Materials System Specification

12-SAMSS-018 8 October 2013

Structural Plates, Rolled Shapes and
Tubulars Specification for Fixed Offshore Platforms
Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control Standards Committee

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Table of Contents

1 Scope............................................................. 2
2 Conflicts and Deviations................................. 2
3 References..................................................... 2
4 Steel............................................................... 4
5 Tolerances.................................................... 10
6 Quality Requirements................................... 10
7 Material Marking........................................... 10

Appendix 1 – Material Substitution..................... 13

Previous Issue: 14 May 2011 Next Planned Update: 8 October 2018

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Primary contact: Choongmyeong Kim on +966-13-8809540

Copyright©Saudi Aramco 2013. All rights reserved.

Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control Standards Committee 12-SAMSS-018
Issue Date: 8 October 2013 Structural Plates, Rolled Shapes and
Next Planned Update: 8 October 2018 Tubulars Specification for Fixed Offshore Platforms

1 Scope

1.1 This specification defines the grades of carbon steel plates, rolled shapes, and
tubulars that must be used for the design and construction of a fixed offshore
platform in accordance with API RP 2A-WSD. It gives additional minimum
requirements for the manufacture and supply of this material. It also gives
acceptable substitute materials. Substitute material must still meet the additional
requirements given in this specification.

1.2 Additional requirements may be contained in Scopes of Work, Drawings, or

other Instructions or Specifications pertaining to specific items of work.

1.3 This standard may be attached to and made a part of purchase orders.

2 Conflicts and Deviations

2.1 Any conflicts between this specification and other applicable Saudi Aramco
Materials System Specifications (SAMSSs), Engineering Standards (SAESs),
Standard Drawings (SASDs), or industry standards, codes, and forms shall be
resolved in writing by the company or buyer representative through the
Manager, Consulting Services Department of Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.

2.2 Direct all requests to deviate from this specification in writing to the company or
buyer representative, who shall follow internal company procedure SAEP-302
and forward such requests to the Manager, Consulting Services Department of
Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.

2.3 Whenever material requirements are specified, the Vendor may propose, in his
bid, equivalent materials with technical proof that the proposed alternative
material specifications fully meet the technical and environmental requirements,
for consideration by the Buyer.

3 References

The selection of material covered by this specification shall comply with the latest
edition of the references listed below, unless otherwise noted.

3.1 Saudi Aramco References

Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedure

SAEP-302 Instructions for Obtaining a Waiver of a Mandatory

Saudi Aramco Engineering Requirement

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Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control Standards Committee 12-SAMSS-018
Issue Date: 8 October 2013 Structural Plates, Rolled Shapes and
Next Planned Update: 8 October 2018 Tubulars Specification for Fixed Offshore Platforms

Saudi Aramco Engineering Standard

SAES-M-005 Design and Construction of Fixed Offshore
Platforms

Saudi Aramco Materials System Specifications

01-SAMSS-333 High Frequency Welded Line Pipe
12-SAMSS-005 Marking of Metal Products

Saudi Aramco Inspection Requirement

Form 175-121400 Structural Plates, Rolled Shapes, and Tubulars
Specification for Fixed Offshore Platforms
3.2 Industry Codes and Standards

American Petroleum Institute

API RP 2A-WSD Planning, Designing and Constructing Fixed
Offshore Platforms
API SPEC 2B Specification for the Fabrication of Structural Steel
Pipe
API SPEC 2H Specification for Carbon Manganese Steel Plate for
Offshore Platform Tubular Joints
API SPEC 2W Specification for Steel Plates for Offshore Structures
Produced by Thermo-Mechanical Control
Processing (TMCP)
API SPEC 5L Specification for Line Pipe

American Society for Testing and Materials

ASTM A6 General Requirements for Delivery of Structural
Steel
ASTM A370 Mechanical Testing of Steel Products
ASTM A673 Sampling Procedure for Impact Testing of
Structural Steel
ASTM E23 Notch Bar Testing of Metallic Materials

