What Type of Steel Plate Is Used for Oil & Gas Storage Tanks?

Introduction

In the oil and gas industry, the structural integrity of storage tanks is directly tied to the quality and suitability of the steel plate used. Whether you’re building atmospheric tanks, pressure vessels, LNG terminals, or crude oil reserves, selecting the proper steel plate for tank fabrication is a technical and safety-critical decision.

This article breaks down the most appropriate carbon steel and pressure vessel steel grades, their material characteristics, international standards, and application-specific considerations—designed to help engineers, EPC contractors, and procurement professionals make confident, informed purchasing decisions.

Why Steel Plate Selection Is Critical in Tank Fabrication？

Storage tanks in oil & gas applications are typically exposed to high internal pressure, aggressive chemical contents, or volatile operating temperatures. A material failure can result in environmental contamination, financial loss, or catastrophic accidents. Therefore, buyers need pressure-resistant, corrosion-tolerant, and structurally stable steel plates, fully certified to meet international codes such as ASME Section VIII, EN 10028, and API 650/620.

Procurement teams often search for:

• “carbon steel plate for fuel tank”
• “A516 Grade 70 plate for pressure vessels”
• “LNG tank steel plate with low temperature impact resistance”

The final material choice must consider mechanical performance, weldability, plate thickness, and service temperature range.

Steel Plate Grades Commonly Used in Oil & Gas Storage Tanks

1. ASTM A516 (Grades 55 / 60 / 65 / 70)

This is the most widely accepted material for pressure vessels and tank shells due to its excellent toughness and moderate strength. A516 Grade 70 is particularly common in crude oil tanks and separators.

Key Technical Features:

• Normalized carbon steel with excellent notch toughness
• Weldable using standard procedures (e.g., SMAW, GTAW, SAW)
• Compliant with ASME, API, and PED codes

Common Uses:

• Crude oil storage tanks
• Gas separators and flare drums
• Flash tanks and knock-out drums

2. ASTM A537 (Class 1 / Class 2)

A537 is a quenched and tempered pressure vessel steel, typically used in applications requiring higher impact resistance or thicker wall construction.

Key Technical Features:

• Superior strength and ductility
• Excellent resistance to brittle fracture
• Designed for high-pressure and high-temperature environments

Suitable for:

• Pressurized fuel tanks
• Spherical gas tanks
• Oil field separators and scrubbers

For applications requiring design temperatures below -20°C, Class 1 is preferred due to its better impact performance.

3. EN 10028 P265GH / P295GH / P355GH

For European projects, these EN-compliant plates are often used as equivalents to A516, offering similar properties with CE-marking capability and dual certification options.

Technical Advantages:

• Excellent pressure and heat resistance
• Low carbon content ensures good weldability
• Widely accepted in refinery and petrochemical EPC tenders

Additional Material Considerations for Buyers

Choosing the right grade is only one part of the decision. Experienced steel plate buyers—from tank manufacturers, refinery EPCs, to oil terminal constructors—often also evaluate:

1. Impact Toughness Requirements

• In colder climates or cryogenic applications (e.g., LNG), steel plates must meet impact resistance standards such as Charpy V-notch @ -20°C or -46°C.
• ASTM A516 and A537 can be ordered with supplementary requirements (e.g., SA516-70N + HIC + NACE MR0175 compliance).

2. Weldability

• Lower carbon equivalents (Ceq) improve weldability and reduce the need for post-weld heat treatment (PWHT).
• All steel plates must be delivered in a condition suitable for multipass welding—especially for vertical tank seams.

3. Plate Thickness and Tolerance

• Typical wall thickness: 6mm–60mm
• Tank bottom plates may require thicker steel with lower sulfur for better flattening.
• Dimensional tolerance should meet ASTM A20 or EN 10029 Class A/B standards.

4. Testing and Certification

• Buyers often require:
  • Ultrasonic Testing (UT): EN10160 or ASTM A578 Level B/C
  • Visual Inspection: EN10163
  • Hydrostatic Test Requirements: Based on ASME/API guidelines
  • MTCs with EN10204 3.1 or 3.2 format

Surface Conditions and Additional Processing

Buyers concerned with long-term corrosion resistance or aesthetic requirements also inquire about:

• Shot blasting and priming (Sa2.5)
• Oil coating or zinc-based passivation layers
• Edge preparation (beveling, trimming)
• Custom-cut shapes or welded subassemblies

These can all be pre-processed at the mill or by the supplier, significantly reducing fabrication time on-site.

Packaging & International Delivery

Steel plates are typically bundled with steel straps on wooden or steel pallets, protected by waterproof paper and plastic film. For overseas shipping, both 20/40ft containers and breakbulk transport are available.

Our company provides:

• Container markings with heat numbers
• Export documentation including CO, BL, and Inspection Reports
• Shipping to Southeast Asia, Africa, South America, and the Middle East

Summary: How to Choose the Right Steel Plate

When sourcing steel plates for oil and gas storage tanks, prioritize:

Contact Us for a Quote

Whether you’re sourcing for a refinery tank project, a fuel depot, or an offshore gas terminal, CJM offers quality-certified steel plates, custom-cut processing, and fast international delivery.

WhatsApp: +86 181 9190 6640
Email: info@cjmstainlesssteel.com