Connector
23 claims: 9 independent, 14 dependent
- 1REIVINDICAÇÕES 1. Conector para conectar componentes de um sistema submarino, caracterizado pelo fato do conector compreender componentes macho e fêmea, meios guia para ajudar a orientação preliminar do 5 componente macho dentro do componente fêmea e meios para puxar o componente macho para o componente fêmea, e meios de travamento para fixar o componente macho dentro do componente fêmea.
- 2Conector de acordo com a reivindicação 1, caracterizado pelo fato dos meios guia compreenderem uma superfície afilada provida sobre 10 o componente fêmea.
- 3Conector de acordo com a reivindicação 2, caracterizado pelo fato da superfície afilada ser um cone provido sobre uma extremidade do componente fêmea.
- 4Conector de acordo com a reivindicação 3, caracterizado 15 pelo fato da superfície do cone ser lisa para impedir qualquer dano ao componente macho durante o contato inicial com a superfície.
- 5Conector de acordo com qualquer uma das reivindicações precedentes, caracterizado pelo fato dos meios guia compreenderem um cone sobre o componente macho para ajudar no direcionamento inicial do 20 componente macho para o componente fêmea.
- 6Conector de acordo com qualquer uma das reivindicações precedentes, caracterizado pelo fato dos meios para puxar o componente macho para o componente fêmea compreenderem uma superfície de apoio montada dentro do componente fêmea. 25
- 7Conector de acordo com a reivindicação 6, caracterizado pelo fato do componente macho compreender uma superfície de apoio que coopera com a superfície de apoio do componente da fêmea, quando o componente macho é inserido no componente fêmea.
- 8Conector de acordo com a reivindicação 7, caracterizado pelo fato das superfícies de apoio serem anulares.
- 9Conector de acordo com qualquer uma das reivindicações 6, 7 ou 8, caracterizado pelo fato da superfície de apoio do componente fêmea ser móvel verticalmente dentro do componente fêmea.
- 10Conector de acordo com a reivindicação 9, caracterizado pelo fato de serem providos meios para levantar e abaixar a superfície de apoio fêmea, dentro do componente fêmea.
- 11Conector de acordo com a reivindicação 10, caracterizado pelo fato dos mencionados meios para levantar e abaixar a superfície de apoio fêmea serem meios hidráulicos.
- 12Conector de acordo com a reivindicação 7, ou qualquer uma das reivindicações 8-11, quando dependentes da reivindicação 7, caracterizado pelo fato de serem providos meios para aplicar uma força radialmente contra a superfície de apoio do componente macho para prender mecanicamente o componente macho dentro do componente fêmea antes de puxar o componente macho para o componente fêmea.
- 13Conector de acordo com a reivindicação 12, caracterizado pelo fato do aplicador da força radial ser um pistão hidráulico.
- 14Conector de acordo com qualquer uma das. reivindicações precedentes, caracterizado pelo fato dos componentes macho e fêmea serem providos com superfícies de cooperação para estabelecer conexão de dispositivos hidráulicos, elétricos, ou óticos através do conector.
- 15Conector de acordo com a reivindicação 14, caracterizado pelo fato das superfícies de cooperação serem anulares.
- 16Conector de acordo com a reivindicação 14 ou 15, caracterizado pelo fato de dispositivos de acoplamento hidráulicos, elétricos, ou óticos serem providos sobre o componente fêmea, os mencionados dispositivos sendo atuáveis para se estender através da superfície de cooperação do componente fêmea para a superfície de cooperação do componente macho para estabelecer uma conexão através do conector.
- 17Conector de acordo com a reivindicação 14 ou 15, caracterizado pelo fato de dispositivos de acoplamento hidráulicos, elétricos, ou óticos serem providos sobre o componente macho, os mencionados dispositivos sendo atuáveis para se estender através da superfície de cooperação do componente macho para a superfície de cooperação do componente fêmea para estabelecer uma conexão através do conector.
- 18Conector de acordo com qualquer uma das reivindicações precedentes, caracterizado pelo fato de uma armação ser provida ao redor do componente fêmea para permitir inspeção visual do componente e manuseio, por ROV, do componente.
- 19Conector de acordo com qualquer uma das reivindicações precedentes, caracterizado pelo fato dos meios para travar mutuamente os componentes macho e fêmea compreenderem um ou mais membros de travamento sobre o componente fêmea que são extensíveis para um ou mais detentores no componente macho.
