ExxonMobil Corp. has granted a license to Nippon Steel covering patented field welding technology designed for use on high-pressure pipelines made with X120 ultrahigh-strength steel line pipe.
The license includes the right to manufacture proprietary welding wire used in the pulsed gas metal arc welding process involved with the technology.
ExxonMobil said it developed the technology to ensure that field welding methods meet X120 strength requirements and be compatible with conventional pipeline construction practices.
ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co. and Nippon Steel developed X120 ultrahigh-strength line pipe. ExxonMobil said X120 is 50% stronger than X80, the strongest line pipe steel commonly used in gas transmission pipelines.