OPW Engineered Systems, a division of OPW Fluid Transfer Group, announced that it offers an advanced line of dry disconnect coupling technology to operators focused on the growing shale oil and gas market. OPW's dry disconnect couplers, such as its Kamvalok and Drylok products, can be beneficial where safeguarding people and the environment are paramount concerns.
The horizontal drilling and “fracking” process used to produce shale oil requires the use of large amounts of diesel fuel, potable water, saltwater, and completion fluids and chemicals. It also requires the production of millions of gallons of waste fluids, all of which need to be transferred and stored on-site at some point in production. There is also the need to pump the components of completion fluids to blending units and treater units in preparation for fracking. All these operations must be completed with zero product loss in order to meet environmental protection regulations while keeping costs to a minimum.
Kamvalok and Drylok dry disconnect couplings have been designed to prevent both routine and accidental disconnects, and meet the company's focus of Zero Harm — Safeguarding People and the Environment, while providing total fluid containment at the well site. The Kamvalok accomplishes this through the use of a poppet action that virtually eliminates spillage of any residual liquid contained within the transfer line after disconnection. The Drylok features an interlocking handle that prevents accidental spills in high-pressure fluid-transfer applications by prohibiting uncoupling while the valve is open.
For more information, go to www.opwshaleoil.com.