CWOR Reinforcement Joint With V-Channel Umbilical Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for protecting umbilicals and completion and workover risers in subsea oil wells face challenges such as complex assembly, risk of damage from lateral contact, and inability to withstand combined tensile and flexural stresses, particularly at the upper flex joint, leading to potential damage and operational hazards.
Innovation Solution
A protection and reinforcement joint with welded steel fins, forming a 'V' channel for the umbilical, which is fastened to the CWOR during manufacturing, providing increased flexural stiffness and load capacity, and allowing assembly at the rotary table level without the need for complex components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If polymeric material modules with cutouts and holes are installed to protect the umbilical, then the umbilical is protected from lateral contact damage, but the assembly becomes complex and requires work at height with substantial risk to the operator
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the umbilical protection function with the structural reinforcement function into a single integrated joint assembly. The joint includes a protective casing that encloses the umbilical and stiffeners that provide structural support, eliminating the need for separate polymeric protection modules and reducing assembly complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The joint assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the umbilical from lateral contact damage, provides structural reinforcement to the CWOR, and enables assembly at the rotary table level without requiring work at height. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed
2Object-affected harmful factors
If polymeric material modules are used to protect the umbilical, then lateral contact is reduced, but the polymeric material may be subject to stresses above permissible values causing damage and fragments to fall into the well
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure combining a protective casing (which can be metallic or reinforced) with stiffeners to provide both protection and structural strength. This composite approach distributes stresses more effectively than polymeric material alone, preventing stress concentrations that could cause material failure and fragment detachment
Solution Approach 2:
The joint assembly provides enhanced protection specifically at the critical upper flex joint region where lateral contact occurs. The stiffeners are strategically positioned to provide local structural reinforcement exactly where the umbilical is most vulnerable to lateral contact forces
3Shape
If the CWOR standard joint is used in the upper flex joint region, then the geometry is maintained, but the combined tensile and flexural stresses exceed allowable values
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local reinforcement by adding stiffeners specifically to the joint assembly in the upper flex joint region. These stiffeners provide enhanced structural strength precisely where the combined tensile and flexural stresses are highest, without changing the overall geometry of the CWOR
Solution Approach 2:
The joint assembly uses a composite construction with stiffeners integrated into the CWOR structure. This composite approach increases the moment of inertia and flexural rigidity of the joint, allowing it to withstand the critical combined stresses that would exceed allowable values for a standard joint
4Object-affected harmful factors
If complex protective assemblies are installed to protect the umbilical and CWOR, then protection from lateral contact is improved, but the assembly time increases and productivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple protective functions into a single joint assembly that can be installed as one unit. The protective casing and stiffeners are integrated together, allowing the entire assembly to be lowered into the well in a single operation rather than requiring multiple separate assembly steps
Solution Approach 2:
The joint assembly is pre-configured with the protective casing and stiffeners already integrated and positioned correctly. This preliminary preparation of the assembly structure allows for rapid installation without requiring complex on-site assembly operations, thereby reducing assembly time and improving productivity
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed technology includes an assembly of umbilical protection and structural reinforcement of the completion and workover riser (CWOR), which comprises: a protection and reinforcement joint inserted into the tally of a CWOR, and at least one pair of stiffeners joined at the same height in the longitudinal direction to the outer wall of the CWOR.