Result
MCGx delivered USD$20M in incremental gas production from a surface well that had lost SCSSV hydraulic control. An engineered two-phase solution restored valve operation for 12 months, maintaining production while intervention planning progressed.
Problem
A leak ~100 m below the Xmas Tree caused an inability to sustain SCSSV control line pressure above the valve’s hold-open requirement. The resulting hydraulic fluid loss rate threatened depletion of the shared high-pressure system, risking loss of hydraulic supply to the entire asset.
MCGx Insight
MCGx recognised that restoring SCSSV operability required controlling pressure direction, not simply arresting fluid loss. A two-phase solution was developed. First, differential-pressure sealant was injected to stop hydraulic fluid leakage from the control line into the A-annulus. However, sealant alone was insufficient: when the SCSSV closed and the control line vented, A-annulus pressure could exceed control line pressure, risking reverse flow and sealant failure.
To address this, MCGx designed and installed a surface back-pressure manifold that maintained a positive pressure bias in the control line during venting. This ensured control line pressure always remained above A-annulus pressure, stabilising the sealant and enabling repeatable SCSSV open–close operation.
Proof
The well produced continuously for 12 months. System performance matched engineering predictions, validating hydraulic design logic and field execution.