“Reaching 50,000 tool installations is a testament to the trust operators have in BPS Maxx and the value the toe initiation valve continues to provide across the globe. We continue to refine the system, expanding its capabilities for more demanding well conditions and new applications, including geothermal,” said Adam Patterson, Global Product Line Director – Completions and Well Construction, NOV.
As operators drill longer laterals, establishing a reliable flow path from the casing to the formation at the toe—the far end of the horizontal wellbore—remains an essential first step in hydraulic fracturing. BPS Maxx is designed to establish fluid injection at the toe without traditional intervention methods, such as tubing-conveyed perforating guns or wireline tractors, to access the formation. This approach reduces the costs and risks associated with intervention operations, including well control issues or equipment failure.
Installed as part of the production casing or liner, BPS Maxx uses pressure applied from the surface to activate ports at a predetermined pressure, enabling operators to pressure test the casing and then move to subsequent fracturing operations.
Its unique atmospheric chamber design addresses several practical challenges at the toe. With no moving parts and a full-bore inside diameter, the valve accommodates cementing operations without requiring special wiper plugs, improving reliability. BPS Maxx also provides approximately three times the flow area of the company’s standard BPS offering, helping reduce the risk of debris plugging the ports while supporting higher injection rates for plug-and-perf or frac sleeve operations.
BPS Maxx is rated for high-pressure/high-temperature reservoirs up to 450°F (232°C) and 20,000 psi, with high-temperature options available for geothermal applications above 600°F (316°C). It can be installed as a single toe port or in multiples to create a full-stage cluster, giving operators greater flexibility for different completion designs.
From the first installation nearly two decades ago to 50,000 installations and counting worldwide, BPS Maxx has evolved alongside horizontal completions. As lateral lengths increase, this experience positions NOV to continue advancing robust toe initiation technology for the demands of hydraulic fracturing.
