BR102020025143A2 - SYSTEM, BALL VALVE ASSEMBLY AND METHOD - Google Patents

Abstract

system, ball valve assembly and method. The present invention relates to assembly (200) for a ball valve (1600); system and method, which includes a fluid storage mechanism (eg, an accumulator) that absorbs excess fluid pressure vented through the communication port. the ball valve assembly includes a housing with a fluid passage formed therethrough, a seat located in the fluid passage, and a fluid passage inlet on a first side of the seat for coupling the ball valve assembly to the port of Communication. the ball valve assembly includes a ball with a hole formed therethrough. the ball is positioned on the seat and can be rotated between an open position that allows flow through the fluid passage and a closed position that prevents flow through the fluid passage. the ball valve assembly also includes an accumulator disposed in the housing and fluidly coupled to the first fluid passage on a second side of the seat opposite the first side.

Description

SYSTEM, BALL VALVE ASSEMBLY AND METHOD TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The modalities described in this document refer, in general, to oil and gas production and drilling operations, and specifically, to the increase in the area of the interface surfaces of the associated housings and connectors, improved gaskets and devices for gasket retention that allow the same.

BACKGROUND

[002] A subsea well has an accommodation located in the subsea bed. The housing is defined by a tubular element that has a hole. A connector can be a similarly tubular element with a hole. The connector can be lowered from a vessel, located on the surface, towards the housing, where the connector can connect the subsea housing to the surface by mating with the exterior of the housing. The housing may further comprise one or more upwardly facing shields at its upper end which are operable to interconnect with one or more downwardly facing shields at the lower end of the connector. The main body of the connector may comprise a recess located radially inwardly from one of the downwardly facing bulkheads. Both the housing and connector may comprise a profile grooved on their outside diameter to allow a locking ring to engage the housing and connector together to create a final assembly.

[003] A metallic sealing ring, or gasket, can be positioned between the tubular elements and flexibly seal between the elements. Gaskets are available in a variety of configurations, such as types AX, BX, CX, DX, RX and VX. A gasket may comprise an upper conical surface and a lower conical surface that are operable to create a seal when the upper conical surface of the gasket contacts a downwardly conical surface of the connector and the lower conical surface of the gasket contacts the upward facing conical surface of the housing. Such gaskets are generally constructed having one or more ribs, which extend radially outward from the gasket. The one or more ribs can allow alignment of the gasket and can interact with a retaining device to maintain the position of the gasket between the tubular elements during operations.

[004] A problem with gaskets that include one or more ribs is that the ribs are designed to interconnect with a recess formed within or between the tubular elements. Such a recess reduces the surface area of the tubular elements as well as the area of the interface between the tubular elements. If a recess appears in the housing or connector of a wellhead assembly, the recess may weaken from the assembly, making it more susceptible to forces associated with the flexing and compression of the assembly. High pressure/high temperature (HP/HT) subsurface drilling, with temperatures reaching and exceeding 350° F (176.6°C) and pressures reaching and exceeding 15,000 PSI, place particularly high demands on all assembly elements. Therefore, any reduction in the strength, flexibility, or both of the assembly can impact the operational capability of the assembly and can lead to unpleasant consequences when the assembly is subjected to loads encountered in harsh subsea locations and other environments.

[005] The present invention was designed to increase the interface of the surface area of the housing and the connector in the bulkheads of these tubular elements and thereby increase the load that the connected tubular elements are able to withstand due to well pressures and temperatures .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[006] Some specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be understood by reference, in part, to the following description and attached drawings.

[007] Figure 1 is a side cross-sectional view of an assembly comprising a housing, a connector, a gasket and a locking ring, according to one or more aspects of the present invention.

[008] Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view of an assembly comprising a housing, a connector and a gasket, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

[009] Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view of an assembly comprising a housing, a connector and a gasket, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 4 is a side cross-sectional view of an assembly comprising a housing, a connector and a gasket, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 5 is a side cross-sectional view of an assembly comprising a housing, a connector and a gasket, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 6 is a side cross-sectional view of a well assembly during alignment of a gasket and before contact between the tubular elements, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 7 is a side cross-sectional view of a well assembly after a gasket has aligned and the tubular elements have contacted each other, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

[0014] Figures 8A-C are side cross-sectional views illustrating a progression of contact between a gasket and the tubular elements while the gasket aligns and the tubular elements contact each other.

[0015] Figure 9 is a side cross-sectional view of a tubular assembly, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 10 is a side cross-sectional view of a housing, connector, associated gasket and gasket retaining assembly of the tubular assembly of Figure 9, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 11 is an approximate side cross-sectional view of the gasket and the gasket retention assembly taken along the dashed lines of Figure 10 in a landing configuration, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 12 is an approximate side cross-sectional view of the gasket and the gasket retaining assembly taken along the dashed lines of Figure 10 in a landlocked configuration, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 13 is a side cross-sectional view of a housing, connector, associated gasket and gasket retainer assembly of a tubular assembly, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 14 is an approximate side cross-sectional view of a gasket and a gasket retention assembly, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 15 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a tubular assembly having a gasket retainer assembly and multiple penetration inlets for a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 16 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a tubular assembly having a gasket retention assembly that is controlled by means of a control line from the surface, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of a ball valve assembly for use as a closure mechanism in a gasket retainer assembly, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view of an accumulator in the ball valve assembly of Figure 17, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view of the ball valve assembly of Figure 17 taken along a 90° offset cross section, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view of a spherical rotation assembly that may be used of the ball valve assembly of Figure 19, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The present invention addresses one or more of the shortcomings of the prior art by providing systems and methods for increasing the interface surface area of tubular elements, which includes, but is not limited to, subsea housing assemblies, which may include housing heads. well, spools, adapters and "blowout preventer" fittings.

[0028] In one or more embodiments, the surface area of the tubular elements can be increased by removing one or more ribs extending from the gasket. Similarly, the gasket can be reduced in size and thickness to allow for increased interface surface areas of the tubular elements. For example, the contact area of the tubular elements can be increased between 10% and 40% compared to existing models by removing one or more ribs from the gasket, which can proportionally increase the flexural and compressive capacity of the complete assembly. 10% to 40%.

[0029] The gasket can be aligned between the tubular elements by distally aligned tapered segments near the vertical ends of the gasket and by radially centrally aligned segments in the gasket. In certain embodiments, the gasket may include both distal and radially centrally operable alignment segments to engage the tapered segments of the tubular elements and to ensure alignment of the gasket. In other embodiments, the gasket may include the distal alignment segments but not the radially center alignment segments, while in other embodiments, the gasket may include the radially center alignment segments but not the distal alignment segments. The gasket can also include a split ring, a flap configuration and/or other configurations that would be familiar to a person skilled in the art.

[0030] Embodiments according to the present invention also relate to an improved gasket retention assembly for connector/well heads. Unlike existing gasket retention systems, the assembly described does not require the formation of a large recess through the housing or tubular connector. Instead, the described gasket retention assembly takes up little space which helps to minimize the impact on wellhead/connector capacity by ensuring a large contact surface at the housing and connector interface.

[0031] The gasket retainer assembly generally includes a port formed through the tubular connector, a spring-propelled plunger disposed in a recess in the connector, with such recess being fluidly coupled to the port, and a spring-propelled retaining mechanism through which the plunger passes. The spring-propelled retaining mechanism interlocks directly with a gasket on the tubular mount to hold the gasket in place against the wellhead connector. The spring-propelled retention mechanism can be oriented perpendicular to the spring-propelled plunger. the packing retainer assembly may also include a valve or other closing mechanism disposed at a distal end of the port to allow specific hydraulic control of the packing retainer assembly. the packing retainer assembly is energetically self-contained and can be operated without manual manipulation (eg, automatically or via hydraulic control inputs from an ROV or control line) to selectively engage/disengage the packing from within the retention mechanism. This allows for relatively easy removal and replacement of the wellhead assembly gasket at the subsea location using an ROV.

[0032] The present invention also relates to a ball valve assembly that can be used with the packing retainer assembly. the ball valve assembly includes a fluid storage mechanism (eg, an accumulator) that absorbs excess fluid pressure vented through the gasket retention assembly communication port when the ball valve is in an open position. When the ball valve assembly is closed, the communication port through the gasket retention assembly is no longer able to vent to the ball valve assembly and fluid pressure is trapped in the communication line to allow for removal of the gasket from inside the connector when the gasket retainer assembly is no longer seated in the gasket. The ball valve can be re-opened after packing replacement, thereby allowing pressure communication between the communication port and the accumulator so that the packing retaining mechanism can re-engage with the packing.

[0033] The ball valve assembly that has been described may include a housing with a first fluid passage formed therethrough, a seat disposed within the first fluid passage, and a first fluid passage inlet on a first side of the seat to fluidly couple the ball valve assembly to the fluid communication line. The ball valve assembly can also include a ball with a hole formed therethrough, in which the ball is positioned on the seat and can be rotated between an open position that allows flow through the first fluid passage and a closed position that prevents flow through the first fluid passage. The ball valve assembly also includes an accumulator disposed in the housing and fluidly coupled to the first fluid passage on a second side of the seat opposite the first side. The ball valve assembly that has been described provides a closed system through which fluid pressure can be vented and returned to the communication port without having the port open to external fluid.

