Expro launches Solus subsea access system

Energy services provider Expro has launched Solus – a high-debris single shear and seal ball valve system for subsea well access

Solus replaces the conventional requirement for two valves with just one, reducing operational risk and complexity while accelerating the drive toward more cost-efficient subsea intervention technologies.

Tested and validated in accordance with API Std 17G, Solus is the first fully NACE MR0175 compliant fail-close bi-directional high-debris ball valve system that can shear and seal on wire and coiled tubing. It can be used in both in riser and open water applications across the entire well lifecycle - from exploration and appraisal and completion intervention to plug and abandonment (P&A) and decommissioning.

Solus has already been deployed for a new in-riser completions development in the Gulf of America and installed in an open water system for a North Sea P&A campaign. The system provides shear and post-shear seal for gas and liquids on slick line, braided electrical cable, and coiled tubing. It delivers bi-directional sealing for liquids and gas, even after a pump-through.

Solus has also been included in the Expro lightweight P&A Open Water Intervention Riser System (OWIRS).

Solus’ modular and compact design is an additional attraction, while its fail-close design reduces risk of emissions and provides a unique well safety barrier. It offers superior high debris (HD) flexibility for a wider range of complete well lifecycle challenges, with 15% solids ingress qualification size.

Daniel More, vice president Subsea Well Access, said, “In introducing Solus, Expro now offers the subsea engineering market a distinctive new system that provides the ultimate integrated shear and seal on coiled tubing and wire using just a single valve. Solus cuts through operational complexity. Simple to use, flexible, with a compact design for smaller BOP stack sizes, this is the latest in fail-safe technology developed by the experts of valve technology and systems integration.

“When there’s no room for error, Solus is designed to provide the assurance of an independent well safety barrier, combined with the surety and confidence that comes from Expro’s integration experience and expertise at the ‘whole system’ level. It’s the latest example of Expro’s engineering excellence and deep understanding of customer needs to move our industry forward.”

Solus is available in Expro’s ELSA landing string assemblies equipment offering. It is available in-riser as a single valve, a single valve with a latch mechanism, or within a subsea test tree, and within an OWIRS.