Vertical subsea tree assembly control

Abstract

A vertical subsea tree is operated by a subsea control module supplied with hydraulic and electric power from the surface through the vertical subsea tree. A landing sub is communicatively coupled to the surface with a landing sub umbilical and run to the vertical subsea tree. The landing sub engages mating penetrations on an upper portion of the master valve block of the vertical subsea tree to supply flow passages extending from the penetrations to the subsea control module through the master valve block. The subsea control module is then operated through the landing sub umbilical to control operation of the vertical subsea tree.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]This invention relates in general to control of a subsea well completion and, in particular, to a system and method for subsea well control by landing a landing sub on a vertical subsea tree.[0003]2. Brief Description of Related Art[0004]Subsea wellhead assemblies are typically used in the production of hydrocarbons extracted from subterranean formations below the seafloor. Subsea wellhead assemblies generally comprise a wellhead housing disposed at a wellbore opening, where the wellbore extends through one or more hydrocarbon producing formations. Casing and tubing hangers are landed within the housing for supporting casing and production tubing inserted into the wellbore. The casing lines the wellbore, thereby isolating the wellbore from the surrounding formation. Tubing typically lies concentric within the casing and provides a conduit for producing the hydrocarbons entrained within the formation. Wellhead assemblies...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes a system for operating a subsea vertical tree using a single umbilical run from the surface with a landing sub. This eliminates the need for multiple umbilicals and additional backup umbilicals. It also reduces the management requirements associated with umbilicals and prevents the need for unarna to install and disconnect the subsea control module umbilical. These factors make the system more efficient and safer, with reduced installation time and risk. Overall, this invention results in a cost-effective and safer system with faster and more efficient installation methods.

Problems solved by technology

In turn, this may cause the cost of such umbilicals to be incredibly steep, upwards of multi millions of dollars to construction an umbilical that is strong enough and long enough to be used at subsea locations exterior of a subsea riser.

These umbilicals may also be subject to spooling damage during operation.

When the umbilicals are damaged operating costs go up significantly as the umbilical must be retrieved, repaired and rerun.

Again, this can add significantly to the cost of the well operation as well as necessitate additional equipment to store the backup umbilical at the surface platform.

This can also add significantly to the costs of the operation of the well.

Running of multiple umbilicals for subsea operations adds significantly to the costs of operation as additional spools and equipment are needed at the surface to support the additional umbilicals.

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