GB2264737A

GB2264737A - Arrangement for the remote control of the operation of a hydraulically actuatedvalve and a well head for an oil field

Info

Publication number: GB2264737A
Application number: GB9304108A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jean-Pierre Georges Hainsselin; Christian Jean Marcel Vigne
Original assignee: ECA SA
Current assignee: ECA SA
Priority date: 1992-03-02
Filing date: 1993-03-01
Publication date: 1993-09-08
Also published as: GB9304108D0; FR2688049B1; NO930748D0; NO930748L; FR2688049A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement for the remote control of the operation of a hydraulically actuated valve, in particular of a valve of a well head 12 of an underwater oil field. of the type comprising a hydraulic actuator 20 for a valve connected to a pressurised hydraulic supply via a control unit comprising an electrically operated valve for controlling the flow of fluid under pressure supplying the hydraulic actuator, and means for connecting the unit to the supply of fluid under pressure and to a network for the transmission of control signals of the electric valve, in which the control unit 28 is in the form of a self-contained teleoperator associated with the hydraulic actuator for the valve. Each control unit 28 is connected to the valve actuator 20 by a connection box 26 which is also connected to the fluid and electric supply lines 50 that individual control units can be removed for repair. <IMAGE>

Description

ARRANGEMENT FOR THE REMOTE CONTROL OF THE OPERATION OF A HYDRAULICALLY ACTUATED VALVE AND A WELL HEAD FOR AN OIL FIELD The present invention relates in particular to an arrangement for the remote control of a valve provided in a well head of an underwater oil field.

For an oil well to become operational it is necessary to install at the well head an assembly known as a 1,Christmas tree" which combines equipment for monitoring and controlling the output flow from the well.

The Christmas tree fitted to the well head comprises, in particular, a large number of hydraulically actuated valves, the remote control of which is effected from a general operating station on the surface.

In particular, this operating station can be located on an oil rig which is connected to one or more underwater stations by an umbilical cord providing the means for conveying electrical and/or hydraulic energy and the transmission of electrical or optical signals for controlling the operation of the extraction wells.

Each underwater station may comprise one or more well heads.

The operating station on the surface thus enables the remote control of a very large number of valves.

Each of the hydraulically actuated valves is of the type comprising a hydraulic valve actuator which is connected to a supply of pressurised fluid via a control unit, comprising a control valve for the flow of pressurised fluid and means for connecting said unit to the supply of pressurised fluid and to the network for transmission of control signals of the valve.

According to a known arrangement, the control of the operation of the assembly of hydraulically actuated valves of one well head is effected by a central unit secured to the well head and which is connected to the hydraulic valve actuators by flexible pipes.

This central unit, which is known as a "POD" is a heavy and expensive apparatus which is specific to the configuration of a well head.

In the event of breakdown or a fault in this central unit, the operation of the well head assembly is interrupted. This interruption is particularly long because it is necessary to carry out the raising, repair and refitting of the complete central unit Moreover, the device enabling this apparatus to be raised to the surface is also heavy and expensive.

The object of the present invention is to propose an arrangement for the remote control of the operation of a hydraulically actuated valve, in particular a valve of a well head of an underwater oil field, of the type comprising a hydraulic valve actuator connected to a pressurised hydraulic supply via a control unit comprising a control valve for the flow of pressurised fluid supplying the actuator, and means for connecting the unit to the supply of fluid and to a network for transmitting control signals to/from the valve, which obviates the disadvantages described above.

For this purpose, the arrangement according to the invention is characterised in that the control unit is in the form of an autonomous remote controller associated with the hydraulic actuator of the valve.

The remote controller for the valve is a modular element connected to the hydraulic valve actuator via a connection box mounted on the actuator body.

The remote controller is secured to the connection box in such a way that it can detached therefrom.

Therefore, it is possible, for a well head, to dispense with the central unit and replace it with valve remote controllers which are all identical, of small dimensions, lightweight and can be easily replaced, in the event of failure, by a diver or a submarine robot.

