OA17180A - Quick disconnect system. - Google Patents

Abstract

A technique is presented for simultaneously releasing a plurality of control lines, and in particular to facilitate an oilfield operation with respect to a subsea wellbore. A hose reel or a plurality of hose reels may be mounted on a skid which, in turn, may be positioned on a vessel that works in cooperation with an offshore platform. Each hose reel is designed to engage a hose bundle via a release mechanism which releasably couples a plurality of control lines carried by the hose bundle. The release mechanism comprises a primary release and a secondary release to selectively enable disconnection of the control lines and release of the hose bundle from the skid.

Description

Well operations in shallow depth waters sometimes utilize a floating vesse! in combination with an offshore platform having a wellhead, injector, and associated equipment. Coiled tubing and s various hydraulic hoses and electric cables may extend between the floating vessel and the offshore platform. A coiled tubing catenary System créâtes slack in the coiled tubing between the injector and a reel mounted on the floating vessel. In case of severe weather or other operational considérations, the floating vesse! is moved away from the offshore platform. Movement away from the offshore platform Involves providing additional slack or releasing the 10 hydraulic hoses and electric cables.

SUMMARY

In general, the présent disclosure provides a System and method for facilitating an oiifield operation with respect to a subsea wellbore. A hose reel or a plurality of hose reels may be mounted on a skid which, in tum, may be positioned on a vessel that works In coopération with u an offshore platform, including but not limited to, a fixed platform, a compilant tower, a semisubmersible platform, a floating production and storage faciiity, a SPAR platform and the iike. Each hose reel is desîgned to engage a hose bundle via a release mechanism which releasably couples a plurality of control lines carried by the hose bundie. The release mechanism comprises a primary release and a secondary release to selectively enable disconnection of the 30 control lines and release of the hose bundle from the skid.

i

However, many modifications are possible without materially departing from the teachings of this disclosure. Accordingly, such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined In the cfaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain embodiments will hereafter be described with référencé to the accompanying drawlngs, wherein like référencé numerals dénoté like éléments. It shouid be understood, however, that the accompanying figures iliustrate the various Implémentations described herein and are not meant to limit the scope of various technologies described herein, and:

Figure 1 Is a schematic illustration of an example of a coiled tubing System having a quick dlsconnect System, according to an embodîment of the disclosure;

Figure 2 Is a schematic Illustration similar to that of Figure 1 but showing the hose bundle disconnected, according to an embodîment of the disdosure;

Figure 3 Is a view of an example of a plurality of powered hose reels mounted In a selfcontained skld, according to an embodîment of the disclosure;

Figure 4 is an illustration of an example of a quick disconnect System able to disconned control lines of a hose bundle, according to an embodîment of the disdosure;

Figure 5 is an illustration of various components that may be used in the quick disconnect System illustrated in Figure 4, according to an embodîment of the disclosure;

Figure 6 is an illustration of the quick disconnect System of Figure 4 in a disconnected configuration, according to an embodîment of the disclosure;

Figure 7 Is an Illustration of an example of the primary and the secondary releases of the overail reiease mechanlsm located In the quick disconnect System, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 8 Is an enlarged Illustration of an example of the secondary reiease shifted to a reiease s configuration, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 9 Is an illustration of the quick disconnect System after initiating disconnection via reiease of the secondary reiease mechanism, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and

Figure 10 Is an illustration similar to that of Figure 9 but showing full disconnection of the disconnect System, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

io DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the présent disclosure. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skiil in the art that the System and/or methodology may be practiced without these details and that numerous variations or modifications from the described embodiments may be possible.

is The disclosure herein generally Involves a System and methodology related to production of hydrocarbons in an offshore environment. The System utillzes a quick disconnect System that may be used to quickly disconnect and reiease the hydraulic hoses and/or electrical cables connected between a floating vessel and an offshore platform, or between subsea and seafloor pipeline equipment, or for example, between seafloor equipment and an ROV (remotely îo operated vehicle) commonly used in deepwater operations. A quick disconnect System may be used on, for example, coiled tubing catenary jobs.

