In-situ Control Line Rectification for SCSSV Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing systems for maintaining and repairing surface controlled sub-surface safety valves (SCSSVs) face challenges due to clogging and leakage in control lines, leading to unintentional closure of safety valves, which results in production stoppages and requires complex installations or well work-overs.
Innovation Solution
An in-situ control line rectification device and method using a rectification line with an elastic modulus greater than 10GPa, fed longitudinally into the control line with decreasing speed, equipped with protrusions for sliding and a fluid flow capability to clear debris and maintain pressure, allowing for mechanical rectification without additional equipment installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a control line is used to maintain the safety valve in an open position, then the valve can be operated from surface, but the control line is prone to clogging and leakage leading to valve closure
Solution Approach 1:
A rectification line is introduced as an intermediary tool to clear debris and restore functionality in the control line. The rectification line is fed into the control line through the wellhead and extends to the safety valve, providing a mechanism to clean and rectify the control line without requiring well workover or complex installation equipment.
2Ease of repair
If complex installation equipment is used to repair control line failures, then the control line can be rectified, but production stoppages and capital spending increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rectification line is designed to be self-fed into the control line using the existing hydraulic system. The rectification line feeder utilizes the control line's own hydraulic pressure to feed the rectification line longitudinally into the control line, eliminating the need for complex installation equipment and reducing production stoppages.
3Ease of manufacture
If the rectification line is fed with constant speed, then the feeding process is simple, but the line may not properly navigate the control line path
Solution Approach 1:
The feeding speed of the rectification line is made variable rather than constant. The rectification line feeder adjusts the feeding speed dynamically based on the resistance and path conditions within the control line, allowing the rectification line to properly navigate bends and restrictions while maintaining a relatively simple feeding process.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An in-situ surface controlled sub-surface safety valves control line rectification device (1) and method, comprising; a rectification line feeder (10), a longitudinal first rectification line (20), wherein the rectification line feeder (10) is arranged to feed the first rectification line (20) longitudinally into the hydraulic line (50).