Hanger System Sealing Wellhead Pass-Through Cables

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wellhead systems fail to provide a reliable, cost-effective, and reconfigurable solution for sealing power and control cables, conduits, and other components during the installation and operation of downhole devices like electric submersible pumps, often requiring repeated cutting and splicing, which is inefficient and prone to errors.

Innovation Solution

A hanger system with side doors and a main seal, utilizing elastomeric material, that compresses to seal the wellhead without the need for cutting, allowing for temporary or permanent sealing and reconfiguration to accommodate various operational phases of a well, including drilling, production, and plug and abandon operations, using interchangeable inserts and adapters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional wellhead sealing systems are used, then the wellhead can be sealed, but repeated cutting and splicing are required during installation and operation, which is inefficient and prone to errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation efficiencyVSAvoidsealing reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hanger system incorporates a dynamic seal mechanism that can be compressed and expanded. The elastomeric material is compressed during installation to create an initial seal, and then further compressed by the weight of the tubing string to maintain sealing pressure throughout operation, eliminating the need for repeated cutting and splicing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The seal mechanism utilizes parameter changes in the elastomeric material through compression. The material transitions from an uncompressed state during installation to a compressed state during operation, changing its physical properties to maintain sealing effectiveness without requiring system reconfiguration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional wellhead systems are used, then sealing can be achieved, but the system lacks reconfigurability for different operational phases, requiring repeated modifications

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereconfigurabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hanger system with elastomeric seal serves multiple functions across different operational phases. The same basic structure can accommodate drilling, production, and plug-and-abandon operations by simply adjusting the compression force on the seal, eliminating the need for different sealing systems for each phase

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system separates the sealing function from the structural support function. The elastomeric seal is a distinct component that can be independently compressed to different degrees, allowing the same hanger structure to adapt to different operational requirements without modifying the overall system architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If cutting and splicing is used to seal cables and conduits, then a seal can be achieved, but the process is time-consuming and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing integrityVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical cutting and splicing process is replaced with a compression-based sealing mechanism. The elastomeric material, when compressed, creates a seal around cables and conduits without requiring them to be cut or spliced, dramatically reducing installation time while maintaining sealing integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables secure, sealed pass-through of cables and conduits without cutting or splicing, supporting multiple artificial lift systems and allowing for easy reconfiguration of well operations over the life of the well, reducing operational costs and improving efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The hanger formed to engage and support a tubing string in a tubing head bowl, utilizing the weight of the tubing string to compress the main seal (the seal preferably formed of compressible material such as, for example, elastomeric material) to seal the wellhead

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10837252B2Containment systems for sealing a pass-through in a well, and methods therefore

Publication Date: 2020.11.17 ANGERS JR JOHN W

AI summary

A system formed to provide sealed passage therethrough for cables, lines, tubes or the like through the wellhead and down-hole applications. A unitary or split/wrap around hanger is provided having a main seal formed to receive and provide sealed pass-through of power and control cables, lines, conduits, or other components threaded therethrough, which main seal may have various profiles to accommodate diverse component configurations. Hinged side doors engage and support various configuration (via interchangeable inserts) and/or size components such as cable(s), line(s), conduit(s), etc. in the hanger to engage components threaded therethrough. A bowl cap, tubing adapter or other surface component with adapters is provided to allow sealed-pass through of components therethrough, and swivel flanges provide an option to ease installation.