BR122023000102B1 - SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PIPE SUSPENDER ALIGNMENT DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for anchoring a tubing hanger (14) to a wellhead and then orienting a tree (or coil, or flowline connecting body) in relation to the pipe hanger, while the tree is anchored to the wellhead. This alignment is achieved without the use of either a tubing spool or a BOP stack with an orientation pin. The pipe hanger alignment devices (16) can be used to orient the tree as the tree is anchored so that the couplings and fittings between the tree and the pipe hanger (14) align with each other right at the moment of anchoring.

Description

Split from BR112020007297-4 deposited on 10/04/2018. Technical Field

[001] The present invention relates, generally, to wellhead systems and, more particularly, to pipe hanger alignment devices used to properly align a tree to a pipe hanger in a wellhead. regardless of the orientation in which the tree is positioned in the wellhead.

Background

[002] Conventional wellhead systems include a wellhead housing mounted at the upper end of a subsurface casing string extending into a wellbore. During a drilling procedure, a drilling riser and BOP are installed above a wellhead housing (casing head) to provide pressure control as casing is installed, with each casing string having a hanger of casing at its upper end to anchor to a boss inside the wellhead housing. The tubing string is then installed through the wellbore. A tubing hanger attachable to the upper end of the tubing string is supported within the wellhead housing above the casing hanger to suspend the tubing string within the casing string. Upon completion of this process, the BOP is replaced with a tree installed above the wellhead housing, with the tree having a valve to allow oil or gas to be produced and directed into flow lines for transport to a desired facility.

[003] The pipe hanger contains numerous holes and couplings, which require precise alignment with corresponding parts of the tree. Conventionally, there are two ways to achieve tree orientation relative to a pipe hanger. The first utilizes a tubing spool assembly, which attaches to the wellhead and provides anchoring and guidance capabilities. The tubing spool is very expensive, however, and adds height to the overall stack. Furthermore, the pipe spool is so heavy that few working-class vessels can carry out its installation, and it often requires installation by expensive drilling vessels. Additionally, the drilling riser must be removed to install the tubing spool.

[004] The second method for orienting a tree relative to a pipe hanger involves the use of a blowout preventer ("BOP") hydraulic pile pin and orienting adapter joint. This method requires detailed knowledge of the specific BOP stack in order to accurately install an actuated hydraulic pin that projects into the BOP stack hole. An orientation helix is fixed above the pipe hanger running tool, and as the pipe hanger anchors, a helix engages the hydraulic pin and guides the pipe holes in a defined direction. This method requires accurate drawings of the BOP stack elevations and spacing between the main orifice and outlet flanges, which can require hours of research and multiple trips to take measurements. There is a chance of error with this method, particularly on older probes. Therefore, this method requires significant upfront planning. Additionally, configuring the blocking sleeve at the wellhead typically requires a probe as the BOP must remain in place as a reference point for the orientation of the tubing hanger and corresponding blocking sleeve.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[005] For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its features and advantages, reference is now made to the following description, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[006] Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of components of a production system having a pipe hanger alignment device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present description;

[007] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a production system comprising a pipe hanger alignment device with a helical pipe alignment mechanism, in accordance with an embodiment of the present description;

[008] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a shoe used in the pipe hanger alignment device of Figure 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present description;

[009] Figures 4A and 4B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of a pipe hanger alignment device in an embodiment with a helical pipe alignment mechanism, in accordance with an embodiment of the present description;

[0010] Figures 5A and 5B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of the pipe hanger alignment device of Figures 4A and 4B in an alignment configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the present description;

[0011] Figures 6A and 6B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of the pipe hanger alignment device of Figures 4A-5B in an aligned configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the present description;

[0012] Figures 7A and 7B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of the pipe hanger alignment device of Figures 4A-6B in a configuration with the lower body released, in accordance with an embodiment of the present description ;

[0013] Figures 8A and 8B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of the pipe hanger alignment device of Figures 4A-7B in an anchored configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the present description;

[0014] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of a production system comprising a pipe hanger alignment device with a helical slot alignment mechanism, in accordance with an embodiment of the present description;

[0015] Figure 10 is a side view of an alignment body used in the pipe hanger alignment device of Figure 9, in accordance with an embodiment of the present description;

[0016] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of a production system comprising a pipe hanger alignment device with a torsion spring alignment mechanism, in accordance with an embodiment of the present description;

[0017] Figure 12 is another cross-sectional view of the production system of Figure 11, considered along a different transversal, in accordance with an embodiment of the present description;

[0018] Figure 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of a production system comprising a pipe hanger alignment device with a plug-based alignment mechanism, in accordance with an embodiment of the present description;

[0019] Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of a plug assembly used in the pipe hanger alignment device of Figure 13 in a running position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present description;

[0020] Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the plug assembly of Figure 14 being locked onto a pipe hanger, in accordance with an embodiment of the present description;

[0021] Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of the plug assembly of Figures 14 and 15 with an alignment sleeve being adjusted, in accordance with an embodiment of the present description;

[0022] Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of the tree component being anchored to the plug assembly of Figures 1416, in accordance with an embodiment of the present description; It is

[0023] Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view of the tree component being anchored and aligned with the pipe hanger through the plug assembly of Figures 14-17, in accordance with an embodiment of the present description.

Detailed Description

[0024] Illustrative embodiments of the present description are described in detail here. For the sake of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. Of course, it will be noted that in developing any of these real-world embodiments, specific implementation decisions must be considered to achieve the specific goals of the developers, such as compliance with system- and business-related constraints, which range from a implementation to another. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that such a development effort may be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine task for those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the following description. Furthermore, in no way should the following examples be read to limit or define the scope of the disclosure.

[0025] Certain embodiments in accordance with the present description may be directed to a pipe hanger alignment device used to properly orient the shaft (or coil, or flowline connecting body) that is being anchored to a wellhead in relation to a tubing hanger that is set at the wellhead.

[0026] In the following discussion, the term “tree” will be used to refer to any type of component that is anchored to a wellhead, has one or more flow lines extending through, and has one or more paths communication flow paths (for example, electrical, fiber optic, or hydraulic) to communicate with the communication flow paths in the associated pipe hanger. The term “tree” will be used throughout this application to refer to any of a tree body, a coil, or a flowline connecting body.

[0027] In wellhead systems, the arbor (or coil, or flowline connecting body, connector) that is positioned in the wellhead must be properly oriented with respect to the tubing hanger that is defined in the wellhead. well head. This is because there are numerous couplings or fittings that must be made between the pipe string and the tree in order to allow electrical, hydraulic, and/or fiber optic signals to be communicated from the tree to the pipe hanger and various hardware components. well bottom. Existing methods for orienting a tree relative to a tubing hanger at the wellhead involve the use of either an expensive tubing spool or a hydraulic BOP stack pin and orienting adapter joint, which can be difficult to position accordingly. properly in the wellhead and expensive to adjust if positioned properly.

[0028] The present description is directed to systems and methods for anchoring a pipe hanger to a wellhead without regard to its orientation and for anchoring a tree in any orientation desired by the operator. The tree may anchor in any orientation and systems and methods in accordance with the present invention may be used to orient the various couplings (e.g., electrical, hydraulic, and/or fiber optic) relative to the pipe hanger while anchoring. of the tree is made at the wellhead. This is achieved without the use of either a spool of tubing or a BOP stack with an orientation pin. This can save the operator a lot of money (in the millions of dollars) since no spool of tubing is required to perform the guidance. Additionally, the systems and methods presented will save the operator money as they avoid the possibility of costly remediation associated with a properly positioned BOP. Pipe hanger alignment devices are capable of aligning the tree to the pipe hanger regardless of the tree's original orientation at the beginning of the anchoring process. Essentially, the pipe hanger alignment devices described allow the tree to function as a “self-orienting tree”. The tree can be anchored in any orientation desired by the operator. The present invention thus provides for self-alignment and orientation of couplings or fittings that need to be made between the pipe string and the tree so as to allow electrical, hydraulic, and/or fiber optic signals to be communicated from the tree. to the pipe hanger and various downhole components.

