BRPI0801640B1 - DEVICE FOR TRANSITION OF DIAMETERS BETWEEN FLANGES - Google Patents

Abstract

device for transitioning diameters between flanges. It is reported in the present invention a device for transitioning diameters and for interconnecting production and annuling "bores" between production control equipment flanges and subsea oil producing well completion tool flanges. The object of the present invention is achieved by means of a first device (1) which at one end has an outside diameter compatible with an inside diameter of a production bore of 10.1 cm and at the other end. an outside diameter compatible with a production bore inside diameter of 12.7 cm, where these ends are aligned with a centerline and a second device (2) in which the outside diameter is compatible at both ends. the inner diameter of a 5 cm annular bore, but with the center lines of each end not more than 1,9 cm apart.

Description

DEVICE FOR TRANSITING DIAMETERS

BETWEEN FLANGES

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of devices for connecting pipes of different diameters, more specifically in the connection of pipes between production equipment and tools for completing oil-producing wells, more particularly for offshore wells ”).

• BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

After drilling an oil-producing well, it is necessary to install equipment so that the production of this well can take place in a controlled manner.

The set of such equipment, in an underwater environment, is called a wet Christmas tree.

The installation of this equipment requires the intervention of large tools, which are coupled to the referred equipment by means of hydraulic connectors. The tools that allow equipment to be installed are called feita completion tools.

The interfaces of the hydraulic connectors are equipped with metal joints (“stabs”) responsible for the necessary seals so that the operations are covered with safety and free of leaks.

Inside this equipment there are pipelines that are responsible for both a gas injection operation inside the production well and for the flow of the produced oil. Respectively, the ends of these pipes, in the region of the joining flanges to other tools are known in the art exploration and production of oil by the names "bore annular" production bore and ^u ". From this point throughout this report, will the general term “bore” be used to designate these tf holes?

2/7 calibrated existing flange terminations.

As the wells are in deep water and, sometimes, ultra-deep, so that these completion tools can reach the seabed from the surface, they are connected to specific pipes called “risers”, an English name that will be used throughout of this report from now on, or ascending tubes in Portuguese.

Until recently, there was no possibility, for example, of direct connection between a riser pipe, whose diameter is approximately 25 cm, and the top flange termination of a completion tool, which has a diameter of about

65.5 cm, which caused serious operational problems.

A transition element, commonly known by the English term “crossover”, was created in the art. This transition element was then responsible for a transition between a diameter of 15 approximately 25 cm for a riser tube and a diameter of approximately 65.5 cm at the top flange termination of the completion tool. In spite of promoting the connection, it also represents another assembly operation among those that would already be mandatorily made.

While there are 65.5 cm flanges in which the “bores” are approximately 10.1 cm and 5 cm in size, technological developments have led the equipment to have 65.5 cm diameter flanges, but with 12 holes, 7 cm and 5 cm.

Explaining, a production “bore” that was 10.1 cm in size 25 may have a diameter of 12.7 cm. The annular “bore”, however, remained with a diameter of 5 cm.

On the other hand, the production “bores” of different diameters remained aligned in the same center line, while the “bores” of annular, of equal diameters, started to have an alignment 30 out of step with the center lines of each one. . The lag is

3/7 approximately 1.9 cm.

Then, an interconnection tool appears, which is still a “crossover”, in tubular shape, with a 65.5 cm flange at each end, 50.8 cm long, weighing 900 kg and, 5 internally, a straight tube referring to the production “bore”, with one end with 10.1 cm and the other end of 12.7 cm, and a deflected tube for connecting the lagged “bore”, with the ends with 5 cm in diameter. Each of these “bores” also needs a fixing and sealing element, known by the English term “stab”.

If, on the one hand, the small discrepancies between the flanges and the “bores” were apparently resolved, the increase in items to be assembled increased the complexity of this assembly operation, as well as the operational time, both of the vessels destined to carry out the services in the sea, as well as onshore workshops, with a consequent 15 cost increase.

