Annular Isolation Device Segmentation for Managed Pressure Drilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current annular isolation devices for managed pressure drilling lack efficient disassembly and reassembly mechanisms, particularly in deep water offshore drilling operations, which complicates the transition between overbalanced and managed pressure drilling modes and affects fluid communication and pressure control.
Innovation Solution
An annular isolation device comprising a first housing portion coupled to a second housing portion, with a penetrator and a carrier configured to provide fluid communication, allowing for disassembly by separating the housing portions and facilitating the stabbing of the penetrator into the carrier, enabling efficient fluid communication and pressure control during drilling operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the annular isolation device uses a fixed integrated structure, then structural strength is improved, but ease of assembly and disassembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The annular isolation device is divided into multiple modular components including a first housing portion with a penetrator and a second housing portion with a carrier. These segments can be assembled by coupling the housing portions together, which automatically positions the penetrator into the carrier through a stabbing motion. This segmentation allows the device to be disassembled and reassembled efficiently while maintaining structural integrity during operation.
2Reliability
If the penetrator and carrier are permanently connected, then fluid communication reliability is improved, but ease of repair and maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The penetrator and carrier are designed with pre-configured engagement features that automatically align and connect when the housing portions are coupled together. The penetrator is preliminarily positioned in the first housing portion and the carrier in the second housing portion, so that upon assembly, the penetrator automatically stabs into the carrier to establish fluid communication. This preliminary configuration ensures reliable fluid communication while allowing the components to be separately removed for repair or replacement.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 2A
AI summary
An annular isolation device for managed pressure drilling includes a first housing portion coupled to a second housing portion; a packing element at least partially disposed in the first housing portion; a penetrator coupled to the first housing portion; and a carrier coupled to the second housing portion, wherein the carrier is configured to receive a portion of the penetrator.