Godin Lake Trial: X120 Field Welding

In February 2004, ExxonMobil and TransCanada PipeLines, Limited (TCPL) cooperated to construct a 1.6 km long segment of X120 pipeline near Wabasca, Alberta. The line included numerous mainline and tie-in welds, and an extra section of pipe was constructed in the field for later destructive testing to assess the characteristics of field welds. This line represented the first field application of welding procedures and consumables developed specifically for X120. The technologies used performed well; productivity and weld repair rates were better than expected, and the properties of these welds made in challenging conditions compare well with development welds made under controlled “shop” conditions.