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,... read more →
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... read more →
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... read more →
"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... read more →
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... read more →
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... read more →
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... read more →
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... read more →
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... read more →
Sofis recently partnered with a leading customer in the Botlek area of Rotterdam, The Netherlands, to tackle a critical safety challenge at their liquid hydrogen loading stations. The objective was... read more →