- 20Método para conectar mutuamente componentes de um sistema submarino, caracterizado pelo fato de compreender as etapas de guiar um componente macho do conector para um componente fêmea do conector em uma orientação preliminar e, subseqüentemente, puxar o componente macho para o componente fêmea antes de travar o componente macho na posição dentro do componente fêmea criando, desse modo, acesso total ao furo, axialmente, através do conector.
- 21Método de acordo com a reivindicação 20, caracterizado pelo fato de uma superfície de apoio do conector macho ser levada para contato com uma superfície de apoio do conector fêmea e o componente macho ser acoplado ao componente fêmea.
- 22Método de acordo com a reivindicação 21, caracterizado pelo fato da superfície de apoio do componente fêmea ser descida dentro do componente fêmea para puxar o componente macho acoplado à mesma para uma posição de travamento.
- 23Sistema submarino, caracterizado pelo fato de incorporar um conector como definido em qualquer uma das reivindicações 1-19. tn cS 2Π
Independent claims23
124 paragraphs in 2 sections, as filed
(54) Title: CONNECTOR TO CONNECT (57) Summary:
COMPONENTS OF A SUBMARINE SYSTEM,
METHOD FOR MUTUALLY CONNECTING COMPONENTS OF A SUBMARINE SYSTEM, AND,
SUBMARINE SYSTEM.
(30) Unionist Priority: 03/16/2007 gb 0705093.3 (73) Holder (s): Lewis Limited (72) Inventor (s): David ErnestMckay, Drummond Lawson, Malcolm George Cameron Milne (74) Attorney (s): Momsen , Leonardos & Cia.
(86) International Order: pct GB2008000888 of 13/03/2008 (87) International Publication: wo 2008 / U3979de 25/09/2008
<img file="BRPI0808959A2_D0001.tif" />
“CONNECTOR TO CONNECT COMPONENTS FROM A SUBMARINE SYSTEM, METHOD TO MUTUALLY CONNECT COMPONENTS FROM A SUBMARINE SYSTEM, AND, SUBMARINE SYSTEM”
This invention relates to a connector for mutually connecting well maintenance equipment and the like, or connecting this well maintenance equipment to well heads, or the like. The invention relates in particular to a subsea connector for use in subsea wellhead intervention systems and, more particularly, to a connector for connecting individual components of these systems, remotely, by means of applied hydraulic pressure.
Offshore production can be carried out from an underwater wellhead completed on the seabed. A riser can be installed to provide means of transporting tools from the surface to the wellhead, or underwater tree and subsequently to the well below. The riser can be formed of one or more mutually connected tubular sections. Individual sections of the riser can provide different functions in relation to transporting tools from the surface to the seabed, and vice versa. In the following explanation, sections of lubricator will be described, but other riser components are similarly covered by the scope of the present invention.
When numerous individual riser sections are required to reach the surface, adjacent sections are joined together via connectors.
During drilling, testing, and operating an oil well, it is often necessary to insert and remove devices, such as well profiling devices, and to position tools to replace equipment, such as valves, pressure plugs, etc. These operations are often performed using a technique known as cabling, where the component to be inserted into the well is lowered into the well suspended by a cable.
The device can be lowered to the wellhead via a connector mutually joining two adjacent riser sections. One half of the connector is provided on the upper end of the existing installation, and the other half of the connector, which matches the first and the device to be inserted in the wellhead, can be supported independently from the surface. Alternatively, the matching connector half can be supported on the device itself.
With valves below the lower female connector component closed against fluid pressure from the well, the male component is lowered until the device is inserted into the female component of the connector, with the male component consequently obstructing the upper part of the riser. Once a fluid impermeable pressure seal is established, the lower valve can be opened and the device lowered to the wellhead.
Known remotely actuated connectors are formed from male and female components, and the connector can establish both a physical connection between the two pieces of equipment, as well as a hydraulic or electrical connection between the components, to provide control and performance of the equipment newly installed. The remotely actuated connectors eliminate expensive manual connection operations and repeated use of divers, and allow operations at depths that divers cannot reach, when connecting well maintenance equipment and disconnecting it from underwater wellheads.
