U.S. patent application number 13/073578 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-14 for system and method for connecting and aligning a compliant guide.
Invention is credited to Teo Sim Guan, Jonathan MACHIN.
Application Number | 20110168400 13/073578 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41319805 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110168400 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MACHIN; Jonathan ; et
al. |
July 14, 2011 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONNECTING AND ALIGNING A COMPLIANT GUIDE
Abstract
A technique enables subsea intervention operations in which a
compliant guide is deployed for connection with a subsea
installation. A tool is provided to engage a lower end of the
compliant guide in a manner that enables selective movement of the
lower end between desired positions. For example, the tool may
comprise a displacement mechanism that can be actuated to move the
lower end of the compliant guide between an engaged position with
the subsea installation and a remote parked position relative to
the subsea installation.
Inventors: |
MACHIN; Jonathan; (Aboyne,
GB) ; Guan; Teo Sim; (Singapore, SG) |
Family ID: |
41319805 |
Appl. No.: |
13/073578 |
Filed: |
March 28, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12194586 |
Aug 20, 2008 |
|
|
|
13073578 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
166/345 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 41/04 20130101;
E21B 33/076 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
166/345 |
International
Class: |
E21B 43/01 20060101
E21B043/01 |
Claims
1. A system for use in a subsea intervention operation, comprising:
a subsea installation; a compliant guide; and a tool coupled
between the subsea installation and the compliant guide, the tool
further comprising a displacement mechanism including one of (i) an
articulated arm that is actuatable to separately apply both
vertically and horizontally directed forces on a lower end of said
compliant guide to selectively raise, lower and laterally shift the
compliant guide between an engaged position and a remote parked
position relative to the subsea installation, and (ii) a four bar
linkage that is actuatable to apply both vertically and
horizontally directed forces on a lower end of said compliant guide
to selectively raise, lower and laterally shift the compliant guide
between an engaged position and a remote parked position relative
to the subsea installation.
2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the compliant guide
comprises a spoolable compliant guide.
3. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the subsea
installation comprises a lubricator package, a lower end of the
spoolable compliant guide being engaged with the lubricator package
when in the engaged position.
4. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the spoolable
compliant guide extends down to the subsea installation from a
surface vessel.
5. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the displacement
mechanism comprises the articulated arm being of two pieces and
coupled between a lower end of the spoolable compliant guide and
the subsea installation capable of separately applying both
vertically and horizontally directed forces on said lower end of
said compliant guide.
6. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the displacement
mechanism comprises the four bar linkage coupled between a lower
end of the spoolable compliant guide and the subsea installation
capable of applying both vertically and horizontally directed
forces on said lower end of said compliant guide.
7. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the tool further
comprises a guide member mounted on the subsea installation and an
alignment member coupled to the spoolable compliant guide, the
guide member being positioned to engage the alignment member when
the spoolable compliant guide is initially lowered to the subsea
installation.
8. The system as recited in claim 7, wherein the guide member
rotationally orients the spoolable compliant guide with respect to
the subsea installation.
9. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein the guide member
comprises a guide funnel and the alignment member comprises an
alignment pin sized for receipt in the guide member.
10. The system as recited in claim 6, wherein the tool further
comprises a hydraulic actuator to selectively move the four bar
linkage.
11. A method for facilitating an intervention operation,
comprising: coupling a tool between a lower end of a compliant
guide and a subsea installation capable of one of (i) separately
applying via an articulated arm both vertically and horizontally
directed forces on said lower end of said compliant guide, and (ii)
applying via a four bar linkage mechanism both vertically and
horizontally directed forces on said lower end of said compliant
guide; and operating the tool to raise, lower and shift the lower
end relative to the subsea installation between an engaged position
and a remote parked position.
12. The method as recited in claim 11, further comprising
delivering an intervention tool through the compliant guide and
through the subsea installation to a wellbore while the tool is in
the engaged position.
13. The method as recited in claim 11, further comprising
delivering an intervention tool through open water and into the
subsea facility while the tool is in the remote parked
position.
14. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein coupling comprises
coupling the tool, between the lower end of the compliant guide and
the subsea installation.
15. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein coupling comprises
coupling the tool between the lower end of the compliant guide and
a lubricator of the subsea installation.
16. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein operating the tool
comprises operating the articulated arm.
17. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein operating the tool
comprises operating the four bar linkage mechanism.
18. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein operating comprises
utilizing hydraulics to operate the tool.
19. The method as recited in claim 11, further comprising utilizing
a guide member to orient the tool when the tool is delivered to the
subsea installation via the compliant guide.
20. A method, comprising: mounting a tool at a subsea installation
capable of one of (i) separately applying via an articulated arm
both vertically and horizontally directed forces on said lower end
of said compliant guide, and (ii) applying via a four bar linkage
both vertically and horizontally directed forces on said lower end
of said compliant guide; and using the tool to raise, lower and
shift a lower end of a compliant guide to a plurality of selected
positions relative to the subsea installation.
21. The method as recited in claim 20, wherein using comprises
using the tool to move the lower end of a spoolable compliant
guide.
22. The method as recited in claim 20, wherein using comprises
using the tool to move the lower end between an engaged position,
in which an intervention tool can be delivered into the subsea
installation through the compliant guide, and a remote parked
position.
23. The method as recited in claim 20, wherein mounting comprises
mounting the tool directly to the subsea installation.
24. The method as recited in claim 23, wherein mounting comprises
mounting a hydraulic actuator.
25. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the displacement
mechanism is actuatable to selectively raise, lower and shift the
compliant guide between the engaged position being lower than the
parked position that is shifted and higher relative to the subsea
installation.
26. The method as recited in claim 11, further comprising:
operating the tool to raise, lower and shift the lower end between
the engaged position being lower than the parked position that is
shifted and higher relative to the subsea installation.
27. The method as recited in claim 22, further comprising: using
the tool to raise, lower and shift the lower end of the compliant
guide between the engaged position being lower than the parked
position that is shifted and higher relative to the subsea
installation.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S.
application Ser. No. 12/194,586, filed on Aug. 20, 2008, and
incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The retrieval of desired fluids, such as hydrocarbon based
fluids, is pursued in subsea environments. Production and transfer
of fluids from subsea wells relies on subsea installations, subsea
flow lines and other equipment. Additionally, preparation and
servicing of the subsea well relies on the ability to conduct
subsea intervention work.
[0003] Subsea intervention work involves numerous challenges not
normally faced when working on land wells or offshore platforms. In
many cases, intervention in subsea wells is performed from a
floating platform or ship by extending the borehole to a surface
location by a tensioned riser. Also, compliant guides can be
connected between the ship and a subsea installation so that
various intervention tools can be moved through the compliant guide
to the subsea installation and into a wellbore.
[0004] Although many types of tools can be moved through the
compliant guide, certain types of tools or tool strings are more
easily deployed to the subsea facility through the open water.
Various procedures also are better performed without the compliant
guide. As a result, the use of certain types of tools and
procedures can be limited when a compliant guide is employed
between the surface vessel and the subsea installation.
SUMMARY
[0005] In general, the present invention provides a technique for
subsea intervention operations in which a compliant guide, such as
a spoolable compliant guide, is deployed for connection with a
subsea installation. The technique utilizes a tool that engages a
lower end of the compliant guide to enable selective movement of
the lower end between desired positions. For example, the tool may
comprise a displacement mechanism that can be selectively actuated
to move the lower end of the compliant guide between an engaged
position with the subsea installation and a remote parked position
relative to the subsea installation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Certain embodiments of the invention will hereafter be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like
reference numerals denote like elements, and:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic front elevation view of a subsea
intervention system, according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation illustrating movement
of a lower end of a compliant guide between an engaged position and
a remote parked position, according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of a tool positioning a
lower end of a compliant guide with respect to a subsea
installation, according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 but showing the
tool in a different operational position, according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 but showing the
tool in a different operational position, according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 but showing the
tool in a different operational position, according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of another example of the
tool positioning a lower end of a compliant guide with respect to a
subsea installation, according to an alternate embodiment of the
present invention;
[0014] FIG. 8 is a view similar to that of FIG. 7 but showing the
tool in a different operational position, according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 9 is a view similar to that of FIG. 7 but showing the
tool in a different operational position, according to an
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0016] FIG. 10 is a view similar to that of FIG. 7 but showing the
tool in a different operational position, according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] In the following description, numerous details are set forth
to provide an understanding of the present invention. However, it
will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the
present invention may be practiced without these details and that
numerous variations or modifications from the described embodiments
may be possible.
