PETRONAS TECHNICAL STANDARDS

Carbon and Low Alloy Steel Pipeline Flanges for Use in

Oil and Gas Operations (Amendments/Supplements to
ISO 15590-3 and MSS SP-44)

PTS 11.31.07
November 2017

© 2017 PETROLIAM NASIONAL BERHAD (PETRONAS)

All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form
or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the permission of the copyright
owner. PETRONAS Technical Standards are Company’s internal standards and meant for authorized users only.
 PTS 11.31.07
CARBON AND LOW ALLOY STEEL PIPELINE FLANGES FOR USE IN OIL
AND GAS OPERATIONS (AMENDMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS TO ISO 15590- November 2017
3 AND MSS SP-44)
Page 2 of 14

FOREWORD

PETRONAS Technical Standards (PTS) has been developed based on the accumulated knowledge,
experience and best practices of the PETRONAS group supplementing National and International
standards where appropriate. The key objective of PTS is to ensure standard technical practice across
the PETRONAS group.

Compliance to PTS is compulsory for PETRONAS-operated facilities and Joint Ventures (JVs) where
PETRONAS has more than fifty percent (50%) shareholding and/or operational control, and includes
all phases of work activities.

Contractors/manufacturers/suppliers who use PTS are solely responsible in ensuring the quality of
work, goods and services meet the required design and engineering standards. In the case where
specific requirements are not covered in the PTS, it is the responsibility of the
Contractors/manufacturers/suppliers to propose other proven or internationally established
standards or practices of the same level of quality and integrity as reflected in the PTS.

In issuing and making the PTS available, PETRONAS is not making any warranty on the accuracy or
completeness of the information contained in PTS. The Contractors/manufacturers/suppliers shall
ensure accuracy and completeness of the PTS used for the intended design and engineering
requirement and shall inform the Owner for any conflicting requirement with other international
codes and technical standards before start of any work.

PETRONAS is the sole copyright holder of PTS. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored
in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, recording or
otherwise) or be disclosed by users to any company or person whomsoever, without the prior written
consent of PETRONAS.

The PTS shall be used exclusively for the authorised purpose. The users shall arrange for PTS to be
kept in safe custody and shall ensure its secrecy is maintained and provide satisfactory information to
PETRONAS that this requirement is met.
 PTS 11.31.07
CARBON AND LOW ALLOY STEEL PIPELINE FLANGES FOR USE IN OIL
AND GAS OPERATIONS (AMENDMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS TO ISO 15590- November 2017
3 AND MSS SP-44)
Page 3 of 14

Table of Contents
1.0 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 4
1.1 SCOPE .............................................................................................................................. 4
1.2 GLOSSARY OF TERM ........................................................................................................ 4
1.3 SUMMARY OF CHANGES ................................................................................................. 4
2.0 GENERAL REQUIREMENT ....................................................................................... 5
3.0 GENERAL AMENDMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS TO ISO 15590-3 AND MSS SP-44.............. 6
3.1 MARKING ........................................................................................................................ 6
3.2 TEMPORARY PRESERVATION .......................................................................................... 6
3.3 INSPECTIONS ................................................................................................................... 6
3.4 DOCUMENTATION TO BE PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER/ SUPPPLIER ................. 7
3.5 PREPARATION FOR SHIPMENT ........................................................................................ 9
3.6 BOLT LENGTH .................................................................................................................. 9
4.0 AMENDMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS TO ISO 15590-3.................................................... 10
5.0 AMENDMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS REQUIREMENTS TO MSS SP-44 ............................ 13
6.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY .................................................................................................... 14
 PTS 11.31.07
CARBON AND LOW ALLOY STEEL PIPELINE FLANGES FOR USE IN OIL
AND GAS OPERATIONS (AMENDMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS TO ISO 15590- November 2017
3 AND MSS SP-44)
Page 4 of 14

1.0 INTRODUCTION

This PTS specifies requirements and gives recommendations for specifications and
requirements for carbon and low alloy steel pipeline flanges for both onshore and offshore
pipeline system. This PTS adopts ISO 15590-3 and MSS SP 44 with additional requirements as
amendment and supplement based on PETRONAS lessons learnt and best practices

1.1 SCOPE

1.1.1 The use of this PTS as a supplement to ISO 15590-3 and MSS SP 44 codes which will allow
OWNER to ensure quality deliverables of carbon and low alloy steel pipeline flanges for use in
oil and gas operations.