European Standard
EN 10225 Weldable Structural Steels for Fixed Offshore
Structures
EN10025 Hot Rolled Products of Structural Steels

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Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control Standards Committee 12-SAMSS-018
Issue Date: 8 October 2013 Structural Plates, Rolled Shapes and
Next Planned Update: 8 October 2018 Tubulars Specification for Fixed Offshore Platforms

4 Steel

The structural steel specifications for plates, rolled shapes and tubulars shall conform to
those listed in API RP 2A-WSD Table 8.1.4-1, Table 8.1.4-2 and Table 8.2.1-1 as
Group I or Group II. Group III steels shall not be used. All steels shall be killed or
semi-killed.

4.1 The “Service Classification” of steel shall be as defined in SAES-M-005 or the

purchase order.
● Steel shall be classified into three types with respect to its use in service as
follows:
Critical Service: Steel selected for members essential to the overall integrity
of the structure and subject to particular precipitous stress conditions.
Primary Service: Steel selected for members participating in the overall
integrity of the structure, and for other structural members of importance for
the operational safety.
General Service: Steel selected for structural members other than critical or
primary structural steel members.
● The following are the Service Classifications
PL1 - Critical service plates with tested through-thickness properties
PL2 - Primary service plates with improved (but not tested) through-
thickness properties
PL4 - General service plates
SH2 - Primary service rolled shapes with improved (but not tested)
through-thickness properties
SH4 - General service rolled shapes
RT1 - Rolled tubulars from PL1 material (critical service plates with tested
through-thickness properties)
RT2 - Rolled tubulars from PL2 material (primary service plates with
improved but not tested through-thickness properties)
RT4 - Rolled tubulars from PL4 material (general service plates)
T2 - Pipe material for primary service, high strength (X52 grade)
T3 - Pipe material for general service, high strength (X52 grade)
T4 - Pipe material for general service, normal strength (Grade B, X42 or
X52)

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Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control Standards Committee 12-SAMSS-018
Issue Date: 8 October 2013 Structural Plates, Rolled Shapes and
Next Planned Update: 8 October 2018 Tubulars Specification for Fixed Offshore Platforms

4.2 Material Requirements

Chemical, mechanical and notch toughness properties of each class of steel will
be in accordance with the material requirements of this section.

Use of wall thickness in excess of that given in the drawings and outside of the
dimensional tolerances for the given product is not permitted without written
approval from Saudi Aramco.

4.2.1 The CE and Pcm will be calculated in accordance with the following:
CE = C + Mn/6 + (Cr + Mo + V)/5 + (Ni+Cu)/15
Pcm = C + Si/30 + Mn/20 + Cu/20 + Ni/60 + Cr/20 +Mo/15 + V/10 + 5B

4.2.2 The CE requirement will be used if the carbon content is greater than
0.12%. The Pcm requirement will be used if the carbon content is less
than or equal to 0.12%.

4.2.3 The yield strength to tensile strength ratio shall not exceed the following
for PL1, PL2, RT1 and RT 2 and T2.

Table 1 – Yield to Tensile Strength Ratios

Yield to Tensile Strength Ratios
Grade
Thickness Max.
≤ 16 mm 0.87
Normalized Material
> 16 mm 0.85
≤ 16 mm 0.93
TMCP Material
> 16 mm 0.90

4.2.4 The following restrictions shall apply to the use of API SPEC 2W
materials:
a) Heating or hot forming exceeding 550°C shall not be used in
fabrication.
b) The thickness shall not exceed 75 mm.

