Underwater wellhead equipment external load loading device and detection method

Abstract

The underwater wellhead equipment external load loading device comprises a side stand column, the bottom of the side stand column is connected with a lower base, and the side face of the side stand column is movably connected with an upper base through a guide rail; an external load test joint is arranged on the upper base, the external load test joint is connected with a bending moment loading structure and a torque loading structure, a tensile load oil cylinder for providing tensile force is hinged to the bottom of the upper base, the other end of the tensile load oil cylinder is hinged to the lower base, and a threaded hole connected with a well head is formed in the lower base. The detection method comprises the following steps: connecting the wellhead and the hydraulic connector in a sealing manner to form a test piece, and then connecting the test piece with the load loading device; injecting water into the test piece to test pressure by the hydrostatic pressure tester; and carrying out stretching, bending and torque external load effect test on the test piece, and observing the value of the hydrostatic pressure tester to obtain the sealing reliability of the test piece. According to the invention, external loads of stretching, bending and torque can be loaded at the same time, and the sealing reliability of the underwater wellhead device and the hydraulic connector can be fully tested.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of offshore drilling equipment, and particularly relates to an external load loading device for an underwater wellhead device, and the present invention also relates to a method for detecting the external load of an underwater wellhead device. Background Art

[0002] Underwater wellhead devices and underwater hydraulic connectors are important equipment in offshore oil and gas development. They mainly consist of components such as a low-pressure conductor head, a high-pressure wellhead, a casing hanger, and an annulus seal assembly. Their main functions include implementing connection during the drilling process, supporting the blowout preventer group to form a drilling fluid circulation channel, fixing the Christmas tree after completion to form an oil and gas transportation channel, supporting the pipe string and sealing the annulus of the casing string to achieve the purpose of controlling the formation pressure from the subsea wellhead. The offshore underwater hydraulic connector is used for positioning and connecting between the underwater wellhead and the underwater Christmas tree, and can also be used for the quick connection between the offshore riser and the underwater blowout preventer equipment.

[0003] The external loads borne by the underwater wellhead device and the offshore underwater hydraulic connector under subsea conditions include waves, ocean currents, the drift of the drilling ship, and the tension and bending moment of the riser. Moreover, under actual use conditions, multiple external loads exist simultaneously. When the generated tensile, bending, torque and other external loads exceed the maximum allowable external load of the product, the seal of the wellhead device may fail, leading to a catastrophic accident of crude oil leakage. Therefore, carrying out experimental technical research on the underwater wellhead equipment under the combined action of multiple external loads such as tension, bending, and torque, and testing the seal reliability of the underwater wellhead device and the offshore underwater hydraulic connector under the combined action of multiple external loads is a necessary measure to ensure underwater safety production. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an external load loading device for an underwater wellhead device, which can simultaneously load external loads of tension, bending, and torque, and accurately detect the seal reliability of the underwater wellhead device and the hydraulic connector.

[0005] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for detecting the external load of an underwater wellhead device.

[0006] The first technical solution adopted by the present invention is that an external load loading device for an underwater wellhead device includes side columns. The bottom of the side columns is connected with a lower base, and the side of the side columns is movably connected with an upper base through a guide rail, and the upper base and the lower base are parallel to each other;

[0007] An external load test joint for connecting a hydraulic connector is provided on the upper base. The external load test joint is connected to a torque loading structure that provides torque force. A bending moment loading structure for providing bending force is also provided on the upper base. A tensile load cylinder that provides tensile force is hinged at the bottom of the upper base, and the other end of the tensile load cylinder is hinged to the lower base. A threaded hole for connecting the wellhead is provided on the lower base, and the external load test joint is located directly above the threaded hole.

[0008] The first technical solution of the present invention is further characterized in that

[0009] The bending moment loading structure includes a pair of bending moment loading cylinders. One end of the bending moment loading cylinder is connected to the guide rail, and the other end is connected to a bending moment loading beam. The extending direction of the bending moment loading beam is relatively perpendicular to the guide rail, and the height of the bending moment loading beam relative to the upper base is not lower than the height of the external load test joint. A tensile force sensor is provided between the bending moment loading cylinder and the guide rail, and the bending moment loading cylinder is connected to the guide rail through the tensile force sensor.

