U.S. patent number 3,866,677 [Application Number 05/386,431] was granted by the patent office on 1975-02-18 for underwater connection apparatus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Vetco-Offshore, Inc.. Invention is credited to Benton F. Baugh.
United States Patent |
3,866,677 |
Baugh |
February 18, 1975 |
UNDERWATER CONNECTION APPARATUS
Abstract
An improved underwater connection apparatus is provided for
selectively making fluid connection between a Christmas tree
flowline and a flowline extending underwater from surface storage
facilities, the storage flowline being pulled into a position of
partial alignment with the Christmas tree flowline by a wireline
device and completely axially aligned by a remotely operable
hydraulic mechanism, the two flowlines being thereafter secured
together for fluid transfer.
Inventors: |
Baugh; Benton F. (Houston,
TX) |
Assignee: |
Vetco-Offshore, Inc. (Houston,
TX)
|
Family
ID: |
23525541 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/386,431 |
Filed: |
August 7, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
166/336; 166/349;
166/343 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F17D
5/00 (20130101); E21B 43/0135 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F17D
5/00 (20060101); E21B 43/013 (20060101); E21B
43/00 (20060101); E21b 033/035 (); E21b
043/01 () |
Field of
Search: |
;166/.5,.6 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Leppink; James A.
Claims
1. Apparatus for selectively making fluid connection to a well
drilled into a formation underlying a body of water,
comprising:
a well fluid flow control network for being positioned at a well
drilled in a body of water, said well fluid flow control network
including first flowline means for transferring well fluid
outwardly of said well;
second flowline means for extending from a remote point to said
well, said second flowline means being lowered into the body of
water for connection with said first flowline means such that said
well fluid is transferable through said well fluid flow control
network and said first and second flowline means to a remote
point;
wireline positioning means for mounting at said well and utilizing
wireline apparatus to move said second flowline means into a
position of initial attachment with said wireline positioning
means, in which position said second flowline means is partially
aligned with said first flowline means;
remotely operable power means for mounting at said well for
engaging and moving said second flowline means from said position
of initial attachment to a locked position in said wireline
positioning means and for moving said wireline positioning means
and said second flowline means to a position in which said second
flowline means is substantially completely aligned with said first
flowline means for connection therewith; and
flowline connection means for operatively connecting said first and
second flowline means whereby well fluid is transferable from said
well and
2. The structure set forth in claim 1, including:
said first flowline means terminating in a first flowline flange
supporting one or more first flowlines;
said second flowline means terminating in a second flowline flange
supporting one or more second flowlines;
said flowline connection means connecting said first and second
flowline flanges together for fluid communication therebetween;
said second flowline flange having a side lug thereon; and
said flowline connection means includes a connector plate having a
plate lug thereon, said connector plate being mounted on said first
flowline flange for movement between a release position in which
said first and second flowline flanges are separable and an
interlocked position in which said connector plate lug engages said
side lug of said second flowline flange, whereby said one or more
first flowlines are joined in fluid communication with said one or
more second flowlines with said side plate
3. The structure set forth in claim 1, including:
a well support means mounted at said well;
a flowline alignment assembly for lowering onto said well support
means; and
said flowline alignment assembly including means cooperating with
said remotely operable power means to substantially align said
first and second
4. The structure set forth in claim 3, including:
said first flowline means terminating in a first connection
flange;
said second flowline means terminating in a second connection
flange; and
said flowline alignment assembly including an alignment channel
for
5. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein said wireline
positioning means and remotely operable power means includes:
a flowline positioning assembly which is lowerable to a position in
proximity to said well fluid control network;
said flowline positioning assembly including a funnel assembly
having a wireline extending therethrough into attachment with said
second flowline means, said wireline being extendable to a wireline
control means located at the surface of the body of water for
controlling movement of said wireline; and
said funnel assembly and wireline control means including means
pulling said second flowline means inwardly into position for
attachment to said funnel assembly, in which position said second
flowline means is partially
6. The structure set forth in claim 5, including:
attachment means for attaching said second flowline means to said
funnel assembly; and locking means for moving said second flowline
means further inwardly of said funnel assembly to a locked position
in which said second flowline means remains partially aligned with
respect to said first
7. The structure set forth in claim 6, wherein said locking means
includes:
an attachment yoke mounted for movement in said funnel assembly and
means mounted therewith for attaching said second flowline means
for movement with said attachment yoke; and
a remotely operable hydraulic cylinder assembly connected with said
attachment yoke for moving said yoke and said second flowline means
to said locked position in which said second flowline means is
movable with
8. The structure set forth in claim 6, wherein:
said funnel assembly having a substantially helical surface therein
for
9. The structure set forth in claim 6, wherein:
means for pivoting said funnel assembly downwardly with said second
flowline means in said locked position for landing said second
flowline
10. Thet structure set forth in claim 5, including:
a secondary hydraulic terminal mounted with said fluid flow control
network; and
a movable hydraulic supply terminal mounted with said flowline
positioning assembly for operable connection with said secondary
hydraulic terminal, said movable hydraulic supply terminal having
fluid lines extending to the
11. The structure set forth in claim 5, wherein said second
flowline means includes:
one or more second flowlines for extension underwater between said
well and the surface;
said one or more second fluid flowlines terminating in a second
flowline flange for fluid connection to said first flowline means;
and
a carrier assembly attached to said second flowline flange, said
wireline being attached to said carrier assembly whereby movement
of said wireline controls movement of said one or more second
flowlines and second flowline
12. The structure set forth in claim 11, wherein said carrier
assembly includes:
a landing flange assembly pivotally attached to said second
flowline flange; and
a probe unit mounted onto said landing flange assembly for pivotal
movement with respect to said landing flange assembly, said
wireline being attached to said probe unit whereby movement of said
wireline controls movement of
13. The structure set forth in claim 12, including:
said wireline attached to said probe unit being adapted to pull
said probe unit inwardly into said funnel assembly to such that
said second flowline flange connected with said landing flange
assembly and probe unit is in a position of partial alignment with
said first flowline means;
attachment means for attaching said probe unit to said funnel
assembly; and
locking means for moving said probe unit further inwardly of said
funnel assembly such that said landing flange assembly is landed in
a locked
14. The structure set forth in claim 13, including:
carrier release means for releasing said landing flange assembly
from attachment to said second flowline flange whereby said carrier
assembly is
15. The structure set forth in claim 14, including:
said landing flange assembly being pivotally movable with respect
to said second flowline flange with said landing flange assembly in
said locked position with said funnel assembly; and
funnel assembly pivoting means for pivoting said funnel assembly
downwardly to substantially align said second flowline flange with
said first
16. The structure set forth in claim 15, including:
a test flange attached to said second flowline flange for testing
of said one or more flowlines, said test flange further being
attached to said landing flange assembly; and
release means for releasing said test flange from attachment to
said second flowline flange whereby said test flange is removable
with said landing
17. The structure set forth in claim 15, including:
a well support means for mounting on said well;
a flowline alignment assembly being mounted on said well support
means and including an alignment channel for receiving said first
flowline means;
said funnel assembly pivoting means pivoting said funnel assembly
downwardly such that said second flowline flange is seated in said
alignment channel in substantially complete alignment with said
first
18. The structure set forth in claim 17, including:
said second flowline flange including latch means for seating said
second flowline flange in said alignment channel in said position
of substantial
19. The structure set forth in claim 17, wherein:
said first flowline means includes one or more first flowlines
terminating in a first flowline flange, said flowline flange being
mounted for slidable movement in said alignment channel;
hydraulic power means for moving said first flowline flange toward
and away from said second flowline flange; and
said flowline connection means includes means for joining said
first and
20. The structure set forth in claim 19, wherein said means for
joining said flowline flanges includes:
a lug extending from said second flowline flange;
a connector plate mounted on said first flowline flange for
movement between release and interlocked positions, said connector
plate having a lug thereon; and
means for moving said connector plate to an interlocked position in
which said lugs are in locked engagement to prevent separation of
said flowline
21. The structure set forth in claim 19, including:
said first flowline flange having removably mounted thereon a seal
plate which provides a sealed fluid connection between said one or
more first flowlines and said one or more second flowlines with
said first and second
22. The structure set forth in claim 21, including:
said hydraulic power means moving said first flowline flange out of
said joined connection with said second flowline flange; and
removal tool means for running from said water surface to a point
substantially between said first and second flowline flanges, said
removal
23. The structure set forth in claim 22, including:
said hydraulic power means moving said first flowline flange away
from said removal tool to release said first flowline flange from
attachment with
24. The structure set forth in claim 11, including:
a testing flange assembly mounted with said second flowline flange
for testing said one or more second flowlines prior to connection
with said
25. The structure set forth in claim 24, including:
said second flowline means including two second flowlines; and
said testing flange assembly including means providing fluid
communication
26. The structure set forth in claim 25, including:
impression means mounted in said testing flange assembly for making
an impression on a soft material pumped from the surface through
one of said
27. The structure set forth in claim 25, wherein said testing
flange assembly includes:
a test flange attached with said second flowline flange; and
means for releasing said test flange from attachment with said
second
28. A method for making an underwater connection between a well
drilled into a formation underlying a body of water, comprising the
steps of:
lowering from the water surface a flowline alignment assembly and
landing said flowline alignment assembly with a well support means
mounted at said well;
lowering a fluid flow network and landing said fluid flow network
with said flowline alignment assembly, said fluid flow network
including a first flowline means for transferring well fluid;
lowering a flowline positioning assembly with a wireline connected
to a second flowline means and landing said flowline positioning
assembly in proximity to said flowline alignment assembly;
operating said wireline from the surface in order to pull said
wireline and said second flowline means attached therewith inwardly
toward said flowline positioning assembly until said second
flowline means is in a position of partial alignment with said
first flowline means;
using hydraulic force to move said second flowline means to a
locked position with said flowline positioning assembly and
thereafter manipulating said flowline positioning assembly to land
said second flowline means in a position of substantially complete
alignment with said first flowline means; and
joining said first and second aligned flowline means in a fluid
connection.
