Metallurgical components for gas and LNG
Standard-based manufacturing for high-pressure gas transportation systems, treatment plants, and natural gas liquefaction terminals.
The challenge of gas and LNG
The natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry operates at significantly higher working pressures than conventional oil. Trunk pipelines like those of TGS operate at 60-100 bar pressures, and compression and reduction stations impose severe thermal and mechanical cycles on valves, unions, and flanges. In the case of LNG, liquefaction involves cryogenic temperatures (-162°C) that require materials with verified low-temperature impact toughness, something not typical in conventional oil operations. Standards such as ASME B16.34 for valves, ASME B16.5 and B16.9 for flanges and fittings, and hydrostatic and pneumatic testing requirements are strict and allow no deviations. A component failure in a high-pressure gas pipeline is not just an operational shutdown: it can constitute a safety event with serious consequences. Buyers at companies like TGS, YPF Gas, or LNG terminal operators need suppliers who demonstrate documented technical capability and consistency in the quality of every delivered part.
How Vitalmet responds
Vitalmet manufactures industrial valves under ASME B16.34 with the capacity to cover pressure classes from 150 to 2500, in materials suitable for natural gas service. Unions and elbows for gas process lines are manufactured per ASME B16.11 and B16.9, with the option of materials with verified low-temperature impact toughness when the application requires it (LNG). BX ring gaskets are produced per API 6A for high-pressure applications in wellheads and stations. Each part ships with a material certificate, dimensional control record, and, when applicable, test certificates. Our experience in standard-based manufacturing for the oil sector gives us the technical foundation to serve the gas and LNG sector with the same rigor, adapting materials and procedures as each specific application demands. For LNG applications, we coordinate Charpy impact test verification at cryogenic temperature per the applicable project standard.
Products × Standards
Application matrix by sector
| Product | Standard | Sour Service | Custom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial valves | ASME B16.34 | Yes | Yes |
| Unions | ASME B16.11, B16.5 | Yes | Yes |
| Elbows | ASME B16.9, B16.11 | Yes | Yes |
| BX ring gaskets | API 6A, ASME B16.20 | Yes | Yes |
| Bell nipples | Per drawing / API | Yes | Yes |
| Pump spare parts | Per specification | No | Yes |
| Pup joints | API Spec 11B | Yes | No |
FAQ
Yes, under ASME B16.34 in pressure classes up to 2500. Material and configuration defined per project specification, including sour service requirements (NACE MR0175) when applicable.
Yes, we work with austenitic stainless steels (AISI 316L, 304L) and other materials that maintain impact toughness at cryogenic temperatures. We coordinate Charpy impact test verification per the applicable standard.
Forged unions: ASME B16.11. Welded flanges: ASME B16.5. Elbows: ASME B16.9. All with material certificate and documented dimensional control.
Yes, per project requirements and the applicable standard, with records of pressure, duration, and result. The test certificate accompanies the part.
The main differences are in material selection (gas may require low-temperature capability), frequently higher pressure classes in gas, and testing protocols specific to each application.
We serve gas sector companies through direct orders and through contractors who require parts for their projects.
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