Author: jsmith

Oliver Valves is excited to announce its continued contribution to the TEN Development Project in Ghana, a key energy initiative in the region. As an additional scope to previous orders, we are supplying bolted end double block and bleed valves to support this vital energy development.

The A105-grade, 20mm bore valves are fully qualified to Fugitive Emission ISO 15848-1:2015 (Class B) standards, ensuring exceptional performance in demanding applications. To meet these rigorous standards, our valves undergo comprehensive production testing in line with ISO 15848-2:2015, as well as thorough Non-Destructive Examination (NDE) testing, including Magnetic Particle Inspection, Liquid Penetrant Inspection, and Positive Material Identification on key pressure components.

“Our commitment to quality and reliability ensures that these valves meet the stringent demands of the energy industry,” said [Spokesperson Name], [Position] at Oliver Valves. “We are proud to support the TEN Development Project and contribute to the continued development of energy infrastructure in Ghana.”

As part of the TEN Development Project, these high-performance valves will play a critical role in ensuring the ongoing success of energy production in the region.

At Oliver Valvetek, innovation drives our commitment to advancing critical technologies. Over the past few years, we’ve increasingly focused our research and development efforts on creating solutions for Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS), a key component in the global drive toward reducing carbon emissions.

We are excited to share that we have developed two 3/8″ subsea rotary gate valves, part of a group of prototypes heading to a customer for a pioneering carbon sequestration project in a subsea environment. This milestone showcases our dedication to pushing the boundaries of valve technology through advanced R&D.

Our subsea rotary gate valve is specifically engineered for the demanding conditions of carbon sequestration projects. Its compact size ensures easy placement in constrained spaces, while its cost-effectiveness makes it ideal for scalable solutions in large-scale CCUS applications. Additionally, it features the same proven metal-on-metal seal technology as our standard gate valves, delivering top performance even in the harshest subsea environments.

This advancement reflects Oliver Valvetek’s ongoing commitment to developing cutting-edge solutions that contribute to a more sustainable future.

This month, we are proud to celebrate a remarkable milestone for one of our most dedicated and longest-serving employees—Steve Bowyer, who has completed an incredible 35 years with Oliver Valves. His loyalty, adaptability, and expertise have left an indelible mark on the company, and we are thrilled to recognize his contributions to our success.

Steve’s journey with Oliver Valves began back in 1989 when he joined the team on the shop floor. Over the years, he proved himself to be not only a hard worker but someone with a deep understanding of our operations and a knack for continuous learning. This led him to take on multiple roles within the company, from hands-on production work to customer-facing responsibilities in our Customer Care department. His experience and insight into the entire valve manufacturing process have made him an invaluable resource to colleagues and clients alike.

Steve’s current role in Production Control at Oliver Valvetek has been pivotal in ensuring the smooth and efficient manufacturing of subsea valves. His careful attention to detail and thorough understanding of the intricacies of production schedules have allowed us to consistently meet customer demands and uphold the high standards Oliver Valves is known for.

Reflecting on his journey, Steve remarked, “The last 35 years have been an incredible ride. Oliver Valves has always been like a second family to me, and the opportunities to grow and develop within the company have been endless. I’ve worked alongside some fantastic people and seen the company evolve over the decades, but the one constant has been the commitment to quality and innovation. I’m proud to have been a part of that.”

Steve’s contribution to Oliver Valves has not gone unnoticed, and his milestone anniversary provides an opportunity for the company to express its gratitude. Dr. Michael Oliver, Founder and Chairman of Oliver Valves, shared his appreciation: “Steve has been a pillar of Oliver Valves for over three decades. His commitment and versatility have not only shaped his career but have also played a vital role in shaping our company. We are truly grateful for his service and the positive influence he’s had on the company’s culture and success.”

Steve’s legacy at Oliver Valves extends beyond his professional accomplishments. He is known for his willingness to mentor newer team members, sharing the knowledge he’s accumulated over the years and always being there to lend a helping hand. His colleagues speak highly of his approachable nature, reliability, and keen problem-solving skills, which have all made him a go-to person across the business.

As we celebrate this important milestone, we not only look back with pride at Steve’s contributions but also look forward to the future, knowing that his work will continue to impact Oliver Valves for years to come.

From everyone at Oliver Valves, congratulations, Steve, on 35 years of service, and here’s to many more!

 

Oliver Valves has announced a significant investment in its R&D and testing capabilities with the introduction of a new in-house hydco cycle rig. This advanced system is designed to automatically test up to four ball valves simultaneously, enhancing the company’s ability to ensure product quality and reliability.

The new hydco cycle rig is equipped with pneumatic actuators that operate with precision, offering the capability to handle valves with torque up to 82.3 Nm and withstand extreme temperatures ranging from -40°C to +80°C. These features allow for comprehensive testing that closely replicates real-world conditions, ensuring that the valves can meet the demanding requirements of various global industries.