29. The method set forth in claim 28, including the step of:
lowering said flowline alignment assembly downwardly on said
flowline positioning assembly and thereafter removing said flowline
positioning
30. The method set forth in claim 28, including the step of:
providing an alignment channel to receive said first and second
flowline
31. The method set forth in claim 30, including the step of:
seating said first flowline means in said alignment channel when
said fluid flow network is landed with said well guide structure
and said flowline
32. The method set forth in claim 31, including the step of:
landing said second flowline means in said channel to place said
second flowline means in complete alignment for connection with
said first
33. The method set forth in claim 28, including the step of:
utilizing a funnel assembly with said wireline extended
therethrough to pull said second flowline means partially within
said funnel assembly such that said second flowline means is
partially aligned with said first
34. The method set forth in claim 33, including the step of:
utilizing said funnel assembly to grip said partially aligned
second flowline means and move said second flowline means into said
position of
35. The method set forth in claim 28, including the step of:
testing said second flowline means prior to connection of said
first
36. The method set forth in claim 28, including the step of:
providing hydraulic power directly to said flowline positioning
tool and to
37. The method set forth in claim 28, including:
moving said second flowline means to a vertical position as said
second flowline means is moved to said position of substantially
complete
38. The method set forth in claim 28, including the step of:
removing said flowline positioning assembly after said second
flowline
39. Apparatus for selectively making fluid connection to a well
drilled into a formation underlying a body of water,
comprising:
a well fluid flow control network for being positioned at a well
drilled in a body of water, said well fluid flow control network
including first flowline means for transferring well fluid
outwardly of said well;
second flowline means for extending from a remote point to said
well, said second flowline means being lowered into the body of
water for connection with said first flowline means such that said
well fluid is transferable through said well fluid flow control
network and said first and second flowline means to a remote
point;
wireline positioning means for mounting at said well and utilizing
wireline apparatus to move said second flowline means to a position
of partial alignment with respect to said first flowline means;
remotely operable power means for mounting at said well for
engagging and moving said second flowline means to a position of
substantially complete alignment for connection with said first
flowline means; and
test means mounted with said second flowline means for testing said
second flowline means prior to connection with said first flowline
means.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the completion of subsea wells for the
transfer of well fluid from the well to the surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,721,294, issued to Nelson, discloses an underwater
pipe connection apparatus for connecting a Christmas tree flowline
on a subsea well to a flowline which has been laid from a storage
facility downwardly to the oil well. One of the purposes of the
connection apparatus of the Nelson patent is to permit the use of a
standard, less expensive guide structure which has guidelines
extending upwardly from the well to the operating vessel at the
surface. The apparatus of the Nelson patent includes a pulling
device having two funnels with wirelines passing therethrough into
connection with the surface vessel and the storage flowline so that
the flowline can be pulled into alignment for connection with the
Christmas tree flowline.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved
apparatus for selectively making fluid connection to a well drilled
into a formation underlying a body of water wherein a storage
flowline is accurately positioned for alignment with a Christmas
tree flowline by a combination of wireline apparatus and hydraulic
apparatus controlled on the surface. The apparatus of the preferred
embodiment of this invention includes a well guide structure for
mounting on a well such that the well guide structure includes
guidelines which extend upwardly to the surface. A well fluid flow
control network or Christmas tree is positioned onto the well guide
structure for controlling the flow of well fluid outwardly of the
well. A storage flowline is laid from a lay barge to a position
adjacent to the well and wireline positioning means attached to the
storage flowline is lowered downwardly along the guidelines to the
well. The wireline positioning means is provided with means for
moving the storage flowline to a position of partial alignment with
respect to the Christmas tree flowline. Hydraulic power means
remotely operable from the surface is provided for engaging and
moving the storage flowline from the position of partial alignment
to a position of substantially complete alignment with the
Christmas tree flowline, so that a sealed, fluid connection can be
made between the two flowlines.
The underwater connection apparatus of this invention further
includes a flowline pulling tool which includes means for running
to the well from the surface a flowline alignment assembly adapted
to receive the Christmas tree flowline and storage flowline in
axial alignment for connection. The flowline pulling tool further
includes a funnel assembly having a wireline passing therethrough
into attachment with the storage flowline whereby the position of
the flowline is controlled by movement of the wireline, which is
controlled at the surface. The funnel assembly cooperates with the
wireline to move the storage flowline into a position of partial
alignment with the Christmas tree. Thereafter, the remotely
operable power means attaches to the storage flowline and moves the
storage flowline into a locked position in the funnel assembly so
that the flowline is pivotal with the funnel assembly. The funnel
assembly is pivoted downwardly with the storage flowline attached
thereto to a position where the storage flowline is in complete,
axial alignment with the Christmas tree flowline.
Connection means are provided for making a sealed fluid connection
between the completely aligned Christmas tree flowline and storage
flowline. Prior to connection of the two flowlines, independent
test means are provided for testing the storage flowline, the
independent testing means being thereafter removable from the
storage flowline so that the storage flowline can be connected with
the Christmas tree flowline. The independent testing means and the
flowline pulling tool are removed from the well site after a
sealed, fluid connection has been made between the Christmas tree
flowline and the storage flowline.
Hydraulic terminal connections are provided in the flowline
positioning assembly for hydraulically controlling the means for
making connection between the aligned flowlines, thereby allowing
the Christmas tree to be run and capped from the surface vessel and
eliminating the need for re-entry of the Christmas tree manifold to
control the means for connecting the flowlines. The Christmas tree
flowline includes a flowline flange into which the Christmas tree
flowlines terminate. The flowline flange has mounted thereon a seal
assembly for making the sealed, fluid connection between the
Christmas tree flowline flange and a flowline flange on the storage
flowline. The seal assembly is removable by means of a running tool
whereby the seal assembly can be replaced if desired.
These features and objects of this invention, as well as additional
meritorious features, will be pointed out in the detailed
description to follow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the completed underwater connection
made between the Christmas tree and the storage flowline according
to the preferred embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the well guide structure adapted for
mounting on the subsea oil well which has been drilled into a
formation underlying a body of water;
FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating the running of the flowline
alignment assembly downwardly into position on the well guide
structure by means of the flowline positioning or pulling tool;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 3
illustrating the latching of the flowline alignment assembly to the
well guide structure;
FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the release of the flowline
positioning tool from the flowline alignment assembly;
FIG. 6 is a side view of the well fluid flow control network or
Christmas tree having been landed onto the well guide structure and
the flowline alignment assembly;
FIG. 7 is a top view of the Christmas tree illustrating the landed
position of the Christmas tree flowline flange and the hydraulic
means for positioning same;
FIG. 8 is a side view partially in section taken along line 8--8 of
FIG. 7 of the hydraulically operated connection means for making
connection between the fully aligned Christmas tree flange and
storage flowline flange;
FIG. 9 is a front view of the tree flowline flange landed in the
alignment channel of the flowline alignment assembly;
FIG. 10 is a partially schematic side view of the landed flowline
positioning assembly prior to the pulling of the storage flowline
probe into the funnel assembly;
FIG. 11 is a schmatic view of the relative positions of the surface
vessel and the flowline lay barge with respect to the subsea oil
well;
FIG. 12 is a side view of the funnel assembly of the flowline
positioning assembly having moved the storage flowline and the
carrier attached therewith to a position of partial alignment with
respect to the Christmas tree flowline flange;
FIG. 13 is a side view of the funnel assembly of the flowline
positioning assembly with the carrier assembly for the storage
flowline having been moved into a locked position with the funnel
assembly;
FIG. 14 is a side view in section of the funnel assembly as
described in FIG. 13;
FIG. 15 is a side view of the flowline alignment assembly with the
funnel assembly having been tilted or pivoted downwardly by
hydraulic power to a position wherein the storage flowline flange
is substantially in complete alignment with the Christmas tree
flange;
FIG. 16 is a front view of the funnel assembly having landed the
carrier assembly and storage flowline flange in substantially
complete alignment as illustrated in FIG. 15;
FIG. 17 is sectional view taken along line 17--17 in FIG. 16
illustrating the secondary hydraulic terminal for the hydraulically
operated connection apparatus mounted with the Christmas tree
flowline flange;
FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the release mechanism for releasing
the carrier assembly from the storage flowline flange;
FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken along line 19--19 of FIG. 18
illustrating the structure and connection of the storage flow line
test flange or blank with the carrier assembly and storage flowline
flange;
FIG. 19a is a sectional view taken along line 19a of FIG. 19
illustrating the retention of the horizontal latch dog by the
storage flowline testing flange prior to a removal thereof;
FIG. 20 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 18 of the release
mechanism having released the carrier from connection with the
storage flowline flange;
FIG. 21 is a side view of the flowline positioning assembly in a
slightly raised position for removing the storage flowline testing
flange;
FIG. 22 is a side view similar to FIG. 21 of the flowline
positioning assembly with the funnel assembly tilted upwardly;
FIG. 23 is a side view of the connection means with the side
connection plates in a raised position with the Christmas tree
flowline flange and the storage flowline flange in position for
connection;
FIG. 24 is a side view similar to FIG. 23 with the connection means
having made a sealed, fluid connection between the flowline
flanges;
FIG. 25 is a side view of the removal tool in position for removing
the seal assembly attached to the Christmas tree flowline flange;
and
FIG. 26 is a side view of the flowline flanges having been moved
apart to allow the removal tool to remove the seal assembly.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawings, the letter A generally designates the
apparatus of the preferred embodiment of this invention for making
a fluid connection at the site F and a subsea well between a
Christmas tree flowline network Fand a storage flowline S which
extends from the side of the well upwardly to some type of storage
facility on the surface of a body of water. The apparatus A
basically comprises a guide structure G which is particularly
illustrated in FIG. 2, a flowline alignment assembly B illustrated
in various Figures, including FIGS. 5 and 10, a fluid flow control
network or Christmas tree T illustrated in FIG. 1 in particular and
a flowline positioning assembly P illustrated in various figures,
including FIGS. 5 and 10. The apparatus A of this invention is for
mounting on an oil well housing schematically designated by the
letter H in FIG. 1, which has been drilled into formations
underlying the floor of the ocean or other body of water. The
apparatus A of this invention is generally used in cooperation with
a surface vessel V and a flowline lay barge L (FIG. 11).
