![Pipeline worker and welding unit throwing sparks](/~/media/Enb/Images/Galleries/L3RP-welding-on-ROW/L3RP-welding-girth-outer-1.jpg?h=733&iar=0&mw=1100&w=1100&rev=fcd98c72821d43b8b4f9c656c970234f&hash=E47168499F8C44022A8DC776FD701881)
![Pipeline welders in welding shack](/~/media/Enb/Images/Galleries/L3RP-welding-on-ROW/L3RP-welding-girth-outer-2.jpg?h=733&iar=0&mw=1100&w=1100&rev=bd9d1cfeb53a475aaf2705dab8ce7527&hash=1BFD3B1CFA2978B95B79AB0398407E14)
![Pipe in steel mill](/~/media/Enb/Images/Galleries/L3RP-welding-on-ROW/Pipe-rolling-mill.jpg?h=734&iar=0&mw=1100&w=1100&rev=4d40d69d211546c5bc3842a048989c49&hash=4C2513EE364C80E92CA548E84BA2B74B)
![Pipeline construction workers](/~/media/Enb/Images/Galleries/L3RP-welding-on-ROW/L3RP-welding-girth-inner-1.jpg?h=733&iar=0&mw=1100&w=1100&rev=872028e539d541a88d0cb277d5a9d5d7&hash=4D54DDB58898836B9632CEDFA79FE30D)
![Coiled pipe steel](/~/media/Enb/Images/Galleries/L3RP-welding-on-ROW/Coiled-pipe-steel.jpg?h=717&iar=0&mw=1100&w=1100&rev=d41c7d57482943a3a729be2c166c6cf2&hash=211C1FDA6C351F245843301E1BC4E2B8)
![Pipeline construction worker with internal welding unit](/~/media/Enb/Images/Galleries/L3RP-welding-on-ROW/L3RP-welding-girth-inner-2.jpg?h=733&iar=0&mw=1100&w=1100&rev=11eb0fb9635245aba1bb25454e5cc9f0&hash=340FD5ADDC583EB541EEE728DD59295E)
![Pipeline construction workers with internal welding unit](/~/media/Enb/Images/Galleries/L3RP-welding-on-ROW/L3RP-welding-girth-inner-3.jpg?h=733&iar=0&mw=1100&w=1100&rev=8e52d86d248d4873a6c6001f9f1af415&hash=4D8877FEE2DB80D19895DD0D519BCEDD)
![Welding shacks on pipeline right of way](/~/media/Enb/Images/Galleries/L3RP-welding-on-ROW/L3RP-welding-shacks-1.jpg?h=733&iar=0&mw=1100&w=1100&rev=68d9dfcb93e9407eb3c8f71ad3d00342&hash=37C5AFCE8E6EDACE5C3A9848BCE1F2C6)
![Welding shack being lowered on to pipeline](/~/media/Enb/Images/Galleries/L3RP-welding-on-ROW/L3RP-welding-shacks-2.jpg?h=733&iar=0&mw=1100&w=1100&rev=4fd8cf059ff34579909ff080011c04d5&hash=C0E9291CA7FA7D77AB1A0F8DF95CB266)
![Welding shack being lowered on to pipeline](/~/media/Enb/Images/Galleries/L3RP-welding-on-ROW/L3RP-welding-shacks-3.jpg?h=1650&iar=0&mw=1100&w=1100&rev=937d36332d4f41c6a8aeabcf3fd4448b&hash=E226EC36D8968A6DDD2D370FA10ADAE7)
![Welding inspection device on pipeline](/~/media/Enb/Images/Galleries/L3RP-welding-on-ROW/L3RP-welding-ultratest-1.jpg?h=733&iar=0&mw=1100&w=1100&rev=eb479e62d1584430a41cf54b9cec78aa&hash=9FF4958CF387CEAE422F3638E0C95517)
![Welding inspection device on pipeline](/~/media/Enb/Images/Galleries/L3RP-welding-on-ROW/L3RP-welding-ultratest-2.jpg?h=738&iar=0&mw=1100&w=1100&rev=638a0160645a4b07bb1c861cd72a3d5f&hash=CDDB38AF7DB543124DB5FAD30BF9D5BF)
![Pipeline workers on right-of-way](/~/media/Enb/Images/Galleries/L3RP-welding-on-ROW/L3RP-welding-ultratest-3.jpg?h=1650&iar=0&mw=1100&w=1100&rev=1ea698617fbb4cd58e17729fb734f253&hash=FBC802CEABD18A567719C03614A46A94)
Pipeline welding technology: No. 1 of 13
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The heart of Enbridge’s business is the pipe in the ground—and the craftsmanship that keeps it strong. Enbridge uses the best available welding technology on our pipeline projects, like the Line 3 Replacement Program (L3RP).
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An external unit or “bug,” circling the pipe on tracks, performs several passes from the exterior of the pipe to complete the weld and fill the ¼-inch gap. These “fill” and “cap” passes are performed in portable shacks that offer protection from the elements.
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“There might be five or six shacks following the internal bug, and they just keep hopscotching down the line once they finish a weld,” says Joel McKim, a senior construction specialist on the Line 3 replacement project.
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“Enbridge has an internal requirement that a certain percentage of our girth welds out in the field are delay-inspected—for enhanced quality assurance," says Andy Duncan, Technical Services Manager with Enbridge’s Major Projects group.