O-Rings for Oil & Gas Applications
High-performance sealing solutions for upstream, midstream and downstream service — from wellhead equipment to refinery process valves.
Overview
Oil and gas sealing demands the most from elastomeric materials. Exposure to crude oil, sour gas (H2S), aromatic hydrocarbons, high pressures and extreme temperatures eliminates most standard materials from consideration. Our O-rings for oil and gas service are manufactured from compounds specifically validated for hydrocarbon service, with full material traceability and certification packages available for critical applications.
For standard petroleum service, FKM (Viton) is the workhorse material — handling crude oil, refined products, aromatic content fuels and moderate H2S concentrations across a wide temperature range. For extreme sour gas, ultra-high pressure or high-temperature downhole environments, FFKM (Perfluoroelastomer) provides maximum resistance at premium cost.
Recommended Materials
FKM
General oil & gas service: wellhead seals, valve stems, pipeline flanges, produced water systems
Temp: -20°C to +200°C
Note: Select low-temp FKM (GF grade) for cold climates
NBR
Non-sour petroleum service at moderate temperatures: storage tank seals, pump seals, low-pressure valves
Temp: -40°C to +120°C
Note: Not for H2S service or aromatic content above 30%
FFKM
Extreme sour gas, downhole high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) tools, completion equipment
Temp: -15°C to +325°C
Note: Contact us for FFKM pricing and availability
EPDM
Water injection systems, firewater lines, non-oil service
Temp: -50°C to +150°C
Note: Never use in hydrocarbon service
Typical Applications
- Wellhead seals
- BOP (Blowout Preventer) seals
- Valve seals
- Packer seals
- Flange gaskets
- Drilling equipment seals
- Pipeline seals
- Christmas tree seals
Relevant Standards
Frequently Asked Questions - Oil & Gas
What O-ring material is best for sour gas (H2S) service?
FKM with appropriate compound selection handles moderate H2S concentrations. For severe sour service per NACE MR0175/ISO 15156, FFKM or specifically validated FKM compounds are required. Provide your H2S partial pressure and temperature for a specific recommendation.
Can you supply O-rings with NACE MR0175 compliance documentation?
Yes. We supply FKM and FFKM O-rings with material certificates and traceability documentation for NACE MR0175 compliance. Contact us with your service conditions and required documentation package.
What is explosive decompression and how do I prevent it?
Explosive decompression (ED) occurs when high-pressure gas absorbed into an O-ring is rapidly released, causing internal blistering or rupture. ED-resistant compounds are formulated with low gas permeability and high tensile strength. Specify ED resistance when ordering for gas service above 70 bar.
What O-rings are suitable for biodiesel and biofuel blends?
High-blend biodiesel (B20+) causes accelerated swelling in standard NBR. FKM is the recommended material for biodiesel service. For B100 pure biodiesel at elevated temperatures, consult us for compound selection.