QUALIFICATION AND DEMONSTRATION OF A SUBSEA TYPHOON VALVE - a pre-project.

Typhoon Valve is a new innovative valve technology developed to reduce fluid mixing, improve the separation of petroleum phases and ultimately reduce the environmental impact from petroleum activities. The Typhoon technology has now been designed as an i n-line Mokveld Subsea RZD with Typhoon® inside. However, before it can be introduced in the market, further work is required to qualify the Typhoon technology for long term industrial applications. The valve manufacturer Mokveld Valves BV, Eni Norge and Petrobras have all participated in the Subsea Typhoon Valve development, and this pre-project will focus on securing the continued participation and support from these companies. Through professional discussions with the prospective participants, we aim to reach a common understanding on the primary objectives and strategic direction of the Qualification and Demonstration project in due time before the application deadline. We know that the different oil companies have different needs and priorities, and it will be a challenge for us to guide them to a compromise and agreement to design a strong consortium and JIP. Petrobras joined the Subsea Typhoon Valve project as a Late Participant in the final stage of the project. To move forward with Petrobras, w e intend to send two senior engineers to Brazil for 4-5 days work shop. We consider this to be a promising opportunity, particularly since Petrobras has test facilities as well as identified pilot installation opportunities. They also have underlying proc ess problems and a need for new separation friendly technology. The discussions with Petrobras will be very decisive for the objectives and direction of the main Qualification and Demonstration project. However, without pre-project funding from DEMO2000, it is not likely that Typhonix could allocate the personnel, nor the funding for such a workshop.