Exxon X120 Piple Welding

One way to improve the economics of a remote gas pipeline is to use stronger steel.

Here's a press release from Exxon on X12o pipe welding. (LINK).

Because I'm an optimist I read "Alaska Gas Pipeline" into this portion ofthe press release:

X120 ultra high-strength linepipe was jointly developed by ExxonMobil’s Upstream Research Company and Nippon Steel. X120 linepipe is 50 percent stronger than the strongest linepipe steel (X80) commonly used in gas transmission pipelines and is a cost effective and safe method of transporting natural gas from remote regions to urban customers using high-pressure, large-diameter pipelines.

Natural gas demand is forecast to grow 60 percent globally in the next 20 years. Many new gas resources required to meet this demand are in remote areas and will require cost-effective transportation options before they can be commercialized. The use of X120 linepipe could substantially improve the economics of long-distance pipelines used in the development of remote gas resources.