Rotatable Bore Selector for Monobore-to-Multi-Bore Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bore selectors for multi-bore subsea systems are specific to designated bore spacings and require separate shearing devices, limiting their versatility and efficiency in well intervention operations.
Innovation Solution
A bore selector with a rotatable bore selector element and a bore isolator that allows connection to both production and annulus bores, featuring a scotch-yoke mechanism for rotation and a compact design to fit within a monobore riser, enabling versatile use across different bore spacings and eliminating the need for separate shearing devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional bore selectors are designed for designated bore spacings, then they can provide precise bore selection, but they lack versatility for different multi-bore systems
Solution Approach 1:
The bore selector is designed with a universal interface system comprising a monobore adapter that connects to the monobore riser and a bore isolator that interfaces with the multi-bore subsea system. This universal design allows the same bore selector device to be adapted to different bore spacings and multi-bore configurations simply by changing the bore isolator, eliminating the need for multiple specialized devices for different systems.
2Productivity
If separate shearing devices are used for wireline tool strings, then shearing function is provided, but device complexity and operational efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bore selector integrates a shearing mechanism directly into the bore selector element itself. The element includes hardened edges or cutting edges that can shear wireline tool strings as the element rotates between bore selections. This merging of the shearing function into the existing bore selector mechanism eliminates the need for separate shearing devices, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining operational efficiency.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact design is used to fit within monobore riser, then space efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bore selector employs a nested design where the bore selector element rotates within a housing that is itself contained within the monobore adapter assembly. The entire assembly fits within the constraints of the monobore riser inner diameter. This nested arrangement maximizes space utilization while distributing manufacturing precision requirements across multiple standardized components rather than demanding extreme precision from a single compact part.
Data Source
AI summary
A bore selector for use with a monobore riser and a multi-bore subsea system having a production bore and an annulus bore. The bore selector has a housing extending in a longitudinal direction and a bore selector element rotatably mounted to the housing and is rotatable about an axis which extends substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction. The bore selector element may comprise a ball element, or a cylindrical element. The bore selector element has a first passage extending through the bore selector element and is configured to connect the monobore riser to the production bore at a first rotational position of the bore selector element, and a second passage extending through the bore selector element and is configured to connect the monobore riser to the annulus bore at a second rotational position of the bore selector element. The first and second passages may intersect within the bore selector element.