[0010] The torque loading structure includes a pair of torque loading cylinders. One end of the torque loading cylinder is connected to a torque adding device, and the other end is connected to the upper base through a fixing block. The torque adding device is connected to the external load test joint through a torque sensor, and the loading of the torque load is achieved by applying opposite forces through a pair of torque loading cylinders.

[0011] A torque loading ear seat is connected to the fixing block, and the torque loading ear seat is hinged to one end of the torque loading cylinder.

[0012] Torque is transmitted between the external load test joint and the torque sensor and between the torque sensor and the torque adding device through square keys.

[0013] A pressure sensor is provided between the tensile load cylinder and the upper base. When the tensile load cylinder expands and contracts, the upper base moves vertically relative to the side columns.

[0014] The tensile force sensor, the pressure sensor, and the torque sensor are all connected by lines to an acquisition and control center for data collection and control;

[0015] The bending moment loading cylinder, the torque loading cylinder, and the tensile load cylinder are all connected to a hydraulic control system through pipelines. The hydraulic control system is connected to the acquisition and control center to control the output loads of the bending moment loading cylinder, the torque loading cylinder, and the tensile load cylinder.

[0016] The second technical solution adopted by the present invention is an external load detection method for underwater wellhead equipment, including the following steps:

[0017] Step 1: Connect the wellhead and the hydraulic connector to form a test piece, then connect the wellhead to the lower base and the hydraulic connector to the external load test joint;

[0018] Step 2: Inject water into the test piece by a hydrostatic tester until the test pressure is reached.

[0019] Step 3: Conduct external load tests on the test piece for tension, bending, and torque. Obtain the sealing reliability of the test piece by observing the values of the hydrostatic tester.

[0020] The second technical solution of the present invention is further characterized in that

[0021] In Step 3, the tension specifically involves collecting signals sent by the control center to the hydraulic control system to regulate the output load of the tension load cylinder, and obtaining whether the tensile force applied to the test piece reaches the required tensile force external load through a pressure sensor.

[0022] The bending specifically involves collecting signals sent by the control center to the hydraulic control system, controlling the bending moment loading cylinder to retract, driving the bending moment loading beam to move towards the side column direction, thereby squeezing the external load test joint, realizing the application of the bending moment load on the hydraulic connector, and obtaining whether the bending moment force applied to the external load test joint reaches the required bending external load through a tension sensor.

[0023] The torque specifically involves collecting signals sent by the control center to the hydraulic control system, controlling the torque loading cylinders on both sides of the external load test joint to move in opposite directions, transmitting the torque through the torque adding device, realizing the rotational force on the external load test joint, and obtaining whether the torque force applied to the external load test joint reaches the required torque external load through a torque sensor.

[0024] In Step 3, obtaining the sealing reliability of the test piece specifically involves, when the external load acts, whether the pressure value of the test piece read by the hydrostatic tester decreases.

[0025] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: The external load loading device and detection method for underwater wellhead equipment of the present invention realize the external load action on the test piece composed of the underwater wellhead device and the hydraulic connector through the tension load cylinder, the bending moment loading cylinder, and the torque loading cylinder. Sensors are provided at all three external load application positions to ensure that the applied external load fits the actual scenario, thereby more accurately detecting the sealing reliability of the test piece. By collecting signals from the control center to control the hydraulic control system to accurately control the output loads of the tension load cylinder, the bending moment loading cylinder, and the torque loading cylinder, it can meet the requirements of different environments and different sizes of test pieces to be measured, and increase the application range of the loading device. Description of the Drawings

[0026] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the external load loading device for underwater wellhead equipment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 is a top view of the external load loading device for underwater wellhead equipment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the hydraulic connector and the wellhead in the external load loading device of the underwater wellhead equipment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 4 It is a schematic flow chart of the external load detection method for the underwater wellhead equipment of the present invention.