The connector must perform numerous functions during operation:
a) provide sufficient direction from the male part of the connector to the female part;
b) allow unassisted remote fitting without damage to the connector components and associated control lines;
c) provide a primary seal against the internal pressure of the well hole;
d) braking with sufficient structural strength to withstand the entire load of internal pressure plus external load; and
e) establish hydraulic, electrical and or optical communication, through the interface, of the male and female parts of the connector.
In the hostile environment in which the cabling operations described above are performed and at the extreme depths that are encountered, any damage to the connector, particularly during insertion of the male component of the connector into the female component of the connector, can lead to damage to the main seal through the connector, or damage to hydraulic, electrical, or optical couplings within the connector.
When this occurs, the cabling operation has to be performed again to remove the installed equipment and to lift the damaged connector to the surface. The connector must then be inspected and replaced, or repaired. If the damage occurred in the lower part of the connector, then both pieces of equipment must be removed from the well before further operations can be restarted.
The present invention aims to provide a connector that satisfies or at least mitigates each of the above functions.
According to an aspect of the present invention, a connector is provided for connecting components of an underwater system, the connector comprising male and female components, guide means to assist the preliminary orientation of the male component within the female component and means for pulling the male component for the female component, as well as locking means for fixing the male component to the female component.
Preferably, the guide means comprises a tapered surface provided on the female component.
Advantageously, the tapered surface is a cone provided on one end of the female component.
Preferably the surface of the cone is smooth to prevent any damage to the male component during initial contact with the surface.
Preferably, too, the guide means comprise a cone over the male component to assist in the initial direction of the male component to the female component.
Preferably, the means for pulling the male component into the female component comprises a support surface mounted within the female component.
Preferably, the male component comprises a support surface that cooperates with the support surface of the female component when the male component is inserted into the female component.
The support surfaces are advantageously annular.
Preferably, the support surface of the female component is movable vertically within the female component.
Preferably, also, means are provided for raising and lowering the female support surface within the female component.
Preferably, said means are hydraulic means.
Preferably, also, means are provided to apply a force radially against the supporting surface of the male component to mechanically clamp the male component within the female component before pulling the male component into the female component.
Preferably, the radial force applicator is a hydraulic piston.
Conveniently, the male and female components are provided with cooperation surfaces to establish the connection of hydraulic, electrical or optical devices, through the connector.
Preferably, the cooperation surfaces are annular.
Preferably, hydraulic, electrical, or optical coupling devices are provided on the female component, said devices being operable to extend across the cooperating surface of the female component to the cooperating surface of the male component to establish a connection through the connector.
Alternatively, hydraulic, electrical, or optical coupling devices are provided on the male component, said devices being operable to extend across the cooperation surface of the male component to the cooperation surface of the female component to establish a connection through the connector .
Advantageously, a frame is provided around the female component to allow visual inspection of the component and handling, by ROV, of the component. The frame also provides physical protection to the component and prevents the holding of guide cables, other cables, or objects, minimizing potential hazards to the safety of the vessel, or to the integrity of the well, on the female component.
Preferably the means for mutually locking the male and female components comprises one or more locking members on the female component which are extended to one or more detectors on the male component.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, a method of mutually connecting components of an underwater system is provided comprising the steps of mounting a male connector on one component and a female connector on the other, guiding the male connector to the female connector on one preliminary orientation and subsequently pull the male component into the female component before locking the male component into position within the female component, thereby creating full access to the hole, axially, through the connector.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, an underwater system is provided incorporating a connector according to the first aspect of the present invention.
The embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference and as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a connector according to an aspect of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is an enlarged bottom perspective view of the female component of the connector of Fig. 1 mounted on a lubricator section and with the frame removed for clarity;
Fig.3 is a schematic cross-sectional view through the female component;
Fig. 3a is a schematic view in additional cross section through the female component;
Fig. 4 is an enlarged bottom perspective view of the male component of the connector of Fig. 1;
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a lubricator section with the male and female connector components mounted at either end, and
Fig. 6 is a profile view showing several different versions of the male component for the connector of Fig. 1.
Turning now to the figures, a connector 1 is shown for mutually connecting subsea components, for example, a lubricator to a wellhead, or two sections of lubricator. In the embodiments described below, the connectors are mounted on the ends of two adjacent lubricator sections that must be mutually connected.
