Repair Welding a Live Gas Line on FIRE! | Stick Welding (SMAW)

[@weldtube]

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[@MrOrchidion]

that commercial two minutes in made me stopw atching what I was already finding a fascinating video.

[@tommyp4728]

loving the normal day to day field work we all do. also finally a smart welder who wears his fresh airpack. respect.

[@sparklesparklesparkle6318]

If you're afraid of breathing in amnesia inducing and brain damaging aluminum dust then you're just too much of a whiney crybaby to be a welder. Which is exactly why I stopped welding. I would walk out at the end of the shift barely able to remember my own name. Thankfully I had brain damage before the job anyway so I had very little left to lose.

[@businessashusual]

@@sparklesparklesparkle6318 Of all the things I ever lost I miss my mind the most.

[@MrMarre13]

i got the exact same one, i love it!

[@oldfarmer4700]

Our shop took care of all the gas distribution thru out a military installation. Lots of pipe was welded, some new and some old and live. The fun we always had was watch the people run like hell once the torch was lit getting ready to cut the pipe. More than once we had sidewalk superintendents call the fire dept or military police on us and telling them we were crazy and dangerous.

[@Dane33781]

How do they expect you to do it?

[@psychiatry-is-eugenics]

@@Dane33781 - probably want to shut down the line and purge it

[@sp10sn]

@@psychiatry-is-eugenics absolutely

[@Dane33781]

@@psychiatry-is-eugenics That's not always possible. You can shut down and purge 10 feet but 10 miles is another thing entirely.

[@SegoMan]

@@Dane33781 With a big enough air handler you can, but your venting raw gas to the atmosphere creating a bigger danger..

[@tek4]

I'm a electrician and electrical welder. I make sparks on non essential or non critical stuff, and there is so much to welding in general that people never see.

[@dplant8961]

Hi, Folks. I saw this being done in Sydney, Australia, in 1975 at the Australian Gaslight Company's Chullora depot as a tie-in weld - on 22" pipe. It is NOT a job for amateurs - - - or the faint hearted. Thank you, Sam Butler, for reviving an old memory and sharing this process. Just my 0.02. You all have a wonderful day. Best wishes. Deas Plant.

[@sparklesparklesparkle6318]

I dunno man it sounds scary at first but I mean it's already on fire. What's the worst that going to happen are you going to set it on fire? Oh wait it's already on fire.

[@SegoMan]

@@sparklesparklesparkle6318 You keep the eternal flame burning, as an explosion creates high pressure followed by low pressure that sucks O2 back into the line creating an ever bigger explosion the next time. Did my first hot work at 18

[@RedHaloManiac95]

That’s where the catalytic converter from my Cummins went!

[@fernandoflores4996]

I did this for 2 years loved welding the natural gas lines was in Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, representing 🇲🇽

[@noahtavis6636]

Where at in Alabama my man

[@bh6568]

Don’t know how you guys walk normal having ‘stones’ that big to weld on live gas lines. Well done man! Respect

[@EddieVBlueIsland]

If stress is an issue then stress relieve the pieces at 1200°F or anneal at 1600°F - those shells appear to be cold stamped (metal stamping) and will have high residual stresses -also sometimes those die are magnetized (picked up and handled with magnets) and will mangnetize the finished stamping . BTW annealing in controlled atmosphere is best since it not only refines the grain sizes but also eliminated magnetism. Nice work.

[@Zeknix]

Really that should be a comment for the manufacturers..... then again it might just add more cost than what the project calls for. Residential gas lines are under very low pressures so those stresses might not be an issue. At least he's pointing out something only experienced welders would notice. Gives us lay welders some explanation as to what is happening.

[@paulkurilecz4209]

That style of fitting is hot forged to form each half from plate. If it was a split sleeve, those are usually rolled from plate.

[@parker1ray]

Worked both in oil field and for the City of Corpus Christi, TX in the 80's before most of you young welders were crapping in your diapers! I worked on emergency leak crew in the city welding on live one way and two way hi pressure and low pressure mains daily! I worked as a welders helper doing turn arounds for Repcon in the early 80's in alky and gas units wearing a class A hazmat suite in 110 degree heat. That will separate the men from the boys! We had dropouts several times a day that took the ambulance ride!