According to further features of the invention there are provided: - the connection box comprises first connecting means to the supply of fluid under pressure and to the network for transmitting the control signals, second connecting means to the remote controller and third connecting means to the hydraulic valve actuator; - the connection box is a passive member which comprises first linking means between the first and second connecting means, and second linking means between the second and third connecting means; - the remote controller for the valve is connected to a supply of electrical energy; - the connection box is connected to the supply of electrical energy by said first connecting means;; - the remote controller for the valve comprises electronic circuits for analysing and processing the control signals, electronic circuits for controlling the valve, and electronic measuring circuits connected to sensors, the signals of which are analysed and processed so as to determine, in particular, the open or closed position of the valve; - the sensors comprise a flow meter arranged inside the remote controller in the circuit of pressurised fluid.

The invention also proposes a well head for an oil field, in particular an underwater field, of the type comprising a plurality of hydraulically actuated valves, in which each of the valves is provided with a remote-control arrangement designed in accordance with the teaching of the invention.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, a better understanding of which will be provided by referring to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view showing the upper part of an underwater oil well head provided with a central unit for controlling the hydraulically actuated valves of a Christmas tree in accordance with the prior art; Figure 2 is a similar view to that of Figure 1, in which the valves of the well head are each remotely controlled by means of an arrangement in accordance with the invention; Figure 3 is a diagram showing the principle of connecting a hydraulically actuated valve to a remote controller for the valve teleoperator designed in accordance with the teaching of the invention; and Figure 4 is a schematic view showing the main components-of the valve remote controller.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a well head 10 provided in its upper part with a Christmas tree 12.

The Christmas tree 12 comprises, in particular, a plurality of hydraulically actuated valves 14.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the control of the valves 14 is effected by means of a central unit 16 mounted on the well head 10.

The central unit 16 is connected by hydraulic linking means 18 to hydraulic actuators 20 of the valves 14.

The central unit 16 comprises, in particular, a series of solenoid valves (not shown) which enable, respectively, control of the flow of pressurised fluid to the actuators 20 through the conduits 18.

The remote control of the valves 14 via the central unit 16 is carried out by means of a series of electric, optical and/or hydraulic connections which connect the central unit 16 to an umbilical head 24 which is itself connected to a central remote-control station on the surface.

As has been explained in the foregoing, any fault in the components of the prior art central control unit 16 necessitates its raising, repair and remounting on the well head 10 and thus results in the operation of the extraction well being interrupted for a protracted period.

In accordance with the invention, and with reference to Figure 2, it is evident that each of the hydraulic actuators 20 of a valve 14 is associated with an autonomous remote controller 28, to which it is connected by a connection box 26. Each box 26 is itself connected to the umbilical head 24.

All the remote controllers 28 are thus identical and are in the form of modular elements mounted detachably on the connection boxes 26.

The connection boxes 26 are connected to the umbilical head 24 by an assembly of connections 30 which will be described in detail below.

Figure 3 illustrates a duct 32 of the well head 10, inside which extends a valve 14 which makes it possible to interrupt the circulation of an effluent inside the duct 32.

The valve 14 is hydraulically actuated by means of an actuator 20 which is illustrated schematically in the form of a hydraulic ram comprising a hydraulic control chamber 34 which acts on a first face 36 of an actuating piston 33, the opposite face 40 of which is subjected to the action of a return spring 42 which permanently urges the valve 14 in the direction corresponding to closure thereof The connection box 26 is shown mounted on the rear part of the hydraulic actuator 20.

The connection box 26 comprises first connecting means (not shown) arranged on its lateral surface 44 which connects to the connectors 30.

The connectors 30 comprise a network 46 for the electric or optical transmission of control signals, a line 48 for conveying electrical energy being connected to a supply of electrical energy (not shown), a duct 50 enabling the conveyance of a control fluid and being connected to a supply of fluid (not shown), and a hydraulic return duct 52 for fluid under pressure.

The lateral surface 54 of the connection box 26 comprises second connecting means 56 which connect the box 26 to the remote controller 28.

These connecting means 56 shown in Figure 3 are designed so as to make possible the connection and disconnection of the various linking means so that the remote controller 28 can be mounted detachably on the connection box 26 and can be dismounted like a self-contained modular element, in particular with a view to its repair or maintenance.

Finally, the lateral surface 58 of the connection box 26 comprises third connecting means (not shown) which enable the connection of the box 26 to the hydraulic actuator 20.

In particular, these connecting means serve to connect the operating chamber 34 of the actuator to the box 26 through a duct 60 for pressurised fluid.