4.2.5 PL1 Plates and RT1 Tubulars

The PL1 plates and RT1 tubulars shall conform to API SPEC 2H Grade
42 or Grade 50 or API SPEC 2W Grade 50 with the following
supplementary requirements. The supplementary requirements are listed
below. S1 through S7, are as defined in API SPEC 2H or 2W as

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Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control Standards Committee 12-SAMSS-018
Issue Date: 8 October 2013 Structural Plates, Rolled Shapes and
Next Planned Update: 8 October 2018 Tubulars Specification for Fixed Offshore Platforms

appropriate. If an approved substitute material is used these

requirements must still be met.
a) S1- UT testing
b) S3- individual plate testing
c) S4- through-thickness testing for material over 19 mm in thickness.
d) S5- low Sulphur
e) S7- low Nitrogen
f) Vanadium and Boron shall not be intentionally added. A chemical
analysis will be performed and amounts of Vanadium and Boron
shall be reported. The residual Boron content shall not exceed
0.0005%.
g) The maximum CE shall be the maximum listed in the applicable
material specification but not exceed 0.42%. The maximum Pcm
shall be the maximum listed in the applicable material specification
but not exceed 0.23% (See 4.2.2).
h) RT1 tubulars shall meet the general requirements of the
API SPEC 2B.
i) Welding procedures for RT1 tubulars shall include impact testing
at -40°C and meet 34 Joules minimum average and 26 Joules
minimum single value in the weld and HAZ (Heat Affected Zone).
j) The yield to tensile strength ratio shall be in accordance with 4.2.3.

4.2.6 PL2 Plates and RT2 Tubulars

The PL2 plates and RT2 tubulars shall conform to API SPEC 2H Grade
42 or Grade 50, or API SPEC 2W Grade 50 with the following
supplementary requirements. The supplementary requirements are listed
below. S1 through S7, are as defined in API SPEC 2H or 2W as
appropriate. If an approved substitute material is used these
requirements must still be met;
a) S5- low Sulphur
b) S7- low Nitrogen
c) Vanadium and Boron shall not be intentionally added.
These elements shall be analyzed for and reported. The residual
Boron content shall not exceed 0.0005%.
d) The maximum CE shall be the maximum listed in the applicable
material specification but not exceed 0.42%. The maximum Pcm

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Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control Standards Committee 12-SAMSS-018
Issue Date: 8 October 2013 Structural Plates, Rolled Shapes and
Next Planned Update: 8 October 2018 Tubulars Specification for Fixed Offshore Platforms

shall be the maximum listed in the applicable material specification

but not exceed 0.23% (See 4.2.2).
e) RT2 tubulars shall meet the general requirements of the
API SPEC 2B.
f) Welding procedures for RT2 tubulars shall include impact testing
at -40°C and meet 34 Joules minimum average and 26 Joules
minimum single value in the weld and HAZ.
g) The yield to tensile strength ratio shall be in accordance with 4.2.3.

4.2.7 PL4 Plates and RT4 Tubulars

The PL4 plates and RT4 tubulars shall conform to any material listed in
API RP 2A for Group I and Group II with the following supplementary
requirements. If an approved substitute material is used these
requirements must still be met.
a) The maximum CE shall be the maximum listed in the applicable
material specification but not exceed 0.45%. The maximum Pcm
shall be the maximum listed in the applicable material specification
but not exceed 0.25% (See 4.2.2).
b) Any material with a wall thickness greater than 13 mm shall be
impact tested on a heat basis and shall conform to Table 2.
c) RT4 tubulars shall meet the general requirements of the
API SPEC 2B.
d) T4 tubulars which meet the above requirements may be substituted
for RT4 tubulars.
e) Welding procedures for RT4 tubulars greater than 13 mm thickness
shall include impact testing at -18°C and meet 27 Joules minimum
average and 20 Joules minimum single value in the weld and HAZ.

4.2.8 SH2 Shapes

The SH2 shapes shall conform to any material listed in API RP-2A for
Group I and Group II with the following supplementary requirements. If an
approved substitute material is used these requirements must still be met.
a) The maximum Sulphur content shall not exceed 0.010%.
b) The maximum CE shall be the maximum listed in the applicable
material specification but not exceed 0.42%. The maximum Pcm
shall be the maximum listed in the applicable material specification
but not exceed 0.23% (See 4.2.2).

