Maximize reliability and performance with innovative seal technology for oil and gas wells

Subsurface safety valves are critical components of well completions, preventing uncontrolled flow in the case of catastrophic damage to wellhead equipment. Fail-safe closure must be certain to ensure proper security of the well. However, this is not the only function in which it must be reliable—the valve must remain open to produce the well. SLB subsurface safety valves (SSVs) exceed all ISO 10432 and API Spec 14A requirements for pressure integrity, leakage acceptance criteria, and slam closure.

Through decades of innovation and experience, SLB safety valve flapper systems are proven robust and reliable. The multizone dynamic seal technology for hydraulic actuation of SSVs is a further improvement in reliability performance when compared with traditional seal systems in the industry.

The multizone seal technology was developed and proved with exhaustive verification and validation of reliability, longevity, and performance. The validation methodology utilized a unique sapphire crystal bore, enabling the design team to view the seal’s dynamic and static performance in real time while simulating wellbore pressure and temperature conditions.

The multizone seal technology is currently available in the GeoGuard DW deepwater high-performance subsurface safety valve, which is validated to API Spec 14A V1 and V1-H.

Setting depth flexibility

Our API Spec 14A V1–certified subsurface safety valve portfolio offers operational flexibility to overcome any challenge in the industry. Multiple actuation options are available for shallow-set, deepset, and ultradeepset applications.

Which subsurface safety valve actuation type is best for your application?

Standard spring valves are suitable for shallow-set (100 ft below the surface or mudline) and deepset (up to 6,000-ft TVD) applications. These valves use basic hydraulic actuation systems that are tubing pressure–sensitive and remain fail-safe closed without requiring tubing pressure assist in closure.

For deepset (6,000- to 10,000-ft TVD) and ultradeepset (beyond 10,000-ft TVD) applications, there are both balanced-line and nitrogen-charged hydraulic actuation systems available. These unique systems are tubing pressure–insensitive, so they can be operated at pressures below tubing pressure while remaining fail-safe closed.