TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

PLUG VALVES
(AMENDMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS TO API 599)

MESC SPE 77/107

September 2010

MESC SPECIFICATION DOCUMENT

This document is restricted. Neither the whole nor any part of this document may be disclosed to any third party without the prior written consent of Shell Global
Solutions International B.V., The Netherlands. The copyright of this document is vested in this company. All rights reserved. Neither the whole nor any part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, reprographic, recording or otherwise)
without the prior written consent of the copyright owner.
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PREFACE

MESC (Materials and Equipment Standards and Code) SPE documents reflect the views, at the time of publication, of:
Shell Global Solutions International B.V. (Shell GSI)
and/or
Shell International Exploration and Production B.V. (SIEP)
and/or
other Shell Service Companies.
They are based on the experience acquired during their involvement with the design, construction, operation and
maintenance of processing units and facilities, and they are supplemented with the experience of Shell Operating Units.
Where appropriate they are based on, or reference is made to, international, regional, national and industry standards.
The objective is to set the recommended standard for good design and engineering practice applied by Shell companies
operating an oil refinery, gas handling installation, chemical plant, oil and gas production facility, or any other such
facility, and thereby to achieve maximum technical and economic benefit from standardization.
The information set forth in these publications is provided to Shell companies for their consideration and decision to
implement. This is of particular importance where MESC SPEs may not cover every requirement or diversity of condition
at each locality. The system of MESC SPEs is expected to be sufficiently flexible to allow individual Operating Units to
adapt the information set forth in MESC SPEs to their own environment and requirements.
When Contractors or Manufacturers/Suppliers use MESC SPEs they shall be solely responsible for the quality of work
and the attainment of the required design and engineering standards. In particular, for those requirements not
specifically covered, the Principal will expect them to follow those practices, which will achieve the same level of
integrity as reflected in the MESC SPEs. If in doubt, the Contractor or Manufacturer/Supplier shall, without detracting
from his own responsibility, consult the Principal or its technical advisor.
The right to use MESC SPEs is granted by Shell GSI, in most cases under Service Agreements primarily with Shell
companies and other companies receiving technical advice and services from Shell GSI or another Shell Service
Company. Consequently, three categories of users of MESC SPEs can be distinguished:
1) Operating Units having a Service Agreement with Shell GSI or other Shell Service Company. The use of MESC
SPEs by these Operating Units is subject in all respects to the terms and conditions of the relevant Service
Agreement.
2) Other parties who are authorized to use MESC SPEs subject to appropriate contractual arrangements (whether
as part of a Service Agreement or otherwise).
3) Contractors/subcontractors and Manufacturers/Suppliers under a contract with users referred to under 1) or 2)
which requires that tenders for projects, materials supplied or - generally - work performed on behalf of the said
users comply with the relevant standards.
Subject to any particular terms and conditions as may be set forth in specific agreements with users, Shell GSI
disclaims any liability of whatsoever nature for any damage (including injury or death) suffered by any company or
person whomsoever as a result of or in connection with the use, application or implementation of any MESC SPE,
combination of MESC SPEs or any part thereof, even if it is wholly or partly caused by negligence on the part of Shell
GSI or other Shell Service Company. The benefit of this disclaimer shall inure in all respects to Shell GSI and/or any
Shell Service Company, or companies affiliated to these companies, that may issue MESC SPEs or require the use of
MESC SPEs.
Without prejudice to any specific terms in respect of confidentiality under relevant contractual arrangements, MESC
SPEs shall not, without the prior written consent of Shell GSI, be disclosed by users to any company or person
whomsoever and the MESC SPEs shall be used exclusively for the purpose for which they have been provided to the
user. They shall be returned after use, including any copies, which shall only be made by users with the express prior
written consent of Shell GSI. The copyright of MESC SPEs vests in Shell GSI. Users shall arrange for MESC SPEs to
be held in safe custody and Shell GSI may at any time require information satisfactory to them in order to ascertain how
users implement this requirement.
All administrative queries should be directed to the MESC SPE Administrator in Shell GSI.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 4
1.1 SCOPE........................................................................................................................ 4
1.2 DISTRIBUTION, INTENDED USE AND REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS ......... 4
1.3 DEFINITIONS ............................................................................................................. 4
1.4 CHANGES SINCE PREVIOUS EDITION ................................................................... 4
1.5 COMMENTS ON THIS MESC SPE ............................................................................ 4
PART II AMENDMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS TO API 599:2007.................................................. 6
PART III REFERENCES ......................................................................................................... 11
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PART I INTRODUCTION

1.1 SCOPE
This MESC SPE specifies requirements for plug valves.
This specification shall apply in addition to the applicable MESC Buying Description,
purchase order or requisition sheet.
The requirements for operation and maintenance of plug valves are outside the scope of
this MESC SPE.
This specification is written as amendments and supplements to API 599:2007, which are
covered in Part II of this MESC SPE. The clause numbering of API 599:2007 has been
retained and any amendments are identified as Add, Modify to read or Delete. Any
clauses of API 599:2007 that are not amended or supplemented by this MESC SPE, shall
apply as written.