[0029] Now, with reference to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates certain components of a subsea production system 10 in which the described pipe hanger alignment devices can be used. The production system 10 shown in Figure 1 may include a wellhead 12, a pipe hanger 14, a pipe hanger alignment device 16, and a tree 18 (which may be a tree body, a coil, or a flowline connecting body). As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the pipe hanger alignment device 16 may be coupled to the pipe hanger 14 or the arbor 18 (not shown) prior to anchoring or alternatively anchored independently of both devices (not shown). The shaft 18 may include a plurality of valves for fluidly coupling a vertical orifice 20 formed through the shaft 18 to one or more downstream production flow paths, such as a well jumper, for example. The tree 18 may be connected to and sealed against the wellhead 12. The tubing hanger 14 may be fluidly coupled to the orifice 20 of the tree 18.

[0030] As shown, the pipe hanger alignment device 16 may connect the arbor 18 to the pipe hanger 14. In other embodiments, the pipe hanger alignment device may include a plug that is removably positioned within the pipe hanger 14 at one or more times throughout a finishing process, as described below. In such cases, the pipe hanger 14 may be connected to and sealed against the tree 18 through an insulation sleeve that is integral with the tree 18.

[0031] The tubing hanger 14 may be anchored to and sealed against an orifice 22 of the wellhead 12, as shown. The tubing hanger 14 may suspend a string of tubing 24 in and through the wellhead 12. Likewise, one or more casing hangers (e.g., inner casing hanger 26A and outer casing hanger 26B) may be maintained inside and sealed against an orifice 22 of the wellhead 12 and used to suspend the corresponding casing string (e.g., the inner casing string 28A and the outer casing string 28B) through the wellhead 12.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, the pipe hanger alignment device 16 may include one or more communication lines (e.g., hydraulic fluid lines, electrical lines, and/or fiber optic cables) 30 disposed through and used to communicatively couple the arbor 18 to the pipe hanger 14. The pipe hanger 14 may include couplings or fittings 32 located on top of the pipe hanger 14 in a specific orientation with respect to a longitudinal axis 34. The hanger alignment device tubing 16 is configured to facilitate a mating connection that communicatively couples the arbor 18 to the couplings/fittings 32 on the tubing hanger 14 as the arbor 18 is anchored to the wellhead 12, regardless of the orientation in which the arbor 18 is initially positioned during the anchoring process.

[0033] Different arrangements of a pipe hanger alignment device 16 will now be disclosed in the following sections of this description. The pipe hanger alignment device may utilize a helical pipe alignment mechanism, a helical slot alignment mechanism, a torsion spring alignment mechanism, or a plug-based alignment mechanism.

[0034] Helical pipe alignment mechanism

[0035] A pipe hanger alignment device 16 having a helical pipe mechanism will be described with reference to figures 2 and 3. The pipe hanger alignment device 16 of figure 2 includes a shoe 110, an alignment wrench 112, a production fitting sub 114, and one or more lengths of helical hydraulic tubing and/or electrical conduits 116. The arrangement and interaction of these components will now be described.

[0036] The shoe 110 can house the hydraulic, electrical and/or fiber optic couplings 118 that interface with the corresponding couplings/fittings 32 at a top end of the pipe hanger 14 by anchoring the tree 18. The shoe 110 is generally mounted to the production socket sub 114 as shown. The shoe 110 may include hydraulic fluid ports and/or electrical cables 120 extending therethrough. The ports and/or cables 120 may be connected to or through helical hydraulic tubing and/or electrical conduits 116 at the top of the shoe 110 to allow the shoe 110 to rotate relative to the shaft body 18. The electrical cables and/or ports hydraulic connectors 120 arranged through the shoe 110 are terminated to a series of dry-match electrical contacts and/or hydraulic connectors 118 that interface with the tubing hanger 14 at the bottom of the shoe 110.

[0037] The shoe 110 is capable of rotating relative to the shaft body 18 and the production fitting sub 114. A shoe profile drives the shoe 110 to rotate as it is lowered through the wellhead 112. The profile shoe profile 122 is illustrated in figure 3. Shoe profile 122 is a profile formed around the outer circumference of shoe 110 as shown. The shoe profile 122 may have a projecting edge that slopes in a relatively downward direction (arrow 124) from one side of the shoe 110 in both directions circumferentially around the shoe 110 (arrows 126) to an opposite side. 128 of the shoe 110. At the lower point on the side 128 of the shoe profile 122, the profile 122 may include an alignment slot 130. The alignment slot 130 may be oriented in a downward direction (arrow 124).

[0038] As shown in Figure 2, the alignment key 112 can be mounted directly to the pipe hanger 14. The shoe profile 122 can drive the shoe 110 to rotate against the alignment key 112 until the alignment key 112 is defined in the alignment slot 130. At this point, the shoe 110 will be properly oriented relative to the pipe hanger 14 so as to make the desired mating connections at the coupling interface 118 and 32. As such, the rotation of the shoe 110 for when the couplings 118 of the shoe 110 are aligned with the couplings 32 on the pipe hanger 14.

[0039] The production socket sub 114 may be mounted to the arbor body 18. The shoe 110 is disposed around an outer circumference of the production socket sub 114. The production socket sub 114 may retain the shoe 110 there, while allowing the shoe 110 to rotate freely around the production fitting sub 114. As such, the production fitting sub 114 rotationally couples the shoe 110 to the spindle 18. The shoe 110 is capable of rotating relative to the production fitting sub 114 and the tree 18 as the tree 18 is being lowered into the wellhead 12.

[0040] The helical hydraulic tubing (116) provides a communication path for the hydraulic fluid being communicated from the fluid ports on the shaft 18 to the corresponding fluid ports on the shoe 110 and ultimately to the tubing hanger 14. Helical arrangement of hydraulic tubing (116) allows the tubing to flex as the shoe 110 rotates in both directions to align the couplings 118 with those of the tubing hanger 14, while the arbor 18 is being lowered.

[0041] The electrical conduits (116) provide a communication path for the electrical and/or fiber optic signals being communicated from the cables in the tree 18 to the corresponding cables in the shoe 110 and ultimately the pipe hanger 14. The helical arrangement of the electrical conduits (116) allows the conduit to flex as the shoe 110 rotates in both directions to align the couplings 118 with those of the pipe hanger 14, while the arbor 18 is being lowered.

[0042] A general description of a method for operating the pipe hanger alignment device 16 of Figures 2 and 3 will now be described. The production socket sub 114 may be installed on a lower portion of the spindle 18. The production socket sub 114 may be coupled to the spindle 18 via threads, a lock ring, or any other known method. The production socket sub 114 may be connected to the spindle 18 in a manner that does not allow rotation of the production socket sub 114 relative to the spindle 18. In other embodiments, the production socket sub 114 may be formed integral with the tree 18.

[0043] The method may also include installing the shoe 110 on the production socket sub 114. The shoe 110 may be disposed around the outer circumference of the generally cylindrical production socket sub 114, and the shoe 110 may be coupled accordingly. rotatable manner to the production plug-in sub 114. The shoe 110, for example, may be connected to the outside of the production plug-in sub 114 through a bearing interface that allows free rotation of the shoe 110 around the production plug-in sub. production 114 while these components are lowered through wellhead 12.

[0044] One or more lengths of hydraulic tubing and/or electrical conduits 116 may be connected between the bottom of the tree body 18 and the top of the shoe 110. The electrical conduits and/or hydraulic tubing 116 may be helical around the diameter outside of the production fitting sub 114 in a space located longitudinally between the shaft 18 and the shoe 110. In some embodiments, the conduits and/or tubing 116 may be extended upwardly from the connected cables and/or ports 120 in the shoe 110, helical one or more times each around the production fitting sub 114, and connected at contacts 132 on a lower end of the tree body 18. In other embodiments, the conduits and/or tubing 116 may be extended from an interface at the lower end of the shaft body 18, helical one or more times each around the production socket sub 114, and connected into cables and/or ports 120 on the hot shoe 110 through contacts at an upper end of the shoe 110.

[0045] During assembly of the pipe hanger assembly, the alignment wrench 112 is installed along an inner diameter of the pipe hanger 14. The alignment wrench 112 can be securely installed within a recess formed in the hanger. of piping 14 along the inner diameter. As shown, the alignment wrench 112 is disposed in a specific position along the circumference of the inner surface of the pipe hanger 14. An alignment wrench 112 does not extend around the entire circumference of the inner surface of the pipe hanger 14. The alignment key 112 may be installed through a fastener such as a bolt or screw into the recess of the pipe hanger 14. The alignment key 112 may have a width that is sized to be received into the vertical slot 130 of the associated shoe profile 122 to shoe 110.

