Hinged Side Door Hanger for Wellhead Cable Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for sealing wellheads, particularly for electrical submersible pumps (ESP), are ineffective in providing a reliable, temporary, or permanent sealed pass-through for power and control cables without the need for repeated cutting and splicing, which is necessary for unattended operation and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Innovation Solution
A hinged, split wrap-around or unitary hanger system with a main seal made of compressible material that engages and supports a tubing string to compress the seal, allowing sealed pass-through of components like power cables and capillary lines without cutting or splicing, utilizing the weight of the tubing string to compress the seal and secure the wellhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If prior sealing systems are used to seal the wellhead, then the wellhead can be sealed temporarily, but repeated cutting and splicing are required which reduces reliability and increases operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The hanger is divided into multiple segments including a body portion, side doors, and a seal assembly. The side doors can be opened independently to thread components through the seal while maintaining the sealed configuration of the main body, eliminating the need for cutting and splicing operations
Solution Approach 2:
The side doors are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to open for component installation and close to maintain the sealed configuration. This dynamic feature enables repeated access without compromising the permanent seal integrity
2Reliability
If the wellhead is sealed for unattended operation, then regulatory compliance is achieved, but access to cables and lines requires cutting and splicing which increases time loss
Solution Approach 1:
Cables and lines are threaded through the seal assembly before the side doors are closed and sealed. This preliminary action allows all necessary components to be in place before the permanent seal is established, eliminating the need for future cutting and splicing operations
Solution Approach 2:
The seal assembly acts as an intermediary component that allows cables and lines to pass through while maintaining the sealed environment. The side doors provide temporary access during installation, then close to maintain the seal for unattended operation
3Reliability
If a permanent seal is installed to secure the wellhead, then safety is improved, but the ability to access components for maintenance requires complex cutting and splicing procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The side doors are designed as movable access points that can be opened to retrieve or replace cables and lines while the main seal remains intact. This allows maintenance operations without compromising the permanent seal or requiring cutting and splicing
Solution Approach 2:
The hanger system serves multiple functions: it provides the primary seal for wellhead security, allows component installation through side doors, and enables maintenance access through the same side doors. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate access mechanisms
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
The solution effectively seals the wellhead, enabling temporary or permanent sealing of ESP power cables and other components, ensuring a pressure-tight seal without the need for cutting or splicing, and allowing for unattended operation of downhole devices.
Implementation Method 1
the lower string weight compresses the main seal around the pipe, wire conduit, capillary tube or other components as well as the bowl, sealing off the well bore below
Implementation Method 2
the seal preferably formed of compressible material such as, for example, elastomeric material
Data Source
AI summary
A hanger system for providing sealed passage for cables, lines, tubes or the like through a wellhead is provided. The hanger has a main seal formed to receive and provide sealed pass-through of power and control cables, lines, conduits, or other threaded components therethrough, while effectively packing off and sealing the well bore. The hanger is provided with hinged side doors formed to engage and support the components. When the hanger with threaded components is positioned to rest in the bowl of the tubing head, the lower string weight is utilized to compress the main seal, providing an effective seal. The present system is suitable for use with permanent as well as temporary applications, and is designed to provide a low to medium pressure seal. Also taught is a bowl cap with compression seal to cover the present system, while providing enhanced, sealed pass-through.