Overview
ISO 13631:2002 - "Petroleum and natural gas industries - Packaged reciprocating gas compressors" is an international standard that defines requirements and recommendations for the design, materials, fabrication, inspection, testing and preparation for shipment of packaged skid-mounted reciprocating compressors with lubricated cylinders and their prime movers. It applies to separable or integral compressors used for hydrocarbon gas compression and covers associated auxiliary equipment to deliver an operable unit with minimal field construction.
The standard is focused on fully packaged compressor units intended for the petroleum and natural gas industries and is the first edition published in 2002.
Key Topics
ISO 13631:2002 addresses a broad range of technical subjects related to packaged reciprocating gas compressors, including:
- Compressor package performance - performance curves, package arrangement and detailed drawings
- Compressor design details - allowable speeds, discharge temperatures, rod loads, cylinders, valves, pistons, crankshafts and lubrication systems
- Capacity control - methods such as speed variation, clearance variation, bypass systems and unloading techniques
- Prime movers - requirements for gas engines and electric motors as integrated drives
- Cooling systems and heat exchangers - compressor and engine cooling, air-cooled heat exchanger design and arrangement
- Pressure vessels and pulsation suppression - separators and pulsation devices incorporated in packaged units
- Piping, valves and auxiliaries - design, fabrication, connections, drain/vent and relief arrangements
- Electrical systems and instrumentation - wiring, earthing, control panels, alarms, shutdowns and annunciators
- Skid design, paint and protection - structural skid requirements, walkways and painting
- Inspection, testing & documentation - material inspection, testing procedures and shipping preparations
The standard explicitly excludes compressors covered by ISO 13707, column-mounted or non-lubricated compressors, trunk-type piston designs that double as crossheads, low-pressure utility/instrument air compressors (≤ 0.9 MPa), and compressors driven by diesel engines, gas turbines or steam turbines.
Applications
Who uses ISO 13631:2002 and why:
- Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for designing and fabricating packaged reciprocating gas compressors to meet industry expectations.
- EPC contractors and procurement teams to create purchase specifications and acceptance criteria that minimize field construction.
- Field engineers and operators for safe installation, commissioning and maintenance guidance of skid-mounted compressor packages.
- Inspection and testing authorities as a reference for factory testing, inspection and documentation requirements.
Practical benefits include standardized compressor package performance, reduced site installation time, improved safety and regulatory compliance, and clearer procurement specifications.
Related Standards
- ISO 13707 (referenced/excluded): covers types of reciprocating compressors not in ISO 13631’s scope.
For project-specific electrical, pressure vessel or instrumentation requirements, consult applicable national codes and complementary ISO standards as required.
