RU2756756C1 - Combined underwater wellhead equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: pumping equipment.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to devices for coupling underwater wellhead equipment and suspension of a tubing. Combined underwater wellhead equipment is proposed, containing: a system of underwater column heads with a suspension of tubing pipes installed in it, a block of wellhead valves installed on a system of underwater column heads, a transition sleeve installed in the central channel of the block of wellhead valves and having an essentially cylindrical surface. In this case, the wellhead valve block contains upper hydraulic and electrical channels running perpendicular to the central channel of the wellhead valve block and having end openings of the upper hydraulic and electrical channels located perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the wellhead valve block. The transition sleeve contains intermediate hydraulic channels running parallel to each other, and intermediate electrical channels running parallel to each other. Moreover, each of the intermediate hydraulic and electrical channels contains an upper section passing mainly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the transition sleeve and a lower section, and has an upper end opening located perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the transition sleeve, and a lower end opening. The upper hydraulic and electrical connectors are made with the possibility of connecting the end openings of the upper hydraulic and electrical channels with the upper end openings of the intermediate hydraulic and electrical channels, respectively. The suspension of the tubing pipes contains lower hydraulic channels and lower electrical channels having end openings of the lower hydraulic channels and lower electrical channels, respectively. Each of the electrical channels contains an electric cable made with the possibility of transmitting an electrical signal from the valve block of the wellhead valve to the suspension of the tubing pipes. The lower hydraulic connectors are made with the possibility of connecting the lower end openings of the intermediate hydraulic channels with the end openings of the lower hydraulic channels of the suspension of the tubing pipes so as to ensure the flow of working hydraulic fluid between the upper hydraulic channels and the lower hydraulic channels through the hydraulic intermediate channels. The lower electrical connectors contain an electrical contact and a spring on the lower terminal section of each of the electrical cables located in each of the intermediate electrical channels of the transition sleeve, and a conductor on the upper terminal section of the electrical cable of each of the lower electrical channels of the suspension of the tubing. In this case, the electric contact is made with the possibility of moving from the position in which the electric contact is clamped by a spring to ensure its docking with the corresponding conductor of the electric cable of the suspension of the tubing, to the position when the electric contact is released from precompression and protrudes relative to the surface of the transition sleeve.

EFFECT: ensuring the possibility of extracting the wellhead equipment separately from the tubing suspension.

1 cl, 2 dwg

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The proposed invention relates to the oil and gas industry, in particular to devices designed to interface the subsea Christmas tree and the suspension of tubing installed in the system of subsea casing heads.

LEVEL OF TECHNOLOGY

A subsea Christmas tree and tubing hanger system is known in the art as disclosed in US Pat. No. 6,378,613 B1 (published 04/30/2002).

The known system comprises a tubing suspension having a radially displaced annular channel, closed by a remotely controlled valve located at the upper end portion of the annular channel. The tubing hanger is relatively compact and accommodates a large number of downhole processing lines. The well-known system has an annular flow channel containing a deflected portion defining a space in the tree assembly for the bypass pipeline and valve. Two or more valves in the process flow channel can be replaced with blind plugs to reduce the size and weight of the Christmas tree.

In addition, a device for connecting hydraulic channels, disclosed in document RU 2723792 C1 (published on June 17, 2020), is known from the prior art.

The known device contains a system of subsea casing heads, with a suspension of tubing installed in it, a block of horizontal valves of a horizontal type with a central channel mounted on a system of subsea casing heads, a connecting sleeve installed in the central channel of a block of valves of a Christmas tree; the block of valves of the Christmas tree contains the upper hydraulic channels, the suspension of the tubing contains the lower hydraulic channels; the connecting sleeve contains intermediate hydraulic channels, the sleeve contains grooves made with the possibility of a working hydraulic fluid flowing through it so as to ensure the flow of a working hydraulic fluid between the upper hydraulic channels and the lower hydraulic channels through the hydraulic intermediate channels.

