Tubing Hanger Running Tool Integrated Pressure Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The deployment of hydraulic umbilical lines in subsea oil and gas operations is costly and time-consuming, consuming significant space on vessels or platforms, and is necessary for controlling tubing hanger running tools, including maintaining subsurface safety valves and pressure equalization in drilling and production systems.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a pressure release valve, a soft landing system, and a pressure equalization system within the tubing hanger running tool (THRT) eliminates the need for separate hydraulic connections to the surface vessel or platform by maintaining hydraulic pressure and pressure equalization internally, allowing the THRT to operate independently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydraulic umbilical lines are used to control the tubing hanger running tool, then the tool can maintain hydraulic pressure and control subsurface safety valves, but the deployment becomes costly and time-consuming while consuming significant space on vessels or platforms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hydraulic actuation system directly into the tubing hanger running tool by integrating a hydraulic actuator and accumulator within the tool body itself, eliminating the need for separate umbilical lines. The accumulator stores hydraulic energy locally, allowing the tool to maintain pressure and control safety valves without external hydraulic connections, thereby reducing deployment time and space requirements while preserving reliable hydraulic pressure maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The tubing hanger running tool becomes self-sufficient by incorporating an integrated accumulator that stores hydraulic energy and a self-contained actuation system. The tool can autonomously maintain hydraulic pressure, activate subsurface safety valves, and perform pressure equalization without requiring continuous external hydraulic supply through umbilical lines, thus eliminating deployment complexities and space consumption.
2Reliability
If hydraulic umbilical lines are used to control the tubing hanger running tool, then the tool can maintain hydraulic pressure and control subsurface safety valves, but the deployment becomes costly and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic actuation system is merged directly into the tubing hanger running tool by integrating a hydraulic actuator and accumulator within the tool body. This integration eliminates the need for separate umbilical lines, allowing the tool to maintain hydraulic pressure and control safety valves independently, thereby improving operational efficiency by eliminating deployment complexities while preserving reliable hydraulic pressure maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The tubing hanger running tool becomes self-sufficient with an integrated accumulator that stores hydraulic energy and a self-contained actuation system. The tool can autonomously maintain hydraulic pressure, activate subsurface safety valves, and perform pressure equalization without requiring external hydraulic supply, thus enhancing operational efficiency by eliminating the time-consuming deployment process while maintaining reliable hydraulic control.
3Reliability
If hydraulic umbilical lines are used to control the tubing hanger running tool, then the tool can maintain hydraulic pressure and control subsurface safety valves, but large amounts of space on the deck of the vessel or platform are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic actuation system is merged directly into the tubing hanger running tool by integrating a hydraulic actuator and accumulator within the tool body, eliminating the need for separate umbilical lines. This integration removes the space-consuming umbilical infrastructure from the vessel deck while preserving the ability to maintain hydraulic pressure and control safety valves, thereby reducing the area required on the vessel or platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The tubing hanger running tool becomes self-sufficient with an integrated accumulator that stores hydraulic energy and a self-contained actuation system. The tool can autonomously maintain hydraulic pressure, activate subsurface safety valves, and perform pressure equalization without requiring external hydraulic supply infrastructure, thus eliminating the need for large amounts of deck space that would otherwise be consumed by umbilical line storage and management equipment.
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
This integration reduces the time and expense associated with tubing hanger running operations by eliminating the need for umbilical lines, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing vessel deck space requirements.
Implementation Method 1
an accumulator configured to maintain hydraulic pressure within the tubing hanger running tool
Implementation Method 2
a pressure release valve in fluid communication with the accumulator and the annulus of the wellhead
Data Source
AI summary
A system, in certain embodiments, includes a tubing hanger running tool (THRT) configured to position a tubing hanger within a wellhead. The THRT includes an integrated pressure equalization system including a tube having a first end in fluid communication with an annulus of the wellhead, and a second end in fluid communication with a control line. The integrated pressure equalization system also includes a piston disposed within the tube. The piston is configured to move within the tube to balance a pressure differential between a first fluid within the annulus and a second fluid within the control line.