1.1.2 Other requirements in addition to ISO 15590-3 are mentioned in Chapter 2 and other
requirement in addition to MSS SP 44 are mentioned in Annex D. Chapter 2 of this PTS provide
amendments and supplements to clauses in ISO 15590-3 and shall be referred together with
the code. Where clauses of ISO 15590-3 that are not amended or supplemented by this PTS,
they shall apply as written.

1.2 GLOSSARY OF TERM

1.2.1 General Definition of Terms & Abbreviations

Refer to PTS 00.01.03 for PTS Requirements, General Definition Of Terms, Abbreviations &
Reading Guide.

1.2.2 Specific Definition of Terms

No Term Definition

1 Defect (in NDT) A discontinuity or group of discontinuities

whose indication(s) do not meet specified
acceptance criteria.
Table 1.1: Specific Definition of Terms

1.2.3 Specific Abbreviations

None.

1.3 SUMMARY OF CHANGES

This is a new PTS.
 PTS 11.31.07
CARBON AND LOW ALLOY STEEL PIPELINE FLANGES FOR USE IN OIL
AND GAS OPERATIONS (AMENDMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS TO ISO 15590- November 2017
3 AND MSS SP-44)
Page 5 of 14

2.0 GENERAL REQUIREMENT

The selection of specification for the pipeline’s flanges shall be according to the design codes
of the pipeline system to which it is connected.

Flanges specification according to ISO 15590-3 shall follow the general amendment/
supplements specified in Section 1.0, 2.0 and amendments/supplements as indicated in
section 4.0 of this PTS.

Flanges specification according to MSS SP-44 shall follow the general amendment/
supplements specified in Section 1.0, 2.0 and amendments/supplements as indicated in
section 5.0 of this PTS.
 PTS 11.31.07
CARBON AND LOW ALLOY STEEL PIPELINE FLANGES FOR USE IN OIL
AND GAS OPERATIONS (AMENDMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS TO ISO 15590- November 2017
3 AND MSS SP-44)
Page 6 of 14

3.0 GENERAL AMENDMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS TO ISO 15590-3 AND MSS SP-44

Amendments listed under this section are applicable to both ISO 15590-3 and MSS SP 44. For
cladded flange the requirement shall be specified in specific project specification and shall be
approved by Owner’s Technical Authority’s approval

3.1 MARKING

The stamp of periphery of each forging before final heat treatment with 10 mm high round
nosed or dot stamps shall be put by Manufacturer/Supplier.

The marking shall be the Manufacturer's mark, the flange size, rating, material grade, heat
number, purchase order and item number.

Flanges shall be given coating of standard shop primer approved by Owner’s Technical
Authority.

A purchaser approved rust inhibiting compound shall also be applied to the raised faces and
bevels to protect these surfaces from corrosion in transit

3.2 TEMPORARY PRESERVATION

Temporary preservation compound as specified by the Owner’s Technical Authority shall be

applied to all flange faces after machining.

3.3 INSPECTIONS

3.3.1 VISUAL INSPECTION

The entire surface of each flange shall be visually examined, internally and externally, for
surface defects. Illumination levels greater than 1000 lux shall be provided to enable proper
inspection.

The criteria for visual inspection shall be referred to ISO 15590-3 and MSS SP 44.

Inspector shall execute the inspection activities as per approved checklist.

3.3.2 NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING

All personnel performing NDT activities shall be certified in the technique applied, in
accordance with ISO 9712 or equivalent. Inspectors performing UT shall be certified to at least
level II; inspectors performing other NDT shall be certified to at least level I and machining
operations.

