The eRED® valve is a retrievable, computer-controlled ball valve that can be repeatedly opened and closed by remote command. Neither connections to the surface or interventions are required to communicate with and operate the valve.
It is deployed below either a lock or bridge plug and can be used as a downhole barrier or flow control device. With each use of the eRED valve, an intervention is eliminated from the operation dramatically reducing rig-time and associated risks.
HOW THE eRED VALVE WORKS
The eRED valve has integrated pressure and temperature sensors to monitor the well conditions and is pre-programmed to either open or close whenever a specified condition (known as a trigger) is detected.
The triggers use a variety of well parameters including ambient pressure, temperature, time or surface-applied pressure. Each time a trigger is detected, the eRED valve will react by either opening or closing as per its instructions. This process can be repeated time-and-time again without any form of intervention.
Controlling the eRED Valve by Remote Command
By applying a defined pressure for a defined time at surface, the operator can activate the Pressure Window Trigger. This allows direct communication to the eRED valve so it can be remotely operated. For example, applying between 1,000 – 1,500 psi for 10 minutes could instruct the eRED valve to open.
Any pressure applied outside the defined values will be ignored by the eRED valve. This means that pressure can be applied to the tubing (for tubing integrity tests or packer setting, etc.) without risk of inadvertent activation.
Onboard data analysis allows the eRED valve to distinguish its own commands from other external factors such as naturally fluctuating hydrostatic or reservoir pressure. This enables the eRED valve to behave as planned, even if the downhole conditions change unexpectedly.
The eRED Valve Can Also Operate Independently
A range of other triggers consisting of ambient well pressure, ambient well temperature and a timer are also available. These triggers are used to provide a pre-programmed sequence for the eRED valve to follow without input from the surface.
All the different trigger types can be used independently or in conjunction with each other to build more elaborate instructions. For example, the eRED valve could be set to close when it detects bottomhole flowing pressure lower than 1,000 psi, but only after 100 days downhole.
In addition the Pressure Window Trigger can be used to manually cancel or override any trigger or permanently lock the eRED valve in its current position.
FEATURES
Remotely operated time-after-time;
Long battery life;
Run open or closed;
Extensive run history;
No dedicated personnel required.
BENEFITS
Removes multiple wireline runs from operations – saving time, money and helping reduce risk;
Operational for at least 10 months – for use in temporary abandonment operations or as a flow control device;
Provides flexible deployment options and well control;
Extremely reliable, field-proven technology, used by the world’s major oil producers;
Reduces the number of operations personnel – saving costs and helping reduce risk.
APPLICATIONS
Any application where a wireline plug is used can be replaced by an eRED valve, achieving the same results but without repeated interventions, saving on rig-time and associated costs and risks. Often, more than one eRED valve is deployed in a single operation multiplying the benefits.
Packer setting device;
Deep-set barrier in extended reach or horizontal wells;
Shallow-set for tree testing and change out;
Completion deployment as the annulus short string plug;
Liner deployment with external swellable elastomer;
Barrier in temporary abandonments or light well intervention operations;
Barrier in TCP gun firing and stimulation operations;
Self-actuating flow control device;
Shut-in tool for pressure build-up tests with reduced interventions.
eRED® Valve Saves Six Hours of Rig Time for BP
CHALLENGE
Provide more efficient method of setting a shallow barrier;
Reduce rig-up time for PCE;
Recommend easily adaptable solution for existing BP completion infrastructure.
SOLUTION
eRED® valve used as a shallow-set barrier;
eRED valve programmed to close on applied command to act as shallow barrier while blowout preventer was removed and Christmas tree was installed.
RESULTS
Eliminated need for three wireline runs, saving approximately six hours of rig time;
Reduced HSE risks associated with rigging up PCE for wireline;
Decreased exposure to potential weather-related nonproductive time.
eRED® Valves Yield Multimillion Dollar Savings
CHALLENGE
This project involved the completion, cleanup and suspension of six platform producers in the Hai Su Tran and Hai Su Den fields, offshore Vietnam, for the Talisman-partnered Thang Long Joint Operating Company (TLJOC).
The project objective was to minimize HSE and well intervention risks while reducing OPEX and improving the timescale. Should intervention be unavoidable, the mandate was to use a cost-effective, low risk option. In short, the aim was to complete all six wells with the minimum of well interventions without compromising on safety.
SOLUTIONS
Halliburton recommended the eRED valve, which can be remotely opened and closed without requiring any form of intervention, saving significant rig-time over conventional wireline plugging methods. All six wells were of similar design and followed the same basic program.
Two deep-set eRED valves where deployed in each well, one above and one below the production packer. The valves were preinstalled into their respective sub-assemblies and pressure tested onshore, before being run in hole in the open position.
In this configuration, the eRED valves were used as remotely operated downhole barriers to perform a multitude of tasks – such as tubing tests and packer setting – without any interventions.
Detailed upfront planning allowed parts of the operation to be carried out without the rig over the well – releasing it to work elsewhere. This method of working known as SIMOPS (simultaneous operations) provided additional operational benefits and efficiencies as wireline interventions could be performed off the rig critical path and more than one well could be worked on at any time.
RESULTS
With each eRED valve tailored to perform multiple remote open/close sequences, five of the six wells were completed with no wireline intervention while the rig was on the critical path. The features of the tool provided additional flexibility to the overall operation reducing the frequency and helping to ensure any critical intervention was carried out off-line under SIMOPS.
Seventy-two remote activations were carried out from a planned 76. With each activation eliminating an intervention or providing further operational efficiencies, 10 wireline runs were removed from the installation phase, resulting in an estimated 30 hours of rig time saved on each well.
An additional five wireline runs were also removed from SIMOPS on each well – a savings directly attributed to the operational flexibility of the eRED valves.
With seven-and-a-half day’s savings over the six-well campaign, the eRED valves delivered multi million dollar savings to the project. Furthermore, by reducing the frequency of wireline interventions compared with conventional methods, considerable risk to personnel and the operation was also reduced.
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