[0046] Upon assembly of the above components, the tubing hanger 14 can be extended onto the wellhead 12 in any orientation, locked in place, and sealed within the wellhead 12. The arbor assembly having the arbor body 18 and the tubing hanger alignment device 16 (i.e., the production fitting sub 114, the shoe 110, and the helical tubing/conduit 116) is then extended and oriented at a desired location on the head. wellhead 12 before anchoring inside wellhead 12.

[0047] While the shaft 18 is anchored from an initial position in the wellhead 12 to its final connected position, the shoe 110 may engage the alignment key 112 so as to orient the couplings 32 and 118 associated with the shaft hanger. pipe 14 and shoe 110, respectively. The shoe profile 122 on the outer edge of the shoe 110 can directly engage the alignment wrench 112 on the pipe hanger 14. Lowering the arbor 18 further causes the shoe 110 to rotate around the production fitting sub 114 to align with the pipe hanger 14. That is, the stationary alignment wrench 112 forces the shoe 110 to rotate in one direction or the other (depending on the direction of inclination of the shoe profile 122 at the point of initial contact with the alignment wrench 112) as the arbor 18 is lowered until the alignment key 112 is received in the alignment slot 130 of the shoe profile 122. At this point, the shoe 110 will be in proper alignment with the pipe hanger 14.

[0048] The shaft 18 can then be anchored and locked to the wellhead 12. All couplings between the shoe 110 and the tubing hanger 14 will engage at this point. The hydraulic, electrical, and/or fiber optic couplings between the shaft 18 and the pipe hanger 14 will then be tested to ensure a proper connection has been made.

[0049] The pipe hanger alignment device 16 described in Figures 2 and 3 can achieve the objective of aligning the pipe hanger penetrations (i.e., couplings/fittings 32 and 118) regardless of the orientation around the axis. longitudinal in which the tree 18 is anchored. The alignment process is passive and reset without manual intervention underwater or on the surface. Supplier seals, hydraulic couplers, and electrical connectors from the pipe hanger 14 can be used in implementations of the alignment device 16 shown. Existing tree body designs may require some modification to remove and replace existing couplers with pipe/conduit connections leading to the 116 pipe/conduit. Existing pipe hangers can be utilized with only minimal modification to add the alignment wrench 112. Existing pipe hanger execution tools can be used without modification.

[0050] Helical pipe alignment mechanism with Multi-Start alignment threads

[0051] Another embodiment of a pipe hanger alignment device 16 that has a helical pipe mechanism will be described with reference to figures 4A-8B. The pipe hanger alignment device 16 of Figures 4A-8B includes a production fitting sub 610, an alignment sub 612, an external timing ring 614, and one or more lengths of helical hydraulic tubing and/or electrical conduit. and/or optical fiber 616. The arrangement and interaction of these components will now be described.

[0052] Similar to the shoe 110 of figure 2 and the alignment body of figure 9, the alignment sub 612 can house standard hydraulic, electrical and/or fiber optic couplings 118 that interface with corresponding couplings/fittings in a top end of the pipe hanger (not shown) through the tree anchor (not shown). The 612 alignment sub is generally mounted to the 610 production docking sub as shown. In the running position, the alignment sub 612 extends downward in approximately the same end direction as the production fitting sub 610, so that the alignment sub 612 provides a protective barrier between the seals 618 at a lower end of the 610 production plug-in sub and external components.

[0053] The alignment sub 612 includes hydraulic fluid ports and/or electrical cables 120 extending therethrough. The ports and/or cables 120 may be connected to or through helical hydraulic tubing and/or electrical and/or fiber optic conduits 616 on top of the alignment sub 612 to allow the alignment sub 612 to rotate relative to the body of the tree . The electrical cables and/or hydraulic ports 120 disposed through the alignment sub 612 may be terminated to a series of electrical/fiber contacts and/or hydraulic connectors 118 that interface with the tubing hanger at the bottom of the alignment sub 612.

[0054] Similar to the embodiments of Figure 2 and Figure 9, the alignment sub 612 is capable of rotating relative to the arbor body (not shown) and the production fitting sub 610. Similar to the embodiment of Figure 9, this rotation is driven by the external timing ring 614. As illustrated, an outer surface of the alignment sub 612 has a plurality of alignment threads 620 formed therein. These alignment threads 620 have a series of helically shaped slots or grooves formed in the alignment sub 612 and spaced around the circumference of the alignment sub 612. Each alignment thread 620 includes an independent starting point at the bottom thereof, each starting point designed to receive a corresponding pin 622 of the external timing ring 614. In the illustrated embodiment, the alignment threads 620 include a six-gap alignment thread, this means that there are six starting points corresponding to six threads. Other thread numbers are possible in other embodiments as well. The outer timing ring 614 includes a plurality of pins 622, which extend from an inner diameter of the outer timing ring 614 in a radially inward direction and are located in corresponding alignment threads 620 of the alignment sub 612. As such, the external timing ring 614 functions, in general, as a nut mounted p11L26 on the threads 620 of the alignment sub 612. In an upper part of the alignment sub 612, the alignment threads 620 pass in the vertical alignment slots 624 located around the circumference of the 612 alignment sub.

[0055] The external timing ring 614 includes one or more switch features 626 designed to interact with complementary switch features of the pipe hanger (not shown). For example, as shown, the outer timing ring 614 may have lugs 626 that extend in a downward direction from a lower surface of the outer timing ring 614. These lugs 626 are designed to interface with grooves or slots. corresponding couplings formed on an upward-facing surface of the pipe hanger (not shown) to time the start of the alignment rotation so that the couplings 118 at the bottom of the alignment sub 612 will be aligned with the corresponding couplings/fittings at the top of the pipe hanger. piping. The handles 626 may include three handles, four handles, or another number of handles. The lugs 626 on the outer timing ring 614 may be unequally spaced from each other around the circumference of the outer timing ring 614, unequally spaced in a radial direction from a longitudinal axis of the outer timing ring, which extends to different lengths in the longitudinal direction, or a combination thereof. The corresponding grooves or slots extending in the pipe hanger may be arranged in a similarly uneven manner. In this manner, the lugs 626 of the outer timing ring 614 are received in the corresponding grooves or slots of the pipe hanger only when the timing ring external 614 is in a particular orientation with respect to the pipe hanger around a longitudinal axis.

[0056] It should be noted that in other embodiments, the key features on the outer timing ring and the tubing hanger may be reversed so that the outer timing ring includes key slots or grooves formed therein to be received in handles that extend onto the top of the pipe hanger.

[0057] The external timing ring 614 rests the pipe hanger alignment device 16 in a desired orientation within the pipe hanger, regardless of how the pipe hanger is oriented within the wellhead. Once the external timing ring 614 is inserted into the pipe hanger, it cannot be rotated with respect to the pipe hanger. The alignment sub 612 then moves downward, rotating relative to the stationary external timing ring 614 until it reaches an aligned position relative to the tubing hanger (not shown) to make fluid, electrical, and/or connections. or fiber optic cables desired. At this point, the alignment sub 612 will be properly oriented relative to the pipe hanger in order to make the desired mating connections at the coupling interface 118 and (32 of Figure 1). As such, rotation of the alignment sub 612 stops when the couplings 118 of the alignment sub 612 are aligned with the couplings 32 on the pipe hanger.

[0058] The production socket sub 610 can be mounted to the spindle body (not shown), similar to the production socket sub 114 of Figure 2. The alignment sub 612 is disposed around an outer circumference of the production sub. production socket 610. The production socket sub 610 can retain an alignment sub 612 there, while allowing the alignment sub 612 to rotate freely around the production socket sub 610. As such, the production socket sub 610 rotationally couples an alignment sub 612 to the spindle. The 612 alignment sub is capable of rotating relative to the 610 production docking sub and the tree as the tree is lowered into the wellhead.

