Situation
Tyne Pressure Testing has completed a series of hyperbaric tests to validate the designs of an 8” subsea ball valve and a 5⅛” gate valve, for a Spanish valve manufacturer.
The client visited Tyne Pressure Testing, in the North East of England, to view the chambers and conduct a site survey, before two ROV operated valves were tested.
Testing took place in hyperbaric chamber TPT 5, across five to ten days per valve. The 8” ball valve was tested to water depths of 3,000m and the 5⅛” gate valve down to 2,200m.
Approach
Tyne Pressure Testing assisted the customer with customs clearance to transport the valves from Spain to the UK.
Both valves underwent a hydrostatic shell test to determine the internal pressure change and check the sealing connections. A hydrostatic seat test was carried out to monitor the seat leakage and detect areas where leakage may occur, as well as a hyperbaric ingress test and a hydrostatic endurance test.
The series of tests were part of a full qualification in accordance with API 6DSS, which demonstrates the testing requirements and conditions for operating subsea valves.
Despite the challenges we had to overcome to get the project started, we are very happy with the outcome that both valves passed the testing, and we are pleased to have a satisfied customer.
Result
Representatives from the company visited the UK to witness part of the test, before returning to Spain where they received regular updates.
Both of the valves passed the testing and were verified to be used on future projects.