Subsea Quick Union Self-Aligning Threading Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional quick union systems for subsea landing strings in offshore drilling operations require extensive alignment and testing of hydraulic and electrical lines, which is time-consuming and prone to human error, and do not provide real-time feedback on pressure retention during disconnection, leading to safety concerns and increased downtime.
Innovation Solution
A stabbable quick union system with a self-aligning threading interface that provides simultaneous hydraulic and electrical connections, utilizing wireless communication transducers to monitor and confirm pressure retention, allowing for faster assembly and disassembly, and reducing the need for external cabling and manual line testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional quick union systems are used for connecting landing strings, then hydraulic and electrical connections can be established, but extensive alignment and testing of lines is required which is time-consuming and prone to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The quick union system is divided into separate male and female components, each with integrated hydraulic and electrical connection elements. This segmentation allows independent alignment of hydraulic and electrical paths, reducing the complexity of simultaneous alignment and minimizing human error during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
Hydraulic and electrical connection elements are merged into a single integrated quick union assembly. The male and female components simultaneously establish both hydraulic line connections and electrical conductor connections through one mating action, eliminating the need for separate alignment and testing procedures for each system.
2Reliability
If traditional quick union systems are used, then connections can be made, but real-time feedback on pressure retention during disconnection is not provided, leading to safety concerns
Solution Approach 1:
Pressure sensors are integrated into the quick union system to provide real-time feedback on pressure retention status during disconnection operations. This feedback mechanism allows operators to monitor pressure conditions and make informed decisions, enhancing safety by preventing premature disconnection under unsafe pressure conditions.
3Reliability
If traditional quick union systems are used, then hydraulic and electrical connections can be established, but extensive manual line testing is required which increases downtime
Solution Approach 1:
Hydraulic line testing and electrical connection verification are performed as preliminary actions during the assembly process itself, rather than as separate post-assembly procedures. The quick union design incorporates test ports and verification mechanisms that allow operators to confirm connection integrity immediately upon mating, eliminating the need for extensive separate testing and reducing overall downtime.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for serving as a connection interface between a lower landing string and an upper landing string is provided. The system includes a quick union device comprising a first quick union component that is operable to couple to the upper landing string and a second quick union component that is operable to couple to the lower landing string. The first quick union component and the second quick union component respectively include a self-aligning threading interface that provides hydraulic and electrical connections when the first and second quick union components are connected to one another. The quick union device provides real-time feedback via wireless communication transducers that measure pressure and report that the measured pressure is retained in a plurality of hydraulic lines of the second quick union component when the first and second quick union components are disconnected from one another.