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surface-controlled subsurface safety valve (SCSSV)

1. n. [Well Completions]

A downhole safety valve that is operated from surface facilities through a control line strapped to the external surface of the production tubing. Two basic types of SCSSV are common: wireline retrievable, whereby the principal safety-valve components can be run and retrieved on slickline, and tubing retrievable, in which the entire safety-valve assembly is installed with the tubing string. The control system operates in a fail-safe mode, with hydraulic control pressure used to hold open a ball or flapper assembly that will close if the control pressure is lost.

See: downhole safety valve (DSV)production stringsubsurface safety valve (SSSV)