Challenge
Wells with planned or unplanned sustained annulus pressure (SAP) pose a considerable risk to personnel and facilities. In these situations, annulus line gate valves (a gasket, bonnet seal or stem seal) are the primary well barrier envelope elements, with no back up in case of failure.
Most O&G companies follow a double barrier well integrity management policy. In wells operated with SAP the single barrier gate valves are in breach of this policy. Annulus line gate valves also significantly increase the ‘footprint’ of the wellhead. They require regular testing, maintenance and occasional replacement, resulting in significant life cycle costs.
Solution
The Hydraulic Surface Annulus Safety (HSASTM) valve addresses all of the challenges listed above. It is installed in the wellhead VR profile, where (in wells with SAP) it becomes an independently testable element of the primary barrier envelope.
