Trelleborg Aids LB Bentley in Subsea Valve Development

Trelleborg Sealing Solutions has supported LB Bentley, specialists in creating small bore subsea valves, in the development of its Medium Duty Rotary Gate Valve.

The new gate valve incorporates a custom seal that demonstrates stem sealing technology that reduces the “risk of contamination and failure”.

As subsea oil and gas exploration becomes increasingly challenging, LB Bentley realized a highly specialized gate valve that met a wide range of extreme working pressures and operating temperatures, was needed. To this end, it developed the Medium Duty Rotary Gate Valve, which has minimal moving parts and a time-saving quarter-turn mechanism that can be operated manually or with hydraulics, the company explained.

Antoine Charrier, a key account manager at Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, said: “Throughout the process we constantly had to think about the safety issues and challenges that are frequently faced when working with vital subsea equipment. We pride ourselves on innovation and relished this opportunity to work with LB Bentley, developing this innovative stem sealing technology that reduces the risk of contamination and failure.”

Trelleborg developed a custom version of its Turcon Variseal MC with high pressure extrusion resistance and back pressure protection in NORSOK M-710 compliant PTFE and PEEK materials to provide the main stem sealing function. In order to cater for subsea use, Trelleborg’s Turcon Glyd Ring T was selected as a contaminant exclusion seal.

Noelle Sears, R&D design engineer at LB Bentley said: “We work hard to meet our customers’ needs and as we strive towards continuous improvement, the qualification status of our products is constantly developing. This enables us to offer an expanding range of fully qualified products and we’re immensely proud of the Medium Duty Rotary Gate Valve that Trelleborg helped us develop.”