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

Introduction

In the oil & gas industry, the structural integrity of storage tanks depends heavily on the quality and specification of the steel plate for tank fabrication. Whether you’re building atmospheric tanks, pressure vessels, LNG terminals, or crude oil reserves, selecting the proper material is a technical and safety-critical decision.

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

CJM supplies oil & gas steel plates for storage tanks, separators, and pressure vessels, including ASTM A516 Grade 70, A537 Class 1, and EN 10028 P355GH. All plates are available with UT testing, NACE compliance, and custom cutting services for global tank projects in refineries, terminals, and fuel depots.

Why Steel Plate Selection Is Critical in Tank Fabrication？

Storage tanks in oil & gas applications are exposed to high internal pressure, aggressive chemicals, and fluctuating temperatures. A material failure can cause environmental contamination, financial loss, or catastrophic accidents.

That’s why choosing the right steel plate for the oil & gas industry is crucial. EPC engineers and procurement teams typically source from a reliable oil & gas steel plate supplier offering certified materials under ASME Section VIII, EN 10028, and API 650/620 standards.

In practical selection, common tank plate material grades include A516 Grade 70 pressure vessel plate for refinery tanks and carbon steel plate for fuel and oil storage. For low-temperature applications such as LNG tanks, steel sheet for the oil & gas industry must provide enhanced impact resistance and cryogenic toughness to ensure long-term reliability.

The final material decision should always consider mechanical strength, weldability, plate thickness, and the intended 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 (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 (LNG or LPG tanks), steel plates must meet impact resistance standards such as Charpy V-notch @ -20°C or -46°C.
• A516 and A537 can be ordered with supplementary requirements like HIC resistance or 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

For long-term performance, buyers may request:

• 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 bundled with steel straps and moisture-proof wrapping. Shipments are available via 20ft/40ft containers or breakbulk for oversized cargo.

CJM offers:

• Container markings with heat numbers
• CO, BL, and Mill Inspection Reports
• Global shipping to 40+ regions and countries including Southeast Asia, Africa, South America, and the Middle East

Summary: How to Choose the Right Steel Plate

When sourcing steel plate for the oil & gas industry, prioritize:

Factor	Recommendation
Pressure Rating	A516, A537, or P355GH
Impact Resistance	A516 Gr. 70N / A537 Class 1
Temperature Sensitivity	A516 with low-temp test or alloy-enhanced plate
Code Compliance	ASTM / ASME / API / EN standards
Weldability	Low Ceq, normalized delivery, UT-tested
Logistics	Plate dimensions suitable for container or bulk delivery

FAQs of Steel Plate for the Oil & Gas Industry

• Q1: What is the most common steel plate used in oil storage tanks?
  A516 Grade 70 is the most widely used plate due to its high strength, weldability, and cost efficiency.
• Q2: What’s the difference between A516 and A537 steel plates?
  A516 is normalized carbon steel for medium pressure, while A537 is quenched and tempered for higher pressure and improved impact performance.
• Q3: Can A516 and A537 steel plates be used for LNG or cryogenic tanks?
  Yes, when supplied with low-temperature impact testing and NACE compliance, A516 and A537 plates are suitable for cryogenic or low-temp service.

Contact Us for a Quote

Whether you’re sourcing for a refinery project, a fuel depot, or an offshore gas terminal, CJM provides certified oil & gas steel plates, complete with processing and fast international delivery.

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