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As the world’s largest chemicals company, BASF operates hundreds of sites in over eighty countries. Making sure these sites – which are often highly integrated – run safely and efficiently is naturally critical to BASF’s profitability in highly competitive global markets. Strategic procurement initiatives are therefore in place that both safeguard the supply of valves as well as reduce the total cost of ownership, explains Mr. Holger Suhren, Global Category Manager Valves. By David Sear

In most process applications there are two different types of valves used: on/off and control. On/off valves are simply for allowing full flow or stopping flow completely. Control valves, in contrast, have the ability to control the AMOUNT of flow, also known as throttling. Written by Brian Booth from Assured Automation

Mahsa Bakherad began her career in Iran as a Piping Engineer through an internship program. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Metallurgy Engineering and earning a Masters in Materials Engineering – Corrosion & Protection, Mahsa has gained over a decade of experience working in Oil & Gas and Petrochemical plants. Valve World Americas had the opportunity to meet with Mahsa in Houston, Texas to learn more about her experiences working in Piping Engineering.

Braskem's petrochemical refinery near the town of Duque de Caxias is nestled amidst green hills less than an hour’s drive from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The sprawling site hosts several chemical plants involved in the production of raw materials and further processed chemical products including polypropylene and polyethylene. Valve World Americas visited the site to speak with Mr. Roberto Funger, Senior Inspection Engineer in the Maintenance Department during a recent visit. By Joanne McIntyre

An interview with Mr. Bhaskar Shitolé, who is the Deputy Discipline Manager of Piping with the global EPC company Amec Foster Wheeler. Amec Foster Wheeler is a multinational consultancy, engineering and project management company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. Focusing on the oil and gas, minerals and metals, clean energy, environment and infrastructure markets, the company has offices in over 55 countries worldwide. Written by Joanne McIntyre and Sarah Bradley

Having worked with valves for the majority of his career, Rajan Hingoraney, Consultant, Intervalve, Inc. knows a great deal about the importance of quality and standards. He graduated from the Indian Institute of Technology and went on to receive a scholarship from the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, where he completed his Masters’ degree in Chemical Engineering. Written by Sarah Bradley

The 3.6 million miles of pipelines that support the flow of oil and gas throughout upstream, midstream and downstream operations are among the most vital systems underpinning the entire industry. Yet surprisingly, the components of these pipelines are an area where engineering innovation has remained largely unchanged for decades. By Neil Poxon of Oxford Flow

Rudy Garza began his career with ExxonMobil (then Exxon) in 1990 as a facilities engineer. Twenty six years later, he’s still employed as a Sr. Mechanical Consultant in ExxonMobil’s Static Equipment Group (i.e. heat exchangers, tanks, pressure vessels, piping, and valves). One of Garza’s core responsibilities is providing advanced technical support to ExxonMobil’s Upstream producing affiliates. Written by Richard Heyl.

As the drive towards good environmental stewardship continues to intensify, Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) has been making great strides as the cleaner burning “fuel of choice” for shipping and transport. Written by By Sean Andersen, LNG Specialist, Dixon Valve and Coupling Company.

Safety and the need to avoid an environmental catastrophe led Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant, the largest sewage treatment facility in the Los Angeles Metropolitan area, to start repairs in 2016 on a corroded five-mile-long outfall, or pipe, and pump header that release 230 million gallons of treated wastewater into the Pacific Ocean every day. Written by Allen Ruef, Moog Inc.