Premium flow control equipment engineered to withstand high pressure, cryogenic temperatures, and severe marine environments.
Offshore oil and gas platforms operate in some of the most unforgiving environments on the planet. Exposed to extreme weather, high salinity, corrosive waves, and deep-sea pressures, every single component must perform with absolute reliability. The ball valve floating ball is a critical engineering component within these platforms, serving as the heart of flow control systems. Unlike trunnion-mounted valves where the ball is anchored, a floating ball valve allows the ball to shift slightly downstream under pressure, pressing tightly against the seat to create a bubble-tight seal. This dynamic sealing mechanism is vital for preventing hazardous leaks of volatile hydrocarbons, natural gas, and corrosive produced water.
In modern offshore installations—ranging from shallow-water fixed jackets to deepwater Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels—the demand for high-integrity floating ball valves has skyrocketed. The industry is shifting toward high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) reservoirs, meaning valves must handle pressures exceeding Class 2500 and temperatures ranging from cryogenic LNG states (-196°C) to superheated steam. Ensuring the integrity of the floating ball's spherical surface, coating compatibility, and material strength is no longer just a technical preference; it is a critical safety and environmental mandate.
Corporate Overview
"With over 30 years of manufacturing experience, SLVCN is a professional designer and manufacturer of high-performance forged steel ball valves for critical industrial applications."
We specialize in extreme working conditions including high pressure, high temperature, and cryogenic environments, providing safe and reliable flow control solutions for global industrial projects where operational reliability is non-negotiable.
Our commitment to engineering excellence and strict quality standards ensures that every forged ball valve leaving our facility is capable of withstanding the harsh conditions of offshore platforms, subsea pipelines, and large-scale petrochemical terminals. By utilizing advanced forging techniques, we eliminate the structural defects common in cast valves, offering our clients superior mechanical strength and peace of mind.
Connect with Our EngineersWhere precision, durability, and safety intersect under the ocean's most challenging conditions.
Topside modules on FPSOs separate crude oil, gas, and water. Floating ball valves manage high-pressure separation processes, regulating chemical injection lines and controlling multi-phase fluids containing abrasive sands and corrosive chlorides.
Safety is paramount on offshore rigs. In critical Emergency Shutdown (ESD) and Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS), floating ball valves provide rapid, tight shut-off to isolate high-pressure lines, preventing oil spills or catastrophic gas leaks.
Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) vessels require valves that operate at cryogenic temperatures down to -196°C. Forged floating ball valves ensure dimensional stability and bubble-tight sealing despite massive thermal contraction.
Installed deep below the surface, subsea valves must withstand external hydrostatic pressure and resist internal erosion from sand. Heavy-duty floating balls with specialized tungsten carbide coatings ensure continuous, maintenance-free operation.
Our core product range covers forged trunnion-mounted and floating ball valves, top-entry and side-entry ball valves, fully welded ball valves, metal seated ball valves, cryogenic ball valves, high-pressure ball valves up to Class 2500 (PN420) and customized higher pressure ratings, as well as high-temperature service valves.
"Compared with conventional cast valves, SLVCN forged valves feature higher material density, superior mechanical strength, improved resistance to pressure fluctuations and thermal shock, and significantly longer service life under severe service conditions."
Whether dealing with flammable media, corrosive fluids, sour service media (H₂S), ultra-low temperatures, or extreme differential pressures, our valves ensure stable operation, bubble-tight shut-off, and maximum system safety in accordance with international sealing and performance standards.
Designed for High Pressure, High Temperature, and Cryogenic Applications, SLVCN valves are widely used in long-distance oil & gas transmission pipelines, LNG storage and regasification terminals, offshore platforms and deepwater projects, power plants, refineries, compressor stations, and high-pressure chemical processing units.
Addressing the critical engineering demands of offshore oil and gas production.
Offshore hydrocarbons often contain high levels of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and carbon dioxide (CO₂), leading to severe corrosion and sulfide stress cracking. Standard carbon steel components quickly degrade under these conditions. To combat this, SLVCN utilizes high-alloy materials such as Super Duplex Stainless Steel (F53, F55), Inconel 625 cladding, and Monel. All materials and sealing systems comply strictly with NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 requirements, preventing hydrogen-induced cracking and ensuring structural integrity over a multi-decade operational lifespan.
