Who We Serve
Chesterton Customseal provides a high-value service to the Australian and Asia Pacific Oil & Gas industry.
Our flexible manufacturing capabilities - for both moulded and machined products - enable us to provide virtually a wide range of design, material, and seal size with short lead times.
Oil & Gas
The Oil & Gas industry presents an ever-increasing aggressive environment for equipment, and none is under more pressure than that of the humble seal. From high pressures and temperatures through to the need to drill deeper and deeper for reserves and being in contact with harsh chemicals, the longevity of seals is under constant attack.
The quality and reliability of seals, be they packing, valve, or any other types, is crucial. They not only directly affect performance and maintenance intervals, but their integrity is vital for the safety of all who work within the vicinity. Within the Oil & Gas sector, extremes of all kinds aren’t the exception – they’re normality.
The Challenges
The pressures placed upon seals have increased dramatically as the recovery of oil, gas, and hydrocarbons become ever more complex. The standard seals relied upon for so long are no longer fit for purpose, meaning advanced materials and design are essential for safe and efficient operation.
Some of the challenges that seals are under include:
- Extremes of temperatures
- Aggressive chemicals
- Explosive decompression
- Naked flames
- Sour gas
- Electrical forces
The chemical element that seals must be able to withstand is particularly diverse, including methanol, amines, steam, supercritical CO2, hydrogen sulphide and oil.
Valve Seals, Packing Seals and Sealing Solutions for all Oil & Gas Applications
The solution for effective seals lies in the choice of material from which they’re constructed and the design. Polymers bring strength and longevity to seals under constant challenges from extreme conditions. These include PTFT and PEEK, and both offer outstanding performance against the challenges of today’s production. The former has excellent chemical-resistance properties in extremes of all temperatures, and the latter is highly durable and is resistant to acids, organics and bases.
Cutting-edge seal design combined with such advanced material properties make for off-the-shelf and custom-designed seals that are suitable in all areas of the industry:
- Upstream: The exploration and recovery sector demands sealing solutions that guarantee excellent performance and longevity whilst recovering hydrocarbon reserves.
- Midstream: When processing and transporting raw natural gas and crude oil, advanced material and design seals are essential to prevent leaks, conform to legislation and – crucially –continue to do this for extended periods under duress.
- Downstream: Processing at plants and refineries is a 24/7 process that demands seals that offer excellent MTBF. This is vital to meet environmental responsibilities and cut maintenance tasks and unexpected shutdowns that dramatically affect the bottom line in this highly competitive industry.
Chesterton Customseal is a leading supplier of innovative sealing solutions to the Oil & Gas industry. From patented design off-the-shelf packing seals and valve seals through to customised bespoke solutions that offer the ultimate seals for any need, Chesterton Customseal is proud of its long-standing global reputation for expertise and rapid response.
Get in touch today to find out more.
