Parker Instrumentation has been awarded the contract to supply all the instrumentation components and sub-systems to the Snøhvit development, the world’s northernmost liquefied natural gas (LNG) project. In total, some 1000 weatherproof instrumentation enclosures will be provided, complete with Parker manifolds, valves and tube fittings – and fitted with the process transmitters specified by the project contractor. Instrument systems are already being supplied to equipment builders, bulk deliveries to the onshore gas processing site being built at Melkøya will commence in September 2003. Parker’s ability to supply complete instrumentation assembly packages to the Snøhvit Group’s engineering, procurement and construction manager, Linde, fitted with anti-freeze heating systems to combat the harsh environmental conditions – were key factors in winning the contract. The systems will provide the process instrumentation required for Linde’s liquefaction plant. In addition to standard 316 stainless steel fittings, Parker is supplying fittings fabricated from 6Mo (6% molybdenum steel) for certain corrosion-prone areas of the process – such as the seawater cooling systems. To further protect against corrosion, all the tube fittings will be treated using the company’s proprietary Suparcase process. This hardens the back ferrule – the part of the fitting responsible for ensuring a strong grip on the tube – without adversely impacting susceptibility to corrosion. It avoids leaving the avenues for the onset of corrosion that can be caused by conventional hardening techniques.
