Pressure-Controlled Hanger Running Tool Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hanger running tools for subsea oil and gas wells require complex and costly equipment, pose environmental risks due to hydraulic fluid leaks, and necessitate sophisticated control systems, making them expensive and operationally challenging.
Innovation Solution
A hanger running tool with a pressure-controlled anchoring actuator that configures between engaged and disengaged positions in response to pressure changes, allowing for anchoring and retrieval without a hydraulic connection to the surface, using a pressure-controlled anchoring actuator and a hanger engagement arrangement that can be actuated by pressure changes within the tool or external to it.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hydraulic fluid supply system with dedicated power source is used to control the HRT, then the HRT can be operated in subsea environment, but the equipment becomes expensive and sophisticated with increased complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the hydraulic fluid supply system and dedicated power source from the HRT control setup. Instead of having a self-contained hydraulic system with power source, the invention uses the existing wellbore pressure as the actuation mechanism, eliminating the need for separate hydraulic lines and power supply equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The HRT uses the wellbore pressure itself to actuate the anchoring arrangement, making the system self-actuating. The existing pressure in the wellbore serves the dual purpose of both maintaining well control and actuating the anchoring mechanism, eliminating the need for separate hydraulic actuation systems.
2Ease of operation
If a hydraulic fluid supply system is installed to control the HRT, then the HRT can be operated, but the risk of hydraulic fluid leak into subsea environment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the hydraulic fluid supply system entirely from the HRT setup. By using wellbore pressure directly to actuate the anchoring arrangement, there are no separate hydraulic lines that could rupture and leak into the subsea environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the wellbore pressure that already exists for well control purposes to actuate the anchoring mechanism. This eliminates the need for separate hydraulic fluid supply systems that could cause environmental contamination.
3Ease of operation
If umbilical clamping and hydraulic line installation are performed, then the HRT can be controlled, but the installation process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the umbilical clamping and hydraulic line installation steps from the HRT setup process. By using wellbore pressure directly, the system avoids all the complex umbilical handling and hydraulic line installation procedures required by conventional systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The HRT utilizes the existing wellbore pressure to actuate the anchoring arrangement, eliminating the need for separate hydraulic fluid supply infrastructure. This self-actuating approach removes the time-consuming tasks of umbilical clamping and hydraulic line installation.
4Ease of operation
If dedicated hydraulic fluid supply and power source are provided, then the HRT can be controlled, but the operational expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the dedicated hydraulic fluid supply system and separate power source from the HRT operational setup. By using the existing wellbore pressure, the system eliminates the operational expenses associated with maintaining separate hydraulic systems and power supplies.
Solution Approach 2:
The HRT uses the wellbore pressure that is already present for well control operations to actuate the anchoring arrangement. This self-actuating mechanism eliminates the need for additional power consumption and operational expenses related to separate hydraulic fluid supply systems.
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 operational costs, simplifies the installation process, and minimizes environmental impact by eliminating the risk of hydraulic fluid leaks, while enabling efficient hanger installation and retrieval in subsea environments.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure-controlled anchoring actuator is actuated in response to an increase in a pressure on the actuation surface so that the anchoring arrangement anchors the hanger to an anchor point
Implementation Method 2
The hanger engagement arrangement is configurable to the engaged position in response to an increase in a pressure at a first pressure source
Implementation Method 3
The hanger engagement arrangement is configurable to the disengaged position in response to an increase in a pressure inside the central bore
Data Source
AI summary
A hanger running tool for installing a hanger in a well. The hanger running tool includes a central bore, a hanger engagement arrangement having an engaged position in which the hanger engagement arrangement is coupled to the hanger and a disengaged position in which the hanger engagement arrangement is decoupled from the hanger, and a pressure-controlled anchoring actuator which actuates an anchoring arrangement. The pressure-controlled anchoring actuator has an actuation surface. The hanger engagement arrangement has the engaged position in response to an increase in a pressure at a first pressure source, and the disengaged position in response to an increase in a pressure inside the central bore. The pressure-controlled anchoring actuator is actuated in response to an increase in a pressure on the actuation surface so that the anchoring arrangement anchors the hanger to an anchor point.