In 2006, CORTEC embarked on an effort to diversify from our line of wellhead production chokes. CORTEC founder Bobby Corte Jr., in partnership with his brother-in-law Larry Chauvin, started a new division under CORTEC Manifold Systems (CMS), focusing on compact valve solutions. CMS spent several years developing a line of floating and trunnion models featuring soft seats and o-ring seals well-suited to general service oil and gas applications, up to 10,000 PSI. In those early years, many Gulf of Mexico platforms required topsides production manifolds with headers requiring many isolation valves. Our team experienced much success in these projects, but over time, as the industry focus turned more to deepwater floating production installations and shale plays, the industry’s changing landscape pushed CORTEC to evolve its technology to the critical needs of the industry.
Larry cultivated a vision for a best-in-class metal seated valve line that could provide superior space and weight-saving solutions while providing enhanced performance through material and sealing design upgrades. CORTEC undertook its first acquisition of TCS (Technical Control Systems), based in Oklahoma City. This acquisition provided CORTEC with base models of a new trunnion ball valve family, which could be improved by incorporating more dynamic sealing technology such as lip seals and HVOF metal seated trim.
By 2012, CORTEC’s team had developed a design that not only passed API Annex F validation testing but also passed 3rd party validation testing to be certified API 6AV1 “Sand Slurry” certified for the first ball valve globally to achieve such designation! This certification allowed CORTEC to sell the first ball valves used and rated as Boarding Shutdown Valves (BSDVs) in the Gulf of Mexico, compliant with the new BSEE regulations.
In 2014, with an emphasis on increasing quality and control deliveries, CORTEC developed a best-in-class HVOF Tungsten Carbide spraying and grinding facility.
In 2015, CMS opened a state-of-the-art facility, including a climate-controlled coating workshop, to meet customer demands for specialty coating, as well as adding Xylan coating for enhanced corrosion protection for valve internals.
In 2019, CORTEC expanded its ball valve line to include more conventional flanged end designs and obtained licensing to manufacture API 6D valves. Our valve lines range in bore sizes from 1/2″ to 24″ and pressure classes from ANSI 300 to API 20,000 PSI. The team has developed hundreds of model variations across this range that adapt to suit client requirements for materials, dimensions, automation, and industry specifications.
Beyond ball vales, CMS has developed full lines of check valve models, both compact and conventional flanged-end, as well as top and side entry designs. Our full line of valve, choke, and automation products complement each other well to deliver turnkey manifold and piping solutions that maximize weight and space savings without sacrificing quality and performance.
Today, CORTEC conducts all major manufacturing operations in-house, including machining, HVOF spraying, grinding, and lapping, as well as Xylan and other special coatings. Our manufacturing capability and engineering technology rival any premier valve OEM in the world, consistently producing metal-seated designs that comply with API gas testing procedures, yielding bubble-tight performance in pressure classes up to 20,000 PSI. From raw materials to packaged products ready to ship, we streamline every manufacturing process to provide a consistent, premium product, resulting in industry-leading performance and lead times for our clients. From the north slope of Alaska to offshore platforms in SE Asia, our team has provided unique, value-driven solutions that meet or exceed industry requirements and live up to our customers’ expectations.
