Retrofitting Conventional Wells With Sub-Surface Safety Valve Without a Rig

Abstract It is widely accepted that the absence of safety valves in the completion tubing compromises operational integrity, exposing operators to potentially severe consequences. This underscores the need for robust safety measures. In the past, a workover was the only way to tackle this problem. The technique we have developed effectively addresses this challenge. Coupled with a penetration point at the wellhead, this system employs a retrievable packer with a safety valve giving the flexibility for the Safety Valve to be retrofitted at any depth within the tubing. The implementation of this system necessitates the modification of the wellhead to accommodate an inlet for the control line. The safety valve is hung directly off the bottom of the retrievable packer. A stinger is then inserted into the receiving profile in the system at the same time as the control line hanger is located into the penetration profile in the wellhead. Hydraulic communication is thereby created from the safety valve hung below to the control line hanger landed in the wellhead. The control line transmits safety valve control line pressure through the control line hanger, down to the stinger, and finally into the safety valve ensuring proper valve operation. With the help of this system old wells can be brought back into production without the need of costly workovers and with minimal footprint. With the pressure on oil and gas industry to move towards sustainable development and reduce carbon emissions, this system presents an innovative approach to installing safety valves into a well without rig intervention, thereby contributing to carbon emission reduction. This system can not only be used on wells with no safety valves but can also be used when the nipple profile, the seal bore, or the flow tube has been damaged or if there is a leak in the previously installed control line.