API RP 17B-2024 PDF

Full title and description

API RP 17B:2024 — Recommended Practice for Flexible Pipe. This sixth-edition recommended practice provides guidance for the design, analysis, manufacture, testing, installation and operation of flexible pipes and flexible pipe systems for onshore, subsea and marine applications. It complements related API documents (for example API 17J and API 17K) and addresses both bonded and unbonded flexible pipe assemblies and systems.

Abstract

API RP 17B:2024 sets out industry best-practice recommendations for flexible pipe technology used as flowlines, risers, jumpers, downlines and other static and dynamic applications in sweet and sour service, including guidance on materials, end fittings, testing, quality control, installation and in-service operation. It is intended to be used alongside complementary documents that set minimum specification requirements for unbonded and bonded flexible pipes.

General information

• Status: Current / Active.
• Publication date: May 2024 (published 29 May 2024).
• Publisher: American Petroleum Institute (API).
• ICS / categories: ICS 75.200 — Petroleum and natural gas industries (subsea / flexible pipe domain).
• Edition / version: Sixth edition (2024).
• Number of pages: 286 pages.

Scope

Applies to flexible pipe assemblies (segments of flexible pipe body with end fittings attached) and to flexible pipe systems used in onshore, subsea and marine production, export and injection applications. Both bonded and unbonded constructions are addressed in the guidance; the document covers static and dynamic systems used as flowlines, risers, jumpers and downlines, and provides input for ancillary-equipment guidance (for example API 17L series). It explicitly excludes certain specialized items such as choke-and-kill lines and control/umbilical lines, which are covered by other API documents.

Key topics and requirements

• Design principles for flexible pipe assemblies and system configurations (static and dynamic use).
• Material selection, layer constructions (carcass, pressure sheath, armours, external sheath) and corrosion/chemical service considerations.
• End-fitting types, attachment methods and qualification requirements.
• Manufacturing quality control, factory testing and marking requirements.
• Recommended inspection, acceptance testing, and pre-installation conditioning procedures.
• Installation, handling, storage, assembly and protection best practices for subsea and marine operations.
• Operational guidance: monitoring, inspection intervals, decommissioning and failure-mode awareness for both bonded and unbonded pipes.
• Interfaces and references to related API specifications and recommended practices (notably the API 17-series).

Typical use and users

Primary users include subsea and pipeline engineers, flexible-pipe designers and manufacturers, offshore operators, procurement and QA/QC teams, testing laboratories, classification societies, and regulatory/compliance personnel involved in selection, qualification, installation and in-service management of flexible pipe systems.

Related standards

Closely related documents include API 17J (specification for unbonded flexible pipe), API 17K (specification for bonded flexible pipe and hoses), the API 17L series (ancillary equipment for flexible pipes and subsea umbilicals), and other API standards referenced for special applications (for example API 16C, API 7K where applicable). The document sits within the API 17 family of subsea and flexible-pipe guidance.

Keywords

Flexible pipe, flexible pipe system, unbonded, bonded, riser, flowline, jumper, downline, end fitting, subsea, marine, dynamic service, static service, manufacture, testing, installation, inspection.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: API RP 17B:2024 is the American Petroleum Institute’s recommended practice that provides guidance for flexible pipe assemblies and systems used in onshore, subsea and marine oil and gas applications.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers design, analysis, materials, manufacture, testing, end fittings, installation, handling, inspection and operational considerations for bonded and unbonded flexible pipes used as flowlines, risers, jumpers and related applications; it also identifies items outside its scope and references other API documents for those.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Subsea/pipeline engineers, flexible-pipe manufacturers and fabricators, offshore operators, classification societies, test laboratories, procurement and QA/QC teams, and regulatory/compliance specialists.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: Current — the 2024 sixth edition replaces the previous API RP 17B:2014 (R2021) edition; API lists the 2024 edition as the active/recent release.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of the API 17 family (subsea and flexible-pipe guidance), and is intended to be used with related API specifications such as API 17J and API 17K plus ancillary-equipment guidance in the 17L series.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Flexible pipe, flexible pipe system, unbonded, bonded, riser, flowline, subsea, dynamic service, end fitting, manufacture, testing, installation.