The is one of the most challenging and critical qualifications in the industry, particularly for pipe welding. It refers to a pipe joint where the pipe axis is horizontal, and the pipe remains fixed (it does not rotate). The welder must perform the weld around the entire circumference of the pipe.
has piloted a 5G private network on the Statfjord field. A remote welding station on the mainland controls a manipulator arm on the rig. The 5G link runs over a dedicated 3.5 GHz CBRS band. In 18 months, they have completed 47 remote welds—all passed ultrasonic testing. No human entered the red zone. 5g welding
The 5G position is considered a "gateway" skill to high-pressure pipe welding because it requires mastery of multiple techniques simultaneously. The is one of the most challenging and
Since the pipe is fixed, the welder often has to work in uncomfortable positions—crouching, kneeling, or bending—to reach the "blind side" of the pipe (the side furthest from them). This requires high manual dexterity and the ability to weld with both hands (mirror welding skills are often developed alongside 5G). has piloted a 5G private network on the Statfjord field
Mastering the 5G Welding Position: A Comprehensive Guide The , also known as the "horizontal fixed" position, is one of the most critical and challenging techniques in the pipe welding industry. Unlike common shop welds where a pipe might rotate on a positioner, 5G requires the welder to adapt to changing gravitational forces while moving around a stationary workpiece.
One engineer told me: “We used to fly experts 12 hours for a 4-minute weld. Now the expert stays in Stavanger and welds five different platforms before lunch.”
The defining characteristic of the 5G position is that the pipe is . It cannot be turned or rolled. This presents a significant physical and technical challenge because gravity affects the molten weld pool differently as the welder moves around the pipe.