Methods and systems associated with a high-pressure plug
A bi-directional floating plug that utilizes pressure from fracturing, wirelines, etc. to set a metal-to-metal seal against a fixed insert within a valve body, and a secondary seal via a energized fluid within a sealing groove while the metal-to metal seal is retained.
1. A method associated with a high pressure valve assembly, the method comprising:
moving a floating plug from an open position and a closed position, the floating plug having a bore extending through, a hollow passageway extending from a passageway inlet to a passageway outlet, the floating plug including a first sealing surface positioned circumferentially between the passageway inlet and the passageway outlet on an outer circumference of the plug;
forming a primary seal by positioning the first sealing surface against an insert based on a first pressure being applied against the floating plug in a first direction during a fracturing operation, the fracturing operations causing fluctuations in the first pressure being applied to the floating plug in the first direction,
communicating energized fluid into a first sealing groove via a port during the fracturing operation, the first sealing groove being positioned along an outer circumference of the first sealing surface, wherein a groove circumference of the first sealing groove is larger than the outer circumference of the first sealing surface;
forming a secondary seal formed between the first sealing groove and the insert via the energized fluid within the first sealing groove, the energized fluid forming the secondary seal having a pressure larger than the first pressure;
maintaining the secondary seal during the fracturing operation;
dynamically controlling the pressure associated with the energized fluid based on the fluctuations of pressures applied to the plug in the first direction during the fracturing operation.