Subsea valves are used in equipment in an offshore environment, usually in pipelines but always to isolate or control the flow of a liquid or gas. Subsea valves are most commonly found in the oil and gas industries, and because of their working environment must be subjected to extremely thorough testing to ensure that they meet the very high safety and reliability standards set by those industries. We take a look at some of the hazards that subsea valves have to contend with, as well as the types of valve available from one of the leading manufacturers, Alco Valves.
Why is the design and testing of subsea valves critical?
Subsea valves are operating in marine environments, at depths ranging from shallow (around 75 metres) to deep water (up to 3,500 metres), creating specific challenges including high pressure, reliability of sealing due to inaccessibility, temperature changes and long-term corrosion caused by the seawater that they are operating within. Because the industries that subsea valves are usually used in are oil and gas, the media that the valves are working with also come with their own challenges, both through the intended flow material but also because extraction techniques often result in debris such as sand coming through the pipelines. There is also a risk of cavitation within subsea valves; bubbles formed from pumping liquids through machinery can collapse and expand as they move through pressure changes, potentially causing vibration and therefore damage to the subsea valve and a lack of pressure causing problems in the pump and a lack of efficiency.
Subsea valves options from Alco Valves at MGA Controls
Alco Valves have over 25 years of experience in subsea oil and gas equipment. With approvals to the highest standards and a reputation for safety and reliability, the subsea valves from Alco Valves have been developed for use in hazardous environments and with a range of uses and applications in mind.
Alco Valves are available from MGA Controls, experts in control and instrumentation with over 30 years’ experience in industry. We explore the range of Alco Valves available from MGA Controls; the perfect partnership for peace of mind in subsea valve supply.
SSB1 Subsea Instrument Ball Valve Range
These subsea Alco valves were developed to meet the demands of light to medium subsea service. They are designed as a floating pattern with excellent shut-off capabilities and are manufactured from high integrity bar stock. Suitable for handling by ROV or divers, this range of subsea valves has an underwater service depth of up to 300 metres and will withstand operating pressures of up to 10,000 psi.
SSCVP Subsea Check Valve Range
These subsea valves are suitable for both gases and liquids and have a piston check valve design. Available to either API or ASME standards, these Alco valves are PR2 qualified to API 6A. Available for flanged, threaded and welded connections, they have an underwater service depth of 3,000 metres and will work with operating pressures of up to 10,000 psi.
SSN1 Substar Needle Valve
These Alco Valves are PR2 qualified to API 6A and have an outstanding sealing design. With an anti-rotating tip for shut-off that can be configured to suit the customer’s material requirements, they have also been endurance tested to TOTAL GS-EPSPS-005, completing more than 1200 cycles. A diver operated solution, these subsea valves from Alco are designed for depths of up to 3,000 metres and operating pressures of 10,000 psi, and a temperature rating of between -29˚C and 121 ˚C.
The subsea valves from Alco Valves are comprehensive, tested to extremely high industry standards and are renowned for their reliability and safety features. Stocked by MGA Controls, you get the best of both worlds; leading technology in subsea valves, and the service and expertise of trusted instrumentation experts.