12 hours of production platform shutdown saved
Plasma® seals a leaking Production Wing Valve
- Client Major Operator
- Leak Location Wellhead Production Wing Valve
- Location North Sea Platform
- Nominal Bore 5 1/8 inch
Challenge
A damaged stem seal was causing a significant leak in a production wing valve on a gas well on a North Sea platform. The leakage was detected by a build-up of condensate at the test port on the valve bonnet. The leak rate was small - approximately 0.5 ml/m with a wellhead pressure of 30 bar (440psi). The well was shut in because of the leaking bonnet, as the operator was unable to isolate the valve for maintenance without a platform shutdown.
Solution
Brinker took the information supplied to them by the operator and analysed it to identify the optimal Plasma® grade for the application. Brinker’s engineer and equipment, including a hydraulic Plasma gun, was mobilised offshore. Plasma® was injected through the stem seal access port and the valve was cycled to distribute Plasma® within the valve stem seal arrangement.
Outcome
Plasma® was successfully injected into the valve and a 100% reduction in leak rate was observed over a period of 24 hours, providing a gas-tight seal and allowing the well to be brought back on line. The valve was subsequently cycled a number of times over a period of 12 weeks and the seal was maintained throughout. After 12 weeks, the Plasma® was recharged to allow for continued operation.
The upside
The well was brought back on to production and is now flowing as per previous production figures, resulting in over $100,000 in additional production per day. More significantly, the use of Plasma® avoided the requirement for a platform shutdown, saving further lost production revenue from a number of other wells.