[0059] The alignment sub 612 may be equipped with an actuation mechanism 628 used to release the production socket sub 610 from the alignment sub 612 so that the production socket sub 610 can move in a direction longitudinal with respect to the alignment sub 612. The actuation mechanism 628 is designed so that it can only be activated once the alignment sub 612 is in an aligned position with respect to the pipe hanger. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuation mechanism 628 includes one or more actuation buttons 630 and a split ring 632. The split ring 632 is held in position in a circumferential groove formed along a radially inner diameter of the alignment sub 612 The split ring 632 is angled in a radially outward direction so as to retain the alignment sub 612 in a specific longitudinal position relative to the production fitting sub 610. Although not shown, the split ring 632 may be coupled to the. 610 production fitting sub via a boss or some other fastening feature. The actuation buttons 630 may extend from a radially outer diameter of the alignment sub 612 to the radially inner diameter of the alignment sub 612 in which the split ring 632 is retained. A force applied in a radially inward direction to one or more buttons 630 presses the buttons 630 into the split ring 632, thereby flattening the split ring 632 so that the alignment sub 612 is no longer held in a fixed longitudinal position. with respect to the production fitting sub 610. This allows the production fitting sub 610 to move further downward so that the seals 618 at the bottom thereof can be extended to interface with the tubing hanger.

[0060] While in the retracted position, the gallery seals are not energized, allowing free rotation of the alignment sub 612 around the production fitting sub 610. Once the gallery seals are engaged, they will prevent additional rotation so that the tree can be removed and reinstalled in the same orientation.

[0061] Helical hydraulic tubing 616 provides the communication path for the hydraulic fluid being communicated from the fluid ports on the shaft to the corresponding fluid ports on the alignment sub 610 and ultimately the tubing hanger. The helical arrangement of hydraulic tubing 616 allows the tubing to flex as the alignment sub 612 rotates to align the couplings 118 with those of the tubing hanger while the tree is being lowered.

[0062] The electrical conduits 616 provide a communication path for the electrical and/or fiber optic signals being communicated from the cables in the tree to the corresponding cables in the alignment sub 612 and ultimately to the pipe hanger. The helical arrangement of the electrical conduits 616 allows the conduit to flex as an alignment sub 612 rotates to align the couplings 118 with those of the tubing hanger while the tree is being lowered.

[0063] A general description of a method for operating the pipe hanger alignment device 16 of Figures 4A-8B will now be provided. Figures 4A and 4B show the pipe hanger alignment device 16 in a running configuration. This is the configuration of the pipe hanger alignment device 16 during the initial stage of lowering the pipe hanger alignment device 16 with the tree toward the wellhead. In this configuration, the external timing ring 614 is located at the lower end of the alignment sub 612, with the pins 622 positioned in their corresponding alignment threads 620 where the threads begin. The components of the pipe hanger alignment device 16 remain in this position until the pipe hanger alignment device 16 is positioned on the wellhead just above the pipe hanger. Once the tubing hanger alignment device 16 is lowered far enough so that the outer timing ring 614 is in contact with the tubing hanger at the wellhead, the outer timing ring 614, the sub 612, or both, may rotate relative to the shaft until the key features 626 (e.g., lugs) on the bottom of the outer timing ring 614 are received in the corresponding features (e.g., grooves or slots) of the timing hanger. piping.

[0064] Once the outer timing ring 614 is securely installed within the pipe hanger, additional downward force applied to the shaft causes the alignment sub 612 to rotate relative to the outer timing ring 614 and the pipe hanger. This is illustrated in Figures 5A and 5B. The shaft and production fitting sub 610 are being lowered relative to the tubing hanger and outer timing ring 614, while the outer timing ring 614 is held stationary within the tubing hanger. With its pins 622 engaged with the alignment threads 620 of the alignment sub 612, the outer timing ring 614 drives the alignment sub 612 to rotate toward an aligned position relative to the tubing hanger where the hydraulic, electrical, and and/or optical fiber 118 of the alignment sub 612 are aligned to those of the pipe hanger. As this occurs, the helical tubing 616 flexes to maintain connections between the shaft and the alignment sub 612, while the alignment sub 612 rotates relative to the shaft.

[0065] When the outer timing ring 614 reaches the top of the alignment threads 620, the alignment sub 612 and its couplings 118 will be rotationally aligned with the pipe hanger connectors, and the pins 622 of the outer timing ring 614 will enter vertical alignment slots 624. This aligned configuration is shown in Figures 6A and 6B. From here, the additional downward force from the arbor and pipe hanger alignment device 16 will cause the alignment sub 612, the production fitting sub 610, and the arbor to move vertically downward relative to the pipe ring. external timing 614 and the pipe hanger. This position is shown in figures 7A and 7B. In this position, the couplings 118 of the alignment sub 612 are just above the corresponding pipe hanger connectors, and the external timing ring 614 is in a position where it is covering/squeezing the actuation buttons 630 on top of the alignment sub. 612. These actuation buttons 630, once tightened, push the split ring 632 radially inward to release the production fitting sub 610 so that it can move longitudinally with respect to the alignment sub 612.

[0066] In some embodiments, the alignment sub 612 may be equipped with a final/precise alignment socket 640, and the tubing hanger may be equipped with a corresponding final/precise alignment wrench. The layout and description of these final/precise alignment features are discussed below with reference to final alignment wrench 232 and final alignment slot 234 of Figure 9. Similar final/precise alignment features (e.g., alignment slot 640 and a corresponding key on the pipe hanger) can be implemented in the embodiments of Figures 4A-8B as well. The final alignment should be done through the alignment slot 640 and the corresponding key, while the alignment sub 612 is moving vertically downward relative to the external timing ring 614 engaged with the vertical alignment slots 624.

[0067] At this point, further lowering the shaft causes the production fitting sub 610 to move downward relative to the alignment sub 612, uncovering the seals 618 at the lower end thereof and engaging the gallery seals. The 610 production fitting sub will move downward, bumping the tubing hanger and activating the 618 seals against an interface tubing hanger. The alignment sub 612 can also be lowered a certain amount to terminate the stabbing connections between the couplings 118 and the corresponding pipe hanger connectors. This brings the pipe hanger alignment device 16 to a fully anchored position within the wellhead, as shown in Figures 8A and 8B.

[0068] The pipe hanger alignment device 16 of Figures 4A-8B is similar to the embodiment of the pipe hanger alignment device 16 of Figures 2 and 3, except for the addition of the external timing ring 614 used to rotate the sub alignment sub 612 and to actuate the split ring 632, allowing downward movement of the production fitting sub 610 relative to the alignment sub 612. This arrangement, which allows downward movement of the production fitting sub 610 relative to the alignment sub 612, facilitates protection of the seals 618 at the bottom of the production fitting sub 610 during the initial lowering movement of the system through the wellhead.

[0069] The pipe hanger alignment device 16 described in Figures 4A-8B can achieve the objective of aligning pipe hanger penetrations (i.e., couplings/fittings 32 and 118) regardless of orientation around the axis longitudinal in which the tree 18 is anchored. The alignment process is passive. Existing supplier seals, hydraulic couplers, and electrical connectors from the pipe hanger 14 can be used in implementations of the alignment device 16 described. Existing tree body designs may need some modification to remove and replace existing couplers with pipe/conduit connections leading to the 616 pipe/conduit. Existing pipe hangers can be utilized with only minimal modification to add features key to interface with the external timing ring 614. The existing pipe hanger execution tool can be used without modification.

Helical slot alignment mechanism

[0070] A pipe hanger alignment device 16 having a helical slot mechanism will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. The pipe hanger alignment device 16 of Figure 9 includes an alignment body 210, a ring timing cube 212, and a timing cube 214. The arrangement and interaction of these components will now be described.

[0071] The alignment body 210 may be a single, solid piece that houses hydraulic, electrical and/or fiber optic couplings 216 of the standard type (or actuated type) that interface with the corresponding couplings/fittings 32 in a top end of the pipe hanger 14. In this embodiment, the alignment body 210 may function as the production fitting sub that is coupled directly to the arbor body 18. In other embodiments, however, a separate production fitting sub annulus captured within the alignment body 210 can be used.