The connector comprises a female component 2 and a male component 3 each adapted to be mounted in a known manner on one end of a lubricator section.
The female component comprises a hollow cylindrical housing 4 around which a plurality of substantially rectangular hollow mounting means 5 are provided which, in this embodiment, are fixed to the external surface of the housing, but which could be integrally formed with it. Each mounting means is provided with a through hole 6.
Each mounting means serves as a guide for a hydraulic cylinder 7 mounted axially on the outer surface of the housing and passing through the hole in the mounting means. A piston 8 is provided inside each cylinder.
An axial notch 9 is provided on the outer surface of the mounting means, which serves to provide visual confirmation of the position of the piston within the cylinder. The notch also provides for the inclusion of direct neutralization of the pistons in the event of hydraulic failure. This can be configured separately or in combination with the function of the visual position indicator. The neutralization medium can be direct mechanical, that is, traction by ROV, or surface line, or by independent hydraulic, that is, the ROV places the hydraulic cylinder to lift the piston.
The distal end 10 of the housing, away from the lubricator section, is provided with a funnel comprising a cone 11 for directing a male component from the connector to the female component, as will be described more fully below, and in a duct 12. The duct The cone is mounted at the end of the hollow housing and provides fluid communication between the lubricator section below the housing and the lubricator section to be mounted on it.
The inclination of the inner face 13 of the cone can be selected depending on the size of the connector. The inner face of the cone is smooth in order to prevent any damage to the male component of the connector during insertion.
An annular flange 14 is provided in the funnel duct so that the region of the duct above the flange has a larger diameter than the region below the flange. The duct diameter below the flange is slightly larger than that of the female component housing to allow the funnel to be mounted on it.
Additional annular flanges (not shown) can be provided to allow additional direct communication. These additional flanges can be staggered, stacked or graduated, or provided in any appropriate arrangement within the duct.
The annular flange is provided with a plurality of holes 15 that extend through the flange from the upper face T to the lower face B. The upper face of the flange is located inside the funnel duct and the lower face of the flange faces the housing of the female component. The holes through the flange are positioned between the cylinders mounted externally on the housing.
A plurality of control couplers 16 is mounted on the cylinders 17 below the flange, each cylinder containing a coupler that can be extended through a hole in the flange to extend from the front face of the flange.
A substantially annular metallic support surface 18 is mounted within the channel duct, behind the annular flange. The supporting surface is tapered from the housing wall towards the inner edge of the surface and ends at a supported rim 19 within the female component.
One or more openings (not shown) can be provided on the support surface to receive a location key for a male component to assist in axial alignment of the components. In one embodiment, the opening (s) can be extended to the supporting surface and can be helically shaped, or angled, to help rotate a male component to the orientation needed for insertion.
In an alternative arrangement, the openings can be provided on the male component and the location keys provided on the supporting surface of the female component.
One or more actuating means 20, such as hydraulic cylinders 21, are provided radially within the bearing surface, said cylinders being extendable to apply a force radially through the extension rim of the bearing surface over a male component inserted in the female component.
Alternatively, the actuation means may be a piston, a mechanical finger, or a lever arm.
In addition, one or more hydraulic cylinders are mounted below the support surface and connected to it to raise and lower the support surface within the female component, as will be described below.
Locking means 22 are provided within the female component to mechanically retain a male component of the connector in position within the female component. In this embodiment, the locking means is actuated by the hydraulic cylinders 23 provided in the mounting means fixed to the external surface of the housing of the female component.
A cam 24 is mounted on the piston carried inside the cylinder, one of which is shown in Fig. 3. In an alternative arrangement (not shown), the cam can be integral with the piston. The meat extends into the housing of the female component under the hydraulic cylinder. The surface 25 of the meat, away from the cylinder, can be tapered, as shown in Fig. 3. The meat can have a reverse angle as will be described below.
A meat follower 26 is mounted adjacent the tapered surface of the meat, the follower having a tapered surface 27 facing the cam and a profiled surface 28 on the other side of it. The profiled surface, in this embodiment, is shown as one or more castings. A notch may be provided on the cam follower for engagement with the reverse angle of the cam, as described further below.
The vertical movement of the piston inside the cylinder moves the cam vertically inside the housing of the female component. When the tapered surface of the cam is raised and lowered, the cam follower is moved radially inward or outward against the cam.
