Subsurface Safety Valve Switching for Single Control Line Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing subsurface safety valves (SSSVs) require separate power sources for tubing retrievable safety valves (TRSV) and wireline retrievable safety valves (WLRSV), leading to complexity and increased costs in operations, especially in deepwater and environmentally sensitive drilling scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A switch system that allows a single primary control line to toggle power between TRSV and WLRSV, or redundant downhole tools, reducing the need for additional control lines and simplifying operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate power sources are used for TRSV and WLRSV, then each safety valve can operate independently, but device complexity and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single primary control line is designed to serve multiple functions by providing power to both TRSV and WLRSV through a switching mechanism. The control line acts as a universal power distribution system that can selectively energize either safety valve based on operational needs, eliminating the requirement for separate dedicated power sources while maintaining independent operation capability of each valve
Solution Approach 2:
A switching mechanism is introduced as an intermediary component between the single primary control line and the two safety valves. This switch system mediates power distribution by routing electrical signals from the control line to the appropriate safety valve (TRSV or WLRSV) based on operational requirements, enabling one control line to effectively control multiple valves without direct permanent connections to each
2Ease of operation
If separate control lines are used for TRSV and WLRSV, then each valve has dedicated control, but installation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The primary control line is designed as a multi-functional communication and power transmission medium that can selectively control both TRSV and WLRSV. Through the switching mechanism, the single control line achieves dedicated control capability for each valve when needed, while reducing the overall infrastructure to one control line instead of two separate lines
Solution Approach 2:
Two separate control lines that would traditionally be required for TRSV and WLRSV are merged into a single primary control line. The switching mechanism enables this merged control line to maintain the functional separation and dedicated control characteristics of two independent lines, combining the physical infrastructure while preserving the operational independence
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a safety valve, a well system, and a method. The safety valve, in one aspect, includes a first portion, the first portion including a safety valve sub having a sliding sleeve, the first portion configured to be run-in-hole as part of wellbore tubing. The safety valve, in accordance with this aspect, further includes a second portion, the second portion configured to be run-in-hole after the first portion. The safety valve, in accordance with this aspect, further includes a third portion, the third portion including a mechanical connecting apparatus, the third portion configured to be run-in-hole after the second portion, the mechanical connecting apparatus configured to couple with the sliding sleeve of the first portion and the bore flow management actuator of the second portion to axially fix together the sliding sleeve and at least a portion of the bore flow management actuator.