Annulus Access Valve for Subsea Tubing Hanger Seal Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods face challenges in adequately pressure testing tubing hanger seals in subsea well systems, particularly in ensuring the integrity of both upper and lower seals during installation and operation.
Innovation Solution
A valve assembly is deployed along a fluid passageway to the tubing hanger seals, enabling selective actuation to a closed position for pressure isolation and testing, allowing for the verification of sealing integrity by creating a pressure differential across the seals, and can also introduce fluids for further testing or operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a valve assembly is deployed to enable pressure isolation and testing of tubing hanger seals, then sealing integrity verification is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a flow control valve for the annulus and a pressure isolation valve for seal testing. The same valve body and actuation mechanism enable both normal fluid flow operations and pressure testing operations, eliminating the need for separate dedicated testing valves and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly acts as an intermediary component between the pressure testing system and the tubing hanger seals. It provides a controlled interface that allows pressure to be applied to test the seals while maintaining the ability to isolate the testing system from the production system, enabling reliable verification without permanently modifying the production flow path.
2Measurement precision
If pressure isolation is implemented for seal testing, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly provides pressure isolation capability as part of its multi-functional design. By using the same valve structure for both flow control and pressure isolation, the system achieves precise pressure differential measurement capability without adding separate isolation valves or complex testing infrastructure.
3Ease of operation
If a valve assembly is deployed along the fluid passageway, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is positioned along the fluid passageway to serve multiple operational needs: controlling annulus flow during normal operations and isolating pressure during seal testing. This single strategically placed component with multi-functional capability simplifies the overall system architecture compared to having separate valves for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
A technique facilitates pressure testing of seals along a tubing hanger, such as a tubing hanger used in a subsea application. In some applications, the tubing hanger is sealed along its exterior with an upper tubing hanger seal and a lower tubing hanger seal. A valve assembly is deployed along a fluid passageway which is routed to the tubing hanger seals. The valve assembly may be selectively actuated to a test position, e.g. a closed position, which enables pressure isolation and pressure testing of the tubing hanger seals. The valve assembly may also be selectively utilized to introduce fluids into the formation below the tubing hanger.