Subsurface Safety Valve Actuation via Downhole Pump Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional subsurface safety valve (SSSV) systems require a dedicated surface hydraulic power supply and control unit, which increases equipment footprint and poses safety risks to personnel, especially in deep-set applications where high hydraulic pressure is needed.
Innovation Solution
The system uses the pressure produced by an electric submersible pump (ESP) to hydraulically actuate the SSSV, eliminating the need for a surface control unit and reducing equipment requirements by leveraging downhole pressure to operate the SSSV.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If a dedicated surface hydraulic power supply and control unit are used to operate deep-set SSSV, then the SSSV can be operated at great depths, but the equipment footprint increases and safety risks to personnel increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the hydraulic power supply from the surface and relocates it downhole by using the ESP motor as the power source. This eliminates the need for surface hydraulic panels and high-pressure hoses, reducing equipment footprint while enabling deep-set SSSV operation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the ESP motor and SSSV control functions into a single integrated system. The ESP motor serves dual purposes: producing fluids and providing hydraulic power for SSSV operation, thereby reducing the number of separate equipment components needed
2Length of stationary object
If a dedicated surface hydraulic power supply is used to operate deep-set SSSV, then the valve can be actuated at depth, but high-pressure hydraulic hoses and surface panels are required which pose safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes high-pressure hydraulic hoses and surface panels from the system by using downhole ESP-generated pressure. This eliminates the safety hazards associated with high-pressure surface hydraulic equipment while maintaining the ability to operate deep-set SSSV
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the ESP's own generated pressure to operate the SSSV, eliminating the need for separate high-pressure hydraulic infrastructure. The ESP serves itself by providing both production and control functions, reducing external safety risks
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate controls are used to operate the SSSV than the ESP control, then the SSSV can be independently actuated, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the ESP control and SSSV control into a single integrated control system. The ESP motor controller simultaneously manages both fluid production and hydraulic power delivery to the SSSV, maintaining independent SSSV actuation capability while reducing overall control system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The ESP control system is designed to perform multiple functions: controlling the ESP motor for production and simultaneously providing hydraulic pressure for SSSV operation. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate control systems while preserving independent valve actuation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces the need for separate surface control units and high-pressure hydraulic systems, minimizing equipment exposure and safety risks while integrating easily into existing ESP systems, and ensuring reliable operation of SSSV systems.
Implementation Method 1
A hydraulic piston is exposed to pressure upstream of the pressure regulator during operation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A pressure regulator (107) is configured to manage a pressure downstream of a pump discharge (104F) during operation. A hydraulic piston (109) is exposed to pressure upstream of the pressure regulator (107) during operation. The hydraulic piston (109) extends into a first fluid reservoir (105B). The first fluid reservoir is defined by an inner surface of an outer housing of a subsurface safety valve (103). A subsurface safety valve (103) is fluidically couple to the hydraulic piston housing.