The first step in making the under water connection between a
storage flowline S and a Christmas tree flowline F is to lower
downwardly from the surface vessel V the guide structure G. The
guide structure G includes a main cylindrical housing portion 10
which is connected with four upwardly extending guide posts 11
through radially extending frame members 11a which are welded onto
the main housing 10 and extend radially outwardly therefrom into
welded connection with the guide posts 11. Side frame members 11b
extend between adjacent pairs of the radially extending frame
members 11a in order to cooperate with the radially extending frame
members to provide a suitably strong frame to support the guide
posts 11. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the
drawings, the frame members 11a and 11b are I-beams. Each of the
guide posts 11 are connected with a flexible guideline 12 which
extends upwardly from the well to the operating vessel V on the
surface of the body of water with the guide structure positioned on
the well housing H. In this manner, the guidelines 12 can be used
as a guide system for lowering tools and other equipment such as
the inventive components described herein downwardly from the
operating vessel V onto the guide posts 11.
After the direction of approachment of the storage flowline S has
been decided, the flowline alignment assembly B is lowered on the
guidelines 12 onto the guide posts 11. The flowline alignment
assembly or tool B includes a main plate member 14 which is welded
to guide sleeves 15a and 15b which are adapted to fit over the
guide posts 11 of the guide structure G. The guide sleeves 15a and
15b are known in the art and include enlarged conical lower
sections such as 15a'which cooperate with upper tapered portions
such as 12a of the guide posts 11 to center the guide sleeves such
as 15a over the guide posts as the flowline alignment assembly is
lowered along the guidelines 12. The main plate member 14 which is
welded or otherwise connected to the two side guide sleeves 15a and
15b includes a horizontal platform portion 14a welded or otherwise
connected to the main plate member, which is positioned in a
substantially vertical plane when mounted with the guide posts
11.
The flowline alignment assembly B further includes a latch channel
14b which provides a U-shaped recess for receiving a latch from a
suitable running tool which is utilized to actually lower the
flowline alignment assembly B downwardly from the operating vessel
V onto two of the guide posts 11. The flowline alignment assembly B
is actually landed onto the guide structure G by the landing of the
guide sleeves 15a and 15b onto the radial guide structure frame
members 11a. The flowline alignment assembly B is latched to the
radially extending guide structure frame members 11a by latch
mechanisms 16 illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 10. The latch
mechanisms 16 include a latch portion 16a pivotally mounted to
support studs 16b which are welded or otherwise attached to the
main plate member 14. The latch portions 16a are adapted to pivot
to a position under top portions 11c of the radial guide structure
frame members 11a thereby securing the flowline alignment assembly
B onto the guide structure G.
The flowline alignment assembly B further includes an alignment
channel 17 which is adapted to provide the channel or track for
receiving the Christmas tree flowline F and the storage flowline S
in a position of substantially complete alignment and for making a
sealed, fluid connection therebetween. The alignment channel 17
includes side channel members 17a and 17b which are welded in a
U-shaped recess 17c in the main frame member 14. The side channel
member 17a has a substantially T-shaped slot 17d therein which is
positioned opposite of another substantially T-shaped slot 17e in
the side channel member 17b . Further, the side channel member 17a
includes a substantially V-shaped slot 18a which is machined into a
top landing surface 18b thereof. Similarly, the side channel member
17b has a substantially V-shaped slot 19a positioned across from
the V-shaped slot 18a, the slot 19a being machined in the top
landing surface 19b thereof. The side alignment channel member 17a
is supported by pipe member 20a extending from the platform member
14a. In the embodiment of this invention illustrated and discussed
herein, the flowline alignment assembly B is actually run or
lowered along the guidelines 12 by means of the flowline
positioning assembly. The mechanism for attaching the flowline
alignment assembly B to the flowline positioning assembly or
running tool will be described hereinafter.
After the flowline alignment assembly B has been lowered along the
guidelines 12 and landed onto the guide structure G, a fluid flow
network or Christmas tree T is lowered along the guidelines 12 and
landed onto the guide structure G and the flowline alignment
assembly B. The fluid flow network, hereinafter referred to as a
"Christmas tree" is basically well known in the art as being a
fluid flow control device for controlling fluid flow outwardly of
an oil well. The Christmas tree T utilized in this invention
includes a main housing portion 21 which is adapted for mounting
over the central housing portion 10 of the guide structure G for
controlling fluid flow outwardly of the oil well. The Christmas
tree T includes three Christmas tree flowlines F-1, F-2 and F-3
which terminate in a tree flowline flange 22. The tree flowline
flange 22 is actually an assembly which includes a flange member or
box 22d which is adapted to receive the end portions of each of the
flowlines F-1, F-2 and F-3. The flowline flange has connected
thereto in a manner to be described hereinafter a removable seal
plate assembly 23 which is provided for making the fluid, sealed
connection between the tree flowline flange 22 and the storage
flowline S. The tree flowlines F-1, F-2 and F-3 are also joined in
a hub portion 24 which is slidably mounted within a flowline guide
sleeve 25 attached to the tree housing 21. In this manner, the
portions of the flowlines F-1, F-2 and F-3 between the hub portion
24 and the tree flowline flange 22 as well as the flange itself,
are mounted for moving in a substantially horizontal direction, a
direction substantially perpendicular to the main, vertical axis
for the main tree housing portion 21. As previously known, the
curved flowlines F-1, F-2 and F-3 flex in order to allow movement
of the substantially horizontally positioned end portions thereof
supported by the tree sub portion 24 and the tree flowline flange
22.
The Christmas tree T is lowered along the guidelines 12 by any
suitable running tool which is connected into a sub located at the
upper portion 21a of the Christmas tree T. When the Christmas tree
T has been landed onto the guide structure G and the flowline
alignment assembly B, the tree flowline flange 22 is positioned in
and supported by the alignment channel 17 between the side channel
members 17a and 17b. In order to center the tree flowline flange 22
between the side channel members 17a and 17b, the side channel
members 17a and 17b are each provided with beveled top edges 17f
and 17g, respectively, in order to cooperate with the tree flowline
flange 22 to properly align the flange 22 between the side channel
members 17a and 17b. In order to further accomplish this alignment
or centering of the tree flowline flange 22 in the alignment
channel 17, beveled portions 22a and 22b are provided on a flowline
connection means 26 which will be described in greater detail
hereinafter. Of course, the Christmas tree T includes suitable
frame members such as illustrated at 27a, 27b, 27c and 27d which
extend outwardly from the main tree housing portion 21 and
terminate in guide sleeves 28. The guide sleeves 28 allow the
Christmas tree T to be lowered on the guide lines 12 and serve to
mount the tree T over the guide posts 12 in a known manner.
The Christmas tree T is further provided with a secondary hydraulic
terminal which is designated by the numbers 29 and illustrated in
FIGS. 7 and 17 for providing fluid connection between the tree and
the surface after the conventional hydraulic manifold mounted with
the main housing 21 has been capped.