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Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control Standards Committee 12-SAMSS-018
Issue Date: 8 October 2013 Structural Plates, Rolled Shapes and
Next Planned Update: 8 October 2018 Tubulars Specification for Fixed Offshore Platforms

c) Any material with a flange thickness greater than 13 mm shall be

impact tested on a heat basis and shall conform to Table 2.

4.2.9 SH4 Shapes

The SH4 shapes shall conform to any material listed in API RP-2A for
Group I and Group II with the following supplementary requirements. If an
approved substitute material is used these requirements must still be met:
a) The maximum CE shall be the maximum listed in the applicable
material specification but not exceed 0.45%. The maximum Pcm
shall be the maximum listed in the applicable material specification
but not exceed 0.25% (See 4.2.2).
b) Any material with a flange thickness greater than 13 mm shall be
impact tested on a heat basis and shall conform to Table 2.

4.2.10 T2 Pipe

The T2 pipe shall conform to API SPEC 5L Grade X52 with the
following supplementary requirements. If an approved substitute
material is used these requirements must still be met:
a) The maximum wall thickness shall not exceed 38 mm.
b) Impact tests shall be performed at -18°C and the acceptance
requirement is 40J minimum average, 30J minimum single value.
c) The maximum CE shall be the maximum listed in the applicable
material specification but not exceed 0.42%. The maximum Pcm
shall be the maximum listed in the applicable material specification
but not exceed 0.23% (See 4.2.2).
d) Only seamless or longitudinal seam welded pipe using SAW
(Submerged Arc Welding) is permitted.
e) Hydrotest and API SPEC 5L monogram are not required.
f) The yield to tensile strength ratio shall be in accordance with 4.2.3.

4.2.11 T3 Pipe

The T3 pipe shall conform to API SPEC 5L Grade X52 with the
following supplementary requirements. If an approved substitute
material is used these requirements must still be met.
a) The maximum wall thickness shall not exceed 38 mm.
b) The maximum CE shall be the maximum listed in the applicable
material specification but not exceed 0.42%. The maximum Pcm

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Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control Standards Committee 12-SAMSS-018
Issue Date: 8 October 2013 Structural Plates, Rolled Shapes and
Next Planned Update: 8 October 2018 Tubulars Specification for Fixed Offshore Platforms

shall be the maximum listed in the applicable material specification

but not exceed 0.23% (See 4.2.2).
c) Only seamless or longitudinal seam welded pipe using SAW is
permitted.
d) Hydrotest and API SPEC 5L monogram are not required.

4.2.12 T4 Pipe

The T4 pipe shall conform to API SPEC 5L Grade B or X42 or X52 with
the following supplementary requirements. If an approved substitute
material is used these requirements must still be met.
a) The maximum wall thickness shall not exceed 38 mm.
b) The maximum CE shall be the maximum listed in the applicable
material specification but not exceed 0.45%. The maximum Pcm
shall be the maximum listed in the applicable material specification
but not exceed 0.25% (See 4.2.2).
c) Seamless, electric resistance welded pipe (manufactured to
01-SAMSS-333) or longitudinal seam welded pipe using SAW
(Submerged Arc Welding) are permitted.
d) Hydrotest and API SPEC 5L monogram are not required.

Table 2 – Impact Testing Requirements

CVN Absorbed Energy

Steel Steel Impact Test
Group Class Temperature Average Minimum
of Three Single Value
I C -18C 27J (20 ft-lb) 20J (15 ft-lb)
I B -18C 27J (20 ft-lb) 20J (15 ft-lb)
I A -29C 27J (20 ft-lb) 20J (15 ft-lb)
II C -18C 27J (20 ft-lb) 20J (15 ft-lb)
II B -29C 34J (25 ft-lb) 27J (20 ft-lb)
II A -40C 34J (25 ft-lb) 27J (20 ft-lb)

Notes:
 All tests to be performed in accordance with ASTM A673, ASTM A370,
and ASTM E23.
 Steel Class definition as per API RP 2A
 Full size (10 mm x 10 mm) Charpy impact test specimens shall be
used.

