Single One-Piece Wellhead for Multi-Wellbore Drilling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional oil and gas well drilling methods require repeated removal and reinstallation of the blowout preventer, multiple pressure testing procedures, and expose workers to safety hazards, leading to time inefficiencies and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a single one-piece wellhead that allows for continuous drilling operations without removing the blowout preventer between each wellbore, eliminating the need for repeated installations and pressure testing, and minimizing exposure to safety hazards by using a permanent pack-off bushing and reducing the need for torch cutting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the blowout preventer is repeatedly removed and reinstalled between multi-string drilling operations, then additional wellbores can be drilled, but time is lost and worker safety is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to drill additional wellboresVSAvoidtime lost to removal and reinstallation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The wellhead system is segmented into modular components: a permanent wellhead structure that remains in place, removable wellhead assemblies that can be exchanged, and a blowout preventer that stays mounted. This segmentation allows the BOP to remain fixed while other components are changed for different wellbore configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The blowout preventer is extracted from the cycle of removal and reinstallation and made permanent on the wellhead. Only the wellhead assemblies above it are removed and replaced, eliminating the time-consuming BOP handling operations while maintaining the ability to drill multiple wellbores.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the blowout preventer is repeatedly removed and reinstalled, then additional wellbores can be drilled, but worker safety hazards increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to drill additional wellboresVSAvoidworker safety hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the wellhead system so the BOP remains fixed and only upper assemblies are changed, the number of times workers must handle heavy equipment overhead is reduced, directly decreasing exposure to safety hazards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The blowout preventer remains continuously in place throughout all drilling operations, eliminating the discontinuous removal and reinstallation cycles that create safety hazards. The permanent BOP maintains continuous protective capability while allowing operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If multiple pressure testing procedures are performed, then seal functionality is ensured, but drilling time is extended

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal functionality verificationVSAvoiddrilling time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The blowout preventer is pressure tested and verified for seal functionality before it is permanently installed on the wellhead. This preliminary testing ensures reliability is established in advance, eliminating the need for repeated testing after each wellbore completion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The permanently installed blowout preventer serves all subsequent wellbore drilling operations with its seal functionality already verified. A single testing procedure validates the BOP for multiple uses, rather than requiring separate testing for each wellbore.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Productivity

If additional wellhead components are rented and retained, then drilling operations can continue, but equipment costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinued drilling operationsVSAvoidequipment rental costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The wellhead system is divided into a permanent structural base and removable operational assemblies. This segmentation allows the expensive BOP and wellhead structure to be installed once permanently, while only the less costly wellhead assemblies need to be rented and exchanged for different wellbore configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The permanent wellhead and blowout preventer are installed and configured in advance before drilling begins. This preliminary installation eliminates the need to rent and deliver additional wellhead components during the drilling operation, reducing equipment rental costs and logistics complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11313196B2Method for continued drilling operations with a single one-piece wellhead

Publication Date: 2022.04.26 SCOTT MICHAEL D

AI summary

An improved method for continued drilling operation s with a single one-piece wellhead for drilling multi-wellbores eliminating the step of blowout preventer removal after drilling a second wellbore. An operator utilizing the improved method may utilize a single one-piece wellhead while drilling a series of wellbores through the blowout preventer with differing diameters without removing and reinstalling the blowout preventer between each drilling operation, eliminating testing of the seals after the reinstallation of the blowout preventer between the drilling subsequent wellbores.