Centrifugal pumps are widely used in upstream, midstream, and downstream oil & gas operations due to their ability to handle high flow rates and moderate pressures. However, the harsh operating conditions (high temperatures, corrosive fluids, abrasive particles, and flammable materials) require specialized designs and materials.
| Sector | Application | Pump Type | Fluid Handled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upstream (Exploration & Production) | - Crude oil transfer - Water injection - Well stimulation (fracking) | API 610 BB3/BB5 (Multistage) OH2 (Overhung) | Crude oil, seawater, sand-laden fluids |
| Midstream (Transportation) | - Pipeline boosting - LNG transfer - Refinery feed | API 610 BB1/BB2 (Between bearings) VS6 (Vertical) | Light/heavy crude, NGLs, LNG |
| Downstream (Refining & Petrochemical) | - Crude distillation - Hydroprocessing - Cooling water | API 610 OH1/OH2 VS1 (Vertical) | Hydrocarbons, acids, caustics |
The American Petroleum Institute (API) Standard 610 ("Centrifugal Pumps for Petroleum, Petrochemical, and Natural Gas Industries") is the most critical specification for oil & gas pumps.
Design Types:
OH (Overhung) – OH1, OH2, OH3 (e.g., single-stage end-suction)
BB (Between Bearings) – BB1, BB2, BB3 (e.g., multistage split-case)
VS (Vertical Suspended) – VS1, VS2, VS6 (e.g., sump pumps)
Materials:
Casings: Carbon steel (ASTM A216 WCB), duplex stainless (A995 CD4MCu)
Impellers: Stainless steel (AISI 316), super duplex, or coated for erosion resistance
Testing:
Hydrostatic test (1.5x max working pressure)
Performance test (flow, head, efficiency per ISO 9906 Grade 1B)
NPSH test (to avoid cavitation)
Mechanical run test (4+ hours at rated speed)
Used for high-pressure applications (e.g., water injection, pipeline boosting).
Barrel casing (BB5) for extreme pressures (up to 7500 psi).
High-flow, single-stage designs for crude oil transportation.
Used in LNG terminals and seawater injection.
Handle LNG (-162°C) with special materials (stainless steel, Inconel).
Alloy construction (Hastelloy, titanium) for sulfuric acid, HF alkylation.
| Challenge | Solution |
|---|---|
| Abrasive Wear (Sand in crude) | Hard-faced impellers (WC coating), rubber-lined casings |
| High Temperature (>200°C) | Cooling jackets, thermal relief valves |
| Cavitation | NPSH margin optimization, inducer impellers |
| Corrosion (H₂S, CO₂) | Duplex stainless steel, corrosion-resistant alloys |
| Seal Leaks (Hazardous fluids) | Dual mechanical seals with barrier fluid (API Plan 53/54) |
API 682 – Shaft sealing systems for centrifugal pumps.
API 674/675 – Positive displacement pumps (used where centrifugals aren’t suitable).
ISO 13709 – Equivalent to API 610 for international projects.
ASME B73.1/B73.2 – For less severe ANSI process pumps.
Centrifugal pumps in oil & gas must meet API 610 standards for reliability in extreme conditions. Key considerations:
✔ Material selection (corrosion/erosion resistance)
✔ Sealing systems (API 682 dual seals for safety)
✔ Hydraulic design (NPSH, multistage for high pressure)
✔ Testing (hydrostatic, performance, mechanical run tests)
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