[0034] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an assembly 200 including a housing 110, a connector 112, and a gasket 105, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. Assembly 200 may include a tubular housing 110 with a central hole 150 that can contact a tubular connector 112, wherein the connector 112 also has a central hole 150. The housing 110 and connector 112 may be secured by a locking ring 114 The locking ring 114 can surround the housing 110 and the main body of the connector 112. The gasket 105 can include an upwardly-facing tapered surface, a downwardly-facing tapered surface, and a central hole 150. The gasket 105 can create a seal when the upwardly-facing tapered surface of gasket 105 contacts a downwardly-facing tapered bulkhead of connector 112 and the downwardly-facing tapered surface of gasket 105 contacts an upwardly-facing tapered bulkhead of housing 110. A retaining device 125 may be seated in a recess in gasket 105. Retaining device 125, which may include an elastomeric seal (such as an O-ring, S-seal, Polypak seal, or T-seal), a plunger, or a A mechanical, hydraulic, or self-retaining hold-down configuration may operate to maintain the position of gasket 105. As illustrated in Figure 1, an overdraft valve 160 may pass through connector 112 to allow accumulation of air or fluid pressure behind of the retainer 125 in order to release the retainer 125 and the gasket 105. The reduced size of the gasket 105, relative to previous implementations, may allow contact between the entire downwardly facing bulkhead 132 of the connector 112 and the entire upwardly facing bulkhead 130 of housing 110. The increased surface area contact between housing 110 and connector 112 at the interface between these components increases the strength, flexibility, or both of assembly 100.

[0035] In one or more embodiments, the tapered surfaces of the tubular elements may include multiple tapered surfaces separated by steps, or transitions, between the tapered surfaces. These steps can provide a visual indication for the operator to properly seat the gasket. Alternatively, multiple sealing surfaces can act redundantly to prevent leakage if a single seal fails. Alternatively, one or more of these surfaces can help to align the gasket instead of, or in addition to, acting as sealing surfaces. Figure 2 illustrates this modality. Housing 110 and connector 112 may include multiple surfaces 316, 317, 318 and 320 separated by steps 314 and 315 therebetween. Although four tapered surfaces 316, 317, 318 and 320 are shown on each of housing 110 and connector 112, other quantities or arrangements of these tapered surfaces may be used. Gasket 305 may include multiple tapered seal segments 311, 312, and 313 to seal gasket 305 to housing 110 and connector 112. For example, tapered seal segments 312 of gasket 305 generally may seal tapered surfaces 317 of the gasket. housing 110 and connector 112, while tapered seal segments 311 of gasket 305 generally can seal tapered surfaces 316 of housing 110 and connector 112. In addition, tapered seal segments 313 of gasket 305 generally can seal tapered surfaces 316. 318 of housing 110 and connector 112. One or more of the tapered gasket surfaces 311, 312, and 313 may alternatively or additionally act to aid in the alignment of gasket 305 during installation of gasket 305 and/or connector actuation . Connector 112 may include a straight vertical section 319 along its inside diameter. Such straight vertical section 319, as shown, may be located between the tapered surfaces 316, 317, 318 and 320 of housing 110 and connector 112 when housing 110 and connector 112 are mated together.

The connector 112 may also include a tapered segment 321. The tapered segment 321 may aid in aligning the connector 112 with respect to the housing 110. The tapered segment 321 of the connector 112 may interconnect with one or more of the gasket surfaces taper 311, 312, or 313 during actuation to assist in aligning the gasket 305. In other embodiments, connector 112 may not include the tapered segment, but only the straight vertical section (for example, as shown in figure 4 which it has the straight vertical section 514). In such cases, the straight vertical section 514 of connector 112 may descend the entire length and interconnect directly with one of the tapered surfaces (eg, 511) of housing 110.

[0037] In addition, the gasket 305 may be designed to protect the sealing surfaces 320 of the housing 110 and the connector 112 for use with other types of gaskets that may use these surfaces 320 for sealing. Gasket 305 is operable to increase contact in the surface area between housing 110 and connector 112 at the interface between the tubular elements and to create a seal at said interface. The interface between housing 110 and connector 112 may be modeled with an alignment feature 323 designed to assist in aligning connector 112 with housing 110 during installation of connector 112 into housing 110. Alignment feature 323 may generally include an concave portion of connector configured to be received in a complementary convex shaped portion of housing 110. Alignment feature 323 may be specifically designed to ensure alignment of connector 112 with housing 110 prior to gasket 305 being energized.

[0038] Figure 3 illustrates another mode of housing, connector and gasket of the present invention, which can increase the contact in the surface area between housing 110 and connector 112 at the interface between the two components. As shown, housing 110 and connector 112 may include similarly shaped surfaces 314, 315, 316, 317, 318 and 320 as those described above. Similar to gasket 305 of figure 2, gasket 405 of figure 3 may include multiple taper seal segments 411, 412, 413 to seal gasket 405 against housing 110 and connector 112. For example, taper seal segments 412 of gasket 405 can generally seal tapered surfaces 320 of housing 110 and connector 112, while tapered sealing segments 411 of gasket 405 can generally seal tapered surfaces 316 of housing 110 and connector 112. 413 of gasket 405 may generally seal tapered surfaces 318 of housing 110 and connector 112. One or more of the taper gasket surfaces 411, 412, and 413 may act alternatively, or additionally, to assist in alignment of gasket 405 during installation of gasket 405 and/or actuation of connector 112. In addition, gasket 405 may be designed to protect sealing surfaces 317 of housing 110 and connector 112 for use as with other types of gaskets that may use the surface for sealing. Gasket 405 may also include a recess 430 located between vertical sealing elements 410. Recess 430 may be operable to receive a retaining device (not shown). Gasket 405 may also include additional recesses 415 formed between adjacent series of tapered seal segments 411 and 412, as shown.

[0039] Figure 4 illustrates another mode of housing, connector and gasket of the present invention. Housing 110 and connector 112 may include one or more tapered surfaces 511. Connector 112 may include a straight vertical section 514 along its inside diameter. Such straight vertical section 514, as shown, may be located between the tapered sealing surfaces 511 of housing 110 and connector 112 when housing 110 and connector 112 are mated together. The straight vertical section 514 of connector 112 may interlock directly with tapered sealing surface 511 of housing 110. Like gasket 405 of figure 3, gasket 505 of figure 4 may include taper sealing segments 515 to seal the surfaces taper 511 of housing 110 and connector 112 and vertical seal segments 510 for sealing the straight vertical section 514 of connector 112 and a recess 530. The recess 530 may generally be disposed between the two vertical seal segments 510 as shown. Recess 530 is operable to receive a retaining device (not shown). Gasket 505 may also include an extension 520 that may remain in contact with a straight vertical section 540 of housing 110.

[0040] As shown in Figure 4, the end of the connector 112 that faces the housing 110 may include a concave portion 545, and the end of the housing 110 that faces the connector 112 may include a complementary convex portion 550. The concave portion 545 of the connector 112 can be shaped to fit directly over and around convex portion 550 of housing 110. Such configuration can aid in aligning connector 112 with housing 110 while the connection is being made. The concave/convex portions can also facilitate a greater total surface area of the connection between the ends of housing 110 and connector 112.

[0041] Figure 5 illustrates another mode of housing, connector and gasket of the present invention. Housing 110 and connector 112 may include multiple tapered surfaces 611, 612 separated by a step 613 therebetween. Although only two tapered surfaces 611, 612 are shown on housing 110 and connector 112, other quantities or arrangements of these tapered surfaces may be used. Like gasket 305 of Figure 2, gasket 605 of Figure 5 may include multiple stepped seal segments 615, 617 designed to mate directly with mating tapered surfaces 611, 612 of housing 110 and connector 112. Gasket 605 may include a recess 603 formed therein between the opposing series of tapered sealing segments 615, 617. The recess 630 may be operable to receive a retainer 634. The retainer 634 may be mechanically, hydraulically or pneumatically operated , and can be used to selectively hold the 605 packing in place or to release the 605 packing so that it can be replaced. Examples of gasket retainer assemblies that include such a retainer designed to interlock with recess 630 in gasket 605 will be described in more detail below.

[0042] Figures 6 and 7 illustrate the alignment and sealing of an interface of housing 110 with connector 112 using a representative gasket 1005 in accordance with aspects of the present invention. As shown in Figure 7, the surface areas of the bulkheads 1030, 1032 that make up the housing 110 and the connector 112, respectively, are capable of mating together and thus withstanding much greater load demands than existing connections.

[0043] In one or more embodiments, the tubular elements (the housing 110 and the connector 112) may include multiple taper segments separated by one or more steps, or transitions, located between the taper segments and the gasket 1005 may similarly include multiple tapered segments separated by one or more steps, or transitions. These steps can provide a visual indication for the operator to identify the functionality of said conical segment. Additionally, treads can separate taper segments by function to determine taper segments that act as sealing surfaces and taper segments that act as alignment surfaces.

