Control Line Protective Cover for Drilling Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Control lines in drilling and production systems are exposed to surrounding fluids, such as seawater, after the removal of equipment like the running tool, allowing undesirable fluids to enter the control lines and compromise their operation.
Innovation Solution
A protective cover system is implemented that automatically covers the inlets and outlets of control lines when the running tool is removed, using a protective cover, retainer, and seals to block fluid entry, ensuring the control lines remain sealed even after the tool's disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If equipment (running tool) is removed to enable control line operations, then control lines can be accessed and operated, but control line inlets become exposed to surrounding fluids allowing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
Protective covers are pre-installed on control line inlets before the running tool is removed. These covers remain in place during tool removal and are only displaced when the running tool actively pushes them open to access the control lines, ensuring protection is maintained during the critical transition period
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cover acts as an intermediary barrier between the control line inlet and the surrounding seawater. It physically blocks fluid contamination while allowing controlled access when needed, mediating between the need for operation and the need for protection
2Object-affected harmful factors
If protective covers are added to seal control line inlets, then fluid contamination is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover system is self-actuating through a simple spring-loaded mechanism that automatically opens when the running tool applies force and automatically closes when the tool is removed. This eliminates the need for external actuators, control systems, or manual intervention, keeping the system simple while effective
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cover uses a flexible, simple mechanical structure that can be easily opened and closed. The spring-loaded design provides automatic sealing without complex components, maintaining simplicity while ensuring reliable protection against fluid contamination
Data Source
AI summary
A system including a first tubular with a first fluid passage configured to receive a fluid for use in a mineral extraction system, a second tubular surrounding the first tubular, a protective cover coupled to the second tubular with a shear pin, wherein the second tubular is configured to move the protective cover from a first axial position to a second axial position, and the protective cover is configured to form a first seal around the first fluid passage; and a retainer coupled to the first tubular or the protective cover and configured to couple the protective cover to the first tubular.