Eliminating NPT related to frac valves saves an operator an estimated USD 900,000 annually
Cameron frac valves addressed the recurring valve failures and incessant onsite maintenance that had previously affected fracturing efficiency and cost; they also enabled increased pumping time. The operator now exclusively uses these frac valves for its Permian operations.
An operator in the Permian Basin was encountering repeated frac valve failures, necessitating frequent maintenance during hydraulic fracturing operations. With a spread rate of USD 5,500/hour, the considerable NPT was leading to significant financial losses and delayed project timelines. The operator had tried multiple frac valve providers, but all experienced similar challenges with grease loss, sand intrusion, and sealing-component damage, which slowed progress and escalated costs.
Determined to eliminate frac-valve-related NPT, the operator approached SLB for a reliable solution. The primary objective was to deploy frac valves capable of withstanding the demanding conditions of high-rate fracturing without requiring maintenance or experiencing failures, thereby maximizing uptime, reducing opex, and improving overall efficiency on location.
SLB proposed its latest Cameron frac valves, which are engineered specifically for the challenges of unconventional shale completions. The proprietary design significantly reduces loss of grease and fully isolates the valve bore, preventing sand intrusion that can damage critical sealing components. This innovative design directly addressed the root causes of the failures that had frequently interrupted operations in the past.
Removing the need for onsite maintenance and valve swaps eliminated valve-related NPT, saving 1,234 minutes in a single quarter. This change translated to an additional 20.5 hours of pump time and USD 110,000 in quarterly savings.
The success of the Cameron frac valves prompted the operator to transition both its frac crews to this technology. As a result of the increased uptime and reliability, the operator expects to gain nearly 7 extra days of pumping and about USD 900,000 in savings per year. The teams now operate with greater confidence, faster cycle times, and lower costs, setting a new standard for frac valve performance.
