Wellhead Flange System for Mobile Rig Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in the oil and gas industry is maintaining sufficient clearance between the wellhead and a mobile rig while supporting telemetry systems, such as antenna suspension cables, without deterring the movement of the mobile rig, which is often obstructed by traditional electromagnetic telemetry systems attached to the wellhead.
Innovation Solution
A flange system is used in combination with a cable clamp assembly at the wellhead, featuring a connector portion coupled to the wellhead and a cylinder portion that extends into a bore, allowing the cable clamp assembly to be partially disposed within the wellhead, thus providing necessary clearance and supporting cables like electromagnetic telemetry systems without disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional electromagnetic telemetry systems are attached to the wellhead, then the cable is supported and telemetry function is provided, but the clearance between the wellhead and mobile rig is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cable clamp assembly is nested within the flange structure, specifically positioned inside the bore of the wellhead. The flange provides an internal cavity that houses the cable clamp assembly, allowing the telemetry system to be supported without protruding above the wellhead surface, thus maintaining clearance for mobile rig movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable support structure is transitioned from a vertical protrusion above the wellhead to a horizontal integration within the wellhead bore. By moving the cable clamp assembly into the bore dimension, the system maintains its support function while eliminating the vertical clearance obstruction.
2Length of moving object
If the cable clamp assembly is positioned within the wellhead bore, then clearance is maintained, but the cable support structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The flange is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support for the wellhead, creates the clearance-maintaining configuration by extending into the bore, and houses the cable clamp assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby managing complexity while achieving the clearance objective.
Solution Approach 2:
The flange system combines the cable clamp assembly with the wellhead structure itself. Rather than using a separate external support structure, the flange integrates the cable support function into the existing wellhead bore, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining clearance.
3Length of moving object
If the flange system is used to support the cable clamp assembly within the bore, then clearance is maintained and telemetry function is provided, but the manufacturing and installation process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The flange system is pre-configured with the cable clamp assembly during manufacturing, allowing for preliminary assembly and testing before installation at the wellhead. This reduces on-site complexity and ensures proper integration of the cable support structure within the bore before the actual installation occurs.
Data Source
AI summary
A technique enables maintenance of sufficient clearance between a wellhead and, for example, a mobile rig. The technique facilitates support of a cable, e.g. an antenna suspension cable, at the wellhead without detrimentally affecting the desired clearance. According to an embodiment, a flange system is used in combination with a cable clamp assembly at a wellhead. The flange system may comprise a flange having a connector portion configured for coupling with the wellhead. The flange also comprises a cylinder portion coupled to the connector portion such that the cylinder portion extends into a corresponding bore of the wellhead. The cable clamp assembly is configured to clamp around and support a cable extending down through the wellhead. The cable clamp assembly is supported within the cylinder portion of the flange such that the cable clamp assembly is at least partially disposed within the wellhead.