Major codes and Weld Procedure Specifications (WPS) require separate welding qualification in vertical up (Upward) and vertical down (Downward) positions for example in power generation, petrochemical, process piping industries, offshore structures, and shipbuilding. This paper addresses this issue as part of the authors’ experience in preparing and qualifying welding procedures in vertical position for Hebron offshore topsides gas turbine generators coolers project. This work presents the weld penetration, weld profile quality, and productivity at out-of-position with different welding directions by Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) of Austenitic stainless steel plate. Dependency of the weld penetration, profile, and productivity with the welder's skills and welding parameters are studied. The result describes the acceptable out of position welding techniques used to achieve the project goals of solving distortion, ensuring good weld profile, and increasing productivity.

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