[0044] Figures 6 and 7 illustrate such a modality. Gasket 1005 may include a plurality of alignment taper segments 1015 and a plurality of seal taper segments 1017 that may be separated by steps. Gasket 1005 is operable to increase contact in the surface area between housing 110 and connector 112 at the interface between these components and to create a seal at said interface. Alignment segments 1015 may allow alignment of gasket 1005 during initial contact with tubular elements 110, 112. Seal segments 1017 of gasket 1005 can only contact taper segments of tubular elements 110, 112 after partially energizing the gasket 1005 (by mechanical, hydraulic, or any other similar means) and apply an axial load to both ends of gasket 1005, as is done when locking connector 112 into housing 110. Alignment segments 1015 of gasket 1005 may be operable to prevent contact between the sealing segments 1017 of the gasket 1005 and the tapered sealing segments of the tubular elements 110, 112 during alignment, so that the sealing segments of the tubular elements with the sealing segments 1017 of the gasket only occurs when housing 110, connector 112 and gasket 1005 are axially aligned. In such an embodiment, initial contact of gasket 1005 with housing 110 and connector 112 occurs along alignment segments 1015 of gasket 1005. These alignment segments 1015 guide gasket 1005 into place when tubular elements 110, 112 are approximated to create the 1000 assembly.

[0045] By preventing oblique contact between critical seal segments 1017 of gasket 1005 and tubular elements 110, 112, seal segments 1017 of gasket 1005 can prevent wear until assembly 1000 is ready to be sealed. Alignment segments 1015 can also minimize slip distance while gasket 1005 is aligned. Gasket 1005 may further include a recess 330 that is operable to receive a retaining device (not shown).

[0046] Figure 7 illustrates assembly 1000 after gasket 1005 has already aligned along alignment segments 1015 and gasket 1005 has already created a seal where seal segments 1017 contact housing 110 and connector 112 The shape of gasket 1005 allows for contact between the entire up-facing bulkhead 1030 of the housing and the entire downward-facing bulkhead 1032 of the connector 112.

[0047] The steps of aligning, fitting and sealing the housing 110 on connector 112 are further shown in figures 8A-C. As described above, the net result is a housing-connector fit that maximizes the load-bearing capacity of the 1000 assembly. The illustrated embodiment includes a gasket 905 that can include incompatible angles in taper segments 915 and 917. The incompatible angles of taper segments 915 and 917 can ensure that the seal segments 917 do not sealingly mate with the connector 112 and the housing 110 until the gasket 905 is partially energized and precisely aligned within the tubular assembly. The angles of the alignment segments 915 may be less steep than the corresponding angles of the seal segments 917 obtained with respect to the vertical axis. As a result, there will be less shift interference between alignment segments 915 and housing 110/connector 112 for a given axial travel length of connector 112 towards housing 110. Such a mechanism can be used to allow initial contact to occur at the surfaces 915 of gasket 905, but may result in greater overall interference at seal segments 917. Since interference is proportional to seal contact stress and therefore seal integrity, it is important that there is greater interference at seal segments 917 than the other segments 915. This prevents the sealing surface (ie, the sealing segments 917) of the gasket 905 from being the first surface to contact the housing/connector, which can result in the sealing surface scraping and, therefore, in degrading the performance of the seal.

[0048] In Figure 8A, the alignment segments 915 of the gasket 905 may contact the housing 110 and the connector 112, while the sealing segments 917 do not contact the tubular elements 110, 112, as described above. For example, when gasket 905 is initially rotated relative to the tubular elements, the alignment segments 915 of the gasket 905 can make first contact with the tubular elements 110, 112 and facilitate corrective rotation to align the gasket 905. 900 is aligning, the sealing segments 917 of the gasket 905 can be brought into contact with the tubular elements 110, 112, while the alignment segments 915 can remain in contact with the tubular elements 110, 112, as illustrated in Figure 8B . Gasket 905 can create a seal in which gasket 905 contacts tubular elements 110, 112. The tapered gasket segments 917 of gasket 905 can be energized by approaching each other under high loads so as to compress radially and tangentially the gasket 905 to generate high contact stresses in the 917 seal segments. The high contact stresses provide an airtight seal against high pressure fluid such as oil or gas. In this embodiment, the alignment segments 915 may no longer contact the tubular elements 110, 112, while the sealing segments 917 remain in contact with the tubular elements 110, 112. In other embodiments, the alignment segments 915 may remain in contact during and after the seal is formed. In addition, to seal the fluid transported through the bore, the seal and connection provided by gasket 905 can provide a load path for the forces generated by the flexing and compression of the assembly. A gasket 905 comprising a thin ring may be flexible to support the bending moment load and compression applied by the connection between the tubular elements 110, 112.

[0049] In one or more embodiments, the gasket described (e.g. 105, 305, 405, 505, 605, 905, 1005) may include a thin corrosion resistant layer in the order of 0.001″ to 0.002″ in thickness applied to the gasket metal body. The corrosion resistant layer can be silver, tin, molybdenum, disulfide, or a fluoropolymer such as Xylan®. These materials provide adequate corrosion resistance and durability in high pressure and high temperature environments. They also provide low friction and protection from severe adhesive wear. It may be easier to apply the corrosion resistant layer over the entire gasket (eg 105, 305, 405, 505, 605, 905, 1005) during fabrication, but it can also be applied subsequently.

[0050] The present invention can be useful for joining tubular elements used in the hydrocarbon recovery industry, and will be illustrated and explained in this context. It is worth noting, however, that the invention can be applied more generally to other contexts and environments in which the first and second tubular elements must be sealed together and possibly exposed to a wide range of temperatures and pressures.

[0051] After describing the general use of a gasket with improved sealing capability and a tubular assembly that allows for increased surface area on the surfaces of tubular interface components, a gasket retention system that can be used with the assembly tubular will now be described.

[0052] Figure 9 illustrates an assembly 200 (eg the wellhead assembly) that includes a tubular housing 110, a tubular connector 112 and a gasket 1105. A central hole 150 extends through the housing 110, of the connector 112 and gasket 1105. Tubular housing 110 and tubular connector 112 may include a subsea wellhead housing and a subsea wellhead connector, respectively. However, it is worth noting that the described gasket retention assembly can be used similarly in other contexts involving a tube housing coupled to a tube connector and sealed against the tube connector by means of a gasket.

[0053] The assembly 200 having the housing 110 and the connector 112 is illustrated as being in a locked and sealed configuration. As illustrated, housing 110 and connector 112 can be secured together by means of a locking ring 114. The locking ring 114 can surround the housing 110 and at least the main body of the connector 112. The gasket 1105 can include an upward-facing conical surface and a downward-facing conical surface. Generally, gasket 1105 can create a seal when the upwardly facing tapered surface of gasket 1105 contacts a downwardly facing tapered surface of connector 112 and the downwardly facing tapered surface of gasket 1105 contacts an upwardly facing tapered surface of housing 110. Gasket 1105 can be self-aligning and relatively thin. The reduced size of gasket 1105, compared to previous implementations provided with radially extending ribs, can allow contact between all (or nearly all) of the down-facing bulkheads 132 of connector 112 and all (or nearly all) of the up-facing bulkheads. 130 of the housing, as described in detail above with reference to figures 1-8.

The assembly 200 of Figure 9 includes an enhanced gasket retention assembly 1100 that can be used to hold the gasket 1105 in a desired position relative to the connector 112. The gasket retention assembly 1100 can be power-free and allowable an operation without manual manipulation to selectively connect or remove gasket 1105 from within connector 112.

[0055] Figures 10-12 illustrate an embodiment of the described gasket retainer assembly 1100 that can be used to retain the gasket 1105 in a desired position within a larger tubular assembly 200. As shown in Figure 10, the retainer assembly Gasket assembly 1100 may include a port 1102 formed through connector 112 and originating from an outer edge 1104 of connector 112 at one end of a spring-propelled plunger 1106 and a spring-propelled retention mechanism 1108 at an opposite end. As shown, the gasket retention assembly 1100 may also include a closure mechanism 1110 disposed at the end of the port 1102 that terminates on the outer edge 1104 of the connector 112. The closure mechanism 1110 may include any type of device or assembly that may be used to selectively prevent fluid flow through port 1102. For example, closure mechanism 1110 generally allows one end of port 1102 to be selectively closed or opened depending on the position or actuation of closure mechanism 1110, preventing or thereby allowing fluid flow through port 1102. Closing mechanism 1110 may include a valve fluidly coupled to port 1102, a check valve positioned along port 1102 or a separate plug that can be inserted into a end of port 1102 to close port 1102 (and/or removed from port 1102 to open port 1102).

[0056] The 1110 closure mechanism may be accessible to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) or other component located outside the tubular assembly 200. When the 1110 closure mechanism is positioned or actuated so that the 1102 door is opened for the flow of fluid, (eg valve is open, there is no plug in port, etc.), closure mechanism 1110 may allow fluid/pressure venting from port 1102, or may allow pressure inputs from a external device (eg ROV) flow into port 1102. When closing mechanism 1110 is positioned or actuated to prevent fluid flow through port 1102 (eg valve is closed, plug is positioned in port) , closure mechanism 1110 can impede fluid/pressure flow between port 1102 and external components. In some cases, closure mechanism 1110 may include a closed valve system with a fluid storage mechanism disposed therein so that port 1102 can be fluidly coupled to the fluid storage mechanism when the valve is open. One embodiment of such a closed valve system is described in detail below with reference to figures 17-20.