1.2 DISTRIBUTION, INTENDED USE AND REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS

Unless otherwise authorised by Shell GSI, the distribution of this MESC SPE is confined to
Shell companies and, where necessary, to Contractors and Manufacturers/Suppliers
nominated by them.
This MESC SPE is intended for use in oil refineries, chemical plants, gas plants, exploration
and production facilities and, where applicable, supply/distribution installations.
If national and/or local regulations exist in which some of the requirements may be more
stringent than in this MESC SPE the Contractor shall determine by careful scrutiny which of
the requirements are the more stringent and which combination of requirements will be
acceptable with regards to safety, environmental, economic and legal aspects. In all cases
the Contractor shall inform the Principal of any deviation from the requirements of this
MESC SPE which is considered to be necessary in order to comply with national and/or
local regulations. The Principal may then negotiate with the Authorities concerned, the
objective being to obtain agreement to follow this MESC SPE as closely as possible.

1.3 DEFINITIONS

1.3.1 General definitions

The Contractor is the party that carries out all or part of the design, engineering,
procurement, construction, commissioning or management of a project, or operation or
maintenance of a facility. The Principal may undertake all or part of the duties of the
Contractor.
The Inspector is the party appointed by the Principal to check that the products supplied
comply with this MESC SPE.
The Manufacturer/Supplier is the party that manufactures or supplies equipment and
services to perform the duties specified by the Contractor.
The Principal is the party that initiates the project and ultimately pays for its design and
construction. The Principal will generally specify the technical requirements. The Principal
may also include an agent or consultant authorised to act for, and on behalf of, the
Principal.
The word shall indicates a requirement.
The word should indicates a recommendation.

1.4 CHANGES SINCE PREVIOUS EDITION

The previous version of this MESC SPE is dated August 2008. Changes and additions
have been made to cover the design requirements for lubricated type plug valves. The
changes are highlighted in bold, red text.
Additions include :-
Requirements for lubricated type plug valves.
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Changes include :-
Increase in test water chloride content to 30 ppm.

COMMENTS ON THIS MESC SPE

Comments on this MESC SPE may be sent to the MESC SPE Administrator at
standards@shell.com. Shell staff may also post comments on this MESC SPE on the
Surface Global Network (SGN) under the Standards folder.
 MESC SPE 77/107
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PART II AMENDMENTS/SUPPLEMENTS TO API 599:2007

4.1.1 Add: Unless otherwise specified all lubricated taper plug valves shall be of the
inverted plug "Pressure Balanced Design" in which the line pressure is
used to keep the plug in a "balanced" condition. Lubricated plug valves
shall have a bottom entry design.
4.1.2 Add: Sealing for lubricated taper plug valves shall be accomplished using a
lapped tapered metal plug fitted to a lapped tapered metal body. The
valve shall be a metal-to-metal seated design
4.2.4 Replace End flanges shall comply with ASME B16.5.
with:
The surface plane of the nut bearing area at the backside of flanged valves
shall be parallel to the machined flange face within 1.
The end flanges of steam jacketed valves shall be oversized in order to achieve
a full jacket. Flange sizes shall be :-
Valve Size DN Flange Size DN
25 50
50 80
80 100
100 150
150 200
200 250
250 300
300 400

Jacket connections for the inlet, outlet and drain shall be DN 15 up to valve size
DN 80 and DN 25 for larger valves.
Pipe schedule shall be Sch 80.

4.2.9 Add: When specified, drain and vent connections for all plug valves in
pressure classes ASME Class 900 sizes DN 150 full bore / DN 200
reduced bore shall be as follows:
- Connections shall be drilled and threaded. Threaded connections
shall have a parallel profile in accordance with ISO 228-1 and fitted
with a parallel threaded plug.
- The plug material shall be the same chemical composition of the body
or trim.
- The plug shall have a primary seal inboard of the thread, in order to
protect the thread against crevice corrosion. The seal material shall
be the same as that specified for the seal material in the buying
description.
- The connection between plug and body shall provide a fire safe
secondary seal outboard of the thread, in order to protect the thread
against atmospheric corrosion. In case a separate seal ring is used
the seal material shall be grade 316 Stainless steel. The location of
the ring shall not interfere with the area dedicated for (on-site) seal
welding.
- The plug shall have an external shoulder suitably profiled to accept a
seal weld. The size of the shoulder shall allow a seal weld 1/3 times
the nominal size of the plug, not less than 3mm (0.12 in), but in no
case exceed 13mm (0.5 in).
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- The plug shall be securely locked to prevent loosening by a grade 316

