Petroleum Development Oman L.L.C.

Specification for Flange Insulation Sets

(Amendments/Supplements MESC SPE 85/201)

Document ID SP-2312

Document Type Specification

Security Restricted

Discipline Material, Corrosion and Integrity

Owner UEC - Materials and Integrity Manager

Issue Date March – 2019

Version 1.0

Keywords: This document is the property of Petroleum Development Oman, LLC. Neither the whole nor
any part of this document may be disclosed to others or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form by any means (electronic, mechanical, reprographic recording or otherwise)
without prior written consent of the owner.
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i Document Authorisation
Authorised For Issue
Document Authorisation

Document Owner Document Custodian Document Author

(CFDH)
Behlani, Nasser UEC NABHANI,TALAL UEC1 Ojeda Macedo, Antonio
UEC12
Date : 08-04-2019 10:57 Date : 08-04-2019 10:57 AM
AM Date : 08-04-2019 8:04 AM

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ii Revision History
This is the first issue for this specification.

Version No. Date Authors Scope / Remarks

Antonio Ojeda
Ammedment of MESC SPE 85/201
1 March 2019 Fatih Boluk
First issue
Salim Mahrouqi

iii Related Business Processes

Code Business Process (EPBM 4.0)

iv Related Corporate Management System (CMS) Documents

The related CMS Documents can be retrieved from the Corporate Management Portal (CMS).

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
i Document Authorisation ......................................................................................................... 3
ii Revision History ...................................................................................................................... 4
iii Related Business Processes .................................................................................................. 4
iv Related Corporate Management System (CMS) Documents ................................................ 4
PART 1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 6
1.1 SCOPE .............................................................................................................................. 6
1.2 DISTRIBUTION, INTENDED USE AND REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS ............... 6
1.4 ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................................................. 6
1.5 CHANGES SINCE PREVIOUS EDITION ......................................................................... 6
1.6 COMMENTS ON THIS MESC SPE .................................................................................. 6
PART II REQUIREMENTS FOR FLANGE INSULATION SETS ................................................... 7
2. WASHERS ........................................................................................................................ 7
3. INSULATING SLEEVES ................................................................................................... 7
4. GASKETS ......................................................................................................................... 7
4.1. GASKET TYPE SELECTION DIAGRAM (NEW CLAUSE)............................................. 8
4.1.1. Non-spring energized gaskets ........................................................................ 9
4.1.2. Spring Energized Gaskets .............................................................................. 9
4.1.3. Additional Requirements for Gaskets in Special Services ............................ 10
4.1.3.1. Gaskets for flanges > NPS 24" ..................................................................... 10
4.1.3.2. Gaskets for pressure rating > ASME 2500 pressure rating class ................. 11
4.1.3.3. Gaskets for temperature > 200 °C ................................................................ 11
4.1.3.4. Gaskets in sour service ................................................................................. 12
5. MATERIALS PROPERTIES ........................................................................................... 12
6. MARKING ....................................................................................................................... 14
7. TESTING OF GASKETS (NEW CLAUSE) ..................................................................... 14
8. INSTALLATION DATA (NEW CLAUSE) ........................................................................ 14
9. CERTIFICATION (NEW CLAUSE) ................................................................................. 14
10. ACCEPTANCE (NEW CLAUSE) .................................................................................... 14
11. PACKING AND SHIPMENT (NEW CLAUSE) ................................................................ 14
PART III REFERENCES .............................................................................................................. 15

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PART 1 INTRODUCTION
Add the following:
The purpose of this document is to set the minimum material requirements for electrical insulation
sets for flanges to be supplied to PDO.
This document amends/supplements MESC SPE 85/201 (Feb 2017) issued by Shell and defines
additional requirements to be used for the procurement and testing of electrical insulation sets for
flanges. For easy reference follows the same clause numbering. All clauses of MESC SPE
85/201 (Feb 2017) not modified by this SP remain valid as written.

1.1 SCOPE
Add the following:
This specification covers the requirements for material properties and testing for standard
isolating flange sets ( diameter ≤ NPS 24”, rating ≤ ASME 2500 class, temperature < 200
°C and sweet service)
In addition the requirements for special services are covered in this specification.