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Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control Standards Committee 12-SAMSS-018
Issue Date: 8 October 2013 Structural Plates, Rolled Shapes and
Next Planned Update: 8 October 2018 Tubulars Specification for Fixed Offshore Platforms

5 Tolerances

The “as-rolled” permissible variations for all rolled shapes and plates shall be as
specified in ASTM A6, Section 13.3.2.

The dimensions and tolerances for structural pipes T2, T3, and T4 shall be as specified
in the API SPEC 2B. All the pipe ends shall be as specified in the Purchase Order.
If specified, beveled ends shall have end protectors.

6 Quality Requirements

The Vendor shall implement and maintain a Quality Program which shall include
clearly defined and documented procedures for the relevant quality system functions.
The Vendor shall make the Quality Program available to the Buyer's inspection
representative for review and audit.

The items manufactured to this Specification are subject to verification by the Buyer's
inspection representative per the Purchase Order and Saudi Aramco Inspection
Requirement Form SA 175-121400 attached to the Purchase Order.

7 Material Marking

Markings shall be in Accordance with 12-SAMSS-005, “Marking of Metal Products.”

Specifically, the following requirements shall be adhered to:

7.1 Rolled Shapes

Each rolled shape length shall be paint stencil marked. Paint marking shall be
on both ends in 25 mm minimum high letters with the following:
- Company (Saudi Aramco) and Port Designation
- Material Grade
- Heat Number
- Purchase Order Number and Item Number
- Saudi Aramco Stock Number (9CAT or 9COM)
- Member size (type) for example W35 x 230

Each rolled shape length shall be metal stamped with low stress steel stamps
with the heat number and grade. Metal stamping will be on one end and shall be
located immediately following the corresponding paint stenciled information.
The height of the metal stamped marking shall be 6 mm minimum.

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Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control Standards Committee 12-SAMSS-018
Issue Date: 8 October 2013 Structural Plates, Rolled Shapes and
Next Planned Update: 8 October 2018 Tubulars Specification for Fixed Offshore Platforms

The above are the minimum marking requirements and additional requirements
may be specified by the Buyer.

7.2 Plates

Each plate shall be paint stencil marked. Paint marking shall be on one corner
of the plate in 25 mm minimum high letters. Paint marking shall include the
following:
- Company (Saudi Aramco) and Port Designation
- Material Grade
- Heat Number
- Purchase Order Number and Item Number
- Saudi Aramco Stock Number (9CAT or 9COM)
- Dimensions (thickness in millimeters and inches in parentheses)

Each plate shall be metal stamped with low stress steel stamps with the heat
number and grade. Metal stamp marking shall be on the corner diagonally
opposite the paint markings. The height of the metal stamped marking shall be
6 mm minimum.

The above are the minimum marking requirements and additional requirements
may be specified by the Buyer.

7.3 Tubulars (Structural Pipe)

7.3.1 Paint Marking Requirements

Each length of structural pipe shall be paint marked on one end with the
following information. Paint marking shall be 25 mm minimum high
letters.
- Company (Saudi Aramco) and Port Designation
- Material Grade
- Heat Number
- Purchase Order Number and Item Number
- Saudi Aramco Stock Number (9CAT or 9COM)
- Dimensions (thickness in millimeters and inches in parentheses)

For pipe sections 24 inches in diameter and above the markings shall be
on the inside of the pipe and located approximately 75 - 150 mm from

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Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control Standards Committee 12-SAMSS-018
Issue Date: 8 October 2013 Structural Plates, Rolled Shapes and
Next Planned Update: 8 October 2018 Tubulars Specification for Fixed Offshore Platforms

one end.
For pipe sections smaller than 24 inches in diameter, markings may be on
the outside of the pipe and located approximately 300 mm from one end.
In addition to the detailed marks at one end of the structural pipe, the
purchase order number and Saudi Aramco Stock Number (9CAT or
9COM) shall be stencil painted inside or outside at the other pipe end
and outside in the middle of each length.

