Emergency elastomer injection system for use on e-line and braided cable

Abstract

A system and method for sealing a passage around a cable is disclosed. Embodiments of the system can include an axial passage, such as a conduit and subsea wellhead housing connected to a wellbore, that can have a cable extending therethrough. The system can include an upper restrictor and a lower restrictor for closing the axial passage. An injection module having an injector and a reservoir can be fluid communication with the axial passage at an axial location between the upper restrictor and the lower restrictor. The injector can discharge a curable sealant initially stored in the reservoir into the axial passage so that at least a portion of the sealant contacts the cable at the axial location of the restrictor while the cable remains static.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates in general to mineral recovery wells, and in particular to an apparatus and method for sealing a wellbore.[0003]2. Brief Description of Related Art[0004]Wire line operations in a wellbore typically use one of three types of wire line—slick line, e-line, or braided cable. In order to maintain pressure control during these operations, and thus prevent pressurized fluid escaping from the wellbore, the wire line is passed through a pressure controlling device. Devices for preventing pressure from escaping from the well bore include wire line blowout preventers (“BOP”), pressure control heads (“PCH”), lower riser packages (“LRP”), and lubricators.[0005]These pressure control devices employ different methods of pressure control including rams, pressure energized packing sets, and grease. These methods, although different, follow the same principals in that they all form a seal around the outside ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]Embodiments of the claimed invention relate primarily to sealing in an emergency. Because e-line and braided cable can have a labyrinth of leak paths, conventional sealing techniques require constant grease injection in order to maintain a seal. Under certain circumstances, such as an emergency condition, the seal around the wire line may be required to maintain pressure control for a significant length of time. The grease supply will therefore deplete and may be not be replenished or maintain enough pressure to seal. Embodiments of the claimed invention can include a cylinder of sealant, such as an elastome

Problems solved by technology

Under certain circumstances, such as an emergency condition, the seal around the wire line may be required to maintain pressure control fo

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