1.2 DISTRIBUTION, INTENDED USE AND REGULATORY

CONSIDERATIONS
Replace with the following:
Unless otherwise authorised by PDO, the distribution of this document is confined to PDO
and where necessary to Contractors and Manufacturers/Suppliers nominated by them.

1.4 ABBREVIATIONS
Add the following:
CFDH Corporate Function Discipline Head
DEP Design Engineering Practice
NEMA National Electrical Manufacturers Association
MCI Material Corrosion and Integrity
MESC Materials and Equipment Standards and Code
TA2 Technical Authority Level 2

1.5 CHANGES SINCE PREVIOUS EDITION

Delete and replace with the following:
This is the first issue for this specification.
This document will be reviewed and updated when the significant changes for insulation
sets occur. The reviewing authority will be the Material, Corrosion and Integrity CFDH.
The changes to this document shall be only approved by the owner.
Users of the document shall notify the owner or his delegate on any inaccuracy or ambiguity
and request changes to be included in the next revision of this document.

1.6 COMMENTS ON THIS MESC SPE

Delete this section.

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PART II REQUIREMENTS FOR FLANGE INSULATION SETS

2. WASHERS
Replace with the following:
Dimensions shall be based on the flange standard.
Back-up steel washers shall be provided for all sizes, pressure ratings and temperatures to
ensure effective bolt tightening.
Material shall be in accordance with NEMA LI-1, Grade 10 or Grade 11, with the requirements
specified in Table 2.

3. INSULATING SLEEVES
Replace with the following:
Dimensions shall be based on the flange standard.
Materials shall be in accordance with NEMA LI-1, Grade 10 or Grade 11, with the
requirements specified in Table 2.
For materials for use in special services, refer to section 4.1.3.
Design shall be in accordance with NACE SP 0286.
Thickness shall be at least 0.5 mm (0.020 in).

4. GASKETS
Replace with the following:
Dimensions shall be based on the flange standard.
For materials for use in special services, refer to section 4.1.3.4
If a metal core is specified, the thickness shall be at least 3 mm (0.118 in).
The gasket sealing element shall be of a homogenous design and shall contain a maximum
of 1 joint.
Laminate material shall be in accordance with NEMA LI-1 Grade 10 or Grade 11 as per
Table2.
Use of fire-safe gaskets depends on the requirements of joint criticality and site safety
requirements to prevent further release of hydrocarbon inventory from pipelines in the event
of a fire in the vicinity of a flange joint, leading to catastrophic incident.
If fire safe is specified, it shall be in accordance with API 6FB ensuring that bolt load is
maintained during the event of a fire. Secondary seal, if provided, shall ensure electrical
isolation during normal operation.

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4.1. GASKET TYPE SELECTION DIAGRAM (NEW CLAUSE)

Temp ≤ 150 °C,

Standard Service
(Non Sour, ≤ NPS 24”,
≤ ASME 2500 class
Temp ≤ 200 °C)
Pressure > 300 and ≤ 2500 class
Pressure ≤ 300 class.
Non- spring energized solid
laminate gasket
(Section 4.1.1)
Temp > 150 °C and ≤ 200 °C,
Spring energized gasket
(Section 4.1.2)

General
Hydrocarbon &
Flanges> 24"
Utilities
(Section 4.1.3.1)

Pressure > 2500#

(Section 4.1.3.2)
Special Services
(Section 4.1.3)
Temperature> 200 °C
(Section 4.1.3.3)

Sour Service
(Section 4.1.3.4)

FIGURE 1: ISOLATING GASKET SELECTION FLOWCHART

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4.1.1. Non-spring energized gaskets

For service up to ASME pressure class 300, temperature (< 150 °C) and up to NPS
24”, non-spring energized electrical isolation gaskets shall be used. These gaskets
shall be made of NEMA G-10 material.
These gaskets shall be designed and tested in accordance with the requirements
specified in section 5 for material components and type testing.
Isolation sleeves and washers shall be made of NEMA G-10.
Figures 2 shows typical cross section details of a typical solid laminate gasket showing
various sub-components.