A hydraulic power assembly 30 extends between the hub guide sleeve
25 and the flowline flange 22 in order to provide hydraulic force
to move the tree flowline flange 22 in a substantially horizontal
direction into and out of the channel 17. The hydraulic power
assembly 30 is pivotally mounted onto a mounting plate 21a attached
to the main tree housing 21 and further onto a tree flange
connector plate 22c which is welded or otherwise attached onto the
top of the tree flowline flange 22. The hydraulic cylinder assembly
30 is pivotally connected by any suitable means such as the lug and
pin connections illustrated at 30a to the mounting plate 21a and at
30b to the tree flange connector plate 22c. The pivotal connection
at 30a to the tree mounting plate 21a allows the tree flowline
flange 22 to be pivoted with respect to the hydraulic assembly 30
in a horizontal plane as illustrated in the drawings. The pivotal
connection 30b between the hydraulic power assembly 30 and the tree
flange connector plate 22c allows the tree flowline flange 22 to be
pivoted in a vertical plane. In this manner, the hydraulic power
assembly 30 is operable to move the tree flowline flange 22
inwardly and outwardly of the channel in spite of horizontal or
vertical variations in the position of the tree flowline.
Referring to FIG. 11, the flowline positioning assembly P is
lowered along the guidelines 12 and landed on the flowline
alignment assembly B in a manner to be described hereinafter in
detail. When the tool P is landed at the well, the wireline W
extends from the vessel V to the tool P and from the tool P to the
lay barge L. The lay barge L is then used to lay the flowline S
downwardly to a position adjacent the pulling tool P at the
well.
The storage flowline S actually includes three flowlines S-1, S-2
and S-3 which terminate in a storage flowline flange 40. The
storage flowline flange 40 is actually an assembly which includes a
flange member 40a which receives and supports the end portions of
the three storage flowlines S-1, S-2 and S-3. A carrier assembly
generally designated by the number 41 is releasably mounted onto
the flange member 40a for cooperating with the flowline pulling
tool P to first partially position and then completely position the
flange member 40a in the alignment channel 17 of the flowline
alignment assembly B. The carrier assembly 41 includes a landing
flange assembly 42 pivotally mounted onto the storage flowline
flange member 40a and a probe unit 43 pivotally mounted onto the
landing flange assembly 42. The landing flange assembly 42 includes
side mounting plates 42a and 42b which are pivotally mounted by
pins 51e and 51f (to be described hereinafter) onto upwardly
extending lugs 40b and 40c which extend upwardly from the top of
the storage flowline flange member 40a. The actual pivotal
connection between the landing flange assembly 42 and the storage
flowline flange 40 is releasable by a releasable, pivotal
connection means generally designated in FIG. 18 by the number 44.
The side mounting plates 42a and 42b are welded or otherwise
connected to a circular flange member 42c having extending
therefrom laterally alignment pins 42d and 42e. A cylindrical
landing member 42f is welded or otherwise attached at the center of
the circular flange 42c (also referred to as a landing flange). A
connecting pin 42g extends outwardly from the tapered end portion
42h of the cylindrical landing member and terminates in an
integrally formed nut 42i. Thus the entire landing flange assembly
42 is mounted for pivotal movement with respect to the storage
flowline flange 40.
The nut portion 42i has a slot 42j therein, the slot being a
straight U-shaped groove. The probe unit 43 includes a nose portion
42a comprised of a hollow, cylindrical portion 43b which tapers
downwardly to a nose point 43c. The hollow cylindrical nose portion
43b includes a spherically-shaped recessed portion 43d adapted to
be mounted over the nut 42i. A pin 43e is mounted in the
spherically-shaped recess and extends inwardly into the slot 42j in
the nut 42i. The nose portion is attached to the wireline W by a
leaded spelter socket 43e. In this manner the nose 43a is mounted
for pivotal movement in at least two planes with respect to the
connector pin 42g. However, the pin 43e in the nose portion 43a
prevents rotation of the nose portion 43a with respect to the nut
42i. For example, if the connector pin 42g and the remainder of the
landing flange assembly 42 is positioned in a horizontal plane, the
nose portion 43a will be pivotal in a horizontal plane and a
vertical plane but will be prevented by the pin 43e from twisting
or rotational movement in a clockwise or counterclockwise
direction.
The storage flowline flange member 40 further includes a
substantially T-shaped detent means 45 for locking the storage
flowline flange in the substantially T-shaped slots 17d and 17e in
the alignment side channel members 17a and 17b, respectively.
Referring to FIG. 19, the substantially T-shaped detent means 45
includes a vertical detent portion 45a and a horizontal detent
portion 45b which are resiliently mounted in the sides of the
flowline flange member 40a and are urged outwardly thereof by any
suitable resilient means such as springs 45c positioned between the
flowline flange member 40a and the detent members such as 45b.
After the flowline flange member 40a is landed in the alignment
channel 17 in a position of substantially complete alignment with
the tree flange 22, the carrier assembly 41 is released from
connection with the tree flowline flange member 40a. Prior to such
release, the flowlines S-1, S-2 and S-3 are independently tested by
testing flange assembly 50, which is subsequently removed with the
carrier assembly 41.
The testing flange assembly 50 is releasably mounted onto the front
storage flowline face 40d and is also attached to the carrier
assembly 41. The testing flange assembly 50 is provided for
independent testing of the flowlines S-1, S-2 and S-3 after the
flowline flange 40 has been landed in the alignment channel 17 on
the flowline alignment assembly B. This independent testing of the
flowlines S-1, S-2 and S-3 is accomplished prior to the making of a
sealed, fluid connection between the tree flowline flange 22 and
the storage flowline flange 40.
The testing flange assembly 50 includes a blank or plate 50a which
is adapted to be placed adjacent to the front storage flowline face
40d. A top plate 50b and two side plates 50c are mounted onto the
top and sides 40e, respectively, of the flowline flange such that
the flowline flange can be placed over the top and sides of the
storage flowline flange member. The side plates 50c for the testing
flange assembly include a longitudinal groove 50d which is adapted
to receive a corresponding longitudinal ridge 46 on each side of
the storage flowline flange. Further, the side plates 50c terminate
in retainer ridges or ears 50e which extend inwardly against the
horizontal dogs 45b of the substantially T-shaped detent members 45
mounted on the flowline flange member 40a. The ears 50e on the
testing flange assembly side plates 50c serve to hold the
horizontal detent members 45b inwardly out of the corresponding
horizontal groove portions on the T-shaped grooves such as 17d in
the alignment side channel member 17a. This allows the flowline
flange 40 to be removed by a vertical lifting force prior to
removal of the testing flange assembly 50. A center mounting plate
50f is welded or otherwise attached onto the testing flange
assembly top plate 50b for releasably attaching the testing flange
assembly 50 with the storage flowline flange member 40a and for
attaching the testing flange assembly 50 to the carrier assembly
41.
The releasable pivotal connection means 44 provides a releasable,
pivotal connection between the landing flange assembly 42 and the
flowline flange member 40a. The releasable pivotal connection means
44 further releases the testing flange assembly 50 from the testing
position as illustrated in FIG. 19. A movable releasable pin
assembly generally designated by the number 51 is mounted in the
landing flange assembly side plates 42a and 42b extends through the
upwardly extending storage flowline flange lugs 40b and 40c in
order to provide a releasable connection between the landing flange
assembly 42 and the flowline flange member 40a. The releasable
connection means includes the following elements which are mounted
for movement as a releasable pin unit. An actuator pin 51a is
slidably mounted in the carrier plate 42b. The actuator 51a is
operated by actuation of the hydraulic power assembly 52 which
includes a rod portion 52a in position to extend into engagement
and actually move or displace the actuator pin 51a. The actuator
pin 51a is attached to a first connector plate 51 b which is
positioned between the testing flange assembly central mounting
plate 50f and the landing flange assembly side mounting plate 42b.
The connector plate 51b is attached to a retaining pin 51c which
extends through the arcuate slot 50g in the testing flange assembly
central mounting plate 50f and further extends through landing
flange assembly side mounting plate 42a. A second connector plate
51d is attached to the retainer pin 51c outside the landing flange
assembly side mounting plate 42a. The connector plate is also
attached to a releasing pin 51e which in FIG. 18 extends into an
opening in the upstanding flange lug portion 40b. The first
connector plate 51b of the releasable pin unit 51 is attached to a
release pin 51f which extends through an opening in the upstanding
lug portion 40c on the storage flowline flange member 40a. Further,
a retainer pin and sleeve combination 51g is attached to the first
connector plate 51b and extends through an opening 51h in the
testing flange assembly center mounting plate 51f.
The releasable pin or connection unit 51 releasably attaches the
landing flange assembly 42 and the testing flange assembly 50 with
the flowline storage flange 40. The connected position is
illustrated in FIG. 18. After the flowline flange 40a has been
landed in a position of substantially complete alignment in the
alignment channel 17a with the tree flowline flange 22, the
hydraulic cylinder assembly 42a is actuated from a remote point to
drive the rod 52a into engagement the actuator pin 51a thereby
moving the entire releasable pin unit to a release position wherein
the release pins 51e and 51f have been moved out of the upstanding
flowline flange lugs 40b and 40c, respectively. Movement of the
release pins 51e and 51f out of the upstanding lug portions 40b and
40c free the entire carrier assembly 41, including the landing
flange assembly and the testing flange assembly, for movement off
of the landed flowline flange 40a, which will be landed in a manner
to be described hereinafter.
