DE102019110859A1 - Intelligent support element - Google Patents

Abstract

An intelligent support element is proposed for suspending and monitoring riser pipe arrangements under mechanical prestress, in particular for oil and gas riser pipes, the intelligent support element being designed to be inserted into a riser pipe housing, such that a riser pipe arrangement in the inserted state can be held under mechanical pretension in the riser pipe housing, the riser pipe arrangement being mountable on a support surface of the intelligent support element, the support surface having a pressure-sensitive element for the direct or indirect determination of a bearing force of the riser pipe arrangement on the intelligent support element.

Description

The invention relates to an intelligent support element for suspending and monitoring riser pipe arrangements under mechanical prestress.

Boreholes, for example for oil and gas production, are usually provided with a riser pipe housing at their aboveground end. Cavities between this riser pipe housing and the ground are grouted with cement mortar. A riser pipe arrangement, which forms the actual oil or gas line for production, is let into the riser pipe housing.

To avoid warping, the riser pipe arrangement is fixed under pretension. For this purpose, the riser pipe arrangement is fixed at its lower end in the bottom of the borehole by means of so-called packers. The upper end of the riser pipe arrangement, which ends in the riser pipe housing, is then pulled out by approx. 40 to 50 cm and placed under mechanical pretension. A typical borehole depth of 3000 m results in an expansion of the riser pipe arrangement of approx. 0.015%. The load from its own weight and pre-tensioning is up to 200 tons. Under this prestress or load, the riser pipe arrangement is fixed in the riser pipe housing by means of suitable support elements, for example by means of bolts.

Temperature fluctuations and tectonic movements can lead to additional expansions and loads occurring on the riser pipe arrangement. Overloading can damage the riser pipe arrangement or the riser pipe housing. Since there is no direct weight monitoring, such overloads can only be detected by chance and usually relatively late. The consequences of such damage can be serious both economically and environmentally.

The invention is thus based on the object of realizing a possibility for monitoring mechanically pre-stressed riser pipe arrangements, which allows early detection of a change in the condition of the riser pipe arrangement in order to prevent overloading of the riser pipe arrangement, and which is as durable, low-maintenance and inexpensive as possible.

This object is achieved according to the invention by an intelligent support element according to claim 1. Further advantageous configurations emerge from the subclaims.

In particular, the object is achieved by an intelligent support element for suspending and monitoring riser pipe arrangements under mechanical prestress, in particular for oil and gas riser pipes, the intelligent support element being designed to be inserted into a riser pipe housing, such that in the inserted state a riser pipe arrangement can be held in the riser pipe housing under mechanical preload, the riser pipe arrangement being mountable on a support surface of the intelligent support element, the support surface having a pressure-sensitive element for the direct or indirect determination of a bearing force of the riser pipe arrangement on the intelligent support element.

An essential idea of the invention is that the monitoring function for determining changes in the load on the suspended ascending pipe arrangement is integrated into a support element which at the same time serves to suspend the ascending pipe arrangement. This results in a number of advantages. On the one hand, there is no need to provide a separate component for monitoring the riser pipe arrangement, since the monitoring function is provided by the support element itself. In addition, a structurally simple and cost-effective solution for monitoring is created, which is also extremely easy to maintain, since if the pressure-sensitive element provided for load monitoring is damaged, only the intelligent support element has to be replaced without complex measures being carried out on the riser pipe arrangement or the riser pipe housing have to. This also makes it possible to retrofit the monitoring function for the riser pipe arrangement easily and inexpensively in existing drilling sites, since only an existing support element has to be replaced by an intelligent support element according to the invention. Damage to the pressure-sensitive element does not impair the mechanical fixation of the riser pipe arrangement, so that the operational reliability of the riser pipe arrangement can also be improved with the intelligent support element according to the present invention.

The bearing force can be determined indirectly, in that the bearing force acting on the bearing surface is first picked up and mechanically transferred to a position remote from the bearing surface for determination, or directly by the bearing force being detected directly on the bearing surface.

In a preferred embodiment, the pressure-sensitive element is formed by a membrane which is designed such that it is deformed in accordance with a change in the instantaneous bearing force of the riser pipe arrangement. This is a structurally simple, robust and reliable force coupling of the intelligent support element to the riser pipe arrangement ensured. The choice of the membrane material and the membrane thickness can be optimized with regard to the actually occurring bearing force, which depends on the length and the material used for the riser pipe arrangement. Depending on the membrane material, the membrane can be attached to the intelligent support element by welding or shrinking in order to ensure the highest possible load capacity.