[@tonymontana3441]

Hello WeldTube ! This video was really interesting ! please make another video like this, cause i'm french welder and in france we don't have welder like us who's shows different jobs and different technics very very interesting, i can study welding very well with you'r videos !!! Thanks for all !

[@Sickofsociety1]

Are you sure you're not Cuban?

[@thejohnbeck]

i envision french welders do their jobs while sipping on wine, eating a high quality freshly baked baguette. no good french bakeries near me, le sigh.

[@HogMan2022]

Great video! I hot tapped fuel lines (jet fuel, aviation gasoline, etc.) for thirty-five years. Retired fifteen years now and I miss it a lot. This brings back good memories! Stay safe and have fun! 👈🙋

[@scotthorton5117]

im certain you have some some spine tingling stories about the things youve seen Ole Stick!

[@HogMan2022]

@@scotthorton5117 yes indeed, sounds like you've been there! 👈🙋

[@scotthorton5117]

@@HogMan2022 I haven't eaten sir I have done that but I have had the privilege of witnessing some truly great people doing it! People with skills beyond belief. And I'm sure your skill level ranks up there with the supernatural.

[@canniballectus2560]

Always nice to see a video where someone mentions safety, company P&P and PPE. "Real men" might not wear safety gear but at least some men still have their eyes and fingers.

[@EJOrtizWelder]

And full lung capacity with minimal chance at getting lung cancer and/or damaged organs. Safety is of the utmost importance.

[@00Gizmo]

Welding live gas mains is what my uncle does for a living lmao. Awesome to be able to see how it's done. I don't know if he uses a clamshell like that or not, but still amazing to watch either way.

[@danielpullum1907]

Very interesting. When I was a kid they put in natural gas lines in our little town. The pipe went down our alley and I got to watch them weld the sections. The operator would show off by welding underneath without looking....or so I remember. Neither was there gas in the pipe at that time. I watched a power co. weldor install a valve in a live gas line where we live 35 years after the first experience. It seemed pretty spooky to me. He was concerned.

[@petermccuskey1832]

Thank you I have been welding for over 40 yrs and never have had to do this. I learned a lot thank you> and stay safe.

[@IMKINDOFABIGDEAL13]

That must have been so nerve racking the first time. I feel like you must have said to the boss man. “You want me to do what?” Hahahaha

[@Cragified]

It's just hot is all. There isn't any air and thus oxygen in the rest of the gas line so as long as your are flaring it off no gas will build up in the presence of oxygen to have a flash.

[@Dagonius.]

Wow. I didn't know this was a thing, or even possible... Great job! You guys are heros! Take care and thanks for the vid!

[@frankpristov9745]

This is no job for a newbie just out of weld school, appreciate the video and all the commentary that went with it

[@alekescalante2010]

Are u able to switch the side the ground is on. That's how we fixed the magnetic interference of the arc. Didn't always work but helps if it's stubborn.

[@lisamcqueen8509]

Nice work! Enjoy seeing other welders line of work! Thanks for sharing.... FEEL THE HEAT! STEVE

[@deeznutzz8375]

Question. If there is a round hole where the leak is, why not grind the area and run a self tapping bolt into it the hole. Gas leak is now stopped!!! . Now Weld over the bolt!? Or is the area where the bolt is has too much corrosion in the area??!

[@dallynsr]

You would have to actually use a thread cutting tap to go 3/16. Self tapping tech screws are intended for thin metal applications. But the idea of using the self-tapping screw and welding around it sounds a lot simpler and safer though.

[@GaryWells-sr2rf]

If the gas company you are working for has a procedure to weld on the gas line, you have to follow that procedure. We had to weld a root bead with 1/8” 6010, then hot pass and cap with 7018 on the pumpkin. We then had to weld with 7018 onto the live gas line.

[@spiv_gennedy]

You know you've been around welders too long when you instinctively squint when you see an arc. Even on a screen...

[@MowBeta]

Only took an Intro to Welding class years ago but I still can't watch this video continuously even tho it's on a computer screen. Yet the process fascinates me... never knew how this was done.

[@danielpullum1907]

Interesting. I watched a welder replace a gas valve in a residential gas line. He also utilized a Mueller valve installer. The valve was down in a ditch if front of my house. He was very precise in every move he made.

