Directional Hot-Tap Saddle Clamp for Pressurized Tubular Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hot-tapping existing tubulars under pressure poses risks of bursting due to unknown pressures and requires careful access, often damaging surrounding structures like well cellars, especially in onshore oil and gas applications where traditional methods necessitate trench digging.
Innovation Solution
A clamp system with a saddle and integrated nipple allows for directional access to tubulars, providing a secure seal and eliminating the need for welding, enabling safe and efficient hot-tapping operations without damaging surrounding structures by using a pressure containment arrangement and hot-tapping machine at a non-perpendicular angle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional hot-tapping methods are used requiring trench digging, then access to tubulars is achieved, but surrounding structures like well cellars are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a directional access approach by positioning the saddle and hot-tapping machine at non-perpendicular angles to the tubular. This dimensional change in access orientation allows operators to reach tubulars through alternative pathways that avoid damaging well cellars and surrounding structures, thereby resolving the contradiction between operational access and structural preservation
2Strength
If welding is used to attach access components to tubulars, then secure connection is achieved, but risk of bursting increases due to unknown pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the connection system into separate components: a saddle that interfaces with the tubular and a hot-tapping machine that attaches to the saddle. This segmentation eliminates the need for welding directly to the pressurized tubular, as connections are made through the saddle interface which is designed to handle pressure without welding, thereby reducing bursting risk while maintaining connection strength
Solution Approach 2:
The saddle serves as an intermediary component between the tubular and the hot-tapping machine. It provides a pressure-containing interface that allows the hot-tapping machine to be securely attached without direct welding to the tubular, thus maintaining connection strength while eliminating the welding-induced bursting risk
3Ease of operation
If directional access at non-perpendicular angles is implemented, then access without trench digging is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the saddle, sealing mechanisms, and mounting features into a single integrated component that interfaces with the tubular. This merging of functions into one piece reduces the overall system complexity compared to having separate components for each function, while still enabling directional access without trench digging
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 clamp system ensures safe and efficient hot-tapping of tubulars by maintaining pressure containment and reducing the risk of bursting, allowing access without damaging well cellars, thus improving operational safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomer seal coupled to the inner surface of the saddle body adjacent to the metal protrusion
Implementation Method 2
a metal protrusion extending from the inner surface of the saddle body to provide a metal seal
Data Source
AI summary
A clamp system for hot-tapping tubulars includes a saddle having a saddle body with an inner surface, an outer surface, and an opening extending from the inner surface to the outer surface, a metal protrusion extending from the inner surface of the saddle body to provide a metal seal, an elastomer seal coupled to the inner surface of the saddle body adjacent to the metal protrusion, and a nipple integrally formed with the saddle body and extending outwardly from the outer surface of the saddle body, the nipple positioned over the opening of the saddle body, and a clamp having a nipple opening configured to receive the nipple, the clamp formed separately from the saddle. A method includes positioning the saddle on a tubular and assembling the clamp around the saddle and the tubular including inserting the nipple through the nipple opening formed in the clamp.