Casing Hanger for Early BOP Release in Cementing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drilling methods require the drilling rig to remain idle until cement bonding is complete, preventing early release of the diverter and/or blowout preventer, leading to substantial rig non-utilization and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus and method allow for early release of the drilling diverter and/or blowout preventer by using a casing hanger to retain cement back pressure, enabling the rig to be re-tasked before cement bonding is complete, and include a quick connection system for rapid assembly and disassembly of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the drilling diverter or BOP is used to provide cement back pressure, then the cement bonding process is ensured, but the drilling rig must remain idle until bonding is complete
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the back pressure maintenance function into two separate components: the drilling diverter/BOP remains separate from the cementing process. The casing hanger with its specific geometry allows the drilling diverter to be removed after drilling is complete, while the casing hanger itself maintains back pressure during cementing. This segmentation enables the drilling rig to be released from the BOP constraint while maintaining cement bonding reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The casing hanger acts as an intermediary component between the production casing and the cementing system. It provides the necessary back pressure to the cement while allowing the drilling diverter and BOP to be removed. The casing hanger's unique geometry with the return channel creates an intermediary pressure pathway that eliminates the need for continuous BOP control during the bonding process.
2Reliability
If the drilling rig waits for cement bonding to complete, then the cement is properly bonded, but the rig cannot be re-tasked immediately
Solution Approach 1:
The drilling diverter is removed in advance, before the cement bonding is complete. The casing hanger is positioned and configured to provide back pressure immediately after drilling is complete, allowing the rig to be re-tasked while the cement continues to bond. This preliminary removal of the drilling diverter, combined with the pre-positioned casing hanger, enables immediate rig re-utilization without compromising bonding integrity.
3Loss of time
If a mandrel-type casing hanger is employed to reduce rig time, then rig waiting time is reduced, but the cost and complexity increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the back pressure maintenance function from the complex mandrel-type casing hanger system and implements it through a simpler casing hanger with a specific geometry. The key feature is the return channel and the interaction with the cementing adapter's lock-on member, which provides back pressure without requiring the complex mandrel mechanism. This extraction simplifies the overall system while maintaining the time-saving benefit.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for managing cementing operations are provided. An example method includes connecting a cementing adapter atop a casing head itself positioned atop a surface casing landed within a conductor pipe, connecting a drilling adapter atop the cementing adapter, connecting a blowout preventer to the drilling adapter, and drilling for and running production casing. The method also includes positioning a casing hanger at least partially within a bore of the cementing adapter to be immobilized therein to retain back pressure of cement within an annulus located between the production casing and the surface casing, cementing the production casing within the surface casing, and removing the drilling adapter and blowout preventer after running the cement, but typically prior to cement bonding.