All flanges shall be ultrasonically tested for laminations in accordance with ASTM A 388. The
entire final surface of all production flanges shall be subjected to wet Magnetic Testing in
accordance with ASTM A 275.
 PTS 11.31.07
CARBON AND LOW ALLOY STEEL PIPELINE FLANGES FOR USE IN OIL
AND GAS OPERATIONS (AMENDMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS TO ISO 15590- November 2017
3 AND MSS SP-44)
Page 7 of 14

3.3.3 MATERIAL PROPERTIES

The Manufacturer/Supplier shall submit the flange mill certificate prior to acceptance of
product. All relevant material properties shall be provided whenever requested by OWNER.

3.3.4 ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA

3.3.4.1 General UT

The acceptance criteria shall be the recording levels specified in ASTM A 388.

3.3.4.2 Bevel faces

The bevel faces shall be machined and shall be free from cracks, laminations, notches, scores,
pits etc.

3.3.4.3 Remainder of flange

Laminations, cracks, slivers, notches, scores, pits etc., shall be considered as defects.

3.3.5 REPAIR OF DEFECTS

Repairs may be done by machining or grinding if the remaining thickness is equal to or greater
than the required minimum design thickness.

Defects shall not be repaired by welding.

In all cases where repairs are made as a result of imperfections or defects being disclosed by
NDT, the repaired area shall be visually inspected and subjected to Magnetic Testing for
confirmation of defect removal.

3.3.6 DIMENSIONAL CONTROL

The dimensions specified in Tables 6 to 10 of MSS SP-44 shall be checked on each flange.

3.4 DOCUMENTATION TO BE PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER/ SUPPPLIER

3.4.1 LANGUAGE

All documentation submissions required by this PTS shall be in the English language.

3.4.2 PRE-MANUFACTURING DOCUMENTATION

Manufacturer/Supplier’s contract-specific quality plan, engineering design, drawings, WPS

and ITP shall be submitted for Owner’s Technical Authority approval at least one (1) week
prior to commencement of flange manufacturing and FAT.

NOTE: Review of a draft quality plan at the enquiry stage of the contract may assist the process.
 PTS 11.31.07
CARBON AND LOW ALLOY STEEL PIPELINE FLANGES FOR USE IN OIL
AND GAS OPERATIONS (AMENDMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS TO ISO 15590- November 2017
3 AND MSS SP-44)
Page 8 of 14

3.4.2.1 Content of the quality plan

The format and issue of the quality plan shall be in line with the document control element
of the Manufacturer/Supplier’s quality system.

The content of the quality plan should be based on ISO 10005 and shall include the
following:

i. Identification of the product and contract to which the plan is to be applied.

ii. Reference to ISO 15590-3 and this PTS.

iii. Location of manufacture.

iv. Identification of the individuals responsible for controlling the activities defined
in the plan.

v. Identification of the individuals with the authority to interface directly with the
Owner’s Technical Authority.

vi. Identification of all subcontractors.

vii. The quality plans of all subcontractors.

viii. All sequenced activities for the contract and references to the quality system
procedures and work instructions which will be applied to these activities.

ix. Copies of the quality system procedures and work instructions required by the
Owner’s Technical Authority.

x. Test and inspection frequency and acceptance criteria, including the upper and
lower process control limits where statistical process control is employed.

xi. The location of each inspection and test point in the activity sequence.

xii. Points where the Owner’s Technical Authority has established witnessing or
verification requirements.

3.4.3 CERTIFICATION

Owner’s Technical Authority shall be provided with an inspection certificate or report by the
Manufacturer/Supplier, as specified by the Owner’s Technical Authority in the purchase order,
giving the results of all required tests and inspection. The certificate, or report, shall comply
with the appropriate part of ISO 10474.

