Apparatus and Control of Remotely Operated On-Demand Barrier to Mitigate Well Intervention Risks

Abstract

Maintaining well barrier integrity is crucial to prevent uncontrolled flow during drilling, completion, well intervention, and plug-and-abandonment (P&A) operations, thereby safeguarding personnel, assets, the environment, and company reputation (Vrålstad, et al., 2012). V0-qualified plugs have long served as trusted mechanical barriers; however, operational complexity increases when barriers must be repeatedly set and retrieved. This paper presents an on-demand barrier valve, which enables opening and closing of the wellbore remotely and repeatedly. The intelligent valve can be added underneath a packer or put below tubing joints and requires no control line to operate. It is activated remotely by means of surface-applied pressure profiles. This eliminates the needs of multiple wireline runs to set & retrieve mechanical barriers downhole – significantly reducing time, cost and risks. It is equipped with battery, lasting up to 3 years downhole. On-board electronics enable well-logging capabilities, and versatile activation methods. Apart from pressure, it can also be activated by timer, hydrostatic / depth, or temperature. Programming is done via intelligent software with seamless Bluetooth connection. While in closed position, the valve can withstand pressure of 10,000 psi, qualified to V0 as per ISO 14310. The ability to be opened with differential pressure of up to 3,000 psi gives flexibility to operators in dealing with challenging well conditions. When activated to open, the valve provides high flow rate with low pressure drop. The valve is debris-tolerant and validated through extensive flow testing. The tool also acts as a contingency measure in case the lock mandrel was unable to be equalized. In such scenario, the valve can be commanded to open position to allow proper equalization, prior to removal. In terms of asset integrity, in a scenario where well control situation takes place, the tool can be commanded back to close position to secure the well and establish remedial action.