Adding to its extensive capability in supplying material to the oil and gas industry worldwide, Sandvik has successfully been qualified according to NORSOK M650 edition 4 for the MDS R18 and MDS R11 standard for its seamless austenitic stainless steel hydraulic and instrumentation tube and pipe products in grade Sandvik 254 SMO* (UNS S31254) for use in oil and gas applications.

The NORSOK standards are developed by the Norwegian petroleum industry to ensure adequate safety, value adding and cost effectiveness for petroleum industry developments and operations. Furthermore, NORSOK standards are as far as possible intended to replace oil company specifications and serve as references in the authorities' regulations.

Sandvik's new tube mill in Sweden for hydraulic and instrumentation tubing has achieved the qualification for type Sandvik 254 SMO for it full range production program in the new mill.

"To qualify against NORSOK is a milestone and a prerequisite to be a serious player in the oil and gas market, especially in the North Sea region. We already have NORSOK approval for tubes in larger dimensions and now we are filling the gap for smaller dimensions. That being said, we also see NORSOK growing into other regions," said Andreas Furukrona, Global Product Manager for hydraulic and instrumentation tubing at Sandvik.

Sandvik can supply a range of hydraulic and instrumentation tubing in dimensions between 6 and 25 mm outside diameter in Sandvik 254 SMO with wall thicknesses between 0.89 mm and 2.11 mm, and is constantly working on qualifications in order to be able to supply complete packages.

"This is one of many initiatives that make Sandvik closer to a ´one stop shop´ when it comes to stainless steel purchase for the oil and gas business. We are also just about to upgrade our stock of Sandvik 254 SMO to make it fully NORSOK qualified," explained Andreas Furukrona.