Quick Release, Autonomous Subsea Valve Activator Development

Webtool has developed an autonomous subsea resettable valve for installation and use with a charged hydraulic fluid store. Easily activated by a steel wire rope line, the valve activation system is designed for applications where autonomous operation is needed in the event of an emergency.

Constructed from super duplex stainless steel enabling longterm subsea deployment, the valve activator comprises a ball valve, spring detention cartridge set to the appropriate activation force needed to allow the valve to open, and valve activating lever that also functions as a removable rod arm. Charged with hydraulic fluid, when activated the rod arm rotates through 90 degrees causing the activator’s ball valve to rotate releasing stored hydraulic fluid, when fully open the rod arm is released. The valve activation device can be installed either left or right-handed.

The valve activation device is subsea resettable. It features a paddle which is rotated by ROV to the closed position and the system recharged. The rod arm is then pushed back into position by ROV, ready for re-use.

The valve activation system has been successfully deployed on a number of IWOCS emergency disconnection systems. Here the valve is activated by the movement of the Lower Marine Riser Package (LMRP) drifting away from the Blowout Preventer (BOP) on a subsea well. The movement of the LMRP overcomes the resistance of the spring detention cartridge.

For more information on the autonomous subsea resettable valve, call +44 (0)1254 615100, email: info@allspeeds.co.uk, and visit www.allspeeds.co.uk.