Blog - Sofis valve operation

Jun 24

Why valve interlocks matter: Insights from the Freeport LNG incident

On June 8, 2022, the Freeport LNG export terminal in Texas experienced a serious incident: a vapor cloud explosion and fire that shut down operations for several months. This facility, responsible for a significant share of U.S. LNG exports to Europe, suffered the consequences of a blocked relief valve, a... read more →

24 June 2025
News, Safe valve operation

Jun 18

Preventing disaster: How a valve interlocking system could have averted the Valero refinery explosion

In 2020, a serious incident occurred at Valero’s Mereaux refinery in Louisiana when a hydrocracker unit released a flammable mixture of hydrogen and hydrocarbon gas. The gas ignited, triggering an explosion and fire that severely injured an operator and caused over $5 million in damages. The underlying issue: an emergency... read more →

18 June 2025
News, Safe valve operation

Jun 16

Why regular valve interlock checks are essential for compliance in the oil & gas industry

In the oil and gas industry, safety is a regulatory requirement. And when it comes to valve interlocking systems, regular inspections are not optional. They are essential to stay compliant and avoid costly, dangerous oversights. System changes can lead to compliance gaps Valve interlocks are designed to enforce correct operational... read more →

16 June 2025
Customer stories, News, Safe valve operation

Jun 15

Key management system information screen

Unlocking safer, smarter valve operations with key management systems

Manual valve operations are a critical component of industrial plant safety, and valve interlocks play a crucial role in ensuring that these operations are carried out in the correct sequence. But without effective key management, valve interlock systems can fall short. Disorganization, lost keys, and knowledge gaps among operators create... read more →

15 June 2025
Safe valve operation

Jun 15

40 years of innovation: An interview with Adrian Brown

"Before 1985, valve interlocking was quite basic," recalls Adrian Brown, Technical Support Specialist at Sofis. "It was mostly about putting locks on valves in a rudimentary way. Companies like Castell were welding brackets onto valves. But then Smith Flow Control revolutionized the industry by simplifying the process, making it possible... read more →

15 June 2025
Company, News

Jun 10

Building expertise from the ground up: Darren’s road to technical sales at Sofis

What started as a detour from an IT career became a defining journey in valve interlocking. Darren Trowsdale’s 23 years at Sofis reflect a legacy of loyalty, technical growth, and dedication to problem-solving in a rapidly evolving industry. As Sofis marks 40 years of linear key valve interlocking, Darren’s story... read more →

10 June 2025
Company, News

May 19

Celebrating 40 years of safer valve operations: How Teksal and Sofis turned partnership into legacy

This year marks 40 years of linear key valve interlocking, a milestone that underscores the power of long-term partnerships built on safety, trust, and innovation. Teksal and Sofis have been partners for over two decades, but their roots run even deeper. Joe Hischar, Managing Director at Teksal, vividly remembers the... read more →

19 May 2025
Company, News

May 19

The evolution of valve interlocks: A conversation with Ian Binney, Key Account Manager EPC projects

Ian Binney has been a valve interlock specialist since 1982, when he joined Castell. With decades of experience, he has witnessed firsthand the evolution of valve interlocks and their impact on industrial safety. The origins of valve interlocking "The concept of interlocking goes back to the early days of the... read more →

19 May 2025
Company, News

May 07

Guaranteeing safe and sustainable Hydrogen powered shipping

Hydrogen is a clean, sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels. However, adopting hydrogen as a marine fuel involves overcoming significant technological and regulatory hurdles. The sHYpS project addresses this challenge by developing a swappable liquid hydrogen storage system. This solution is designed to enable vessels to efficiently exchange empty hydrogen... read more →

7 May 2025
Customer stories, News, Safe valve operation

Apr 08

Sofis celebrates 40 years of linear key valve interlocking – Shaping the global industry standard

April 10, 2025, marks the 40th anniversary of the linear coded key valve interlocking concept, introduced by Smith Flow Control in 1985. The Smith Flow Control valve interlock revolutionized the industry by providing a solution that allowed valves and other equipment to be integrated into process safety systems without requiring... read more →

8 April 2025
Company, News