Do You Want to Sell Used Pipe? Tips to do it

This post provides guidelines and defines various terminologies used for any used and surplus pipes by the industry while selling.

• Used pipe

Any pipe that was previously used for transmission of product for line structural application, exploratory/production of any petroleum product as conduit or casing.

• Unused surplus pipe

Any surplus pipe with no previous usage, however existed in the inventory for sufficient duration and exposed to different weather elements, maybe recorded as lost in sale, as a result there is no traceability-origin about its manufacture or grade.

• Unused – commercial grade or mill rejects

Any downgraded by the manufacturer or as excess inventory however typically rejected from the rolling line or rejected during third party inspection etc.

All the above products are usually marketed in the pipe industry. There will be no warranties provided on the pipe grades beyond that this will accompany with the original sale by a manufacturer or any inspection company.

Any used pipe is inspected by an inspection company or third party or any lab for yield, elongation, tensile, chemical properties and also for its remaining wall thickness. Threads may also be subjected to inspection for suitability for any possible reuse.

Reason for any buyer for considering used/surplus pipe is mostly budgetary. They may either have any budget constraints or there may be lack of any rigid grades or specifications for any particular project that may allow using the limited service of pipe.

Following are few inspection criteria:

• Grade 1:

There should be no pitting or any visible defects on the surface metal visually. The ID and OD of the pipe must be specified. Allowed to have finish of “salt & pepper” or texture.

• Grade 2:

It can have pitting up to light to medium. No heavy-scale or “crater” pitting will be allowed. Pipe can have defined ID and OD. Pipe meant for transferring liquids can be rougher internally than externally.

Both grade 1 and 2 is for only cosmetic value of pipe but not any inspection report.

Reconditioned/used pipe meant for sale

They can include the following:

• Brushing
• Scraping
• Rolling
• Straightening
• Drifting
• Re-threading
• De-denting
• Re-lining
• Re-coating

Any used pipe or surplus pipe should be represented clearly and properly.

Following 4 things must be covered while buying or selling and used or surplus pipes:

1. Condition of metal and also ID/OD surface.
2. Physical condition e.g. straightness, dents, roundness, end condition.
3. Coatings – asphalt, tar enamel, tape.
4. Identifying previous usage, e.g. petroleum products, water, chemicals etc.