Unmanned Platform Gets Longer Lease on Life

In an effort to provide the most dependable technology available, CCI is providing five choke valves to the world’s first unmanned oil platform. The design specifications for these valves are in excess of the requirements of any other component on the platform, and any other choke valve in existence. In preparation to exceed universally accepted standards, these valves will be subjected to performance tests at all of the extreme design conditions, resulting in the most tested choke valves CCI has ever manufactured. These valves will utilize advanced metallurgy and a revolutionary design to maximize both the performance and the life of the valve and trim.

Because fluid velocity is a predominant factor in erosion, the fluid velocities within the trim of the CCI choke are typically 1/3 to 1/4 that of conventional single stage chokes. This control protects the trim from erosion, increasing the trim life many fold. Another benefit of velocity control is that the noise and vibration levels of a CCI choke will be significantly reduced compared to that of conventional single stage chokes. Selection of these materials were made to create a product that will not be subject to environmental corrosion, with advanced features such as redundant seal technologies, hardened stems, and advanced trim design also incorporated.

To test the technology and endurance of the valve, it was subjected to a performance test that exposed it to all operational extremes. The test was run with temperatures that ranged from -112 F to 212 F (–80 C to 100 C), with pressures alternating from zero to the design maximum. In addition, the valve was actuated at the temperature extremes more than 900 times during the course of testing, which is more than double the average actuations that a choke valve will see through its life. Testing for this unit was based upon API 6A PR2 Appendix F, with increased temperatures extremes, and increased pressure and temperature cycles added. It was the goal of CCI to apply their extensive experience in providing a reliable valve that will be able to meet the platform’s extreme service conditions.

Published in SOLUTIONS Winter 2001