Prior to removal of the testing flange assembly 50, the flowline
flanges S-1, S-2 and S-3 are tested individually to determine if
there are any leaks or other problems in the flowlines which have
been laid from the lay barge L downwardly to the well. It is
understood that some of the prior testing procedures utilized did
not provide for testing of the laid flowlines S-1, S-2 and S-3
until after connection with the Christmas tree T. However,
utilizing the testing flange assembly of this invention, the
flowlines S-1, S-2 and S-3 can be tested prior to connection,
thereby isolating any problem with the flowlines before connection
with the remainder of the system.
Referring again to FIG. 19, the testing flange assembly 50 includes
a central passageway 53 which extends longitudinally of the
flowline blank member 50a in order to provide fluid communication
between each of the flowlines S-1, S-2 and S-3. Suitable O-rings
such as 50h prevent the entry of sea water between the blank member
50a and the flange member 40a. An impression making pin 54 having a
cone-shaped point 54a is mounted into the back face 53a of the
passageway or bore 53 in alignment with the storage flowline S-1.
The impression making point 54a is adapted to receive a block of
soft material such as lead mounted onto a suitable pig or other
pressure differential tool which is pumped through the flowline S-1
from the surface downwardly to the testing flange assembly 50. If
the soft material block is pumped all the way through the flowline
S-1 from the surface downwardly to the flowline flange, it will
engage the impression making point 54a thereby causing a
cone-shaped depression in the block. Reverse circulation through
either or both of the other flowlines S-2 and S-3 will move the
soft material block with the cone-shaped depression therein
outwardly of the flowline S-1 so that the operators can determine
that the block actually progressed all the way through the entire
flowline S-1, thereby ensuring that the flowline S-1 is not
obstructed at any point.
Another impression making point 55 having a chisel-shaped point 55a
is mounted on the back face 53a of the passageway 53 in order to
receive and provide a chisel-shaped impression in a block of soft
material pumped through the flowline S-2. Impression making pin 56
is mounted on the back plate 53a of the the testing flange assembly
passageway 53 in alignment with the flowline S-3 in order to
receive and make a ring-shaped depression in a block of soft
material by means of the ring-shaped point 56a. Thus each of the
flowlines S-1, S-2 and S-3 can be independently tested from the
surface in order to ensure that the flowlines do not have any
obstructions therein. After the testing operation, the testing
flange assembly 50 is removed along with the entire carrier
assembly 41 from attachment with the flowline flange 40 in order to
free the flowline flange 40 for connection to the tree flowline
flange 22.
The details of the structure of the storage flowline S have now
been described. The storage flowline flange 40 has been described
as being releasably connected to a carrier means which is adapted
to cooperate with the flowline pulling tool P to actually land the
storage flowline flange 40 in a position of substantially complete
alignment in the alignment channel 17 with the tree flowline flange
22. In order to accomplish this manipulation of the storage
flowline S into a position of final alignment for connection with
the tree flowline flange 22, a flowline pulling tool P of
particular construction and utilization has been invented.
The flowline positioning or pulling tool P includes a main frame
section 60 which terminates in guide sleeves 61 and 62 which are
adapted to be mounted over the guide structure guide posts 11. The
main frame section 60 includes a central plate member 60a which is
connected to a horizontally extending pipe member 60b which is
welded onto the guide sleeves 61 and 62. A connector sub 60c is
welded or otherwise attached at the top of the frame plate 60a for
connection with a suitable running tool such as a drillpipe running
tool represented by the number 64. The frame plate member 60a has a
recess 60d therein for mounting a funnel assembly generally
designated by the number 65 for manipulating the carrier assembly
41 attached with the flowline storage flange 40. Horizontally
positioned support plates 66a and 66b are welded or otherwise
mounted onto the bottom of the frame plate 60a on either side of
the recessed area 60d in order to provide support for the pivotal
mounting of the funnel assembly 65. The frame plate 60a has mounted
therewith on either side the recess 60d landing corner plates 67a
and 67b which are positioned for insertion into the landing slots
18a and 19a on the alignment channel members 17a and 17b. In this
manner, the entire flowline pulling tool P is positioned and
aligned with respect to the flowline alignment assembly B as it is
lowered onto the flowline alignment assembly B.
A hydraulic assembly 68 is mounted by any suitable means onto the
frame plate 60a adjacent to a running latch member 69, which is
also pivotally mounted onto the frame member 60a. The flowline
pulling tool P may be used as a running tool for running downwardly
the flowline alignment assembly B. When used as a running tool, the
latch member 69 is latched into the U-shaped recess in the channel
14b of the flowline alignment assembly B. Drillpipe represented as
64 is then utilized to run downwardly on the guidelines 12 the
flowline pulling tool having attached therewith the flowline
alignment assembly B. When the flowline alignment assembly B is
positioned onto the flowline guide structure G as previously
described, the hydraulic cylinder assembly 68 is actuated to pivot
the running latch 69 out of the groove in channel 14b so that the
pulling tool P can be returned to the surface for installation of
the Christmas tree T.
The funnel assembly 65 is provided for pulling inwardly the carrier
assembly 41 and storage flowline flange 40 to a position of partial
alignment with respect to the tree flowline flange 20a and then
finally to a position of complete alignment therewith. The funnel
assembly 65 cooperates with a remotely operable hydraulic power
means 70 to move the storage flowline flange 40 to the position of
final alignment with tree flange 20.
Referring to FIGS. 3, 5, 10, 12-16 and 21-22, the funnel assembly
65 includes the following elements. The funnel assembly 65 includes
a funnel sleeve 65a which is connected by suitable means with an
enlarged funnel flange portion 65b. The enlarged, funnel flange
portion 65b includes a tapered or frustro-conical receiving surface
65c adapted to receive the landing flange 42c. Alignment holes 65d
and 65e are provided in the tapered, annular surface 65c for
receiving alignment pins 42d and 42e laterally extending from the
landing flange 42c. The funnel portion 65a is mounted onto the
frame member 60a for pivotal movement between an upwardly tilted
position such as illustrated in FIG. 5 and a downwardly tilted
position such as illustrated in FIGS. 15, 16 and 21. The pivotal
mounting of the funnel assembly including the funnel assembly 65 is
accomplished by the attachment of vertical plates such as 71a onto
the frame plate 60a on either side of the recess 60d. The vertical
plates have openings therein adapted to receive pins which extend
into pivotal contact with the funnel sleeve 65a. The pins
positioned on either side of the funnel sleeve 65a are designated
by the number 72. The vertical support plates 71 extend downwardly
into contact and are supported by the horizontal support plates 66a
and 66b which have been previously described as being attached at
the bottom of the frame member 60a on either side of the recess
60d. A funnel assembly support plate 73 is welded or otherwise
mounted onto the top of the funnel sleeve 65a and includes side
plates 73a which pivot with the pivotally mounted funnel sleeve
65a. Hydraulic power cylinders 74 are mounted on either side of the
recess 60d in the frame member 60a and extend into pivotal
connection with the support plate 73 in order to provide remotely
operable hydraulic power to move the entire funnel assembly 65
between the upwardly tilted position and the downwardly tilted
position. The hydraulic power assemblies 74 are pivotally mounted
by pin and lug connections such as 74a onto the support plates 66b
and 66a. Suitable pin and lug connections 74b are also made between
the hydraulic power assemblies 74 and the side support plates 73a
mounted with the funnel sleeve 65a.
The locking means 75 includes a locking tool 75a which is mounted
within the hollow funnel section 65a for slidable movement with
respect to the funnel section 65a. The sleeve 75a includes a
tapered end portion 75b adapted to seat a correspondingly tapered
portion 43a of the probe unit 43. Latch means 75c are mounted
within the hollow bore 75d of the locking sleeve or tool 75a for
latching the tapered nose 43c into the bore 75d such that the
entire probe unit 43 and landing flange assembly connected
therewith are movable with movement of the locking tool 75a. The
locking tool 75a is hydraulically powered by means of hydraulic
cylinder assemblies 76 mounted on either side of the funnel section
65a. The hydraulic cylinder assemblies 76 are suitably mounted to
the funnel section 65a onto suitable connecting studs which are
connected to the funnel section 65a. The hydraulic power assemblies
are also attached to a rear tool plate 75e which is mounted at the
rear of the locking tool or sleeve 75a. The providing of hydraulic
fluid under pressure to the power assemblies 76 provide for
slidable movement of the locking tool 75a out of the funnel section
65a thereby pulling the landing flange assembly 42 into the funnel
portion 65a and 65b.