Produced fluids on offshore platforms frequently carry formation sand, scale, and other particulate debris at high velocities. This abrasive mixture can easily erode the spherical surface of a floating ball, destroying the seal. We address this challenge by applying advanced hard-facing coatings, such as High-Velocity Oxygen Fuel (HVOF) sprayed Tungsten Carbide (WC-Co) or Chromium Carbide. These coatings achieve a surface hardness exceeding 70 HRC, providing exceptional resistance to abrasive wear and extending valve service life.
At deepwater depths, valves must operate reliably under immense pressure differentials. In a floating ball design, the upstream pressure pushes the ball against the downstream seat. If the ball is not perfectly spherical, or if the seat material deforms under pressure, leakage will occur. SLVCN utilizes state-of-the-art CNC grinding technology to achieve micro-inch spherical tolerances. We offer both Single Piston Effect (SPE) and Double Piston Effect (DPE) seat configurations, allowing engineers to select the optimal setup for their specific system redundancy and pressure-relief requirements.
For liquefied natural gas (LNG) applications on FLNG vessels, valves must maintain their sealing capacity at -196°C. Rapid temperature fluctuations cause materials to contract at different rates, which can lead to valve binding or leakage. SLVCN's cryogenic floating ball valves are designed with extended bonnets to keep the stem packing away from the cold fluid, and are subjected to cryogenic testing in liquid nitrogen to verify low-torque operation and zero-leakage performance under thermal shock.
Safety and reliability are embedded in every design. Our forged ball valves are equipped with Double Block and Bleed (DBB) structures, anti-blowout stems, fire-safe designs in accordance with API 607 / API 6FA, anti-static devices, emergency sealing systems, and pressure-balanced seating structures suitable for high differential pressure operation.
Valves can be designed with SPE or DPE seat configurations based on application requirements. For sour service environments, materials and sealing systems comply with NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 requirements.
By integrating these safety features, SLVCN valves provide multiple layers of protection against overpressure events, external stem leaks, and catastrophic system failures. This makes them the trusted choice for offshore operators who cannot afford to compromise on environmental protection or personnel safety.
How digital integration and advanced materials are shaping the next generation of flow control.
Offshore operators are adopting predictive maintenance. Future floating ball valves will integrate IoT sensors to monitor torque, stem wear, and pressure drops, transmitting real-time performance data to topside control rooms to prevent unexpected downtime.
Global environmental regulations are tightening. Valve designs are evolving to meet stringent fugitive emissions standards (API 641 and ISO 15848-1), utilizing advanced stem packing systems to eliminate micro-leaks of greenhouse gases.
Metal 3D printing is emerging as a solution for custom valve components. Printing floating balls with specialized internal geometries reduces weight while maintaining structural integrity, optimizing flow dynamics in complex offshore piping systems.
As exploration pushes into ultra-deepwater depths exceeding 3,000 meters, floating ball designs are being optimized to withstand extreme external hydrostatic pressures while maintaining low operating torque for subsea actuators.
Ensuring absolute reliability through rigorous testing and compliance with international standards.
To ensure consistent quality, each valve undergoes a complete series of inspections and performance tests in accordance with API 6D, API 598, and ISO 5208, including shell test, seat leakage test (Rate A / zero visible leakage), fire-safe test, cryogenic test, operational torque test, dimensional inspection, and PMI material verification.
"SLVCN operates dedicated cryogenic testing facilities to validate valve performance at ultra-low temperatures down to −196°C."
SLVCN is certified to ISO 9001, CE, and API standards, and our products comply with API 6D, ASME B16.34, DIN, ANSI, and JIS specifications. We provide extensive customization capabilities covering sizes from 1/2” to 36”, full bore or reduced bore, special materials including A105, LF2, F11, F22, F51, Inconel, various soft and metal seat designs, and intelligent actuation with pneumatic, electric, and gear operators.
Delivering high-performance flow control equipment to critical projects worldwide.
Years Experience
Countries Served
Max Class Rating
Visible Leakage
Today, SLVCN serves customers in more than 100 countries and regions, supplying valves to EPC contractors, engineering companies, and end users across Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and the Americas. Backed by strong engineering expertise, advanced manufacturing, and rigorous quality control, SLVCN is committed to delivering safe, durable, and truly engineered valve solutions for the world’s most demanding industrial projects.
Explore our full range of high-pressure, cryogenic, and fully welded ball valves designed for offshore oil and gas production.