[0018] The present invention generally relates to a technique for
facilitating intervention operations with respect to subsea wells.
The technique involves the use of a compliant guide deployed
between a surface vessel and a subsea installation. The tool is
coupled to a lower end of the compliant guide to enable selective
movement of the lower end to a plurality of positions. For example,
the tool can be used to move the lower end between an engaged
position with the subsea installation and a remote parked position
relative to the subsea installation. When in the engaged position,
access is provided to the subsea installation and a wellbore
beneath the subsea installation through the compliant guide.
However, when in the remote parked position, direct access is
provided to the subsea facility through open water without
requiring movement through the compliant guide. The ability to move
the lower end of the compliant guide between desired positions
enables a wide variety of intervention applications and
procedures.
[0019] The compliant guide may comprise a spoolable compliant guide
deployed to the subsea installation from a surface vessel or other
surface facility. The tool can be mounted on or adjacent to the
subsea installation for engagement with the lower end of the
compliant guide. In some applications, all or part of the tool can
be mounted to the lower end of the compliant guide and lowered to
the subsea installation with the compliant guide.
[0020] By way of example, the tool may function as an alignment and
connection tool able to connect the compliant guide onto an upper
portion of a subsea intervention package stack that forms part of
the subsea installation. In this example, the tool also is able to
disengage the compliant guide from the subsea installation and to
move a lower end of the compliant guide to an adjacent parked
position. The tool can be used to make multiple connections and
disconnections between the compliant guide and the subsea
installation without having to recover subsea equipment to the
surface. In one embodiment, the compliant guide is selectively
connected and disconnected from a lubricator package of the subsea
installation. When the tool is used to move the lower end of the
compliant guide to the parked position, direct vertical access is
provided to the subsea intervention package stack. The direct
vertical access enables use of a lifting apparatus, such as a
vessel crane, without recovering the compliant guide to the
surface. In many applications, the direct access facilitates
various procedures, such as loading and/or recovering certain types
of downhole well intervention equipment and wellbore plugs located
within a lubricator.
[0021] Referring generally to FIG. 1, an intervention system 20 is
illustrated according to an embodiment of the present invention. In
this embodiment, system 20 comprises a compliant guide 22, e.g a
spoolable compliant guide, and a tool 24 coupled to a lower end 25
of the compliant guide 22. Compliant guide 22 is coupled between a
subsea facility/installation 26 and a surface vessel 28, such as an
intervention vessel located at a surface 30 of the sea. Subsea
installation 26 may be located on or at a seabed floor 32.
[0022] Compliant guide 22 is flexible guide that may be arranged in
a variety of curvilinear shapes extending between a surface
location, e.g. intervention vessel 28, and subsea facility 26.
Compliant guide 22 also may be constructed as a tubular member
formed from a variety of materials that are sufficiently flexible,
including metal materials of appropriate cross-section and
composite materials.
[0023] Depending on the type or types of intervention operations
conducted, system 20 may comprise a variety of components. For
example, a dynamic seal assembly 34 may be deployed in the
compliant guide 22 or, alternatively, in subsea installation 26. In
some applications, the dynamic seal assembly 34 may be run down
through compliant guide 22 with an intervention tool 38, e.g. tool
string, deployed by a conveyance 40. Conveyance 40 may be a
flexible, cable-type conveyance, such as a wireline or slickline.
However conveyance 40 also may comprise stiffer mechanisms
including coiled tubing and coiled rod. Either conveyance 40 or
another conveyance, such as a lift line, can further be used to
deploy intervention tool 38 and other equipment to subsea
installation 26 through the open water when compliant guide 22 is
moved to a remote parked position via tool 24.