[@gmeast]

I don't understand ... that pipe ends right there?????????

[@severnia]

Went down the KZbin rabbit hole and end up here somehow. Not something I set out to watch, but you got me for about 16 minutes, good job!

[@fwbii]

Kudos!👍🏻 Mad Skilz! 🙂Tip O the Hat to you for your Knowledge, Craftsmanship, and Safety. So very Awesome!🌟

[@firstmkb]

That was interesting, thanks! I would not have considered welding on a live gas line, and I still wouldn’t. You definitely know what you’re doing, which makes a big difference!

[@mblulz]

its not that deep man... hot taps are only scary if you don't use the proper safety techniques

[@firstmkb]

@@mblulz I get it, but I’m just a crappy home welder. I’ve seen guys work on live 400 KV power lines from helicopters, and while I understand the physics, I’ll pass on that too. Hats off to people who know what they’re doing!

[@Argosh]

@@mblulz do tell what "safety techniques" were used here? To be fair I don't know the pressure and flowrates you're dealing with, but doing this at any of the sites I worked at over the years would get you fired and probably a lawsuit for attempted manslaughter...

[@m4rvinmartian]

*_This was pretty cool, thanks._*

[@torchofkck4989]

Thanks for sharing. Quite informative. Only thing that could make it any better, would be a text overview of any amperage changes with your rod swap outs. Thanks again.

[@bjen2005]

Nice content. Real world welding.

[@JustHere999dl]

AS an experienced novice, I swear I could do this. Looks like fun to me.

[@erichyson113]

Absolutely fascinating. You are very talented. Nice work!

[@nuggetwv5302]

I had always wondered how that process was completed. Thank you.

[@C-M-E]

The beauty of doing a job like this, there's only one stage worse that it can go, so there's no pressure you caused the situation. Best case you're fine and look like a damn hero. Worst case, your job site ends up on the news but you're not there, err, moreover, you're everywhere else.

[@chavoncoleman9187]

love this bro from Jamaica watching this is what i do for a living.

[@atakayasu8759]

Hi. My husband does that tipe of welding sometimes for Sasol South Africa as a Subcontractor. However the sad part is that besides been a high risk job, the contractor is the only one who makes money, in the meantime the rest just get the breadcrumbs

[@4dirt2racer0]

what pressure was the gas in the line at when they were doin all this? i assume they kept it flowing just enough to keep the flame front from travelling back in the pipe?? or is it somethin else completely?

[@kukipett]

Fire cannot go back into the pipe as there is no oxygen in it, If the pipe as not been purged from any oxygen it could lead to an explosion !

[@taithebest94]

How is your breathingpack during this work? Could you tell me some about it? Good job man

[@t.dig.2040]

I am sitting here thinking, how would I show this on a P&ID? 😆 🤣

[@NelsonBarbero]

Exelente video saludos desde Argentina!

[@simon-christopherchung885]

This is amazing work I must say. One question though, why not 7018 after the root pass or is this a specified procedure that requires all cellulose rod? Plenty of love from Jamaica 🇯🇲 🇯🇲🇯🇲 you guys have made videos to help me over the years.

[@shahdostwelder2117]

Chcek my videos

[@Mrfitrider1]

7018 doesn't work too well on rusty old pipes so xx10 is standard option. You also can't grind down to bare metal sometimes because you'll compromise wall thickness

[@jeffs.5882]

Also ya can't downhand xx18.

[@sammorris1452]

Also 7018 rusts quicker

[@howardhughes6212]

bro stop watching this trash. it will make you worse.

[@nathkrupa3463]

Wow nice I always love your videos sir nice explanation and brilliant welding techniques thank you so much sir.

[@Life-In-Bits]

Whoa! This channel means business... anyone else catch the Arri?

[@r1w3d]

Costs more than everything else on set together... and yet it still wasn't a great looking vid 🤣

[@ThePoluidor]

Thank you brother

[@omarandpedro]

what a great narration

[@f87115]

I’m not gonna come on here and tell the world of my years of experience or how awesome I am ,, y’all know who ya are in the comments ,, the shoulda woudas what I would have done people ,,, just shush , good video great teacher

[@Fracturedspleen]

I worked in a shop that manufactured these type of clamshells. I don’t know if it’s the same everywhere but we used a cold process. Just a massive 230 ton hammer and smash it into shape. It was crazy loud

[@overtheclouds9]

Sweet video. I’ve never done a live line. Good to see how it’s done, right.