The use of the known device facilitates the installation and dismantling of the Christmas tree; Simplification of the X-mas tree positioning relative to the subsea casing head system; ensuring the extraction of the Christmas tree separately from the suspension of the tubing. In this technical solution, horizontal Christmas tree is used, and its extraction is usually difficult in the case of direct hydraulic contact between the Christmas tree valve block and the tubing suspension, since it is necessary to remove the Christmas tree together with the tubing suspension.

However, the disadvantage of the technical solutions disclosed in the above documents is the lack of the possibility of transmitting an electrical signal, and, as a consequence, the impossibility of using it as part of an intelligent well with downhole equipment, where the transmission of an electrical signal is required.

Thus, there is a problem in the prior art that it is difficult to install and dismantle horizontal Christmas trees in an intelligent well with downhole equipment, where an electrical signal is required.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The technical result of the proposed invention is to ensure the extraction of the Christmas tree separately from the suspension of the tubing due to the use of a connecting sleeve in combination with the arrangement of hydraulic and electrical signal, by reducing the number of subsea operations, which is an important factor and an economically viable solution in the conditions of offshore hydrocarbon production.

The specified technical result is achieved by coupling the block of Christmas tree valves and the suspension of the tubing by means of an adapter sleeve, which is installed in the central channel of the block of Christmas tree valves. For mounting the adapter sleeve inside the block of Christmas tree valves, the same seats and fastening mechanisms are used as for mounting the suspension of tubing inside the central channel of the main block of horizontal valves.

The diameter of the central channel of the main block of Christmas tree valves is larger than the diameter of the tubing hanger installed in the subsea tubing head system, which allows the tubing hanger to be freely removed through the central channel of the main Xmas tree valve block without dismantling the Xmas tree itself. To mount / dismantle the tubing hanger, use the same tool as for mounting / dismounting the adapter sleeve. The use of this design solution allows to carry out operations to lift the horizontal type Christmas tree without the need to remove the tubing hanger from the system of subsea casing heads.

In more detail, the specified technical result is achieved due to the fact that the combined subsea Christmas tree contains:

a system of subsea casing heads with a tubing suspension installed in it,

a block of X-mas tree valves installed on a system of subsea casing heads,

an adapter sleeve installed in the central channel of the valve block of the Christmas tree and having a substantially cylindrical surface; wherein

the Christmas tree valve block contains upper hydraulic and electrical channels running perpendicular to the central channel of the Christmas tree block and having end holes of the upper hydraulic and electrical channels located perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the Christmas tree valve block;

the adapter sleeve contains intermediate hydraulic channels running parallel to each other, and intermediate electrical channels running parallel to each other, while

each of the intermediate hydraulic and electrical channels contains an upper section extending mainly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the adapter sleeve and a lower section, and has an upper end hole located perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connecting sleeve, and a lower end hole;

upper hydraulic and electrical connectors, made with the possibility of joining the end holes of the upper hydraulic and electrical channels with the upper end holes of the intermediate hydraulic and electrical channels, respectively;

suspension of tubing pipes contains lower hydraulic channels and lower electrical channels having end openings of lower hydraulic channels and lower electrical channels, respectively;

each of the electrical channels contains an electrical cable made with the possibility of transmitting an electrical signal from the block of valves of the Christmas tree to the suspension of the tubing;

lower hydraulic connectors adapted to mate the lower end holes of the intermediate hydraulic channels with the end holes of the lower hydraulic channels of the tubing suspension so as to ensure the flow of working hydraulic fluid between the upper hydraulic channels and the lower hydraulic channels through the hydraulic intermediate channels;

lower electrical connectors, each of which contains an electrical contact and a spring at the lower end portion of each of the electrical cables disposed in each of the intermediate electrical channels of the adapter sleeve,

a conductor at the upper end of the electrical cable of each of the lower electrical tubing suspension channels, while

the electrical contact is movable from the position in which the electrical contact is biased by the spring to ensure its docking with the corresponding conductor of the electric cable suspension tubing, to the position when the electrical contact is released from compression and protrudes relative to the adapter sleeve surface.