The wireline W is passed through the funnel assembly including the
funnel section 65a and through the locking tube 75a and extends
upwardly to the operating vessel at the surface. A sheave network
77 is provided for redirecting the path of the wireline from its
direction of extension through the funnel assembly 65 into a
direction extending upwardly to the surface of the water. The
sheave network 77 includes a first sheave 77a mounted onto the rear
tube plate 75e. This first sheave 77a is thus mounted for movement
with the locking tool 75a. A second sheave 77b is mounted onto a
support plate 77c attached with the funnel section 65a. A third
sheave 77d is actually mounted onto the pulling tool frame plate
60a in order to finally direct the wireline W upwardly toward the
surface vessel V. Of course, each of the sheaves are mounted for
rotation in a well known manner such that the wireline can be
manipulated from the surface in order to pull the carrier assembly
41 and storage flowline flange inwardly into a position of partial
alignment with respect to the tree flowline flange 22.
The funnel section 65a includes therein two circular or helical
surfaces 49, one of which is illustrated in FIG. 14, which begin at
the front end 65a' at the bottom of the funnel section and curve in
a helical path and terminate at the rear end 65c of the funnel
section 65a at the top thereof. The double helical surfaces 49 are
adapted to receive a vertical aligning pin 43f which extends
outwardly from the main nose section 43b. In this manner, the nose
43a for the probe unit 43 is cammed or gradually forced to a
vertical position as the locking tool 75a pulls the nose 43a of the
probe unit 43 further inwardly such that the entire carrier
assembly is locked for movement with the funnel assembly 65 and the
flowline flange 40 is in a vertical position for seating between
the alignment channel members 17a and 17b.
Referring in particular to FIGS. 10, 12-16 and 21 and 22, the
flowline pulling tool P operates to move the carrier assembly 41
and storage flowline flange 40 into a position of final alignment
between the alignment channel members 17a and 17b in the following
manner. The wireline W is connected between the surface vessel V,
the funnel assembly 65 and the tapered nose portion 43c prior to
the storage flowline S being laid or lowered into the water from
the lay barge L. The storage flowline S is laid or extended
outwardly from the lay barge L in a known manner and the flowline S
is finally positioned such that the end thereof which includes the
carrier assembly 41 and the storage flowline flange 40 are
positioned substantially adjacent to the flowline alignment
assembly B. At this point, the Christmas tree T and the flowline
alignment assembly P have already been lowered along the guidelines
12 and landed onto the guide structure and the flowline alignment
assembly B. The wireline W extends from the sheave 77d into
connection with any suitable wireline control means which is
capable of exerting great pulling strength on the wireline after
the flowline pulling tool P is lowered and landed.
The flowline pulling tool P is lowered along the guidelines 12 by a
drillpipe running tool 64 or other suitable means. If a drillpipe
running tool is utilized, the wireline W can be positioned within
the drillpipe. The flowline pulling tool is aligned with and landed
onto the flowline alignment assembly in the following manner. The
side, guide sleeves 61 and 62 are mounted over the guide posts 11
which have received the guide sleeves of both the flowline
alignment assembly and the Christmas tree. The landing corners 67a
and 67b are landed in the slots 18a and 19a in the alignment
channel members 17a and 17b, respectively, thereby centering
properly the pulling tool P onto the flowline alignment assembly B.
After the pulling tool P is landed, the wireline pulling means at
the surface is operated to pull on the wireline until a dart or
other connection point on the wireline is attached at the surface
pulling apparatus such that the initial positioning process can
begin.
The wireline pulling apparatus at the surface is actuated to exert
upward pulling force on the wireline through the drillpipe running
tool 64 thereby causing the probe unit 43, the landing flange
assembly 42 and the storage flowline flange 40a to be moved
inwardly toward the upwardly tilted funnel sections 65a and 65b.
The wireline is pulled from the surface until the nose 43a of the
probe unit 43 is pulled into the funnel section 65a and further
into the locking sleeve 75a and is latched by the latching element
75c. At this point, the entire carrier assembly 41 with the storage
flowline flange 40 has been moved to a position of partial
alignment with respect to the tree flowline flange 22.
When the pulling tool P was landed on the flowline alignment B, a
secondary hydraulic terminal 78 mounted on the pulling tool frame
member 60a was inserted into the secondary hydraulic terminal 29 on
the Christmas tree T. Hydraulic connection was made between the
secondary hydraulic terminal connection 78 on the pulling tool P by
the use of alignment pins such as 78a, illustrated in FIG. 17,
which are inserted into alignment bores 29a on the tree terminal
connection. The insertion of the alignment pins 78a into the
alignment bores 29a serve to make hydraulic connection between the
male hydraulic terminal member 78b and female hydraulic terminal
member 28b on the Christmas tree T. The secondary hydraulic
terminal 78a on the pulling tool is connected by suitable fluid
lines with the surface. Therefore, hydraulic fluid under pressure
can be applied through the secondary, male hydraulic terminal on
the pulling tool into the female, hydraulic terminal on the
Christmas tree and to the hydraulic mechanisms mounted with the
Christmas tree such as the hydraulic power assembly 30 for
manipulating the tree flange 22. This eliminates the necessity of
having to re-enter the conventional hydraulic terminal mounted at
the upper portion 21a of the Christmas tree main housing 21.
Mounted with the secondary hydraulic terminal 78 are a series of
hydraulic fluid connections extending from the surface downwardly
into hydraulic fluid connection with the various hydraulic power
assemblies mounted on the pulling tool P itself, such as the funnel
hydraulic pivoting assembly 74 and the locking tool hydraulic
assemblies 76.
At this point, the carrier assembly 41 and the storage flowline
flange 40 are partially aligned with respect to the Christmas tree
flange 22. The hydraulic power assemblies 76 are now actuated by
the application of hydraulic fluid from the surface vessel V to
move the locking tool 75a outwardly of the funnel section 65a
thereby pulling the cylindrical landing portion 42f into the funnel
section 65a. The hydraulic cylinder assemblies 76 move the locking
tool 75a until the landing flange 42c is locked against the
annularly tapered funnel end portion 65b. As the landing flange
assembly is moved inwardly, the stud or alignment pin 43f on the
nose 43a engages one of the two helical surfaces 49 thereby
gradually rotating the nose and the remainder of the carrier
assembly 41 to a vertical position.
The engagement of the alignment pin 43f into one of the helical
surfaces 49 causes the probe unit 43 and the landing flange
assembly and the storage flowline flange to be moved to a vertical
position if not already in a vertical position, due to the
restricted pivotal connection between the nose 42a and the
connector nut 42i of the landing flange assembly 42. When the
alignment pin 43 has reached the top end portion 65c of the helical
surface 49, the landing flange 42c is in a position such that the
alignment pins 42d and 42e are inserted into the alignment openings
65d and 65e in the funnel flange portion 65b. Thus the nose 43 and
the landing flange 42c are moved entirely into a locked position
with respect to the funnel sections 65a and 65b so that the landing
flange assembly is locked for movement with the funnel sections 65a
and 65b.
With the landing flange 42c locked against the funnel end section
65b, the hydraulic cylinders 74 are remotely actuated to tilt the
funnel sections 65a and 65b downwardly to the downwardly tilted
positions illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16. Referring to FIG. 16, the
side mounting plates 42a and 42b for the landing flange assembly 42
include landing plates 80c and 80d (which are welded or otherwise
attached to said plates 42a and 42b) which are adapted to land onto
the top, front corners 80a and 80b of the alignment channel members
17a and 17b, respectively. The landing corners 80a and 80b provide
a right angle landing corner adapted to receive notch portions 80
on each of the plates 80c and 80d. Each of the notch portions 80
include two landing shoulders or surfaces which join at a right
angle. This landing of the right angle notch portions 80 of the
side mounting plates 42a and 42b onto the landing corners 80a and
80b serve to position the flange member 40a in the alignment
channel 17 between the alignment channel members 17a and 17b. The
flowline S including the flowlines S-1, S-2 and S-3 are then
manipulated to a horizontal position such as illustrated in FIG. 15
such that the flange member 40a is moved to a substantially
vertical position within the alignment channel and the vertical
dogs 45a move into vertical portions of the T-shaped alignment
channel member slots 17c and 17d. If desired, the flowlines S-1,
S-2 and S-3 can be moved to a horizontal position prior to the
pivoting of the funnel sections 65a and 65b downwardly to the
downwardly tilted position. In this event, the actual pivoting of
the funnel assembly 65 will land the flowline flange in a
substantially vertical position and the vertical latch portions 45a
will move into the T-shaped slots 17c and 17d upon the landing of
the landing notches 80 against the corner portions 17f and 17g.
When the detent portions 45a are pushed outwardly by the previously
resilient means into the vertical portions of the T-shaped slots
17c and 17d, the flowline flange member 40 is in a position of
substantially complete alignment with the tree flowline flange 22.
The movement of the flowline flange 40 from the position of partial
alignment to the position of complete alignment has been
accomplished by remotely operable hydraulic mechanisms as opposed
to the utilization of a wireline only. One of the many advantages
of the utilization of the funnel assembly 65a with its
hydraulically actuated power cylinders such as 74 is that the use
of the wireline to make this final positioning motion is
eliminated. Thus, it is not necessary to maintain any kind of line
under tension between the surface vessel V and the flowline pulling
tool P during this final alignment operation. Rather, power means
actuated from the surface but located entirely on the pulling tool
actually move the carrier assembly 41 into the final locked
position and into the final landed position on the alignment
channels 17a and 17b. Referring to FIG. 20, the storage flowline
flange 20 has outwardly extending lateral lugs 81a and 81b which
are adapted to land onto the landing surfaces 18a and 19a of the
alignment channels. These laterally extending lugs 81a and 81b
serve to cooperate with the notches 80 to finally vertically
position the flowline flange 40a with respect to the tree flange
22.
