Wear Bushing Retrieval Tool for Wellhead Assembly Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drilling and extraction operations in wellhead assemblies often result in premature wear and degradation due to unintended contact between long pipes and wellhead components, necessitating a solution for safely retrieving wear bushings that protect these components during tubular string operations.
Innovation Solution
A wear bushing retrieval tool is designed to be coupled with the tubular string and run into the wellhead assembly to engage and remove the wear bushing, utilizing securement features that allow decoupling from the string as it continues to be inserted, enabling retrieval before the tubular string is cemented in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wear bushing is installed in the wellhead assembly to protect components from contact damage, then the wellhead components are protected from premature wear, but the wear bushing itself becomes a component that needs to be retrieved after serving its protective function
Solution Approach 1:
The wear bushing is equipped with a retrieval feature (annular groove or protrusion) during its initial installation in the wellhead assembly. This preliminary preparation enables future retrieval operations without requiring complex additional equipment, as the retrieval mechanism is already integrated into the wear bushing structure itself.
Solution Approach 2:
A retrieval tool acts as an intermediary device that couples to the wear bushing's retrieval feature and transmits forces to remove the wear bushing from the wellhead assembly. This intermediary tool simplifies the retrieval process by providing a direct mechanical interface between the removal mechanism and the wear bushing.
2Productivity
If the wear bushing is removed after tubular string operations to prevent interference with cementing, then the cementing operation can proceed without obstruction, but the wear bushing must be retrieved from the wellhead assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The retrieval feature is pre-installed on the wear bushing during manufacturing or initial installation, enabling straightforward removal later. This preliminary design consideration transforms a potentially difficult removal operation into a simple, tool-based extraction process.
Solution Approach 2:
The wear bushing is completely extracted from the wellhead assembly using a retrieval tool that couples to the retrieval feature and applies extraction forces. This complete removal eliminates any interference with subsequent cementing operations while using a relatively simple extraction mechanism.
3Reliability
If the wear bushing remains in place during tubular string operations, then continuous protection is maintained, but the wear bushing may interfere with subsequent cementing or other wellhead operations
Solution Approach 1:
The wear bushing is completely extracted from the wellhead assembly using a retrieval tool that couples to the retrieval feature and applies extraction forces. This complete removal eliminates any interference with subsequent cementing operations while using a relatively simple extraction mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The wear bushing is removed from the wellhead assembly after completing its protective function during tubular string operations. The retrieval feature enables this discarding process, allowing the wear bushing to be recovered and the wellhead assembly to be prepared for subsequent operations like cementing.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a wear bushing retrieval tool. The wear bushing retrieval tool an annular main body configured to be disposed about a tubular string, a plurality of locking dogs, wherein each locking dog of the plurality of locking dogs is pivotably coupled to the annular main body, a first axial securement feature coupled to the annular main body, and a second axial securement feature coupled to the main body, wherein the first and second axial securement features are configured to cooperatively axially capture a coupling of the tubular string when the annular main body is disposed about the tubular string.