[0072] The alignment body 210 may include a hydraulic port (not shown) extending therethrough and routed to a hydraulic gallery 218. The hydraulic gallery 218 is clamped to and in fluid communication with a hydraulic port (not shown) formed. through tree 18 as well. The hydraulic gallery 218 is located in an annular space between the shaft body 18 and the alignment body 210, and the hydraulic gallery 218 extends entirely around the circumference of the alignment body 210. The hydraulic gallery 218 allows rotation of the body of alignment 210 relative to the spindle 18, while maintaining fluid communication between the hydraulic port in the spindle body 18 and the hydraulic port in the alignment body 210.

[0073] The alignment body 210 may include electrical and/or fiber optic cables (not shown) extending therethrough and routed to an electrical/fiber optic gallery 220. The electrical and/or fiber optic cables may be cable in the electrical/fiber-optic gallery 220 between the alignment body 210 and the shaft 18. Electrical and/or fiber-optic cables may extend from the alignment body 210, through the gallery 220, and to the tree 18. Containing the electrical and/or fiber optic cables in a helical arrangement within the gallery 220 may allow the alignment body 210 to rotate relative to the tree body 18 since the cables are capable of flexing in response to such movements of the alignment body 210. Cables located within the alignment body 210 may terminate in a series of dry-match electrical contacts (couplings 216) at a lower end of the alignment body 210 designed to rotate relative to the shaft 18.

[0074] The alignment body 210 includes one or more helical slots 222 formed along an outer surface thereof. The helical slot 222 can be seen more clearly in the illustration of Figure 10. The helical slot 222 causes the alignment body 210 to rotate relative to the spindle body 18 as it is lowered onto the spindle 18. Rotation of the alignment body 210 may stop when the hydraulic, electrical and/or fiber optic couplings 216 are aligned with the couplings/fittings 32 on the pipe hanger 14. One or more helical slots 222 may each have a straight portion 224 at one end to allow a non-rotational anchoring of alignment bodies coupling 216 to pipe hanger couplings/fittings 32.

[0075] Timing hub 214 is coupled to tubing hanger 14 as shown. The timing hub 214 can be directly coupled to the pipe hanger 14 through a fastening mechanism such as a bolt or screw. The timing cube 214 may include specific key features 226 formed on an upwardly facing surface thereof. These key features 226 on the timing hub 214 are designed to capture the timing ring 212 when the ring 212 is clocked in a unique position and orientation relative to the tubing hanger 14. The key features 226 on the timing hub 214 can include slots or holes formed in the upper face of the timing hub 214. The timing ring 212 may include complementary key features 228 designed to be received directly into the timing hub 214. The illustrated timing hub 214 includes timing slots machined on its upper face. These slots 226 are positioned so that only one timed alignment is possible between the timing ring 212 and the timing hub 214. That is, the timing ring 212 will not lock onto the timing hub 214 through engagement by the key features. 226 until the timing ring 212 has rotated to a position relative to the timing hub 214 in which features 228 of timing ring 212 are received in engagement with corresponding key features 226 of timing hub 214.

[0076] The timing ring 212 may be secured to the alignment body 210 through one or more alignment pins 230 that anchor in corresponding helical slots 222 of the alignment body 210. As mentioned above, the timing ring 212 may include exclusively timing features 228 that interface with the upper face of the timing hub 214. By lowering the spindle 18 (together with the fixed alignment body 210 and the timing ring 212), the timing ring 212 can anchor into the timing hub 214. Once anchored, continuing to lower the tree body 18 into the wellhead 12 causes the timing ring 212 to rotate until it is stopped by the timing hub 214 and received into the matching hitch with the switch features 226 of the hub. timing ring 214. Once the timing ring 212 has been stopped on the timing hub 214, continuously lowering the spindle 18 may cause the alignment body 210 to rotate relative to the spindle 18 through the movement of the alignment pin 230 to the along the helical slot 222 of the alignment body 210. This rotation will continue until the couplings 216 of the alignment body 210 are aligned with the couplings 32 on the tubing hanger 14.

[0077] Once aligned in this manner, the alignment pin(s) 230 coupled to the timing ring 212 may move out of the helical slot 222 and into the straight vertical portion 224. In In some embodiments, the alignment body 210 may engage with the pipe hanger 14 through an end alignment wrench 232 received in an end alignment slot 234. The end alignment slot 234 may be formed in the alignment body 210, and the wrench Alignment key 232 may extend vertically from an engagement surface of the pipe hanger 14. In other embodiments, this arrangement may be reversed so that the end alignment key extends from the alignment body 210 so as to be received in an end alignment slot formed in the pipe hanger 14. The end alignment wrench 232 and the slot 234 can provide protection to the couplers 216 and 32 and increase the matching tolerances of the helical slot 222, the vertical portion of the slot 224, the alignment pins 230, and the key features of the timing ring 212 and the hub 214.

[0078] A general description of a method for operating the pipe hanger alignment device 16 of figures 9 and 10 will now be described. The alignment body 210 can be installed on a lower shaft 18, similar to the way a production plug-in sub is installed on a traditional shaft. The timing ring 212 may be installed on the alignment body 210. Specifically, the timing ring 212 may be disposed around an outer circumference of the alignment body 210, and the alignment pin(s) 230 may be attached directly to the timing ring 212 and extend into the helical slot 222 formed in the alignment body 210.

[0079] During construction of the pipe hanger assembly, the timing hub 214 can be installed on the pipe hanger 14. Specifically, the timing hub 214 can be connected to a portion extending upwards of the pipe hanger 14 so as to provide a place to rest the timing ring 212 as the arbor 18 and alignment body 210 are lowered relative to the pipe hanger 14. The pipe hanger 14 with the timing hub attached 214 may be extended in any orientation relative to the wellhead 12 and locked in place within the wellhead 12.

[0080] During anchoring of the tree 18 to the wellhead 12, the timing ring 212 on the alignment body 210 may first anchor to the timing hub 214. Depending on the initial orientation of the alignment body 210 relative to the tubing hanger 14 and to the timing hub 214, the timing ring 212 may or may not directly anchor in a locked position within the timing hub 214. Assuming the timing ring 212 is not in complete engagement with the key features 226 of the timing hub 214 at first, further lowering the shaft 18 may cause the timing ring 212 to rotate relative to the alignment body 210. This rotation of the timing ring 212 relative to the alignment body 310 may be guided by the alignment pin 230 in the slot helical ring 222. After some rotation, the timing ring 212 can be properly oriented to fall into slots or other features in the timing hub 214. After dropping the features into the timing hub 214, the timing ring 212 does not can no longer rotate with respect to the timing hub 214 and the pipe hanger 14.

[0081] Further lowering the spindle 18 can now cause the alignment body 210 to rotate relative to the spindle 18, guided by the helical slot 230 which interacts with the stationary alignment pin 222 extending from the timing ring. 212. This orientation of the alignment body through the timed timing ring 212 will cause the alignment body 210 to rotate and align with the tubing hanger 14. Once the alignment body 210 is properly aligned with the pipe hanger 14, the end alignment wrench 232 may be received in the end alignment slot 234 to finalize the rotational alignment of the couplers 216 in the alignment body 210 on the pipe hanger 14.

[0082] The shaft 18 and the alignment body 210 can then be anchored and locked at the wellhead 12. All couplings between the alignment body 210 and the pipe hanger 14 will be engaged at this point. The hydraulic, electrical and/or fiber optic couplings between the arbor 18 and the pipe hanger 14 will then be tested to ensure that a proper connection has been made.

[0083] The pipe hanger alignment device 16 described in Figures 9 and 10 can achieve the objective of aligning pipe hanger penetrations (i.e., couplings/fittings 32 and 216) regardless of the orientation around the axis longitudinal in which the tree 18 is anchored. The alignment process is passive and reset without manual intervention underwater or on the surface. Existing supplier seals, hydraulic couplers, and electrical connectors from the pipe hanger 14 can be used in implementations of the disclosed alignment device 16. Existing tree body designs may require some modification to add a gallery seal to the 210 alignment body and/or production fitting integration into the lower tree body. Existing pipe hangers can be used with only minimal modification to the actuator trap plate. The existing tool for making pipe hangers can be used without modification.

