PACT – Cost Effective, Digital, Fail-Safe Production Tree and Wellhead Actuator System

Abstract

PACT (Pressure control ACTuator) is a newly developed, all-electric wellhead- and production tree valve actuator for enhanced well control and fail-safe handling of emergency situations. The actuator was developed under a Joint Industry Project (JIP) by Equinor, Baker Hughes and TECHNI. PACT is designed for mission critical operations offshore and is subject to stringent safety design requirements. The actuator employs a patent pending fail-safe mechanism with extremely fast closing time to ensure containment during emergency shutdown. Opening time is 30 to 60 seconds (depending on valve size) and adjustable closing time of 4 to 8 seconds (valve closing in less than 1 second has been demonstrated). It is designed to be a drop-in replacement for NoBolt™ CHA actuator solutions and is suitable for most standard wellhead and tree designs, sizes and pressure ratings. Electric actuators offer significant CAPEX savings over hydraulic actuator systems by eliminating the need for costly hydraulic control systems (HPU), associated hydraulic lines and umbilicals as well as saving deck space and weight. Electric actuators also offer significant OPEX savings over hydraulic actuators by eliminating the need for specially trained personnel offshore during periodic testing and associated post-actuation flushing of hydraulic lines. Environmental impact is reduced by eliminating high-pressure hydraulic oil lines with associated risk of spills and removing the need to transport personnel offshore which reduce total CO2 emissions. The PACT development program was initiated in 2017 and has resulted in an actuator solution at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 (on 0 to 7 scale) with planned TRL 5 testing yielding it ready for field installation.