Materials System Specification

04-SAMSS-051 06 March 2019

Ball Valves, API SPEC 6D
Document Responsibility: Valves Standards Committee

Contents

I Scope............................................................ 2
II Conflicts and Deviations................................ 2
III References.................................................... 2
IV Notes to Purchaser........................................ 3
V Modifications to API SPEC 6D...................... 4

Appendix A......................................................... 10
Appendix B......................................................... 11

Previous Issue: 17 April 2016 Next Planned Update: 06 March 2022

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Contact: Meehan, Martin Finbar (meehanmf) on +966-13-8809668

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Document Responsibility: Valves Standards Committee 04-SAMSS-051
Issue Date: 06 March 2019
Next Planned Update: 06 March 2022 Ball Valves, API SPEC 6D

I Scope

This Specification along with the Purchase Order covers the minimum mandatory
requirements for soft-seated, steel, nickel-base alloys, and other alloys in ASME B16.34
(Table 1), flanged and butt-weld end, trunnion-supported ball valves in nominal pipe
sizes (NPS) 2 inch and larger for ASME Classes 150 through 2500; and floating ball
valves up to and including NPS 4 inch in ASME Classes 150 and 300.

Unless otherwise specified, valves covered by this Specification shall be suitable for
wet, sour liquid or gaseous hydrocarbon services from -18 to 120°C.

For Low Temperature Service from -19°C to -45°C, 04-SAMSS-003 shall be applied.

Additional requirements for the following special services are covered in the following
Appendices:
 Appendix A: Metal Seated Valves
 Appendix B: Subsea Service

II Conflicts and Deviations

Any conflicts between this document and other applicable Mandatory Saudi Aramco
Engineering Requirements (MSAERs) shall be addressed to the EK&RD Coordinator.

Any deviation from the requirements herein shall follow internal company procedure
SAEP-302.

III References

Material or equipment supplied to this specification shall comply with the latest edition
of the references listed below unless otherwise noted:

A. Saudi Aramco References

Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedure

SAEP-302 Waiver of a Mandatory Saudi Aramco Engineering
Requirement

Saudi Aramco Materials System Specifications

04-SAMSS-003 Additional Requirements for Low Temperature Valves
04-SAMSS-035 General Requirements for Valves
04-SAMSS-048 Valve Inspection and Testing Requirements
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Document Responsibility: Valves Standards Committee 04-SAMSS-051
Issue Date: 06 March 2019
Next Planned Update: 06 March 2022 Ball Valves, API SPEC 6D

Saudi Aramco Forms and Data Sheets

SA-6233-1 Valve Data Sheet

B. Industry Codes and Standards

American Petroleum Institute

API SPEC 6D Specification for Pipeline and Piping Valves
API SPEC 6D SS Specification for Subsea Pipeline Valves
API SPEC 6FA Standard for Fire Test for Valves
API STD 598 Valve Inspection and Testing
API STD 600 Steel Gate Valves—Flanged and Butt-welding Ends,
Bolted Bonnets (January 2015)
API STD 602 Gate, Globe, and Check Valves for Sizes DN 100
(NPS 4) and Smaller for the Petroleum and
Natural Gas Industries
API STD 607 Fire Test for Quarter-turn Valves and Valves
Equipped with Nonmetallic Seats

American Society of Mechanical Engineers

ASME B16.34 Valves - Flanged, Threaded, and Welding End
ASME SEC VIII Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code

National Association of Corrosion Engineers/International Standardization

Organization
NACE MR0175/ Petroleum, Petrochecmical and Natural Gas
ISO 15156 Industries – Materials for Use in H2S
Containing Environments in Oil and Gas
Production

International Organization for Standardization

ISO 10497 Testing of Valves - Fire Type-Testing Requirements

IV Notes to Purchaser

Form SA-6233-1, Valve Data Sheet shall be filled out in accordance to 04-SAMSS-035.
In addition to the valve requirements specified in this SAMSS or approved
modifications, the following information, as a minimum, shall be considered and
included in purchase requisitions/orders as applicable:
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Document Responsibility: Valves Standards Committee 04-SAMSS-051
Issue Date: 06 March 2019
Next Planned Update: 06 March 2022 Ball Valves, API SPEC 6D

1. Valve size
2. Pressure class
3. Ends (flanged w/raised face or ring joint, or welding ends)
Commentary Note:

Refer to 04-SAMSS-035 and Saudi Aramco's Standard Drawings for flanged valves larger
than NPS 24.

4. Face-to-face dimensions, if non-standard

5. Operation requirements (gear or power operator)
Commentary Note:

Manufacturer should be advised to provide a stem of sufficient length if it is anticipated

that the valve may be retrofitted with an electrical actuator.

