Test Automation & Controls has constructed a chemical injection skid designed to operate at 1000bar to withstand the pressures required for operations in the Tahiti field’s deep, sub-salt reservoirs. A custom compact double block and bleed valve (B&B valve) is helping to reduce the size and weight of the groundbreaking skid produced for the Chevron Tahiti platform in the Gulf of Mexico. Parker Hannifin’s integrated valve provides a 1000bar rated double block and bleed function. At this operating pressure, such valve configurations are usually constructed using discrete components – involving a large amount of space, extensive weight, and a large number of potential leak paths. The number of components are often made higher because the cone and thread interfaces used to make connections at these pressures are usually fitted with an additional anti-vibration accessory, to combat the common issue of vibration-induced problems associated with threaded connections. To simplify the project, an up-rated version of the single-piece 700bar double block and bleed manifold was suggested, fitted with 1000bar rated MPI compression tube fittings. The resulting manifold is estimated to have reduced the mounting space and weight budgets by around 50%, and replaced around nine individual components (three valves and six anti-vibration glands).