[0057] Retention mechanism 1108 can directly engage gasket 1105 to effectively lock gasket 1105 in position against connector 112. Plunger 1106 can be used to selectively engage or disengage retention mechanism 1108 from gasket 1105 to allow for the retrieval of gasket 1105 from connector 112 when desired. In some cases, closure mechanism 1110 can help hydraulically control the position of plunger 1106 to facilitate engagement or disengagement of retainer 1108 from within gasket 1105. Several different arrangements of retainer 1108, plunger 1106 and /or closure mechanism 1110 can be used to selectively engage and disengage retention mechanism 1108 from within gasket 1105 throughout the operation of packing retainer assembly 1100. Different examples of functional arrangements of packing retainer assembly 1100 will now be described in more detail.

[0058] Figures 11 and 12 show a close-up view of the parts of the gasket retention assembly 1100 shown in figure 10. Figure 11 shows the assembly 1100 in a disembarkation position before the connector 112 disembarks in the housing 110 and is secured in housing 110 (eg by means of a locking ring). Figure 12 shows assembly 1100 in an unsecured position after connector 112 has already successfully disembarked into housing 110 so that gasket 1105 is sealing the space between connector 112 and housing 110.

[0059] As illustrated, the gasket retention assembly 1100 includes the plunger 1106 with a corresponding spring 1130 and the retention mechanism 1108 with a corresponding spring 1132. The retention mechanism 1108 is disposed at least partially within a recess 1134 formed in connector 112. Recess 1134 in connector 112 is generally formed in a radial direction with respect to a longitudinal axis (eg 1200 of figure 9) of the hole (eg 150 of figure 9) through the tubular assembly (eg. , 200 of figure 9). As shown, recess 1134 generally extends through an inside diameter 1136 of connector 112. Retention mechanism 1108 and its corresponding spring 1132 are held within recess 1134 formed in connector 112. A portion of plunger 1106 also passes through. recess 1134.

[0060] Retention mechanism 1108 may include an 1138 engaging element, such as a shield, latch or similar component, designed to engage a complementary 1140 profile (e.g., a recess, shield, latch, etc.) at a radially outside diameter of gasket 1105. Engagement element 1138 is disposed at one end of retention mechanism 1108 which extends in a radial direction from recess 1134 toward gasket 1105. At an opposite end, retention mechanism 1108 is coupled to spring 1132. Spring 1132 may abut an edge of recess 1134 within connector 112 so that spring 1132 biases retaining mechanism 1108 in a radially inward direction toward gasket 1105.

[0061] The retention mechanism 1108 includes a passage 1142 formed therethrough. Passage 1142 allows spring-propelled plunger 1106 to pass entirely through retention mechanism 1108 and thereby through recess 1134 in connector 112. As illustrated, plunger 1106 can generally extend in a direction that is parallel to the axis. lengthwise (eg 1200 of figure 9) of the hole (eg 150 of figure 9) through the tubular assembly (eg 200 of figure 9). Thus, the spring-propelled plunger 1106 and the spring-propelled retention mechanism 1108 are positioned perpendicular to each other so that the plunger 1106 extends at least partially through the passage 1142 in the retention mechanism 1108. , passage 1142 may include sloped walls.

[0062] Plunger 1106 is disposed at least partially through another recess 1144 formed in connector 112. Recess 1144 in connector 112 is generally formed in a longitudinal direction that is parallel to the longitudinal axis (eg 1200 of Figure 9) of the hole (eg 150 of figure 9) through the tubular assembly (eg 200 of figure 9). As shown, recess 1144 generally extends through downwardly facing bulkhead 132 of connector 112. Recess 1144 intersects radially oriented recess 1134. Recess 1144 may form a portion of port 1102 that extends through connector 112. recess 1144 may have a slightly larger diameter than the rest of port 1102 so as to provide a shield 1146 to hold spring 1130 in place.

The plunger 1106 may include a contact end 1148 that extends from the downwardly facing bulkhead 132 of the connector 112 in a longitudinal direction toward the upwardly facing bulkhead 130 of the housing 110. The contact end 1148 may do the first contact with upwardly facing shield 130 of housing 110 before downwardly facing shield 132 of connector 112 contacts upwardly facing shield 130 of housing 110. At an opposite end of piston 1106 from contact end 1148, the Plunger 1106 is coupled to spring 1130. Spring 1130 can abut bulkhead 1146 at the edge of recess 1144 so that spring 1130 biases plunger 1106 in a longitudinally downward direction toward upwardly facing bulkhead 130 of housing 110.

[0064] Plunger 1106 may include a midsection 1150 disposed adjacent to contact end 1148 along the length of plunger 1106. Plunger 1106 may include a flow portion 1152 disposed adjacent to midsection 1150 along the length of plunger 1106, so that the middle section 1150 is located between the contact end 1148 and the tail portion 1152. As illustrated, the middle section 1150 of the piston 1106 may have a larger diameter than either the contact end 1148 or the tail portion 1152 of the piston 1106. Part of the recess 1144 can be sized to accommodate the larger diameter of the midsection 1150, while other parts of the recess (eg, at the spring or "tail" end) can be sized to accommodate only the diameter of the tail portion 1152 of the piston. 1106, not midsection 1150. The larger diameter portion of recess 1144 may extend only from one or both sides of the other recess 1134.

[0065] A plunger retainer ring 1154 may be positioned within recess 1144 in a position proximate to the down-facing bulkhead 132. The plunger retainer ring 1154 may help to keep the plunger 1106 within the recess 1144 during the disembarking process, while the midsection 1150 with the largest diameter is held in place by the retaining ring 1154.

[0066] One or more O-rings 1156 or other sealing elements may be positioned on piston 1106 to seal an annular space between piston 1106 and connector 112. The one or more O-rings 1156 generally provide a fluid seal that prevents fluid and pressure that is present within port 1102 from flowing past piston 1106. As illustrated, one or more O-rings 1156 may be positioned over flow portion 1152 of piston 1106.

[0067] In the landing position of figure 11, the gasket 1105 is locked to the connector 112 by means of the gasket retainer assembly 1100. Specifically, the snap element 1138 (i.e., bulkhead) of the retainer mechanism 1108 is snapped to mating profile 1140 of gasket 1105 to hold gasket 1105 against connector 112. Spring 1132 holds retaining mechanism 1108 biased outwardly to maintain connection with gasket 1105, and spring 1130 tilts plunger 1106 into toward the upwardly facing bulkhead 130 of housing 110 so that contact end 1148 of plunger 1106 extends outwardly of connector 112. In arrangements where a valve or other closure mechanism 1110 is present, the valve may be retained in a open position during disembarking from connector 112 to allow fluid venting into port 1102.

[0068] In the disembarked position of Figure 12, the downwardly facing bulkhead 132 of the connector 112 contacts the upwardly facing bulkhead 130 of the housing 110. However, during the disembarking process, the contact end 1148 of the plunger 1106 may first contact upwardly facing shield 130. Upwardly facing shield 130 may transmit a reactive force in an upward direction to contact end 1148 of plunger 1106 while connector 112 continues to move downwardly. Force from upwardly facing bulkhead 130 can press plunger 1106 upward and compress spring 1130 until the entire plunger 1106 is positioned within recess 1144, as shown in Figure 12.

[0069] As plunger 1106 is moved further into connector 112, radially wide middle section 1150 of plunger 1106 may move from a position proximate to plunger retaining ring 1154 to a position generally aligned with recess 1134 Because of the sloping walls of passage 1142 formed through retaining mechanism 1108, a leading edge of the midsection of plunger 1150 may contact the sloping wall on one side (e.g., radially outer side) of passage 1142 while plunger 1106 move. Plunger 1106 can transmit a force in the longitudinal direction to the sloping wall of passage 1142 and that force can push detent 1108 in a radially outward direction, as detent 1108 is held by radially oriented recess 1134. the plunger 1106 and, consequently, the retainer 1108 thereby can largely or completely withdraw the retainer 1108 from within the recess 1134, so that the retainer 1108 is no longer engaged with the gasket 1105. of Figure 12, gasket 1105 is retained between the sloping surfaces of tubular housing 110 and connector 112. As shown, gasket 1105 may no longer be retained against connector 112 by means of gasket retention assembly 1100 when gasket 1105 is in that disembarked position.

[0070] Returning to Figure 9, the cross section of the tubular assembly 200 shows the gasket retaining assembly 1100 on one side of connector 112 and not the other. It is worth noting that the described tubular assembly 200 may include multiple gasket retainer assemblies 1100 (e.g. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or more) that have respective ports, plungers, and retaining mechanisms disposed. inside connector 112. The multiple gasket retainer assemblies 1100 may be located at different circumferential positions within connector 112. The locations of the gasket retainer assemblies 1100 may be equidistantly spaced from one another in a circumferential arrangement about the shaft longitudinal 1200 of hole 150.

[0071] In other embodiments, the tubular assembly 200 may contain only a gasket retention assembly 1100 that has a port, a plunger, and a retention mechanism. In this case, as shown in Figure 9, the tubular assembly 200 may include one or more additional retaining elements 1202 disposed within one or more recesses of the connector 112. For example, a retaining element 1202 may be disposed within the connector 112 at an opposite side of the gasket retainer assembly 1100. However, similar retainers 1202 may be disposed at additional or alternate circumferential locations within the connector 112.

