Recovery Valve Shear Ring for THRT Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
In subsea hydrocarbon drilling, recovering a shear joint and tubing hanger running tool (THRT) from a wellbore is challenging due to pipe deformation, which prevents proper installation of recovery tools, and existing methods like using a hotstab require removing the drilling riser and blowout preventer, a time-consuming process.
Innovation Solution
A tubing hanger landing system with a recovery valve that includes a valve body, operational, bi-directional, and relief ports, and a shearable shear ring, allowing pressure communication to unlock the THRT from the tubing hanger without the need for a hotstab, by applying kill fluid pressure to shift the valve piston from an operational to a relief position, releasing hydraulic pressure and enabling retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a shear joint recovery tool is installed over the cut pipe to unlock the THRT, then the THRT can be retrieved to the surface, but the pipe deformation prevents proper installation of the recovery tool
Solution Approach 1:
The recovery valve acts as an intermediary device installed within the tubing hanger system itself, rather than requiring external installation over the deformed pipe. It provides a controlled access point through which pressure can be applied to unlock the THRT, bypassing the need to install tools over the deformed cut pipe.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the pressure application function from the external recovery tool installation process and integrates it into the existing tubing hanger system through the recovery valve. This allows pressure to be applied directly to the locking flowline without requiring external tool installation over the deformed pipe.
2Ease of operation
If a hotstab is used to apply pressure directly into the shear joint to unlock the THRT, then the THRT can be unlocked, but the drilling riser and BOP must be removed which is difficult and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The recovery valve is pre-installed and integrated into the tubing hanger system before the THRT locking operation. The bi-directional port is预先 configured to allow pressure application from the annulus side, so that when recovery is needed, pressure can be immediately applied without requiring removal of the drilling riser and BOP.
Solution Approach 2:
The bi-directional port serves multiple functions: during normal operation it allows pressure application for locking the THRT, and during recovery it allows pressure application for unlocking the THRT by directing pressure through the relief valve. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate hotstab operations and associated equipment removal.
3Ease of operation
If hydraulic pressure is applied through the bi-directional port to unlock the THRT, then the THRT can be retrieved, but pressure must be maintained in the annulus which complicates the process
Solution Approach 1:
The relief valve automatically activates when annulus pressure is applied, directing the pressure through the relief port to the locking flowline without requiring external control. The system self-regulates by using the annulus pressure itself as the unlocking mechanism, eliminating the need for complex pressure control systems.
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
Enables efficient unlocking and retrieval of the THRT from the tubing hanger without the need for a hotstab operation, simplifying the recovery process and avoiding the complexity of removing the drilling riser and blowout preventer.
Implementation Method 1
The shear ring is shearable from the valve piston when subjected to a pressure of the exterior of the recovery valve through the shear port that exceeds a shear force of the shear ring
Implementation Method 2
applying kill fluid pressure to shift the valve piston from an operational to a relief position
Data Source
AI summary
A tubing hanger landing system includes a tubing hanger running tool, a locking flowline to lock the tubing hanger running tool into a tubing hanger, and a lower body shear joint having a recovery valve. The recovery valve includes a valve body having an operational port, a bi-directional port, a relief port, and an internal piston cavity. The piston cavity includes a radially inwardly extending stop and a valve piston movable between an operational position and a relief position relative to the radially inwardly extending stop. The valve body further includes a shear port that allows pressure communication between the exterior of the recovery valve and the valve piston, a shear ring attached and surrounding a piston collar and sized larger than the radially inwardly extending stop such that the valve piston is prevented from moving from the operational position to the relief position.