Schoolhill Hydraulic Engineering Develops New Quick Exhaust Valve

Quick Exhaust Valve with High Flow Rate will be used in Oil and Gas high-integrity pressure protection systems.

Schoolhill Engineering, the Aberdeen based designer/manufacturer of hydraulic equipment, has developed an innovative new quick exhaust valve (QEV) for use within BP’s Shah Deniz field in the Caspian Sea. The valve has been designed by the Schoolhill team to handle 22 litres of fluid in 5 seconds, therefore meeting the requirements originally set by JP Kenny, BP’s consultants in London.

The valve, which will help high-integrity pressure protection systems (HIPPS) work at higher flow rates, is the first of its type and should prove popular within the oil and gas industry. Indeed after extensive work with BP to bring the product to market, there has been interest from other operators, such as Exxon Mobil.

Schoolhill Managing Director Ronald Whyte commented:

‘Even with the current downturn being presently experienced, prospects for this product look very encouraging, since these HIPPS applications engulf a technology step change for the subsea oil & gas industry. We are anticipating orders for over 150 valves over next 5 years and believe we have added a valuable new product to Schoolhill’s portfolio.’

Bringing a new valve to market
The process which has resulted in Schoolhill’s exciting new QEV began in 2010, following an initial enquiry from JP Kenny, consultants employed on behalf of BP. Quickly it became apparent that the valve described in the brief, was something that would need significant development work. Schoolhill put two proposals forward, and after having being award a design phase 1 contract, the engineering team began working with a new ‘Global Specialist Hardware Group’ within BP.

Schoolhill engaged with various consulting firms, including FMC Norway and WS Atkins, before producing six prototype valves for qualification testing. Testing was rigorous, with 30,000 cycles required for a valve that will only be operated two or three times a year. Several different seal systems were tried as a solution was sought which could handle the large fluid volume and rapid 17 millisecond operation time. The valve has now been certified to several standards (see feature box) and signed off for SIL certification. The first orders were received in February.

Looking forward
There has been significant interest in this valve and its ability to help increase the capacity of HIPPS systems. Enquiries have been made for projects across the globe. An order has been won for the Julia project in the Gulf of Mexico.

To find out more about Schoolhill’s new high capacity QEV, contact a sales engineer using the details below.

A list of standards Schoolhill’s new valve has been tested to:

BS EN ISO 14723(2009) Pipeline Transportation Systems - Subsea Pipeline Valves.

BS EN 12266-1 Industrial Valves - Testing of Valves.

API 6A (ISO 10423) Specification for Wellhead and Christmas Tree Equipment.

API RP17D Specification for Subsea Wellhead and Xmas Tree Equipment.

API RP17O Subsea High Integrity Pressure Protection Systems (HIPPS).

API 598 Valve Inspection and Testing.

ASME B16.20 Metallic Gaskets for Pipe Flanges: Ring Joint, Spiral-Wound and Jacketed. ASME BPVC V Non-Destructive Examination.

ASME BPVC VIII Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels. DNV RP F112 Design of Duplex Stainless Steel Subsea Equipment exposed to Cathodic Protection.

EEMUA 182 Specification for Integral Block and Bleed Manifolds for Direct Connection to Pipework.

ISO 5208 Industrial Valves - Pressure Testing of Valves.

ISO 5211 Industrial valves — Part-turn actuator attachment.

EN ISO 13628 Prt.6 Design and Operation of Subsea Production Systems -Subsea Production Control Systems

Schoolhill Hydraulic Eng Ltd
Tel: 01224 871086
Email: hydraulics@schoolhillengineering.com
Web: www.schoolhillengineering.com

Published: 17th November 2015