6. Above ground or buried service (specify burial depth) or insulated service

7. Seating, if other than soft type (see appendices)
8. Orientation of installed valve, if other than stem-vertical
9. Special internal or external coatings
10. Other than standard wet sour hydrocarbon services
11. Valves shall meet the applicable requirements of 04-SAMSS-035
12. For hot tap operations (specify min. bore required)
13. Specify trim materials option
14. Floating ball design, if required
15. Low or high temperature service
Commentary Note:

Form SA-6233-1, Valve Data Sheet, (refer to 04-SAMSS-035), shall be filled out by the
Purchaser when ordering non-stock valves.

V Modifications to API SPEC 6D, Specification for Pipeline and Piping Valves

The following paragraph numbers refer to API SPEC 6D, Twenty-Fourth Edition,
August 2014, which is part of this specification. The text in each paragraph is an
addition, exception, modification, or deletion to API SPEC 6D as noted. Paragraph
numbers not appearing in API SPEC 6D are new paragraphs to be inserted in numerical
order.

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Document Responsibility: Valves Standards Committee 04-SAMSS-051
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Next Planned Update: 06 March 2022 Ball Valves, API SPEC 6D

(Addition) Valves shall meet the applicable requirements of 04-SAMSS-035.

(Addition) Unless otherwise specified, valves shall be suitable for wet, sour
liquid or gaseous hydrocarbon services between -18 and 120°C.

(Addition) Valves in low temperature service from -19°C to -45°C shall be in

accordance with the additional requirements in 04-SAMSS-003.

Section 4 – Valve Types and Configurations

(Addition) Valve shall be of proven design. New designs shall be approved

by the VSCC.

4.1.3 (Addition) In addition to the illustrated body styles, a two piece split body
design with a bolted flanged joint is acceptable.

(Addition) Unless otherwise specified in the Purchase Requisition/Order,

valves shall be furnished trunnion-supported, full bore, long pattern, in either
split body or top entry body styles. Two piece fully welded body design is
only acceptable when specified.

(Addition) The ball “closure member” shall be a substantially solid one-piece

casting or forging.

(Addition) Unless otherwise specified the valve shall be a bidirectional

design.

(Addition) Trunnion-supported valves shall be designed to provide “double

block and bleed” service.

(Addition) The seats shall be designed to ensure positive sealing at low

differential pressures.

(Addition) Stem sealing shall be of proven design and materials, and it shall
be achieved with a minimum of inner and outer seal elements or with stem
packing that can be tightened under pressure by means of a mechanically
loaded gland. If inner and outer seal elements are used, either the outer seal
shall be replaceable with the valve in service or a means of injecting sealant
between the seals shall be provided.

Section 5 – Design

5.1 Design Standards and Calculations

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Document Responsibility: Valves Standards Committee 04-SAMSS-051
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Next Planned Update: 06 March 2022 Ball Valves, API SPEC 6D

(Addition) All valves shall have minimum wall thicknesses in accordance

with latest revision of ASME B16.34, Table 3. Wall thicknesses for valves
not included in ASME B16.34 Table 3 shall be determined by linear
interpolation or extrapolation.

(Addition) The design of body joints, except for the body end flanges, shall
be in accordance with ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section VIII
Division I.

(Addition) Additional loads (such as external loads, tensions, bending

moments, actuators weights and torque) shall be incorporated in the design
requirements.

5.2 Pressure and Temperature Rating

(Exception) All parts shall be suitable for continuous service at the

maximum operating pressure rating through 120°C or the maximum design
temperature, whichever is higher.

5.4 Face-to-face and End-to-end Dimensions

(Addition) When top entry valves are furnished in pressure classes 150 and
300, the face-to-face and end-to-end dimensions shall follow the same
dimensions of valves with pressure class 600.

(Addition) Valves sizes not covered in API 6D, ASME B16.10, or in the
above paragraph shall be to in accordance with manufacturer's standard face
to face dimensions and shall be agreed upon with the purchaser.

5.7 Valve Ends

(Addition) Flanged ends shall be integral with the valve body or end closure
forging or casting. Weld on flanges shall not be permitted. In cases where
this is not practical, forged flanges may be welded with full penetration
welding subject to prior formal approval by Valves Standards Committee
Chairman (VSCC).

5.7.1 (Addition) End flanges and associated flange facings shall be in accordance
with 04-SAMSS-035.

5.7.2 (Addition) Welding ends shall be in accordance with 04-SAMSS-035.

5.8 Valve Cavity Pressure Relief

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Next Planned Update: 06 March 2022 Ball Valves, API SPEC 6D

(Addition) Valves shall be designed to be internally self-relieving. A relief/

equalizing hole drilled in the ball or vent hole on ball or seat (to upstream or
downstream line) is not permitted.

5.10 Injection Points

(Addition) Trunnion-supported valves, NPS 8 inch and larger, shall have a

seat sealant injection system or other secondary means to achieve a seal in
emergency cases.

