Oxford Flow Conducts Trial of Valve Technology at ADNOC Oil and Gas Assets

Oxford Flow, the UK-headquartered valve solution and flow control equipment specialist, has initiated a trial of its new valve technology at two oil and gas assets operated by the UAE-headquartered Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). The goal of the trial is to demonstrate the commercial and environmental benefits of the solution’s ability to eliminate fugitive emissions while supporting decarbonization targets.

The commercial trials of Oxford Flow’s ES stemless control valve, known for its ability to eliminate fugitive emissions as proven through third-party testing, are taking place at ADNOC’s Upper Zakum and Das Island production fields. These fields have high operational and environmental expectations.

ADNOC has recently partnered with U.S. players such as ExxonMobil and Japan’s Inpex to expand the capacity of Abu Dhabi’s Upper Zakum offshore field. ADNOC Drilling has also been tasked with supplying three island rigs to support the expansion of the same oil field.

The decision to conduct the trial follows Oxford Flow being named a finalist in ADNOC’s inaugural ‘Decarbonization Technology Challenge’ in collaboration with AWS, BP, Hub71, and Net Zero Technology Centre in 2023.

The pilot of the ES valves in both onshore and offshore environments signals a significant step in Oxford Flow’s expansion in the Middle East as it looks to partner with operators committed to deploying decarbonization technologies.

Oxford Flow’s CEO, Neil Poxon, expressed, “Receiving a commendation in ADNOC’s Decarbonization Technology Challenge was a strong endorsement of the technology and its relevance to the industry’s net zero ambitions. Leaking valves are a major, often overlooked, source of emissions.”

He further added, “By replacing them, operators can make fast, material progress in decarbonising both onshore and offshore systems. It’s a significant step forward to now see ADNOC piloting the ES valve in live operations.”

The compact design of the ES valve, with no stem or external actuator, eliminates common failure points, reduces maintenance requirements, and enables a significantly smaller footprint. This makes it easier to install and service, more reliable in extreme environments, and suitable for high-performance applications in upstream and downstream operations.

Oxford Flow emphasizes that its valve solution supports operators in reducing emissions without compromising efficiency or durability. The technology is already being used across multiple markets, including North America.

“As operators face increasing regulatory and stakeholder pressure to cut emissions, the ES valve offers a scalable, ready-to-deploy solution – particularly in infrastructure that is otherwise costly or complex to decarbonise,” the firm highlighted.