The body of the intelligent support element is preferably made of metal, in particular stainless steel. The membrane is preferably a metal membrane, in particular a membrane made of stainless steel, and preferably has a thickness of 0.5 to 5 mm. The membrane spans a large part of the support surface of the intelligent support element, preferably 60% to 90% of the entire support surface.

In one embodiment, a cavity is arranged below the membrane which can be filled with a hydraulic fluid in such a way that a deformation of the membrane is transferred to the hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic fluid is especially incompressible. This makes it possible to establish a force transmission path via which the bearing force can be reliably derived from the membrane and transmitted to a location suitable for detection or display. Furthermore, the hydraulic fluid can be optimized in terms of aging resistance, compressibility and viscosity, as well as the ambient temperature.

It is further preferred that the intelligent support element has a hydraulic line which is in fluid connection with the cavity and which is designed to transmit a change in the instantaneous bearing force to the diaphragm and an accompanying change in pressure of the hydraulic fluid. This ensures that a change in the bearing force can be tolerated largely without hysteresis. The intelligent support element thus provides a negligible response time to changes in the bearing force, so that changes in the bearing force can be detected almost instantaneously. In the event of a hydraulic pressure drop, for example due to a leak in the hydraulic line, or if the membrane is damaged, the load-bearing capacity of the intelligent support element is not affected.

In a further embodiment, the end of the hydraulic line facing away from the cavity or the outer end can be connected to a device for displaying the change in pressure. This means that the current bearing force and any changes that occur can be read off directly. If the bearing force deviates from a predefined value by more than a predetermined tolerance value, for example due to temperature fluctuations or tectonic movements that affect the riser pipe arrangement underground, such a change can be recognized directly on the display and appropriate precautions can be taken.

In a further embodiment, the outer end of the hydraulic line can be connected to a pressure sensor which is designed to detect a change in pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic line. This allows a change in the bearing force to be recorded easily.

In a further embodiment, the diaphragm is in contact with a piezoelectric element which is designed to detect a change in the bearing force acting on the diaphragm. This makes it possible to monitor the riser pipe arrangement fully electronically. The use of a piezoelectric element also enables reliable and precise measurement of the bearing force or a change in the bearing force.

It is particularly preferred that an electrical line is connected to the piezoelectric element in such a way that a change in the momentary bearing force on the membrane is converted into a voltage signal by means of the piezoelectric element, which can be transmitted to a telecommunication display via the electrical line is.

With the two embodiments described above, it is possible, with the aid of the intelligent support element, to measure and store data for monitoring the riser pipe arrangement in a data storage and / or data processing unit. The signals detected by means of the pressure sensor or the piezoelectric element can, for example, be sent to an information system for storage or display at certain time intervals, or when predetermined threshold values are exceeded, or upon manual or automatic query. It is also possible to evaluate the recorded data, for example together with measured temperature and / or atmospheric pressure data from the borehole, and / or to display it with an information system.

This makes it possible to acquire reliable information, which can be acquired in real time, about the forces acting on the riser pipe arrangement and to make it available for further evaluation. This allows appropriate precautions to be taken in the event of changes in the bearing force in order to prevent damage to the ascending pipe arrangement. In addition, the determined data allow an evaluation and prognosis with regard to their temporal timing at correspondingly clocked measuring intervals Developments, since sudden changes in the bearing force and the optional additional data that can be recorded are usually only to be expected if the riser pipe arrangement is overloaded.

The data recorded on the intelligent support element can be transmitted to the information system via any interfaces, for example via serial or USB interfaces, or wirelessly via a suitable radio interface.

The object according to the invention is further achieved in that at least one intelligent support element according to the previously described embodiments is used for suspending and monitoring the bearing force of a riser pipe arrangement. When using several intelligent load-bearing elements, the maximum bearing force can be increased. Furthermore, the use of several intelligent support elements offers a redundancy in that the riser pipe arrangement can still be reliably monitored even if some of the intelligent support elements are temporarily inoperable.

It should be noted that the embodiments described above can be combined in any way.

In the following, the invention is also described with regard to further features and advantages using exemplary embodiments which are explained in more detail using the figures.

