Largest Ever Production Choke Valves for Statoil

The valve body was fashioned using a high isostatic pressure (HIP) process

The valve body was fashioned using a high isostatic pressure (HIP) process

World-leading supplier of critical flow control solutions IMI Critical Engineering has been tasked by international energy company Statoil with designing and building some of the largest ever production choke valves to be used topside on the Aasta Hansteen SPAR Platform in the Norwegian Sea

The SPAR platform is a floating installation that is secured to the seabed and includes conventional topsides and processing facilities. This type of platform is specific to deep water operations and will also be a first for use on the Norwegian continental shelf.

The platform will work to a depth of around 1300 meters, 300km off the Norwegian coast and is part of the first deep water field development within the Norwegian Sea. The medium will be transported to the surface at substantial speeds, requiring highspecification production choke valves to control the flow – which could potentially contain particles and other contamination - into the main process and so avoid excessive load and damage to other equipment and minimise risk to personnel.

IMI Critical Engineering’s IMI CCI Design Engineering team in Vienna, Austria, designed these innovative production choke valves. The IMI CCI manufacturing facility in Brno in the Czech Republic has completed manufacturing and testing of the four 12” x 12” production choke valves - believed to be some of the largest ever produced by the company worldwide - to the internationally recognized ASME 2500 standard.

The valve body was fashioned using a high isostatic pressure (HIP) process based on an innovative Y-globe design with the actuator at 45º to the main valve body. The valves also incorporate IMI CCI’s patented DRAG® technology featuring solid tungsten carbide components, selected for their strength, durability and impact resistance and also ensuring premium control and reliability in some of the world’s most arduous conditions.

An additional consideration was the need to reduce the valve’s operating noise output to 75dBA or below to limit the effect ofnoise on platform workers – a figure significantly lower than the usual 85dBA or above in these applications. This was achieved through honing the design of the trim in what was also one of the largest solid tungsten carbide DRAG® disk stacks to ever be built. High blast load resistance was also integrated into the design to enable it to withstand the effects of explosions.

IMI Critical Engineering’s Michael Pedigo explained: ‘Taking into account the high quality, material and performance requirements, coupled with the highly challenging geometry of the valves and associated sensitivity of the trim manufacturing and machining process, we are safe to say the task was accepted and accomplished as a complete team effort.’

‘The high flow rate necessitated a valve of this size and our experience in manufacturing production choke valves and harnessing the unique performance attributes of DRAG® technology, enabled us to deliver on time and on budget and in line with our ethos of engineering great solutions for our customers.’

The assemblies containing the valves are now being dryconstructed and are set to enter service during 2016.

Statoil added: ‘We have collaborated with IMI Critical Engineering on a number of projects worldwide and have always been impressed with their ability to understand each application and the deliver a solution which meets our specific requirements.’

CCI International Ltd
Tel: 0161 655 1688
www.ccivalve.com


Published: 14th May 2015

BVAA Strengthens Board with New Members

Rachel Wormald, Managing Director at YPS Valves Ltd and Elizabeth Waterman, ...

Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Read full article

BVAA Valve & Actuator Training News

Are you looking for industry-leading, brand independent valve and actuator ...

Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Read full article

Comment by BVAA CEO Rob Bartlett

As can be seen from the photograph, clearly the resident birds at Bartlett ...

Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Read full article

Howco Group Invests £1 Million in Vertical CNC Turning Centres

Howco Group has unveiled its latest £1million investment, with the ...

Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Read full article

Allvalves: Fuelling Growth Through Customer Connectivity

In 2024, Allvalves is poised for an exciting year of growth and expansion, ...

Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Read full article

GMM Pfaudler - Introducing the Normag Brand to the BVAA Community

GMM Pfaudler Engineered Plastics & Gaskets are delighted to bring the ...

Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Read full article

Building Industry Connections: A GMM Pfaudler Success Story

In the ever-evolving valve industry, GMM Pfaudler stands out for its ...

Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Read full article

SAMSON Controls Participates in the UK CCUS and Hydrogen Decarbonisation Summit

SAMSON Controls Ltd – part of the SAMSON group - a renowned leader in ...

Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Read full article