Additionally, the specified technical result is achieved due to the fact that the lower hydraulic connectors can be check valves, each of which is configured to be installed in each of the plurality of lower hydraulic channels, and each check valve contains a head, which is pressed in the open position of the check valve a corresponding groove made in the adapter sleeve so that the lower end holes of the intermediate hydraulic channels are located in the lower grooves, and in the closed position of the check valve protrudes relative to the tubing suspension surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, as well as its other aspects and characteristics, the description is given with reference to the accompanying drawings, where:

figure 1 schematically shows a node connecting the block of valves of the Christmas tree and the suspension of tubing;

Figure 2 shows in more detail the assembly providing the electrical connection between the adapter sleeve and the tubing hanger.

CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

As shown generally in figure 1, the invention comprises:

adapter sleeve (1),

block (2) of Christmas tree valves,

a system (3) of subsea casing heads, in which a suspension (4) of tubing pipes is installed.

Suspension (4) of tubing pipes is installed in the system (3) of subsea tubing heads without direct electro-hydraulic connection with the block (2) of Christmas tree valves.

In the proposed invention, the connection of the block (2) of the Christmas tree valves with the suspension (4) of the tubing is carried out by means of the adapter sleeve (1).

The tubing hanger (4) is fixed in the subsea tubing head system (3) by means of the first locking mechanism (5), providing gearing of the tubing hanger (4) with the subsea tubing head system (3).

The adapter sleeve (1) is installed in the central channel (6) of the block (2) of the Christmas tree valves on the supporting shoulder (7) made in it and is fixed in the block (2) of the Christmas tree valves by means of the second locking mechanism (8), providing gearing of the transitional bushings (1) with a block (2) of Christmas tree valves.

An O-ring (9) is placed between the block (2) of the Christmas tree valves and the system (3) of subsea casing heads. The O-ring seal (9) can be of any suitable known design, which can be selected by a person skilled in the art depending on the operating conditions.

The block (2) of Christmas tree valves is fixed relative to the system (3) of subsea casing heads by means of a wellhead connector (10). The wellhead connector (10) can be a wellhead connector of any suitable known design that can be selected by a person skilled in the art depending on the operating conditions.

Several channels for hydraulic fluids are machined inside the adapter sleeve (1). According to a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the channels machined into the adapter sleeve (1) are a plurality (11) of intermediate hydraulic channels having the following purpose: for supplying chemicals, controlling the downhole shut-off valve, checking the tightness of the suspension rope plugs (4) pumping -compressor pipes, checking the tightness of the suspension (4) tubing.

Many (11) intermediate hydraulic channels are called intermediate to reflect the fact that these channels pass in the adapter sleeve (1) and provide the flow of working hydraulic fluid between the hydraulic channels of the suspension (4) tubing pipes and the hydraulic channels of the block (2) of Christmas tree valves due to the design features of the adapter sleeve (1).

Each of the plurality (11) of intermediate hydraulic channels runs predominantly parallel to the others of its plurality and comprises an upper portion extending predominantly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the adapter sleeve (1) and a lower portion. The lower section, in turn, can run mainly parallel to the longitudinal axis of the adapter sleeve (1). Also, the lower section can run partially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the adapter sleeve (1) and rotate about the longitudinal axis of the adapter sleeve (1) by 90 degrees in its lower part, as shown in FIG. 1.

Each of the plurality of (11) intermediate hydraulic passages has an upper end hole and a lower end hole. The upper end hole is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the adapter sleeve (1). The lower end hole can also be located perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the adapter sleeve (1), as shown in Fig. 1, or it can be located parallel to the longitudinal axis of the adapter sleeve (1).

Multiple (11) intermediate hydraulic channels can run in one vertical plane without crossing each other, as shown in Fig. 1, however, it is obvious to a person skilled in the art that many (11) intermediate hydraulic channels can also run in different planes, then there is each in its own vertical plane.

