System and method for manufacturing pipes

A joint between a first tubular section and a second tubular section of a pipe, the first and second tubular sections having substantially similar inside and outside diameters, the joint comprising:

• a welding groove having an open-ended profile extending from a radially inner wall of the pipe to a radially outer wall of the pipe, the welding groove at least partially formed between a first axial edge defined by the first tubular section and a second axial edge defined by the second tubular section, the welding groove including:
• a root formed at a radially inner end of the welding groove;
• and
• a portion of the welding groove radially outward relative to the root;
• and
• a welding bead filling the root between the first and second tubular sections and formed by depositing weld material in the root under heat,
• wherein the root is configured to, prior to formation of the welding bead, axially space the first tubular section apart from the second tubular section substantially between 1 mm and 6 mm;
• and
• wherein the first and second axial edges, prior to formation of the welding bead, are angled substantially between 6-20° away from each other radially outwardly to form the portion.

A pipe assembly, comprising:

• a first tubular section;
• a second tubular section configured to couple with the first tubular section along a pipe axis;
• a welding groove having an open-ended profile circumferentially extended around the pipe axis and radially extended between a radially inner wall of the pipe assembly and a radially outer wall of the pipe assembly, the welding groove at least partially formed between a first axial edge defined by the first tubular section and a second axial edge defined by the second tubular section, the welding groove including
• a root formed at a radially inner end of the welding groove and configured to receive a welding bead filling the root between the first and second tubular sections to create a joint between the first and second tubular sections, the welding bead configured to be formed by depositing weld material in the root under heat;
• and
• a portion of the welding groove radially outward relative to the root and configured to receive one or more additional welding beads formed over the first welding bead and filling the welding groove, the one or more additional welds including a second welding bead configured to be formed over the first welding bead;
• wherein the root axially spaces the first tubular section apart from the second tubular section substantially between 1 mm and 6 mm;
• and
• wherein the first and second axial edges are angled substantially between approximately 6° to approximately 20° away from each other radially outwardly to form the portion of the welding groove.