A frame 29 is provided around the housing, the frame extending from the top edge of the funnel cone to a ring 30 mounted at a point on the lower end of the female component, or on the lubricator section below the female component. The frame comprises an open mast network 31, which may have a metallic lattice between the masts. The masts and the lattice, if used, provide protection to the component while allowing access for ROV or visual checks.
The male component of the connector is shown in Fig. 3 mounted on the end of a lubricator extension, however, it could similarly be mounted on a riser extending to the surface or to any other piece of equipment.
The male component comprises a hollow tubular mandrel 32 through which fluids can pass from the lower section of the equipment through the connector and to the upper piece of equipment. The free end 33 of the mandrel is chamfered to assist insertion of the free end into the female component.
The outer circumference of the mandrel carries the main seal 34 to prevent fluids from violating the connector. The main seal of the connector can be elastomeric, or be a metal for metal sealing. In the shown embodiment, the seal is provided by one or more resilient rings that are tightly attached around the mandrel.
The diameter of the mandrel above the main seal is enlarged through an enlarged skirt 35. Holders 36 are provided on the mandrel to lock the male component inside the female component. In the embodiment shown, the holders are provided over a reduced diameter waist 37 of the mandrel, behind the enlarged skirt 38.
The mandrel's waist ends at an annular flange that provides a shoulder 39 leading to an upper section of the mandrel that has an outside diameter similar to that of the skirt. Openings 40 'are provided on the outer surface of the upper section of the mandrel, through which keys can extend as described more fully below.
The distal end 41 of the upper mandrel section ends in an enlarged skirt 42 which is connected to an additional annular flange 43. The skirt can be integrally formed with the flange. The outer diameter of the annular flange matches that of the annular flange of the female component. Holes 44 are provided through the annular flange, said holes being alignable with the holes in the annular flange of the female component. Some holes may be provided in one or the other of the annular flanges, or the same number of holes may be provided in each of them.
The upper surface of the annular flange of the male component is provided with a hollow tubular nozzle 45 which, in the embodiment shown, is delicately tapered from the flange to the free end of the nozzle. The tubular nozzle is coaxial with the hollow mandrel to provide a flow path through the male component. The free end 46 of the nozzle is compartmented to receive the free end of a lubricator extension, or riser, or other piece of equipment for which the connection is required.
The operation of the connector will now be described. The female component 2 of the connector is mounted on the free end of a lubricator section, or the like, by push-fit connection, threaded connection, or any other appropriate connection means. The male component 3 of the connector is mounted on the end of an additional lubricator section, or riser. It can be a push-fit connection between the free end of the male component nozzle, or a threaded assembly, or another suitable fixation can be provided.
The keys on the mandrel of the male component are extended from the openings to assist in the rotating alignment of the male component within the female component.
In a submarine connection, the male component is likely to be lowered towards the female component, although other configurations are also considered appropriate.
When the male component approaches the female component, the free end 33 of the hollow mandrel 32 of the male component is guided by the guide cone 11 of the female component. The hydraulic control couplers 16 of the female component are removed below the surface of the annular flange 14 of the female component, so that they do not prevent insertion of the male component 3 into the female component 2 and to prevent damage to the connectors during insertion.
An additional advantage of the hydraulic control couplers 16 being removed below the surface of the annular flange 14 is that they effectively block the holes 15 through the annular flange, thereby preventing debris from clogging the holes during the insertion process and, being balanced by pressure, simultaneously allow that hydraulic supply lines are pressure tested against hydraulic couplers without the male component having been inserted into the female component.
In addition, the inner surface 13 of the guide cone has a smooth profile to ensure that there is no grip of the mandrel 32 on top of the cone, which provides additional protection to the connector components.
When the hollow mandrel 32 of the male component passes the coneguia 11, the keys 36 of the male component are received inside guide openings of the female component that pull the male component for rotational alignment with the female component.
The enlarged skirt 35 of the male component fits with the annular support surface 18 of the female component, which is in its raised position awaiting the uplift of the male component. This also keeps the main seal 34 of the tubular mandrel out of the socket with the female component to ensure that it is not damaged during the fitting of the connector components.
Once the mandrel of the male component is engaged in the annular support surface 18 of the female component, the radial hydraulic cylinder (s) 20 is actuated to apply a radial force on the extension ring 19 of the support surface which, in turn, causes the support surface to grasp the mandrel of the male component.