[0072] Retainer(s) 1202 may include components similar to those used in the packing retainer assembly 1100, but without including a door or closing mechanism. Specifically, retention member(s) 1202 may (may) include a spring-propelled plunger and similar spring-propelled retention mechanism positioned within corresponding recesses formed in the connector. These components of retainer 1202 can be shaped, arranged, and designed to function as discussed in detail above with reference to plunger 1106 and retainer mechanism 1108 of Figures 10-12. In other cases, the retaining element(s) may (may) include a pin mechanism as shown. Retainer(s) 1202 may press gasket 1105 from one or more circumferential positions other than gasket retainer assembly 1100 to help hold gasket 1105 in place against connector 112 during landing operations. Upon disembarking from connector 112, the retaining element(s), similar to the packing retainer assembly 1100, may (may) be automatically deactivated through the interaction of the spring-driven piston and of the retaining mechanism to release gasket 1105 from connector 112.

[0073] The gasket retention assembly 1100 that has been described has very little impact on the total tubular assembly 200. For example, the recess 1144 formed through connector 112 is much smaller than the recesses formed in existing connectors/housings for facilitate gasket retention. The recess 1144 which extends through the bulkhead 132 of the connector 112 may be formed by means of perforated openings, rather than large sawn slots as is the current practice. Such a reduced size recess means that a greater surface area of the downwardly facing bulkhead 132 is able to contact the upwardly facing bulkhead 130 of the housing 110 when the connector 112 is disembarked, thereby increasing the sealing capability of the housing/connector.

[0074] The gasket retention assembly that was described 1100 also allows operation without manual or hydraulic manipulation to retract/release gasket 1105 from connector 112. For example, in the gasket retention assembly 1100 of figures 10-12, no action is required to disembark or collect gasket 1105 with connector 112. Closure mechanism 1110 can be positioned or actuated so that port 1102 remains open for fluid flow both during disembarkation and retraction of connector 112 in order to venting fluid/pressure from port 1102. As a result of such venting port 1102, plunger 1106 is able to freely rise and fall.

[0075] As described above, during disembarkation, housing 110 can push plunger 1106, which can rise as port 1102 is vented. This movement of plunger 1106 disengages retaining mechanism 1108 from gasket 1105. Similarly, to retract connector 112 and gasket 1105 together, connector 112 can be unlocked from housing 110 and collected. While connector 112 is suspended, spring 1130 tilts plunger 1106 back to its original position which extends from the edge of connector 112. Plunger 1106 is able to move in that direction due to the ventilation of port 1102. 1106 moves down again, middle section 1150 of plunger 1106 moves away from passage 1142 so that plunger 1106 no longer pushes retainer 1108 toward spring 1132. Spring 1132 tilts retainer 1108 back by toward the gasket 1105 so that the mating element 1138 of the retaining mechanism 1108 re-engages the gasket 1105. As a result, the connector 112 can be reconnected to the gasket 1105 so that the gasket 1105 is retracted with the connector 112 automatically during the Suspension of connector 112. Such retraction of gasket 1105 can be performed without the use of any ROV or hydraulic control operations.

[0076] In other cases, it may be desirable to release gasket 1105 from connector 112. For example, it may be desirable to release gasket 1105 from connector 112 so that gasket 1105 can be removed and replaced via an ROV. Releasing gasket 1105 from gasket retention assembly 1100 of Figures 10-12 involves first positioning or actuating the closing mechanism so that port 1102 is closed to fluid flow therethrough, unlocking connector 112 relative to housing 110 and then collecting connector 112 in housing 110.

[0077] Positioning or actuating the closure mechanism 1110 to prevent fluid flow through port 1102 holds the fluid above plunger 1106 (for example, forming a pressure capture), which causes the pressure inside port 1102 to remain constant . This prevents plunger 1106 from descending again in response to the force of spring 1130 while connector 112 is being suspended. As a result, plunger 1106 can remain in the same longitudinal position within recess 1144 while connector 112 is suspended. Similarly, retaining mechanism 1108 is held in the same position (i.e., disengaged from gasket profile 1140) by stationary piston 1106.

[0078] After unlocking the connector 112 relative to the housing 110 (e.g. by means of the locking ring 114), the connector 112 can be detached from the housing 110 while the gasket retaining device 1100 is in the closed configuration. With closure mechanism 1110 preventing fluid flow through port 1102, retaining mechanism 1108 may not be able to reconnect with the profile of gasket 1140 during such movement of connector 112. As a result, gasket 1105 will not reconnect. is further secured to connector 112 and remains in its unsecured position against housing 110. At this point, gasket 1105 can be removed from wellhead 110 by means of an ROV and replaced by another gasket 1105 by means of the same ROV or a different one that operates under the sea. Connector 112 can then be disembarked back into wellhead 110. To re-engage packing retainer assembly 1100 with new packing 1105, closure mechanism 1110 is reopened to allow fluid flow through. port 1102 and release plunger 1106. Thus, the next time connector 112 is removed, packing retainer assembly 1100 will be energized again to engage packing profile 1140 and retract packing 1105.

[0079] The opening and closing process of the 1110 closing mechanism can be performed by an ROV that is controlled from the surface. Connector 112 may include an ROV 1210 interface as illustrated in Figure 10, and interface 1210 may provide one or more connections between an external ROV that penetrates interface 1210 and the closure mechanism (eg, valve) 1110. can penetrate interface 1210 and send a control signal (e.g., hydraulic, electrical, pneumatic) to valve 1110 designed to actuate a valve or physically provide a plug on port 1102 to actuate closure mechanism 1110 between open and closed.

[0080] In addition, the 1210 interface may in some cases provide a direct fluid connection between an external ROV that penetrates the 1210 interface and the 1102 port. For example, an ROV may be able to penetrate the 1210 interface and conduct the pressurized fluid directly into port 1102 when closing mechanism 1110 is not actuated to close port 1102. In this way, the ROV can drive pressurized fluid into port 1102 and help push plunger 1106 downward. Such action can be particularly useful if plunger 1106 gets stuck or spring 1130 cannot push plunger 1106 down again while connector 112 is disengaged from housing 110.

[0081] The packing retainer assembly 1100 of Figures 10-12 includes a closure mechanism 1110. However, other embodiments of the packing retainer assembly that have been described 1100 may not include any type of valve, plug, or other mechanism. closure at connector 112. For example, Figure 13 illustrates a similar gasket retention assembly 1100 in which pressure within the assembly is simply vented out of connector 112 through port 1102. Pressure venting through port 1102 can allow plunger 1106 to freely rise and fall as described in detail above. In this way, the retaining mechanism 1108 is always acting to retain the gasket 1105 within the connector 112 during the movement of the connector 112. In some embodiments, the gasket retaining mechanism 1100 may be designed to allow the piston 1106 and the mechanism to seals 1108 release gasket 1105 from connector 112 in response to pressurized fluid led into port 1102 (e.g., from an ROV).

[0082] In another embodiment of the tubular assembly 200, the gasket retaining mechanism 1100 can be designed with a piston arrangement 1106 and retaining mechanism 1108 which is the reverse of the arrangement described above with reference to figures 11 and 12. Figure 14 illustrates an approximate version of such a gasket retention mechanism 1100. All elements of the gasket retention assembly 1100 may be the same as those shown and described with reference to Figures 11 and 12, except for the piston 1106, spring 1130, and the mechanism. retainer 1108. In this case, spring 1130 may be disposed at the longitudinal downward end of recess 1144 (e.g. positioned against retainer ring 1154) so that plunger 1106 is located within recess 1144 in position above spring 1130. retaining mechanism 1108 of Figure 14, the walls of passage 1142 may be inclined in a different direction than the previously described example. Specifically, instead of the walls of passage 1142 slanting in a generally upward and radially inward direction (as shown in Figures 11 and 12), the walls of passage 1142 in Figure 14 may slope in a generally general direction. up and radially out.

[0083] As a result of the different shape of the retention mechanism 1108 in figure 14, the gasket retention assembly 1100 may operate differently from the assembly described above with reference to figures 11 and 12. In the gasket retention assembly 1100 of the figure 14, spring 1130 can tilt the plunger in an upward direction within recess 1144 so that the middle section 1150 of plunger 1106 is only partially located within recess 1134 and contacts the upper end of the sloping wall of passage 1142. This is the position pattern that the packing retainer assembly 1100 can assume when disembarking connector 112 and packing 1105 in housing 110. In this position, retaining mechanism 1108 engages directly with the profile of packing 1140 to hold packing 1105 in against position. connector 112.

[0084] In the system of Figure 14, connector 112 can be disembarked in housing 110 without the gasket retaining assembly 1100 automatically releasing gasket 1105. This is because there is no contact end of plunger 1106 protruding from connector 112 toward housing 110. When it is desired to release gasket 1105 from connector 112, gasket retaining assembly 1100 can be disengaged by means of an ROV that penetrates interface 1210 of Figure 10 and allows ingress of pressurized fluid through port 1102 This can increase the pressure in port 1102 to the point where the pressure forces plunger 1106 down against the spring force of spring 1130.

