American Petroleum Institute (API) released its newest valve standard on 8 November to improve operational safety and environmental protection. The 21st edition of API Spec 6A—Wellhead and Tree Equipmentgoverns the design and operations of the critical safety valves at wells used in the offshore and onshore oil and gas industry. It includes new automatic closure requirements to ensure additional protection for workers and the environment in loss of power and emergency situations.
Also included are new requirements for modern technologies, including equipment quality provisions, and recognition of the environmental conditions in which well equipment is to be placed safely in service. This specification has been relied upon by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement in its regulations for offshore safety.
“The safety of our operations is of paramount importance to our industry. Each day more than 1.6 million barrels of oil are pumped from hundreds of deepwater wells in the Gulf of Mexico. Ensuring the immediate closure of valves connecting underwater production systems to surface facilities will help keep workers safe and adds an additional layer of environmental protection where they operate,” said Debra Phillips, vice president of API Global Industry Services.
Current licensees shall ensure that products manufactured on and after 1 November 2019 meet the requirements of API Spec 6A, 21st edition, in order to use the API monogram. API Monogram is a voluntary licensing program that facilitates the consistent manufacturing of product that conforms to applicable API specifications. Licensed manufacturers are given the authority to apply the API Monogram registered mark to equipment that meets the requirements.