Smart valve boosts oil production and paves the way for optimization in FPSOs

Production in Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) units requires increasingly precise and robust solutions to deal with operational bottlenecks, infrastructure limitations and the extreme conditions of the offshore environment. In this sense, investing in technologies that increase efficiency and enhance system performance, without compromising safety, reliability or operating costs, has become a strategic priority to ensure competitiveness and sustainability in the sector.

It was with this purpose in mind that FLUXO, in partnership with Baker Hughes, supplied a high-performance control valve for a Petrobras platform located in the Santos Basin. Designed to precisely regulate fluid flow at a critical point in the process, the solution significantly increased the production performance of the FPSO P-71, resulting in an increase of 10 thousand barrels per day in production capacity — a significant gain that reinforces the potential for specific improvements in assets already in operation.

Control valve technology: precision and performance in the offshore environment

The cage-guided globe control valve is widely used in industrial processes that require precise flow control, high durability and resistance to severe conditions. For the Petrobras project, FLUXO supplied the Masoneilan 12” 150# Series 41005 valve, an ideal choice due to its ability to operate under high pressures and accurately regulate fluid flow at critical points in the production process.

Equipped with anti-cavitation and anti-noise trim, these valves ensure consistent and efficient performance, even in harsh operating environments such as those found offshore. In addition, they offer additional advantages, such as noise reduction, reduced component wear, reduced vibrations and ease of maintenance, resulting in greater reliability and lower operating costs.

How the valve operates:

1. Fluid inlet: fluid enters the valve through side openings in the cage, initiating the flow regulation process.
2. Plug movement: the actuator moves the internal plug vertically, adjusting the fluid passage area.
3. Flow regulation: the movement of the plug controls the flow of the fluid, regulating the amount of fluid that passes through the valve according to the needs of the process.
4. Stability and alignment: the cage keeps the plug aligned, ensuring stability in flow control, in addition to working together with the plug to reduce noise and mitigate the effects of cavitation, preventing premature wear of internal components.