[0085] As plunger 1106 is moved further down, radially large midsection 1150 of plunger 1106 may move from a relatively higher position in recess 1144 to a position generally aligned with crisscross recess 1134. Because of the sloping walls of the passage 1142 formed by the retaining mechanism 1108, a leading edge of the middle section of the plunger 1150 may contact the sloping wall on one side (e.g., the radially outer side) of the passage 1142 as the plunger 1106 moves. Plunger 1106 can transmit a force to the sloping wall of passage 1142, which in turn pushes retaining mechanism 1108 in a radially outward direction against spring 1132. is capable of withdrawing retaining mechanism 1108 from within recess 1134 so that retaining mechanism 1108 is no longer engaged with gasket 1105.

[0086] Gasket 1105 may no longer be retained against connector 112 by means of the gasket retainer assembly 1100 when an ROV or other fluid control mechanism is applying pressure to port 1102. Then the closure mechanism ( for example, 1110 of figure 10) can be actuated closed after pressure is applied to port 1102 to hold gasket 1105 in the released position while connector 112 is removed from gasket 1105 and housing 110. This allows an ROV to remove the gasket 1105 of the tubular assembly and replace it with a new gasket 1105. However, in embodiments where a closure mechanism 1110 is not present on connector 112, the ROV can simply remain connected to the interface and maintain pressure within port 1102 while connector 112 is detached from housing 110 and away from disengaged gasket 1105.

[0087] Once gasket 1105 has been replaced, the ROV can interlock with connector 112 again to remove or actuate closure mechanism 1110 (if there is one) in an open position, or can simply disengage it from the interface 1210 (if there is no valve), thereby allowing port 1102 to vent the pressurized fluid and plunger 1106 to rise again. This movement of plunger 1106 allows retainer 1108 to return to its engaged position, holding gasket 1105 in place against connector 112. To retract gasket 1105 with connector 112, no action is required as the retainer assembly packing gland 1100 is spring-driven to mate with packing 1105.

[0088] Figure 15 illustrates an embodiment of the tubular assembly 200 in which the connector 112 includes an ROV 1210 interface that allows penetration of the ROV 1300 into the connector 112 and performs multiple functions within the tubular assembly 200. The interface 1210 may include multiple hydraulic, electrical, pneumatic, or other inputs 1302, 1304, and 1306 that communicate control signals or fluid to the tubular assembly 200. For example, input 1302 can communicate hydraulic, electrical, pneumatic, or other ROV 1300 control signals to control the operation of a closure mechanism 1110 in the packing retainer assembly 1100, as described above. Inlet 1304 can lead hydraulic fluid from the ROV 1300 directly into port 1102 of the packing retainer assembly 1100, as described above. Input 1306 can communicate hydraulic, electrical, pneumatic, or other types of control signals from the ROV 1300 to the tubular assembly 200 in order to test the gasket 1105. Other additional or different inputs can be used on the ROV 1210 interface. interface 1210 may include one or more wet-connect interfaces that sealingly connect the ROV 1300 to one or more inputs on connector 112. Such an arrangement of interface 1210 may allow the ROV 1300 to simply penetrate connector 112 once and perform multiple operations different ones on the tube assembly 200, such as tests on gasket 1105, and then release gasket 1105.

[0089] Although the functions of the tube assembly 200 and, more specifically, the gasket retention assembly 1100 have been described above as being controlled by inputs from an ROV, other embodiments of the tube assembly 200 may use other methods to control the gasket retention assembly 1100. As shown in Figure 16, for example, closure mechanism 1110 at connector 112 may include a solenoid valve 1400 coupled to a control system 1402. Control system 1402 may receive electrical control signals from the surface via a control line 1404 extending upward from connector 112. Upon receipt of a signal to open or close port 1102, control system 1402 can send an electrical signal to actuate solenoid valve 1400 properly.

[0090] As mentioned above, the closure mechanism 1110 may include a closed valve system with a fluid storage mechanism disposed therein. Figures 17-20 provide a detailed example of such a closure mechanism 1110, which is a 1600 valve assembly with a 1602 fluid storage mechanism. As shown in figure 17, the 1600 valve assembly is a ball valve assembly. . The ball valve assembly 1600 may include a housing 1604, a first fluid passage 1606 (among several other fluid lines), a seat 1608, a ball 1610, a valve driver 1612, the fluid storage mechanism 1602, and a 1614 ROV penetration interface. It is worth noting that additional or different components from those illustrated may also be present in the 1600 ball valve assembly.

[0091] As illustrated, housing 1604 includes a first fluid passage 1606 formed therethrough. Seat 1608 is disposed within first fluid passage 1606 and ball 1610 is located in seat 1608. Ball 1610 includes a hole 1616 formed therethrough. Ball 1610 is positioned on seat 1608 and can be rotated between an open position and a closed position. Seat 1608 provides sealing surfaces for sealing the region between an outer surface of ball 1610 and corresponding portions of the fluid passage(s) formed through housing 1604.

[0092] The ball 1610 is shown in the open position in Figure 17. In the open position, the ball 1610 is oriented so that the hole 1616 of the ball 1610 is aligned with the first fluid passage 1606. In the closed position, ball 1610 can be rotated by means of valve actuator 1612 located on a shaft 1622 so that bore 1616 of ball 1610 is not aligned with first fluid passage 1606. For example, in closed position, a shaft of the bore 1616 of ball 1610 may be oriented perpendicular to an axis of first fluid passage 1606.

[0093] In Figure 17 (which shows only a cross section of the ball valve assembly 1600), the first fluid passage 1606 appears to be the only fluid passage of the housing 1604 in which the ball 1610 and seat 1608 are located. In some embodiments, housing 1604 may include only a single fluid passage 1606 within which ball 1610 and seat 1608 are located. In other embodiments, housing 1604 may include at least one additional fluid passage that crosses first fluid passage 1606 at the point where ball 1610 and seat 1608 are located. Thus, while ball 1610 is rotated in seat 1608, ball can be alternated between an open position, in which ball 1610 opens the first fluid passage 1606, and a closed position, in which ball 1610 closes the first fluid passage. fluid 1606 and opens another fluid passage.

[0094] Figure 19 represents an optional cross-sectional view of the ball valve assembly 1600 taken perpendicular to the cross-sectional view of Figure 17, showing that the ball 1610 and seat 1608 may also be located within a second fluid passage 1800 of housing 1604. Ball 1610 is shown in the closed position in Figure 19. As illustrated, in the "closed position", ball 1610 can be oriented so that hole 1616 of ball 1610 is aligned with second fluid passage 1800. When ball 1610 is in the closed position as shown, an axis of bore 1616 of ball 1610 may be oriented perpendicular to the axis of the first fluid passage (1606 of Figure 17).

[0095] It is worth noting that even more additional fluid passages can be formed through the housing 1604 to switch the flow therethrough via the swivel ball 1610. For example, the housing 1604 may include three, four or more fluid passages which intersect at the position of seat 1608 and ball 1610 retained in seat 1608. Driver 1612 can be used to drive ball 1610 between various orientations, in which bore 1616 of ball 1610 is aligned with the different fluid passages through the accommodation 1604.

[0096] Returning to Figure 17, the first fluid passage 1606 may form a fluid path between the communication port 1102 formed through the connector 112 and the fluid storage mechanism 1602 of the ball valve assembly 1600. A first portion 1618 of first fluid passage 1606 on a first side of ball 1610 may be fluidly coupled to communication port 1102 on connector 112, while a second portion 1620 of first fluid passage 1606 on a second side of ball 1610 opposite the first side can be fluidly coupled to fluid storage mechanism 1602. As illustrated, the entire ball valve assembly 1600 can be coupled to a surface of connector 112 so that first fluid passage 1610 of housing 1604 is aligned with the communication port 1102 at the location where the port 1102 reaches the outer surface of the connector 112. The ball valve assembly 1600 is screwable. a, or otherwise attached, to connector 112 by any desirable attachment mechanism.

[0097] When the ball 1610 is in the open position, as shown in Figure 17, the ball 1610 allows fluid flow through the first fluid passage 1606. This is because in the open position, the opposite ends of the hole 1616 through the ball 1610 are open to the first and second portions 1618 and 1620, respectively, of the first fluid passage 1606. When the ball 1610 is in the closed position, the ball 1610 prevents fluid flow through the first fluid passage 1606. This is because in the closed position, the opposite ends of bore 1616 through ball 1610 are offset (and therefore closed to) with first and second portions 1618 and 1620, respectively, of first fluid passage 1606.

[0098] The fluid storage mechanism 1602 in the ball valve assembly 1600 is fluidly coupled to one end of the main fluid passage 1606. The fluid storage mechanism 1602 is used to capture pressure output through the borehole. communication 1102 of connector 112 while the ball valve is open so that, after closing the ball valve, pressure is trapped within the communication hole 1102.

[0099] As illustrated, fluid storage mechanism 1602 may include an accumulator 1624 disposed in housing 1604. Accumulator 1624 may be a nitrogen accumulator. However, it is worth noting that other types of accumulators that hold other fluids can be used in other modalities. Accumulator 1624 is fluidly coupled to second portion 1620 of first fluid passage 1606 (e.g., via a fluid line 1626).

[00100] A more detailed description of an exemplary 1624 accumulator will now be provided. However, it is worth noting that other possible configurations and arrangements of components in a fluid storage mechanism 1602 may be used in the ball valve assembly 1600. As illustrated, accumulator 1624 may include a fluid chamber 1628 with a first end. 1630 open to fluid line 1626 leading toward ball 1610, a rod-like member 1632 and a piston member 1634 both disposed in fluid chamber 1628, and a plurality of seals 1636.

