Harsh onshore and offshore environments in the oil and gas industry require safe, reliable seals that can withstand the challenging demands of a diverse range of applications. APM Hexseal is a trusted oil and gas sealing specialist. Since 1947, we have provided dependable sealing components that protect and prolong the life of equipment while maintaining efficient operations.

Oil & Gas Industry Sealing Challenges

In the oil and gas industry, seals frequently encounter demanding conditions that require specialized solutions, such as:

  • Corrosive chemicals and hydrocarbons. Seals must be made of nonreactive materials that can resist chemical, oil, and gas exposure without degrading.
  • Temperature extremes. Seals must be able to tolerate a broad range of temperatures without failure, from the sub-zero climates of arctic drilling to the high heat extremes of hot oil processing.
  • Harsh operating environments. Seals must withstand extreme weather, UV sunlight, saltwater brine, mud, and abrasive dust in offshore rigs and outdoor oil fields.
  • High pressures. Both external and internal equipment pressures can lead to leaks or blowouts without the right sealing solution.

A failed seal can release hazardous chemicals, resulting in environmental contamination. Leaks can also result in costly downtime and lost products.

Industry Sectors

Oil and gas sealing solutions are used at various stages of the production process:

  • Downstream. Sealing solutions for refineries and petrochemical plants must be able to withstand exposure to aggressive chemicals and high-temperature processing.
  • Midstream. Storage tanks and pipelines require leak-proof fasteners and gaskets for containing fluids during transport/storage.
  • Upstream. Pumps, downhole tools, and wellheads demand rugged, reliable seals for high-vibration, high-pressure environments.

Seals for the Petrochemical Industry

To avoid adverse reactions, petrochemical applications require different polymer or elastomer seals. Specialty elastomers (such as EPDM and Viton®) are engineered to resist specific temperature ranges and chemicals.

To ensure the seal does not crack, swell, or leach contaminants when encountering process fluids, selecting the proper material is essential. APM Hexseal addresses these concerns by offering a range of material options, including:

  • EPDM
  • Aflas®
  • Nitrile
  • Silicone
  • Viton®

We help our clients choose the right material for sealing hardware at every stage of chemical and oil/gas production while making sure they have the necessary traits to perform as needed in challenging operating conditions.

Sealing Solution Products From APM Hexseal

Sealing Boots and Bushings

APM Hexseal manufactures a comprehensive range of rubber sealing boots (circuit breaker, pushbutton, rockery, rotary, toggle) and panel bushings to shield electronic controls and switches from environmental ingress. Our silicone boots form an impenetrable cover over the actuator, resisting oil, water, corrosive vapors, and dust without impeding operations.

Standard sizes fit most industry switches, and for unique applications, we can also provide custom-molded boots. In refinery and oilfield control panels, these ensure the reliable operation of critical switches in outdoor or hazardous areas.

Self-Sealing Hardware/Fasteners

APM Hexseal offers patented sealing fasteners for equipment enclosures, flanges, and housings. These include Seelskrews® and Seelbolts®, Seelnuts® and Nutzilla®, and Seeloc® washers. Key features and benefits these sealing products offer include:

  • Durable and reusable. Our leak-tight, self-sealing line of fasteners create a dependable seal that can be installed and reused multiple times without compromising integrity, offering cost-saving benefits.
  • Extensive size range. APM sealing components meet standard or large-size requirements, accommodating bulkhead applications and heavy-duty oilfield equipment that demand reliable seals on large fasteners.
  • Extreme condition performance. APM’s self-sealing fasteners are designed for use in harsh environments and extreme temperatures, including high heat or cryogenic operating conditions. Corrosion-resistant metal hardware paired with high-quality elastomers also effectively withstands chemicals, oil, and gas.
  • Leak-free fastening. To maintain crucial pressure boundaries in pumps, valves, and instrumentation, our screws and bolts feature built-in O-rings for fastening equipment and panels without requiring additional sealants. We can also develop custom-molded seals to meet unique specifications.
  • Quality and compliance. We utilize top-quality materials and methods to produce self-sealing fasteners. Our sealing hardware is UL-recognized and used in NEMA 4/4X enclosures, attesting to their durability in challenging outdoor and petrochemical environments.

Why Choose APM Hexseal for Oil & Gas Sealing?

As a globally recognized sealing system supplier, APM Hexseal has a proven track record and over 75 years of expertise, producing millions of sealing boots and hardware for industrial sectors such as:

  • Aerospace
  • Chemical Processing
  • Energy
  • Military
  • Oil & Gas

We have a stellar reputation for delivering high-quality components, and we maintain over 100 patents as we continue to provide innovative sealing design options for mission-critical environments.

Quality and Compliance

APM Hexseal products are made in America under stringent quality controls, adhering to the following international standards and industry certifications:

  • UL-listed
  • RoHS/REACH compliant
  • MIL-Spec
  • NACE

This unwavering commitment to compliance and quality ensures our sealing components satisfy stringent environmental and safety regulations.

Request a Quote / Learn More

Since 1947, APM Hexseal has provided best-in-class sealing technology with a comprehensive standard product line that can withstand any environment, along with custom design services to meet unique sealing challenges. Our proprietary designs solve problems that standard off-the-shelf parts cannot, providing longer-lasting seals with a lower total cost of ownership.

Contact us for more information about our innovative oil and gas sealing solutions or to discuss your project requirements. You can also request a quote to start your order with APM Hexseal today.