Wellhead Lubricator Pressure Balancing and Automated Rod Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wellhead lubricators, particularly the hydraulic style, pose safety risks due to manual operation and require significant hydraulic power, with potential for pressure differential-induced buckling of the polished rod, necessitating complex monitoring and regulation.
Innovation Solution
A wellhead lubricator design featuring a yoke housing with clamps and an extensible actuator, allowing for coordinated operation to translate the polished rod safely and efficiently, with pressure balancing and hydraulic components for controlled movement, eliminating the need for manual operation and high-pressure hydraulic systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hydraulic pressure is applied to move the polished rod, then the rod can be moved into and out of the wellhead, but the pressure differential may cause the polished rod to buckle
Solution Approach 1:
The lubricator chamber is pressure-balanced with the wellhead, maintaining equal pressure on both sides of the polished rod. This eliminates pressure differential that would cause rod buckling, allowing safe automated movement of the rod into and out of the wellhead without exceeding buckling pressure limits
2Reliability
If manual operation is used, then safety risks to operators exist, but the system requires less complex hydraulic components
Solution Approach 1:
Manual mechanical operation is replaced with an automated hydraulic system that uses pressure-balanced chambers and controlled fluid pressure to move the polished rod. This substitution eliminates direct operator exposure to high-pressure wellhead environments while the pressure-balancing mechanism simplifies the hydraulic control requirements
3Reliability
If pressure regulation is implemented to prevent buckling, then rod safety improves, but the system requires complex monitoring and regulation
Solution Approach 1:
The lubricator chamber is pressure-balanced with the wellhead, maintaining equal pressure on both sides of the polished rod. This eliminates pressure differential that would cause rod buckling, allowing safe automated movement of the rod into and out of the wellhead without exceeding buckling pressure limits
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
The solution provides a safer and more efficient method for inserting and retrieving tools from the wellhead, reducing the risk of buckling and eliminating the need for large hydraulic power sources and complex monitoring systems, ensuring stable operation across varying wellhead pressures.
Implementation Method 1
The extensible actuator, the first clamp, and the second clamp are configured to be operated in coordinated manner to provide translation of the barrel rod along the axis of the yoke cavity
Data Source
AI summary
In one of its example aspects the technology disclosed herein concerns a wellhead lubricator. In an example embodiment and mode the wellhead lubricator comprises a yoke housing; a first clamp; a second clamp; and, an extensible actuator. The yoke housing comprises a first end configured for connection to a barrel housing and a second end configured for connection to a wellhead. The yoke housing defines a yoke cavity through which a barrel rod extends along an axis of the yoke cavity. The first clamp is situated in the yoke cavity and is configured for selective engagement with the barrel rod. The second clamp is also situated in the yoke cavity and is configured for selective engagement with the barrel rod. The extensible actuator is connected to at least one of the first clamp and the second clamp. The extensible actuator, the first clamp, and the second clamp are configured to be operated in coordinated manner to provide translation of the barrel rod along the axis of the yoke cavity.