WEIRBULLETIN | FEBRUARY 2013 COLLABORATION MINERALS OIL & GAS POWER & INDUSTRIAL


Collaboration underpins successful control valve service contract


Weir’s collaborative mindset ensured the effective execution of two recent contracts for Shell by the US control and choke valve business. In 2012, two high value service contracts


were awarded for control valves installed on the waterfl ood injection system at the Tension Leg offshore platform in the Gulf of Mexico. The project scope included full inspection and testing of the valve body and actuator and retrofi t of the valve trim. With a change in operational fl ow rates


and pressures, a recalculation of the valves was requested by Shell to ensure that the performance levels achieved under the new operating conditions would be met. When the valves were received at the local


service centre in Deer Park, Texas, sand was found in the outer areas and the valve trim and the seats had experienced damage caused by the change in process conditions. To minimise future damage, one of the valves – which operates in harsh conditions – was retrofi tted with the X-Stream trim. The X-Stream trim is the result of extensive research into severe service control valve applications. It offers a unique fl ow path to eliminate destructive fl uid forces such as cavitation, and to minimise erosion and corrosion. As well as the engineering expertise to optimise the valve for current operating


The Weir team with one of the retrofi tted control valves


conditions, the appropriate tools and skilled service personnel were required to inspect, test and overhaul the valves. A joined-up approach shared among four facilities and two divisions (control valve facility in Elland, UK; Oil & Gas service centre in Deer Park, TX; Weir Seaboard in Houston, TX and Montreal service centre, Canada) made this possible by maximising


local skills and resources – including tooling and machining, hydrostatic test bays, diagnostic equipment and service technicians. As a result of these collaborative efforts


between Weir Oil & Gas and Weir Power & Industrial, the service contract was executed successfully with the valves returning to operations at the Tension Leg platform.


atex develops premium frac discharge hose for SPM


hose. The survey began a research and manufacturing process resulting in the introduction in late 2012 of a frac hose with a 62% improvement in cover abrasion resistance than the leading competitor’s hose, plus a layline that is 120% larger to provide high visibility for easier, more straightforward identifi cation in the oil fi elds. To take the hose to market, Weir Minerals Linatex collaborated with Weir SPM. Weir SPM can incorporate frac hose assemblies with the manifold trailers they manufacture and provide service and support for the hose assemblies from their


leading North American service network. Weir Minerals Linatex is currently assembling the hose for the initial product launch of the frac discharge hose assemblies, with a full launch in the second quarter of 2013. Weir Minerals Linatex and Weir SPM are already looking to continue their successful collaboration with other key hose upsell opportunities such as Petroleum Transfer Hose and Material Handling Hose.


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