The third connecting means also enable the electrical connection of the connection box 26 to a set of sensors 65 disposed inside the duct 32 and which comprise, for example, temperature and pressure sensors for the effluent circulating in the duct 32.

The connection box 26 is a passive component from the electrical, optical and hydraulic point of view.

Therefore, it only comprises linking means which connect the various connecting means disposed on the its lateral surfaces 44, 54 and 58.

These coupling means thus comprise first means (not shown) which connect the first connecting means of the surface 44 to the second connecting means 56 to the remote controller, and second means (not shown) which connect the second connecting means to the remote controller 28 to the third connecting means 58.

The structure of the remote controller 28 will now be described with reference to Figure 4.

The remote controller 28 comprises a solenoid valve 64 which controls the flow of fluid under pressure to the hydraulic actuator 20.

For this purpose, the two-position solenoid valve 64 shown in Figure 4 comprises an inlet 66 for fluid under pressure, fluid return 68 and an outlet 70 for fluid under pressure, which is connected to the duct 60 for fluid under pressure, with the interposition of a flow meter 72.

The control of the solenoid valve 64 is effected by means of electronic control circuits 74 which receive control signals for the opening or closing of the solenoid valve 64 and, therefore, opening or closing of the hydraulically actuated valve 14.

These signals originate from electronic signal processing and analysing circuits 76 which are connected to the network 46 and to the electrical energy supply line 48.

The electronic circuits 76 of the network are also connected to electronic measuring circuits 78.

The electronic measuring circuits 78 receive signals originating, in particular, from the flow sensor 72 and from the pressure and temperature sensors 65.

In particular, the electronic measuring circuits 78 serve to determine at any moment the position of the hydraulic valve actuator 20 and, therefore, of the valve 14, for example by analysing the signals originating from the flow meter 72 and/or the sensors 65.

The solenoid valve 64 is illustrated in Figure 4 in its position corresponding to the closure of the hydraulically actuated valve 14.

The actuation of the solenoid valve 64 in its second bistable position induces a supply of pressurised fluid to the operating chamber 34, thus opening the valve 14.

The design of the remote controller 28 Just described thus enables the latter to take the form of a self-contained assembly provided with its own connecting means and means for connection with the box 26, which in particular are designed so as to be able to be connected and disconnected under water.

The assembly of the remote controllers 28, with which the various valves of an oil well head are provided, can be interconnected via associated connection boxes 26 so as to form a network.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. Arrangement for the remote control of the operation of a hydraulically actuated valve, in particular of a valve of a well head of an underwater oil field, of the type comprising a hydraulic actuator for a valve connected to a pressurised hydraulic supply via a control unit comprising an electrically operated valve for controlling the flow of pressurised fluid supplying the hydraulic actuator, and means for connecting the unit to the supply of pressurised fluid and to a network for the transmission of control signals of the electrically operated valve, in which the control unit is in the form of an autonomous remote controller associated with the hydraulic actuator of the hydraulic valve.

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, in which the valve remote controller is a modular element connected to the hydraulic actuator of the hydraulic valve via a connection box mounted on the actuator body.

3. Arrangement according to claim 2, in which the remote controller is attached to the connection box in such a way that it can detached therefrom.

4. Arrangement according to claim 2 or claim 3, in which the connection box comprises first connecting means for connection to the supply of fluid under pressure and to the transmission system for the control signals, second means for connection to the remote controller and third means for connection to the valve actuator.

5. Arrangement according to claim 4, in which the connection box is a passive member which comprises first linking means between the first and second connecting means, and second linking means between the second and third connecting means.

6. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the remote controller is connected to a supply of electrical energy.

7. Arrangement according to claim 6 in which the connection box is connected to the supply of electrical energy by said first connecting means.

8. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the valve remote controller comprises electronic circuits for analysing and processing control signals, electronic circuits for controlling the electrically operated valve, and electronic measuring circuits connected to sensors, the signals of which are analysed and processed so as to determine, in particular, the open or closed position of the hydraulic valve.

9. Arrangement according to claim 8, in which said sensors comprise a flow meter arranged inside the remote controller in the circuit of pressurised fluid.

10. Well head of an oil field, in particular of an underwater field, of the type comprising a plurality of hydraulically actuated valves, in which each of the valves is provided with a remote control arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims.

11. Arrangement as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 2 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.