It is still desirable, even today, a way to reduce the high expenses with operating units both on land and at sea, by simplifying the operations of assembling the equipment necessary for the operation of completing oil producing wells.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an objective of the present invention, a device to effect a transition of diameters and to promote the interconnection between production “bores” and to annul between flanges of equipment for production control and flanges of completion tools for subsea oil producing wells.

The objective of the present invention is achieved by means of a first device, which has, on one end, an external diameter compatible with an internal diameter of a production bore of 10.1 cm and, on the other end, a diameter external compatible with an internal diameter of 12.7 cm production “bore”, where these

4/7 ends are aligned with a center line; and, a second device, in which the outer diameter is compatible at both ends with the inner diameter of a 5 cm annular “bore”, but with the center lines of each of the outdated ends of, at least, 1 , 9 cm. The devices of the present invention, as they additionally have elements for sealing, start to perform the functions of the two equipments alone, namely, a “stab” and a “crossover”.

With the application of the devices of the present invention, it is possible to make the connection between production equipment and completion tools directly via their flanges, with simplification in assembly operations, reduction of operating time and, consequently, reduction of operational costs involved mainly with workshops on land and completion vessels at sea.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional representation of the embodiment of a first production bore device according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional representation of the embodiment of a second annular bore device according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to a device for effecting a transition of diameters and promoting the interconnection between production “bores” and for annuling between flanges of equipment for production control and flanges of completion tools for subsea oil producing wells.

For a better understanding of the invention, its detailed description will be made in conjunction with the Figures accompanying this report and is an integral part of it.

5/7

Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of a first device, according to the present invention, intended to promote the interconnection and continuity of flow of the production “bores”. It can be noted that this first device (1) is shaped substantially cylindrical, hollow and in one piece. To facilitate the explanation, this piece will be divided into two sections, with different external diameters. A first section (10) with a larger diameter is slightly shorter in length than the second section (11); the first section (10) has an external diameter compatible with a production diameter of 12.7 cm; the second 10 section (11) has an external diameter compatible with an internal diameter of a production bore of 10.1 cm. The first section (10) internally presents a channel (C) formed by a first trunk-conical wall (12) followed in its smaller diameter by a first vertical cylindrical wall (13), followed by the largest diameter of a second trunk- conical (14), all aligned to the longitudinal axis (E) in order to promote a gradual reduction in the internal diameter of this channel (C). The second section (11) internally continues the channel (C) by means of a second vertical cylindrical wall (15) that succeeds the second trunk-conical wall (14) of the first section (10) and a third 20 trunk-conical wall (16) inverted following the second vertical cylindrical wall (15), all also aligned to the longitudinal axis (E).

The first device, externally, has at least two perimeter profile recesses (17) in the region of the first section, and at least two perimeter profile recesses (17) in the region of the second section, for fitting elastomeric seal rings (“ O-ring ”) not shown in any Figure.

Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of a second device, according to the present invention, intended to promote the interconnection and continuity of the flow of "bores" to annul. It can be noted that this 30 second device (2) is substantially shaped

6/7 cylindrical », but deviated from the center, hollow and in one piece. To facilitate the explanation, this piece will also be divided into two sections, with equal external diameters and compatible with the internal diameter of a 5 cm annular “bore” where a first section (20) and 5 a second section (21) present their respective longitudinal axes (E1, E2) with a spacing of at least 1.9 cm. The first section (20) internally presents a channel (C) formed by a first trunk-conical wall (22) followed in its smaller diameter by a first vertical cylindrical wall (23) until an interface region (R) 10 between the first section (20) and the second section (21). In this region (R), the first vertical wall (23) follows, a first wall with a straight trapezoidal section (24), followed in its smallest diameter by a second vertical cylindrical wall (25), followed by a second wall with inverted trapezoidal straight section (26). The second wall 15 with a straight trapezoidal section (26) inverted in the interface region (R) is already part of the internal channel (C) of the second section. In its largest diameter it is followed by a third vertical cylindrical wall (27), followed by a second inverted conical trunk wall (28).