[@boboften9952]

" Flare Pipe ' This is done Exactly as I thought . " Same reason as a flare on an oil rig " " without a flare burn off the gas is gathering low at the leak point , this way the gas is drawn off . " " drawn off by being burnt off "

[@mikepflueger8597]

It looks like your pushing that 7018. Is that ok if your Oscillating? Nice work man!

[@johnpappas2060]

Bless Another excellent video. Really enjoyed it. Thanks 😊

[@AROinGarage]

Great video! Very interesting, thx! :)

[@pablonicolasveralopez9212]

Hola, saludos desde Argentina, excelente vídeo!

[@nateg4236]

I heard before that my grandfather used to do "hot taps" at a a plant on the Ohio River back in the day. He welded for Columbia gas for 40 years. My dad was local union welder for 35. Both highly skilled at everything. My dad said he used to go on those hot tap jobs to help. Said they'd clear out that whole side of the plant. Lol. I don't know too much about the process, I just know it was on a decent size gas line. Gas in it obviously.

[@nateg4236]

@Not Available joined 2 weeks ago and made 5 negative comments. Do you really think anyone is worried about a person like you? Sad really.

[@K3Flyguy]

@Not Available Perhaps, but you on the other hand are a certified wise ass for all U tube to see! That's really something to achieve in your short life span. Congrats!

[@paulkurilecz4209]

Even though you were welding on a low pressure main, I would still recommend that you use an E7018 rod especially on 0.188" wt pipe. Also, do you perform a thermal analysis on your welding parameters for the job? If you haven't, I highly recommend it.

[@the_inquisitive_inquisitor]

I was a pizza cook for 10 years before I started learning to weld and I think I'm just a lot more comfortable *being on fire* than the average person. I was doing an HGX cut on an 18" x 3/4" pipe at school today and I burned through my heat shield and caught my glove on fire before I decided to stop.

[@cesararmandocasas7986]

I’m trying so hard to get in this line of work… I’m currently in Houston tx

[@mrtsonya]

Super idea 🎉❤

[@chrisplayz253]

If the end of the pipe is right next to you couldn't u just have the pumpkin already sealed and just slide it over the end of the pipe and weld round the ends?

[@jeevunvethanayagam6536]

This is just for demonstration I think

[@edradtke287]

thanks that was fun!

[@totalfirewood2289]

Looks good . We would do a line stop and just recap the end since its dead ended . I've weld on a made in the USA bottom out one time from a big name manufacturer and it had China stamped on one of the conners .

[@totalfirewood2289]

Great work . The last part could get you in trouble . Always weld the vent hole solid in the bottom and weld a no blow on for the vent pipe . I had a 24" light off on me and my partner. If there wasn't nitrogen bags up the line we might not be here. I went tobweld the vent hole and boom When the pipe lit off it blew the bags and put the fire out . I think my ears still ring from the boom .

[@deansullivan6418]

nice work!

[@Ark_alone]

Nice work, great video! 💪😎

[@wayneparks5996]

Well done

[@ianloyd6384]

Good shit dude!! 🤙🏻

[@JuniorJunison]

How do you weld this together without anything exploding? I don't know much about welding on live gas lines, but isn't there a risk of explosion? And if there is how likely is one to occur and the other factors that are at hand? I'm very curious to know.

[@fuzzypickle5307]

Not a welder, but as an hvac tech i have an understanding of combustion. Natural gas typically needs a specific air/fuel ratio to support combustion. Typically less than 5% or more than 15% natural gas and it will not combust. So, if we assume within the pipe that there is close to 100% NG, it will not ignite. Naturally, theres a lot i dont know about this, but this is a little information to factor in.

[@JuniorJunison]

@@fuzzypickle5307 hmmm, interesting, I think you might be on to something

[@shane-O92]

I work for a natural gas company doing welding just like this and what Fuzzy said is exactly how it works and keeps from exploding.