The independent testing of the flowlines S-1, S-2 and S-3 utilizing
the flowline testing assembly 50 is at this point actually made.
After it has been determined that the flowlines S-1, S-2 and S-3
are free of obstructions or other problems, the flowline testing
assembly 50 can be removed in order to prepare the storage flowline
flange 40 for connection to the tree flowline flange 22. First, the
hydraulic cylinder assembly 52 is actuated to move the releasable
pivotal connection means from the connected position of FIG. 18 to
the released position of FIG. 20 thereby releasing the connection
between the landing flange assembly 42 and the flowline flange 40a.
Referring to FIG. 21, the entire flowline pulling tool P is then
raised upwardly along the guide posts 11 thereby lifting the
testing flange assembly 50 off of the storage flowline flange
member 40a. The longitudinal grooves 50d in the side plates 50c of
the testing flange assembly 50 ride over the flange member ridges
46 as the testing flange assembly is lifted outwardly. The lifting
of the testing flange assembly 50 off of the storage flowline
flange 40a releases the horizontal detent 45b into the horizontal
portions of the alignment channel T-shaped slots 17d and 17e. As
previously described, the releasable pivotal connection means 44
does not release the testing flange assembly 50 from its connection
with the landing flange assembly 42, this remaining connection is
of course necessary to actually pick up the testing flange
assembly. For purposes of explanation, the actual remaining
connecting between the landing flange assembly 42 and the testing
flange assembly 50 is caused by the retention of pins 51c and 51g
in the central mounting plate 50f of the testing flange assembly
50.
Referring to FIG. 22, after the testing flange assembly 50 has been
lifted completely off of the storage flowline flange 40, the
hydraulic power assemblies 74 are actuated to tilt the funnel
assembly 65 to its upward position again. The tilting of the entire
funnel assembly to the upward position moves the testing flange
assembly out of the way so that the flowline pulling tool P can
again be lowered downwardly and landed on the flowline alignment
assembly B. At this point the tree flowline flange 22 and the
storage flowline flange 40 are substantially completely aligned
between the alignment channel members 17a and 17b and are ready for
connection.
The removable seal plate assembly 23 is removably, sealably mounted
onto the front face 22f of the tree flowline flange member 22d. The
removable seal plate assembly 23 includes a seal plate 23a having
seal connector rings 23b, 23c, 23d and 23e positioned in openings
in the seal plate. The connector ring 23b is mounted in an opening
23f in the seal plate and is sealed therein by O-ring 23g. The
connector ring 23b includes annular ridge portions 23h and 23i
which extend outwardly from both sides of the seal plate to engage
corresponding grooves concentrically positioned about the ends of
the flowlines in the flowline flanges 22 and 40. In this manner, a
sealed connection can be made between the flowlines such as the
flowline F-1 in the tree flowline flange 22 and the flowline S-1 in
the storage flowline flange 40. The seal plate 23 is removable for
replacement or repair in a manner to be described hereinafter.
The sealed, fluid connection between the tree flowline flange 22
and the storage flowline flange 40 is made by the flowline
connection means 26 illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9 and 23-26. The
connection means 26 includes two side plates 26a and 26b which are
attached by bolts 26c to a power piston assembly 27. The power
piston assembly 27 includes a stationary piston 27a which is
mounted onto the tree flange member 22d and extends upwardly
therefrom. A cylinder 27b is mounted over the stationary piston 27a
in a sealed relationship therewith by seal rings such as 27c
thereby providing a sealed chamber 27d adapted to receive hydraulic
fluid under pressure. Entry of hydraulic fluid into the chamber 27d
in the manner illustrated in FIG. 8 causes the hydraulic sleeve 27b
to move upwardly to the release position illustrated therein. In
the release position, the attached slide plates 26a and 26b are
moved to the upper, release position shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 25 and
26. Entry of hydraulic fluid below the stationary piston 27 in the
chamber 27 d moves the movable cylinder downwardly to the connect
position illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 24. Each of the side plates
26a and 26b include spaced inwardly extending lug portions or
detents 26d and 26e having an entry recess 26f therebetween.
The storage flowline flange member 40a includes outwardly extending
lug portions 40g and 40h which extend outwardly from the flowline
flange member sides 40e. An entry recess 40i is thus formed between
the upper lug 40g and the lower lug 40h.
With the side plates 26a and 26b in the upper release position
illustrated in FIG. 8, the hydraulic power assembly 30 can be
actuated through the secondary terminal connection illustrated in
FIG. 17 to move the tree flowline flange 22 and the seal plate
assembly 23 attached thereon into engagement with the storage
flowline flange 40, which is completely aligned therewith. A
sealed, fluid connection is made between the seal plate assembly 23
and the storage flowline flange member 40a by the insertion of the
connection ring ridges such as 23i into corresponding grooves
surrounding the flowlines such as S-1. Alignment pins 22i and 22j
are positioned in alignment bores 40j and 40k. The alignment pins
22i and 22j can be tapered to ensure entry thereof into the bores,
which may also be tapered.
The side plates 26a and 26b in the upper, released position are
aligned with the storage flowline flange member 40 such that the
upper outwardly extending lugs 40g pass through the side plate
recesses 26f when the seal plate 23 actually engages the front face
40d of the storage flowline flange member 40a, the side plate lugs
26d and 26e have passed over the storage flowline flange lugs 40h
and 40i and are on the other side thereof. This position is
illustrated in FIG. 24. Hydraulic fluid is then passed into the
chamber 27 below the stationary piston 27c thereby moving the
cylinder 27b downwardly thus causing the side plates to move
downwardly to the connected position of FIG. 24. In the connected
position, the side plate lugs 26d and 26e which extend inwardly
engage the storage flowline flange lugs 40g and 40h and lock the
tree flowline flange 22, the tree plate assembly 23 and the storage
flowline flange 40 in fluid, sealed connection. It should be noted
that the side plate lugs 26d and 26e of the connector means include
inwardly camming surfaces such as 26d' which engage complimentary
cammed surfaces such as 40h' on the sides of the flange member 40a
to cause the tree flowline flange 22 to move further into
engagement with the seal plate assembly and the storage flowline
flange 40 as the side plates are moved downwardly to the connected
position.
The connection of the tree flowline flange 22 with the seal plate
assembly 23 and the storage flowline flange 40 by the connection
means 26 completes the fluid connection between the Christmas tree
T and the storage flowline S such that oil fluid can be transferred
from the well to a storage area. After the flanges 22 and 40 have
been interconnected in a sealed relationship, the flowline pulling
tool P may be removed along the guidelines 12 thereby leaving the
apparatus as illustrated in FIG. 1.
It may be desirable from time to time to inspect, repair or replace
the sealing plate assembly 23 which makes the sealed, fluid
connection between the flowline flanges 22 and 40. The seal plate
assembly 23 can be removed by means of the removal tool 90b
illustrated in FIGS. 25 and 26. First, hydraulic fluid under
pressure is applied to the connection means chamber 27d above the
stationary piston 27a in order to move upwardly the movable
cylinder 27b thereby moving the connector side plates 26a and 26b
upwardly to the upper, release position. In the release position,
which is also the position which allows connection of the two
flanges, the recess 26f in the connector side plates 26a and 26b is
aligned with the storage flowline flange lug 40g such that the
connector plates 26a and 26b as well as the flange 22 can be moved
away from the flange 40. Movement of the tree flowline flange 22
away from the storage flowline flange 40 is accomplished by
actuation of the hydraulic power assembly 30 which moves the tree
flowline flange 22 in the direction of arrow 93 thereby backing the
tree flowline flange away from the storage flowline flange. Of
course, all of the movement of the flange 22 is within the confines
of the alignment channel 17 at this point.
After the tree flowline flange 22 has been moved away from the
storage flowline flange to the position illustrated in FIG. 25, the
removal tool 90 is lowered downwardly on any suitable running tool
and is positioned in between the two flanges 22 and 40. The running
tool 90 includes a tapered pin 90a which is tapered for insertion
into a bore 90g on the seal plate body 23a. The running tool 90
further includes a latch means 91 which includes two side latch
members 91a adapted to latch over side lugs 23n which extend
outwardly from the side of the seal plate member 23a.
The latch members 91a are pivotally mounted onto removal tool body
90b by suitable pin connections at 91b. The latches 91a extend
outwardly in a lateral direction toward the seal plate assembly 23
and include removal shoulders 91c and 91d which are machined in the
bottom portion of the latches. The latches 91a are maintained in
the substantially lateral position by pins 90c which extend
outwardly from the sides of the removal tool body 90b.
