Hydraulic Interlock Valve for BOP Ram Pressure Isolation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing coiled tubing deployment methods face challenges in managing differential pressures during the transfer of downhole tools from atmospheric pressure to wellbore pressure, particularly for longer tools, where the maximum height limitations of coiled tubing injectors restrict simultaneous deployment, leading to the need for sectional deployment and reliance on blowout preventer (BOP) rams, which lack effective interlocks to prevent accidental opening under high pressure conditions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a hydraulic control valve within the blowout preventer that senses differential pressure across the sealing ram, preventing it from opening when higher pressure is sensed on the subterranean side, thereby acting as a hydraulic interlock to maintain the ram in a closed position, ensuring safe deployment and isolation of pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hydraulic control valve is added to provide interlock function, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A hydraulic control valve is introduced as an intermediary component between the hydraulic actuation system and the blowout preventer rams. This valve senses differential pressure across the ram and mediates the actuation signal, preventing ram opening when high pressure is detected below the preventer. The intermediary valve adds a layer of safety control without requiring fundamental redesign of the existing BOP architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes hydraulic principles by employing a hydraulic control valve that responds to differential pressure conditions. The valve uses hydraulic actuation and sensing mechanisms to detect pressure differentials across the sealing ram, converting pressure information into control action that prevents unintended ram opening. This hydraulic-based interlock system leverages the existing hydraulic infrastructure of the blowout preventer.
2Adaptability or versatility
If sectional deployment is used for longer tools, then adaptability is improved, but operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deployment process is segmented into multiple stages, allowing longer downhole tools to be deployed in sections rather than as a single continuous operation. The hydraulic interlock system supports this segmentation by maintaining pressure isolation at each stage, enabling operators to deploy tool sections sequentially while preserving safety controls. This segmentation approach increases adaptability to different tool lengths without compromising operational safety.
3Productivity
If maximum height limitations of coiled tubing injector are enforced, then device complexity is maintained low, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention resolves the height limitation constraint by introducing a new dimensional approach to pressure management. Instead of physically increasing injector height, the system uses differential pressure sensing and hydraulic interlocking to control ram actuation based on pressure differentials across the ram. This allows the system to overcome the physical height constraint through pressure-based control, thereby improving productivity without adding significant device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances the safety and efficiency of coiled tubing deployment by preventing unintended opening of the blowout preventer under high pressure conditions, allowing for secure transfer of tools and maintaining pressure isolation, even during sectional deployment of longer tools.
Implementation Method 1
The hydraulic control valve is provided and used for sensing a differential pressure across the at least one sealing ram
Implementation Method 2
The hydraulic control valve operates as a hydraulic interlock to prevent the at least one sealing ram from being moved to the ram open position under predetermined differential pressure conditions
Data Source
AI summary
Methods include providing a blowout preventer body having at least one sealing ram for engaging with a downhole tool, and the sealing ram is hydraulically actuatable between a ram open position and a ram closed position. A hydraulic control valve is provided and used for sensing a differential pressure across the at least one sealing ram. The hydraulic control valve is fluidly connected to the blowout preventer body, and the hydraulic control valve operates as a hydraulic interlock to prevent the at least one sealing ram from being moved to the ram open position under predetermined differential pressure conditions. The blowout pre-venter is connected to a wellhead disposed on a wellbore, and the downhole tool and coiled tubing are deployed into and out of the wellbore.