Nexen – Significant savings made by changing to alternative valve in well interventions

Submitted by Nexen Petroleum U.K. Limited

Impact

Nexen Petroleum U.K Limited:

• has saved approx. £30,000 per each well intervention as a result of changing to an alternative valve;
• routinely used Shear Seal Valves in well interventions but the dimensions of the valve actuator caused logistical problems (removal of a major deck hatch) which cost time and manpower; and
• is now using Slimbore Shear Seal Valve, which uses a different type of valve (ball valve) to create a valve which has tall and slim dimensions.

The growing complexity of well interventions coupled with the reduced oil price environment has increased the cost of well interventions workscopes, which are necessary for maintenance and technical purposes to extend the life of a producing well.

Nexen Petroleum U.K Limited has saved approx. £30,000 per each well intervention as a result of changing to an alternative valve.

A type of valve routinely used in all well intervention operations, Shear Seal valves, have actuators attached that are short in width but long in height.

The dimensions of the valve actuator cause logistical problems (removal of a major deck hatch) which costs time and manpower.

An alternative valve design is now used, the Slimbore Shear Seal Valve, which uses a different type of valve (ball valve) to create a valve which has tall and slim dimensions.

This valve fits through a much smaller aperture and means that a much smaller deck plate can be removed manually.

The valve can also be lifted and placed using the in-situ wireline mast tugger line. This removes the requirement for a platform deck crew, crane driver and scaffolders.

Contact: Tracey Miller
tracey.miller@nexencnoocltd.com