A valve is only as good as the actuator that operates it and the standard it is built to. Before comparing two valve quotes, it helps to know which family the valve belongs to, what the governing standard actually requires, and how the actuation should be specified.
The main valve types in oil and gas piping
Gate valves
A wedge or parallel gate moves perpendicular to the flow to open or close the line. Designed for fully open or fully closed service — not for throttling — and common as the main isolation valve on process and pipeline connections. Governed by API 600 (large bore) and API 602 (compact, smaller bore).
Globe valves
The flow path turns through the valve body, giving good throttling control at the cost of higher pressure drop than a gate valve. Used where flow needs to be regulated, not just isolated.
Ball valves
A bored ball rotates a quarter-turn to open or close. Quick to operate, low pressure drop when fully open, and the dominant choice for pipeline isolation valves under API 6D, available in full-bore (for pigging) or reduced-bore configurations.
Check valves
Allow flow in one direction only, closing automatically against reverse flow. Common types are swing check, dual-plate (wafer) and piston check, covered by API 594.
Butterfly and plug valves
A rotating disc (butterfly) or tapered/cylindrical plug provides a compact, lightweight isolation or throttling valve, often used in lower-pressure utility and water service.
The standards behind the valve body
| Standard | Covers |
|---|---|
| API 600 | Steel gate valves, flanged and butt-welding ends, for general plant piping |
| API 602 | Compact steel gate, globe and check valves for smaller bore, higher pressure service |
| API 6D | Ball, gate, plug and check valves specifically for pipeline service |
| API 594 | Check valves — swing, dual-plate and other types |
| ASME B16.34 | Valve design, pressure-temperature ratings, materials and testing |
| API 607 / API 6FA | Fire-type testing for soft-seated and metal-seated valves |
Specifying actuation
Part-turn actuator attachments may be specified to ISO 5211:2026 for flange and driving-component interfaces. Matching an attachment does not establish complete interchangeability: output, travel, mounting assemblies, utilities and controls still require review. When specifying actuation, define:
- Actuation type — manual gear, pneumatic (spring-return or double-acting), electric or hydraulic
- Fail-safe position — fail-open, fail-closed, or fail-in-place, on loss of power or air supply
- Available utilities at site — instrument air pressure, electrical voltage/phase, or hydraulic supply
- Speed of operation required — fast-acting emergency shutdown vs slow-closing to avoid surge
- Control signal and feedback — on/off, modulating (4-20mA), local/remote control requirements
- Area classification — explosion-proof or intrinsically safe rating for the installation zone
As with flanges and gaskets, treat the valve and its actuator as one matched package rather than two separate purchases — the actuator's torque output must be sized to the valve's actual breakaway and running torque at the specified pressure differential.
For an installed assembly, the valve actuator replacement RFQ guide explains how to document retained accessories, mounting constraints and failure response before accepting an equivalent.
Sourcing valves for a project? Browse our valves & actuation category, or send us your valve list and duty conditions and we will structure the RFQ so every offer is quoted on the same standard, testing and actuation basis.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between API 600 and API 6D valves?
API 600 covers steel gate valves for general refinery and plant piping. API 6D covers ball, gate, plug and check valves specifically for pipeline service, with additional requirements around fire safety and full-bore/reduced-bore configurations relevant to pigging operations.
Do I need a fire-safe valve?
Fire-safe design (tested per API 607 or API 6FA) is typically required for valves in hydrocarbon service where a fire could otherwise cause the soft seat to burn away and the valve to lose its seal. Check your project's piping and instrumentation specification — many oil and gas projects require fire-safe design as standard for isolation valves.
How do I choose between pneumatic, electric and hydraulic actuation?
Pneumatic actuators are common where instrument air is already available and fast, fail-safe action is needed. Electric actuators suit locations without an air supply and where precise positioning or remote control integration is required. Hydraulic actuators are used for high-torque applications such as large pipeline valves. The choice depends on available utilities, response time, and fail-safe (fail-open/fail-closed) requirements.
