Compressor manufacturers

AI for compressor manufacturers: check every tender requirement against your datasheet

For the bid engineers, proposal engineers and project managers at compressor and package makers who answer API 617, 618 and 619 and owner-specification tenders.

By Ademola Afolabi, Founder, New Odyssey Ltd · Last reviewed: 2026-10-23

The short answer

Compressor manufacturers answer a tender by checking the customer's compressor specification, datasheets and called-up standards against their own machine and package design. Those standards include API 617, 618 or 619 and auxiliary standards such as API 614. Then they list every deviation. OdysseyGPT drafts the compliance matrix and deviation list with a source quote for each requirement.

Key Takeaways

Compressor tenders combine a machine standard, auxiliary-system standards, owner specifications and datasheets.
Deviations often come from guarantees, test scope, seal and lube systems, materials and scope splits.
Every deviation row needs a justification and a cost of withdrawal.
Your engineers set every status; OdysseyGPT drafts the rows with citations.

How do compressor manufacturers answer tender specifications?

An engineered compressor enquiry usually includes a material requisition, compressor datasheets with several operating cases, a project compressor specification, the owner's standards and the industry standards they call up. Package tenders add the driver, gear unit, lube and seal systems, controls and instruments. The manufacturer checks each line against the offered package and returns a compliance statement and a technical deviation list.

Which standards come up in compressor tenders?

Standard	What it covers	Typical deviation source
API 617	Axial and centrifugal compressors and expander-compressors	Guarantees, tests, rotordynamic studies, materials
API 618	Reciprocating compressors	Pulsation and vibration study scope, valves, packing, tests
API 619	Rotary positive displacement compressors, such as screw compressors	Machine type, oil system, tests
API 614	Lubrication, shaft-sealing and oil-control systems and auxiliaries	Console design, pumps, filters, coolers, instruments
API 692	Dry gas sealing systems for compressors and expanders	Seal type, seal gas panel, supplier scope
API 670, 671, 613	Machinery protection systems, special-purpose couplings, special-purpose gear units	Instrument and protection scope, coupling and gear supply
NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156	Materials for H2S-containing environments in oil and gas production	Sour-gas materials, hardness and certificates
Owner standards	Operator requirements on top of the industry standards	Approved vendors, witness points, documentation, noise

What goes in a compressor deviation list?

Each row names the clause, the requirement, what you offer, the status, a justification and a cost of withdrawal. For compressors, rows often cover which operating case is guaranteed, which tests are witnessed, who supplies the seal gas panel or lube console, and who runs rotordynamic or pulsation studies. Start from the free deviation list template and use the datasheet vs specification checklist for the remaining checks.

How does OdysseyGPT help?

OdysseyGPT reads the whole specification package for your compressor tender: the project and technical specifications, the material requisition, the inspection and test plan, the datasheets and the standards they call up. It checks each customer requirement against your own datasheets, standard specifications and test procedures. Each requirement gets a status (complies, deviates, clarification, not addressed, document requested, not applicable or out of scope) with a quote from the source document and page.

It exports an editable compliance matrix and a deviations & clarifications list. It reads PDF, Word, Excel and CSV files. It does not read engineering drawings such as general arrangements or P&IDs, and it does not run performance, rotordynamic or pulsation calculations. It does not send anything to the customer. Your engineers decide every open item. See OdysseyGPT for manufacturing.

Buyer questions

20 questions bid engineers, proposal engineers and buyers ask. Last reviewed: 2026-10-23

Which API standards do compressor tenders usually call up?

It depends on the compressor type. API 617 covers axial and centrifugal compressors and expander-compressors. API 618 covers reciprocating compressors. API 619 covers rotary positive displacement compressors, such as screw compressors. Auxiliary systems often add API 614 for lube and seal oil systems and API 692 for dry gas seal systems. Owner specifications sit on top.

What does API 617 cover?

API 617 covers axial and centrifugal compressors and expander-compressors for petroleum, chemical and gas industry service. It sets requirements for design, materials, testing and documentation. It is used for process gas compressors rather than general plant air. If a tender calls up API 617, check the edition and every option the datasheet selects.

What does API 618 cover?

API 618 covers reciprocating compressors for petroleum, chemical and gas industry service. It deals with the compressor and its parts, as well as pulsation and vibration control. Tenders often name the design approach for pulsation work and ask for an acoustic or mechanical study. Check who does that study and how it is priced.

What does API 619 cover?

API 619 covers rotary positive displacement compressors for oil, gas and petrochemical service. That includes dry and oil-flooded screw compressors. If you offer a screw compressor against a tender written for centrifugal or reciprocating machines, raise it early as a deviation or clarification so the buyer can evaluate it.

What is API 614 and when does it apply?

API 614 covers lubrication, shaft-sealing and oil-control systems and their auxiliaries for machinery in oil, gas and petrochemical service. Compressor tenders often call it up for the lube oil console. Owners usually add rules on pumps, filters, coolers, instruments and the oil reservoir. Check each rule against your standard console and list any differences.

