Wellhead VR Plug Assembly for Removable Flow Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow control assemblies in wellhead systems are inefficient in managing fluid flow due to suboptimal construction, which affects the extraction and injection operations in mineral extraction systems, both onshore and offshore.
Innovation Solution
A valve removal (VR) plug assembly is designed with a dual-part configuration, featuring a plug body and an energizing plug body, which includes a biasing member and a pin mechanism to override the biasing force, allowing for controlled fluid flow and automatic return to a sealed position, ensuring efficient fluid management within wellhead components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flow control assembly is positioned within a wellhead passageway to control fluid flow, then fluid extraction and injection operations can be managed, but the assembly may become stuck or difficult to remove due to pressure differential forces
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control assembly is divided into two separable parts: a valve body that remains in the wellhead and a plug that can be removed. This segmentation allows the plug to be extracted independently without removing the entire assembly, eliminating the risk of the complete assembly becoming stuck during removal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The critical flow control function is extracted into a removable plug component that can be independently extracted from the wellhead. The plug contains the sealing element and flow control mechanism, allowing it to be taken out separately while the valve body remains installed, solving the removal difficulty problem.
2Productivity
If a flow control assembly is designed with complex components to manage fluid flow, then precise flow control is achieved, but the construction complexity increases affecting manufacturing and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The complex sealing and flow control components are extracted into a self-contained removable plug. This concentrates the complexity into a single replaceable unit rather than distributing it throughout the entire assembly, simplifying manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable plug is designed as a universal component that can be used with different valve body configurations. The plug contains universal sealing and flow control features that work across multiple applications, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high flow control efficiency.
3Reliability
If a flow control assembly uses traditional sealing mechanisms, then fluid flow control is achieved, but fluid loss occurs when the assembly is separated from the wellhead
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is pre-loaded with a biasing force that automatically engages when the plug is inserted into the valve body. This preliminary action ensures the seal is established before any fluid flow occurs, preventing fluid loss during connection and disconnection operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing mechanism is self-actuating through a biasing member that automatically applies sealing force when the plug is in position. The system uses the insertion motion itself to compress the seal, requiring no external actuation or additional components, thereby preventing fluid loss through automatic seal engagement.
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 VR plug assembly enhances fluid flow control by enabling efficient injection and extraction while automatically returning to a sealed position upon separation from the wellhead component, ensuring reliable operation and minimizing fluid loss.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member configured to bias the plug body in a first direction toward a sealed position
Implementation Method 2
a pin mechanism to override the biasing force
Data Source
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AI summary
A system includes a flow control assembly 10 having a first portion 40 configured to be positioned within and coupled to a first passageway formed in a wellhead component 16 and a second portion 80 configured to be coupled to a second passageway formed in a body 24 that is configured to be coupled to the wellhead component. An actuator 92 of the second portion is configured to drive a valve member 48 of the first portion into an open position to enable fluid flow across the flow control assembly.