Autonomous Shutdown Valve

for Subsea PLEM Valves

Brian Ennever
Managing Director
 Typical CALM Buoy System

Typically used in shallow water applications down to

245m without requiring pressure compensation

Central Pipe
Swivel

Floating
Hose

Submarine
Hose
Pipeline

PLEM Anchor
Chain Leg 2 of 15
 The Problems

Umbilicals provide actuators

hydraulic supply pressure
Umbilicals provide electrical
signalling and partial closure testing
control
Umbilicals are prone to wear and
tear and damage
In the event of umbilical failure, all
remote control is lost
Valve control via diver or ROV
intervention are the only options
following umbilical failure
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 Operation Without Autonomous
Shutdown Valve (ASV)
Manual PLEM valve
Expensive diver interventions required for each tanker
visit
Valve operation in fair weather only

Actuated PLEM valve

Operated by HPU on surface buoy
Unsatisfactory system availability due to dependence on
offshore visits
Reliability issues due to complex and fragile control
system

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 Operation Without ASV

Actuated PLEM valve - continued

No Emergency Shutdown (ESD) facility
Control is reliant on a telemetry link as
opposed to hard wired
Requires frequent trips to buoy for checking
and recharging of Hydraulic Power Unit (HPU)
pressure
System availability issues

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 ASV System Overview

Electro-hydraulic system
housed within an oil filled
pressure compensated
pod

Pipeline pressure acts on

barrier vessel, pipeline
pressure on one side
converts to control
pressure on the other
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 ASV System Overview

Operates on a mineral or
biodegradable fluid within
a sealed system

Actuator powered via a

high flow pilot valve

Pilot valve controlled by 2

solenoid valves

Manifolded system
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 Communications

Cable connecting to surface buoy to

provide:
Remote status indication
Simple health checks
Manual override function
In-situ diagnostics and configuration
Communications are via a RS link and
normally via a connection on the
surface buoy
Data can be transferred by any
appropriate highway 8 of 15
 Communications

Standard monitoring data includes:

Pipeline pressure
Valve position status - open/closed/
intermediate
Solenoid valve status - energized/de-
energized
Number of completed valve operation
cycles
Pressure sensor health
Solenoids health
Battery health 9 of 15
Communications

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 Electronics Package

Batteries have a 20A/Hr

capacity
8 Bit micro controller
Internal watchdogs give 1:115
time ratio to conserve battery
power
Expected life 7/15 years, 5
years guaranteed based on 3
operations per week
Rechargeable battery option

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Double-Acting Actuator Option

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ASV HIPPS

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 Operator Concerns

Improving Reliability

Reducing OPEX

Increasing Environmental
Protection

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 Contact information
Brian Ennever, Managing Director
Paladon Systems Ltd.
brian.ennever@paladonsystems.com
Tel. +44 (0)1604 880700

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