TRSV installations for cement through operations

Overview

To economically develop fields with short well life, elimination of production casing and cementing a monobore completion tubing string in place as the main production conduit has become a common completion methodology. With this method, the cemented completion string effectively replaces the production casing and is run into the drilled openhole section and cemented in place. This reduces rig time and costs by not having to run and cement a standard liner and perform wellbore cleanup operations. It also eliminates liner hangers, production packers, and other completion accessories. However, the installation of a tubing retrievable safety valve (TRSV) is still required for many cement through completion designs.

Challenge

A setting depth of approximately 2000 m (6,561 ft) was required to help ensure safety valve placement below the wax line and reduce the risk of hydrate problems during the life of the well. Conventional deep-set subsurface safety valves that use a pre-nitrogen, dome-charged, depth-specific system have proven problematic in other regions. The operator wanted to explore a more reliable subsurface safety valve concept to meet the demands of the prolific gas-producing subsea wells.

Solution

Halliburton developed a solution to address these challenges through a combination of valve design features, the addition of a manufacturing specification for cement through applications, and adherence to a cement through valve operational procedure.

Valve design features include the metal-to-metal (MTM) seating of the opening prong to the lower shoulder of the bottom sealbore helps keep the flapper and critical components isolated, wellbore flow. This prevents cement accumulation during cement operations.  Additionally, inverted flow tube designs and a wiper ring with cleanout ports help clear potential cement debris during valve cycling. 

Based on more than 20 years of experience with cement through valve installation, Halliburton developed operational procedures to help reduce the risk associated with cement through TRSV installations.  These procedures eliminate downtime and ensure long-term valve function.

Result

Halliburton provided purposed technology and technical support to an operator in the Gulf of Thailand during installation of cement through TRSVs from 2016 to 2021. This resulted in the successful installation of 150 (ea.) 2 7/8-in. valves and 183 (ea.) 3 1/2-in. valves. Zero NPT related to equipment failure was recorded throughout the installation period.

Through purposed technology and global knowledge, Halliburton has installed more than 3,200 cement through TRSVs worldwide to maximize operator asset value.