LINE SIZING CRITERIA AS PER DIFFERENT INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS

Ajay S. Satpute

Sr. Process Engineer

M. Tech. (Chemical)

I.I.T., Madras, INDIA

Ramboll Oil & Gas, QATAR

Introduction:

This article is the compilation of line sizing criteria provided in different international standards, such as API, NORSOK, TOTAL
TOTAL etc.

The purpose of this exercise is to have different reputed standards' guidelines at one place, so that the process engineer shall have better understanding and comparison of the decision making conditions.

Table 1 and 2 are provided below as quick reference. However, it is suggested to go through Table 3 before concluding line sizing criteria.

Table 1: Input values to be provided

Suction/Discharge
Phase Fluid
/ Gravity
Single phase Gas Discharge

Table 2: Output of Table 1

Mach
Vmax Vmin ΔP criteria ρV2 no. Max.
Max. allo
allowed
wed back
back pres
pressur
sure
e Referre
Referred
d stan
standar
dard
d Remarks
criteria
criteria

18.3
NA NA NA NA NA API 14E, 5th Edition Velocity criteria (< 60 ft/s) should not be interpreted as an absolute criteria
m/s

NOTE: More outputs are available. Check Table 3 for highlighted results.

Table 3
Sr. Suction/Discharg Fluid Sand ΔP ρV2 Mach no. allowed Referred
No. Phase Fluid e/Gravity description presence MOC Condition Pipe NB Vmax Vmax Vmin criteria criteria criteria back standard Remarks
Single
1 phase Liquid Discharge NA No/NA NA Pressurized service NA 15 ft/s 4.6 m/s NA NA NA NA NA API 14E, 5th Edition NA
Single 0.9
2 phase Liquid Discharge NA Ye s NA Pressurized service NA NA NA m/s NA NA NA NA API 14E, 5th Edition NA
0.6 m/s
Single Reciprocating pump 2 ft/s (typical (typical flow
3 phase Liquid Suction NA No/NA NA (≤ 250 rpm) suction NA flow velocities) velocities) NA NA NA NA NA API 14E, 5th Edition NA
NA
Reciprocating pump 1.5 ft/s 0.5 m/s
Single (251 - 330 rpm) (typical flow (typical flow
4 phase Liquid Suction NA No/NA NA suction NA velocities) velocities) NA NA NA NA NA API 14E, 5th Edition NA
NA
0.3 m/s
Single Reciprocating pump 1 ft/s (typical (typical flow
5 phase Liquid Suction NA No/NA NA (> 330
330 rpm
rpm)) suc
sucti
tion
on NA flow velocities) velocities) NA NA NA NA NA API 14E, 5th Edition NA
NA
0.9 m/s
Single Centrifugal pump 3 ft/s (typical (typical flow
6 phase Liquid Suction NA No/NA NA suction NA flow velocities) velocities) NA NA NA NA NA API 14E, 5th Edition NA
NA
Reciprocating pump 1.8 m/s
Single (≤ 250 rpm) 6 ft/s (typical (typical flow
7 phase Liquid Discharge NA No/NA NA discharge NA flow velocities) velocities) NA NA NA NA NA API 14E, 5th Edition NA
NA
Reciprocating pump 4.5 ft/s 1.4 m/s
Single (251 - 330 rpm) (typical flow (typical flow
8 phase Liquid Discharge NA No/NA NA discharge NA velocities) velocities) NA NA NA NA NA API 14E, 5th Edition NA
NA
Reciprocating pump 0.9 m/s
Single (> 330 rpm) 3 ft/s (typical (typical flow
9 phase Liquid Discharge NA No/NA NA discharge NA flow velocities) velocities) NA NA NA NA NA API 14E, 5th Edition NA
NA
2.7 m/s
Single Centrifugal pump 9 ft/s (typical (typical flow
10 phase Liquid Discharge NA No/NA NA discharge NA flow velocities) velocities) NA NA NA NA NA API 14E, 5th Edition NA
NA
Velocity criteria
(< 60 ft/s)
should not be
Single API 14E, 5th interpreted as an
11 phase Gas Discharge NA No/NA NA Pressurized service NA 60 ft/s 18.3 m/s NA NA NA NA NA Edition absolute criteria
