Ordered for the Turkmenistan Block 1 Gas Development Project in the South Caspian Sea, the actuators will operate ANSI Class 150 ball valves in sizes 6 inches and larger. The quarter-turn actuators utilise the rugged Rotork RH rack and pinion centre body design in sizes 120 and 240. All the actuators are equipped with pressure compensation systems and ROV (remotely operated underwater vehicle) receptacles for the rotary tool operation of mechanical override systems.

The fast-track order is the latest in Rotork’s extensive reference list of sub-sea valve actuation projects, stretching back to 1992. The company has successfully completed hyperbaric testing of its sub-sea products at simulated depths of 2500 metres.

The Turkmenistan Block 1 Gas Development Project is being undertaken by a subsidiary of the Malaysian oil and gas company Petronas and will comprise two delivery platforms, one riser platform, an onshore gas terminal and associated pipelines.

First Quarter Highlights:

Revenues decreased 6.4% to $1.09 billion from $1.16 billion in the year-ago quarter. Organic revenues* declined 11.6%, while completed acquisitions and the impact of currency fluctuations each increased reported revenues by 2.6%.

Segment income and margins were $106.3 million and 9.8%, compared with $126.2 million and 10.9% in the year-ago quarter.

Diluted net income per share from continuing operations was $0.37, compared with $0.77 in the year-ago quarter. The current-year quarter included a non-cash tax charge of $6.2 million, or $0.12 per share, related to changes in federal health care laws.

Net cash used in continuing operations was $25.1 million, compared with $35.0 million in the year-ago quarter. The decrease in cash used in continuing operations was due primarily to changes in working capital and lower spending on restructuring, which more than offset the decline in operating income.

Free cash flow from continuing operations* during the quarter was a negative $36.9 million, compared with a negative $50.3 million in the year-ago quarter. The improvement was due primarily to the items noted above, in addition to lower capital expenditures in 2010... (+)

First Quarter of 2010 (all comparisons versus the first quarter of 2009 unless otherwise noted):

- Fully diluted EPS of $1.42, down 13.4%, including net currency charges of $0.16 related to the Venezuelan Bolivar devaluation and realignment charges of $0.01, plus another $0.16 in other expense, net relating to other after-tax currency charges
- Bookings of $1.07 billion, up 10.7%, or 5.6% excluding currency benefits of $49 million
- Sales of $959 million, down 6.4%, or 11.0% excluding currency benefits of $47 million
- Gross margin increase of 40 basis points to 36.3%, including realignment charges of 10 basis points
- Operating margin increase of 40 basis points to 14.8%, including realignment charges of 10 basis points
- Selling, General & Administrative (SG&A) as a percentage of sales of 22.0%, flat compared to the same period in 2009
- Operating income of $142 million, down 3.3%, including realignment charges of $0.5 million
- Cash balance of $468 million at March 31, 2010 resulting in net debt of $70 million
- Increased backlog of $2.42 billion, including negative currency effects of $62 million, compared to $2.37 billion in backlog at December 31, 2009

Emerson Process Management introduces a new offering to the vortex flowmeter family, the Rosemount 8800D CriticalProcess vortex flowmeter, designed to increase plant availability and enhance overall safety. This new flowmeter enhances online vortex sensor maintainability, while providing an added level of safety on critical applications.
The vortex sensor in the Rosemount 8800D vortex flowmeter is isolated from the process, making it possible to maintain the vortex sensor without requiring a process shutdown, greatly increasing process availability. Sensor verification and maintenance can be costly on traditional vortex applications. With traditional vortex flowmeters, users typically need to shutdown or bypass their process in order to verify performance of the vortex sensor. ... (+)

On-going upgrade programmes for increased safety, reliability and cost effectiveness for Petrom OMV tank farms in Romania have involved the supply of RCE-SR failsafe Ex electro-hydraulic actuators with integrated manual override, manufactured by Rotork Sweden. Another purpose of the upgrades is to ensure compliance with today’s strict environmental regulations.


The RCE unit consists of a hydraulic spring return actuator with manual override, electric motor, hydraulic pump and tank. In the event of an emergency, the valve fails closed or open automatically with the aid of a return spring in the actuator.