Stainless steel locking ring secured to the body. The locking ring
shall be designed so that it can be removed without loosening the
plug in order to facilitate seal welding after site testing.
When specified, the drain and vent connections for plug valves in
pressure classes > ASME Class 900 and all valves DN 200 full bore / DN
250 reduced bore, shall be as follows:
- The drain and vent connections shall be either a fully welded flanged
or a pad type flanged connection, fitted with a blind flange.
If a pad type flanged connection is applied, it may be integrally machined
with the valve body. The bolting, gasket and flange rating shall be the
same as for the valve.

Drain and vent connections shall not be specified for lubricated plug
valves.

4.3 Add: In case a spiral wound gasket is applied, it shall be fully confined or provided
with outer and inner rings. It shall also have controlled compression in order to
prevent crushing.
4.4.6 Add: - For lubricated plug valves the stem and plug shall not be one integral
piece
4.4.6 Add - Stem sections shall be cylindrical, within a tolerance of 0.05 mm
(0.002 in).
- Stem shall be straight, within a tolerance over the travel of the stem of
1 mm/metre (0.012 in/ft)
4.4.7 Add The design of the valve stem, plug and operating mechanism shall be such that
the plug and operating mechanism have a unique position after assembly. Any
stem extension or actuator shall not influence this requirement.
4.4.9 Add The sleeve of sleeve-type plug valves shall be mechanically locked in the valve
body.
4.4.10 Add If it is specified that the valve will be installed underground or at a level below
the operators position, the valve shall have a stem extension and extension
casing. The casing shall be fully enclosed and externally coated for corrosion
prevention. A positive clearance shall remain between the top of the stem and
the top of the stem protector when the valve is in fully open position.
For gear operated valves, the gearbox shall be mounted directly on the valve.
The gearbox input shaft shall be extended.
The design of the stem extension and protector (if applicable) shall be subject
to the approval of the Principal.
4.4.11 Add The plug of lubricated valves and shall be furnished with anti friction
PTFE treatment.
4.5 Delete: a threaded type,
Add: - A gland with a joint face parallel to the stem centerline is not permitted.
- The gland follower shall protrude into the stuffing box before
compressing the packing rings.
4.6.1 Add: The bolt sizing shall also be in accordance with ASME VIII Division 1,
Appendix 2.
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4.7.1 Add: The operating means shall be free from burrs and sharp edges.
The lever length should not exceed twice the face to face or end to end
dimension of the valve.
Handwheel diameters shall not exceed the face to face or end to end
dimension of the valve or 1000mm whichever is the smaller.
In case the force and dimensional limitations are exceeded, the valve shall be
provided with a gearbox.
- The gearbox shall of the self-locking gear type, dust-proof and
weatherproof. Self locking, means that the output shaft cannot drive
the input shaft, a feature inherent with worm and wheel designs, but
not with the highly efficient ball screw designs.
- The connection between the valve body and the gearbox or stem
extension shall be vented so that any product leakage from the stem
cannot penetrate into the gearbox housing.
- The gearbox output torque rating shall be at least 1.5 times the maximum
required operating torque of the valve.
- When the number of hand wheel turns exceeds 100 from the fully
open to the fully closed position, the manufacturer shall specify the
number of handwheel turns on the quotation.
If specified by the Principal, the valve shall be fitted with an actuator.
The valve manufacturer shall:
- Verify that the actuator manufacturer has reviewed the information supplied
by the valve manufacturer.
- Ensure that the valve stem design takes into account a safety factor based
on the maximum output torque or force of the actuator. Unless specified
otherwise, this safety factor shall be 1.5.
The actuator manufacturer shall:
- Select an actuator proportional to the valve size.
Gear operated and actuated valves shall be fitted with a mounting flange in
accordance with ISO 5211.
Gear operated and actuated valves shall be designed to prevent damage to
the drive train of the valve.

4.9 Add Packing box

If a packing box is provided:
- The bottom of the packing box shall be flat.
- The nominal depth of the packing box shall accommodate a maximum of
six uncompressed packing rings.
- The surface area of the stuffing box in contact with the packing shall have a
surface finish (Ra) of 3.2 m or smoother.
- The packing box wall shall not be penetrated by any drillings or bound by
the thread-end of the backseat bushing.
- The stem shall be suitably supported and have clearances designed,
such that with all anticipated side loads it does not make rubbing
contact with the adjacent static metallic components (bonnet, gland
ring etc), which may lead to galling.
Sealant Injection fittings for stem sealing are not allowed

5.2.1 Modify to The materials shall be in accordance with the MESC Buying Description.
 MESC SPE 77/107
September 2010
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read:

5.4.1 Modify The materials shall be in accordance with the MESC Buying Description.
st
1
sentence
to read:

5.5 Add: Material of the gearbox housing shall be nodular cast iron, carbon steel or
equivalent to the valve body material.

