Microstructures: Why Should You Care About Them?
Microstructure – A Short Definition: Steel microstructure refers to the existing described order and arrangement of observable…
Brinell Hardness Testing
When you perform a Brinell hardness test with a well maintained, calibrated testing device, you can learn:…
API 5L Line Pipe Physical Properties
Line pipe grade designations come from API Spec 5L Specification for Line Pipe. Standard Line Pipe has…
Identification of Male and Female Union Halves on Hammer Wing Unions
“How can I make certain I know which Hammer Union Half to call male, and which to…
Clamp Bolt Tightening Sequence
BOLT TIGHTENING SEQUENCE FOR API CLAMP USING 4 BOLTS. Note: Washers must have proper installation orientation, as shown above….
Clamp Hub Ring Groove Repair
Caution: Hub ring grooves cannot have repair performed by simply skim cutting the Hub face and deepening the…
Inspection of Older Cast Steel Clamps
Prior to 1986 most manufacturers that made clamps, to fit clamp hub connections that utilized API ring gaskets as seal…
API Clamp Test Pressures and Applied Loads
API Spec 16A clamps differ from all other API equipment in regard to design and hydrotest. Clamps…
API Clamp Inspection and Storage
Clamps Inspection requires a thorough cleaning, removing all dirt, paint, rust, etc. Inspection should include particular care…
Clamp Installation Instructions
You may install a WOODCO USA® BRAND clamp in any orientation desired. Prior to installation of the…
About Test, Gauge, and Bleed Ports
API pressure control equipment frequently requires a port that connects with the internal bore that will allow the…
About Spacer and Instrument Flanges
Spacer flanges serve to add space (or fill space) between flanges when connected systems have dimensions that may…
About Target Flanges
Target Flange: a special configuration of blind flange used downstream, facing upstream, to cushion and reduce the…
Bell Nipple Flanges
Every conventional land drilling rig uses some form of bell nipple flange connected at the top of the blowout…
Test Rack Tips
Manufacturers, rental tool companies, and operators demonstrate that pressure control equipment will not likely fail in service…
Weld Neck Flange Attachment
Operators often have to make field attachment of weld neck flanges to pipe in order to complete…
About Weld Neck Flanges
API Spec 6A, 6B weld neck flanges, do not have full bores, they have restricted bores that match nominal pipe…
About Double Drilled Flanges
For convenience operators using certain API flanges will request that those flanges have double drilled bolt circles. Double drilled flanges…
Flange Bolt Hole Orientation for Stack or System Assembly
When assembling equipment, operators sometimes find it necessary or advantageous to join flanged equipment of different nominal…
Double Studded Adapters and Spacer Flanges
Except for Crossover Connections, Double Studded Adapters (DSA’s) serve as the shortest method to join flanges of different…
Crossover Connections
Using combination ring gaskets and combination bolts Certain nominal size API Spec 6A flanges with different working…
Torque Values for 17D and 6BX Flange Bolts
The following table gives torque values for 17D and 6BX flange bolts with fluoropolymer coating for subsea…
Torque Values for API Spec 6A Integral Flanges
This post shows tables for the torque values for API Spec 6A integral flanges using fluoropolymer coated…
Field Non-Destructive Qualification Testing of Pressure Control Equipment
The following non-destructive inspection methods may aid operators in field evaluations of existing pressure control equipment. Visual…
Material Mechanical Property Requirements for API Spec 6A and 16A Bodies, Bonnets, and End and Outlet Connections
API Spec 6A and 16A specify four standard material property designations, identified by yield strengths. The following…
Test Pressure and Working Pressure Tests Explained
API Spec 6A and 16A require manufacturers to conduct hydrostatic body proof tests of individual units of pressure containing equipment. This…
Disassembly (Break-Out) of Made-Up Flanges
Before beginning any wellhead flange disassembly it pays to consider the following safety questions: Use diligence in…
Installing and Removing Tap End Studs in Tapped Holes
The bolts installed in tapped holes in API studded flange faces should always have double end, or tap end stud,…
Pressure Cut Well Head Flange (Connection Seal Failure)
An undetected leak in a well head flange connection can lead to complete loss of pressure control….
Segmented Flange Slide Rule Program
FLANGES FOR SURFACE WELL HEAD DUAL COMPLETION APPLICATIONS IDENTIFY SEGMENTED FLANGES 7 nominal size Segmented (Dual) Flanges…
About API 16A Segmented Dual Completion Flanges
Segmented Dual Completion Flanges They have one flat side with either 5 or 6 bolt holes. These…
API Spec 16A Hub Identification
Clamp hub connected equipment existed before the 1st Edition of API 16A appeared. API adopted many of…
About API Spec 17D SS and SV Flanges
API Spec 17D, 1st. Edition dated October 30, 1992 marked the introduction of an API “Specification for Subsea…
API 5L Line Pipe Physical Properties
Line pipe grade designations come from API Spec 5L Specification for Line Pipe. Standard Line Pipe has…
API Standardization of Figure Number Designated Hammer Unions
As a manufacturer of hammer union by API flange and/or hub adapters, WOODCO USA strongly supports the…
A Brief History of Wellhead Hubs and Clamps
In the middle 1950’s operators in the oilfield industry began seeking faster and more adaptable ways to…
About API Top Connectors
The publication of the 19th Edition of API Spec 6A / effective February 1, 2005, presents a standardized uppermost…
A Brief History of Flanges
Today API Spec 6A and MSS SP-44 specify all flanges commonly used in surface drilling and production….