Hydraulic Pressure Release Valve for Subsea Well Intervention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing well intervention systems face challenges in efficiently managing pressure release in subsea environments due to limited access for manual actuation, restricted hydraulic control lines, and limited space, which can lead to undesirable friction and wear on cables and packers.
Innovation Solution
A pressure release system is implemented using a hydraulically actuated pressure release valve that reroutes existing hydraulic fluid from other components, allowing for efficient pressure release without dedicated hydraulic control components, and includes a lubricant return line to manage pressure within the cavity between annular packers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated hydraulic control system is installed for pressure release, then pressure control reliability is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The existing hydraulic control lines, originally designed for other well intervention components, are repurposed to control the pressure release valve. This multi-functional use of hydraulic infrastructure eliminates the need for dedicated pressure release control lines, reducing system complexity while maintaining reliable pressure control during cable-based well intervention operations
2Ease of operation
If manual actuation mechanisms are provided for pressure release, then operational control is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to limited subsea access
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure release valve is designed to be automatically actuated through the existing hydraulic control infrastructure without requiring manual subsea intervention. The system self-regulates pressure by utilizing the already-deployed hydraulic lines and control mechanisms, eliminating the need for divers or ROVs to manually operate pressure release devices in difficult-to-access subsea environments
3Reliability
If additional hydraulic control lines are installed, then pressure release capability is improved, but loss of substance and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic control system is designed to share existing hydraulic infrastructure across multiple functions. The same hydraulic lines that control other well intervention equipment are used to actuate the pressure release valve, eliminating the need for additional hydraulic fluid pathways and reducing overall hydraulic fluid requirements while maintaining effective pressure release capability
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 system effectively manages pressure release, reducing friction and wear on cables and packers, while utilizing existing hydraulic control lines to save costs and space, and is adaptable for both subsea and surface operations.
Implementation Method 1
A pressure release system is implemented using a hydraulically actuated pressure release valve that reroutes existing hydraulic fluid from other components
Implementation Method 2
A lubricant return line is coupled to the pressure release port and is configured to receive fluids from the cavity via the pressure release port
Data Source
AI summary
A well intervention system includes a housing. A first annular packer and a second annular packer are positioned in the housing and are configured to seal against a conduit. A lubricant injection port extends through the housing to a cavity defined between the first annular packer and the second annular packer. A pressure release port extends through the housing to the cavity, and a pressure release valve is configured to be selectively actuated to enable release of pressure from the cavity through the pressure release port.