[00101] The fluid chamber 1628 may be pierced within the housing 1604 from an outer wall of the housing 1604. The fluid chamber 1628 may include a first end 1630 and an intermediate portion 1638. The intermediate portion 1638 of the fluid chamber 1628 may have a larger diameter than first end 1630, and housing 1604 includes a shield 1640 which defines the change in diameter between first end 1630 and intermediate portion 1638 of chamber 1628. Piston member 1634 is disposed in portion intermediate 1638 of fluid chamber 1628, movable axially within fluid chamber 1628 in response to pressure changes communicated to accumulator 1624 from first fluid passage 1606.

[00102] Piston component 1634 may be a partially hollow cylindrical component with a first end that faces the first end 1630 of the fluid chamber 1628 and a second end that faces toward the rod-like component 1632. piston member 1634 fills the entire cross-sectional area of intermediate portion 1638 of fluid chamber 1628. The second end of piston member 1634 has an aperture extending longitudinally through a portion of piston member 1634.

[00103] Rod-like member 1632 generally includes a rod that extends axially through the opening in the second end of piston member 1634. An inner chamber 1642 is defined between the end of rod-like member 1632 and an inner wall 1644 of piston component 1634 as shown. The rod is sized so that piston member 1634 is capable of moving axially relative to rod-like member 1632 in response to a pressure change acting on the first end of piston 1634. Such movement of piston member 1634 with respect to the rod-like component 1632 the volume of the inner chamber 1642, which holds the fluid of the accumulator (e.g., nitrogen) can change. One or more seals 1636 are disposed at the interface between an outer surface of piston member 1634 and an inner wall of intermediate section 1638 of fluid chamber 1628. One or more seals 1636 are also disposed at the interface between an outer diameter of the type member. rod 1632 and an inner diameter of the annular end of the piston component 1634.

[00104] In the illustrated embodiment, rod-like member 1632 may also include a section with a larger diameter that is held in place against housing 1604 (eg, by means of washers 1646 and a bulkhead 1648 of housing 1604). One or more seals 1636 are disposed at the interface between a radially outer surface of this larger diameter portion of the rod-like component 1632 and a radially inner surface of the fluid chamber 1628. rod-like 1632 are illustrated as being a single integral piece of material, other embodiments of accumulator 1624 may include the rod portion as a separate piece directly coupled to the larger diameter portion to form the rod-like member 1632.

[00105] As illustrated, rod-like member 1628 may have a port 1650 perforated or otherwise formed within one end of rod-like member 1628 that extends from housing 1604. Port 1650 may be coupled to fluid to the inner chamber 1642 via a flow line 1652 which extends longitudinally through the stem portion of the stem-type component 1632 during initial installation of the ball valve assembly 1600. This allows an external fill line 1653 to be received within port 1650 and used to fill inner chamber 1642 with accumulator fluid. After filling inner chamber 1642, a plug (not shown) can be inserted into port 1650 to hold fluid within inner chamber 1642.

[00106] In operation, accumulator 1624 stores fluid pressure in response to pressure increase in communication port 1102 of connector 112. Such pressure increase may be caused by the piston (1106 of figure 10) of the packing retainer assembly (1100 of Figure 10) being moved axially further into the communication port 1102 in response to the landing connector 112 in the corresponding tubular housing (110 of Figure 10). When the ball 1610 is in the open position, the fluid pressure build-up from the communicating port 1102 increases the pressure in the first fluid passage 1606, the fluid line 1626, and the first end 1630 of the accumulator 1624. The pressure build acts on the first end of piston member 1634, thereby pushing piston member 1634 toward rod-like member 1632 (arrow 1700 in Figure 18). Such action compresses the internal fluid chamber 1642 to absorb the increasing pressure through the accumulator 1624. In this way, the accumulator 1624 absorbs excess pressure arising from the seating of the connector 112 in the tubular housing.

[00107] As described in detail above, this movement of the plunger (1106 of figure 10) within the communication port 1102 of connector 112 acts to disconnect the gasket (1105 of figure 10) from connector 112. When it is desired to remove connector 112 of the gasket (1105 of Figure 10), the ball valve assembly 1600 can be closed so that fluid flow through the first fluid passage 1606 is blocked. At this time, accumulator 1624 is still storing the fluid pressure rise. However, since accumulator 1624 is blocked by communication port 1102 via closed ball 1610, it is not possible to equalize the pressure between the two when connector 112 is detached from the tubular housing (110 of Figure 10). Fluid pressure is trapped in communication port 1102 via closed ball 1610, thereby preventing the plunger (1106 of Figure 10) from being returned to its original position within the gasket retention assembly (1100 of Figure 10).

[00108] When it is desired to reconnect connector 112 and gasket (1105 of figure 10), ball valve assembly 1600 can be reopened to allow fluid flow through first fluid passage 1606. At this time, accumulator 1624 is fluidly coupled to the communication port 1102 via the open ball 1610, and it is possible to equalize pressure throughout the system when the connector 112 is again detached from the tubular housing (110 of Figure 10). Excess fluid pressure is communicated from accumulator 1624 through communication port 1102 and contacts a surface of the plunger (1106 of Figure 10) so as to force the plunger back to its original partially extending position. of the communication port 1102. Thus, the gasket retaining assembly (1100 of figure 10) is capable of retaining the gasket (1105 of figure 10) with connector 112 after removing connector 112 on the surface.

[00109] As mentioned above, other types and arrangements of accumulator 1624 can be used in other modes. For example, the piston member may have a rod shape that is received within a cylinder shape member at one end of housing 1604, rather than the other way around. The orientation of accumulator 1624 constructed within housing 1604 may be different in other embodiments. For example, accumulator 1624 may extend inwardly from any side, top or bottom portion of housing 1604.

[00110] Valve actuator 1612 of ball valve assembly 1600 may include a lever 1654 that extends outwardly from housing 1604 of ball valve assembly 1600, lever 1654 being coupled to ball 1610 to rotate the ball 1610. Rotation of lever 1654 can directly cause rotation of ball 1610. Lever 1654 extending from housing 1604 may be designed to mate with an ROV so that the ROV is able to rotate lever 1654 when the opening or closing the 1600 ball valve assembly is desired. Valve actuator 1612 may also include a body 1656 received within housing 1604 and which supports lever 1654 via a series of bearings 1658. It will be appreciated that other particular types or arrangements of valve actuator 1612 may be used in other embodiments .

[00111] The 1600 ball valve assembly can include at least one ROV penetration interface 1614. The ROV penetration interface 1614 can be designed with one or more connectors and/or seals to receive a penetration input from an ROV which allows the ROV to apply pressure to a flow line within the ball valve assembly 1600. The ROV penetration interface of Figure 17, for example, is fluidly coupled to the second portion 1620 of the first fluid passage 1606. Thus, if the gasket retaining assembly (1100 of figure 10) fails to return the plunger to its home position by spring force and pressure flowing through the communication port 1102, an ROV may penetrate the penetration interface of ROV 1614 of the open ball valve assembly 1600 and apply increased pressure on the 1102 communication port to reset the plunger.

[00112] As mentioned above, in some embodiments, ball valve assembly 1600 may include one or more additional fluid passages through which ball 1610 selectively permits/prevents fluid flow. Figure 19 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the 1600 ball valve assembly of Figure 17 taken at a 90 degree angle (about the 1622 axis) from the cross-sectional view of Figure 17. Such an image shows the 1600 ball valve assembly when ball 1610 is in the closed position. Although ball 1610 in the closed position prevents flow through the first passage (1606 of Figure 17), ball 1610 in the closed position allows flow through the second fluid passage 1800 formed through housing 1604 as shown in Figure 19.

[00113] The ball valve assembly 1600 may include an ROV penetration interface 1802 that is fluidly coupled to the second fluid passage 1800. The second fluid passage 1800 may form a fluid path between the communication port 1102 formed through connector 112 and ROV penetration interface 1802 when ball 1610 is in the closed position. A first portion 1804 of the second fluid passage 1800 on a first side of the ball 1610 may be fluidly coupled to the first portion 1618 of the first fluid passage 1606 (of Figure 17) by means of a flow line 1806 formed through the housing. 1604. Thereby, the first portion 1804 of the second fluid passage 1800 can be fluidly coupled to the communication port 1102 on the connector 112 (shown in Figure 17), while a second portion 1808 of the second fluid passage 1800 in a second side of the ball 1610 opposite the first side can be fluidly coupled to the penetration interface of ROV 1802.

[00114] The 1802 ROV penetration interface can be designed with one or more connectors and/or seals to receive a penetration inlet from an ROV that allows the ROV to apply pressure over a flow line within the 1600 ball valve assembly The ROV penetration interface 1802 of Figure 19, for example, is fluidly coupled to the second portion 1808 of the second fluid passage 1800. Thus, if it is desirable to return the plunger to its initial position while the ball 1610 remains in the closed position, an ROV may penetrate the ROV penetration interface 1802 of the closed ball valve assembly 1600 and apply greater pressure to the communication port 1102 to reset the plunger.

