Modular Flow Control Module for Wellhead Equipment Upgrades
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wellhead assemblies in mineral extraction systems often have outdated monitoring and control equipment within 3-5 years due to technological advancements, and replacing the entire assembly is costly and impractical due to space constraints and the need for reconfiguration.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a flow control module that can be easily installed and configured to support various monitoring and control equipment, including a flow-through component, multi-phase flow meter, and choke, allowing for the use of newer or different equipment without significant alteration of the wellhead assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the entire wellhead assembly is replaced to install newer monitoring and control equipment, then the equipment can be updated to current technology standards, but the cost and effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The wellhead assembly is divided into modular components: a fixed wellhead body and a replaceable flow control module. This segmentation allows the monitoring and control equipment to be updated by replacing only the flow control module rather than the entire wellhead assembly, thereby reducing replacement cost and effort while maintaining equipment update capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow control module is designed as a universal interface that can accommodate different types of monitoring and control equipment through standardized connections. This multi-functionality allows the same module structure to support various equipment configurations, enabling technology updates without requiring custom modifications to the wellhead body.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the wellhead assembly configuration is maintained, then the existing robust structure remains in place, but space constraints restrict the installation of desired monitoring and control equipment
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the wellhead into a stable fixed body and a flexible replaceable flow control module, the design maintains the structural stability of the original wellhead while providing flexibility in the flow control module to accommodate different equipment configurations and space constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow control module is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to be removed and replaced as needed. This dynamic design enables the system to adapt to different monitoring and control equipment requirements while the fixed wellhead body maintains its stable structure throughout the well's lifespan.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A system includes a flow-through component fluidly coupled to a wellhead and including an annular passage disposed about a central flow-through bore. The annular passage is transverse to the central flow-through bore. The central flow-through bore is downstream of the annular passage. The system also includes a first 90-degree elbow fluidly coupled to the flow-through component, a multi-phase flow meter disposed downstream of, and fluidly coupled to the first 90-degree elbow, a second 90-degree elbow disposed downstream of, and fluidly coupled to, the multi-phase flow meter, a monitor fluidly coupled to the second 90-degree elbow, and a choke disposed downstream of, and fluidly coupled to, the second 90-degree elbow, wherein, the central flow-through bore is downstream of the choke.