Christmas Tree Assembly with Stinger for Coiled Tubing Operations
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Solution Overview
Problem
The replacement of the lower master valve in a Christmas tree assembly for coiled tubing gas lift operations is complicated and involves dangerous crane operations due to the weight of the master valves, requiring the removal of the lower master valve housing and the use of a special tool, which interferes with well operations and increases complexity.
Innovation Solution
A new assembly comprising a housing with inlet and outlet channels connected by a central flow passage, a hanger tool with separate fluid passages for the coiled tubing and the annulus, and a tubular stinger tool that extends the fluid passages to the external housing, allowing coiled tubing gas lift operations without removing the lower master valve housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lower master valve is replaced using known technique, then the coiled tubing gas lift operations can be performed, but the process becomes complicated and requires dangerous crane operations due to the weight of the master valves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wellhead spool as an intermediary component between the wellhead and the Christmas tree. This spool provides an alternative flow path that allows coiled tubing gas lift operations to proceed without requiring removal of the lower master valve housing, thereby eliminating the need for dangerous crane operations while maintaining operational reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the wellhead assembly by introducing a separate spool component that can be installed independently. This segmentation allows the lower master valve housing to remain in place while still enabling the necessary fluid communication for gas lift operations, thus simplifying the overall replacement process
2Adaptability or versatility
If the lower master valve housing is removed, then coiled tubing gas lift operations can be performed, but the complexity of the process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wellhead spool is designed as a multi-functional component that serves multiple purposes: it provides fluid communication for gas lift operations, maintains the structural integrity of the wellhead assembly, and eliminates the need to remove the lower master valve housing. This universality reduces device complexity while maintaining adaptability for gas lift operations
Data Source
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AI summary
The assembly comprises a housing (1) having a first end having an inlet channel and a second end having an outlet channel, said channels being connected by a central passage (3), said housing further comprising a side-entry bore (2) providing communication between said central passage and the external of said housing, the assembly also comprising a hanger positioned below said side-entry bore, supporting a coiled tubing and provided with a first passage communicating with said coiled tubing and a second separate fluid passage communicating with the annulus surrounding said coiled tubing. Furthermore the assembly comprises an upper assembly to be inserted through the side-entry bore and a stinger (50), said stinger connecting said hanger and said upper assembly, wherein said first passage is extended through the stinger and said second fluid passage is extended by the annulus between said stinger and said hanger, the upper assembly and the upper section of the stinger extending said first passage to the external of said housing and said second passage to the second end of the housing.