[0024] Although a variety of subsea installations 26 can be
utilized depending on the particular environment and type of
intervention operation, one example is illustrated in FIG. 1. In
this example, the subsea installation 26 comprises a subsea
wellhead 44, which may include a Christmas tree, coupled to a
subsea well 46 having a wellbore 48. The illustrated subsea
installation 26 further comprises a subsea lubricator 50 and a
lubricating valve 52 that may be deployed directly above subsea
wellhead 44. Lubricating valve 52 can be used to close the wellbore
48 during certain intervention operations, such as tool change
outs. A blowout preventer 54 may be positioned above lubricating
valve 52 and may comprise one or more cut-and-seal rams 56 able to
cut through the interior of the subsea installation and seal off
the subsea installation during an emergency disconnect. The subsea
installation 26 also may comprise a second blowout preventer 58
positioned above blowout preventer 54 and comprising one or more
sealing rams 60 able to seal against the conveyance 40.
[0025] Many additional or alternate components can be incorporated
into intervention system 20 depending on the specific intervention
application. For example, one or more emergency disconnect devices
62 can be positioned generally at an upper end of compliant guide
22 and/or at the lower end of the compliant guide. Also, the subsea
facility components can be arranged in many configurations. For
example, the lubricator 50 may comprise a lower lubricator package
and an upper lubricator package.
[0026] In operation, the tool 24 is used to move the lower end 25
of compliant guide 22 to a plurality of positions relative to
subsea installation 26. For example, the tool 24 can be used to
move lower end 25 between a connected or engaged position 64 and a
parked position 66, as illustrated schematically in FIG. 2. In some
embodiments, tool 24 can be programmed or otherwise controlled to
move the lower end 25 to additional predetermined positions. Also,
the distance compliant guide 22 is moved relative to subsea
installation 26 can be selected according to the space required
when intervention tools are moved down through the open water to
subsea facility 26 and according to other operational parameters.
Depending on the operational requirements, an offset distance 68
and/or a tool size envelope 70 can be selected to define the
movement or potential movement of lower end 25 relative to subsea
installation 26. Tool 24 is constructed to perform according to
these operational requirements.
[0027] One example of tool 24 is illustrated in FIG. 3. In this
embodiment, the tool 24 is a self-contained remotely controlled
structure that moves lower end 25 between parked and engaged
positions. The structure of tool 24 is sufficient to suitably
resist forces exerted by the compliant guide 22 as a result of
environmental effects, including the inherent buoyancy load of the
compliant guide. When moving the lower end 25 to an engaged
position with the subsea facility, the tool 24 aligns and connects
a suitable connector 72 of the lower end 25 with, for example, a
lubricator top hub 74 of subsea installation 26. A connector clamp
76 can be used to secure lower end 25 to subsea installation 26 in
a manner that contains the well pressure. A variety of connection
clamps are known and available for use in making subsea
connections.
[0028] In the embodiment illustrated, tool 24 is connected between
lower end 25 and a mounting structure 78 of subsea installation 26.
Additionally, tool 24 comprises a displacement mechanism 80 that
can be selectively actuated to move the lower end 25. In this
example, displacement mechanism 80 comprises an articulated arm 82
that can be selectively articulated to move lower end 25 relative
to subsea installation 26. By way of example, articulated arm 82
may be a hydraulic mechanism operated via suitable hydraulic and/or
other control signals sent from the surface via control lines 84.
In an alternate embodiment, hydraulic power for operating the tool
24 can be supplied by a subsea hydraulic power pack, such as a
hydraulic power pack of the type often installed in remotely
operated vehicles.
[0029] In FIG. 3, lower end 25 of compliant guide 22 is illustrated
in a parked position that allows direct vertical access to
lubricator top hub 74. However, upon receipt of appropriate control
signals via, for example, control lines 84, articulated arm 82
forces lateral movement of lower end 25, as illustrated in FIG. 4.
The lateral movement is continued until connector 72 of lower end
25 is properly oriented over the subsea facility, e.g. over
lubricator top hub 74, as illustrated in FIG. 5. Continued
hydraulic input to tool 24, via articulated arm 82, causes lower
end 25 to move downwardly into full engagement with the subsea
installation 26. For example, connector 72 is moved into full
engagement with the lubricator top hub 74, as illustrated in FIG.
