BVAA Spring Conference a big hit!

Published: 18th September 2014 | Issue 30 Share article:

Mark Richardson of James Walker Seals talks fugitive emissions

Mark Richardson of James Walker Seals talks fugitive emissions

The BVAA Spring Conference and Golf held at the Celtic Manor in May was given rave reviews by those who attended.

Attendees were treated to a varied selection of excellent presentations ranging from fugitive emissions standards changes to the global outlook for the oil and gas industry; all of which were well received. The biggest hit of the speakers programme was BVAA board member and MD of Heap & Partners David Millar, whose frank discussion on Shale Gassaw him graded ‘excellent’ by 90% of attendees.

The speakers programme was preceded by networking and a mini-exhibition and was followed by a dinner in the lodge at Celtic Manor.

This ever-popular event will return next year, with an expanded format. Contact BVAA for details.

Our heartfelt thanks to the sponsors who made the event possible, Cameron, Heap & Partners and Valvestock.


Conference speakers programme

NEW ACTUATOR TECHNOLOGIES
TONY O’DONNELL, THE SMART ACTUATOR COMPANY

Tony spoke about his company’s innovation in actuator technology, ‘RIFT’. RIFT stands for ‘Reduced Induction Field Torque’ and is really a design process for motors and generators. RIFT reduces the cost of manufacture by roughly 75%, the energy consumption and overall weight by about the same amount and has a much smaller carbon footprint than older design products.

FINANCING INNOVATION THROUGH THE WORLDS LARGEST NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT FUND
MARINA ROBERTS, PERA TECHNOLOGY

Part of the new €80 billion research and innovation program, Horizon 2020, the €3.3 billion Dedicated SME Instrument is not only the largest new product development fund ever conceived, it is also one of the most commercially aware. PERA Technology provided more details on how to access the fund.

FUGITIVE EMISSIONS
MARK RICHARDSON, JAMES WALKER

Valve Fugitive emissions specifications are becoming ever more arduous and difficult to meet for a valve manufacturer. The focus of the discussion was the specifications ISO15848-1, API 622 and the new specification API 624. Mark discussed the recent changes made to these specifications and how they will affect UK Valve manufacturers.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES VIA BVAA
JIMMY PHILLIPS, BVAA

BVAA’s Marketing and Communications Manager, Jimmy Phillips outlined what opportunities are available to BVAA members. Furthermore, Jimmy outlined what tools and assistance is available to members before and at the networking events to ensure your time is best spent and that you come away with the contacts you want.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN WELDING TECHNIQUES
GEOFF MELTON, THE WELDING INSTITUTE

Geoff talked through the wide range of welding processes available today from traditional arc welding to laser, electron beam and friction.

GLOBAL PROSPECTS
ROD WESTWOOD, DOUGLAS - WESTWOOD

Valves are truly multi-market, with key applications across the oil & gas lifecycle – from downhole applications right through to refining and distribution. Rod Westwood provided an overview of some of the key markets defining the demand for valves and associated equipment.

CAN BRITAIN AFFORD TO IGNORE SHALE GAS?
DAVID MILLAR, HEAP & PARTNERS

After a brief explanation of the process of extracting shale gas the bulk of David’s talk focused on myth debunking, looking at the real issues and what shale has done for the USA and could do for the UK.

MANUFACTURING DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AMRC GROUP
DR ALAN MCLELLAND, NAMTEC/ AMRC

Alan explained how The University of Sheffield is building on the success of its world-leading Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre with Boeing by developing a cluster of industry-focused manufacturing R&D centres and supporting facilities.

Delegate Feedback

“1st class - from the venue, logistics, choice of catering and even the smallest of details were thought of, communicated and well executed”

“…one of the best conferences I have attended for a very long time.”

“I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of it and the organisation that you all put together was nothing other than fantastic.”

The venue and catering were also given a very big ‘thumbs up’ from BVAA members, who enjoyed a dinner and overnight stay on Wednesday evening before Thursday’s golf.

100% of members who attended the event rated it and the venue 'Excellent' or 'very good'.

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