.
  4. To increase the internal pressure rating of the pipe

Explanation

Concrete coating adds mass so that the submerged pipe's weight exceeds the buoyant uplift of the displaced water and any river current loads. Corrosion control remains the job of the underlying coating and cathodic protection.

Question 42Materials and Equipment

An inspector finds a damaged area on a three-layer polyethylene coating. What governs the repair material selected?

  1. Any fast-curing epoxy available in the site store
  2. An approved repair material compatible with the existing coating Correct answer.
  3. The same material used for the concrete weight coating
  4. A material chosen by the contractor on the basis of cost

Explanation

Repairs must use a product approved for the specific coating system so that adhesion, flexibility and long-term performance match the parent coating. Compatibility and the approved application procedure are normally fixed by the project specification.

Question 43Materials and Equipment

When line pipe is stacked in pyramids at a storage yard, what is required to prevent rolling?

  1. Only single-tier stacks are allowed
  2. Chocks or blocking should be placed at the bottom tier Correct answer.
  3. The pipe should be nested with the bevels aligned
  4. The bottom tier should be buried in compacted soil

Explanation

Stacks are blocked or chocked at the outer pipes of the bottom tier so the pyramid cannot spread and the pipe cannot roll. Stack height is also limited to what the supports and ground can safely carry.

Question 44Materials and Equipment

A field bend is found to have measurable out-of-roundness. On what basis is the bend accepted or rejected?

  1. Ovality is present only in the coated portion of the bend
  2. The bend angle is less than one degree per pipe diameter
  3. The ovality exceeds the limit in the applicable code or project specification Correct answer.
  4. The bend was formed with a bending machine rather than a bending shoe

Explanation

Bend acceptance is judged against the out-of-roundness and wall-thinning limits in the governing pipeline code or the project specification. A bend exceeding those limits is rejected regardless of how it was produced.

Question 45Materials and Equipment

Which shielding gas or mixture is commonly used for gas metal arc welding of pipeline girth welds?

  1. Pure nitrogen
  2. Pure oxygen
  3. Carbon dioxide or an argon–CO2 blend Correct answer.
  4. Compressed plant air

Explanation

Carbon dioxide, or an argon–carbon dioxide mixture, provides the shielding and arc characteristics needed for GMAW girth welding of steel pipe. The specific mixture is set by the qualified welding procedure.

Question 46Materials and Equipment

Which anode material is most commonly selected for the cathodic protection of a buried onshore steel pipeline?

  1. Magnesium Correct answer.
  2. Platinized titanium
  3. Silver–silver chloride
  4. Graphite

Explanation

Magnesium is the standard galvanic anode for buried onshore steel because its potential is sufficiently negative to protect steel in soil. The number, size and spacing of anodes are determined by the current requirement and soil resistivity.

Question 47Materials and Equipment

Before internal inspection or pigging of a newly constructed pipeline, what must be done to the pipe internals?

  1. The bore must be swabbed with a solvent containing chlorides
  2. The interior must be coated with a temporary oil film
  3. Debris, mill scale and foreign material must be removed Correct answer.
  4. The interior must be filled with water

Explanation

Internal cleanliness is required so that pigs and inspection tools are not damaged and so that the inspection results are not masked by debris. Construction debris, mill scale and foreign objects are removed during cleaning runs.

Question 48Materials and Equipment

In pipeline coating terminology, what does the abbreviation FBE identify?

  1. Flexible butyl elastomer
  2. Field brush epoxy
  3. Fibre-bonded enamel
  4. Fusion-bonded epoxy Correct answer.

Explanation

FBE is fusion-bonded epoxy, a heat-applied powder coating used as a plant-applied external coating and often as an internal flow coating. Its performance depends on surface preparation, application temperature and cure.

Question 49Materials and Equipment

When cold-applied tape coating is wrapped onto a pipe, what is required of successive wraps?

  1. The laps should be left open so trapped moisture can escape
  2. The laps should butt tightly with no overlap
  3. The laps should overlap by at least half the tape width on every pass
  4. Laps must meet the overlap specified by the coating manufacturer Correct answer.

Explanation

Tape systems require a controlled overlap between successive wraps, normally stated by the manufacturer, so that no bare spiral is left between passes. Too little overlap leaves a holiday path; excessive overlap wastes material and can wrinkle.

Question 50Materials and Equipment

A pipe end is presented for girth welding. Which bevel configuration is standard for an API 5L beveled end?

  1. A 45° bevel with a 1/4 in land
  2. A double-V bevel on all pipe under 12 in
  3. A square-cut end with no land
  4. A 30° bevel with a root face of about 1/16 in Correct answer.

Explanation

The standard API 5L bevel is nominally 30 degrees with a small root face, approximately 1/16 in, so a proper root gap and root pass can be made. The bevel and land are checked at receiving and again before welding.