How to prevent sealing failure of the top drive plug valve?

In practical applications, top drive plugs are widely used in various oil drilling projects on land and in the ocean. Whether it is conventional vertical wells, deviated wells, complex horizontal wells, directional wells, etc., the reliable guarantee of top drive plugs is indispensable. With the continuous expansion of oil exploration and development into complex fields such as deep sea and deep water, higher requirements have been put forward for the performance and reliability of top drive plugs, which has prompted continuous innovation and development of related technologies and products.

Top drive plug is an important equipment used in oil well operations, mainly to improve drilling efficiency and quality. The top drive plug rotates by pushing the top pressure, causing the drill bit to rotate, thereby achieving detection and operation of well depth. The top drive plug plays a crucial role in oil well operations, improving the efficiency, safety, and economy of drilling operations, and is an important component of modern drilling operations.

How to prevent sealing failure of the top drive plug valve?

Proper selection and use of seals

Choose the appropriate sealing material: Based on the properties, temperature, pressure, and other working conditions of the drilling fluid, select sealing materials with good corrosion resistance, wear resistance, high temperature resistance, and high pressure resistance. For example, for drilling fluids containing corrosive media, corrosion-resistant sealing materials such as fluororubber can be used; The top drive plug that works in high temperature environments can choose high-temperature resistant sealing materials such as polytetrafluoroethylene.

Ensure that the seal specifications match: The seal specifications should accurately match the dimensions of the valve body, valve core, and other components of the top drive plug. Seals that are too large or too small may cause poor sealing. When installing seals, it is necessary to strictly follow the specifications provided by the equipment manufacturer to select and install them, ensuring that the seals can tightly adhere to the sealed area and form an effective seal.

Optimize drilling fluid performance

Control the particle content of drilling fluid: Solid particles such as sand and rock debris in drilling fluid are one of the main factors causing seal wear. By properly configuring purification equipment for drilling fluid, such as vibrating screens, sand removers, mud removers, etc., impurities and particles in the drilling fluid can be effectively removed, reducing their impact on seal erosion and wear.

Adjusting the viscosity and density of drilling fluid: Appropriate viscosity and density of drilling fluid can help reduce the risk of leakage in the top drive plug. Drilling fluids with too low viscosity are prone to leakage from sealed areas, while those with too high viscosity can increase flow resistance and affect drilling efficiency. Therefore, it is necessary to accurately adjust the viscosity and density of the drilling fluid according to the drilling conditions and formation conditions, so that it can meet the drilling requirements and reduce the impact on the sealing of the top drive plug.

Standardize installation operations

Clean installation environment: Before installing the top drive plug, it is necessary to ensure that the installation site is clean and tidy, free of debris, dust, oil stains, etc. Thoroughly clean all components of the top drive plug, especially the sealing surface and mating surface, to prevent impurities and particles from getting stuck in the sealing area and affecting the sealing effect.

Proper installation of seals: When installing seals, special tools should be used to avoid damaging the surface of the seals with sharp tools. Follow the correct installation sequence and method to ensure that the seals are installed in place without any twisting, deformation, or stretching issues. For example, when installing O-ring seals, excessive stretching should be avoided to ensure that they are evenly embedded in the sealing groove.

Uniform tightening of connecting bolts: When installing the top drive plug, the tightening force of the connecting bolts should be uniform and consistent to avoid deformation of the valve body due to uneven bolt tightening force, which may affect the sealing performance. A torque wrench can be used to tighten bolts according to the specified torque value, ensuring the sealing and integrity of the valve body.

The top drive plug needs to operate at different ambient temperatures, so its operating temperature range is an important technical parameter. The general working temperature range of top drive plugs is between -20 ℃ and 120 ℃, but in some special environments such as high-altitude regions or high-temperature and high-pressure formations, special models of top drive plugs with a wider working temperature range may be required.

The valve core is a key component for controlling fluid flow, which is connected to the valve stem. The opening and closing actions of the valve core are achieved by the up and down movement of the valve stem. The valve core and stem are usually made of wear-resistant materials to ensure good sealing and mechanical performance even under frequent switching operations.