equalizing valve — Oil & Gas Glossary

A high-pressure valve, generally of small diameter, located on a conduit that runs between the two sides of an isolation valve or blowout preventer ram set. The forces acting on isolation devices such as blowout preventer rams can be extremely high, preventing the rams from being opened, or causing damage to the ram set seals during the opening process. The

Detailed Explanation

equalizing valve allows the pressure to be equalized across the ram set or isolation valve, enabling the device to be opened safely.