Inside the adapter sleeve (1), a plurality (12) of intermediate electrical channels are also made, each of which contains an electrical cable. Each of the plurality of (12) intermediate electrical channels is filled with a dielectric liquid.

Each of the plurality of (12) intermediate electrical channels runs predominantly parallel to the others of its plurality and comprises an upper portion extending predominantly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the adapter sleeve (1) and a lower portion. The lower section can run partially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the adapter sleeve (1), and partially at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the adapter sleeve (1), as shown in FIG. 1. It is also obvious that the lower section can run parallel to the longitudinal axis of the adapter sleeve (1).

Each of the plurality (12) of intermediate electrical channels has an upper end hole located perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the adapter sleeve (1), as well as a lower end hole that can be located at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the adapter sleeve (1), as shown in Fig. .1. Also, the lower end hole can be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the adapter sleeve (1).

In the block (2) of the Christmas tree valves, a plurality (13) of upper hydraulic and electrical channels are made, which for clarity are called the upper channels, which also reflects the location of the block (2) of the Christmas tree valves in the drawings relative to the system (3) of subsea casing heads. The plurality (13) of the upper hydraulic and electrical channels run perpendicular to the central channel (6) of the block (2) of the Christmas tree valves.

Each of the plurality (13) of the upper hydraulic and electrical channels has an end hole located on the inner surface of the block (2) of the Christmas tree valves perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the block (2) of the Christmas tree valves.

The end holes of each hydraulic channel of the plurality (13) of the upper hydraulic and electrical channels of the block (2) of the Christmas tree valves are connected to the upper end holes of the plurality (11) of intermediate hydraulic channels of the adapter sleeve (1) through hydraulic connectors (14), and the end holes of each electrical channel of the plurality (13) of the upper hydraulic and electrical channels of the block (2) of the Christmas tree valves are joined with the upper end holes of the plurality (12) of intermediate electrical channels of the adapter sleeve (1) through the electrical connectors (15). The specified docking is carried out by activating the hydraulic connectors (14) and electrical connectors (15) by the remotely controlled unmanned underwater vehicle, that is, by the known method used when installing the tubing suspension in the system of subsea casing heads in the case of a direct electro-hydraulic connection of the tubing suspension to X-mas tree valve block.

In the tubing hanger (4), a plurality (16) of lower hydraulic channels are made, which for clarity are called lower hydraulic channels, which also reflects the location of the tubing hanger (4) in the drawings relative to the subsea tubing head system (3).

Each of the plurality (16) of the lower hydraulic channels runs predominantly parallel to the others of its plurality.

Each of the plurality (16) lower hydraulic passages may extend partially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tubing hanger (4) with a 90 degree rotation angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the tubing hanger (4) at its bottom, as shown in FIG. .1. Each of the plurality (16) of lower hydraulic channels may also extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubing hanger (4).

Each of the plurality of (16) lower hydraulic passages has an end hole that may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tubing hanger (4), as shown in FIG. 1. Also, the end hole can be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubing hanger (4).

A plurality (17) of lower electrical channels is made in the tubing hanger (4), each of which runs predominantly parallel to the others of its plurality and can run at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the tubing hanger (4), as shown in FIG. .1. Also, the plurality (17) of the lower electrical channels may run parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubing hanger (4).

Each of the plurality (17) of the lower electrical channels contains end holes located at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the tubing hanger (4), as shown in FIG. 1. Likewise, said end holes may be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubing hanger (4).

The hydraulic connection of the tubing hanger (4) and the adapter sleeve (1) is carried out by means of a plurality of hydraulic connectors (18).

These hydraulic connectors (18) may be hydraulic connectors disclosed in the description and claims "Device for connecting hydraulic channels" (publication of the patent of the Russian Federation No. 2723792, publ. 06/17/2020).

In such a case, each of the plurality of hydraulic connectors (18) contains a check valve installed in each of the plurality (18) of the lower hydraulic channels, which ensures that the flow of the working hydraulic fluid is shut off when the adapter sleeve (1) is removed from the tubing hanger (4).

