Reconfigurable Valve Control System for Landing String
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Solution Overview
Problem
Landing strings in the oil and gas industry face challenges with existing valve protocols that either unnecessarily sever objects during fail-close operations or fail to close promptly in emergency situations, leading to potential well control issues and fluid containment problems, especially in gas wells where pressurized gas can cause safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable valve control system that allows operation in either fail-as-is or fail-close modes, enabling the valve to remain in its current position or close upon failure events, respectively, depending on the operational context, with the ability to selectively control power lines and accumulators to manage fluid containment and object severance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fail-close protocol is used for valve operation, then well control and fluid containment are improved, but unnecessary object severance occurs during non-emergency failures
Solution Approach 1:
The valve control system is designed to dynamically change its failure mode response based on operational conditions. The system can be configured to operate in fail-close mode during flow-back operations when well control is critical, and switch to fail-as-is mode during other operations where object severance would be harmful. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the same valve system to adapt its safety behavior to match the specific operational context, resolving the contradiction between ensuring well control and avoiding unnecessary object severance.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a fail-as-is protocol is used for valve operation, then object severance is avoided, but well control and fluid containment are compromised in emergency situations
Solution Approach 1:
The valve control system transitions from a static fail-as-is configuration to a dynamic system that can switch to fail-close mode when needed. During flow-back operations, the system reconfigures to provide fail-close protection, ensuring that in the event of control loss, the valve will close to maintain well control and contain fluids. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to avoid object severance during normal operations while ensuring well control during critical operations.
3Reliability
If the valve closes quickly in emergency situations, then fluid containment is improved, but the risk of unnecessary severance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary configuration of the valve control mode based on the operational context before a failure event occurs. By pre-configuring the valve to operate in fail-close mode during flow-back operations and fail-as-is mode during other operations, the system ensures that when a failure occurs, the valve responds appropriately to the specific situation. This preliminary action eliminates the need for rapid decision-making during emergencies and prevents unnecessary object severance while ensuring fluid containment when required.
Data Source
AI summary
A landing string includes a valve having a valve member mounted within a flow path extending through the landing string, and a valve control system for use in operating the valve to move the valve member between open and closed positions to control flow along the flow path. The valve control system is reconfigurable between a first configuration in which the valve is operated or controlled under a fail-as-is (FAI) mode of operation, and a second configuration in which the valve is operated or controlled under a fail-close (FC) mode of operation.