Peak’s 5 ½-in. SIMULTRA Retrievable Bridge Plug receives V0 certification

PERTH, Australia -- Peak Well Systems, a specialist in the design and development of advanced downhole tools for well intervention, has reached another important milestone in the development program for its SIMULTRA range of retrievable bridge plugs. The range of available plugs has now been extended into 5 ½-in. applications with the successful ISO-14310 V0 gas testing of the 5 ½-in. tool in 20 lb API casing.

The results of the testing showed repeatable zero bubble gas performance over a single test sequence that ranged from 175°C to 25°C and from 7,500 psi above to 7,500 psi below the seal—an outstanding result and one unmatched in the industry.

Additional testing of the same 5 ½-in. SIMULTRA Plug to 10,000 psi is anticipated to take place later this month. Peak was commissioned to conduct this testing specifically by an international operator that is interested in utilizing SIMULTRA technology to reduce cost in some of their challenging wells.

All tests were undertaken at Peak’s state-of-the-art gas pressure testing facility in Aberdeen, Scotland, and were independently witnessed and validated by a certified third party authority.

Robin McGowan, CTO at Peak Well Systems, said, “Proving V0 performance across such a wide operating range in a single test run without the need to break testing into smaller temperature increments is a huge achievement and demonstrates not only the seal’s robustness but also the technology’s unique capability relative to traditional seals.”

The SIMULTRA range was developed in response to an industry need for a high expansion, high performance plug suitable for gas wells and challenging applications. Officially launched in November 2015, Peak has now successfully achieved V0 certification for its 4 ½ in. Plug in 11.6 lb to 15.1 lb casing as well as for its 5 ½-in. Plug in 20 lb, which is also suitable for 23 lb casing.

Peak aims to have the complete SIMULTRA range, which will include a 7-in. Plug, available for sale or rental by third-quarter 2016.