Custom Double-Block-and-Bleed Valve Helps Pack Functionality into the World's Largest Chemical Injection Skid


Huntsville, AL, October 20, 2008 --- A custom compact double block and bleed valve from Parker Instrumentation is helping to reduce the size and weight of a groundbreaking skid produced for the Chevron Tahiti platform in the Gulf of Mexico. Built by Test Automation & Controls, the equipment is believed to be the largest chemical injection skid ever produced, and has been designed to operate at 15,000 PSI to withstand the pressures required for operations in the Tahiti field's deep, sub-salt reservoirs.

Parker's integrated valve provides a 15,000 PSI 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 is 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, Parker Instrumentation suggested an uprated version of its single-piece 10,000 PSI double block and bleed manifold, fitted with the company's unique 15,000 PSI rated MPI® compression tube fittings.

The resulting manifold is estimated to have reduced the mounting space and weight budgets by around 50%, and replaces around nine individual components (three valves and six anti-vibration glands) - greatly reducing potential leak paths.

"The size and weight reductions contributed by this manifold have helped to reduce the topside equipment budget, " says Kevin Burke of Parker Instrumentation. "The manifold also helps to eliminate threaded connections, a common source of reliability problems."

About Parker
Parker Instrumentation is part of the Parker Hannifin group. With annual sales exceeding $10 billion, Parker Hannifin is the world's leading diversified manufacturer of motion and control technologies and systems, providing precision-engineered solutions for a wide variety of commercial, mobile, industrial and aerospace markets. The company employs more than 57,000 people in 43 countries around the world. Parker has increased its annual dividends paid to shareholders for 52 consecutive years, among the top five longest-running dividend-increase records in the S&P 500 index. For more information, visit the company's web site at www.parker.com, or its investor information site at www.phstock.com.

Parker Instrumentation Products Division, 1005 A Cleaner Way, Huntsville, Alabama 35805-6708, USA. Tel: 256 881-2040; ipdsales@parker.com

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