3.4.1 RETENTION OF RECORDS

All quality records shall be retained for a period of five years after completion of the order.
Quality records shall be made available to the Owner’s Technical Authority upon request.
 PTS 11.31.07
CARBON AND LOW ALLOY STEEL PIPELINE FLANGES FOR USE IN OIL
AND GAS OPERATIONS (AMENDMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS TO ISO 15590- November 2017
3 AND MSS SP-44)
Page 9 of 14

3.5 PREPARATION FOR SHIPMENT

3.5.1 Flanges shall be adequately packed for shipment, including protection of the bevelled ends
and mating faces. Packing methods and material shall be approved by Owner’s Technical
Authority.

3.6 BOLT LENGTH

3.6.1 To verify bolt length to suit tensioning requirement if bolt tensioning tool is proposed to be
used to for bolt tensioning.
 PTS 11.31.07
CARBON AND LOW ALLOY STEEL PIPELINE FLANGES FOR USE IN OIL
AND GAS OPERATIONS (AMENDMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS TO ISO 15590- November 2017
3 AND MSS SP-44)
Page 10 of 14

4.0 AMENDMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS TO ISO 15590-3

In this section, the reference clauses of ISO 15590-3 are amended or supplemented, existing
clause is deleted or new sections are added as mentioned. Clauses of ISO 15590-3 that are not
mentioned in this PTS shall apply and remain valid. For cladded flange to obtain Owner’s
Technical Authority’s approval.

4.1 GENERAL
ISO listed below shall be replaced with new ISO number listed on the right.

Section Old ISO New ISO

9.4.2.2 ISO 783 ISO 6892-2:2011
9.5.4.1 ISO 13664 ISO 10893-5:2011
9.5.4.1 ISO 13665 ISO 10893-5:2011
9.5.4.1 ISO 12095 ISO 10893-4:2011
ISO 11498 ISO 10893-8:2011
9.4.4 ISO 6507-1:1997 ISO 6507-1:2005
9.6.1 ISO 7005-1:1992 ISO 7005-1:2011
9.4.3.2 ISO/TR 7705:1991 ISO/TS 7705
ISO 10474:1991 ISO 10474:2013
9.5.5.1 ISO 11496 ISO 10893-8:2011
9.8 ISO 3183-1, ISO 3183-2, ISO 3183-3 ISO 3183
9.6.1 ISO 13623 Will be replaced by ISO/FDIS 13623
HIC tests ISO 15156-2:2003 ISO 15156-2:2009
ISO 15156-2:2003 ISO 15590-1:2009
11 ISO 7005-1:1992 ISO 7005-1:2011
Table 4.1 Updated ISO numbering

i. SECTION 7 INFORMATION TO BE SUPPLIED BY THE PURCHASER

7.1 PRINCIPAL INFORMATION

Add the new section after the end of the Section 7.1:

ii. 7.1 (f) “End Preparation - The flange shall be bevelled as per specified in the
procurement datasheet.”
 PTS 11.31.07
CARBON AND LOW ALLOY STEEL PIPELINE FLANGES FOR USE IN OIL
AND GAS OPERATIONS (AMENDMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS TO ISO 15590- November 2017
3 AND MSS SP-44)
Page 11 of 14

iii. SECTION 9 TESTING AND INSPECTION

9.2 EXTENT OF TESTING AND INSPECTION

Replace Table 3 with the following table:

Table 3 – Number of tests for destructive physical testing

Type of Test Number and
frequency of testing
Chemical Composition To be determined by Owner’s Technical
Authority
Tensile – base metal To be determined by Owner’s Technical
Authority
Impact – base metal To be determined by Owner’s Technical
Authority
Through-thickness hardness To be determined by Owner’s Technical
Authority for NS and LS
Surface hardness To be determined by Owner’s Technical
Authority
Metallography To be determined by Owner’s Technical
Authority for NS and LS
HIC To be determined by Owner’s Technical
Authority
SSC To be determined by Owner’s Technical
Authority
NDT To be determined by Owner’s Technical
Authority

iv. SECTION 9.4.4 HARDNESS REQUIREMENT

Replace second paragraph with the following statement:

“Hardness indent locations for flanges shall be approved by Owner’s Technical

Authority”.

v. SECTION 9.6.1 FLANGE DIMENSION

To add the following statement:

