3030 - Multi-Cycle Tester Valve

DESCRIPTION:

The Multi-Cycle Tester Valve is an annulus pressure controlled ball valve designed to allow multiple cycles during cased hole testing and perforating operations.

APPLICATIONS:

• Bottom-hole tubing shut in during drillstem testing and perforating operations.
• Safety shut-in valve for any situation where the workstring or tree connection develop an integrity problem.
• Use in tandem with the Multi Cycle Circulating Valve for fluid-loss control
• Splined construction allows torque to be transmitted through the tool
• Internally/Externally pressure and volume balanced, hydrostatic reference section

OPERATION:

The MCTV is a spring loaded normally closed ball valve. Spring force holds the valve in the closed position. It is opened and maintained open by applying additional pressure to the annulus. When applied annulus pressure is released, the ball valve will remain open. When a second burst of pressure is applied and released, the valve will close. The MCTV is a multi-cycle tool that can accommodate infinite repeatability of cycling sequence.

Once the packer has been set and weight is applied to the drillstring, fluid at hydrostatic pressure is trapped behind the nitrogen chamber which acts against a piston, thus compressing the nitrogen to hydrostatic pressure. The nitrogen then acts against the lower piston, keeping the ball valve closed. The same hydrostatic pressure that is acting against the lower piston is also passing through pressure ports, which act against the upper piston. Both the upper and lower piston have the same crosssectional area, thus keeping the ball valve balanced. Therefore, regardless of hydrostatic pressure, the only pressure holding the ball valve closed is the power spring.