Newcastle engineering company BEL Valves has sealed an order worth £5m for the Murlach oil field development in the North Sea.
The company, which manufactures valves for oil and gas and hydrogen and carbon capture installations, has supplied 20 valves to the recently recommissioned field based 203km east of the Aberdeenshire coastline. The field, which has an expected lifespan of 11 years, is a joint venture between BP Exploration Operating Company (BPEOC) and NEO Energy, with the first oil extraction expected in 2025.
David Gallagher, project director of BEL Valves, said: “The Murlach Field Development Project is a really significant North Sea project and to have our slab gate valves playing such a vital part in its operational safety is a great reflection of the trust the industry has in our products.
“We’ve been manufacturing valves for the oil industry since the mid-1960s and our reputation for quality and reliability is second to none. And with our ability to design and manufacture bespoke solutions; deliver fast-track orders and provide full life cycle support, it’s understandable why BEL Valves is held in high esteem by infrastructure specifiers and contractors all over the world.”
BEL Valves’ slab gate valves have been installed in the topside platform and were specified due to the company’s technical track record in manufacturing valves for critical applications.
Mr Gallagher added: “The importance of high pressure, safety critical shut down valves can never be underestimated.
“The fact we’re known throughout the global oil and gas industry for delivering products that do exactly that, while also being supported by full life cycle servicing, goes a long way to explaining our longevity as a business and the fact we’ve performed successfully in our chosen sectors for well over half a century.”