Torsion spring alignment mechanism

[0084] A pipe hanger alignment device 16 having a torsion spring mechanism will be described with reference to figures 11 and 12. The pipe hanger alignment device 16 of figures 11 and 12 includes an upper body 310, a lower body 312, a torsion spring 314, and a trigger assembly 316. The arrangement and interaction of these components will now be described.

[0085] The upper body 310 may be a solid piece that houses standard hydraulic, electrical and/or fiber optic couplings 318 that interface with the bottom of the shaft 18 to connect the hydraulic ports and/or cables on the shaft 18 to those in the upper body 310. In this embodiment, the upper body 310 may function as a production socket sub that is coupled directly to the spindle body 18. The lower body 312 may generally be disposed around an outer diameter of the body higher than 310 as shown. The lower body 312 may be locked in a specific rotational orientation with respect to the upper body 310 before releasing the lower body 312 through the trigger assembly 316.

[0086] The upper body 310 may include one or more hydraulic ports 320 extending through and routed through the hydraulic gallery 322. The hydraulic gallery 322 is open to and in fluid communication with one or more hydraulic ports 324 formed through the lower body 312 also. The hydraulic gallery 322 may be located in an annular space located between the upper body 310 and the lower body 312, or the hydraulic gallery 322 may be located entirely within the lower body 312, as shown. The hydraulic gallery 322 may extend entirely around the circumference of the upper body 310. The hydraulic gallery 322 allows rotation of the lower body 312 relative to the upper body 310, while maintaining fluid communication between the hydraulic port 320 in the upper body 310 and the hydraulic port 324 in the lower body 312.

[0087] Electrical couplings 318 may be wired through the upper body 310 to a series of dry-match electrical contacts (not shown) that rest between the upper body 310 and the lower body 312. These electrical contacts may allow rotation of the body lower body 312 with respect to the upper body 310. The upper body 310 may be mounted directly to the shaft 18 (e.g., through threads, bolts, or other fastening features) so that the upper body 310 is not rotatable with respect to the upper body 310. tree 18. As shown in figure 12, the upper body 310 may house at least a portion of the trigger assembly 316.

[0088] The torsion spring 314 is disposed in an annular space between the upper body 310 and the lower body 312. The torsion spring 314 may be wound during assembly of the pipe hanger alignment device 16 and locked in place through of the trigger assembly 316. The torsion spring 314 may be released from its coiled position at a desired time in response to actuation by the trigger assembly 316. Such release of the torsion spring 314 may cause the lower body 312 to rotate relative to to the upper body 310.

[0089] As shown in Figure 12, the trigger assembly 316 may include a series of spring switches 326A, 326B, and 326C. It should be noted, however, that other possible arrangements of the trigger assembly 316 may be used in other embodiments.

[0090] The first pair of spring keys 326A and 326B may function together as a trigger for releasing the torsion spring 314 to rotate the lower body 312 once it has been raised to a specific elevation within the tubing hanger 14 The spring key 326A can function as a movement key for the trigger assembly 316. This movement key 326A can be fixed to the lower body 312 and tilted in a radially outward direction. Prior to actuation of the trigger assembly 316, the motion switch 326A may extend at least partially outward from the outer diameter of the lower body 312.

[0091] The spring key 326B may function as a detent key for the drive mechanism 316. This detent key 326B may be fixed to the upper body 310 and tilted in a radially outward direction. Prior to actuation of the trigger assembly 316, the detent key 326B may extend outwardly from the outer diameter of the upper body 310 into a recess formed along an inner diameter of the lower body 312. This detent key 326B which extending into the recess in the lower body 312 can hold the lower body 312 in a specific orientation relative to the upper body 310 during initial anchoring of the spindle 18 and prior to releasing the spring 314. As shown, the retaining key 326B extending into the recess of the lower body 312 can be aligned in a radial direction with the movement key 326A in the lower body 312.

[0092] As the shaft 18 (along with the upper body 310 and lower body 312) is lowered toward the wellhead 12, the upper body 310 and the lower body 312 are received through an initial opening 328 of the lifter. tubing 14. This initial opening 328 may have an orifice with a diameter that is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the lower body 312. As such, the motion switch 326A is capable of being in the outwardly extended position. As the shaft 18 continues to lower, the upper body 310 and the lower body 312 may pass from the opening 328 into a portion 330 of the pipe hanger 14 that has a relatively smaller diameter hole that is large enough to receive the body. lower body 312. The pipe hanger 14 may have a movement shoulder 332 at the boundary between the initial larger orifice opening 328 and the smaller orifice portion 330. As the lower body 312 passes the smaller orifice portion 330 of the pipe hanger, pipe 14, the motion key 326A can be brought into contact with the motion shoulder 332, which presses the motion key 326A radially inwardly. This radially inward movement of the movement key 326A simultaneously forces the detent key 326B out of the recess in the lower body 312, so that the detent key 326B no longer maintains the lower body 312 in rotational alignment with the upper body 310. This allows the lower body 312 to now rotate relative to the upper body 310 as driven by the previously defined torsion spring 314.

[0093] The end spring wrench 326C may function as an alignment wrench to stop rotation of the lower body 312 when the lower body 312 achieves the proper orientation relative to the tubing hanger 14. The alignment wrench 326C may be secured to the lower body 310 and inclined in a radially outward direction. During rotation of the lower body 310 relative to the upper body 312 in response to a force exerted by the torsion spring 314, the alignment key 326C may be held in place within a recess in the lower body 312 by the inner wall of the orifice portion. The lower body 312 may rotate until the alignment key 326C reaches a position that is rotationally aligned with a slot 334 formed in the inner diameter of the pipe hanger 14. The slot 334 may be vertically oriented , as shown. Once the alignment key 326C is aligned with the slot 334, the key 326C is tilted radially outward in the slot 334, thereby stopping the rotation of the lower body 312 at a desired position relative to the tubing hanger 14.

[0094] The lower body 312 may be a solid piece that houses hydraulic, electrical and/or fiber optic couplings 336 designed to interface directly with those couplings 32 on the pipe hanger 14. The couplings 336 may be of a standard design , or they may have an actuated design such that they may have linear differences in elevations between the bottom of the lower body 312 and the top of the piping hanger 14. As mentioned above, the lower body 312 may include one or more hydraulic ports 324 routed to the hydraulic gallery 322 to allow rotation of the lower body 312 relative to the upper body 310. The electrical couplings at the bottom of the lower body 312 may be wired to a series of dry-match electrical contacts (not shown) that rest between the upper body 310 and the lower body 312. These electrical contacts may permit rotation of the lower body 312 relative to the upper body 310. The lower body 310 may also house the alignment switch 326C and the assembly retaining switch 326B. trigger 316.

[0095] In the embodiments of Figures 2-12, fiber optic communications between the fiber optic cables in the pipe hanger 14 and the tree 18 can be converted into an electrical signal within the pipe hanger alignment device 16 and, then converted back to fiber optic communication (light) on the output side of the pipe hanger alignment device 16.

[0096] A general description of a method for operating the pipe hanger alignment device 16 of figures 11 and 12 will now be described. The upper body 310 (along with the fixed lower body 312, torsion spring 314, and trigger assembly 316) can be installed on a lower portion of the spindle 18, similar to the way a production plug-in sub is installed on a a traditional tree. During assembly, the torsion spring 314 is wound and the trigger assembly 316 is set, effectively storing rotational energy in the alignment assembly.

[0097] The tubing hanger 14 can be extended in any orientation and locked into place within the wellhead 12. The arbor 18 (with the alignment device 16 attached) can then be extended and oriented in a desired location before anchoring. When anchoring the arbor 18, the trigger assembly 316 of the alignment device 16 rises on the movement shoulder 332 on the inner diameter of the tubing hanger 14 to release the 314, as described above. Once the torsion spring 314 is released, the lower body 312 is able to rotate until the alignment spring key 326C enters the mating slot 334 in the inner diameter of the pipe hanger 14. bottom 312 is rotationally locked in the alignment slot 334, the hydraulic, electrical and/or fiber optic couplings 336 can be engaged with the corresponding couplings 32 of the pipe hanger 14. The hydraulic, electrical and/or fiber optic couplings between the tree 18 and the pipe hanger 14 will then be tested to ensure that a proper connection has been made.