100/√ρm,
3
12 Tw
Two phase Gas & Liquid Di
Discharge NA No/NA NA Continuous service NA 100/√ρm, ft/s ft/s NA NA NA NA NA API 14E, 5th Edition ρm is in lb/ft
125/√ρm,
3
13 Tw
Two phase Gas & Liquid Di
Discharge NA No/NA NA Intermittent service NA 125/√ρm, ft/s ft/s NA NA NA NA NA API 14E, 5th Edition ρm is in lb/ft
3.1
14 Two phase Gas & Liquid Discharge NA No/NA NA Pressurized service NA NA NA m/s NA NA NA NA API 14E, 5th Edition NA
NA
Single 0.75
15 phase Liquid Gravity NA Ye s NA Drain line NA 9.8 ft/s 3 m/s m/s NA NA NA NA Maersk Oil standard NA
NA
NA
Single Norsok standard P-
16 phase Liquid Discharge NA No/NA CS Pressurized service NA 19.7 ft/s 6 m/s NA NA NA NA NA 001, 5th Edition NA
Single Norsok standard P-
17 phase Liquid Discharge NA Ye s CS Pressurized service NA 16.4 ft/s 5 m/s NA NA NA NA NA 001, 5th Edition NA
Liquid with Liquid with
large large
Single quantities of  quantities of  Norsok standard P-
18 phase m ud Discharge m ud Ye s CS Pressurized service NA 13.1 ft/s 4 m/s NA NA NA NA NA 001, 5th Edition NA
Single Untreated Untreated Norsok standard P-
19 phase sea wa
water Discharge sea water No/NA CS Pressurized service NA 9.8 ft/s 3 m/s NA NA NA NA NA 001, 5th Edition NA
Deoxygenat
Single ed sea Deoxygenate Norsok standard P-
20 phase water Discharge d sea water No/NA CS Pressurized service NA 19.7 ft/s 6 m/s NA NA NA NA NA 001, 5th Edition NA
Single Norsok standard P-
21 phase Liquid Discharge NA No/NA SS/Ti Pressurized service NA 23 ft/s 7 m/ s NA NA NA NA NA 001, 5th Edition NA
Single Norsok standard P-
22 phase Liquid Discharge NA Ye s SS/Ti Pressurized service NA 23 ft/s 7 m/ s NA NA NA NA NA 001, 5th Edition NA
Liquid with Liquid with
large large
Single quantities of  quantities of  Norsok standard P-
23 phase m ud Discharge m ud Ye s SS/Ti Pressurized service NA 13.1 ft/s 4 m/s NA NA NA NA NA 001, 5th Edition NA
Single Untreated Untreated Norsok standard P-
24 phase sea wa
water Discharge sea water No/NA SS/Ti Pressurized service NA 23 ft/s 7 m/s NA NA NA NA NA 001, 5th Edition NA
Deoxygenat
Single ed sea Deoxygenate Norsok standard P-
25 phase water Discharge d sea water No/NA SS/Ti Pressurized service NA 23 ft/s 7 m/ s NA NA NA NA NA 001, 5th Edition NA
Single Norsok standard P-
26 phase Liquid Discharge NA No/NA C u Ni Pressurized service NA 9.8 ft/s 3 m/ s 1 m/ s NA NA NA NA 001, 5th Edition NA
Single Norsok standard P-
27 phase Liquid Discharge NA Ye s CuNi Pressurized service NA NA NA 1 m/s N
NAA NA NA NA 001, 5th Edition NA
Liquid with Liquid with
large large
Single quantities of  quantities of  Norsok standard P-
28 phase m ud Discharge m ud Ye s C u Ni Pressurized service NA NA NA 1 m/s NA NA NA NA 001, 5th Edition NA
Single Untreated Untreated Norsok standard P-
29 phase sea wa
water Discharge sea water No/NA CuNi Pressurized service NA 9.8 ft/s 3 m/s 1 m/s NA NA NA NA 001, 5th Edition NA
Deoxygenat
Single ed sea Deoxygenate Norsok standard P-
 Liquid with Liquid with
large large
Single quantities of  quantities of  Norsok standard P-
33 phase mud Discharge mud Yes GRP Pressurized service NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 001, 5th Edition NA
Single Untreated Untreated Norsok standard P-
34 phase sea water Discharge sea water No/NA GRP Pressurized service NA 19.7 ft/s 6 m/s NA NA NA NA NA 001, 5th Edition NA
Deoxygenat