• 1a eine schematische Schnittansicht eines Steigrohrgehäuses mit einer eingesetzten Steigrohranordnung, bevor die Steigrohranordnung mechanisch vorgespannt ist;
• 1b eine Ansicht des Steigrohrgehäuses aus 1a, nachdem die Steigrohranordnung mechanisch vorgespannt und abgehängt ist;
• 2 eine schematische Schnittansicht eines intelligentes Tragelements gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung, das in ein Steigrohrgehäuse eingesetzt ist und an dem eine Steigrohranordnung abgehängt ist;
• 3 eine schematische Schnittansicht eines intelligentes Tragelements gemäß einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung, das in ein Steigrohrgehäuse eingesetzt ist und an dem eine Steigrohranordnung abgehängt ist;
• 4 eine schematische Schnittansicht eines intelligentes Tragelements gemäß einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung, das in ein Steigrohrgehäuse eingesetzt ist und an dem eine Steigrohranordnung abgehängt ist;
• 5 eine horizontale Schnittansicht eines Steigrohrgehäuses, in das erfindungsgemäße intelligente Tragelemente einsetzbar sind;
• 6 eine schematische Darstellung einer alternativen Lösung zur Bereitstellung einer Überwachungsfunktion für eine abgehängte Steigrohranordnung gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung.

Here show:

• 1a a schematic sectional view of a riser pipe housing with an inserted riser pipe arrangement before the riser pipe arrangement is mechanically prestressed;
• 1b a view of the riser housing 1a after the riser assembly is mechanically biased and suspended;
• 2 a schematic sectional view of an intelligent support element according to an embodiment of the invention, which is inserted into a riser pipe housing and from which a riser pipe arrangement is suspended;
• 3 a schematic sectional view of an intelligent support element according to a further embodiment of the invention, which is inserted into a riser pipe housing and from which a riser pipe arrangement is suspended;
• 4th a schematic sectional view of an intelligent support element according to a further embodiment of the invention, which is inserted into a riser pipe housing and from which a riser pipe arrangement is suspended;
• 5 a horizontal sectional view of a riser pipe housing into which intelligent support elements according to the invention can be inserted;
• 6 a schematic representation of an alternative solution for providing a monitoring function for a suspended riser pipe arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention.

1a shows a schematic view of a riser pipe housing 2 located at the above ground end of a borehole. The riser housing 2 can be formed, for example, by a double riser flange or a tension spool. In the borehole is along the direction of gravity G a riser assembly 1 embedded, whose upper end is in the riser housing 2 is located. The riser assembly 1 has a standpipe hanger at its upper end 1a on that with a riser pipe 1b connected is. To the in 1 shown riser 1b Depending on the depth of the borehole, a large number of additional risers can be installed 1b connect.

The riser assembly 1 is anchored at its lower end in a (not shown) drill bottom of the borehole, for example by means of packers. About warping of the riser pipe 1b or the risers 1b To prevent this, the riser pipe arrangement 1 biased. The riser hanger shows this 1a a support area 1c on, which can be arranged on a support element to the riser pipe arrangement 1 in the riser housing 2 to hang out. In the riser housing 2 is an opening with a receptacle 4th designed for a support element. In 1a is in the recording 4th an intelligent support element 3 used, which is described in detail below.

Around the riser assembly 1 The riser hanger is suspended under pretension 1b in the riser housing 2 pulled up until the support area 1c at the recording 4th is located. Then the intelligent support element 3 in the recording 4th pushed in until the support area 1c on an upper surface of the front area 3a the intelligent support element 3 comes to rest and through the intelligent support element 3 against in the direction of gravity G acting forces, in particular the weight of the riser pipe arrangement 1 and the generated prestress is supported. This is in 1b shown. The intelligent support element 3 may by appropriate means in the inclusion 4th be fixed, for example by a (not shown) thread engagement.

The intelligent support element 3 In addition to the suspension function, it also provides the support force of the riser pipe arrangement 1 on the support element 3 to determine and thus creates the opportunity the condition of the riser assembly 1 to monitor.

2 shows a detailed view of the intelligent support element 3 according to an embodiment of the invention. The support element 3 is, as described above, in the riser housing 2 used and carries the riser assembly 1 . The riser assembly 1 is on a support surface on the upper side of the front area 3a the intelligent support element 3 supported. The support surface has a membrane M. on that with the support area 1c the riser assembly 1 is in contact. By from the riser assembly 1 The bearing force exerted on the bearing surface becomes the membrane M. deflected downwards, whereby the deflection increases with increasing support force. The membrane M. thus forms a pressure-sensitive element that can be used to determine the instantaneous bearing force.