The hydraulic cylinders 21 mounted below the bearing surface are then actuated to remove the bearing surface 18 for the female component, thereby firmly pulling the mandrel from the male component to the female component, where the main seal of the connector is established between male and female components.
The external pistons 23 on the housing 4 of the female component are actuated so that the meat 24 is lowered with the pistons. When the meat descends into the female component, the tapered outer surface 25 of the cam (s) fits with the inner tapered surface 27 of the follower (s) 26 and the follower (s) is moved to move radially into the female component . The tapered surface generates a preload on the male component to increase the folding capacity of the connector. The follower casings 28 are locked in position within the mandrel holders 36 of the male component.
This positive downward pull from the male component to the female component ensures that the inherent resistance when fitting elastomeric seals cannot prevent the main seals of the connector 34 from fitting when only the weight of the connector is not sufficient, but it also facilitates the fitting of seals, such as metal against metal seals, which may require additional strength to fit and / or preload.
When the male component is pulled down onto the female component, the annular flanges 14, 38 of the two components are pulled together. The hydraulic control line couplers 16 are extended by applying hydraulic pressure through the holes 15 in the annular flange of the female component and into the holes in the annular flange of the male component. Since the hydraulic couplers do not fit until after the male component has been fully pulled into the female component and locked in place, this ensures that the alignment, locking and hydraulic coupling are three entirely independent operations, instead of happening simultaneously as do on existing connectors.
As the external housing of the hydraulic connections remains stationary and all movement is contained internally, there is no need for a hydraulic hose to be connected to the connection between the female connector and the hydraulic connections, thus avoiding the risk of damage to the hydraulic connections by continued flexing of this hose. This also facilitates the use of hard plumbing for the couplers below the annular flange of the female component, while avoiding the need to rely on flexibility to allow movement.
In the event of loss of hydraulic pressure that keeps the support surface of the female component in the lowered position, the mechanical locking between the male and female components is maintained, thus preventing failure of the connector. This is highlighted by the fact that the locking pistons operate in a downward direction, away from the surface, thereby preventing movement from the closed position, under the action of gravity.
In the event of loss of hydraulic pressure that keeps the hydraulic control line couplers in the extended position, the couplers being fully balanced by pressure, generating no separation force and, consequently, ensuring that they will not separate under pressure from the internal control line. . Hydraulic pressure on the retract function is required to separate the hydraulic couplers. In addition, the configuration of the hydraulic couplers is such that any internal pressure in the control line itself will act to keep the coupler in the extended position.
When it is necessary to disconnect the two lubricator sections from each other, the operation to connect the two components of the connector is reversed. The fluid pressure below the connector is discharged, for example, by closing a valve below the connector, the couplers 16 between the annular flanges of the male and female components being lowered to their retracted position below the surface of the annular flange of the female component.
The external pistons are actuated to lift the cam (s) inside the female component, thereby allowing the follower (s) to return to their radially outward position, so that the mechanical lock between the male and female components is removed . The confining surface 18 is then lifted into the female component to lift the mandrel 32 from the male component into the female component, thereby disengaging the main seal from the connector.
Once the external pistons are raised to raise the confining surface, the reverse angles in the meats 24 allow them to fit into the notches on the followers 26 and actively remove the followers from the male component. The radial hydraulic actuator on the support surface is deactivated to release the radial grip on the mandrel of the male component and the male component is removed from the cone of the female component.
It should be noted that the connector of the present invention provides a multi-stage connection process, in which the male component of the connector is protected during the initial alignment operation to prevent damage to the sealing components of the male connector.
The entire operation can be performed remotely without the need for divers nearby to inspect the connection. An ROV can be positioned in place to monitor the connection and the frame provided around the female component facilitates visual checks that can assist in the connection operation.
It is anticipated that the use of a connector as described will reduce the occurrence of damage occurring to the connector during installation and thereby reduce the downtime and labor required to remove, replace and repair these connectors in an environment off the coast.