[@nickmaclachlan5178]

Yup, the NG in the Main cannot support combustion as it's above the UEL (Upper Explosive Limit, ie: above 15% gas in air ratio). The gas is only burning when it has mixed with enough air to support combustion and this is happening in a controlled manner at the flare tip here and obviously around the patch before it is sealed. The leak is also small enough to control and not be a problem. Obviously a massive gas leak would not be tackled in the same manner..... that would be a recipe for disaster. Also it helps that Methane is lighter than air and will dissipate naturally anyway. Not sure you would want to do this in a trench with a heavier than air gas like Propane or Butane, that could ruin your entire day?

[@WayneWerner]

@@nickmaclachlan5178 spicy!

[@ReservedForFutureUse]

I don't get it. The pipe ends right there. Why couldn't you just plug weld the hole? Is this a demonstration?

[@GeneralChangFromDanang]

I think so. The whole thing is exposed and with the condition that pipe is in, it would be replaced.

[@guymcmullan9297]

Great video brother,, 🐓

[@shahdostwelder2117]

Brother watch my videos

[@thumper3614]

Great video

[@increasedelevation3776]

What is the headgear and respirator set up? Shout out to a fellow Austin welder!

[@2dRgr]

Optrel

[@raymundotoledo8019]

Es un placer conocerlos con es actitud sencilla y capacidad profesional saludos desde dallas tx ex inspector y reparador de equipos de perforación en los. Campos de tabasco y chispas mx

[@hectorguzman28]

Very interesting. Thanks!

[@northwestmountainbikeaddic6874]

Impressive welds ! Stick is hard! I’m ok , but not as good as you !

[@OGWishborn]

now why can't you seal the initial hole the same way you sealed the hole from the vent stack? Why do you need this split sleeve thing?

[@michaelrobertson8795]

Excellent video👍✌

[@dsauce8780]

This is badass thanks for sharing.

[@12341walkman]

Great video !!

[@shahdostwelder2117]

Chcek my videos

[@robchesley4591]

What were your oscillation teqnique on those fill welds..circles?

[@alanburns8155]

How can you fight a leak when you have a vent pipe sticking out?

[@mustanggun]

AWESOME work.

[@chuck7402]

Great vid brother!

[@sproles88]

What is that tube coming out from that backpack you have behind you?

[@deepwinter77]

Is Mig welding used in pipe welding at all, just wondering.

[@nitrojunkie9027]

Yes

[@Darnellp87]

Was the pipe thin where the hole was, or why not just weld the original hole shut instead of spending all day with the clam shell and then still welding a hole shut? I've been welding gas pipe for 15 years and have never needed to use this clam shell device before.

[@r1w3d]

I was thinking the same thing... the condition of that pipe raises the question of how much longer before a new hole pops up. I don't know any local group that would willingly pay you to spend this long on a hole that small. To be honest the hole is a little suspect, doesn't look like it happened naturally over time.

[@richardbushong1201]

We used these to go over leaking valve bodies, that have been put OOS or over mechanical fittings whether leaking or not , just depends on the company policy.

[@25centsapop]

I've been right there with ya on sweatin this texas summer ☀️ 😮‍💨

[@roryelmer4191]

It's one man's art

[@mhaiqalalihsan1531]

hello sir, my name is Haiqal can you make video that explain how to do properly repair welding or procedure to repair welding on steel plate using SMAW please That is for my undergradute research sir hopefully you can do it for me sir Thank you Sir

[@techman2553]

I have never welded anything and don't anything about the gas industry, but the first thing that comes to mind is - why weld something like this ? I would expect in this day and age that there would be some kind of aggressive fast setting epoxy soaked wrap that could be used to wrap the pipe and cover the leak hole to create an epoxy sleeve, then add a metal pressure clamp to ensure that it is very tight and secure. Once it cures, then you have a bonded steel-reinforced plastic slug over that area of the pipe. Why weld it ?

[@restojon1]

I'm not a gas guy but I come from automotive restoration and structural welding. I would hazard a guess that it's down to the fact that a weld is a "mechanical" fix whereas the fix you described relies on a chemical bond. Further to this, gas does funny stuff to sealants and patches whereas if you replace metal with metal, the pipeline/pipework etc continues to function as normal. If you look at household or domestic plumbing, gas fittings and gas sealants are different to ordinary plumbing ones because of the pressure and environment they work in. Another thing, is the consideration of cost when digging up roads. You want the repair to last as long as possible as the cost of a dig up is prohibitive. Hopefully a real expert will be along in a while with the real answer but this is my "edu-ma-cated" guess

[@richardbushong1201]

Neptune products makes an epoxy tape for up to 50 psi for live leaks but only for above ground use last time I took the class on it.

