Dual Mini Well Surface Control System for Rig-Up Time Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators face challenges in managing high pressures within subterranean reservoirs during drilling, completing, and producing operations, requiring effective control systems for various work strings that are not efficiently addressed by conventional technologies.
Innovation Solution
A well surface control system with a main housing, side port, and two valves for controlling fluid and gas flows, along with a locking mechanism to secure saver subs, enabling pressure management and component severing of work strings, providing a compact and efficient solution for rig-up and rig-down operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional blowout preventers are used for pressure control, then pressure control function is provided, but rig-up and rig-down time is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the work string into two separate mini wells (first mini well and second mini well) that can be independently controlled by separate valves. This segmentation allows one mini well to be operated while the other is being rigged up or down, eliminating the need to shut down the entire system during maintenance or replacement operations, thereby reducing rig-up and rig-down time while maintaining continuous pressure control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dynamic switching capability between two mini wells, allowing operators to switch from one mini well to another during operations. This dynamic configuration enables continuous operation where one mini well can be actively controlled while the other is being prepared or decommissioned, significantly reducing the downtime associated with conventional single-system blowout preventers.
2Reliability
If multiple separate control systems are used for different work strings, then comprehensive pressure control is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple control functions into a single integrated dual mini well apparatus. Both mini wells are housed within one main body structure with a shared control mechanism that can independently operate each mini well. This consolidation provides comprehensive pressure control for different work strings while avoiding the complexity of having completely separate control systems, as the mini wells share common structural and control elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual mini well system is designed as a universal control apparatus that can handle multiple types of work strings (drill strings, production tubing, wireline, etc.) simultaneously. Each mini well can be configured for different work string types, and the shared control system can manage both independently, providing multi-functional capability without requiring separate specialized control systems for each work string type.
3Loss of time
If a compact single system is used for pressure control, then rig-up time is reduced, but control capability for multiple work strings is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The compact system achieves versatility through internal segmentation into two independently controllable mini wells within a single main housing. Each mini well can be configured for different work string types, allowing the compact apparatus to handle multiple work string configurations simultaneously without requiring multiple separate systems, thus maintaining both speed and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system resolves the contradiction by adding a dimensional aspect - instead of having multiple separate systems in space, it stacks two mini wells vertically within a single compact housing structure. This three-dimensional arrangement allows the compact system to provide control for multiple work strings by utilizing the vertical dimension, enabling each mini well to accommodate different work string types while maintaining a compact footprint that reduces rig-up time.
Data Source
AI summary
A well surface control system for use with various types of work strings such as, but not limited to, drill strings, coiled tubing, snubbing pipe, electric line, production tubing, and wireline. The system includes a main housing with a main bore extending from one end to the other. The main housing is equipped with a side port which communicates with the main bore between the two ends. The main housing is also equipped with two valves for controlling fluid and/or gas flows through the main bore and for severing a component of a work string running through the main bore. The first valve is positioned between the side port and one end of the main housing and the second valve is positioned between the side port and the other end of the main housing. Attached to each end of the main housing is a saver sub, with means for temporarily locking the saver subs to the main housing to prevent circular and longitudinal movement of the saver subs in relation to the main housing.