In petroleum and natural gas drilling engineering, cementing operations are known as the “throat of drilling engineering,” and their quality directly determines the integrity of the wellbore, the effectiveness of the oil and gas layer protection, and the lifespan of oil and gas field development. Electric plug valves, with their unique technological advantages, are gradually replacing traditional manual valves and have become the core control component of modern cementing operations.

Challenges in Cementing Operations

Cementing operations are complex and high-risk, placing stringent requirements on valves. During processes such as casing installation and cement slurry preparation, valves need to frequently switch states while ensuring absolute sealing under high pressure to prevent leaks, as well as rapidly responding to pressure fluctuations.

However, traditional manual rotary valves rely on human labor and experience, which makes them prone to jamming and seal failure under high pressure. In particular, for cementing operations in deep oil and gas wells, where the bottom hole pressure often exceeds 70 MPa, the delays and uncertainties associated with manual operations increase the risk of well control.

Technological Breakthroughs

GRAT Electric plug valves offer significant advantages, compared to traditional manual rotary valves, making them a key to enhancing cementing efficiency:

• Effort-saving and efficient operation is the core advantage. In high-pressure environments, manual valves require considerable manpower and operate slowly, while electric plug valves, driven by a servo motor, can be switched on or off with a simple button press, greatly reducing human resource consumption and quickly responding during frequent state changes in cementing, minimizing time losses and improving operational progress.
• Stable and reliable switching performance ensures safety. Manual valve operation relies on tactile experience, which can lead to seal failures if not executed precisely. Electric plug valves ensure precise switching angles through meticulous control, maintaining complete sealing under high pressure to avoid leaks and other safety hazards.
• Ability to adapt to complex working conditions expands applications. In the face of harsh environments like high-bottom pressure and mud corrosion, electric plug valves are made from high-strength materials with special coatings that resist erosion. Their rational structure reduces friction loss, lowers the risk of failure, and enhances reliability and lifespan under complex conditions.

Typical Application

In horizontal well cementing, electric plug valves provide unique advantages:

During staged cementing, traditional valves struggle to control the timing of the opening of staging collars, while electric plug valves can be programmed to automatically open when the cement slurry reaches the designed position, allowing for precise displacing.

In deep-sea cementing, their remote control capability is critical. In the development of a deepwater gas field in the South China Sea, the team remotely operated underwater electric plug valves through a deck control cabinet to complete surface cementing at a water depth of 3000 meters, reducing single well operation time by 12 hours and avoiding the risks associated with diver operations.

Intelligent Drive Ahead

The widespread application of electric plug valves in cementing operations marks a significant milestone in valve technology iteration. Transitioning from human dependence to intelligent drive, GRAT leads petroleum engineering equipment towards intelligent and efficient advancement. In the dual pursuit of safety and development efficiency, they are becoming the “invisible guardians” of green oil and gas development, guiding cementing operations toward a more controllable and reliable future.

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