ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Subsea valves

Subsea valves are like underwater doors that control the flow of fluids in pipelines on the sea floor. Just like how you can open and close a door to let people in and out, subsea valves can open and close to let oil, gas or water in and out of a pipeline.

However, subsea valves are much more complex than regular doors that you use every day. They are specially designed to withstand high pressure and extreme temperatures in the depths of the ocean. They are usually made of strong materials like titanium or stainless steel to resist corrosion from seawater.

Imagine snorkeling and feeling the pressure of the water on your ears as you dive deep. Subsea valves have to work perfectly even with that same pressure on them! That's why they have to be really strong.

These valves are controlled remotely using electronics. There are electrical wires or fiber-optic cables that run along the pipelines and connect to the valves. The control room on a nearby ship or platform can open and close the valves using a computer.

Why are subsea valves so important? They are an essential part of offshore oil and gas production. When a well is drilled on the sea floor, it produces oil, gas or water that needs to be transported through pipelines to processing facilities or storage tanks onshore. Subsea valves help to control the flow so that oil doesn't spill out or water doesn't leak in.

Another important use of subsea valves is in pipeline maintenance. When a pipeline needs to be repaired or replaced, valves can be used to shut off the flow of fluid so that workers can safely access the pipeline without getting wet.

In summary, subsea valves are like underwater doors that control the flow of fluids in pipelines on the sea floor. They have to be really strong to withstand high pressure and extreme temperatures. They are controlled remotely using electronics and they are essential in offshore oil and gas production and pipeline maintenance.