From a safety aspect, a surface-controlled subsurface safety valve (SCSSV) is installed to perform but one function - that is, in an emergency, shut in the well to prevent a catastrophic blowout. As such, producers must be assured that the safety valve installed will: 1) close, remain locked in position, and seal off pressure in an emergency, and 2) maintain its mechanical reliability in the producing environment. To gain this assurance, Exxon Company U.S.A. conducted an extensive program to select and test a surface-controlled subsurface safety valve for a 15,000 psi working pressure (WP), hot, sour, corrosive gas completion in the Gulf of Mexico.

Keywords:
subsurface safety valve, pressure performance, elastomer, flow rate, closing pressure, valve, oilfield chemistry, exxon, safety valve, control line
Subjects:
Production Chemistry, Metallurgy and Biology, Health, Safety, Completion Selection and Design, Completion equipment, Corrosion inhibition and management (including H2S and CO2)
Copyright 1983, Society of Petroleum Engineers of AIME
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