AMERICAN Steel Pipe recently welcomed 15 Atlanta-based Young Pipeline Professionals (YPP) and Colonial Pipeline Company employees for a tour of its 24-inch Steel Pipe Mill in Birmingham, Alabama. The group observed mechanical testing and inspections in Steel Pipe’s Quality Assurance Laboratory, as well as hydrostatic and ultrasonic testing for pipe seam weld integrity. The team also toured L.B. Foster’s pipe coating facility, where they conduct fusion-bonded epoxy (FBE) coating and abrasion-resistant overcoating (ARO).

AMERICAN was chosen as the site of the manufacturing tour because of YPP Atlanta Chapter President and Colonial Staff Engineer Ben Mathews’ previous visit to the facility and his relationship with Territory Manager/Steel Pipe Sales Engineer Charles Ricks through the Pipeliners Club of Atlanta.

“Events like this truly give our YPP members an opportunity to broaden their knowledge and build their talents to serve our pipeline industry for generations to come.” – Ben Mathews, YPP Atlanta Chapter President and Colonial Staff Engineer

“The tour went well, and all of our guides were very knowledgeable,” Mathews said. “We asked a lot of questions, and they gave us a great overview of the process. Most in the group had never seen the steel pipe manufacturing process before, and everyone was impressed with the level of technology. We really appreciated the hospitality, and AMERICAN hosting us for lunch. Events like this truly give our YPP members an opportunity to broaden their knowledge and build their talents to serve our pipeline industry for generations to come.”

The guest speaker for lunch was American Petroleum Institute’s Senior Policy Advisor Mark Piazza, who led a group discussion on industry initiatives, policies and standards. He spoke about the challenges facing the industry and what AMERICAN Steel Pipe and YPP can and should be doing to help drive the agenda, especially looking toward the future and the impact of CO2 and hydrogen on pipelines. Piazza also emphasized the need for organizations to help communicate the pipeline industry’s shared story with the broader community on the benefits and need for energy pipelines.

“During our tour and visit, I was impressed with the level of expertise among AMERICAN Steel Pipe employees and the advanced technologies the company is using to produce high quality steel pipe,” Piazza said. “You can tell the company and its employees take pride in what they do. The need for a safe and reliable energy pipeline infrastructure will only grow, and AMERICAN Steel Pipe will certainly have a role in that growth.”

YPP is a national organization working to connect, educate and develop the future leaders of the pipeline industry. To learn more, visit yppusa.org. Membership is free but limited to those 35 or younger.