5.6 Modify to The material shall be in accordance with the MESC Buying Description.
read:

5.8.1 Modify to The material shall be in accordance with the MESC Buying Description. Bolting
read: and other valve components shall not be galvanised or cadmium plated.

5.8.2 Modify to The material shall be in accordance with the MESC Buying Description.
read:

5.11 Add Material acceptance

The Manufacturer shall list the material designation of all valve parts on the
valve general arrangement drawing.
6.1.3 Add: Body lubricant/sealant injector connections shall be threaded with a
parallel profile in accordance with ISO 228-1 and fitted with a parallel
threaded injector.
The injector shall have a primary seal inboard of the thread, in order to
protect the thread against crevice corrosion. The seal material shall be
the same as that specified for the seals in the buying description.
The connection between plug and body shall provide a fire safe
secondary seal outboard of the thread, in order to protect the thread
against atmospheric corrosion. In case a separate seal ring is used the
seal material shall be grade 316 Stainless steel.
Lubricant/sealant injection fittings shall incorporate an:
- internal non-return valve,
- giant button head,
- screwed cover with vent holes, which seals-off the connection by
plugging the sealant port.

6.1.5 Add: Lubricants/sealants shall contain a base oil and a viscosity improver,
typically amorphous or fume silica.

7.2.1 Add: The minimum test duration shall be 60 s and shall commence after the test
pressure has stabilised. Acceptance criteria are per API 598, Table 5.
- Test fluid shall be fresh water containing a corrosion inhibitor.
- The chloride content of test water in contact with austenitic and
duplex stainless steel wetted components of valves shall not
exceed 30 g/g (30 ppm by mass).
- Valves with a gear operator or actuator shall be seat tested after
assembly of the operating mechanism.
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September 2010
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7.2.2 Modify to Valves containing polymeric or elastomeric materials shall be of a fire-tested

read: design and certified in accordance with ISO 10497, BS 6755-2, API 607 or API
6FA. Fire testing and certification are also required for lubricated taper plug
valves.
7.2.3 Add If requested by the Principal, the Manufacturer shall provide the operating
thrust and torque (and the applied safety factors) at maximum differential
pressure, and the stroking time.
8.6 Add Body marking shall either be integral or be made by stamping with a low-stress
die stamp on a flange rim (for flanged valves) or on the valve body (for butt-
weld or threaded-end valves).
Body marking shall include:
- Heat number of the body, bonnet and cover forgings and castings.
Nameplate marking shall include:
- Year of manufacture.
9.1.4 Add Before packaging and shipment, the valve internals shall be thoroughly cleaned
and dried and the surfaces shall be free from test fluids, cleaning agents, loose
particles and organic substances.
9.2.1 Add: These covers shall be designed to prevent ingress of water and dirt into the
valve during outdoor storage for at least one year.
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PART III REFERENCES

In this MESC SPE, reference is made to the following publications:

NOTES:
1. Unless specifically designated by date, the latest edition of each publication shall be used, together with any
amendments/supplements/revisions thereto.
2. Most of the referenced external standards are available to Shell staff on the SWW (Shell Wide Web) at
http://sww05.europe.shell.com/standards.

SHELL STANDARDS
Plug valves, sleeve type and balanced type to API 599 MESC SPE 77/107
Graphite to ASTM F 2168 MESC SPE 85/203
Fugitive emission production testing MESC SPE 77/312
AMERICAN STANDARDS
Metal Plug Valves Flanged, Threaded and Welding API 599:2007
Ends
rd th
Fire Test for Soft-Seated Quarter-Turn Valves API 607 (3 or 5 edition)
Specification for fire test for valves API 6FA
Issued by:
American Petroleum Institute
Publications and Distribution Section
1220 L Street Northwest
Washington DC 20005
USA

ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Rules for ASME VIII
construction of pressure vessels
Issued by:
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
ASME International
Three Park Avenue, M/S 10E
New York, NY 10016,
USA

BRITISH STANDARDS
Testing of valves Part 2: Specification for fire type BS 6755-2
testing requirements
Steel Plug Valves BS 5353
Issued by:
British Standards Institution
389 Chiswick High Road
London W4 4AL
UK

INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS
Industrial Valves Part-Turn Actuator Attachment ISO 5211
Testing of valves Fire type testing requirements ISO 10497
Issued by:
ISO Central Secretariat
1, ch. de la Voie-Creuse
Case postale 56
CH-1211 Genve 20
Switzerland
Copies can also be obtained from national standards organizations.