Concentric Wellhead Adaptor for Multi-String Pressure Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wellhead adaptors are not equipped to handle multi-string tubing systems with three or more independent fluid conduits, limiting their application in modern artificial lift methods that require efficient and safe connections for fluid extraction.
Innovation Solution
A wellhead adaptor design featuring an outer body with a bore and an inner body, forming concentric annuli, which allows for a single rotational attachment to a tubing system with concentric inner and outer tubing strings, ensuring fluid continuity and pressure independence between the annuli.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a wellhead adaptor is designed to support a single tubing string with two fluid conduits, then the device complexity is low and ease of manufacture is high, but the adaptability to modern multi-string tubing systems with three or more fluid conduits is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing an inner tubing string inside an outer tubing string, with both strings passing through the wellhead adaptor. The inner body of the adaptor contains the inner tubing while the outer body accommodates the outer tubing, creating a nested configuration that enables support for multiple concentric tubing strings within a single adaptor structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The wellhead adaptor is segmented into distinct functional components including an inner body for the inner tubing string and an outer body for the outer tubing string. This segmentation allows each body to independently handle its respective tubing string, enabling the adaptor to manage multiple fluid conduits while maintaining clear functional separation between components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a wellhead adaptor is designed to support multiple concentric tubing strings, then the adaptability to modern artificial lift methods is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wellhead adaptor is designed with multi-functionality to support various artificial lift methods including gas lift, electric submersible pumps, and hydraulic pumps. The adaptor's structure with inner and outer bodies can accommodate different tubing configurations and connect to various lift system components, making it a universal solution for modern artificial lift applications while managing manufacturing complexity through standardized design elements.
3Ease of operation
If a single rotational attachment method is used to connect the wellhead adaptor to concentric tubing strings, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of maintaining pressure independence between annuli may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The wellhead adaptor incorporates preliminary sealing actions during the rotational attachment process. As the adaptor rotates onto the concentric tubing strings, sealing elements are pre-positioned and engaged to establish pressure barriers between the inner and outer annuli before full connection is achieved. This preliminary sealing ensures pressure independence is maintained from the outset of the connection operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A wellhead adaptor for fluidly connecting to a well tubing system, the wellhead adaptor including an outer body having a bore; and an inner body located inside the bore and having an annulus A. The inner body and the outer body define an annulus B, which is concentric to annulus A.