Everything You Need To Know To Find The Best API 6A Wellhead Systems

API 6A Explained

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‘ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies’. International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules stated in the ISO/IEC Directives. API standards are published to facilitate the broad availability of proven, sound engineering and operating practices. Any manufacturer marking equipment or materials in conformance with the marking requirements of an API standard is solely responsible for complying with all the applicable requirements of that standard.

As a manufacturer of completion and monitoring products, we have to be fully compliant with API 6A standards. For example, if we take a Wellhead Outlet, API 6A specifies requirements and gives recommendations for the performance, dimensional and functional interchangeability, design, materials, testing, inspection, welding, marking, handling, storing, shipment, purchasing, repair and remanufacture.

For every product that needs to comply to API 6A, you will need to first start at section 1.4 of the standards ‘Product Specification Levels - PSL’ which details five product specification levels.  

Annex A provides guidelines for selecting an acceptable PSL.

PSL-1 is the minimum requirement of API Spec 6A for design, specification, qualification, temperature, process, inspection and hydrostatic test. For example, when picking a material’s class rating from what is listed as standard, a wellhead outlet’s commonly used material class would be FF which is Stainless steel. If a nonstandard material is chosen providing an explanation of why you have chosen a different material is necessary, giving reasons such as the material strength and hardness. Traceability is required until all the tests are passed.

PSL-2 Equipment meets all the requirements of API 6A PSL-1 and in addition to this, mandatory traceability is required throughout the entire production process and after completion.

PSL-3 Equipment meets all the requirements of API 6A PSL-2 with the Hydrostatic Test time extended, all our products are PSL3 qualified as standard. PSL-3G includes all the requirements of PSL 3 plus additional practices described in API 6A and requires an additional gas-testing requirement for assembled equipment.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit API 6A Wellhead Systems.

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Moving on to section 4.1 of the standards the ‘Design and Performance Requirements’. There are two performance requirement levels PR1 and PR2 with different design validation procedures.

PR1 is the basic level of testing and designing in accordance with material/temp/pressure specifications.

PR2 is a higher-level validation design procedure which, on occasion, can be requested by customers. This involves carrying out and applying the test procedures specified, such as pressure and temperature cycles. Pressure shall be monitored and controlled during temperature, see Figure 1, which shows the procedure that’s followed, the letters detailed correspond with specific instructions for example ‘d) Apply test pressure, minimum hold period 1 h, then release pressure’.

A third-party test house is used for carrying out the pressure and temperature tests, physically testing whether the product withstands the temperature and pressure specifications. Upon completion, a certificate is given to prove that the equipment has passed.

Once a PR2 validation is carried out on a product, it does not have to be repeated. Scaling may be used to validate other similar products if they are in accordance with the limitations set, such as the configuration and the design stress levels stay the same.

Any manufacturer of API 6A compliant products needs to have a good understanding of the standard.  They also need to be able help their clients understand some of the fundamental requirements and how it impacts the design, testing and QA associated with it to ensure they supply compliant products.

Author: Emily Blackman

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Basically it is
B31 when your design pressures are less than B16.5 class allowable.
API when your design pressure are above class allowables.
ASME VIII for pressure vessels.

API can be used below B16.5 class ratings, but probably at higher cost. The owner may decide which one to use.


A black swan to a turkey is a white swan to the butcher ... and to Boeing. Peter.

I refer to my answers in your previous post

A response to the questions in that post would be good.

Also define "best". Cheapest?

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it. Dear LittleInch

Thank you your supporting.

Also define "best". Cheapest?====>Not Only Cheapest .
I means Practically / Availability and materiality .

My approach is ASME B31.3 CHAPTER IX .

API 6A (6X) method also is practical .But the problem is discontinuity and stress intensity limitation on piping fabrication and welding.

Norsok also has a PMS for piping class #,which material selection of piping is not suitable


A519 AISI ==>not easy to welding and commercially is not available in market Special system requirements take more care, time and money. I have never found a way around that.

If you want the best all-around piping system design, specify B31.3 when you are within class allowables and API when you are not. I do not use VIII for piping, except for requiring an ASME VIII stamp on pig launchers.

That's about it there guy. All in a nutshell.


A black swan to a turkey is a white swan to the butcher ... and to Boeing. I have done it occasionally, but not at psi.

It created so much trouble trying to locate a choke valve remote from the wellhead that I refused to do it the next time. Why do you want psi piping on the well head? Horribly thick, huge flanges and bolts and outside many normal design codes.

There's a reason 6A doesn't do piping very well - no one uses it!

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.