Enhancing Valve Testing Precision
The system’s automated valve testing capabilities mark a significant improvement in the efficiency and accuracy of Oliver Valves’ testing processes. With the ability to test four valves at once, the rig reduces manual intervention while increasing throughput.

Additionally, two of the testing stations are equipped with sensors that measure crucial data points such as pressure drops, temperature fluctuations, and the correct opening and closing of valves. The system’s alarms automatically stop the test if any parameter exceeds the acceptable range, preventing damage and recording each valve’s cycle data.

Contamination Control for Accurate Results
One of the rig’s standout features is its contamination control. To maintain a clean testing environment and prevent cross-contamination during fugitive emissions tests, an extractor fan has been installed. This ensures that any leaks from one valve do not affect the results of tests on others, guaranteeing the accuracy of each test.

Custom Programming for Flexibility
The hydco cycle rig is also designed with flexibility in mind. Each valve station is controlled by its own Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), allowing engineers to tailor test cycles according to the specific needs of different valve types. The PLCs enable independent control over the time between each valve’s opening and closing cycle, ensuring that the tests can be adapted for a variety of projects.

A Testament to Global Innovation and British Engineering
This new rig is part of Oliver Valves’ ongoing commitment to reinvesting in R&D and improving its manufacturing processes. “The hydco cycle rig allows us to enhance our quality assurance and deliver even more reliable products to our global clients,” said a company spokesperson. “It exemplifies our dedication to innovation, precision, and British engineering excellence, ensuring that every valve meets the highest standards before it reaches our customers.”

With this cutting-edge system in place, Oliver Valves continues to lead in the design, engineering, and manufacturing of high-performance valves, supplying industries across the globe with the robust solutions they require

 

The global need for reliable, clean energy is indisputable and becoming increasingly urgent. However, there is ongoing debate about the most effective processes for producing green energy, and even the precise definition of green energy remains contested. This debate is likely to continue for many years, if not decades. Despite these uncertainties, the demand for clean energy solutions is ever-present. The evidence of global sea temperatures rising and the increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events worldwide underscores the necessity for immediate action.

Green energy projects are gaining traction across the globe. Numerous pilot schemes are being implemented to demonstrate proof of concept, indicating progress in the right direction. However, the question remains whether these efforts are sufficient. Can the planet afford to wait for standard committees to determine the best course of action when the impacts of climate change are already being felt?

Decarburizing the entire energy chain presents a monumental challenge. The transition from long-established processes, which have been refined over several decades, to green alternatives will not happen overnight. This move involves considerable risk and requires careful planning and execution. The complexity and scale of this task highlights the need for a coordinated and sustained effort to achieve a future with truly sustainable energy.

One aspect of the complex challenge of decarburizing the energy sector is the development of reliable and cost-effective valves. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), over 60 percent of fugitive emissions originate from gas valves. This raises the question of how to develop a safe and reliable product in an emerging market when the standards governing such products have yet to be established.

A British company, Oliver Valves, has developed an advanced metal-seated pipeline valve range designed to address these challenges.

Ball valves are known for their simple quarter-turn operation and unrestricted flow path. Features such as non-rising stems and compact geometries make them a common choice for many operators across various processes. The metal-seated variant of the ball valve offers several advantages over the more commonly used soft seat or polymer sealing alternatives, including enhanced resistance to abrasives, increased reliability, and a longer service life. Additionally, the design of metal-seated ball valves makes them suitable for applications involving temperatures above 200 degrees Celsius.

The development of metal-seated ball valves represents a step forward in creating reliable, high-performance components essential for the energy sector. This innovation addresses the need for improved valve technology to reduce fugitive emissions and support the transition to greener energy systems.

Creating a metal-to-metal, gas-tight seal is a complex and challenging task that requires a comprehensive understanding of several critical factors. This includes the topography of the components, the stresses involved, and the relative displacements needed to maintain the necessary contact stress for achieving a gas-tight seal. Achieving this level of precision and reliability is essential, particularly in high-pressure environments where even the smallest leak can lead to significant issues.

Engineers at Oliver Valves have developed substantial expertise in metal-to-metal sealing over more than thirty years, particularly through their work on sub-sea gate valves. These valves are known for their high performance and reliability in demanding conditions, providing valuable insights and experience that inform their current developments.

However, in the context of pipeline ball valves, special considerations must be made regarding the size and geometry of the ball and seat. Both components are inherently complex in shape, and their often-asymmetrical nature complicates the prediction of deflection under pressure. Unlike soft, more compliant seats, a metal seat must deflect at the exact same rate as the ball when subjected to full working pressure to maintain sufficient contact stress and create a reliable seal. These deflections, although microscopic, can contribute to leaks if not managed correctly.

