Integrated Christmas Tree Assembly With Fewer Leak Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional Christmas trees for hydrocarbon recovery systems are complex, large, and difficult to access, leading to increased space requirements, potential leak points, and safety hazards, while being costly and non-compliant with regulatory standards.
Innovation Solution
A simplified Christmas tree system with integrated valves and a compact design, including a production bore, production master valve, production wing/swab valve, and production choke valve, which are moveable to regulate fluid flow, and optionally includes a high-pressure pipeline protection system, allowing for easier installation and reduced footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional complex Christmas tree arrangements are used to meet regulatory barriers, then safety and regulatory compliance are improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple valves (master valve, wing valve, swab valve, choke valve) and fittings into an integrated Christmas tree assembly with a unified body structure. This merging reduces the number of separate components while maintaining all necessary safety barriers and regulatory compliance features, thereby reducing complexity without compromising safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated Christmas tree assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides primary and secondary safety barriers, enables fluid flow control, allows well intervention access, and maintains regulatory compliance. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function, reducing overall device complexity while preserving safety.
2Reliability
If traditional complex Christmas tree arrangements are used, then regulatory compliance is improved, but area of stationary object increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple valves and fittings into a single integrated assembly, the horizontal footprint is significantly reduced. The unified body structure allows all necessary components to be arranged vertically and compactly, meeting regulatory compliance requirements without occupying excessive surface area at the well site.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a horizontally dispersed arrangement of components to a vertically integrated structure. By stacking valves and fittings in the vertical dimension rather than spreading them horizontally, the assembly maintains all regulatory safety barriers while minimizing the ground footprint.
3Reliability
If traditional complex Christmas tree arrangements are used, then safety barriers are improved, but number of potential leak points increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated design combines multiple valves and fittings into a unified assembly with fewer external connection points. By reducing the number of flanges and external fittings while maintaining internal safety barriers, the patent minimizes potential leak points while preserving the required safety separation between wellbore and surface equipment.
4Reliability
If traditional complex Christmas tree arrangements are used, then safety is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated Christmas tree assembly is designed as a modular unit that can be installed and maintained as a complete package. This segmentation at the system level, while integrating components internally, allows for easier handling, installation, and maintenance operations compared to assembling multiple separate components, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining safety.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure include a system for directing the flow of fluids into and out of a wellbore by a production tree. The production tree extends upwardly partially enclosing a section of a production bore. The production bore includes a production master valve, a production wing/swab valve, and a production choke valve. The production master valve, production wing/swab valves, and the production choke valve can be integral with the production bore and the production bore can be substantially parallel with the wellbore.