API 600 vs API 609

The gate valve bible for oil and gas meets the oil and gas industry's butterfly valve bible. Here's our take.

API 600

Nice Pick

The gate valve bible for oil and gas. If your valve doesn't meet this, it's probably leaking somewhere it shouldn't.

Pros

• Ensures valves can handle extreme pressures and temperatures without failing
• Standardizes materials and dimensions for reliable interchangeability across suppliers
• Mandates rigorous testing and inspection to prevent catastrophic failures in critical applications

Cons

• Compliance can be expensive and time-consuming for manufacturers
• Primarily focused on steel gate valves, limiting applicability to other valve types

API 609

The oil and gas industry's butterfly valve bible. Because winging it with valves is a recipe for disaster.

Pros

• Ensures safety and reliability for critical fluid control applications
• Provides clear design and testing guidelines for lug-style and wafer-style valves
• Standardizes pressure ratings and temperature ranges across the industry

Cons

• Primarily focused on oil and gas, limiting broader applicability
• Requires compliance checks that can add to project timelines and costs

The Verdict

Use API 600 if: You want ensures valves can handle extreme pressures and temperatures without failing and can live with compliance can be expensive and time-consuming for manufacturers.

Use API 609 if: You prioritize ensures safety and reliability for critical fluid control applications over what API 600 offers.

The Bottom Line

API 600 wins

The gate valve bible for oil and gas. If your valve doesn't meet this, it's probably leaking somewhere it shouldn't.