×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

Requirements for Changing Out WL/SSSV's

Requirements for Changing Out WL/SSSV's

Requirements for Changing Out WL/SSSV's

(OP)
The company I am working for has stated in their procedures that all their wireline retrievable safety valves have to be replaced after six years, if they have not failed before this period of course. In my experience, with other oil/gas companies, a wireline retrievable safety does not need to be replaced unless that SSSV has failed.

I would like to change this procedure so they only change the SSSV when it has failed. Of course the procedure will also state that the safety valve has to be integrity tested on a regular basis but will not be changed unless a failure has been observed.

Does anyone know whether what I have mentioned above is incorrect or they know of another spin on this topic?

RE: Requirements for Changing Out WL/SSSV's

I assume these are not "insert" type WL SSCSSVs that are back-ups to failed SCSSVs.  In my experience you have a dome charge type and a spring type valve.  Both should be evaluated once a year (or as needed for drastic changes in flow) for changes in flow characteristics of the well.  A reduction in dome pressure, bean size, and/or spring size is needed for a declining pressure well.  You need also pay attention to slugging that causes the valve to shut-in.  

The MMS and most states have regulations with a set time duration for testing the wireline retreivable SSCSSVs. If the SSCSSV fails then replacing it or replacing the faulty part is needed.  In the fields I have worked in, the SSCSSV is usually operational for more than 6 years.

I haven't seen a study on operational life of SSCSSVs, but I am sure the valve manufacturers or Service Company Rep may have data on the optimal life of these valves.

Good Luck in your analysis.

RE: Requirements for Changing Out WL/SSSV's

Roberdeen- One my last project, the field I was responsible for had wireline retreivable SSSVs, and they simply tested them regularly and replaced them when they failed (or put storm choke in the SSSV nipple if the control line failed).  They didn't replace them before failure, and I can't see any reason why your company is doing the same.

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources