CORTEC embarked on an effort to diversify from the line of wellhead production chokes. CORTEC founder Bobby Corte Jr., in partnership with his brother-in-law Larry Chauvin, started a new division under CORTEC Manifold Systems (CMS), focusing on compact valve solutions. CMS spent several years developing a line of floating and trunnion models featuring soft seats and o-ring seals well-suited to general service oil and gas applications, up to 10,000 PSI. In those early years, many Gulf of Mexico platforms required topsides production manifolds with headers requiring many isolation valves. The company’s team experienced much success in these projects, but over time, as the industry focus turned more to deepwater floating production installations and shale plays, the industry’s changing landscape pushed CORTEC to evolve its technology to the critical needs of the industry.
Larry cultivated a vision for a best-in-class metal seated valve line that could provide superior space and weight-saving solutions while providing enhanced performance through material and sealing design upgrades. CORTEC undertook its first acquisition of TCS (Technical Control Systems), based in Oklahoma City. This acquisition provided CORTEC with base models of a new trunnion ball valve family, which could be improved by incorporating more dynamic sealing technology such as lip seals and HVOF metal seated trim.
Beyond ball vales, CMS has developed full lines of check valve models, both compact and conventional flanged-end, as well as top and side entry designs. The full line of valve, choke, and automation products complement each other well to deliver turnkey manifold and piping solutions that maximize weight and space savings without sacrificing quality and performance.
Today, CORTEC conducts all major manufacturing operations in-house, including machining, HVOF spraying, grinding, and lapping, as well as Xylan and other special coatings.
