Method of intervention in a failed deep-set subsurface safety valve in a deepwater or ultra-deepwater subsea well using a light intervention vessel

Abstract

A method of intervention in a failed deep-set tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve disposed in a deepwater or ultra-deepwater subsea well uses a deep-set wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve that may be deployed via wireline into the failed deep-set tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve. The deep-set wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve has a closure actuation mechanism that is disposed below the closure device. In addition, the closure actuation mechanism includes a pressure-balanced piston that is exposed to wellbore fluids on both distal ends of the piston, thereby allowing the piston to actuate the closure device in deepwater and ultra-deepwater wells with significant hydrostatic head in the control line. Advantageously, the method does not require re-completion of the well and a light intervention vessel may be used as the platform for performing the intervention, rather than a conventional drilling rig or platform, substantially reducing non-productive down-time, lost profits, and costs associated with resuming production.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of intervention in a failed deep-set tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve disposed in a deepwater or ultra-deepwater subsea well comprising:
 cutting or grinding a radial port in an interior facing portion of the failed deep-set tubing retrievable subsurface safety valve with an e-line wireline-deployable communication tool to communicate a hydraulic chamber housing of the failed deep-set tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve; and   running in a deep-set wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve into a central lumen of the failed tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve,   wherein the deep-set wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve comprises a closure actuation mechanism disposed below a closure device, and   wherein the actuation mechanism comprises a pressure-balanced piston exposed to wellbore fluids on both distal ends of the piston.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 disposing a light intervention vessel on a well site.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 facilitating wireline access from a light intervention vessel to the subsea well comprising the failed tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein wireline access is provided by a riser-based system. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein wireline access is provided by a riser-less system. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the wireline access is provided by a coiled-tubing system. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 locking out the failed deep-set tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve with a wireline-deployable lockout tool.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 running in the wireline-deployable communication tool into an interior of the failed deep-set tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 landing the deep-set wireline retrievable subsurface safety valve within a no-go shoulder or other profile of the failed tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 locking the deep-set wireline retrievable subsurface safety valve into place at a location within the failed deep-set tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve that facilitates communication.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 providing hydraulic actuation fluid from a surface-controlled pump system to the deep-set wireline-retrievable subsurface safety valve via the communicated hydraulic chamber housing of the failed tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the surface-controlled pump system provides hydraulic actuation fluid to a wet tree that is fluidly connected to a control line that is fluidly connected to the hydraulic chamber housing of the failed tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the closure device of the deep-set wireline retrievable subsurface safety valve comprises an equalization system configured to equalize pressure across the closure device to facilitate opening the deep-set wireline retrievable subsurface safety valve.