6. In this embodiment, articulated arm 82 is described as a
hydraulic, articulated arm that responds to hydraulic signals.
However, other types of mechanisms, e.g. solenoid driven
mechanisms, also can be used to move lower end 25 relative to
subsea installation 26. Regardless, the articulated arm 82 can be
actuated repeatedly to move lower end 25 between engaged and parked
positions.
[0030] Another example of well tool 24 is illustrated in FIG. 7. In
this embodiment, subsea installation 26 includes the
lubricator/lubricator package 50 in which the lubricator top hub 74
is exposed for connection with the lower end 25 of compliant guide
22. As illustrated, compliant guide 22 comprises a spoolable
compliant guide having a connection assembly, e.g. connector 72,
positioned at lower end 25. The displacement mechanism 80 of tool
24 comprises a four bar linkage 86 that is driven by a hydraulic
actuator 88, although other types of actuators can be used to move
the four bar linkage 86. The four bar linkage 86 is designed to
control the path traversed by lower end 25 as it moves between
engaged and parked positions. It should be noted the design is not
limited to four-bar mechanisms and other multi-bar mechanisms can
be constructed and used to control the path traversed by lower end
25.
[0031] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, tool 24 further
comprises a guide system 90 used to connect tool 24 between subsea
installation 26 and lower end 25. As illustrated, guide system 90
comprises a guide member 92 mounted on subsea installation 26 and
an alignment member 94, e.g. an alignment pin, coupled to lower end
25 via, for example, four bar linkage 86. Guide member 92 may be in
the form of a guide funnel sized to receive alignment member 94 and
having a guide track 96. Guide track 96 may be in the form of an
orientation helix used to rotationally orient alignment member 94,
and thus tool 24, as alignment member 94 is inserted into guide
member 92. Guide member 92 and alignment member 94 enable
deployment of displacement mechanism 80 with compliant guide 22 and
also ensure the proper rotational orientation of the tool 24
relative to subsea installation 26.
[0032] As lower end 25 of compliant guide 22 is lowered toward
subsea installation 26, alignment member 94 moves into position
over guide member 92, as illustrated in FIG. 7. Continued downward
movement of lower end 25 forces alignment member 94 down through
guide member 92, and this motion rotationally orients tool 24 with
respect to subsea installation 26 via guide track 96, as
illustrated in FIG. 8. The rotational orientation also can be used
to cause engagement of other components, such as hydraulic actuator
88 which is positioned for engagement with a suitable mounting
mechanism 98 of subsea installation 26. Alignment member 94 can be
latched with or otherwise connected to guide member 92 to secure
tool 24 until the compliant guide 22 is withdrawn to the surface or
otherwise lifted away from the subsea installation.
[0033] Once alignment member 94 is engaged with guide member 92,
four bar linkage 86 can be actuated via hydraulic actuator 88, as
illustrated in FIG. 9. The hydraulic actuator 88 and four bar
linkage 86 cooperate to move lower end 25 along a desired path into
position over subsea installation 26, e.g. over lubricator top hub
74. Continued actuation of the four bar linkage causes lower end 25
to move downwardly into full engagement with the subsea
installation 26, as illustrated in FIG. 10. The hydraulic actuator
88 can be used repeatedly in cooperation with the four bar linkage
86 to move the lower end 25 between an engaged position, as
illustrated in FIG. 10, and a parked position, such as the position
illustrated in FIG. 8.
[0034] Intervention system 20 is useful in many types of
environments to facilitate a wide variety of intervention
operations. Tool 24 enables an operator to avoid recovery of the
compliant guide in a manner that greatly improves operational
efficiency by saving time and reducing wear on the equipment.
Furthermore, tool 24 can be formed from a variety of mechanical
components, and various types of actuators can be used to actuate
the tool as desired for a given environment and/or intervention
procedure. The tool 24 also can be designed to move lower end 25
relative to the subsea installation 26 along a variety of paths and
over a variety of offset distances.
[0035] Although only a few embodiments of the present invention
have been described in detail above, those of ordinary skill in the
art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible
without materially departing from the teachings of this invention.
Accordingly, such modifications are intended to be included within
the scope of this invention as defined in the claims.
* * * * *