One of the primary operational functions of the connector is to transport heavy equipment underwater. It is essential that the load on the connector is secure at all times. This is important not only from the perspective of the onboard hazards resulting from the fall of an object, but also of the subsequent hazards resulting from an object falling onto the well control equipment, below. The connector, as described, operates in the downward direction which ensures that, in the event that all hydraulic control pressure is lost, then the activation piston cannot have a tendency to move to an unsafe position under the action of gravity . This provides a true, fail-safe operation.
In addition, the connector serves to provide a primary barrier for the well fluids by supporting internal pressure forces and all forces applied externally. The connector of the present invention combines this basic function with the added function required for subsea use by maintaining all hydraulic control lines and operating mechanisms outside the primary well hole seal. Consequently, any leakage or failure of hydraulic seals cannot create communication between the borehole and the control hydraulics.
The locking mechanism of the present invention is not exposed to the fluid in the well bore, debris, or added stimulation fluids. This helps to keep the materials involved free from corrosion and also prevents the possibility of trapping a mechanism due to accumulated debris.
In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, when no preload is required on the male component of the connector, the tapered surface of the cam follower 27 of the female component can be replaced by a flat surface. In this embodiment, the cam slides behind the cam follower to provide a mechanical lock without any preload being placed on the male component of the connector
Connector 1, as described, is entirely stackable due to the hollow nature of the male and female components and the lack of any internal obstructions to the fluid passage. This creates the ability to extend well intervention risers to allow tool recovery without the need for equipment, positioning longer tool columns, or connecting a riser to the surface without the need to retrieve the riser self. -support previously installed, which are significant advantages in the intervention of an underwater well.
In addition, the connector is designed to ensure that when stacked, the control (whether electrical, electronic or hydraulic) is automatically passed from the lower connector to the higher connector, to prevent the risk of accidental disconnection of the lower connector.
In addition, the connector was specifically designed to allow a variant of the pressure control head, such as a cabling or E-line, to be interchangeable with a 18.73 cm fully through hole male component, as described. Examples are shown in Fig. 6.
Although the foregoing description has been outlined for a connector having hollow male and female components to allow the connector to allow well fluids to pass through it, it should be noted that the male component could be a solid body, such as a test mandrel. , or lifting, used to seal the top of a riser, to which a female component is mounted, or to provide a platform for cabling or tool recovery operations.
In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the external characteristics of the male component can be as described above, but the interior of the male component can be provided as one or more interchangeable cartridges, depending on the operation to be performed. Consequently, in the event that a stacking connector is required, a cartridge is inserted into the male component to provide a fully through hole, as described in the above embodiment. When a test or lifting mandrel is required, an empty cartridge can be provided that unclogs the hollow male component to allow the pressure test of the riser tube below the female component. The same cartridge design can also be used for cabling and E-Line chucks.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, when a test, or lifting, mandrel that clears the passage for well fluids through the female component is inserted into the female component for, for example, pressure testing, said mandrel test, or lifting, is provided with a connection means to allow a line to be provided between the mandrel and a surface installation, such as a floating platform, or a vessel, in order to position the intervention system from the platform, or vessel, to the underwater wellhead. The connection means can be a ring provided at the top of the test mandrel. Means may be provided to allow the remote release of the line, the ring, as, for example, in the case of loss of energy for the vessel, which would otherwise result in the floating platform, or vessel, being mechanically connected to the mandrel. test, but at the mercy of environmental conditions.
In this case, the connection means is automatically released to separate the physical connection between the test mandrel and the platform, or vessel, and to prevent any damage to the test mandrel, intervention system, underwater structure, or the floating platform, or vessel.
The means to allow remote release may be through the application of a hydraulic, electrical, or electronic signal (or a combination of the above) or by the loss of any one, or a combination, of the above.
An interlocking mechanism is included to ensure that the connection to the test mandrel cannot be driven until the intervention system has been safely secured over the subsea wellhead to prevent accidental release of the intervention system during positioning.
Before unlocking the connector, the contents of the riser below the connector must be flushed to prevent the loss of hydrocarbons to the environment. The wash outlet should be positioned as close as possible to the main well hole seal over the male part of the connector, in order to ensure complete removal of contaminants. For this purpose, a washing port was included in the “nose” of the e-line, cabling and variants of the test mandrel and raising of the male half, which directs the washing process through the mandrel and immediately under the main hole seal well, ensuring complete removal of contaminants.