[00115] As illustrated in Figure 19, the ball valve assembly 1600 can be equipped with a ball rotation assembly 1810 which facilitates the smooth transition of the ball 1610 between the open and closed positions in response to the rotation of the valve actuator 1612. The spherical rotation assembly 1810 may be positioned in a portion of the second fluid passage 1800, as illustrated. Specifically, the ball rotation assembly 1810 may be located in the first portion 1804 of the second fluid passage 1800 of the ball valve assembly 1600. However, in another embodiment, the ball rotation assembly 1810 may be positioned in the first passage of fluid 1606 from the 1600 ball valve assembly.

[00116] The 1810 spherical rotation assembly may include a body 1812, a piston 1814 with an 1816 hole formed therethrough, and an 1818 tilt mechanism. In Figure 19, the 1818 tilt mechanism includes Belleville washers. In the spherical rotation assembly 1810, body 1812 may be secured relative to housing 1604. For example, body 1812 may include a flange portion that is received in a recess of housing 1604 and held in place by a cap 1820 bolted to the housing. outer portion of housing 1604. One end of piston 1814 extends into a bore formed through body 1812 and is movable in an axial direction to extend further into bore of body 1812 when necessary to facilitate rotation. of ball 1610. An opposite end of piston 1814 fits ball 1610. Hole 1816 through piston 1814 forms a portion of the fluid passage (eg, 1800 of Figure 19).

[00117] Tilt mechanism 1818 can be disposed between piston 1814 and body 1812 and configured to tilt piston 1814 toward ball 1610 to keep the end of piston 1814 engaged with ball 1610. Piston 1814 is so movable axial with respect to body 1812 and second fluid passage 1800, and piston 1814 is held in floating engagement against ball 1610 by tilting mechanism 1818 disposed between body 1812 and piston 1814. As ball 1610 is rotated, movement of ball 1610 against piston 1814 can cause piston 1814 to be moved axially through body 1812 to allow easier movement of ball 1610 between the open and closed positions, since once in the open or closed position , ball 1610 is sealingly engaged with seat 1608. Tilt mechanism 1818 can return piston 1814 to its home position engaged in ball 1610 once ball 1610 has stopped rotating.

[00118] Other types and arrangements of 1810 ball rotation mounts can be used in other embodiments of the 1600 ball valve assembly. For example, figure 20 illustrates another embodiment of the 1810 ball rotation assembly. spherical 1810 further includes a body 1812, a piston 1814 with a bore 1816 and a tilt mechanism 1818. In Figure 20, the tilt mechanism is a spring disposed between the end of piston 1814 and a body shield 1812.

[00119] The described ball valve assembly 1600 can control the selective opening and closing of the communication port within a component, such as a gasket retaining assembly of a subsea tubular component. The 1600 ball valve assembly allows the communication port to vent fluid pressure to the 1602 fluid storage mechanism (e.g., accumulator) when the ball valve is open, and prevents pressure communication through the port when the ball valve is closed. Thus, the 1600 ball valve assembly provides a fully closed system to vent and return fluid pressure to the communication port without exposing the communication port to external fluid. The gasket retention system is therefore capable of being operated without any problems related to dust or solid particles from the external fluid obstructing the communication port or with exposing the internal components to corrosive materials.

[00120] It is worth noting that the described ball valve assembly 1600 comprising an onboard fluid storage mechanism 1602 may be used in contexts other than those involving a gasket retention system. For example, the 1600 ball valve assembly can be used within downhole control valve systems where control fluid is typically pumped in and out. Fluid storage mechanism 1602 in ball valve assembly 1600 can allow the supply of fluid for various downhole functions or control of fluid accumulation within control valve systems.

[00121] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described herein in some detail, it should be understood that the intent is only to describe the various aspects of the invention, and not to limit the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. Accordingly, persons skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment shown and described is exemplary and that various other substitutions, changes and modifications, including, but not limited to, those model alternatives specifically discussed herein, can be made in the practice of the invention. without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (26)

System, characterized by the fact that it comprises:
a tubular member with the fluid communication port formed therethrough;
a ball valve assembly coupled to the tubular member, the ball valve assembly comprising:
a housing comprising a first fluid passage, wherein a first portion of the first fluid passage is fluidly coupled to the fluid communication port on the tubular member;
a seat disposed within the first fluid passage;
a ball with a hole formed therethrough, wherein the ball is positioned on the seat and can be rotated between an open position that allows flow through the first fluid passage and a closed position that prevents flow through the first fluid passage ; and
an accumulator disposed in the housing and fluidly coupled to a second portion of the first fluid passage located on an opposite side of the seat from the first portion. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing comprises at least one remotely operated vehicle penetration interface (ROV) fluidly coupled to the first fluid passage. System according to claim 2, characterized in that the ROV penetration interface is fluidly coupled to the first portion of the first fluid passage when the ball is in the open position. System according to claim 2, characterized in that the ROV penetration interface is fluidly coupled to the first portion of the first fluid passage when the ball is in the closed position. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing further comprises a second fluid passage, wherein the ball in the closed position allows flow through the second fluid passage. System according to claim 5, characterized in that a first portion of the second fluid passage on a third side of the seat is fluidly coupled to the first portion of the first fluid passage. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve assembly further comprises a valve actuator configured to rotate the ball within the seat to switch the ball between open and closed positions. System according to claim 7, characterized in that the valve assembly further comprises a spherical rotation assembly that facilitates the smooth transition of the ball between the open and closed positions in response to the ball rotation by the valve actuator. The system of claim 1, characterized in that the tubular element comprises a gasket retaining assembly configured to selectively retain a gasket fitted with the first tubular element, wherein the fluid communication port extends through the first tubular element to vent fluid pressure from the packing retainer assembly to the ball valve assembly. System according to claim 9, characterized in that the ball is movable between the open position that allows pressure or fluid ventilation from the communication port to the accumulator and the closed position that holds the pressure inside the communication port . Ball valve assembly, characterized by the fact that it comprises:
a housing comprising a first fluid passage;
a seat disposed within the first fluid passage;
a first fluid passage inlet on a first side of the seat for fluidly coupling the ball valve assembly to an external fluid communication line;
a ball with a hole formed therethrough, wherein the ball is positioned on the seat and can be rotated between an open position that allows flow through the first fluid passage and a closed position that prevents flow through the first fluid passage ; and
an accumulator disposed in the housing and fluidly coupled to the first fluid passage on a second side of the seat opposite the first side. Ball valve assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that the housing comprises an ROV penetration interface fluidly coupled to the first fluid passage on the second side of the seat. Ball valve assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that the housing comprises a second fluid passage, wherein the ball in the closed position allows flow through the second fluid passage. Ball valve assembly, according to claim 13, characterized in that:
the first fluid passage comprises a first portion on the first seat side and a second portion on a second seat side;
the second fluid passage comprises a first portion on a third side of the seat and a second portion on a fourth side of the seat; and
the first portion of the second fluid passage is fluidly coupled to the first portion of the first fluid passage. Ball valve assembly according to claim 14, characterized in that the housing comprises an ROV penetration interface fluidly coupled to the second portion of the second flow passage. Ball valve assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that it further comprises a spherical rotation assembly disposed in the second fluid passage, wherein the spherical rotation assembly facilitates rotation of the ball between the open and closed positions. Ball valve assembly according to claim 16, characterized in that the spherical rotation assembly comprises a body and a piston disposed in the body, wherein the body and the piston comprise a hole formed therethrough, wherein the piston is movable axially with respect to the housing and the second fluid passage, and wherein the piston is held in a floating engagement against the ball by means of an inclination mechanism disposed between the housing and the piston. Ball valve assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that the accumulator is the nitrogen accumulator. Ball valve assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises a valve actuator configured to rotate the ball within the seat to switch the ball between the open and closed positions. Ball valve assembly according to claim 19, characterized in that the valve actuator comprises a lever, wherein the lever extends from the housing and is operable by means of an ROV. Method, characterized in that it comprises: receiving an increasing pressure through the port in a tubular element, wherein the tubular element is coupled to a ball valve assembly, the ball valve assembly comprising:
a housing comprising a first fluid passage, wherein the first fluid passage is fluidly coupled to the port on the tubular member;
a seat disposed in the first fluid passage;
a ball with a hole formed therethrough, wherein the ball is rotatable between an open position that allows flow through the first fluid passage and a closed position that prevents flow through the first fluid passage; and
an accumulator coupled to the first fluid passage on an opposite side of the seat from the door;
transferring the rising pressure through the first fluid passage to the accumulator;
compressing an accumulator piston in response to increased pressure;
close the ball valve assembly to trap pressure inside the port; and
move the tubular element while the ball valve assembly is closed. Method according to claim 21, characterized in that it further comprises maintaining the position of a component inside the door during the movement of the tubular element by means of pressure trapped in the door. Method according to claim 22, characterized in that the component inside the door is a gasket retention mechanism. Method, according to claim 22, characterized in that it comprises:
open ball valve assembly;
moving the tubular element while the ball valve assembly is opened; and
allowing the component to move axially within the port during movement of the tubular element. The method of claim 21, further comprising coupling an ROV to an interface that penetrates the ball valve assembly, and routing the pressurized fluid from the ROV into the port through the ball valve assembly while the ball valve assembly is open. The method of claim 21, further comprising coupling an ROV to an interface that penetrates the ball valve assembly, and routing the pressurized fluid from the ROV into the port through the ball valve assembly while the ball valve assembly is closed.

Images