Ensuring that the metal seat and ball deflect in unison requires meticulous design and precise engineering. This challenge underscores the importance of understanding the intricate behaviours of materials under stress and the need for advanced engineering solutions to achieve reliable, gas-tight seals in metal-seated pipeline valves. The expertise developed by Oliver Valves in this field highlights the critical role of experienced engineering in addressing the complex requirements of modern energy systems.

One potential solution to the challenge of achieving a metal-to-metal, gas-tight seal in pipeline ball valves is to greatly increase the size and rigidity of the ball and seat. This approach aims to minimize deflection under pressure. However, this method would significantly raise the associated costs of product assembly. Increasing the ball diameter necessitates a larger cavity size, which subsequently enlarges the pressure boundary between the valve body and its ends. This, in turn, increases the sealing diameter of the end connector, thereby amplifying the blowout force on the end connector. To manage this increased force, either larger fasteners or a greater number of fasteners would be required.

Furthermore, these fasteners must be accessible using conventional tightening equipment, which can add to the overall size and cost of the finished product. To avoid a cascade of increasing sizes and associated costs, it is essential to determine the optimum size of the ball. This ensures the most cost-effective and reliable solution is achieved.

Advanced Finite Element Analysis (FEA) techniques have been employed to derive the optimum size of the ball and the geometry of the seat. These analyses take into account the strengths of materials suitable for hydrogen applications. The derived optimum sizes and geometries have then been tested under in-service conditions to validate the product’s performance across various temperature and pressure combinations. This approach ensures that the valve design is both cost-effective and capable of maintaining reliable performance in demanding applications.

At the Oliver R&D facility in Cheshire, a specialized team of engineers focuses on developing cutting-edge valve products. This facility has established a unique hydrogen test standard, which integrates industry-recognized fugitive emissions tests and simulates in-service conditions, including prolonged operational scenarios.

The qualification process developed at the facility is tailored to address the specific needs of pipeline valve applications. This rigorous process includes comprehensive operational and seat leakage tests conducted at both maximum and minimum rated temperatures. During these tests, fugitive emissions are closely monitored to ensure compliance with stringent environmental and safety standards. The objective is to verify the valve’s performance and reliability under the most demanding conditions.

To further demonstrate the robustness and effectiveness of their zero-leakage metal sealing range, the qualification process was extended to include an endurance test of 3,000 operations. This extended testing period is designed to replicate the long-term operational stresses that valves would encounter in real-world applications. After completing the 3,000 operations, the valves were evaluated for their ability to maintain a bubble-tight seal at working pressure and to remain within acceptable fugitive emissions rates. The results confirmed that the valves met and exceeded performance expectations, maintaining their integrity and functionality throughout the testing process.

This thorough and objective testing approach ensures that the valves developed at the Oliver R&D facility adhere to high standards of performance, reliability, and environmental compliance. By subjecting the valves to such rigorous testing, the engineers can confidently validate their designs and ensure that the products are capable of performing reliably in demanding conditions, thereby contributing to the advancement of valve technology in the energy sector.

Nick Howard, Director of Market Development at Oliver Valves, highlights the company’s approach to developing advanced valve technology. By leveraging years of expertise in metal sealing and combining it with a deep understanding of hydrogen applications, Oliver Valves has developed metal-to-metal sealing ball valves. These valves aim to offer the reliability and prolonged service life typical of metal-seated valves while achieving sealing performance comparable to soft-sealing valves. This development represents a significant advancement in valve technology, particularly for applications involving hydrogen.

Valves are a small yet critical component in the broader context of addressing complex energy challenges. As such, it raises the question of whether additional initiatives should be provided to companies to accelerate the development of innovative products. The transition to green energy and the reduction of fugitive emissions requires not only new ideas but also effective methods to bring these ideas to fruition.

Encouraging further innovation in valve technology could involve offering incentives such as research grants, tax benefits, or collaborative opportunities with academic and research institutions. Such initiatives could expedite the development and implementation of advanced solutions, facilitating more rapid progress towards achieving environmental and energy goals.

Moreover, enhancing the support for research and development in the valve industry could lead to broader advancements in energy systems. Valves, while a small component, play a crucial role in ensuring the efficiency and safety of various processes. Improved valve technology can contribute to reducing emissions, enhancing operational reliability, and optimizing performance across different sectors.

In conclusion, while the development of advanced valves like those by Oliver Valves and others represent a milestone, broader support for innovation is essential. By fostering an environment that encourages research, collaboration, and the practical application of new technologies, the energy industry can more effectively address its complex challenges and move towards a sustainable future.