Solid laminate

PTFE seal
(non spring energized)

FIGURE 2 SOLID LAMINATE TYPE GASKET CROSS SECTION AND COMPONENT DETAILS

4.1.2. Spring Energized Gaskets

Metal core, spring energized gaskets with laminate shall be used in general hydrocarbon
service in pressures less than ASME pressure ratings ≤ 2500 and temperatures ≤ 200 °C.
These gaskets shall be designed and tested in accordance with the requirements specified
in section 5 for material components and type testing.
Figures 3 and Figure 4 shows typical cross section details of a typical metal core gasket
showing various sub-components.

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Metal core Spring energized PTFE seal Laminate

FIGURE 3 METAL CORE AND LAMINATE TYPE GASKET CROSS SECTION AND COMPONENT DETAILS

Secondary seal

FIGURE 4 SECONDARY SEAL ARRANGEMENT FOR FIRE-SAFE DESIGN

4.1.3. Additional Requirements for Gaskets in Special Services

4.1.3.1. Gaskets for flanges > NPS 24"

These gaskets shall also be designed and tested in accordance with the requirements
specified in section 5 with the following additional requirements.
NEMA laminate (G-10/11) gaskets (with PTFE spring energized seals) can be used
in low temperature (subject to the limits specified in Table 2) and pressure services (≤
300 class) provided there is no joint in the GRE laminate. For higher pressure ratings,
metal core gasket with GRP laminate and spring-energized PTFE seals shall be used
provided there is no joint in the GRE laminate glued to the metal core.
Temperatures for these gaskets are limited to 150 °C for the use of G10 and 200 °C
for the use of G11 laminates.
Isolation sleeves and washers shall be made of NEMA G-10/11 in accordance with
their applicable temperature limits as shown in Table 2.

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4.1.3.2. Gaskets for pressure rating > ASME 2500 pressure rating class
These gaskets shall be designed in accordance with the requirements specified in
section 5 with the following additional requirements.
Type testing shall be done on actual gaskets at actual flange joint design conditions.
These gaskets shall be made of metal core with NEMA (G10/11) laminate and spring
energized PTFE seals limited by the temperature limits specified in Table 2. Isolating
sleeves shall be made of NEMA G-10/11. Isolating washers shall be made of G10/11.

4.1.3.3. Gaskets for temperature > 200 °C

These gaskets shall be designed and tested in accordance with the requirements
specified in section 5 with the following additional requirements.
These gaskets shall be made of grooved metal core with adhesive bonded ceramic
fiber-based (or mineral) sheets on both sides. These gaskets can be used up to 350
°C.
Washers shall be made of mica (or other mineral or ceramic fiber-based materials)
with steel back-up washers. Isolating sleeves shall be made of mica (or other mineral
or ceramic fiber-based materials). Figures 5 shows typical cross section details of a
typical high temperature metal core gasket showing various sub-components.

FIGURE 5 HIGH TEMPERATURE GASKET CROSS SECTION AND DETAILS

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4.1.3.4. Gaskets in sour service

These gaskets shall also be designed and tested in accordance with the requirements
specified in section 5 with the following additional requirements.
Gaskets in sour service shall be made of metal core with laminate and spring
energized PTFE seals. Materials of construction shall be in accordance with the
applicable piping class/material specification.
Isolating gaskets for sour service shall comply with requirements of this specification
and all metallic materials used in construction of the gasket shall specifically be
selected in accordance with the applicable piping class for the intended sour
conditions.

5. MATERIALS PROPERTIES
Replace with the following:
Table 1: Material Selection Summary

# Component Material

1 Flange As per piping class/material specification

2 Bolts and nuts As per piping class/material specification

3 Washers NEMA LI-1 G10/11*

4 Sleeves NEMA LI-1 G10/11*

5 Gasket core As per piping class/material specification

6 Gasket laminate NEMA LI-1 G10/11*

7 Gasket primary seal PTFE**

Gasket secondary seal

8 Metallic with dielectric coating
(for fire-safe design)

9 Gasket spring Alloy 718 or ‘Elgiloy’ (UNS R30003)***

* For temperature limits, see Table 2.

