Completion tools, catalog page 74
Leakage Control Valve
Downhole isolation valve that protects the reservoir during completion
Description
A completion tool designed to prevent the reservoir from being contaminated during testing, usually installed below a permanent or retrievable packer. During completion it acts as a barrier isolating the reservoir, protecting the formation, improving productivity and simplifying completion testing. Main uses:
- Leakage control of completion fluid
- Underbalanced perforating and drilling
- Two-way isolation of the reservoir
- Installation of a deep preventer
- High-temperature, high-pressure jobs
- Suspending jobs
- Workover treatment
Structure & operation
- Ball valve controls opening and closing: when closed it isolates the reservoir; when open it is full bore and does not affect production
- Dedicated opening and closing tool: picking up closes the ball valve, isolating the reservoir and releasing; pushing down opens the ball valve and restores full opening. Mechanical, simple and reliable, it can open and close the well repeatedly
- Large bore allows other tools to be run in or pulled out while the formation is isolated
The valve is usually installed below the packer and is open while running in. Pick up the string to close the ball valve, isolating the reservoir and releasing. To reopen the well, push the string down: the ball valve opens and full opening is restored for normal production. To close the well again, simply pick up the string.
