Along the Gulf Coast, there are over 100 major projects that will require flanges, piping, and various pipe fittings in the next five years. Understanding the types of joints, pipes, and flanges used in the oil and gas industry will prove critical in maintaining the proper level of safety on these projects, as well as helping workers avoid issues such as leaks in the lines. It’s best to be as familiar as you can with at least the most common types of pipe flanges used for these types of projects. Below are six of the most common flanges you’ll see in the oil and gas industry.

Weld-neck

Weld-neck flanges are highly recognizable with their tapered hub. They are used in high-pressure environments and places where there’s likely to be repeated bending. Weld-neck flanges are suitable for both high pressures and extreme temperatures, as well as being corrosion resistant and dimensionally precise.

Slip-on

A lower-cost flange than the weld-neck, this flange is slipped onto a pipe and then welded on both the inside and the outside to provide a strong seal and prevent leakage. These pipe flanges are both wear and tear and are corrosion-resistant.

Lap-Joint

This flange is also slipped into the pipe but isn’t fastened there like a slip-on. Instead, the lap-joint is held in place by the pressure being transmitted to the gasket by the flange pressure against the back of the pipe lap. This highly durable flange is used in conjunction with a lap joint stub end.

Threaded

These flanges are used in special circumstances to create an internal thread on pipes that have a deep wall thickness. They are corrosion resistant and can be attached to a pipe without welding.

Blind

A blind flange is the most suitable flange to use in high-pressure situations. Very strong and manufactured without the use of a bore, these flanges are used to “blank” the end of the piping, pressure vessel opening, and valves.

Socket-Weld

While some issues with corrosion cause certain processes to avoid this flange, the socket-weld flange has strength equal to the slip-on flange mentioned earlier. Unlike the slip-on, the socket-weld is connected by a single fillet weld on the outside of the pipe. This flange is also suitable for high-temperature and extreme pressure situations.

Now that you’re familiar with the most common types of pipe flanges used in the oil and gas industry, you’ll be in a better position to determine which parts you need. For more on how we can supply you with the best flanges for your project, please contact Lynco Flange & Fitting today.