Single ed sea Deoxygenate Norsok standard P-
35 phase water Discharge d sea water No/NA GRP Pressurized service NA 19.7 ft/s 6 m/s NA NA NA NA NA 001, 5th Edition NA
Vmax depends
upon fluid (if with
or without sand,
untreated or
< 0.25 deoxygenated
Single Sub-cooled Sub-cooled Centrifugal pump bar/100 Norsok standard P- seawater) and pipe
36 phase liquid Suction liquid No/NA NA suction NA NA NA NA m NA NA NA 001, 5th Edition MOC
Vmax depends
upon fluid (if with
or without sand,
untreated or
< 0.05 deoxygenated
Single Boiling Centrifugal pump bar/100 Norsok standard P- seawater) and pipe
37 phase liquid Suction Boiling liquid No/NA NA suction NA NA NA NA m NA NA NA 001, 5th Edition MOC
Vmax depends
upon fluid (if with
or without sand,
untreated or
< 0.9 deoxygenated
Single Centrifugal pump bar/100 Norsok standard P- seawater) and pipe
38 phase Liquid Discharge NA No/NA NA discharge NA NA NA NA m NA NA NA 001, 5th Edition MOC
Vent line for < Norsok standard
Single atmospheric 0.005 P-001, 5th
39 phase Gas Discharge NA No/NA NA system NA NA NA NA bar NA NA NA Edition NA
175/ ρ,
175/√ρ, m/s m/s or 60
or 60 m/s m/s Norsok standard
Single whichever is whichever P-001, 5th
40 phase Gas Discharge NA No/NA NA Pressurized service NA lower is lower NA NA NA NA NA Edition ρ is in kg/m3
0.001
to 0.11
bar/100
m
(recom
Pressurized service mended
Single (operating pressure 0 pressur Norsok standard P-
41 phase Liquid Discharge NA No/NA NA to 35 barg) NA NA NA NA e drop) NA NA NA 001, 5th Edition NA
0.11 to
0.27
bar/100
m
(recom
Pressurized service mended
Single (operating pressure pressur Norsok standard P-
42 phase Liquid Discharge NA No/NA NA 35 to 138 barg) NA NA NA NA e drop) NA NA NA 001, 5th Edition NA
Pressurized service < P/500
Single (operating pressure bar/100 Norsok standard P- P is operating
43 phase Liquid Discharge NA No/NA NA more than 138 barg) NA NA NA NA m NA NA NA 001, 5th Edition pressure in bara
183/√ρmix, 183/√ρmix, Norsok standard P-
44 Two phase Gas & Liquid Discharge NA No/NA NA Pressurized service m/s m/s NA NA NA NA NA 001, 5th Edition ρmix is in kg/m3
< Norsok standard
Single 200000 P-001, 5th Both conditions
45 phase Gas Discharge NA No/NA NA Flare line NA NA NA NA NA kg/ms2 < 0.6 Edition to be satisfied
Single P-001, 5th
46 phase Gas Discharge NA No/NA NA Vent line NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 0.07 barg Edition NA
NA
Total standard GS-
Single 0.8 EP-SAF-228A,
47 phase Liquid Gravity NA Yes NA Drain line NA NA NA m/s NA NA NA NA Revision 02 NA
Total standard GS-
Single Drain line with heavy 1.2 EP-SAF-228A,
48 phase Liquid Gravity NA Yes NA amount of sand NA NA NA m/s NA NA NA NA Revision 02 NA
Total standard GS-
Single 0.8 EP-SAF-228A,
49 phase Liquid Gravity NA Yes NA Drain line (oil free) NA 9.8 ft/s 3 m/s m/s NA NA NA NA Revision 02 NA
Total standard GS-
Single Drain line (oil 0.8 EP-SAF-228A,
50 phase Liquid Gravity NA Yes NA contaminated) NA 4.9 ft/s 1.5 m/s m/s NA NA NA NA Revision 02 NA
Total standard GS-
Single Drain line (domestic 0.8 EP-SAF-228A,
51 phase Liquid Gravity NA Yes NA sewage) NA 4.9 ft/s 1.5 m/s m/s NA NA NA NA Revision 02 NA
NA
Pump suction (liquid Total standard GS-
Single at bubble point or < 0.9 EP-ECP-103,
52 phase Liquid Suction NA No/NA NA with dissolved gas) 2" 2 ft/s 0.6 m/s NA bar/km NA NA NA Revision 02 NA
Pump suction (liquid Total standard GS-