[0030] In the figure, 1. Hydrostatic tester, 2. Acquisition control center, 3. Upper base, 4. Tensile force sensor, 5. Pressure sensor, 6. Torque loading ear seat, 7. Bending moment loading oil cylinder, 8. Torque loading oil cylinder, 9. Torque adding device, 10. Torque sensor, 11. External load test joint, 12. Hydraulic connector, 13. Wellhead, 14. Bending moment loading beam, 15. Tensile load oil cylinder, 16. Hydraulic control system, 17. Lower base, 18. Side column, 19. Guide rail. Specific embodiments

[0031] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0032] Embodiment 1

[0033] As Figure 1 shown, the external load loading device of the underwater wellhead equipment of the present invention includes a side column 18. The bottom of the side column 18 is connected to a lower base 17. The side of the side column 18 is movably connected to an upper base 3 through a guide rail 19. The upper base 3 and the lower base 17 are parallel to each other;

[0034] An external load test joint 11 for connecting the hydraulic connector 12 is provided on the upper base 3. The external load test joint 11 is used to connect with the hydraulic connector 12 to be tested. A threaded hole for connecting the wellhead 13 is opened on the lower base 17. The external load test joint 11 is located directly above the threaded hole. Ensure that after the hydraulic connector 12 and the wellhead 13 are connected to the external load test joint 11 and the lower base 17, their positions correspond vertically to ensure that the sealing performance after connection is not affected by misalignment.

[0035] A bending moment loading structure and a torque loading structure for providing bending force and torque force to the external load test joint are provided on the upper base 3. A tensile load oil cylinder 15 for providing tensile force is hinged at the bottom of the upper base 3. The other end of the tensile load oil cylinder 15 is hinged to the lower base 17. A pressure sensor 5 is provided between the tensile load oil cylinder 15 and the upper base 3, that is, the vertical movement of the upper base 3 relative to the side column 18 can be completed by controlling the telescopic movement of the tensile load oil cylinder 15. In order to ensure that the tensile load oil cylinder 15 stably controls the up and down movement of the upper base 3, 4 tensile load oil cylinders 15 are provided at the bottom of the upper base 3.

[0036] The pressure sensor 5, the bending moment loading structure and the torque loading structure are connected to the acquisition and control center 2 through lines. The tensile load cylinder 15 is communicated with the hydraulic control system 16, and the hydraulic control system 16 is connected to the acquisition and control center 2 to control the telescopic amount of the tensile load cylinder 15. The acquisition and control center 2 is specifically used to detect the bending moment value, torque value and tensile force value applied to the test piece through the pressure sensor 5, the tensile force sensor 4 and the torque sensor 10, and control the valves and switches of the hydraulic control system 16, so that various external loads applied to the test piece by the system reach the predetermined value through closed-loop control.

[0037] Embodiment 2

[0038] The external load loading device of the underwater wellhead equipment of the present invention includes a side column 18. The bottom of the side column 18 is connected to a lower base 17. The side of the side column 18 is movably connected to an upper base 3 through a guide rail 19. The upper base 3 and the lower base 17 are parallel to each other; an external load test joint 11 for connecting a hydraulic connector 12 is provided on the upper base 3, and a threaded hole for connecting a wellhead 13 is opened on the lower base 17. The external load test joint 11 is located directly above the threaded hole.

[0039] The upper base 3 is provided with a bending moment loading structure and a torque loading structure for providing bending force and torque force to the external load test joint. The external load test joint 11 is connected to the torque loading structure. The bending moment loading structure includes a pair of bending moment loading cylinders 7. One end of the bending moment loading cylinder 7 is connected to the guide rail 19, and the other end is connected to a bending moment loading beam 14. The extending direction of the bending moment loading beam 14 is relatively perpendicular to the guide rail 19, and the height of the bending moment loading beam 14 relative to the upper base 3 is not lower than the height of the external load test joint 11; a tensile force sensor 4 is provided between the bending moment loading cylinder 7 and the guide rail 19, and the bending moment loading cylinder 7 is connected to the guide rail 19 through the tensile force sensor 4. The external load test joint 11 is located between a pair of bending moment loading cylinders 7. When it is necessary to apply a bending force to the external load test joint 11, control the bending moment loading cylinder 7 to contract, drive the bending moment loading beam 14 to move towards the external load test joint 11 until it is close to the external load test joint 11 and then continue to apply force, so as to realize the action of bending the external load.