5.12 Drain, Vent, and Sealant Valves

(Addition) Trunnion-supported valves, NPS 8 inch and larger, shall be

provided with body vent and drain API STD 602 gate valves. Other valve
types shall be specifically approved by the Valves Standards Committee
Chairman (VSCC). Drain and vent valves shall be fitted to the main valve
body with NPT threaded connections which shall be subsequently seal
welded. Sizes shall comply with 04-SAMSS-035 requirements. The
discharge end of drain and vent valves shall be fitted with Hex head NPT
threaded plugs.

5.18 Actuator, Operators, and Stem Extensions

(Addition) Gear operators shall be provided on valves in the following sizes

and classes:

ANSI Pressure Class NPS (inch)

150 6 and larger

300 4 and larger
400 and above 3 and larger

(Addition) For operator requirements, refer to 04-SAMSS-035.

5.19 Lifting

(Addition) Valves with a weight of 250 kg and greater shall be fitted with
lifting lugs/eyes.

5.20.2 Allowable Stresses

(Addition) The weakest point of the drive train, including the stem shall be
outside the valve pressure containing boundary. Calculations shall be made
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Next Planned Update: 06 March 2022 Ball Valves, API SPEC 6D

available taking into consideration that the smallest cross-sectional area of

the stem is capable of providing the required strength to operate the valve at
all extreme design conditions.

5.22 Fire Type-testing

(Addition) Valves shall be qualified as a fire-safe design through type testing

in accordance with ISO 10497, API 607 or API 6FA”. Fire safe type
validation testing shall be witnessed and endorsed by a qualified independent
third party inspection agency.

Section 6 – Material

6.3 Service Compatibility

(Addition) Manufacturer shall advise if the specified materials including

trim, seat, body, soft inserts and elastomers are incompatible with the
intended service conditions.

(Addition) Unless otherwise specified, all parts, welds and heat-affected

zones of welds exposed to line fluids shall meet the hardness and heat
treatment requirements as specified in NACE MR0175 or ISO 15156.
This includes materials under overlays, platings or coatings. A component
shall be heat treated following the application of an overlay, or coating, if
necessary, to bring the condition and properties of the heat affected zone into
compliance with NACE MR0175 or ISO 15156.

6.4 Forged Parts

(Addition) Cast material is not allowed for valve stem or seat rings.
Stem shall be one piece, no welding is accepted.

(Addition) Balls shall be forged for pressure class 900 or higher.

6.9 Drain Connections

(Addition) All wetted parts such as vents, drains, fittings, and other
accessories shall comply with the requirements of 04-SAMSS-035.

6.11 (Addition) Minimum Materials Requirement

 Carbon steel trim components including the seat ring, stem, and ball
shall be Electroless nickel plated (ENP) with a minimum thickness of 75
µm, unless the materials specified are Martensitic Steels (13Cr,
13Cr4Ni) AISI 410 or higher grade.
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Document Responsibility: Valves Standards Committee 04-SAMSS-051
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Next Planned Update: 06 March 2022 Ball Valves, API SPEC 6D

 Unless otherwise specified, for NPS 8 inch and larger valves, critical areas
such as seat pockets, stem seal housing and dynamic seal areas shall be
overlaid with corrosion resistant material at least equal to the trim material
of the main valve, and shall be AISI 316L SS as a minimum.
 All sliding, rotating, screwed components and plugs shall have sufficient
differential harnesses and surface finishes to prevent galling.
 Bearings shall be self-lubricated type and shall have corrosion resistance
equal or better than the valve bore sealing mechanism parts.

6.12 (Addition) Non Metallic Parts (Non-metallic inserts and seals)

 All materials shall be suitable for continuous service at the maximum
operating pressure rating through a temperature range of -18°C to 120°C,
unless wider temperature limits are specified.
 Nitrile rubber, SBR, Neoprene, and EPDM shall not be used.
 Elastomers should not be used as seat insert materials.
 For higher temperature ranges, materials shall be suitable for continuous
exposure at the service conditions and ratings specified. Any variation,
including temperature limitations for soft-seal parts, shall be subject to
prior acceptance by the Valves Standards Committee Chairman.
 Seals for valves in services containing gas shall resist explosive
decompression. O-Ring cross sectional diameter shall be less than 7 mm
and shall be qualified for the service.
 Viton of all grades shall not be used for methanol fluid operating services.

Section 7 – Welding

7.6 Repair of Welds

(Addition) Weld repairs are not permitted on stem or trim components.

Weld repairs are allowed on cladded surfaces. Weld repair of cast and
wrought material shall be in accordance with 04-SAMSS-048.

Section 8 – Quality Control Requirements

(Addition) See 04-SAMSS-035 and 04-SAMSS-048 for additional

requirements.

