Fluxo Soluções
 / January 2012

Bifold valves gain space in the national offshore market

Bifold FluidPower has established itself in Brazil as a supplier of solenoid valves for off-shore applications. It is currently supplying around 704 valves for the P53, distributed among the Ballasting System, Well Control System and HPU, in addition to the Choke system units. At PRA-1, approximately 120 units are being supplied for the Well Control System and HPU.

Even with almost 60% of worldwide market share in solenoid valves for HPU's - Hydraulic Power Generation Units offshore and sub-sea applications, Bifold had, until 2000, almost no supply in Brazil. The few existing applications were on platforms leased by Petrobras, coming from outside the country or operated by other companies.

In mid-2000, after numerous performance tests and obtaining registration with Petrobras (CRCC), Bifold FluidPower began to operate in the Brazilian market. Since its first supply after certification, for the P50 platform in 2003, Bifold has already supplied thousands of units of solenoid valves to several manufacturers of control panels and HPU's (national and foreign), as well as directly to Petrobras itself. These valves are being used not only in new production units, but also in old refurbished units, as they are the only ones to have NAS-12 certification, which makes them reliable for working in fluid conditions with a higher degree of contamination.

All units recently supplied in Brazil are AISI 316 stainless steel solenoid valves, with Éxd certification. This type of valve is the only one that fully complies with Brazilian legislation for electrical equipment for potentially explosive atmospheres (INMETRO certification).

Bifold FluidPower has established itself in Brazil as a supplier of solenoid valves for off-shore applications. It is currently supplying around 704 valves for the P53, distributed among the Ballasting System, Well Control System and HPU, in addition to the Choke system units. At PRA-1, approximately 120 units are being supplied for the Well Control System and HPU.

Even with almost 60% of worldwide market share in solenoid valves for HPU's - Hydraulic Power Generation Units offshore and sub-sea applications, Bifold had, until 2000, almost no supply in Brazil. The few existing applications were on platforms leased by Petrobras, coming from outside the country or operated by other companies.

In mid-2000, after numerous performance tests and obtaining registration with Petrobras (CRCC), Bifold FluidPower began to operate in the Brazilian market. Since its first supply after certification, for the P50 platform in 2003, Bifold has already supplied thousands of units of solenoid valves to several manufacturers of control panels and HPU's (national and foreign), as well as directly to Petrobras itself. These valves are being used not only in new production units, but also in old refurbished units, as they are the only ones to have NAS-12 certification, which makes them reliable for working in fluid conditions with a higher degree of contamination.

All units recently supplied in Brazil are AISI 316 stainless steel solenoid valves, with Éxd certification. This type of valve is the only one that fully complies with Brazilian legislation for electrical equipment for potentially explosive atmospheres (INMETRO certification).

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