[0040] A tensile load cylinder 15 for providing tensile force is hinged to the bottom of the upper base 3. The other end of the tensile load cylinder 15 is hinged to the lower base 17. A pressure sensor 5 is provided between the tensile load cylinder 15 and the upper base 3. When the tensile load cylinder 15 expands and contracts, the upper base 3 moves vertically relative to the side column 18. The pressure sensor 5, the tensile force sensor 4 and the torque loading structure are connected to the acquisition and control center 2 through lines. The tensile load cylinder 15 and the bending moment loading cylinder 7 are communicated with the hydraulic control system 16, and the hydraulic control system 16 is connected to the acquisition and control center 2 to control the telescopic amounts of the bending moment loading cylinder 7 and the tensile load cylinder 15.

[0041] Embodiment 3

[0042] The external load loading device of the underwater wellhead equipment of the present invention includes a side column 18. The bottom of the side column 18 is connected to a lower base 17. The side of the side column 18 is movably connected to an upper base 3 through a guide rail 19. The upper base 3 and the lower base 17 are parallel to each other. An external load test joint 11 for connecting a hydraulic connector 12 is provided on the upper base 3. A threaded hole for connecting a wellhead 13 is opened on the lower base 17. The external load test joint 11 is located directly above the threaded hole.

[0043] A bending moment loading structure and a torque loading structure for providing bending force and torque force to the external load test joint are provided on the upper base 3. The external load test joint 11 is connected to the torque loading structure. The bending moment loading structure includes a pair of bending moment loading cylinders 7. One end of the bending moment loading cylinder 7 is connected to the guide rail 19, and the other end is connected to a bending moment loading beam 14. The extending direction of the bending moment loading beam 14 is relatively perpendicular to the guide rail 19, and the height of the bending moment loading beam 14 relative to the upper base 3 is not lower than the height of the external load test joint 11. A tension sensor 4 is provided between the bending moment loading cylinder 7 and the guide rail 19. The bending moment loading cylinder 7 is connected to the guide rail 19 through the tension sensor 4.

[0044] As Figure 2 shown, the torque loading structure includes a pair of torque loading cylinders 8. One end of the torque loading cylinder 8 is connected with a torque adding device 9 through a square key, and the other end is connected to the upper base 3 through a fixing block. A torque loading ear seat 6 is connected to the fixing block. The torque loading ear seat 6 is hinged to one end of the torque loading cylinder 8. The torque adding device 9 is connected to the external load test joint 11 through a torque sensor 10. Torque is transmitted between the torque sensor 10 and the torque adding device 9 through a square key. The loading of the torque load is achieved by applying opposite forces through a pair of torque loading cylinders 8.

[0045] That is, when applying a torque load to the external load test joint 11, control the extension and retraction movements of the torque loading cylinders 8 on both sides respectively, so as to form a rotational force acting on the external load test joint 11. The torque formed by the rotational force is transmitted to the external load test joint 11 through a square key, and the action of the torque external load is completed.

[0046] A tensile load cylinder 15 for providing tensile force is hinged to the bottom of the upper base 3. The other end of the tensile load cylinder 15 is hinged to the lower base 17. A pressure sensor 5 is provided between the tensile load cylinder 15 and the upper base 3. When the tensile load cylinder 15 expands and contracts, the upper base 3 moves vertically relative to the side column 18. The pressure sensor 5, the tension sensor 4 and the torque sensor 10 are connected to a acquisition control center 2 through wires. The tensile load cylinder 15, the torque loading cylinder 8 and the bending moment loading cylinder 7 are communicated with a hydraulic control system 16. The hydraulic control system 16 is connected to the acquisition control center 2 to control the expansion and contraction amounts of the bending moment loading cylinder 7, the torque loading cylinder 8 and the tensile load cylinder 15.