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Next Planned Update: 06 March 2022 Ball Valves, API SPEC 6D

Section 9 – Pressure Testing

(Addition) See 04-SAMSS-035 and 04-SAMSS-048 for additional

requirements.

Section 10 – Coating/Painting

(Addition) See 04-SAMSS-035 and 04-SAMSS-048 for additional

requirements.

Section 11 – Marking

(Addition) See 04-SAMSS-035 for additional requirements.

Section 12 – Preparation for Shipment

(Addition) Refer to 04-SAMSS-035 for additional requirements.

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Document Responsibility: Valves Standards Committee 04-SAMSS-051
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Next Planned Update: 06 March 2022 Ball Valves, API SPEC 6D

Revision Summary
17 April 2016 Major revision to reaffirm the requirements to meet company needs and to align this material
system specification with the international standard API STD 6D latest edition.
06 March 2019 Periodic update.

Summary of Change
No. Paragraph No. Change Type Technical Change

1 1 Modification Reworded heading of Appendix A

2 2 Modification Reworded per SAEP-302
3 3 Modification Updated titles for several of the references
4 V - General Modification Relocated requirement from 5.1. Included basic
service and temperature requirements
5 V - 4.1.3 Modification Reworded paragraph
6 V – 5.1 Modification Moved first paragraph to V- General
7 V - General Modification Relocated requirement from 5.1 and included basic
service and temperature requirements
8 V – 5.7 Modification Reworded paragraph
9 V – 5.12 Modification Reworded paragraph
10 V – 5.22 Modification Reworded and removed reference to obsolete BS
6755-2.
11 V – 6.3, 6.4, Modification Reworded paragraphs
6.9, 6.11, 6.12
12 V – 7.6 Modification Reworded paragraph and added reference to 04-
SAMSS-048
13 Appendix A Modification Reworded paragraphs
14 Appendix B Deleted Deleted, reference to Shell Alvania EP-2 grease or
equal

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Appendix A – Metal Seated Valves

Additional requirements for metal seated valves:

1) Temperature range shall be from -18°C to 400°C, unless otherwise specified.

2) For metal seated valves (regardless of the temperature limits), Finite Element
Analysis (FEA) shall be performed to demonstrate that the required seat to ball
contact and seat to body contact is maintained and remains within the elastic limit,
and freedom of movement preserved, under all given design and operating conditions.
Reports of the FEA shall be made available upon requests.

3) Ball and seat rings shall be overlaid with Alloy No. 6 (reference API 600, Table 8,
note g), tungsten carbide, chromium carbide or other suitable hardfacings. Technical
design and performance validation package shall be made available upon request for
evaluation and approval by the Valves Standards Committee Chairman (VSCC).

4) For corrosive service, suitable Corrosion Resistant Alloy (CRA) materials shall be
applied on the base materials of the ball, unless the base material is already in SS or
considered CRA.

5) Bearing material shall be as follow:

Upper
Temperature 121°C to 250°C 121°C to 300°C 300°C and up
Rating
base material
base material
Nickel Alloy 625
F316/L with
Bearing Material or F316/L with Alloy No. 6
tungsten carbide
chromium carbide
overlay
overlay
Vendor may submit alternative bearing proposals for review and approval by the
VSCC.

6) Stem packing shall be graphite of proven design arrangement. Other proposals shall
be subject to the VSCC approval.

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Appendix B – Subsea Service

Additional requirements for valves in subsea services.

1) All requirements of API 6D SS shall be followed as applicable.

2) Valve with all of its sealing arrangements shall be of field proven designs, used on a
similar subsea application, and with prior qualification testing. Design calculations
shall be made available upon request for evaluations. Manufacturer shall indicate any
deviation from previously qualified valves, and submit all supporting documentation
(design codes, test results, etc.) for company acceptance.

3) The bottom of the body cavity of the valve shall be filled with grease to preclude
entrapment of water after field hydrotest. The grease shall be lithium-based with
additional corrosion inhibitor and EP-2 or equal additives.

4) Flanged connections shall be sealed with fluoro-elastomer O-ring seals.

5) Unless otherwise specified, the operator shall be suitable for operating at a minimum
water depth of 60 m.

6) End flanges for class rating of 300 # and above shall be ring joint, unless otherwise
specified.

7) A pressure-balancing device shall be provided between operator/cavity and the

surrounding water to compensate for pressure variations caused by water depths and
to prevent seawater entry.

8) A pressure-relief valve shall be installed in the operator/cavity to prevent over-

pressurizing if there is any stem leakage.

9) Drains and vents shall be plugged and seal welded.

10) Unless otherwise specified, for alloy steel valves, CRA weld overlay should be
applied on all seals areas (dynamic and static) and related contact faces (if not already
in SS or CRA solid material).

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