Tube Products International March 2015

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62 Tube Products International March 2015
Fi t t ings
Expanded production for Kazakhstan
oil and gas market
Flexitallic Group’s gasket manufacturing
joint venture in Kazakhstan has com-
pleted an investment in new production
technology to meet the demands
of the country’s oil and gas sector.
Novus Sealing Caspian (NSC) LLP, a
joint venture between Kazakhstan’s
Yulmar Services and Flexitallic UK, has
acquired and commissioned additional
manufacturing equipment to increase
capacity and capability after securing
further supply agreements with its main
customers in the North Caspian market.
The €200,000 investment extends
NSC’s Flexpro Kammprofile gasket
production capacity at its facilities in
Atyrau, where it manufactures a range
of static sealing products including
Flexitallic’s collection of spiral wound
gaskets.
NSChas secured a number of significant
service and supply agreements with
key operators in the Kazakhstan and
North Caspian markets. In accordance
with Republic of Kazakhstan directives,
the company also holds CT-KZ
certification, which acknowledges
its commitment to supporting locally
manufactured products.
Since NSC began production four years
ago, the joint venture has received
recognition for its sealing solution
services and supply from a number of
leading oil and gas operators.
Nigel E Hall, regional sales manager
for Flexitallic, commented, “We have
made significant progress in the past
four years and this latest investment
demonstrates the growing position we
have in the Kazakhstan oil and gas
market.
“There is massive potential in this oil and
gas-rich region, which has previously had
to rely on imported sealing technology;
however, following the establishment of
our joint venture we have not only been
able to support the Republic’s drive
to increase in-country manufacturing,
but also give operators immediate and
local access to products, expertise and
skills.”
Novus Sealing Caspian LLP –
Kazakhstan
Flexitallic Ltd – UK
Steam jackets for valve bodies
Mitech designs, fabricates and tests
its steam jackets to ANSI B16.34 –
1998.
The steam jackets are designed
to keep the valve body at a set
temperature.
A hot fluid such as steam is circulated
around the valve body, keeping the
fluid inside both warm and in a liquid
state.
The steam circulates in the annular
space between the jacket and the
vessel walls, and allows heat to be
transferred through the wall of the
vessel.
The company’s hub end Inline Globe
Control valve body is used as a base,
and is modified to incorporate the
steam jacket. Flange ends become
integral, while the flange drilling
incorporates blind tapped holes.
All valves are pressure- and leak-
tested before and after jacketing.
Jacketing considerations include
flange size, full or partial coverage,
types and locations of heated medium
connections, materials, bonnet jackets
and additional heat coverage for
specific areas.
Mitech – South Africa
NSC has invested in new technology to increase its production capabilities