Movable Mandrel Assembly for Wellhead Chemical Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing well operations face challenges in effectively communicating control fluids, chemicals, or other media from the wellhead to a capillary line or other media lines downhole, especially in live wells, due to issues like blocked or damaged control lines.
Innovation Solution
The proposed assembly and method utilize a module, housing, and mandrel system installed in the wellhead, where the mandrel is movable between retracted and extended conditions to engage with a valve module, allowing media communication through the wellhead to the media line without disassembling the existing wellhead components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a capillary line is extended from the wellhead into a live well for chemical injection or hydraulic control, then the ability to perform downhole operations is improved, but the complexity of installing and communicating media through the existing wellhead structure worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly is divided into distinct functional components: a module that installs in the wellhead, a housing that mounts above gate valves, and a movable mandrel that establishes fluid communication. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies installation and maintenance procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The mandrel acts as an intermediary component that temporarily extends through the gate valve to establish fluid communication between the housing and the media line. This intermediary mechanism allows media to be communicated without permanently modifying the wellhead structure or disassembling existing components.
2Reliability
If existing control lines are used for hydraulic actuation, then the system can be controlled, but the control lines may become blocked or damaged causing loss of hydraulic pressure and valve closure
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly provides a preliminary alternative media communication path before the existing control lines fail completely. By establishing a new fluid communication route through the gate valve, the system ensures continuous control capability even when original control lines are blocked or damaged.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameters of media communication by creating a new fluid pathway through the movable mandrel and gate valve. This alternative path has different flow characteristics and is not subject to the same blockage or damage issues as the original control lines.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional tubing spools or master valve conversions are installed to enable media communication, then the ability to inject chemicals or control hydraulics is improved, but the device complexity and installation requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly provides multi-functionality by enabling both chemical injection and hydraulic control through a single integrated system. The movable mandrel and housing configuration can accommodate different media types and delivery requirements without requiring separate installation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The mandrel is designed to be movable between retracted and extended positions, allowing the system to dynamically establish or disconnect fluid communication as needed. This dynamic capability eliminates the need for permanent modifications or multiple static installation configurations.
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
This solution enables efficient communication of media, such as chemicals or hydraulics, from the wellhead to the capillary line or other media lines downhole, facilitating operations like chemical injection or hydraulic control without the need for additional tubing spools or master valve conversions.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing element disposed in the housing and biasing the mandrel to the retracted condition
Implementation Method 2
a valve disposed in the bore, the valve being movable between a closed condition and an opened condition in response to a pressure differential thereacross
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
An assembly is used for chemical injection through a wellhead (10) to a capillary line (102) in a well. A capillary hanger (150) installs in the wellhead to support the capillary line (102). A no-return valve (160) of the capillary hanger prevents fluid communication uphole from the supported capillary line (102). An injection module (104) mounts above a gate valve (50) on the wellhead and includes a movable mandrel (120) disposed therein. Hydraulic pressure applied to a piston chamber (121) in the module extends the mandrel through the open gate valve (50) so that a distal end (134) of the mandrel (120) can open the no-return valve (160). At this point, chemical injection introduced into the module can communicate through a flow bore (122) of the extended mandrel, through the open non-return valve (160), and on through the supported capillary line (102) in the well.