Single at bubble point or < 0.9 EP-ECP-103,
53 phase Liquid Suction NA No/NA NA with dissolved gas) 3" to 6" 3 ft/s 0.9 m/s NA bar/km NA NA NA Revision 02 NA
Pump suction (liquid Total standard GS-
Single at bubble point or < 0.9 EP-ECP-103,
54 phase Liquid Suction NA No/NA NA with dissolved gas) 8" to 18" 3.9 ft/s 1.2 m/s NA bar/km NA NA NA Revision 02 NA
Pump suction (liquid Total standard GS-
Single at bubble point or < 0.9 EP-ECP-103,
55 phase Liquid Suction NA No/NA NA with dissolved gas) > 18" 4.9 ft/s 1.5 m/s NA bar/km NA NA NA Revision 02 NA
Total standard GS-
Single Pump suction (non- < 3.5 EP-ECP-103,
56 phase Liquid Suction NA No/NA NA boiling liquid) 2" 3 ft/s 0.9 m/s NA bar/km NA NA NA Revision 02 NA
Total standard GS-
Single Pump suction (non- < 3.5 EP-ECP-103,
57 phase Liquid Suction NA No/NA NA boiling liquid) 3" to 6" 3.9 ft/s 1.2 m/s NA bar/km NA NA NA Revision 02 NA
Total standard GS-
Single Pump suction (non- < 3.5 EP-ECP-103,
58 phase Liquid Suction NA No/NA NA boiling liquid) 8" to 18" 4.9 ft/s 1.5 m/s NA bar/km NA NA NA Revision 02 NA
Total standard GS-
Single Pump suction (non- < 3.5 EP-ECP-103,
59 phase Liquid Suction NA No/NA NA boiling liquid) > 18" 5.9 ft/s 1.8 m/s NA bar/km NA NA NA Revision 02 NA
Total standard GS-
Single Pump discharge < 4.5 EP-ECP-103,
60 phase Liquid Discharge NA No/NA NA (pressure < 50 barg) 2" 14.8 ft/s 4.5 m/s NA bar/km NA NA NA Revision 02 NA
Total standard GS-
Single Pump discharge < 4.5 EP-ECP-103,
61 phase Liquid Discharge NA No/NA NA (pressure < 50 barg) 3" to 6" 14.8 ft/s 4.5 m/s NA bar/km NA NA NA Revision 02 NA
Tota stan ar GS-
Single Pump discharge < 4.5 EP-ECP-103,
62 phase Liquid Discharge NA No/NA NA (pressure < 50 barg) 8" to 18" 14.8 ft/s 4.5 m/s NA bar/km NA NA NA Revision 02 NA
Total standard GS-
Single Pump discharge < 4.5 EP-ECP-103,
63 phase Liquid Discharge NA No/NA NA (pressure < 50 barg) > 18" 19.7 ft/s 6 m/s NA bar/km NA NA NA Revision 02 NA
Total standard GS-
Single Pump discharge <9 EP-ECP-103,
64 phase Liquid Discharge NA No/NA NA (pressure > 50 barg) 2" 14.8 ft/s 4.5 m/s NA bar/km NA NA NA Revision 02 NA
Total standard GS-
Single Pump discharge <9 EP-ECP-103,
65 phase Liquid Discharge NA No/NA NA (pressure > 50 barg) 3" to 6" 14.8 ft/s 4.5 m/s NA bar/km NA NA NA Revision 02 NA
Total standard GS-
Single Pump discharge <9 EP-ECP-103,
66 phase Liquid Discharge NA No/NA NA (pressure > 50 barg) 8" to 18" 14.8 ft/s 4.5 m/s NA bar/km NA NA NA Revision 02 NA
Total standard GS-
Single Pump discharge <9 EP-ECP-103,
67 phase Liquid Discharge NA No/NA NA (pressure > 50 barg) > 18" 19.7 ft/s 6 m/s NA bar/km NA NA NA Revision 02 NA
Pump discharge
(pressure < 50 barg Total standard GS-
Single and Storage tank < 4.5 EP-ECP-103,
68 phase Liquid Discharge NA No/NA NA inlet or in loading) 2" 9.8 ft/s 3 m/s NA bar/km NA NA NA Revision 02 NA
Pump discharge
(pressure < 50 barg Total standard GS-
Single and Storage tank < 4.5 EP-ECP-103,
69 phase Liquid Discharge NA No/NA NA inlet or in loading) 3" to 6" 9.8 ft/s 3 m/s NA bar/km NA NA NA Revision 02 NA
Pump discharge
 ρm is apparent
density, Vm is
Dis-continuous apparent fluid
operating - Total standard GS- velocity and to be
compressor anti- < 25000 EP-ECP-103, used for ρm*Vm2
106 Two phase Gas & Liquid Discharge NA No/NA NA surge (P > 80 barg) NA NA NA NA NA kg/ms2 NA NA Revision 02 calculations