“The flange internal diameter (ID) shall match with the ID of the adjoining pipes. This
shall be gauged by running a dummy pig throughout the bore of the flange. ”
 PTS 11.31.07
CARBON AND LOW ALLOY STEEL PIPELINE FLANGES FOR USE IN OIL
AND GAS OPERATIONS (AMENDMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS TO ISO 15590- November 2017
3 AND MSS SP-44)
Page 12 of 14

vi. SECTION 9.8 WELDABILITY

Replace the whole paragraph with the following:

“Proof of weldability shall be provided by Manufacturer/Supplier whenever

requested by Owner’s Technical Authority.”

vii. SECTION 9.9 REPAIR OF DEFECTS

Replace Section 9.9 in ISO with Section below:

“Repairs may be done by machining or grinding if the remaining thickness is equal to

or greater than the required minimum design thickness.

Defects shall not be repaired by welding.”

 PTS 11.31.07
CARBON AND LOW ALLOY STEEL PIPELINE FLANGES FOR USE IN OIL
AND GAS OPERATIONS (AMENDMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS TO ISO 15590- November 2017
3 AND MSS SP-44)
Page 13 of 14

5.0 AMENDMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS REQUIREMENTS TO MSS SP-44

In this section, the reference clauses of MSS SP 44 are amended or supplemented, existing
clause is deleted or new sections are added as mentioned. Clauses of MSS SP 44 that are not
mentioned in this PTS shall apply and remain valid. For cladded flange to obtain Owner’s
Technical Authority’s approval.

i. SECTION 1 SCOPE

Add new subsection:

1.4 QUALITY SYSTEM

The Manufacturer/Supplier should maintain and operate a quality system in
accordance with ISO 9001, ISO 9002, or similar alternative standard agreed by
the Owner.

ii. SECTION 3 MATERIAL

3.1.2 Add the following:

“The steel used shall be suitable for welding to line pipe manufactured in
accordance with PTS 15.12.04. Proof of weldability shall be provided by
Manufacturer/Supplier whenever requested by Owner Technical Authority”.

iii. SECTION 5 FLANGE DESIGN

5.4 WELDING END

Add the new section after the end of Section 5.4:

“The flange shall be bevelled as per specified in the procurement datasheet.”

Add new section:

iv. “SECTION 5.9 INTERNAL DIAMETER

The flange internal diameter (ID) shall match with the ID of the adjoining pipes. This
shall be gauged by running a dummy pig throughout the bore of the flange.

Add new section:

v. “SECTION 5.10 SWIVEL RING FLANGES

A retainer ring shall be attached to the flange, with a suitably dimensioned fillet weld
to retain the swivel.”
 PTS 11.31.07
CARBON AND LOW ALLOY STEEL PIPELINE FLANGES FOR USE IN OIL
AND GAS OPERATIONS (AMENDMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS TO ISO 15590- November 2017
3 AND MSS SP-44)
Page 14 of 14

6.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY

In this PTS, reference is made to the following Standards/Publications. Unless specifically

designated by date, the latest edition of each Standards/Publications shall be used, together
with any supplements/revisions thereto:

PETRONAS TECHNICAL STANDARDS

Index to PTS PTS 00.01.01
PTS Requirements, General Definition of Terms, Abbreviations & Reading PTS 00.01.03
Guide

INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS

Standard Practice for Magnetic Particle Examination of Steel Forgings ASTM A 275
Specification for Ultrasonic Examination of Heavy Steel Forgings ASTM A 388
Quality management ISO 9001
Quality systems -- Model for quality assurance in production, ISO 9002
installation and servicing
Non-destructive testing -- Qualification and certification of NDT ISO 9712
personnel
Quality management systems -- Guidelines for quality plans ISO 10005
Steel and steel products -- Inspection documents ISO 10474
Petroleum and natural gas industries —Induction bends, fittings ISO 15590-3
and flanges for pipeline transportation systems — Part 3: Flanges
Steel Pipeline Flanges (2010) MSS SP-44