SlimTech

Reduced-OD, tubing-retrievable, surface-controlled safety valve

Overview

For high-rate gas and big-bore wells

The SlimTech™ reduced-OD, tubing-retrievable, surface-controlled safety valve is hydraulically actuated from surface by using a control line to transmit hydraulic signals to the valve. These tubing-pressure sensitive, standard spring, big-bore subsurface valves have been rigorously tested and qualified per the requirements of API Spec 14A. They are suitable for a range of subsurface environments, including both production and injection wells and various wellbore fluids—oil, gas, and water.

The big-bore design of SlimTech valves is geometrically optimized to maximize the ID/OD ratio. The premium dynamic seals of the hydraulic actuator enable seamless operation. Nonelastomeric rod-piston seals and static end stops ensure the pressure integrity of the hydraulic system whether the valve is in the open or closed position. For gas applications, an optional low-gas-migration dynamic seal system can be used to prevent gas migration into the control system. The flapper mechanism is capable of slam closure even at very high flow rates, enabling well control in the event of an emergency.

Working pressures up to 10,000 psi [69 MPa]

Oil and gas wells
Operating temperature: 40 to 300 degF [4 to 149 degC]
CCS wells
Operating temperature: –31 to 176 degF [–35 to 80 degC]
Survival temperature: Down to –109.3 degF [–78.5 degC]

Setting depths up to 6,000 ft [1,829 m]

Partially cutaway schematic of a SlimTech reduced-OD, surface-controlled safety valve.

SlimTech reduced-OD, tubing-retrievable, surface-controlled safety valve.

Applications

Sweet to severely corrosive environments
High-rate gas production or injection wells
Oil wells, CCS wells

Benefits

Minimizes risk with fewer potential leak paths
Increases reliability by protecting the hydraulic piston bore
Enables flapper pressure equalization without compromising reliability
Minimizes solids and scale deposition
Lowers workover costs by enabling use of simple slickline interventions for lockout and hydraulic communication
Extends service life by reducing operating friction and resisting corrosive chemicals
Improves production and injection rates and increases thru-tubing access with its large bore
Provides superior slam closure performance for emergencies

Features

Validation to API Spec 14A V1-R
Geometrically optimized INCONEL^® 718 flapper with metal-to-metal seal
Improved ID/OD ratio because of high-performance curved flapper
Flapper-mounted, dart-based equalizing system
Static, metal-to-metal or metal-to-PEEK hydraulic end seals in open and closed positions
Metal-to-metal premium connection body seals
Rod-piston actuator with nonelastomeric dynamic seals
Hydraulic system rated 15,000 psi [103 MPa]
Sliding components with optimal geometry and clearance

INCONEL is a registered trademark of Special Metals Corporation.

FAQs

How are the valves qualified?

The valves are validated to API Spec 14A V1-R, but their performance exceeds the certification requirements.

Flapper leakage: API Spec 14A allows leakage up to 5 ft³/min. The acceptance criterion for SlimTech safety valve flapper systems is 50 times more stringent.

Hydraulic actuator integrity: API Spec 14A allows up to 5% drop in applied hydraulic pressure; for 10,000-psi hydraulic pressure, the acceptable leakage is 500 psi. SlimTech safety valve actuators allow <1% drop, as confirmed by rigorous tests.

Slam closure: The valve's flapper system has been successfully slam tested at high flow rates that exceed the Annex K requirements of API Spec 14A.