When the adapter sleeve (1) is installed in the central channel (6) of the block (2) of the Christmas tree valves, one of the group of lower grooves made in the adapter sleeve (1) presses the head of the check valve, pressing on the spring, which in turn pushes the limiting flow disc, which opens the flow of working hydraulic fluid, in this position of the check valve, the flow of working hydraulic fluid is ensured.

When the adapter sleeve (1) is removed from the block (2) of the Christmas tree valves, the check valve head is no longer pressed against one of the group of lower grooves of the adapter sleeve, the spring is relaxed, the check valve disc is retracted and restricts the flow of working hydraulic fluid towards the central channel (6) block (2) of Christmas tree valves.

Also, in the case of the arrangement of the lower end holes of the plurality (11) of intermediate hydraulic channels parallel to the longitudinal axis of the adapter sleeve (1) and the end holes of the plurality (16) of the lower hydraulic channels parallel to the longitudinal axis of the suspension (4) of the tubing, the hydraulic connectors (18) are known quick-release couplings that ensure the flow of working hydraulic fluid between intermediate hydraulic channels and lower hydraulic channels.

The electrical connection of the tubing hanger (4) and the adapter sleeve (1) is carried out by means of a plurality of electrical connectors (19), one of which is shown in more detail in FIG. 2.

As shown in Fig. 2, the electrical connector (19) comprises an electrical contact (20) disposed through an insulating portion (21) at the end portion of the electrical cable (22) of one of the plurality (12) of intermediate electrical channels of the adapter sleeve (1). A spring (23) is placed around the insulating part (21) of the electrical contact (20), as well as the end section of the electrical cable (22) connected to it.

In one of the many (12) intermediate electrical channels of the adapter sleeve (1), a cavity (24) is made, the cross-section of which is predominantly larger than the cross-section of each of the many (12) intermediate electrical channels. Said cavity (24) serves to accommodate the spring (23) and partially accommodate the electrical contact (20).

On the inner surface of one of the plurality (12) of intermediate electrical channels of the adapter sleeve (1), there are ring seals-insulators (25), which ensure the tightness of one of the plurality (12) of intermediate electrical channels and the insulation of the electrical contact (20).

One of the plurality (17) of the lower electrical channels of the suspension (4) of the tubing contains one of the plurality (26) of electrical cables, and one of the plurality (26) of electrical cables contains at its end section a conductor (27) isolated from the suspension (4) tubing by means of an insulating part (28).

When the adapter sleeve (1) is installed in the central channel (6) of the block (2) of the Christmas tree valves, the spring (23) presses the electrical contact (20) so as to ensure the partial extension of the electrical contact (20) from the cavity (24) and its docking with the corresponding conductor (27) of one of the plurality (26) electrical cables of the tubing suspension (4), as shown in Fig. 2. Thus, an electrical connection is provided from the block (2) of the Christmas tree valves through the adapter sleeve (1) to the tubing hanger (4).

When the adapter sleeve (1) is removed from the block (2) of the Christmas tree valves, the spring (23) no longer presses the electrical contact (20). This ensures the movement of the electrical contact (20) with its full extension from the cavity (24) and its disconnection from the corresponding conductor (27) of one of the plurality (26) of electric cables of the suspension (4) of the tubing.

The assembly of the components of the proposed invention is carried out as follows: a suspension (4) of tubing pipes is installed in the system (3) of subsea tubing heads, which is fixed in the system (3) of subsea tubing heads by means of the first locking mechanism (5), then on the system (3) the subsea casing heads install the Christmas tree by connecting the block (2) of the Christmas tree valves with (3) the subsea casing heads by means of a wellhead connector (10).

Further, the adapter sleeve (1) is lowered into the central channel (6) of the block (2) of the Christmas tree valves using a running tool and installed in the central channel (6).

