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

This invention relates to a method of sealing in an emergency situation. Traditional sealing techniques require constant grease injection to maintain a seal, but this can deplete quickly in an emergency. The invention includes a cylinder of sealant that can be stored in a liquid or paste form. The sealant can include particles of predetermined sizes, and it can be stored in a two-part resin form that remains in a fluid state for a long period of time. When an emergency situation arises, an injection module would deploy the pressurized sealant to a pre-defined chamber wellbore member via one or several ports. The sealant would chemically change and increase in viscosity until it is set, ultimately forming a seal within the labyrinth of the e-line or braided cable.

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 for a significant length of time.

The grease supply will therefore deplete and may be not be replenished or maintain enough pressure to seal.

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