[0098] The pipe hanger alignment device 16 described in Figures 11 and 12 can achieve the objective of aligning the pipe hanger penetrations (i.e., couplings/fittings 32 and 336) regardless of the orientation around the longitudinal axis in the which tree 18 is anchored to. Existing tree body designs do not need to be modified to accommodate the pipe hanger alignment device 16 described. Existing pipe hangers can be used with only a minor modification to add the alignment slot 334, but otherwise the alignment device 16 utilizes the standard interfaces to the arbor 18 and the pipe hanger 14.

Plug-based alignment mechanism

[0099] A pipe hanger alignment device 16 that has a plug-based alignment mechanism will be described with reference to figures 13-18. The pipe hanger alignment device 16 of Figure 13 includes an alignment sleeve 510 and plug assembly 512, among other things. The arrangement and interaction of these components will now be described.

[00100] The alignment sleeve 510 may be a solid piece that is located within and interfaces with an inner surface of a main bore of the spindle 18. The alignment sleeve 510 may be directly coupled to a production socket sub 516 of the tree 18 and held in place relative to the sub 514 by a shear pin 516 or other type of shear mechanism. The shaft 18 may include hydraulic, electrical and/or fiber optic couplings 518 designed to interface directly with the couplings 32 on the pipe hanger 14.

[00101] Referring to Figures 14-18, the plug assembly 512 may include an internal plug body 520, an external plug body 522, an orientation sleeve 524, a retaining pin 526, a locking mechanism 528, an actuation mechanism 530, a sealing or packing element 532, a tapered gear/spline 534, an anti-rotation key 535, and shear pins 536 and 538. The plug assembly 512 may be entirely separate from the shaft 18 and of the pipe hanger 14 and may be used to orient the arbor 18 relative to the pipe hanger 14 after being positioned, locked and/or adjusted within a hole of the pipe hanger 14.

[00102] The inner plug body 520 is generally disposed within the outer plug body 522 as shown. The external plug body 522 may include two components that are connected (e.g., through threads 540) together to define a cavity 542 within which an internal body 520 is partially captured. A distal portion 544 of the inner body 520 may extend outward from the cavity 542 in one direction, and such distal portion 544 may have a hole formed therethrough. A connecting portion 546 of the guiding sleeve 524 may be received within the hole in the distal part 544 of the inner plug body 520, and the retaining pin 526 may be positioned through the connecting portion 546 of the guiding sleeve 524 and coupled directly to the internal body 520 through threads. As such, the retaining pin 526 may couple the guide sleeve 524 to the internal plug body 520. It should be noted that other arrangements of a guide sleeve and one or more plug bodies may be utilized in other embodiments of the plug assembly. 512 described.

[00103] The lock mechanism 528 may include a set of locks or a split ring, or any other type of lock as known to those skilled in the art. The locking mechanism 528 may be disposed at least partially around an outer edge of the inner body 520 and may extend into and/or through at least one slot 548 formed radially through the outer body 522. This allows the locking mechanism 528 to 528 is actuated into locking engagement with a radially inner surface of the pipe hanger 14 so as to lock the plug assembly 512 in place within the pipe hanger 14. A generally inclined surface 550 that forms a radially outer edge of the Internal plug body 520 may be used to hold the locking mechanism 528 in its extended locking position until it is time to remove the plug assembly 512 from the tubing hanger 14.

[00104] The actuation mechanism 530 may be used to actuate the plug and thereby set the locking mechanism 528 within the tubing hanger 14. The actuation mechanism 530 may include an actuation button 552 and a split ring 554 ( or similar type of actuation ring). The actuation mechanism 530 may function as follows. The split ring 554 may be tilted in a radially outward direction. When the plug assembly 512 is being extended, the split ring 554 may be held within two opposing recesses 556 and 558 formed on a radially outer surface of the inner body 520 and a radially inner surface of the outer body 522, respectively. In this position, the split ring 554 can generally prevent the inner body 520 and the outer body 522 from moving relative to each other in an axial direction. The actuation button 552 may be positioned through the wall of the outer body 522 and may have a flat surface extending into the recess 558 of the outer body 522.

[00105] When the plug assembly 512 is extended into the tubing hanger 14, a projection 560 (figure 13) on the inner edge of the tubing hanger 14 may contact the actuation button 552, forcing the button 552 radially inward so that the button 552 compresses the split ring 554 fully into the recess 556 of the inner plug body 520. With the split ring 554 in the retracted position, the inner body 520 is free to move axially downward relative to the outer body 522 in response to a setting pressure on the plug assembly 512 by an extension tool 574. This downward movement causes the inclined surface 550 of the inner body 520 to push radially outward against a locking mechanism 528, thereby setting the locking mechanism 528 in a locking groove 564 (figure 13) in the inner surface of the pipe hanger 14. Downward movement of the inner body 520 may also set the spring shear pin 536 in a recess formed along the inner surface of the outer plug body 522. The shear pin 536 may maintain the inner plug body 520 in the same axial position relative to the outer plug body 522 to maintain the plug assembly 512 in its locked position within the tubing hanger 14 until it is time to Remove the 512 plug assembly.

[00106] The sealing or packing element 532 located at the lower end of the outer plug body 522 is used to provide a high pressure seal within the orifice of the tubing hanger 14. When the plug assembly 512 enters the locked position, the sealing element or packaging 532 are energized. The sealing element or casing 532 can seal the tubing hanger 14 so that the BOP can be removed from the wellhead, and replaced by the shaft 18, while maintaining two high pressure seals in the system (one through a pressure relief valve). -downhole safety and a backup via plug 512).

[00107] The tapered spline/gear 534 may be disposed at the intersection of the connecting portion 546 of the orientation sleeve 524 and the inner body 520. The tapered spline/gear mechanism 534 may include threads that permit incremental adjustment of the orientation (e.g., example, by 1 degree, 2 degrees, or some other amount) of the orientation sleeve 524 about the longitudinal axis relative to the rest of the plug assembly 512. The external plug body 522 can be rotationally held in place by the anti-rotation switch 535 fitted into a corresponding slot of the tubing hanger 14 when the plug assembly 512 is in the locked position. At this point, an extension and/or adjustment tool disposed within and engaged with extension and/or adjustment grooves 566 of the guidance sleeve 524 may elevate the guidance sleeve 524 and rotate the guidance sleeve 524 relative to the external bodies. and internal to the plug. This rotation may be accomplished incrementally according to the relative size and number of threads present in the tapered spline/gear mechanism 534. The retaining pin 526 may be sized and positioned so that the guiding sleeve 524 may move. axially back and forth as needed during this adjustment process. The orientation of the sleeve 524 is such that the sleeve 524 can be brought into a desired rotational alignment with respect to the wellhead 12. An ROV-based tool or some other type of tool can be used to determine how much guidance sleeve 524 was fitted inside the wellhead.

[00108] Guidance sleeve 524 includes a guidance profile 568 formed along a distal end of guidance sleeve 524. Guidance profile 568 may include, for example, a sloped end surface and a series of differently sized slots 570 which extend through the guidance sleeve 524. The alignment sleeve 510 on the shaft 18 may have a complementary profile 572 designed to fit the guidance profile 568 of the guidance sleeve 524 when the alignment sleeve 510 (and therefore the shaft 18) is in a desired alignment with the guidance sleeve 524. The slots 50 may each be of different widths so as to permit only corresponding engagement of the alignment sleeve 510 with the guidance sleeve 524 in a single orientation of the parts. one in relation to the other. The alignment sleeve 510 can rotate until it is brought to its desired orientation. In this orientation, the couplings 518 on the spindle 18 will be directly aligned with the couplings 32 on the pipe hanger 14. The slots 570 can be elongated in a vertical direction, as shown, so that the spindle couplings 518 can be brought to correct alignment with the 32 pipe hanger couplings first and then be lowered straight down for a mating connection.

[00109] It should be noted that other types or arrangements of an orientation profile 568 in the orientation sleeve 524 and complementary profile 572 in the alignment sleeve 510 may be used in other embodiments. For example, the orientation profile 568 may be a helix and the alignment sleeve 572 may include a pin designed to be received for a helix and directed therethrough until the shaft 18 is brought into alignment and mating connection with the pipe hanger 14.

