Accelerated Development of Subsurface Safety Valve Technologies

Abstract

Described is a methodology for accelerating the development of innovative and high-risk technologies, specifically, subsurface safety valve technologies. Focus is on methods of mitigating technical and commercial risks that can delay or prevent successful development of new technologies. Example risk assessment and risk mitigation strategies are provided from a recent subsurface safety valve technology development project. Mitigation strategies include fixture level testing, design changes, and deep client collaboration. In the example project, it is estimated that the total development time was reduced by as much as 50% by implementing these strategies. While a subsurface safety valve development is used in this example, it is believed that many strategies are applicable to other domains.