Wellhead Tool Conveyance Apparatus for Subsea Operations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for deploying and retrieving tubing hanger plugs in subsea well installations require significant specialized equipment and vessels, leading to high costs and limited operational capacity due to the need for highly specialized vessels and personnel.
Innovation Solution
A compact apparatus with a reconfigurable actuator arrangement that can be mounted on a wellhead, allowing for the deployment and retrieval of tools, such as tubing hanger plugs, using a lower category vessel, which includes a housing with a packing seal arrangement and an actuator that can extend to convey tools into and out of the well installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional workover techniques are used to deploy and retrieve tubing hanger plugs, then the tools can be conveyed into and from the well installation, but significant specialized equipment and vessels are required, resulting in high costs and limited operational capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the conventional integrated workover system into separate functional modules: a conveyance tool for deploying/retrieving plugs and a separate setting tool for actuating the plug. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and reduces the overall system complexity and vessel requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the core functionality of plug deployment and retrieval from the complex conventional workover system, creating a standalone apparatus that can be deployed with smaller, less specialized vessels. This extraction eliminates the need for highly specialized intervention vessels while maintaining operational capability.
2Ease of operation
If conventional workover techniques are used, then tools can be conveyed into the well installation, but significant vessel and personnel mobilisation is required, resulting in significant costs
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyance apparatus is designed with universal coupling mechanisms that can accommodate different tool types and well configurations. The actuator arrangement can be reconfigured for different operational modes (deployment, retrieval, setting), reducing the need for multiple specialized vessels and personnel teams.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a simplified replica approach where the conveyance tool mimics the essential functions of complex workover systems without requiring the full sophistication of conventional equipment. This allows operations to be performed with less expensive, smaller vessels that don't require extensive specialized personnel.
3Device complexity
If a compact apparatus with reconfigurable actuator arrangement is used, then operations can be performed with smaller vessels, but the apparatus must be precisely coupled to the tool to be conveyed
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator arrangement is designed to be reconfigurable between different positions and configurations depending on the operational phase. This dynamic adaptability allows the same apparatus to handle different tool types and well configurations, reducing coupling precision requirements while maintaining operational effectiveness with smaller vessels.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs adjustable parameters in the coupling mechanism, such as variable stroke lengths, adjustable sealing positions, and reconfigurable connection geometries. These parameter changes allow the apparatus to accommodate tolerances and variations in tool dimensions, reducing the stringency of coupling precision requirements.
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
This solution reduces transport and operational costs by enabling operations with smaller, less specialized vessels, increasing operational capacity and efficiency while maintaining functionality, and allows for reduced equipment and personnel requirements.
Implementation Method 1
the conveying arrangement comprises an actuator arrangement configurable between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration to move the tool into and/from the housing
Implementation Method 2
A packing seal arrangement may be disposed between the conveying arrangement and the housing. In use, the packing seal arrangement may ensure pressure competent sealing between the housing and the conveying arrangement
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus (10; 110; 310) for conveying a tool (12; 112; 312) into and/or from a well installation (W) comprises a conveying arrangement (16; 116; 316) configured for coupling to a housing (14; 114; 314) for receiving the tool to be conveyed (12; 112; 312). The conveying arrangement (16; 116; 316) includes an actuator arrangement (28; 128; 328) configurable between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. The apparatus (10; 110; 310) is configured for location on a wellhead (WH) of the well installation (W), movement of the actuator arrangement (28; 128; 328) between the retracted configuration and the extended configuration moving the tool to be conveyed (12; 112; 312) into and/or from the housing (14; 114; 314) and thus into and/or from the well installation (W).