NORSOK - Instrumentation Products Division | Parker US
High quality standards form the mainstay of the offshore oil industry’s drive to improve reliability and prevent accidents. Among the most critical of these standards is NORSOK, which continues to set benchmarks for corrosion resistance and material integrity in instrumentation valves, tubing, and fittings. As offshore projects grow increasingly complex and operate under harsher conditions, NORSOK compliance remains essential to safeguarding operational integrity.

What is NORSOK?

The NORSOK standards were developed by the Norwegian petroleum industry to ensure safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness in offshore oil and gas operations. Designed to replace individual oil company specifications where feasible, NORSOK serves as a key reference within the regulatory frameworks established by Norwegian authorities. Maintained by Standards Norway (Standards Norge), these standards are globally recognised for their role in defining best practices across the industry.

 

Main goals of NORSOK standards

 

1. Access to high-quality standards 

  • Provide international standards that meet the needs of the Norwegian petroleum industry.
  • Offer national and industry-specific standards to address gaps not covered by international standards.
  • Implement an effective feedback system to drive continuous improvement.

2. Efficient standardisation processes

  • Leverage industry experts to maximise efficiency in the development of standards.
  • Ensure effective management and coordination of standardisation bodies and committees.

For more information on NORSOK, visit the NORSOK Standards Website

Corrosion – The Greatest Threat to Offshore Equipment

Corrosion remains the leading challenge to the integrity of offshore equipment, posing significant risks to safety, reliability, and operational efficiency. NORSOK standards play a crucial role in maintaining material integrity and ensuring system performance.

 

Currently, 79 active NORSOK standards address various operational aspects, including safety, environmental protection and engineering specifications. 

Standards relevant to instrumentation materials and products include: 

  • M-650: Qualification of manufacturers of special materials
  • M-630: Material data sheets and element data sheets for piping.

Together, M-65- and M-630 form a comprehensive framework to ensure the corrosion resistance and performance of critical instrumentation components, such as valves, tubes, and fittings. These standards play a crucial role in maintaining long-term system integrity in offshore environments. 

 

Initially developed by Norwegian oil companies for local offshore operations, NORSOK standards have since gained global recognition. NORSOK and their international equivalents, such as ISO 17782, are trusted by major operators worldwide for their proven ability to protect high-value offshore assets from corrosion and failure.

Why Operators Demand NORSOK Materials?

Beyond Norway, oil and gas operators increasingly specify NORSOK-compliant materials for several reasons:

 

  • Unmatched Quality Assurance: 

NORSOK’s stringent requirements ensure traceability and reliability, providing engineers and operators with peace of mind.

 

  • Market trust: 

NORSOK-approved materials are synonymous with safety and risk mitigation, especially in environments where failure is not an option. They also help prevent the use of counterfeit or substandard components. 

For these reasons, NORSOK-compliant materials have become the preferred choice for offshore operators worldwide, ensuring reliable performance under extreme pressure and corrosive conditions. 

Watch the Video

Clara Moyano, Innovation Engineer - Material Science at Parker Hannifin’s Instrumentation Products Division Europe, explains NORSOK, the standard developed by the Norwegian Petroleum Industry. She discusses NORSOK M650 and M630, focusing on the qualification of manufacturers of special materials and material data sheets for piping.

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Parker’s Commitment to Quality Assurance

Parker has been a trusted provider of NORSOK-compliant materials for over 15 years. Our commitment to quality extends to materials that may fall outside NORSOK standards but still meet the highest levels of assurance. 

 

  • Traceability Through HCT Numbers

Every Parker component features a unique Heat Code Traceability (HCT) number (Fig. 1), linking it to the original mill or foundry and documenting every step of the raw material manufacturing process. This ensures complete confidence in the material’s origin and quality. 

 

  • 3.1 Material Certification

Parker exceeds industry norms by providing detailed 3.1 material certificates (Fig. 2). These certificates offer full traceability, including documentation of any secondary processing - such as conversion into finished products - that may affect material integrity. To ensure uncompromised quality, Parker mandates secondary testing and includes these results with the 3.1 certificate. Unlike generic certificates from lower-quality suppli

Parker’s Range of Products in NORSOK Compliant Materials

Parker initially introduced NORSOK compliant 6Mo low-pressure instrumentation fittings designed for pressures up to 6,000 PSI. Over time, our product line has expanded to include medium- and high-pressure valves, tubes and fittings with cone-and-thread connections from Parker’s Autoclave Engineers portfolio.

 

Today, Parker also offers products made from NORSOK-compliant duplex, super duplex stainless steel and titanium for applications requiring pressures up to 150,000 PSI, ideal for demanding offshore environments. Our product range includes needle valvesball valvesadapters, and fittings

 

From topside installations to subsea environments, Parker’s products deliver consistent performance under the most challenging conditions. 

NORSOK-Compliant Materials

Parker's range of NORSOK-compliant materials includes:

  • Duplex
  • Super Duplex
  • 6Mo
  • Titanium

Note: 316 Stainless Steel is not considered a special material as per NORSOK M-650. Other materials may be available upon request.

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Why Partner with Parker?

By choosing Parker, you gain access to one of the most comprehensive ranges of NORSOK-compliant materials and products available. Our commitment to quality assurance and traceability ensures that you are always equipped with the best materials for your projects – whether they demand NORSOK compliance or not. 

 

Contact Parker today to discover how we can help you meet and exceed your material and quality assurance needs. 

This article was contributed by:

Clara Moyano
Senior Material Scientist, Parker Hannifin, Instrumentation Products Division, Europe

Deborah Pollard
Capital Projects Manager, North EMEA, Parker Hannifin, Instrumentation Products Division, Europe

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