GE Oil & Gas Zenith Downhole Monitoring & Completion Systems Thainstone Business Park Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, AB51 5GT, UK +44 (0) 1467 628866 www.geoilandgas.com/artificiallift
Zenith™ Tubing Drain ValvesProduction solids management for protection of artificial lift systems
Whether present from day one of operation or increasing due to changes in well conditions over time, sand, coal fines and other suspended solids descending into electric submersible (ESP) and progressing cavity (PCP) pumping systems following shut down can result in complete loss of production, being unable to restart the pump due to blockage. Systems require pulling in order to be released and resume production.
Downtime, the cost of deferred production whilst awaiting hoist attendance, and the time required to pull, clean, and re-run the entire completion adds significantly to the cost for the hoist itself.
$200K$200K est. cost of PCP well workover
Installing a Zenith™ tubing drain valve (TDV) drastically reduces the requirement for costly well workover.
Solids entering the pump can also lead to equipment damage and the resulting costly requirement to replace parts.
In addition, artificially lifted wells with the capability to free flow to surface experience restriction, pressure drops and pump damage as fluid passes through the nonoperational pump, resulting in loss of production and risk of equipment damage.
Zenith™ TDV for ESP and PCP completions are installed above the pump to deliver reliable protection by preventing sand and debris descending into the pump on shut-down.Annular flow ports automatically and instantly open when the pump is switched off, allowing the tubing column to drain directly into the annulus thus defending against pump damage.
On pump start up, annular ports pilot to the closed position. Production flows to the tubing with the unique Zenith™ valve mechanism preventing recirculation — a common problem with alternative valves.
Comprehensive pump protection
The efficient solids management system in all Zenith™ TDVs is engineered to ensure increased pump runlife by providing an innovative solution to costly pump damage.
Defends against equipment damage or blockage on pump shut down.
Protects from pump off situations.
Prevents damage to stationary pumps by channelling natural flow through annular ports.
Prohibits back-spin, motor shaft or pump rotor breakage at start up.
Unlocking natural flowThe Zenith™ TDV addresses the production prohibiting and damaging effects of installing a pump in situations where the well has the capability of natural flow.
The Zenith™ TDV releases substantial production increases by allowing continued, unrestiricted natural flow to surface when the pump is switched off.
By providing the facility to reroute flow around a non-operational pump, the TDV effectively eliminates the associated restriction, pressure drops and pump damage.
The reliable, designed- for-purpose solution
Unlike spring operated mechanisms which require pressures in the annulus and tubing to be close to equalization before they can operate, the TDV’s ports automatically and immediately open on pump shut down, allowing the tubing column to drain directly into the annulus.
Check valves also stop solids immediately, however solids settle on the valve and may prevent reopening when the pump is started — dead heading the pump.
Addressing the failings of alternative valves — and with unique prevention of recirculation — the Zenith™ TDV offers industry leading protection for artificial lift pumping systems.
“Zenith™ tubing drain valves from GE Oil & Gas effectively safeguard ESP and PCP equipment from costly damage or blockage caused by descending solids while unlocking additional revenue by releasing unrestricted natural flow to surface when the pump is not in use.”William Beveridge, Mechanical Engineering Manager
GASSY CO2 FLOOD ENVIRONMENTS .......................
HIGH SAND / COAL FINES WELLS ............................
HEAVY OIL / VERY VISCOUS FLUIDS ........................
HIGH TEMPERATURES ...............................................
SETTING DEPTHS UP TO 9,000 FEET .......................
DUAL ESP COMPLETION SYSTEMS ..........................
Operating conditions
98%PERMANENT TDV RELIABILITY RATE
No reported failures of the Zenith™ valve or cases of recirculation have been encountered.
1 blocked by drilling fluids at start up, as was ESP.
1 with a thread protector found below the TDV.
>3KRUNLIFE
Zenith™ TDVs are achieving run lives over 3,000 days, and continuing to perform. In the unlikely event of problems, valve failure mode allows for continued production.
Longest runlife to date >10 years.
Runlife and reliability
TDV permanent
for ESPWith large annular ports, the permanent TDV allows fluids, including heavy oil and high viscosity fluids, to flow freely through the valve.
TDV retrievable
for ESPAll the advantages of the standard TDV, with the ability to be retrieved (and rerun) with slickline when the well is no longer free flowing.
TDV lock-open
for ESPDesigned to allow backflush or bull heading operations to be carried out on the ESP by simply engaging the valve in a lock-open position.
TDV with backflush
for PCPBackflush operations can be carried out by simply retracting the PCP rotor far enough to clear the stator without running out of hole.
Operation
System options
Valve type Flapper Check Diverter Zenith™
Automatic operation
Allows natural flow
Immediate closure
Easy open
Dead head protection
Recirculation prevention
Retrievable option
Comparison
$97,500.00 annual increase in revenue
eliminating ESP backspin with Zenith™ TDVCalculation based on 2,500 barrels/day production @ 35% water cut Typical backspin time out: 1hr | 2 shutdowns/month | $60 per barrel