The second device externally has at least two 20 perimeter profile recesses (29) in the region of the first section and at least two perimeter profile recesses (29) in the region of the second section, for fitting elastomeric sealing rings (“Or / ng ”), Not shown in any Figure.

During the assembly between the production control equipment and the completion tools, the devices are fitted respectively to the “bores” that will be interconnected and the coupling between the equipment and the tool is made directly by its flanges.

Although the present invention has been described in its preferred embodiment, the main concept that guides the present invention,

7/7 which refers to devices for effecting a transition of diameters between flanges, in order to promote the interconnection between production “bores” and to cancel between flanges of production control equipment and oil-producing well completion tools. submarines, 5 remains preserved as to its innovative character, where those usually versed in the technique will be able to glimpse and practice variations, modifications, alterations, adaptations and equivalents, applicable and compatible to the work environment in question, without, however, departing from the scope of the spirit and scope of the present invention, which are represented by the following claims.

Claims (4)

1. - DEVICE FOR TRANSITING DIAMETERS BETWEEN FLANGES, characterized by promoting the interconnection between production “bores” between equipment flanges for controlling 5 production and completion tools for subsea oil producing wells; be shaped substantially cylindrical, cast and in a single piece with different external diameters; with a first section (10) with a larger diameter that is slightly shorter in length • than a second section (11); the first section (10) has a diameter 10 external compatible with a production bore internal diameter of 12.7 cm; the second section (11) has an external diameter compatible with an internal diameter of a production “bore” of 10.1 cm; the first section (10) internally presents a channel (C) formed by a first trunk-conical wall (12) followed in its smaller diameter by a 15 first vertical cylindrical wall (13), followed by the largest diameter of a second trunk-conical wall (14), all aligned to the longitudinal axis (E) in order to promote a gradual reduction in the internal diameter of this channel (C); the second section (11) continues the channel φ (C) formed by means of a second vertical cylindrical wall (15) that 20 proceeds to the second trunk-conical wall (14) of the first section (10) and a third inverted trunk-conical wall (16) that follows the second vertical cylindrical wall (15), all also aligned to the longitudinal axis (E). 2. - DEVICE FOR TRANSITING DIAMETERS BETWEEN FLANGES according to claim 1, characterized by having at least two perimeter profile recesses (17) in the region of the first section and at least two perimeter profile recesses (17) in the region of the second section for fitting elastomeric seal rings. 30 3.- DEVICE FOR TRANSITING DIAMETERS 2/2 BETWEEN FLANGES, characterized by promoting the interconnection and flow continuity of the annular “bores”, shaped substantially cylindrical, but deflected, hollow and in a single piece with two sections, with equal external diameters and compatible with the internal diameter of one 5 cm annular "bore" where a first section (20) and a second section (21) present their respective longitudinal axes (E1, E2) with a spacing of at least 1.9 cm; the first section (20) internally presents a channel (C) formed by a first trunk-conical wall (22) followed in its smaller diameter by a first vertical cylindrical wall (23), in the region (R) of interface between the first section (20) and the second section (21), the first vertical wall (23) follows a first wall with a straight trapezoidal section (24), followed in its smallest diameter by a second vertical cylindrical wall (25) followed by a second wall with a straight section in the shape of an inverted trapezoid (26), which is already part of the internal channel (C) of the second section, followed in its largest diameter by a third vertical cylindrical wall (27), followed by of a second inverted conical trunk wall (28). 4.- DEVICE FOR TRANSITING DIAMETERS BETWEEN FLANGES according to claim 3, characterized by 20 externally, presenting at least two perimeter profile recesses (29) in the region of the first section and at least two profile recesses ( 29) perimeter in the region of the second section for fitting elastomeric seal rings.