What is API 692?

API 692 covers dry gas sealing systems for axial, centrifugal and rotary screw compressors and expanders. It deals with the seal and its gas supply and control system. Tenders that call it up may also set owner rules on seal type and seal gas panel design. Coordinate early with your seal supplier so their answer matches the tender.

Which other standards often appear in a compressor package tender?

Common ones include API 670 for machinery protection systems, API 671 for special-purpose couplings and API 613 for special-purpose gear units. Packaged integrally geared air compressors may call up API 672. Owner specifications usually add electrical, instrument, painting and noise rules. Check every called-up standard against your package scope.

What are the most common deviations in compressor tenders?

Typical ones come from performance guarantees and tolerances, test scope and witness points, seal system design, lube oil system details, materials for corrosive or sour gas, instrument and control rules, noise limits and scope splits. Owner rules that tighten the API standard are a big source. Each gap needs its own row, with a justification and price.

What compressor tests do tenders usually ask for?

Most ask for a mechanical running test, and many add a performance test. Some ask for a complete unit or string test with the driver and auxiliaries. Each test and each witness point affects cost and schedule. Read the datasheet and ITP closely, and say in the offer which tests are included and which are witnessed.

What is ASME PTC 10 in a compressor tender?

ASME PTC 10 is a performance test code for compressors and exhausters. Tenders sometimes call it up for the shop performance test of centrifugal compressors. It sets how the test is run and how results are reported. Check which test type the buyer wants and whether your test bed can run it, and price it.

What rotordynamic studies do compressor tenders ask for?

Tenders for API 617 machines often ask for lateral and torsional analysis reports, and sometimes a stability analysis. For reciprocating machines, they often ask for pulsation and vibration studies. Check who does each study, when it is due and what the buyer must supply. Missing study scope is a common source of clarifications.

How does sour or corrosive gas change a compressor offer?

If the gas contains H2S, owners usually call up NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 for wetted materials. That can change materials, hardness limits and heat treatment, and it adds certificates. Check which parts the rule covers. See NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 for what to check in the offer.

How do I check a compressor datasheet against the tender?

Start with the standard, edition and compressor type. Then check gas data and operating cases, guarantees, materials, seals, lube system, driver, controls, instruments, tests and documents. Compare each line with the owner specification as well. Turn every gap into a row in your technical deviation list.

Why do multiple operating cases cause compressor clarifications?

Compressor datasheets often list several gas compositions and operating cases, such as start of run and end of run. Your guarantee may only cover one of them. State clearly which case you guarantee and how the machine performs in the others. Unclear guarantees are hard for the buyer to compare and often trigger questions.

What should a compressor offer say about the driver?

State whether you supply the driver, which type it is, such as an electric motor, steam turbine or gas engine, and which standard or owner specification it meets. Also state who supplies the gear unit, coupling and control system. Driver scope is often split between parties. Gaps here lead to late changes and price disputes.

What documents do EPCs ask for in a compressor package?

Usually datasheets, performance curves, general arrangement and P&ID drawings, seal and lube system documents, study reports, material certificates, test procedures and reports, and manuals. The vendor data requirements list sets what is due and when. Check the list and dates carefully. See the VDRL guide.

How should a compressor offer handle noise limits?

State the sound level you guarantee, where it is measured and what it covers. Tenders often set a limit for the whole package, including the driver, gear and coolers. If you need an acoustic enclosure or cannot meet the limit, list a deviation or price the enclosure. Do not leave noise unanswered.

How does an EPC evaluate compressor offers?

They compare each offer against the datasheet and specification, then look at performance, power, guarantees, materials, seals, auxiliaries, test scope, deviations and documents. Offers with clear, clause-linked deviations are easier to score. See technical bid evaluation for how the buyer side works.

How does OdysseyGPT help compressor manufacturers answer tenders?

It reads the whole tender package, including specifications, requisition, datasheets and ITP. It checks each requirement against your own datasheets, standard specifications and test procedures. Each requirement gets a status with a quote and page or cell reference. You export an editable compliance matrix and a deviations and clarifications list for your engineers to review.

What does OdysseyGPT not do for compressor tenders?

It does not select or size compressors, or run thermodynamic, rotordynamic or pulsation calculations. It does not read drawings or P&IDs. It cannot check what API 617, 618 or 619 says unless that text is in the uploaded documents. It does not certify compliance or send anything to the customer. Your engineers decide every open item.

Frequently asked questions

Who prepares the technical offer at a compressor manufacturer?

Usually bid engineers or proposal engineers, with application engineers selecting the machine. Package scope often needs input from auxiliary-system, controls and quality staff.

Does OdysseyGPT size compressors?

No. It checks each written requirement against your datasheets and documents and quotes the source. Machine selection and performance decisions stay with your engineers.

References

API standards catalogue

American Petroleum Institute

API 617, 618, 619, 614, 692, 670, 671 and 613 are sold by API and standards resellers.

Visit source

ASME PTC 10: Performance Test Code on Compressors and Exhausters

ASME

Industry