The connector described above also has additional application in relation to the lubricant sets. The upper valve of a lubricator set has traditionally been configured in different ways for different systems. The valve is necessary to provide full access to the bore to allow tool columns to pass into the well. It also has to have the requirement to cut the cabling. This arises from the scenario where the tool column gets stuck when riding the main explosion pressure valves in the lower assembly and there is a section of the tool column that cannot be cut by the shearing impact forces.
In this case, the upper valve can cut the cable and close to isolate the well and allow additional corrective action to be taken. Traditionally, blast pressure-type cutting forces have been used for this purpose in the past. One drawback is the fact that they extend outwards for a distance and, consequently, take the upper set larger and more susceptible to gripping the guidelines.
The ball valve used for this purpose is thinner and will provide a metal-to-metal seal on the closure, however, it is expensive and depends on the sealing surface of the ball not being damaged during cutting, in order to affect a seal.
One option to resolve this is to separate the cutting and sealing operations by conducting the cutting operation within the mandrel of the male component of the connector described above and retaining the sealing operation below the connector. This option has numerous advantages.
The cutting mechanism can be provided inside the mandrel above the annular flange of the male component. The cutting mechanism is only needed to cut the cable, so you will only need a 2.54 cm hole. This will drastically reduce the size of the cutting mechanism.
The cutting mechanism is transferred into the male component of the connector when it is inserted into a different female component and, therefore, the cutting operation is transferable between connectors.
With the cutting mechanism transferred to the male component of the connector, the valve sealing mechanism can be of any type and now a flapper type could be used. The advantage of this is that flapper valves are consecrated as sealing devices and, when opened, a glove extends to cover all surfaces and sealing mechanisms, thus preventing them from being damaged and from entering debris, providing a solution to a lower and more lasting cost.
Although the connector has been described as being the most suitable for use in an off-shore environment, it should be noted that the connector, of course, could be used in other applications where a connection needs to be established between two adjacent parts of equipment.
Contents2
7 sheets
Sheet 1 Sheet 2 Sheet 3 Sheet 4 Sheet 5 Sheet 6 Sheet 7
11 members in 6 offices
Priority claims9
| Document | Office | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0705093 | United Kingdom | A | |
| 0705093 | United Kingdom | A | |
| 07050933 | United Kingdom | – | |
| 2008000888 | United Kingdom | W | |
| 2008000888 | United Kingdom | W | |
| 07050933 | – | – | – |
| 2008000888 | – | – | – |
| GB20070005093 | – | – | – |
| WO2008GB00888 | – | – | – |
Members11
| Document | Office | Kind | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB2447645A | United Kingdom | A | |
| AU2008228044A1 | Australia | A1 | |
| WO2008113979A1 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A1 | |
| NO20093149L | Norway | L | |
| US2010139925A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| GB2447645B | United Kingdom | B | |
| US8550169B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| AU2008228044B2 | Australia | B2 | |
| BRPI0808959A2This record | Brazil | A2 | |
| NO339961B1 | Norway | B1 | |
| BRPI0808959B1 | Brazil | B1 |
3 legal events, as the office reported them to INPADOC
Over the term
Point at a mark for the eventEvents
| Event | Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted [chapter 16.1 patent gazette]GrantedB16A | B16A | |
| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]B09A | B09A | |
| Application suspended after technical examination (opinion) [chapter 7.1 patent gazette]B07A | B07A |
Numbers
- Publication
- PI0808959
- Publication, DOCDB
- PI0808959
- Publication, EPODOC
- BRPI0808959
- Application
- 8959
- Application, DOCDB
- PI0808959
- Application, EPODOC
- BR2008PI08959
Titles2
- Portuguese
- CONECTOR PARA CONECTAR COMPONENTES DE UM SISTEMA SUBMARINO, MÉTODO PARA CONECTAR MUTUAMENTE COMPONENTES DE UM SISTEMA SUBMARINO, E, SISTEMA SUBMARINO.
- English
- CONNECTOR TO CONNECT COMPONENTS FROM A SUBMARINE SYSTEM, METHOD TO MUTUALLY CONNECT COMPONENTS FROM A SUBMARINE SYSTEM, AND, SUBMARINE SYSTEM.
Classification
- CPC, 4
- E21B33/038
- E21B33/0387
- B63B21/50
- Y10T403/593
- IPC, 3
- E21B17 02
- E21B17 08
- E21B33 038
