Concentric Control Line Assembly for Downhole Wellhead Penetration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current control line systems for downhole components, such as deep-set safety valves, face challenges due to limited wellhead penetrations and complexities in installation, especially in subsea environments, where multiple control lines are required but restricted by the number of allowed penetrations and issues with line ruptures.
Innovation Solution
A multiple control line system using concentric control lines where an outer control line encapsulates one or more inner control lines, allowing for a single penetration through the wellhead, with manifolds downhole to split and distribute the control lines, enabling multiple separate control lines to operate downhole components without increasing wellhead penetrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate control lines are used for downhole components, then operational reliability and control capability are improved, but wellhead penetration complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs nested control lines where one control line is positioned inside another control line, forming a concentric arrangement. This nesting approach allows multiple control lines to pass through a single wellhead penetration point, reducing wellhead complexity while maintaining the reliability benefits of multiple separate control lines for downhole component operation
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple control lines are run through the wellhead, then multiple downhole components can be operated independently, but the number of required wellhead penetrations increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple control lines are arranged concentrically with one line inside another, allowing them to share a common penetration path through the wellhead. This nesting configuration enables independent control of multiple downhole components while minimizing the number of wellhead penetrations required
Solution Approach 2:
The control lines are arranged in a radial/concentric dimension rather than requiring separate linear penetration paths. By utilizing the radial space within a single penetration point, the system achieves multi-component control capability without increasing the number of penetration locations
3Manufacturing precision
If separate control lines are used for each function, then control precision is improved, but installation and sealing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The concentric nesting of control lines allows for centralized sealing arrangements where seals can be applied at the common penetration point and at the downhole termination point. This approach maintains the sealing precision of separate control lines while significantly simplifying the installation process compared to managing multiple separate penetration points
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 reduces the complexity of passing control lines through the wellhead, conserves space, and allows for the operation of multiple downhole components with reduced risk of line rupture failures by using a single penetration for dual control lines, while maintaining the functionality of multiple separate control lines.
Implementation Method 1
Due to vertical height of the control line 32A, a hydrostatic pressure PH also exerts on the valve 40 through the control line 32A
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
Concentric control lines (120 A-B) have an outer line disposed about one or more inner lines. Encapsulated together, the lines only require one penetration through a wellhead (60) to extend downhole. Beyond the wellhead (60), the concentric lines (120 A-B) extend along a tubing (20) to a manifold (100). The outer line sealably terminates at a manifold's inlet, while the inner conduit passes out an outlet with a sealed fitting (114) to connect to a downhole component. A downhole line couples to an outlet of the manifold and communicates internally with the outer conduit terminated at the manifold's inlet. This downhole line can then extend to the same downhole component or some different component.