In a momentous achievement that marks three decades of innovation, reliability, and engineering, Oliver Valvetek proudly announces the shipment of its 150,000th subsea valve. This milestone reflects not only the company’s long-standing commitment to the subsea industry but also the trust and confidence our customers have placed in our solutions, which have consistently delivered zero failures and exceptional performance in some of the harshest environments on the planet.

The journey to this extraordinary accomplishment spans over 30 years, a period during which Oliver Valvetek has continually pushed the boundaries of what is possible in subsea valve technology. Our subsea valves are engineered to operate reliably in some of the world’s most demanding and high-pressure environments, from deep-sea oil and gas fields to pipelines that stretch for hundreds of miles. Through it all, Oliver Valvetek has maintained a steadfast focus on safety, durability, and precision, ensuring that every valve meets the exacting standards required by the industry.

A Look Back at Our First Valve: A Symbol of Evolution

This milestone is made even more meaningful when we reflect on where it all began—with the very first valve that Oliver Valvetek ever manufactured. That valve, a manually operated diver-actuated model designed for the North Sea, played a key role in subsea operations for over a decade. After 10 years of service, it was returned to us as part of routine pipeline maintenance, which we then swapped for a new valve to save the original for posterity

The evolution from that first valve to the advanced technology we deploy today is clear to see. The first valve, with its manual handles and diver-actuated mechanism, was a product for it’s time. It laid the foundation for the continuous advancements we’ve achieved over the years, including the shift toward automated, remote-controlled, and even more compact and efficient valve designs. Each innovation has been driven by the goal of improving performance, safety, and ease of maintenance, ensuring that our customers can depend on our products under even the most extreme conditions.

Celebrating Progress and Innovation

Oliver Valvetek’s journey to 150,000 subsea valves is a testament to the relentless pursuit of excellence by our engineers, designers, and production teams. Every valve is crafted with precision and care, incorporating cutting-edge technology and materials that ensure long-lasting performance. Our ability to reach this milestone reflects the hard work, dedication, and expertise of our team, as well as the strong relationships we’ve built with our trusted partners and clients around the world.

Each valve we produce undergoes rigorous testing and quality control procedures to guarantee that it meets the highest standards of reliability and safety. Our customers operate in environments where equipment failure is simply not an option, and we take that responsibility seriously. From the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico to the icy conditions of the Arctic, Oliver Valvetek’s valves have proven themselves time and again in some of the most hostile environments on Earth.

A Shared Success: The Role of Our Team and Partners

The achievement of shipping 150,000 subsea valves is a shared success that belongs not only to Oliver Valvetek but also to the partners, suppliers, and customers who have accompanied us on this journey. Our collaborative approach to engineering solutions ensures that every valve we produce is designed with the end user in mind, and the feedback we receive from our partners plays a crucial role in our innovation process.

As the subsea industry continues to evolve, so too does Oliver Valvetek. Our commitment to research and development means we are always looking for new ways to improve our products and services, from increasing the longevity and resilience of our valves to enhancing the efficiency of installation and operation. Our focus on innovation has allowed us to stay ahead of the curve, delivering solutions that not only meet the current demands of the industry but anticipate future challenges.

Looking Ahead: The Next Chapter for Oliver Valvetek

As we celebrate this historic milestone, Oliver Valvetek remains focused on the future. While reaching the 150,000th valve is a significant achievement, we know that there is still much more to accomplish. The demands on the subsea industry are greater than ever, with deeper wells, longer pipelines, and more extreme operating conditions requiring advanced solutions that can withstand the test of time.

Looking ahead, our focus will be on continuing to develop cutting-edge technology that enhances the safety, reliability, and performance of our valves. We will also be exploring new materials, manufacturing processes, and automation techniques to further improve our products and provide the highest possible value to our customers.

Our commitment to sustainability is also a key part of our future strategy. As the world shifts towards cleaner energy solutions, we are investing in new technologies and partnerships that will enable us to play a leading role in the energy transition. Whether it’s supporting carbon capture and storage projects or developing valves for hydrogen and other renewable energy applications, Oliver Valvetek is dedicated to being at the forefront of the industry’s future.

A Proud Moment for the Entire Oliver Valvetek Family

The shipment of our 150,000th subsea valve is a moment of immense pride for everyone at Oliver Valvetek. It’s a testament to the dedication and skill of our entire team, from the engineers who design our valves to the technicians who ensure they are built to the highest standards of quality. It’s also a reflection of the trust that our customers have placed in us over the years—trust that we will continue to earn as we move forward.

As we celebrate this incredible achievement, we remain committed to delivering the highest level of quality, performance, and innovation that has defined Oliver Valvetek for over three decades. Here’s to the next 150,000 valves—and beyond!

To find out how Oliver Valvetek can meet your subsea project valve requirements, contact us by telephone +44 (0)1565 632 636, email us at sales@valves.co.uk or visit our website www.valves.co.uk.