Horizontal Valve Tree Tubing Hanger Modification Kit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing horizontal valve trees require the upper well completion to be pulled to the surface for maintenance or repair, which is costly and inefficient, especially since the need for such interventions has proven to be less frequent than anticipated.
Innovation Solution
A kit and method that modify the tubing hanger arrangement of a horizontal valve tree to allow it to be reused by replacing the original tubing hanger with a tubing hanger top and adapter, enabling the valve tree to be hung off in the wellhead or an adapter unit, thus facilitating independent retrieval without needing to pull the upper well completion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the original tubing hanger arrangement in horizontal valve tree is used, then the valve tree can be installed with tubing hanger fastened in centre passage, but the valve tree cannot be pulled independently without first pulling the upper well completion
Solution Approach 1:
The original single tubing hanger system is segmented into two separate tubing hangers: a first tubing hanger that remains fastened in the centre passage of the valve tree, and a second tubing hanger that is fastened in the wellhead or adapter unit. This segmentation allows the valve tree to be pulled independently with the first tubing hanger while the second tubing hanger remains in place, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A coupling device is introduced as an intermediary component to connect the first tubing hanger (in the valve tree) with the second tubing hanger (in the wellhead/adapter unit). This intermediary enables the transmission of forces and maintains the functional relationship between the two separated hangers, allowing independent valve tree retrieval while maintaining system integrity.
2Productivity
If the valve tree is modified to enable independent pulling, then operational efficiency and cost are improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the tubing hanger system into two independent hangers, the modification enables the valve tree to be pulled independently for maintenance or repair without requiring complete well completion retrieval. This segmentation directly improves productivity by reducing operational complexity and cost, while the added structural complexity is localized to the hanger arrangement rather than the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The modification applies local quality changes by concentrating the structural complexity only in the tubing hanger arrangement area, while leaving the rest of the valve tree and well completion systems unchanged. This localized approach improves operational efficiency without requiring system-wide redesign, balancing productivity gains with manageable complexity increases.
3Reliability
If communication paths are maintained for downhole functions, then system functionality is preserved, but the modification process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device serves as an intermediary that maintains communication paths between the first tubing hanger (valve tree side) and the second tubing hanger (wellhead side). This intermediary ensures that downhole functions remain connected and operational during the modification process, preserving system reliability while managing the complexity of the modification through a structured connection approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The modification process employs preliminary actions by pre-planning and pre-positioning the two tubing hangers and their coupling mechanism before actual installation. This allows communication paths to be established and verified in advance, ensuring system functionality is maintained throughout the modification process while reducing on-site complexity through prepared configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
A kit is for modification of a horizontal valve tree to facilitate pulling of the valve tree without first having to pull a connected upper well completion having an original, first tubing hanger in a center passage in the valve tree. The kit has a tubing hanger top, a second tubing hanger and a tubing hanger adapter. The tubing hanger top has communication paths corresponding to communication paths in systems arranged downstream in or by the valve tree. The second tubing hanger has communication paths for communicating with downhole installations in a well. The tubing hanger adapter has devices for coupling the tubing hanger adapter with the tubing hanger top and the second tubing hanger, and communication paths for coupling the communication paths of the tubing hanger top with the corresponding communication paths of the second tubing hanger. A method is for modifying a valve tree via the modification kit.