Hot Spot - API Specification 20A Clarification

Following detailed examination of the ‘API 20A - Steel, Stainless Steel, and Nickel Base Alloy Castings for Use in the Petroleum and Natural Gas Industry’ standard, BVAA members have raised considerable concern with regard to the stringent requirements that will be imposed on castings used in the manufacture of pressure containing, pressure controlling and primary load bearing components for any API product standard such as 6A, 6D, 6DSS, 17D, 600, 608, 603.

At the BVAA Conference at Celtic Manor on 15 June 2013 following Rick Faircloth’s presentation on the requirements of API 20A, these issues were raised during the question and answer session and the following clarifications were given.

The areas of greatest concern were:

Q1. Weld repair limitations for all but CSL1 with ZERO welding permitted for CSL4 and what application would justify CSL4 integrity?

A1. CSL4 is considered too demanding and will not be called for – proposed to be removed from the standard.

Q2. Zero weld repair permitted on Duplex castings.

A2. This clause has been included in error and will be modified in Addendum 1 to allow weld repair provided the PQR includes ferrite testing of 35-65%.. at the next revision.

Q3. Qualification castings to be produced with re-qualification for changes to material type or group, wall thickness, pattern, casting process, change of foundry.

A3. This is a real requirement including foundry approval.

Q4. What prompted this standard?

A4. Continued concern that casting produced to ASME B16.34 are not of acceptable quality - Basic visual examination and pressure testing does not reveal everything.

Q5. Who drives the standard (End User or EPC)? - it is widely believed this is the former.

A5. End User or valve manufacturer can specify the CSL level required.

Q6. Is this standard aimed at ‘high end’ or ‘critical applications’ only?

A6. All applications with requirements increasing as specified.

Q7. Have cost and lead-time impact been considered?

A7. Implications on cost and lead times to be stated with quotation.

Q8. Do foundries have to qualify for this standard?

A8. Yes – but not necessarily to APIQ1.

Q9. Can historical data be used to qualify castings and patterns already in place?

A9. Yes but must be thoroughly documented

Q10. Can castings used in the ‘qualification’ process, be used in production?

A10. Yes.

Q11. When Sacrificial Castings are required, who pays for these?

A11.Sacrificial castings only required on CSL4 – not to be called up and CSL4 may be deleted from the standard.

Some welcome clarifications and also some confirmation of requirements.

The BVAA members approach to specifications calling for compliance with API 20A will be the subject of further debate by BVAA Valve WG. Guidance will be issued as necessary.

Published: 15th October 2013