Then the adapter sleeve (1) is fixed in the block (2) of the Christmas tree valves by means of the second locking mechanism (8).

When installing the adapter sleeve (1) in the central channel (6) of the block (2) of the Christmas tree valves, orientation is carried out in two stages: primary, and then precise orientation, due to which the axial alignment of the lateral branch (28) of the adapter sleeve (1) with the production channel (29) of the block (2) of the Christmas tree valves, as well as the correspondence of the end holes of the set (13) of the upper hydraulic and electrical channels of the block (2) of the Christmas tree valves with the upper end holes of the set (11) of intermediate hydraulic channels and of the set (12) of intermediate electrical channels.

The tightness of the side branch (28) of the adapter sleeve (1) and the production channel (29) of the block (2) of the Christmas tree valves is ensured by the metal upper seal (30) and the lower seal (31), which provide isolation of the production fluid path between the adapter sleeve (1) and a block (2) of Christmas tree valves.

Suspension (4) of tubing pipes, in turn, has mating interfaces for connection with the adapter sleeve (1) and places (32) of the seal for sealing this connection.

Also, the tubing hanger (4) in its lower part is connected to the tubing hanger sub (4) by means of a conical threaded connection (33), and the tubing hanger sub (4) provides a mechanical connection of the hanger (4) tubing with tubing.

It should be understood that the invention is limited only by the scope of the claims. Modifications and improvements to the above-described embodiments of the present invention, without departing from the scope of the claims, will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The present description is presented by way of example only and does not impose any restrictions on the scope of protection of the invention, limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (16)

1. Combined subsea Christmas tree containing: a system of subsea casing heads with a tubing suspension installed in it, a block of X-mas tree valves installed on a system of subsea casing heads, an adapter sleeve installed in the central channel of the valve block of the Christmas tree and having a substantially cylindrical surface; wherein the Christmas tree valve block contains upper hydraulic and electrical channels running perpendicular to the central channel of the Christmas tree block and having end holes of the upper hydraulic and electrical channels located perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the Christmas tree valve block; the adapter sleeve contains intermediate hydraulic channels running parallel to each other, and intermediate electrical channels running parallel to each other, while each of the intermediate hydraulic and electrical channels contains an upper section extending mainly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the adapter sleeve and a lower section, and has an upper end hole located perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connecting sleeve, and a lower end hole; upper hydraulic and electrical connectors, made with the possibility of joining the end holes of the upper hydraulic and electrical channels with the upper end holes of the intermediate hydraulic and electrical channels, respectively; suspension of tubing pipes contains lower hydraulic channels and lower electrical channels having end openings of lower hydraulic channels and lower electrical channels, respectively; each of the electrical channels contains an electrical cable made with the possibility of transmitting an electrical signal from the block of valves of the Christmas tree to the suspension of the tubing; lower hydraulic connectors adapted to mate the lower end holes of the intermediate hydraulic channels with the end holes of the lower hydraulic channels of the tubing suspension so as to ensure the flow of working hydraulic fluid between the upper hydraulic channels and the lower hydraulic channels through the hydraulic intermediate channels; bottom electrical connectors, each containing an electrical contact and a spring at the lower end portion of each of the electrical cables located in each of the intermediate electrical channels of the adapter sleeve, a conductor at the upper end of the electrical cable of each of the lower electrical tubing suspension channels, while the electrical contact is movable from the position in which the electrical contact is biased by the spring to ensure its docking with the corresponding conductor of the electric cable suspension tubing, to the position when the electrical contact is released from compression and protrudes relative to the surface of the adapter sleeve. 2. The combined subsea Christmas tree according to claim. 1, characterized in that the lower hydraulic connectors are check valves, each of which is configured to be installed in each of the plurality of lower hydraulic channels, and each check valve contains a head, which in the open position the check valve is pressed by a corresponding groove made in the adapter sleeve so that the lower end holes of the intermediate hydraulic channels are located in the lower grooves, and in the closed position of the check valve it protrudes relative to the tubing suspension surface.

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