Subsea Well Completion Angular Alignment-Free System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current subsea oil and gas well completion systems require precise angular alignment of well components, leading to high costs and significant engineering work, including temporary well abandonment and costly BOP stack modifications, due to the need for hydraulically or mechanically actuated pins and specialized tools for orientation.
Innovation Solution
An angular alignment-free system that uses circumferential channels and bores between the tubing hanger and well completion device, allowing fluid and electrical services to be provided without requiring angular alignment between the tubing hanger and the completion device, utilizing a series of circumferential channels with supply and drain bores and a circumferential electrical connector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If precise angular alignment of well components is required, then proper operation and safety of the well is ensured, but costs and engineering work increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the connection interface into modular segments: the well completion device has a first connection interface and the tubing hanger has a second connection interface. These interfaces are designed to be compatible without requiring precise angular alignment, allowing independent positioning while maintaining functional connectivity for fluid and electrical services.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection interfaces are designed with universal compatibility, allowing the same interface design to accommodate multiple functions (fluid flow, electrical connection, mechanical support) without requiring specialized alignment procedures. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate alignment mechanisms for different services.
2Manufacturing precision
If hydraulically or mechanically actuated pins are used for orientation, then angular alignment is achieved, but BOP stack modifications and temporary well abandonment are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the orientation pins and alignment mechanisms from the BOP stack and completion system. By extracting these alignment-dependent components, the system no longer requires BOP modifications or specialized alignment tools, eliminating the need for temporary well abandonment associated with installing and maintaining these components.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using active alignment mechanisms (pins that must be inserted and positioned), the invention uses a passive alignment approach where the connection interfaces are designed to self-align or align within tolerances during normal installation procedures, inverting the traditional approach of requiring active orientation control.
3Measurement precision
If specialized tools for orientation are used, then precise angular alignment is achieved, but costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces expensive, specialized alignment tools with standard, readily available installation equipment. The connection interfaces are designed to be installable using conventional tools and procedures, eliminating the need for costly proprietary alignment devices and reducing overall project costs.
4Ease of operation
If angular alignment is required between tubing hanger and completion device, then fluid and electrical services can be connected, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into independent connection points for fluid services and electrical connections, all integrated into the universal interfaces. This segmentation allows each service to be connected independently without requiring coordinated angular alignment of all components simultaneously, simplifying the installation process.
Data Source
AI summary
A completion system and method for completing a subsea well with angular alignment-free assembly The system includes a series of circumferential channels formed in a well completion device at a boundary between a tubing hanger and the completion device. The circumferential channels provide complete circular fluid paths with respect to the tubing hanger and the completion device. A supply bore and a drain bore are in communication with each circumferential channel and oriented to supply a fluid to and remove fluid from, respectively, the circumferential channel. A circumferential electrical connector couples the tubing hanger and the completion device. The circumferential channels and bores provide fluid services between the completion device and the tubing hanger and the electrical connector provides electrical services to the tubing hanger. The completion system allows the fluid and electrical services to be provided without requiring any angular alignment between the tubing hanger and the completion device.