Successfully Install Isolation Valves for Deepwater Project | SLB
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Offshore
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Challenge: Gravel pack the reservoir economically in a challenging deepwater well without intervention and provide barrier for well suspension

Solution: Install three Schlumberger isolation valves:

  • FIV formation isolation valve to enable no-kill gravel packing
  • TIVF isolation valve with flapper to test tubing and set packer
  • SFIV surface-controlled FIV system to provide barrier for well suspension

Results: Saved the operator an estimated USD 1 million per well by eliminating the need for intervention

Products Used
SFIV-II Surface-Controlled Bidirectional Isolation Valve
TIVF Flapper-Seal Tubing Isolation Valve
FIV-II Formation Isolation Valve

Successfully Install Isolation Valves for Deepwater Project

Schlumberger isolation valve combination saves rig time and USD 1 million per well

Complete the well efficiently and cost effectively

An operator’s high-profile completions project was its first development project in a particular deepwater region and its entry into production for a particular country. Several deepwater, subsea, high-angle wells were in approximately 1,400 m [4,593 ft] of water. In this challenging environment, the operator needed to isolate the formation and gravel pack the reservoir as efficiently and cost effectively as possible.

Install isolation valves where barriers were needed

The Schlumberger FIV Formation Isolation Valve was installed below the gravel-pack packer. When the gravel packing was finished, the FIV valve was closed, allowing the gravel-pack tools to be safely retrieved and the formation to be isolated for installation of the upper completion. An underbalanced pressure differential was then created above the FIV tool. The valve was reopened using the Trip-Saver one-time opening tool, and the well was placed on production.

The TIVF isolation valve with flapper was then used to allow testing of the tubing during installation of the upper completion. The valve was run in the closed position, allowing the tubing to autofill. When the TIVF valve was in place, the tubing pressure was cycled to enable the production packer to be set. After the packer was set, the TIVF valve could be further cycled to actuate the Trip Saver mechanism and open the valve. The use of this valve eliminated approximately 6 h of intervention per well.

Isolation valves are suited for a variety of applications and environments, including subsea completions.
Isolation valves are suited for a variety of applications and environments, including subsea completions.
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The FIV valve can be opened and closed mechanically and opened remotely without intervention. Mechanical opera-tion involves passing a shifting tool through the valve to open or close the ball with a gas-tight seal. Remote operation involves using cycles of tubing pressure to actuate the Trip Saver mechanism, which opens the valve.

Business objectives required that the completion be installed before subsea Christmas trees were available. A valve was needed to provide an additional barrier below the tubing hanger. The SFIV surface-controlled FIV valve was used to suspend the well after the upper completion was installed. The use of this valve eliminated 1 to 2 rig days per Christmas tree installation and saved the operator an estimated USD 1 million per well.

Improved productivity index and skin

The final three wells, with their high productivity indexes (PIs), were among the operator’s highest-producing wells anywhere in the world, and—along with the zero skins—exceeded the operator’s targets. These outstanding results were attributable in part to a combination of the FIV valve and the fluid systems and gravel-pack technologies used in this completion project and were achieved with no accidents, no harm to personnel, and no damage to the environment. The collaborative operation helped the operator reach its intended target reservoirs, with reservoir performance exceeding expectations.

The final three wells, with their high PIs, were among the operator’s highest- producing wells anywhere in the world, and—along with the zero skins—exceeded the operator’s targets.
Products Used
FIV-II
Formation isolation valve

Isolate reservoir fluids within the lower completion with this bidirectional barrier that helps prevent formation damage.
SFIV-II
Surface-controlled bidirectional isolation valve

Isolate reservoir fluids within the upper completion and maintain a barrier through multiple operating cycles.
TIVF
Flapper-seal tubing isolation valve

Save time by eliminating interventions to open and close this valve for tubing filling, pressure tests, packer setting, and other applications.

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