KT Hydraulics Secures £120,000 Conoco FPSO Contract...................7BACK ____________________________________________________________________________________

Hydraulic systems specialist KT Hydraulics has secured a contract to design, build and supply a ballast control system for a new FPSO currently under construction for Conoco in Indonesia.

The contract includes the design and manufacture of 19 separate units that each control individual valves for ballast on the FPSO – Belanak. The hull of the vessel is currently under construction in China by Halliburton Far East PTE Ltd.

In carrying out its part of the contract, KTH adhered to tight delivery schedules throughout all stages of design, manufacture and testing. The units, to be sited on the weather deck of the vessel, feature sealed stainless steel cabinets and provide both local and remote indication of valve positions. They will control all ballast valves that vary in size between 3” and 19”.

In the UK, KTH was awarded the contract by valve specialists Leicester based Valve Engineering Services – the latest order to mark a long history of the two companies working together. VES’s managing director Gary Webb commented: “We’ve worked closely with KT Hydraulics since the days when they were part of the German Kracht Group.

“Whenever we have a requirement for hydraulic systems, we know there’s no one better. They can solve virtually any hydraulics related problem and they’re always quick to respond. In short, their team is second to none and for marine contracts such as this they’re the prefect partner!”

As specialists in the design and manufacture of complex hydraulic systems KT Hydraulics has built a worldwide reputation for its work in the shipping and offshore energy industry and its engineers are currently engaged on projects across the globe.

The full range of work covered by KT Hydraulics includes such diverse industries as food, oil and gas, marine and even Formula One motor racing with products including valves, flow meters and pumps.

The stainless steel control cabinets, which will be sited on the weather deck of the vessel, provide both local and remote indication of valve positions.