The gas sector in Mozambique involves offshore gas production, the processing of liquefied natural gas (LNG), the use of pipelines, gas distribution and the generation of power. Because of this there is a need for a variety of valve designs in the upstream, midstream and energy infrastructure sectors. Existing gas infrastructure in the country comprises the Coral Sul FLNG project, the Pande and Temane gas fields, the Mozambique-Secunda Pipeline (MSP), commonly described as the Mozambique-South Africa gas pipeline, and gas distribution facilities that serve industrial customers in southern Mozambique. The National Petroleum Institute also lists Mozambique LNG and Rovuma LNG among projects under development in the country.
The choice of valve therefore involves more than just the nominal pipe size or the pressure class; flow isolation, throttling, the prevention of backflow, fire exposure, temperature, the composition of the fluid, and the location of installation all have an effect on the required valve design.
Ball, Gate, Globe Check and Butterfly Valves at a Glance
Valve Type | Typical Function | Mozambique Gas & Energy Applications | Common Configurations |
Ball Valve | Isolation / on-off service | Gas pipelines, LNG, process isolation, terminals | Floating, trunnion, full bore, reduced bore |
Gate Valve | Full-bore isolation | Transmission pipelines, gas processing, power plants | Slab gate, expanding gate, wedge gate |
Globe Valve | Flow regulation | Steam, fuel gas, utilities and process control | Straight pattern, angle, control globe |
Check Valve | Backflow prevention | Gas pipelines, compressors, pumps and process lines | Swing, dual-plate, axial |
Butterfly Valve | Isolation / flow control | Cooling water, utilities, gas systems and large pipelines | Wafer, lug, flanged, triple-offset |
1. Ball Valves: Fast Isolation for Gas and LNG Service
Ball valves are commonly used in cases where quick and reliable isolation is needed; turning them through a quarter rotation moves the ball from the open to the closed position, which makes the design appropriate for use in emergency shutdowns and for isolating a process. In the case of gas infrastructure, full-bore ball valves are especially useful since it is important to maintain a high flow rate and minimize pressure loss.
Mozambique's gas infrastructure consists of offshore LNG production as well as the transmission of natural gas over long distances; The ROMPCO-operated MSP transports natural gas from the Pande and Temane fields toward the South African market and has had additional pipeline capacity added through compressors and loop lines.
Typical ball-valve applications include:
• Natural-gas transmission lines
• Gas gathering and processing systems
• LNG facilities
• Export and receiving terminals
• Compressor stations
• Fuel-gas isolation
• Emergency shutdown systems
2. Gate Valves: Full-Bore Isolation for Pipelines
Gate valves are mainly used for isolating rather than for regulating flow. On being fully opened the gate moves out of the flow path and thus enables the valve to offer a fairly unobstructed route. Because of this gate valves are appropriate for use in transmission and process systems in which the valve is normally either fully open or fully closed.
In the case of Mozambique, the point in question applies to the gas transmission infrastructure and to the process facilities situated in the parts of the country that produce gas. A prominent example of the nation's gas transport infrastructure is the Mozambique–Secunda Pipeline (MSP), which transports natural gas from the Pande and Temane fields toward markets in Mozambique and South Africa.
Typical Gate Valve Applications:
• Gas transmission pipelines
• Pipeline block stations
• Gas processing facilities
• Compressor stations
• Gas receiving terminals
• Power-generation fuel-gas systems
• Hydrocarbon isolation
3. Globe Valves: Control and Regulation in Energy Systems
Globe valves, in contrast to gate valves, are constructed so that they can both regulate flow and isolate it. By altering the gap between the plug and the seat, the valve is able to control the flow. Because of this, globe valves are especially useful in utility and energy systems when flow adjustment is needed.
Typical applications include:
• Steam systems
• Boiler feedwater
• Fuel-gas systems
• Cooling systems
• Process utilities
• Pressure-control systems
• Gas and liquid flow regulation
In power-generation plants it is possible to fit globe valves in those cases where it is necessary to have a controlled adjustment rather than simply open or close the system.
4. Check Valves: Preventing Reverse Flow
Check valves work automatically in accordance with the direction of the fluid flow and their main function is to stop the flow going in the reverse direction without needing constant intervention from an operator.
This is particularly important around:
• Gas compressors
• Pumps
• Pipeline systems
• Process equipment
• Gas-treatment systems
• LNG facilities
• Fuel-gas systems
5. Butterfly Valves: Large-Diameter Isolation and Utility Service
Butterfly valves control or stop the flow by means of a rotating disc. Since they have a fairly compact design, they are suitable for use with large-diameter pipes, where the weight of the valve, the space required for installation and the cost can become important factors.
Typical applications include:
• Cooling-water systems
• Seawater systems
• Firewater systems
• Utility pipelines
• Air and gas systems
• Water-treatment systems
• Large-diameter process piping
Butterfly valves can also be used in hydrocarbon service provided that the design chosen, the materials, the pressure rating and the fire-performance requirements are appropriate for the application.
Material Selection for Mozambique's Gas Projects
The valve materials to be used in Mozambique's gas and energy projects must be chosen on the basis of pressure, temperature, the composition of the fluid, the degree of corrosion exposure and the mechanical requirements. Common material options include carbon steel and grades such as A105 and A216 WCB for general use with hydrocarbons and gas, F304/F316 and F316L stainless steels when corrosion sensitivity is a concern, and F51 duplex, F53/F55 super duplex, Monel and nickel-based alloys such as Inconel for more severe offshore, chloride-containing, high-temperature or corrosive conditions. In the case of offshore and coastal installations, where there is exposure to seawater and chlorides, duplex, super duplex or nickel-based alloys may be considered depending on the specific service conditions.
Mozambique's Gas Infrastructure Requires Application-Specific Valve Selection
The gas sector in Mozambique includes not just a single type of installation, since the country has offshore LNG production, pipeline transportation, domestic gas distribution and is also developing its LNG infrastructure.
According to the National Petroleum Institute, Coral Sul FLNG started producing liquefied natural gas in October 2022 and natural gas from the Pande and Temane fields is used in several provinces of Mozambique. The Institute also lists the ROMPCO pipeline system and the major projects in the Rovuma Basin as part of the nation's gas infrastructure; hence valve requirements will differ greatly between an offshore FLNG facility, a high-pressure transmission pipeline, a compressor station and a gas-fired power plant. The valve that is correct is therefore decided upon according to the service duty, the process conditions and the relevant engineering standard, not merely based on the country or industry.
African Valve - Industrial Valve Solutions
African Valve offers high-performance industrial valves for a wide variety of demanding uses in the oil & gas, LNG, petrochemical, power, marine and offshore sectors. The company has a wide selection of ball valve, gate valve, globe valve, check valve and butterfly valves and provides reliable solutions which are designed to satisfy different operating and service needs. Whether it is for standard industrial applications or for high-pressure, corrosive and critical services, African Valve achieves dependable results by combining strong valve designs, the use of high-quality materials and engineering that is tailored to each application throughout Africa.
Key Takeaway
Ball, gate, globe, check and butterfly valves are among the key valve types used across Mozambique's gas and energy infrastructure.
Each performs a different function:
• Ball valves – rapid and reliable isolation
• Gate valves – full-bore pipeline isolation
• Globe valves – flow regulation and throttling
• Check valves – reverse-flow prevention
• Butterfly valves – compact isolation for large-diameter and utility systems
The fact that Mozambique has LNG, offshore production, a gas transmission system, a domestic distribution network and power infrastructure causes valve specifications to vary greatly from one project to another.