[0047] As Figure 4 shown, the method for detecting external loads of the underwater wellhead equipment of the present invention includes the following steps:

[0048] Step 1, as Figure 3 shown, connect the wellhead 13 and the hydraulic connector 12 to form a test piece. The wellhead 13 and the hydraulic connector 12 are connected by a hydraulic connector lock block 20. Then connect the wellhead 13 to the lower base 17, and connect the hydraulic connector 12 to the external load test joint 11;

[0049] Step 2, inject water into the test piece by the hydrostatic tester 1 until the test pressure is reached. The specific test pressure is injected according to the environment in which the test piece is to be applied and the actual needs; the hydrostatic tester 1 specifically includes a hydrostatic pump and a pressure data collector. The test piece is filled with water to a predetermined pressure by the hydrostatic pump, and then the tightness of the test piece under the action of external loads is judged based on the pressure data collector.

[0050] Step 3, conduct external load tests of tension, bending and torsion on the test piece,

[0051] For tension, specifically, the acquisition control center 2 sends a signal to the hydraulic control system 16 to regulate the telescopic amount of the tension load cylinder 15, and the pressure sensor 5 is used to obtain whether the pulling force applied to the test piece reaches the required tensile external load;

[0052] For bending, specifically, the acquisition control center 2 sends a signal to the hydraulic control system 16 to control the retraction movement of the bending moment loading cylinder 7, driving the bending moment loading beam 14 to move towards the side column 18, thereby squeezing the external load test joint 11 to apply a bending moment load to the hydraulic connector 12, and the tension sensor 4 is used to obtain whether the bending moment force applied to the external load test joint 11 reaches the required bending external load;

[0053] For torsion, specifically, the acquisition control center 2 sends a signal to the hydraulic control system 16 to control the opposite movement of the torsion loading cylinders 8 on both sides of the external load test joint 11, and the torque is transmitted through the torque adding device 9 to realize the rotational force of the external load test joint 11, and the torque sensor 10 is used to obtain whether the torque force applied to the external load test joint 11 reaches the required torque external load.

[0054] When the external load acts, observe whether the value of the hydrostatic tester 1 decreases to judge the sealing reliability of the test piece.

[0055] If the hydrostatic pressure tester 1 shows that the internal pressure drop of the test piece is small and meets the requirements of the product standard, it indicates that the test piece has good sealing performance and can be used. If the hydrostatic pressure tester 1 shows that the internal pressure of the test piece has decreased significantly and exceeds the pressure drop specified by the product standard, it indicates that the sealing performance of the test piece will be affected when facing external loads, and there will be great potential hazards in actual applications.

Claims

1. Underwater wellhead equipment external load loading device, Characterized in that, It includes side columns (18), the bottom of the side columns (18) is connected with a lower base (17), the side of the side columns (18) is movably connected with an upper base (3) through guide rails (19), and the upper base (3) and the lower base (17) are parallel to each other; An external load test joint (11) for connecting a hydraulic connector (12) is arranged on the upper base (3), the external load test joint (11) is connected with a torque loading structure for providing torque force, a bending moment loading structure for providing bending force is also arranged on the upper base (3), the bottom of the upper base (3) is hinged with a tensile load cylinder (15) for providing tensile force, the other end of the tensile load cylinder (15) is hinged with the lower base (17), a threaded hole for connecting a wellhead (13) is opened on the lower base (17), and the external load test joint (11) is located directly above the threaded hole.