** For temperature limits, see Table 3.
*** For metal core and laminated type.

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Table 2: Laminate Material Properties

Properties NEMA LI-1 G-10 NEMA LI-1 G-11

Minimum compressive strength as per ASTM D 695 345 MPa (50 ksi) 345 MPa (50 ksi)

Minimum di-electric strength as per ASTM D 149 550 V/mil 550 V/mil

Tensile strength 345 MPa (50 ksi) 283 MPa (41 ksi)

Maximum water absorption as per ASTM D 229 0.10 % 0.10 %

Chemical resistance pH 0 - 14 pH 0 - 14
Minimum shear strength as per ASTM D 732 152 MPa (22 ksi) 152 MPa (22 ksi)
Compressibility range as per ASTM F 36
Procedure J (based on non-asbestos material and 5 - 15 % 5 - 15 %
conditioning temperature of 100 °C)
Minimum cold recovery as per ASTM F 36
Procedure J (based on non-asbestos material and > 50 % > 50 %
conditioning temperature of 100 °C)
Minimum impact strength 12.0 ft·lb/in 10.0 ft·lb/in
Maximum temperature 150 °C 200 °C
Minimum temperature -50 °C 0 °C

If fire safe design is specified, then washers, sleeves and gaskets shall be designed to withstand
fire while retaining electrical isolation.
PTFE shall comply with ASTM D4894 or ASTM D4895; additional requirements are specified in
Table 3.

Table 3: Seal Properties

Properties PTFE
Chemical resistance range pH 0-14
Extractable chloride content < 10 mg/kg (0.00016 oz/lb)
Compressibility ranges as per ASTM F36 Procedure M 7-12 %
Minimum recovery as per ASTM F36 Procedure M 40 %
Creep relaxation as per ASTM F38 18 MPa (2611 psi)
Minimum tensile strength as per ASTM F152 14 MPa (2031 psi)
Maximum sealibility as per ASTM F37 0.10 ml/h (0.0033 oz/h)
Tightness class as per EN 13555 L0.1
Maximum temperature (°C) 200

Laminates shall comply with NEMA LI-1, with the requirements specified in the
section on washers above.

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6. MARKING
Add the following:
Maximum operating temperature to be mark on the gaskets.

7. TESTING OF GASKETS (NEW CLAUSE)

Functionality tests of gaskets shall be in accordance with MESC SPE 85/300.
Testing shall only be carried out at Company approved laboratories.

8. INSTALLATION DATA (NEW CLAUSE)

Manufacturers shall provide recommended torque values for every supply as part of final
insulation gasket documentation.

9. CERTIFICATION (NEW CLAUSE)

For gaskets using metal parts, each metal part shall have an inspection test certificate and
test report in accordance with ISO 10474 –type 3.1.

10. ACCEPTANCE (NEW CLAUSE)

When all tests as described in this document have been successfully passed and all
certificates provided, the gasket will be accepted.
Changes to any item will not void the qualification of gaskets for which this document was
intended to qualify, provided that the Manufacturer notifies the Principal and complies with
any additional requirements that the Principal may then specify.

11. PACKING AND SHIPMENT (NEW CLAUSE)

Each gasket shall be free from sharp edges, burrs, organic substances or any other foreign
particulate matter.
The Manufacturer shall package the separate and combined gaskets in such a manner that
the gaskets will not be damaged during transportation or storage.
Packaged gasket(s) shall be provided with the manufacturer name, trademark, commodity
code or number, nominal size, pressure class, temperature, material designation of the
gasket parts, manufacturing date and shelf life.

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PART III REFERENCES

Add the following:
Shell Standards
MESC SPE 85/300 Procedure and Technical Specification for Type Acceptance Testing (TAT) of
Gaskets
International Standards
API 6A Specification for Wellhead and Christmas Tree Equipment
ASTM F 37 Standard Test Methods for Sealability of Gaskets Materials
ASTM F 38 Standard Test Methods for Creep Relaxation of a Gasket Material
ASTM F 152 Standard Test Methods for Tension Testing of Nonmetallic Gasket Materials
ASTM D4894 Standard Specification for Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) Granular Molding and
Ram Extrusion Materials
ASTM D4895 Standard Specification for Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) Resin Produced from
Dispersion
EN 13555 Flanges and their joints. Gasket parameters and test procedures relevant to the design
rules for gasketed circular flange connections
ISO 10474 Steel and Steel products, Inspection documents
NACE SP 0286 Electrical Isolation of Cathodically Protected Pipelines

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