In order to remove the seal plate assembly 23, the hydraulic power
means 30 is actuated to move the tree flowline flange 22 backwardly
away from the storage flowline flange 40. After the tree flowline
flange 40 has been moved to the position illustrated in FIG. 25,
the removal tool 90 is inserted between the two flanges 22 and
40.
With the removal tool 90 positioned between the tree flowline
flange 22 and the storage flowline flange 40 the hydraulic power
assembly 30 is actuated to move the tree flowline flange 22 toward
the removal tool 90 and the storage flowline flange 40. The flange
22 is moved into a position of engagement with the removal tool 90
such that the alignment pin 22j is inserted into the corresponding
bore 90a in the removal tool body 90b. The latches 91a are moved
over the seal plate side lugs 23n as the power assembly 30 moves
the flowline flange 22 and seal plate assembly 23 into engagement
with the removal tool 90. The latching surfaces 91c and 91d are
moved upwardly and over the side lugs 23n into a position of hooked
engagement therewith.
The hydraulic cylinder assembly 30 is then actuated to remove the
tree flowline flange 22 rearwardly again in the direction of arrow
93. As the tree flowline flange 22 is moved backwardly by the power
of the hydraulic cylinder assembly 30, the latches 91 hold the tree
plate member 23 with the removal tool thereby causing a shearing of
two shear pin connections 94 (FIG. 9) between the flowline flange
member 40a and the tree plate body 23a. The shear pin connections
94 include a first connecting pin member 94a which actually
connects the tree plate body 23a to the tree flowline flange member
22a. A resiliently urged shear pin 94b is urged resiliently into a
groove in the connector pin 94a. Retention of the seal plate body
23a with the latches 91a causes a shearing force to be directed
onto the shear pins 94b thereby causing them to shear and releases
the connection between the tree flowline flange member 22a and the
seal plate body 23a. This frees the seal plate assembly 23 for
removal with the removal tool. The removal tool 90 maintains a hold
on the seal plate assembly 23 by a combination of the latch members
91a and the pin 22j inserted in the removal tool body 90b. Another
seal plate assembly 23 can be run along a suitable running tool and
inserted between the tree flowline flange 20 and the storage
flowline flange 40 by reversing the steps of the removal process
just described.
SUMMARY OF OPERATION
The apparatus A of this invention is utilized to make a sealed,
fluid connection between a Christmas tree T located on a subsea
well and an underwater flowline which has been laid to the side of
the well. The summary of operation including the method of making
the connection between the well and the storage area located at a
remote point can be summarized as follows.
After the well has been drilled and it has been determined that the
well is a desirable producer, a flowline guide structure G can be
lowered downwardly from the surface vessel V and mounted onto the
well in order to provide a guide system along the guidelines 12
extending to the surface vessel for the various operations to
follow. After a determination has been made of the direction of
approachment of the storage flowline S to the well, the flowline
alignment assembly B is lowered along two of the guidelines 12 and
onto two adjacent guide posts 11 which will face the flowline S
when laid. The flowline alignment assembly B is run downwardly
utilizing the flowline positioning assembly or pulling tool P of
this invention. After the flowline alignment assembly B is suitably
landed on the guide structure and latches 16 have latched onto
frame members 11a of the guide structure, the hydraulic cylinder
release 68 can be actuated to release the latch 69 from the channel
member 14b so that the flowline pulling tool P can be returned to
the surface.
The Christmas tree T is then run along the guidelines 12 into
position on the guide structure G and the flowline alignment
assembly B. The Christmas tree T is positioned such that the tree
flowline flange 22 is inserted into the alignment channel 17
between the alignment channel members 17a and 17b. The curved
flowlines F-1, F-2 and F-3 are mounted for slidable movement at
their end portions by means of the hub 24 mounted in the guide
sleeve 25. This even allows some axial movement of the flowlines
and the flowline flange 22 as the flowline flange is seated between
the alignment members 17a and 17b, if necessary.
The storage flowline S is now laid from the lay barge L downwardly
to the flowline alignment assembly B. A wireline W is connected to
the probe unit 43 as the flowline is laid underwater. The wireline
W extends to the surface vessel V and through the funnel assembly
65 of the flowline pulling tool P, which is at this point landed on
the flowline alignment assembly B. The procedure for brining the
flowline S adjacent to the flowline alignment assembly B and
pulling tool P may be varied if desirable. The flowline pulling
tool P is then lowered along the guidelines 12 onto the flowline
alignment assembly B and is seated thereon. At this point, the
wireline W extends from the probe unit 43, through the funnel
sections 65a and 65b, through the locking tube or sleeve 75a and
along sheaves 77a, 77b and 77d upwardly to the surface vessel
(through the drillpipe running tool 64) and is connected to a
suitable wireline control means on the surface vessel. This
wireline control means is then operated to pull the wireline W
thereby moving the probe unit 43, the landing assembly 41 and the
storage flowline flange 40 attached therewith inwardly toward the
funnel assembly 65 until the nose portion 43a is latched into the
locking sleeve 75a by the latch members 75c.
Hydraulic force is then applied through the hydraulic cylinder
assembly 76 to move the locking tube 75 rearwardly out of the
funnel section 65 thereby pulling in the landing cylinder 42f and
landing the landing flange 42c onto the funnel landing section 65b
with the landing pins 42d and 42e inserted into landing bores 65d
and 65e. As the probe unit 43 is moved inwardly, the vertical
aligning pin 43f will be engaged by one of two helical surfaces 49
which terminate at the rear top 65c of the funnel section 65a.
Thus, if the flowline flange 40 is not in a vertical position, the
alignment pin 43b on the probe body 43a will be engaged by one of
the helical grooves and gradually rotated to a vertical position.
The pivotal connection between the probe body 43a and the connector
pin nut 42i allows the probe unit and landing flange assembly to be
pulled into the funnel sections 65a and 65b even if the probe unit
43, landing flange assembly 42, flowline flange 40 and the
flowlines S-1, S-2 and S-3 are as much as 30.degree. out of
alignment with the alignment channel members 17a and 17b.
After the landing flange assembly has been locked with the funnel
sections 65a and 65b as illustrated in detail in FIG. 14, hydraulic
power cylinders 74 are tilted to the downwardly tilted position of
FIG. 15 where the landing notches 80 land onto and seat against the
landing corners 80a and 80b on the alignment channels 17a and 17b,
respectively. The storage flowlines S-1, S-2 and S-3 are now moved
to a substantially horizontal position if not already in such
horizontal position. With the landing notches 80 on the carrier
assembly landed onto the alignment channels and the flowlines in a
horizontal position, the vertical dogs 45a are inserted into the
vertical portions of the substantially T-shaped recesses 17c and
17d in the alignment channel members 17a and 17b.
The flowlines S-1, S-2 and S-3 are then independently tested
utilizing the flowline testing assembly 50. After it has been
determined that the flowlines are free of obstruction, the flowline
testing assembly 50 and the landing flange assembly 42 are released
from connection with the storage flowline flange 40 by the
releasable connection means 51 illustrated in the connect position
in FIG. 18 and in the release position in FIG. 20.
It might be mentioned that the horizontal dogs 45b extending
outwardly from the storage flowline flange member 40a are held
inwardly by the retention ears 50e on the side plates 50c of the
testing flange assembly 50 until the testing flange assembly 50 is
removed. The reason for the retention of the horizontal dogs 45b is
to provide for removal of the storage flowline flange 40 in the
event of any problem. Of course, once the horizontal latch dogs 45b
have been released for insertion into the horizontal portions of
the T-shaped slots 17c and 17d, the flange member is substantially
locked in position and cannot be removed without additional
effort.
After release by the releasable connection means 51, the entire
pulling tool P is pulled upwardly thereby pulling the testing
flange assembly entirely off of the flowline flange. The hydraulic
cylinders 74 are then actuated to pivot the funnel assembly to an
upwardly tilted position in order to move the testing flange
assembly 50 out of the way. The pulling tool is then re-landed onto
the flowline alignment assembly B.
Referring to FIGS. 8-9 and 23-24, the hydraulic cylinder 30 is
actuated to move the connection means 26 into such a position that
the connector plates 26a and 26b can be moved downwardly to the
connected position over the storage flowline flange lugs 40h and
40i as previously described. This completes the connection between
the storage flowlines S-1, S-2 and S-3 with the tree flowlines F-1,
F-2 and F-3.
It should be understood that the apparatus of this invention can be
utilized to connect any number of flowlines, although only three
have been described on the Christmas tree T and the storage
flowline S in the embodiment described herein. The apparatus A of
this invention is particularly suited for making fluid connections
at depths underwater where divers cannot operate. However, it
should be understood that the apparatus A may be utilized at any
depth. The source of hydraulic power has been generally described
as being situated on the surface vessel V. It should be understood
that portions or all of the hydraulic power may actually be
provided on the parts of the apparatus A positioned on the well, if
desired.
The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are
illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the
methods, procedures and techniques, as well as in the details of
the various illustrated steps may be made without departing from
the spirit of the invention. For example, the guide structure G has
been disclosed as reguiring using guidelines 12 for lowering the
various tool assemblies disclosed here. It should be understood
that the other guide structures can be used to guide some part or
all of the equipment from the surface to the well.
* * * * *