Oil and gas buyers do not accept an elastomer on a datasheet alone. They want qualification against a recognised protocol.
Documents in common use
| Document | Scope |
|---|---|
| NORSOK M-710 | Qualification of non-metallic sealing materials and manufacturers; includes ageing and RGD tests; widely used in Norway and for subsea projects |
| ISO 23936-2 | Non-metallic materials in contact with media related to oil and gas production, Part 2: elastomers |
| API 6A Annex F / ISO 10423 | Wellhead and tree equipment; performance verification including elastomer temperature ratings |
| API 17D, 17TR8 | Subsea equipment and design guidance |
| NACE TM0187 | Evaluating elastomers for sour environments |
| NACE TM0297 | Effects of high-temperature, high-pressure carbon dioxide decompression on elastomeric materials |
| ISO 13628 series | Subsea production systems |
| ISO 15156 | Materials for H2S service (mainly metals) |
What the tests cover
- Fluid ageing in oil, brine, methane, CO2 and H2S mixtures at temperature and pressure.
- Rapid gas decompression cycles and rating of blisters and cracks.
- Compression set and stress relaxation.
- Low temperature where relevant.
- Physical property retention after ageing.
- Manufacturing control: batch consistency, raw material approval, change control.
The qualification flow
- Supplier submits compound, test plan, raw materials list.
- An accredited lab runs ageing and RGD tests.
- Results are rated against acceptance criteria.
- A compound is approved with a limited scope (fluid, temperature, pressure, dimensions).
- Manufacturing is audited; changes need re-approval.
For a new compounder
- Expect 6 to 18 months and a significant cost for first qualification.
- Plan a small number of well-chosen compounds, not many.
- Share only data you can legitimately share; keep proprietary formulae confidential via the lab arrangement.
- Build quality system evidence: batch records, calibrated equipment, traceability.
What to ask a supplier
Which standard, which revision, which lab, which scope, which compound code and which manufacturing site. Request the report and verify that the scope covers your application.
About this article. It is original writing prepared from public sources, standards and general industry practice. It is not a copy of any book or standard and it is not engineering advice. Confirm values against the current edition of the standard and test in your own application. Only analyse material you own or are entitled to analyse.