[@davidbrowne89]

This is really interesting and a great repair. In my oil refinery engineering days, hot work on live lines was a site-wide no-go at all cost option. When performed, hot work was always carried out with the most stringent of safety measures in place. ASME PCC-2 for repairs on pressure equipment and piping provides guidance for both welded sleeves and box clamps however welded sleeves were typically performed only when the line could be isolated. Assuming this was a live in-service line and aside from the vent flare, could you please share what additional measures you had in place to mitigate against potentially high risk failure such as spontaneous rupture or severe fire? i.e. could you share the risk assessment?

[@Zeknix]

Your comment reminded me of some work we did for an extremely shallow field out in the Mississippi delta. The gas line was only 8ft below the surface so we uncovered the line and lifted it above the surface to weld on the leak. Usually we would just put a clamp on it but there was an obstruction on the pipe that prevented it. Anywho, the line is kept under extremely low pressure to keep air from entering the pipeline during welding. (Just like that residential line) With gas, blowing a hole isn't the end of the world as its just a mild flame with low pressure, but it's a PITA to fix. Now I'm assuming you were welding on lines with crude flowing. Obviously there are much more problems than just a mild flame. I've seen guys weld on a trunk line inside of a coffer damn. Seriously that takes some major balls to do. Hats off to you.

[@davidbrowne89]

@@Zeknix that’s the thing, we never did weld repairs on live lines - I can only speak from my tenure there. Things may have changed. Box clamps repairs were typically implemented on leaking hydrocarbon lines that couldn’t be isolated until the next planned shutdown. Failing that, hot tapping was the other option - although required a much more cautious approach due the high probability and consequence of failure a source of ignition could have.

[@Argosh]

@@davidbrowne89 this is the most hackjob thing I have ever seen... The thought of anyone doing this in my vicinity gives me goosebumps... I mean, I'm used to seeing safety assessments for repairs on cutoff pipes _in the vicinity of live pipes_. And those don't always get through...

[@davidbrowne89]

@@Argosh I agree, I was trying to be supportive but overall, this is a no go in oil and gas and petrochem.

[@Argosh]

@@davidbrowne89 I've learned that your own safety is paramount and that if you feel unsafe the only mistake you can make is doing nothing.

[@danielwhitmoyer2933]

Very nice work.

[@SouthernShoota]

Talking about how you cant see the fire through the lens, i agree my whole sleeve caught fire and burnt my arm before I ever realized. Was messing around and had a puddle blow up on me, got burnt pretty bad.

[@f87115]

You didn’t noticed the heat drifting through the leathers ? You might have some neuropathy going on

[@SouthernShoota]

@@f87115 wasn't wearing leathers at the time lol, usually would just wear a long sleeve and didn't have any issues.

[@C_Moore]

Nice demo, but why didn't you use the top half fitting to stop of the end of the main, cut it back and cap it or weld in a new section of pipe?

[@vault20]

Ok two questions is that Going to X-ray , and does the gas have a affect on the weld acting like a back purged pipe but instead of argon it’s well natural gas

[@nickmaclachlan5178]

Here in the UK all underground Domestic supply Natural Gas lines are either Steel sheathed in plastic or fully plastic construction to stop corrosion. It's interesting to see this method on old equipment. Are newer gas mains in TX still the same construction, or are they plastic/PVC now?

[@captainteamcarry3]

I can confirm that other states use some sort of yellow plastic tubing.

[@boundless8288]

I did this in oil refinery , lines blazing , slide on sleeve and start welding , well , lol, I was the fitter .. I just had to put sleeve on and support while my welder eats fire

[@guymcmullan9297]

I once, welded on the antique steam and gas system in Baltimore MD,,

[@michaelmadrid21]

That was badass

[@shanrafnezden7958]

Very cool...

[@brycekoch315]

What's that hood that Sam is using? Been looking for one about like that one.