Below the membrane M. is a cavity 6 arranged in fluid communication with a hydraulic line 7th stands. The hydraulic line 7th is for example through a hole in the intelligent support element 3 educated. The cavity 6 and the hydraulic line 7th are filled with an incompressible hydraulic fluid. A deflection of the membrane M. is by means of in the cavity 6 located hydraulic fluid via the hydraulic line 7th essentially hysteresis-free to that of the riser arrangement 1 remote side of the intelligent support element 3 transmitted and can be tapped there.

In the in 2 The embodiment shown is the outer end of the hydraulic line 7th with a pressure indicator 5a connected, which can be formed for example by a mechanical load indicator with a scale. Once the riser assembly 1 as in 1b is suspended, the pressure gauge shows 5a the momentary reaction force on the scale. Changes in the bearing force lead to a change in the deflection of the membrane M. that instantly appear on the pressure gauge 5a is displayed, with both an increase and a decrease in the reaction force on the pressure indicator 5a can be read.

The pressure gauge 5a can also be formed by a pipe manometer or some other device that is suitable for the hydraulic line 7th transmitted pressure change on the membrane M. to make visible.

3 shows a modified embodiment of the intelligent support element 3 out 2 . The pressure-sensitive element is in turn through the membrane M. educated. Changes in force that lead to a change in the deflection of the diaphragm M. lead, in turn, hydraulically through the body of the intelligent support element 3 to the outside of the riser housing 2 transfer. Instead of the pressure gauge 5a is the hydraulic line in the in 3 embodiment shown to a pressure sensor 5b connected, the pressure changes in the hydraulic line 7th detected. The one in the pressure sensor 5b detected pressure values can be displayed on a digital display (not shown). Alternatively or additionally, the pressure values from the pressure sensor 5b be transmitted to an information system such as a computer via a suitable interface (not shown). There the pressure values can be displayed, saved, evaluated and used for monitoring the riser pipe arrangement 1 be used. For example, immediately after the standpipe arrangement has been suspended 1 acting bearing force can be detected and a tolerance range around this value can be defined. If a pressure value is measured outside the defined tolerance range, an alarm can be activated, for example.

In the 2 and 3 The embodiments shown use hydraulic power transmission to determine the bearing force. Changes in the bearing force can, however, also be converted directly into an electrical signal. 4th shows the intelligent support element 3 according to a further embodiment of the invention. As in the previous exemplary embodiments, there is a membrane on the support surface M. designed as a pressure-sensitive element, below which a piezoelectric element 6a is arranged. A deflection of the membrane M. causes a deformation of the piezo-electric element arranged directly below 6a that is converted into an electrical voltage. The voltage can be generated via a two-pole electrical line in the intelligent support element 3 to the outside of the riser housing 2 be directed. Alternatively, the piezo-electric element 6a over the body of the intelligent support element 3 on the riser housing 2 earthed and the voltage signal generated by the bearing force can be tapped via a single-pole electrical line. The (one or two pole) electrical line is in 4th with the reference number 7a shown.

In the in 4th The embodiment shown can also be the piezo-electric element 6a themselves form the pressure-sensitive element. In this case there is no membrane on the support surface M. formed, but the piezo-electric element 6a arranged directly on the support surface.

In addition to the in the embodiments of 2 , 3 and 4th The means shown for the force transmission of the bearing force acting on the bearing surface can also be used other means for force transmission. The only decisive factor is that changes in the bearing force can be recorded via the intelligent support element and tapped for display or evaluation. It is conceivable, for example, to use strain gauges for detecting a change in deflection of the membrane M. to use. It is also possible to use fiber optic tension sensors to detect a change in the bearing force. Alternative mechanical transmissions of the diaphragm deflection can also be used. For example, the deflection of the membrane M. be detected via the deformation of a spring element and by a suitable mechanical translation on an in 2 shown display unit are brought to the display.

The description of the above exemplary embodiments relates to the use of a single intelligent support element 3 when suspending the riser pipe arrangement 1 . In practice, the suspension is usually carried out using several supporting elements. Accordingly, the use of several intelligent support elements can also be provided to increase the monitoring failure safety. 5 Figure 11 shows a sectional view of a riser housing 2 in a plane perpendicular to the direction of gravity G .

