Oil & Gas Sealing Solutions
International Seal provides robust sealing solutions for oil, gas and energy applications. Our seals, O-rings, gaskets and engineered components are selected to withstand challenging operating conditions while supporting safety, reliability and long term performance. From wellhead and downhole equipment through to surface processing, pipelines and valves, we supply materials chosen for the pressures, temperatures and aggressive media found across upstream, midstream and downstream operations, with full material traceability on request.
Seals & O-Rings for Oil, Gas & Energy Equipment
International Seal supplies robust sealing components for oil and gas applications where pressure control, leak prevention and long term system integrity are essential. Seals in this sector face a combination of high pressure, elevated temperature and aggressive media, often at the same time. Sour gas, drilling fluids, produced water and rapid pressure changes each place specific demands on the elastomer, and getting compound selection right is fundamental to both safety and uptime.
Designed for Harsh Operating Conditions
- High-performance seals for pressure, fluid and gas control systems
- Gaskets and O-rings selected for chemical and temperature resistance
- Custom sealing solutions for demanding industrial environments
- Engineered materials supporting safety, reliability and operational uptime
Sour Service and Explosive Decompression
Two conditions in this sector change compound selection more than anything else, and both are easy to miss on a datasheet.
Sour service. Where hydrogen sulphide is present, the compound and its hardness have to be qualified for H₂S exposure rather than simply chosen for temperature and pressure. NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 governs this, and a compound that performs well in sweet service can fail rapidly in sour conditions.
Explosive decompression. Where a system sees rapid pressure loss, gas absorbed into the elastomer under pressure expands as the pressure drops and can tear the seal from the inside. Resistance to this is a property of the specific compound and hardness, tested under ISO 23936 and NORSOK M-710, not something you can infer from the material family.
If either applies, tell us at enquiry stage. Where a specific qualification is required we will supply the matching certified compound with its test documentation, rather than a compound that merely belongs to the right family.
Materials for Oil & Gas Applications
Compound selection in oil and gas is driven by the media in contact, the temperature and pressure, and the presence of sour gas or rapid decompression. The wrong elastomer can fail catastrophically rather than gradually.
- FKM (Fluoroelastomer) for crude, refined fuels and many chemicals at temperatures up to around 200°C
- HNBR (Hydrogenated Nitrile) for sour crude, amines and hot water in downhole and drilling applications
- FFKM (Perfluoroelastomer) for the most aggressive chemistries and high temperature service to 320°C
- NBR (Nitrile) for general hydrocarbon and hydraulic fluid contact at moderate temperatures
- EPDM for water, steam and certain drilling chemicals where hydrocarbon exposure is limited
- PTFE and filled PTFE for back up rings, seat seals and high pressure static applications
Where sour service (H2S) or explosive decompression is a factor, the compound and its hardness need to be matched to those conditions specifically. Send us the media, temperature and pressure and we will recommend a suitable grade.
Industry Standards & Compliance
For sour service and other critical duties, elastomer selection is governed by recognised industry standards rather than data sheet properties alone. We supply compounds tested and certified to the standards oil and gas operators specify, including:
- NORSOK M-710
- API 6A / API 6A718
- ISO 23936
- NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156
Test documentation and material certification for these standards are available on request. Where a specific qualification is required, confirm it at enquiry stage and we will supply the matching certified compound.
Related Products
NBR and HNBR O-rings, FFKM seals for aggressive media, metal C-rings and metal seals for high-pressure flanges, industrial gaskets, PTFE components and custom moulded parts.
Oil & Gas Sealing FAQs
What is a sour service seal?
A seal whose compound has been qualified for use where hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) is present. Sour service selection is governed by NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156, and both the compound and its hardness matter — a material that performs well in sweet service can degrade quickly in sour conditions.
What does NORSOK M-710 qualification mean for a seal?
NORSOK M-710 sets out test requirements for elastomer seals used in oil and gas service, including resistance to explosive decompression and ageing in representative media. A compound qualified to it has been tested rather than simply specified, and test documentation is available on request for the grades we supply to it.
Which O-ring material is best for sour crude?
HNBR is commonly specified for sour crude, amines and hot water in downhole and drilling duties. Where the chemistry or temperature is more aggressive, FFKM covers conditions beyond HNBR’s range. The correct choice depends on the media, temperature, pressure and whether H₂S is present.
What is explosive decompression damage?
Gas absorbed into an elastomer under pressure expands when the pressure drops rapidly, which can tear the seal internally. Resistance is a property of the specific compound and hardness rather than the material family, and is tested under ISO 23936 and NORSOK M-710.
Do you supply metal seals for high-pressure flanged joints?
Yes. Where pressure, temperature or leakage requirements exceed what an elastomer can deliver, metal C-rings and other metal seals are used in flanges, valve bodies and heat exchangers, in stainless steels and nickel-based alloys.
What information do you need to quote?
The seal dimensions or drawing, the media in contact, the operating temperature and pressure, whether sour service or rapid decompression applies, and any qualification standard required. Send the conditions and we will recommend a grade.