The new national standard for continuous tubing is about to be implemented, ushering in a new chapter of the 'all-purpose work machine' in oil extraction
2026-03-18
With the development of deep, ultra-deep, and unconventional oil and gas resources becoming a key focus of the industry, coiled tubing, hailed as the "universal work tool" of oilfields, is entering a critical stage of technological upgrade. On February 1, 2026, China’s latest national standard for coiled tubing, GB/T 34204-2025, will officially come into effect, injecting new momentum into the petroleum equipment industry.
1. Coiled Tubing: Core Equipment for the "Minimally Invasive Surgery" of Oilfields
Coiled tubing is a flexible steel pipe that can be coiled for thousands of meters without joints, capable of performing multiple operations such as drilling, completion, oil production, well intervention, and production enhancement downhole. Compared with traditional tubing, it does not require connection pipe by pipe, can operate under pressure, and greatly improves efficiency, hence it is vividly called the "universal work tool" of oilfields. From directional drilling to sand flushing and blockage removal, from fracturing production stimulation to fishing operations, coiled tubing runs through the entire lifecycle of oil and gas wells.
2. New National Standard Upgrade: Higher Strength, More Corrosion Resistant
The upcoming GB/T 34204-2025 "Coiled Tubing" is the second revision of China’s coiled tubing product standards. The new national standard closely addresses the development needs of China’s complex oil and gas resources, adding three main directions:
- Ultra-high-strength coiled tubing: Meets extreme conditions in ultra-deep and high-pressure wells, with yield strength reaching 130 ksi or higher.
- Stainless steel coiled tubing: Suitable for highly corrosive oil and gas development, significantly extending service life.
- Sulfur-resistant coiled tubing: Designed for safe and efficient development of sulfur-containing oil and gas, suitable for acidic environments.
At the same time, in 2023 China also issued GB/T 42858-2023 "Corrosion-Resistant Alloy Coiled Tubing," providing a dedicated standard for high H₂S and CO₂ corrosive environments, with a corrosion rate 5 to 10 times lower than carbon steel pipes.
3. Alignment with International Standards
The new national standard was developed with reference to the American Petroleum Institute’s API SPEC 5ST "Specification for Coiled Tubing" and recommended practices such as API RP 5C7 and API RP 5C8, ensuring that the Chinese standard is synchronized with international advanced levels. Currently, API SPEC 5ST remains the primary technical basis for global coiled tubing trade.
4. Steel Grade Classification and Applications
Coiled tubing is classified into multiple steel grades based on yield strength, commonly as follows:
| Steel Grade | Yield Strength (ksi) | Applicable Scenario |
| CT70 | 70 | Conventional wells |
| CT80 | 80 | General-purpose |
| CT90 | 90 | Deep wells |
| CT100 | 100 | Ultra-deep wells |
| QT-800 | 80 High-strength | High-strength low-alloy steel |
Higher-grade coiled tubing can meet deeper and more complex well conditions, providing equipment support for unconventional resource development such as shale gas and tight oil.
5. Reliable Hydraulic Hoses are Essential for Coiled Tubing Operations
While coiled tubing itself is a rigid steel pipe, its work units require numerous hydraulic hoses to connect supporting equipment, such as fracturing trucks, injectors, blowout preventer stacks, and drill floor tools. These hoses perform critical tasks like high-pressure fluid transmission and hydraulic control, with their quality directly affecting operational safety and efficiency.
Shanghai Beirun Hydraulic Equipment Co., Ltd., focusing on fluid connection, can provide the petroleum industry with hydraulic hose assemblies that meet international standards such as API and SAE, suitable for coiled tubing units, fracturing trucks, drill floor tools, blowout preventers, and other equipment. We closely follow industry standard upgrades to ensure that every hose meets rigorous operational requirements.
6. Conclusion
The implementation of the new national standard for coiled tubing marks China’s oilfield equipment advancing toward higher performance and broader adaptability. As a supplier of fluid connectors, Shanghai Beirun will continue to provide reliable hydraulic hose solutions to petroleum clients, supporting improved efficiency and quality in oil and gas development.