There are several recordings in the cutting plane 4th to see for supporting elements. When suspending the riser pipe arrangement 1 will be in every recording 4th a support element used. A plurality of support elements, for example two opposite support elements, or all support elements, are preferably supported by an intelligent support element according to the invention 3 formed so that the bearing force can be measured on several or all bearing surfaces. To the biasing force of the riser assembly 1 To be able to change is another set of recordings in a horizontal plane below the cutting plane 4b designed for support elements.

In the exemplary embodiments described above, the means for detecting and monitoring the bearing force are in the intelligent support elements 3 integrated. To the advantages according to the invention with regard to the monitoring of the riser pipe arrangement 1 To achieve this, the means for recording and monitoring the bearing force can also be installed in the standpipe hanger 1a to get integrated.

6 shows a schematic representation of an alternative solution for monitoring the bearing force. Again, it is a riser arrangement 1 to see that with the support area 1c on the bearing surface of one by a bolt 3b formed support element is suspended. The support area 1c has a membrane on the surface in contact with the bearing surface of the bolt M. on that corresponding to the membranes M. in the embodiments according to 2 to 4th is trained.

Above the membrane M. is a power transmission element 6b with one line 7b arranged. The power transmission element 6b can through a cavity filled with hydraulic fluid according to the in 2 and 3 Be formed embodiments shown. In this case the line is 7b a hydraulic line.

Alternatively, the power transmission element 6b by a piezo-electric element according to the in 4th be formed embodiment shown. In this case the line is 7b an electrical line. Regarding the 2 to 4th The features described in 6 The arrangement shown for recording and monitoring the bearing force can be transferred.

List of reference symbols

1

Riser pipe arrangement

1a

Riser hanger

1b

Riser pipe

1c

Support area

2

Riser housing

3

intelligent support element

3a

front area of the intelligent support element

3b

bolt

4, 4b

Holder for (intelligent) support element

5a

Pressure indicator

5b

Pressure sensor

6th

cavity

6a

piezo-electric element

6b

Power transmission element

7th

Hydraulic line

7a

electrical line

7b

management

M.

membrane

G

Direction of gravity

Claims (9)

Intelligent support element (3) for suspending and monitoring riser pipe arrangements (1) under mechanical prestress, in particular for oil and gas riser pipes, the intelligent support element (3) being designed to be inserted into a riser pipe housing (2) in such a way that, in the inserted state, a riser pipe arrangement (1) can be held in the riser pipe housing (2) under mechanical prestress, the riser pipe arrangement (1 ) can be mounted on a support surface of the intelligent support element (3), the support surface having a pressure-sensitive element for the direct or indirect determination of a bearing force of the riser pipe arrangement (1) on the intelligent support element (3). Intelligent support element after Claim 1 , wherein the pressure-sensitive element is formed by a membrane (M) which is designed such that it is deformed in accordance with a change in the instantaneous bearing force of the riser pipe arrangement (1). Intelligent support element after Claim 1 and 2 , a cavity (6) being arranged below the membrane (M) which can be filled with a hydraulic fluid in such a way that a deformation of the membrane (M) is transmitted to the hydraulic fluid. Intelligent support element after Claim 3 , having a hydraulic line (7) which is in fluid connection with the cavity (6) and is designed to transmit a change in the instantaneous bearing force to the membrane (M) and an accompanying change in pressure of the hydraulic fluid. Intelligent support element after Claim 4 , wherein the end of the hydraulic line (7) facing away from the cavity (6) can be connected to a device (5a) for displaying the change in pressure. Intelligent support element after Claim 5 wherein the outer end of the hydraulic line (7) can be connected to a pressure sensor (5b) which is designed to detect a change in pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic line (7). Intelligent support element after Claim 1 and 2 , wherein the membrane (M) is in contact with a piezoelectric element (6a) which is designed to detect a change in the bearing force acting on the membrane (M). Intelligent support element after Claim 7 , wherein an electrical line (7a) is connected to the piezo-electric element (6a) in such a way that a change in the momentary bearing force on the membrane (M) is converted into a voltage signal by means of the piezo-electric element (6a) the electrical line (7a) can be transmitted to a telecommunication display. Use of at least one intelligent support element (3) according to one of the preceding claims for suspending and monitoring the bearing force of a riser pipe arrangement (1).

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