Weatherford International, one of the largest multinational oilfield service companies providing innovative solutions, technology, and services to the oil and gas industry, has announced its largest-ever contract for deep-set safety valves. Under terms of a deal with Petrobras, Weatherford will deliver 24 Optimax deep-set safety valves in the next four years.
Weatherford is now extending its reliability to the deep and ultra-deepwater market. The Optimax deep-set safety valve protects against devastating loss of well control by providing fail-safe closures at pressures up to 10,000 psi and are rated for setting depths as deep as 12,000 ft. The valves are monogrammed to API-14A’s highest validation grade of V1.
An essential part of the completion string, the deep-set safety valve is controlled by a primary hydraulic control line. Application of control-line pressure keeps the valve in the open position. When pressure is bled off, the valve closes to protect property, personnel, and the environment. A secondary upward-facing piston, plus heavy-duty power springs, enable fail-safe closure while keeping the hold-open pressure to a minimum.
Image credit: Weatherford International