[00110] A general description of a method for operating the pipe hanger alignment device 16 of figures 13-18 will now be described. The tubing hanger 14 can be extended into the wellhead 12 through the BOP while the BOP is in place. The plug assembly 512 can then be lowered through the wellhead 12 and into the tubing hanger hole 14. The BOP is removed only after the plug assembly 512 is installed, and the plug assembly 512 remains in place. location until tree 18 has anchored. After the tree 18 is anchored, the plug assembly 512 can be removed and reused.

[00111] Figure 14 shows the plug assembly 512 during the execution operation. As mentioned above, while running, the locking mechanism 528 is in the retracted state, the actuating mechanism 530 is not actuated, and the shear pin 536 is not engaged. An extension tool 574 is positioned within the hole of the guide sleeve 524 and connected to the guide sleeve 524 through the extension/adjustment grooves 566. As the extension tool 574 lowers the plug assembly 512 into the tubing hanger 14 , the extension tool 574 can rotate the plug assembly 512 until it reaches an orientation in which the anti-rotation wrench 535 is positioned in the corresponding slot of the tubing hanger 14.

[00112] Further shortening of the plug assembly 512 will cause the plug assembly 512 to lock onto the tubing hanger 14, as shown in figure 15. The shoulder 560 on the tubing hanger 14 may press against an actuation button 552, actuating the locking mechanism 528 so that the split ring 554 is received in the locking groove 564 of the tubing hanger 14. The shear pin 536 can pop out of the recess formed in the outer plug body 522. As a result, the plug assembly 512 is locked into the tubing hanger 14. The sealing or packing member 532 may be engaged with the inner diameter of the tubing hanger orifice so as to provide a reinforcement for the downhole safety valve, since the BOP is removed. The anti-rotation key 535 located in the slot of the pipe hanger 14 prevents the sealing or packing element 532 from rotating.

[00113] Once the plug assembly 512 is locked, the BOP can be removed from the wellhead 12. The guiding sleeve 524 can be adjusted relative to the remainder of the plug 512, as shown in figure 16. A adjustment tool 576, which may or may not be the same as the extension tool described above, is positioned within the hole of the guide sleeve 524 and connected to the guide sleeve 524 through the extension/adjustment grooves 566. As the adjustment tool adjustment 576 rotates, the guiding sleeve 524 relative to the rest of the plug, the tapered gear/spline 534 guides this rotation to occur in small increments, which can be tracked by an external tool. Whatever adjustment has been made to position the orientation sleeve 524 in a desired orientation relative to the wellhead, the same rotational adjustment can then be made to the arbor 18 (e.g., between the alignment sleeve 510 and other parts of the tree 18). This adjustment of the shaft 18 will allow direct connections between the shaft couplings 518 and the pipe hanger couplings 32 to be made.

[00114] Tree 18 (illustrated simply as alignment sleeve 510 in Figures 17 and 18) can then be anchored to wellhead 12. Alignment of tree 18 relative to tubing hanger 14 is guided by the profile 568 in the orientation sleeve 524 to interface with the complementary profile 572 in the alignment sleeve 510. Once the corresponding slots and legs of these profiles 568 and 572 are matched, lowering the arbor 18 further in the wellhead 12 will do causing the alignment sleeve 510 to lower vertically through the elongated slots in the guidance sleeve 524, thereby providing a controlled drop of the tree couplings 518 into the appropriate pipe hanger couplings 32. The tree 18 at this point is anchored and the connections between the tree 18 and the pipe hanger 14 are made.

[00115] After the tree is anchored, the plug assembly 512 can be removed. The 512 plug assembly can be reusable on different wellheads once it is removed. To remove the plug assembly 512, a retrieval tool can be attached to the guiding sleeve 524 and used to pull the plug upward. This upward force may cause the spring shear pin 536 to break, thereby releasing the inner body 520 from its axial position within the outer body 522. The inner body 520 may be lifted within the outer body 522, causing causing the inclined surface 550 to move out of tilt contact with the locking mechanism 528. The locking mechanism 528 may flatten into the recess in the outer body 522, freeing the plug 512 to be extracted from the pipe hanger hole. 14.

[00116] Although the present description and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the description as defined by the following claims.

Claims (12)

1. System, characterized by the fact that it comprises: a tubing hanger (14) positioned on a wellhead, wherein the tubing hanger (14) comprises one or more hydraulic, electrical, or fiber optic couplings on a facing surface on top of them; a tubular housing comprising one or more hydraulic, electrical, or fiber optic lines disposed therethrough; a pipe hanger alignment device (16), wherein the pipe hanger alignment device comprises one or more hydraulic, electrical, or fiber optic lines extending therethrough and one or more couplings disposed at a lower end of the same, wherein the pipe hanger alignment device (16) is configured to couple one or more hydraulic, electrical, or fiber optic lines in the tubular housing with one or more hydraulic, electrical, or fiber optic couplings in the pipe hanger during anchoring the tubular housing to the wellhead independent of a relative orientation of the tubing hanger and the tubular housing with respect to the wellhead, wherein the tubing hanger alignment device comprises: an alignment body coupled in a manner pivoting to the tubular housing and defining an electrical gallery and a hydraulic gallery in an annular space between the tubular housing and the alignment body; a timing ring coupled to the alignment body, wherein the timing ring comprises key features extending therefrom; and a timing hub mounted to the piping hanger, wherein the timing hub comprises complementary features for receiving the key features of the timing ring there when the timing ring is in a specific orientation. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the pipe hanger alignment device is self-aligning between the tubular housing and the pipe hanger. 3. System according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the tubular housing comprises one of a tree body, a coil or a flow line connecting body. 4. System according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the pipe hanger alignment device is coupled to the pipe hanger alignment device. 5. System according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the pipe hanger alignment device is coupled to the tubular housing. 6. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the alignment body comprises a helical groove formed on an external surface thereof, wherein the timing ring is coupled to the alignment body through one extending to from the timing ring to the helical groove. 7. System, according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that it further comprises: a vertical alignment slot formed in the alignment body and extending from an upper end of the helical groove; and an end alignment pin connection formed between the lower end of the alignment body and an upwardly facing surface of the pipe hanger. 8. Method, characterized by the fact that it comprises: anchoring a pipe hanger (14) to a wellhead; coupling a pipe hanger alignment device (16) to a tubular housing, wherein the pipe hanger alignment device comprises couplings disposed at a lower end thereof; lowering the tubular housing with the pipe hanger alignment device partially into the wellhead; orienting the couplings of the pipe hanger alignment device so that they can align with corresponding couplings on an upper end of the pipe hanger, through the pipe hanger alignment device while lowering the tubular housing into the wellhead; and anchoring the tubular housing to the wellhead, wherein the pipe hanger alignment device communicatively couples the hydraulic, electrical, and/or fiber optic lines of the tubular housing to the couplings on the pipe hanger, wherein the pipe hanger alignment device comprises an alignment body rotatably coupled to the tubular housing, a timing ring coupled to the alignment body, wherein a timing hub is mounted to the pipe hanger, and wherein the orientation of the couplings the pipe hanger alignment device comprises: interfacing key resources on the timing ring with complementary resources on the timing hub; and rotating the alignment body through a pin extending from the timing ring into a helical slot formed in the alignment body and defining electrical and/or hydraulic galleries in an annular space between the tubular housing and the alignment body, and hydraulic, electrical and/or fiber optic lines extending through the alignment body and coupled to the electrical and/or hydraulic galleries at one end and coupled to the couplings at an opposite end. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein coupling the pipe hanger alignment device to the tubular housing comprises coupling the pipe hanger alignment device to one of a tree body, a coil , or a flow line connecting body. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the pipe hanger alignment device is constructed and arranged so that the couplings of the pipe hanger alignment device and the couplings at the upper end of the pipe hanger tubing self-aligns as the tubular housing is lowered into the wellhead. 11. Method according to claim 8, further comprising anchoring one or more couplings of the pipe hanger alignment device to one or more couplings of the pipe hanger by means of the pin interacting with an alignment slot vertical formed in the alignment body extending from an upper end of the helical slot. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising forming an end alignment pin connection between a lower end of the alignment body and an upwardly facing surface of the pipe hanger.