Modified Christmas Tree with Bypassed Coil Tubing Hanger

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Christmas tree configurations for oil and gas wells face issues with coil tubing interference during emergency shut-offs, leading to potential damage and the need for costly modifications to align flow lines, and the Y-body Christmas tree is costly and prone to damage due to its construction and exposure.

Innovation Solution

A modified Christmas tree design with an integral body housing both shut-off valves and a hanger system that allows coil tubing to pass through the lower shut-off valve without the upper one, maintaining existing axial and lateral dimensions, thus avoiding additional modifications and reducing labor and costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If coil tubing is inserted through the vertical bore and both shut-off valves, then the coil tubing can be used to inject chemicals and carry sensors, but the coil tubing may be severed by closing shut-off valves during emergency shut-off, causing damage and loss of components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoil tubing functionalityVSAvoidcoil tubing safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single vertical bore into two separate bores: a first vertical bore for coil tubing that bypasses both shut-off valves, and a second vertical bore for fluid communication that passes through both shut-off valves. This segmentation allows coil tubing to be isolated from valve operations, eliminating the risk of severing while maintaining chemical injection and sensor carrying capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coil tubing passage is extracted from the valve bore path. The coil tubing is routed through a dedicated first vertical bore that does not intersect with the shut-off valves, separating the coil tubing function from the fluid control function. This extraction ensures that valve operations cannot affect the coil tubing integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If a flanged coil tubing hanger is added between the valves, then the coil tubing can be suspended without interfering with valve operation, but the flow line elevation increases, requiring modification of surrounding components and additional labor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve operation safetyVSAvoidChristmas tree configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate section serves multiple functions: it houses the coil tubing hanger for suspending coil tubing, provides a feed line connection for chemical injection, and maintains the original flow line elevation through proper dimensional design. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components and surrounding modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The intermediate section is designed with specific axial and lateral dimensions that match the existing Christmas tree configuration. By controlling these dimensional parameters, the flow line elevation is maintained at its original position, avoiding the need to modify surrounding components and reducing installation complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If a Y-body Christmas tree is used, then the coil tubing can be fed through without interfering with valve operation, but the body requires intricate construction and the coil tubing bore is exposed to damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoil tubing installationVSAvoidbody construction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The Christmas tree is divided into distinct sections: a lower section with the first shut-off valve, an intermediate section with the coil tubing hanger and feed line connection, and an upper section with the second shut-off valve and flow tee. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using standard procedures, avoiding the need for intricate Y-body construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The intermediate section acts as an intermediary between the lower and upper sections, housing the coil tubing hanger and providing the feed line connection. This intermediary structure protects the coil tubing bore from external damage while maintaining easy access for coil tubing installation and removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2047059B1Modified christmas tree components and associated methods for using coiled tubing in a well

Publication Date: 2012.11.28 BAKER HUGHES CO

Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A~2B

AI summary

A Christmas tree (100) is used between production tubing elevation (PE) and flow line elevation (FE). The tree has a lower portion (102), an intermediate portion (104), and an upper portion (106). The intermediate portion (104) is positioned between the production tubing elevation (PE) and the flow line elevation (FE) and has an axial dimension configured to substantially maintain the axial dimension between the elevations. The intermediate portion has first and second shut-off valves (120, 122) for closing fluid communication of the axial bore. A hanger (150) is positioned in the axial bore of the intermediate portion between the first and second shut-off valves. The hanger defines a bore (154) and a port (158). The port communicates a side of the hanger with the lower end of the hanger. The coil tubing attaches to the port at the lower end of the hanger, and the port at the side of the hanger communicates with the feed line (132) of the intermediate portion.