Methods and systems for opening a subsurface safety valve
A flapper holder tool may have a tubular body defining a bore extending a length from a first end to a second end. Additionally, a lip may extend radially outward at the first end. Further, an internal fish neck may be provided on an inner surface of the tubular body. The second end of the tubular body may be configured to engage a flapper of a tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve.
1. A method for a well intervention operation on a wellbore having a tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve (TRSSSV) in a tubular string therein extending into the wellbore from a wellhead, the TRSSSV including a flapper, the method comprising:
deploying a flapper holder tool into the wellbore;
the flapper holder tool including a tubular body that:
defines a bore extending a length from a first end to a second end;
is tapered from the first end to the second end; and
is a rigid member made of a material sufficient to provide a force to push open the flapper of the TRSSSV;
landing a lip of the flapper holder tool within the TRSSSV;
forcing the flapper of the TRSSSV with the tubular body of the flapper holder tool from a closed position to an open position; and
conducting the well intervention operation.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein deploying the flapper holder tool into the wellbore further comprises:
closing a valve of a blowout preventer stacked on top of the wellhead;
attaching the flapper holder tool to a cable above the blowout preventer;
equalizing a pressure between the blowout preventer and a lubricator positioned above the blowout preventer;
opening the valve of the blowout preventer; and
via the cable, lowering the flapper holder tool down the wellbore through the blowout preventer and the wellhead.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising sealing the lip on an inner surface of the TRSSSV.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein forcing the flapper of the TRSSSV with the tubular body of the flapper holder tool to the open position further comprises:
contacting the flapper with an end of the tubular body; and
applying a downward force with the tubular body.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein conducting the well intervention operation further comprises:
retrieving a bottomhole assembly to a surface via a cable;
engaging an internal fish neck of the flapper holder tool with a pulling tool; and
retrieving the flapper holder tool to the surface via the pulling tool.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein deploying the flapper holder tool into the wellbore further comprises:
closing a valve of a blowout preventer stacked on top of the wellhead;
equalizing a pressure between the blowout preventer and a lubricator positioned above the blowout preventer;
opening the valve of the blowout preventer; and
dropping the flapper holder tool down the wellbore through the blowout preventer and the wellhead.
7. A flapper holder tool, comprising:
a tubular body that:
defines a bore extending a length from a first end to a second end;
is tapered from the first end to the second end; and
is a rigid member made of a material sufficient to provide a force to push open a flapper of a tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve TRSSSV;
a lip extending radially outward at the first end; and
an internal fish neck provided on an inner surface of the tubular body,
wherein the second end of the tubular body is configured to engage the flapper of the TRSSSV.
8. The flapper holder tool of claim 7 , wherein an inner diameter at the first end is larger than an inner diameter at the second end such that the tubular body is tapered from the first end to the second end.
9. The flapper holder tool of claim 7 , wherein the internal fish neck is one or more grooves or notches defined in the inner surface.
10. The flapper holder tool of claim 7 , further comprising an opening defined in the tubular body, wherein the opening is configured to receive a cable.
11. A system, comprising:
a wellhead on a surface of a wellbore, wherein a blowout preventer is disposed on top of the wellhead;
a tubing string disposed within the wellbore;
a cable extending downward into the wellbore from the blowout preventer and the wellhead, wherein the cable is connected to a bottomhole assembly within the wellbore;
a tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve (TRSSSV) disposed in the tubing string; and
a flapper holder tool comprising:
a tubular body that:
defines a bore extending a length from a first end to a second end;
is tapered from the first end to the second end; and
is a rigid member made of a material sufficient to provide a force to push open a flapper of the TRSSSV; and
a lip extending radially outward at the first end configured to land within the TRSSSV,
wherein the second end of the tubular body is configured to force the flapper of the TRSSSV to move from a closed position to an open position.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the second end comprises an engagement surface to contact the flapper.
13. The system of claim 11 , wherein the tubular body further comprises an internal fish neck configured to engage a pulling tool.
14. The system of claim 11 , wherein the tubular body further comprises an opening to receive the cable.
15. The system of claim 11 , wherein the flapper holder tool is configured to be lowered into the wellbore when the tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve has failed and the flapper is closed.
16. The system of claim 11 , wherein the tubular body further comprises a tapered outer surface configured to keep the flapper open.
17. The system of claim 11 , further comprising a lubricator disposed on top of the blowout preventer.