Technology qualification

For prototype downhole and subsea equipment, reliability data and reliability engineering principles can be used to manage reliability during development and qualification. For items such as check valves, TR-SCSSVs, sliding sleeves and inflow control valves, ExproSoft has performed reliability qualification projects. This involves activities like design reviews (typically through failure mode, effects and criticality analysis – FMECA), load/strength calculations of design details, test program development and on-site test witnessing and inspection of failed items. These efforts lead to correction of any design deficiencies and reduced intervention costs in the field. ExproSoft has also assisted in developing prototype equipment qualification programs for oil companies and field development organizations. An extensive in-house knowledge base has been developed by ExproSoft for equipment qualification. This knowledge base is a powerful tool, consisting of some 2000 interconnected documents. The knowledge base contains the following support tools:

· Failure mechanisms database
· Materials database
· Surface treatments database
· Human error cause database
· Risk analysis database
· Design principles
· Reliability basics
· Drilling basics
· Production basics

These support tools are connected with work procedures which tie in to the various steps of the full qualification process – from initial qualification project initiation and specification through commissioning of the qualified prototype hardware. The system is also very powerful for more niche type applications, e.g. such as preparing technical specifications for subsea and downhole equipment.