Wellhead Access Valve Assembly for Pressure-Safe Valve Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wellhead assembly systems face challenges in efficiently controlling fluid flow through access ports and facilitating the removal of external valves while maintaining pressure integrity, particularly in subterranean resource extraction operations.
Innovation Solution
Integration of internal valves within pressure-containing components of wellhead assemblies, such as moveable plugs, gates, and ball valves, which can be actuated hydraulically or mechanically to control flow through access passages and serve as secondary seals after external valve removal, ensuring fluid containment and enabling seamless valve exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If external valves are attached to the side of the wellhead to control flow through outlet ports, then flow control capability is improved, but device complexity and the need for separate VR plugs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the external valve and VR plug functions into a single integrated valve assembly. The internal valve is positioned within the outlet port such that it performs both flow control and provides a sealing barrier, eliminating the need for separate VR plugs while maintaining operational capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated valve assembly serves multiple functions: it controls fluid flow through the outlet port, provides a pressure seal when closed, and enables safe removal of external valves. This multi-functional design reduces the total number of components needed in the wellhead assembly.
2Reliability
If a plug is installed through an external valve and threaded into an outlet port to seal the outlet port, then pressure integrity is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to additional installation steps
Solution Approach 1:
The internal valve is pre-installed and positioned within the outlet port before external valve installation. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the external valve is removed, the internal valve is already in place to maintain the pressure seal, eliminating the need for separate plug installation steps.
3Ease of operation
If internal valves are integrated into pressure-containing components, then ease of operation is improved by enabling seamless valve exchange, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The internal valve is nested within the outlet port structure, positioned inside the pressure-containing component. This nested arrangement allows the internal valve to be integrated into the existing wellhead assembly without requiring major structural modifications, balancing manufacturing feasibility with operational benefits.
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
Enhances fluid control and maintenance operations by allowing internal valves to function as secondary seals, facilitating the removal of external valves while maintaining pressure integrity and reducing the need for separate VR plugs, thus improving operational efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
which can be actuated hydraulically or mechanically to control flow through access passages
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus includes a valve coupled to a pressure-containing component of a wellhead assembly. The pressure-containing component can include a hollow body, a bore within the hollow body, and an access passage that is in the hollow body and is in fluid communication with the bore. The valve can include a sealing element that is positioned along the access passage and is selectively moveable between closed and open positions to control fluid flow through the access passage. During operation, the sealing element may be moved between the closed and open positions without actuating the sealing element through an outer end of the access passage. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.