ρm is apparent
density, Vm is
Dis-continuous apparent fluid
operating - Total standard GS- velocity and to be
compressor suction (P < 10000 EP-ECP-103, used for ρm*Vm2
107 Two phase Gas & Liquid Suction NA No/NA NA ≤ 50 barg) NA NA NA NA NA kg/ms2 NA NA Revision 02 calculations
ρm is apparent
density, Vm is
Dis-continuous apparent fluid
operating - Total standard GS- velocity and to be
compressor suction < 15000 EP-ECP-103, used for ρm*Vm2
108 Two phase Gas & Liquid Suction NA No/NA NA (50 < P ≤ 80 barg) NA NA NA NA NA kg/ms2 NA NA Revision 02 calculations
ρm is apparent
density, Vm is
Dis-continuous apparent fluid
operating - Total standard GS- velocity and to be
compressor suction (P < 25000 EP-ECP-103, used for ρm*Vm2
2
109 Two phase Gas & Liquid Suction NA No/NA NA > 80 barg) NA NA NA NA NA kg/ms NA NA Revision 02 calculations
ρm is apparent
density, Vm is
Dis-continuous apparent fluid
operating - Total standard GS- velocity and to be
compressor discharge < 10000 EP-ECP-103, used for ρm*Vm2
110 Two phase Gas & Liquid Discharge NA No/NA NA (P ≤ 50 barg) NA NA NA NA NA kg/ms2 NA NA Revision 02 calculations
ρm is apparent
density, Vm is
Dis-continuous apparent fluid
operating - Total standard GS- velocity and to be
compressor discharge < 15000 EP-ECP-103, used for ρm*Vm2
111 Two phase Gas & Liquid Discharge NA No/NA NA (50 < P ≤ 80 barg) NA NA NA NA NA kg/ms2 NA NA Revision 02 calculations
ρm is apparent
density, Vm is
Dis-continuous apparent fluid
operating - Total standard GS- velocity and to be
compressor discharge < 25000 EP-ECP-103, used for ρm*Vm2
112 Two phase Gas & Liquid Discharge NA No/NA NA (P > 80 barg) NA NA NA NA NA kg/ms2 NA NA Revision 02 calculations
Upstream of  Total standard GS
Single relieving device, ≤ 25000 EP-ECP-103,
113 phase Gas Discharge Flare gas No/NA NA Line size ≤ 2" NA NA NA NA NA kg/ms2 NA NA Revision 02 NA
Upstream of 
relieving device, Total standard GS
Single Operating pressure ≤ 30000 EP-ECP-103,
114 phase Gas Discharge Flare gas No/NA NA ≤ 50 barg NA NA NA NA NA kg/ms2 NA NA Revision 02 NA
Upstream of 
relieving device, Total standard GS
Single Operating pressure ≤ 50000 EP-ECP-103,
2
115 phase Gas Discharge Flare gas No/NA NA > 50 barg NA NA NA NA NA kg/ms NA NA Revision 02 NA
Upstream of  For ρ > 100000
downstream ≤ Total standard GS
2
kg/ms vibration
Single device, 150000 EP-ECP-103, and line supports
2
116 phase Gas Discharge Flare gas No/NA NA Intermittent flow NA NA NA NA NA kg/ms < 0.7 NA Revision 02 are required
downstream Total standard GS
Single device, Continuous ≤ 50000 EP-ECP-103,
117 phase Gas Discharge Flare gas No/NA NA flow NA NA NA NA NA kg/ms2 < 0.35 NA Revision 02 NA
Flare gas Total standard GS-
and Upstream of relieving ≤ 50000 EP-ECP-103,
118 Two phase Gas & Liquid Discharge condensate No/NA NA device NA NA NA NA NA kg/ms2 < 0.25 NA Revision 02 NA

1 m/s,
if 
separa
te
water
phase SHELL DEP Continuous
3.3 ft/s to 3.3 1 to 2 m/s: is 31.40.00.10 - operation: Vmax
Single Pressurized service ft/s: Normal Normal presen General, Pipeline should be less than
119 phase Liquid Discharge NA No/NA NA (Pipeline) NA velocity velocity t NA NA NA NA engineering 4 m/s
16.4 ft/s to 5to 10 SHELL DEP Continuous
32.8 ft/s: m/s: 31.40.00.10 - operation: Vmax
Single Pressurized service Normal Normal General, Pipeline should be less
120 phase Gas Discharge NA No/NA NA (Pipeline) NA velocity velocity NA NA NA NA NA engineering than 20 m/s