2. The underwater wellhead equipment external load loading device according to claim 1, Characterized in that, The bending moment loading structure includes a pair of bending moment loading cylinders (7), one end of the bending moment loading cylinders (7) is connected with the guide rail (19), and the other end is connected with a bending moment loading beam (14). The extending direction of the bending moment loading beam (14) is relatively perpendicular to the guide rail (19), and the height of the bending moment loading beam (14) relative to the upper base (3) is not lower than the height of the external load test joint (11); A tensile force sensor (4) is arranged between the bending moment loading cylinder (7) and the guide rail (19), and the bending moment loading cylinder (7) is connected with the guide rail (19) through the tensile force sensor (4).

3. The underwater wellhead equipment external load loading device according to claim 2, Characterized in that, The torque loading structure includes a pair of torque loading cylinders (8), one end of the torque loading cylinders (8) is connected with a torque adding device (9), and the other end is connected with the upper base (3) through a fixing block. The torque adding device (9) is connected with the external load test joint (11) through a torque sensor (10), and the loading of torque load is realized by applying opposite forces through a pair of torque loading cylinders (8).

4. The underwater wellhead equipment external load loading device according to claim 3, Characterized in that, A torque loading ear seat (6) is connected to the fixing block, and the torque loading ear seat (6) is hinged with one end of the torque loading cylinder (8).

5. The underwater wellhead equipment external load loading device according to claim 4, Characterized in that, Torque is transmitted between the external load test joint (11) and the torque sensor (10) and between the torque sensor (10) and the torque adding device (9) through square keys.

6. The underwater wellhead equipment external load loading device according to claim 3, Characterized in that, A pressure sensor (5) is arranged between the tensile load cylinder (15) and the upper base (3). When the tensile load cylinder (15) expands and contracts, the upper base (3) moves vertically relative to the side column (18).

7. The underwater wellhead equipment external load loading device according to claim 6, Characterized in that, The tensile sensor (4), pressure sensor (5), and torque sensor (10) are all connected by lines to an acquisition and control center (2) for data collection and control; The bending moment loading cylinder (7), torque loading cylinder (8), and tensile load cylinder (15) are all connected to a hydraulic control system (16) through pipelines. The hydraulic control system (16) is connected to the acquisition and control center (2) to control the output loads of the bending moment loading cylinder (7), torque loading cylinder (8), and tensile load cylinder (15).

8. An external load detection method for an underwater wellhead device, using the underwater wellhead device external load loading device as described in claim 7, characterized in that, it includes the following steps: Step 1: Connect the wellhead (13) and the hydraulic connector (12) to form a test piece, then connect the wellhead (13) to the lower base (17), and connect the hydraulic connector (12) to the external load test joint (11); Step 2: Inject water into the test piece by the hydrostatic tester (1) to the test pressure; Step 3: Conduct external load action tests on the test piece for tension, bending, and torque, and obtain the sealing reliability of the test piece by observing the value of the hydrostatic tester (1).

9. The underwater wellhead device external load detection method according to claim 8, characterized in that, In step 3, the tension specifically means that the acquisition and control center (2) sends a signal to the hydraulic control system (16) to regulate the output load of the tensile load cylinder (15), and the pressure sensor (5) is used to obtain whether the tensile force applied to the test piece reaches the required tensile force external load; The bending specifically means that the acquisition and control center (2) sends a signal to the hydraulic control system (16) to control the bending moment loading cylinder (7) to retract, driving the bending moment loading beam (14) to move towards the side column (18), thereby squeezing the external load test joint (11) to apply a bending moment load to the hydraulic connector (12), and the tensile sensor (4) is used to obtain whether the bending moment force applied to the external load test joint (11) reaches the required bending external load; The torque specifically means that the acquisition and control center (2) sends a signal to the hydraulic control system (16) to control the torque loading cylinders (8) on both sides of the external load test joint (11) to move in opposite directions, and the torque is transmitted through the torque adding device (9) to apply a rotational force to the external load test joint (11), and the torque sensor (10) is used to obtain whether the torque force applied to the external load test joint (11) reaches the required torque external load.

10. The underwater wellhead device external load detection method according to claim 8, characterized in that, Obtaining the sealing reliability of the test piece in step 3 specifically means that when the external load acts, whether the pressure value of the test piece read by the hydrostatic tester (1) decreases.

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