7.3.2 Metal Stamp Marking Requirements

Each pipe shall be metal stamped with low stress steel stamps with the
heat number and grade. The height of the metal stamped marking shall
be 6 mm minimum and will be located adjacent to the detailed paint
marking.

Revision Summary
8 October 2013 Major revision based on material requirements.

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Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control Standards Committee 12-SAMSS-018
Issue Date: 8 October 2013 Structural Plates, Rolled Shapes and
Next Planned Update: 8 October 2018 Tubulars Specification for Fixed Offshore Platforms

Appendix 1 – Material Substitution

STRUCTURAL STEEL PLATES

APPLICATION API/ASTM Materials EN Materials

(2)
PL1 API 2H Gr. 42 EN10225, Gr. 355G8+N
(2)
PL1 API 2H Gr. 50 EN10225, Gr. 355G8+N
(2)
PL1 API 2W Gr. 50 EN10225, Gr. 355G8+M

PL2 API 2H Gr. 42 EN10225, Gr. 355G8+N

PL2 API 2H Gr. 50 EN10225, Gr. 355G8+N
PL2 API 2W Gr. 50 EN10225, Gr. 355G8+M

EN 10025-2, Gr. 275J0

PL4 ASTM A36 (to 2 inches)
EN 10025-2, Gr. 275JR
PL4 ASTM A131 Gr. A (to 1.5 inches) EN 10025-2, Gr. 275J0
PL4 ASTM A285 Grade C (to ¾ inches) EN 10025-2, Gr. 275J0
PL4 ASTM A131 Gr. B, D EN 10025-2, Gr. 275J0
PL4 ASTM A516 Grade 65 EN 10025-2, Gr. 275J0
(1)
PL4 A572 Grade 42 (to 2 in. thick) EN 10025-2, Gr. 355JR
ASTM A572 Grade 50 (to 2 in. thick;
PL4 (1) EN 10025-2, Gr. 355JR
S91 required over ½ in.)
PL4 ASTM A13 1 Grade AH 32 EN 10025-2, Gr. 355JR
PL4 ASTM A131 Grade AH36 to 3 in. thick) EN 10025-2, Gr. 355JR

(1) Maximum Vanadium Level Permitted = 0.10% V.

(2) With the following:
(a) Option 13 (through thickness testing) required if the thickness is greater than 19 mm
(b) The CE shall not exceed 0.42 and the Pcm shall not exceed 0.23 (see 4.2.2)

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Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control Standards Committee 12-SAMSS-018
Issue Date: 8 October 2013 Structural Plates, Rolled Shapes and
Next Planned Update: 8 October 2018 Tubulars Specification for Fixed Offshore Platforms

STRUCTURAL STEEL SHAPES

API RP 2A API/ASTM Materials EN Materials

EN 10025-2, Gr. 275J0
Group I Class C ASTM A36 (to 2 inches)
EN 10025-2, Gr. 275JR

Group II Class C A572 Grade 42 (to 2 in. thick)* EN 10025-2, Gr. 355JR
A572 Grade 42 (to 2 in. thick)
EN 10025-2, Gr. 355JR
S91 required over ½ in.)*

Group II Class B ASTM A13 1 Grade AH 32 EN 10025-2, Gr. 355JR

ASTM A131 Grade AH36 EN 10025-2, Gr. 355JR

*Maximum Vanadium Level Permitted = 0.10% V

STRUCTURAL STEEL PIPE

API RP 2A API/ASTM Materials ISO Materials

Group I Class C API 5L Gr. B ISO 3183 L245 R or N
ASTM A 53 Gr. B ISO 3183 L245 R or N

Group I Class B ASTM A106 B (normalized) ISO 3183 L245 R or N

Group I Class A A333 Gr. 6 ISO 3183 L245 R or N

Group II Class B or C API 5L Grade X42 ISO 3183 L290 R or N

API 5L Grade X52 ISO 3183 L360 R or N

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