Schoolhill Hydraulic Engineering Delivers Innovative Shuttle Valve Solution

Hydraulic solutions provider Schoolhill Hydraulic Engineering has developed and delivered a new shuttle valve to assist a North Sea operator with the issue of leaking control modules in a mature subsea field.

The solution was developed following an approach to Schoolhill Hydraulic Engineering regarding interflow as a result of suspected malfunctioning internal shuttle valves within a number of ageing Subsea Control Modules (SCMs).

“Working closely with the client’s own subsea engineers, a solution was created to restore the system’s dual redundancy function without the considerable expense of recovering the SCM to repair the existing internal valves,” says Ronald Whyte, Managing Director, Schoolhill Hydraulic Engineering.

“The resulting product is a shuttle valve that can be externally mounted and installed on the top of the SCM by divers. This solution bypasses the existing malfunctioning internal valve by taking hydraulic supply via the existing infield header, through the new valve and back into the SCM using the original input locations.”

Manufactured at Schoolhill Hydraulic Engineering’s Aberdeen facilities, the new stainless steel shuttle valves were delivered on time and are now ready for subsea deployment. With a working pressure of up to 10,000psi, the valves are suitable for pipeline or manifold mounting.

“The ease and speed with which the valves can be installed, in comparison with the traditional approach of recovery and repair, means that they offer operators a solution that is both quick and cost-effective,” says Ronald. “Our manufacturing and engineering teams thrive on helping clients to develop new solutions to ongoing problems.”

Founded in 1948, Schoolhill Hydraulic Engineering has over 30 years’ experience in the design and production of subsea engineering products, including gripper cylinders for running tools and quick exhaust valves (QEVs) for subsea trees and high integrity pressure protection systems (HIPPS).

In recent years the company has formed collaborative relationships with complementary businesses to increase its capabilities and service offering to the subsea sector. These include the provision of sales and technical support for Spanishowned Glual Hydralica’s range of subsea piston accumulators and an agreement with Stockton-based fabrication provider Francis Brown Engineering (FBE).

Tel: +44(0)1224 871 086
Email: hydraulics@schoolhillengineering.com
Web: www.schoolhillengineering.com

Published: 6th September 2016