tn some applications, the System Is empioyed to fadlitate a coiled tubing operation with respect to a subsea wellbore. A self-contalned transportation skld may be positioned on a vessel, such as a barge. The vessel may be a floating vessel which works In coopération with an offshore platform. Depending on the spécifies of the application, the self-contained transportation skid 5 may comprise a hose reel or a plurality of hose reels which are each designed to carry a hose bundle. By way of example, the hose bundles may comprise a plurality of control lines, such as hydraulic and/or electrical control lines for providing hydraulic and/or electrical communication with equipment on the platform. Examples of such control lines indude hydraulic hoses and electrical cables.

îo Each hose reel may be a powered hose reel which works in coopération with a release mechanism of a quick disconnect System. In some embodiments, the release mechanism may be coupled directly to the correspondîng hose reel. For example, the release mechanism may be mounted within a cavity in a core ofthe hose reel. Each release mechanism is coupled with a hose bundle to enable sélective disconnection of the control lines and release of the hose bundle from the self-contained transportation skid. In some examples, the self-contalned transportation skid also comprises a retrievabie flotation System which allows the hose bundle to float if it enters the surrounding water.

Referring to Figure 1 an offshore well System is Illustrated in which embodiments of the quick disconnect System described herein can be empioyed. The offshore well System may comprise 20 a vessel, e.g. a barge, which works In coopération with an offshore platform to fadlitate the production of hydrocarbon fluids. In the illustrated example, the overall System is a coiled tubing catenary System but the quick disconnect technique may be used with other types of Systems.

In the example illustrated in Figure 1, a vessel 20 is deployed in an offshore environment 22 for work in coopération with an offshore platform 24. By way of example, the offshore platfbrm 24 may comprise a wellhead 26 positioned above a subsea well 26 having at least one subsea wellbore 30. The offshore platform 24 may comprise a variety of other components, such as an Injector 32 and a blowout preventer (BOP) 34.

During an offshore operation, the vessel 20 may be coupled with offshore platform 24 by coiled tublng 36 which extends to Injector 32 from a coiled tublng reel 38 mounted on vessel 20. The vessel 20 also may be coupled with offshore platform 24 via a hose bundle or a plurality of hose bundles 40. The hose bundle(s) 40 extend to components, e.g. injector 32, of offshore platform 24 from a corresponding hose reel or plurality of hose reels 42. Each hose bundle 40 may comprise a plurality of control Unes 44, such as hydraulic control lines 46 and/or electrical control lines 48. A control cabin 50 having a control panel 52 may be located on vessel 20 for controlling both coiled tublng reel 38 and hose reel(s) 42.

In the event of Indement weather or other occurrences encouragrng séparation of vessel 20 from platform 24, the coiled tubing 36 and the hose bundles 40 may be quickly released, as illustrated In Figure 2. For example, a coiled tubing clamp and cutter 54 may be positioned to enable the coiled tubing 36 to be severed and released. Additionally, a quick disconnect system 56 enables rapld disconnection of the control lines 44 and release of the hose bundle(s) 40. In some applications, the quick disconnect System 56 may be mounted directly to the hose reel(s) 42 which, in tum, may be mounted in a self-contained transportation skid 58.

Refemng generaily to Figure 3, an example of the self-contained transportation skld 58 Is Illustrated. In this embodiment, the skid 58 is designed to carry a plurality of hose reels 42, e.g. three hose reels 42, rotatably mounted on a support structure 60. Each hose reel 42 may be a powered hose reel designed to spool and unspool the corresponding hose bundle 40 (illustrated In outline in Figure 3). Depending on the application, the self-contained transportation skid 58 also may comprise a retrieval flotation system 62 designed to float a connecter plate 74 (described In more detail below) and at least a portion of tts corresponding hose bundle 40 and facilitate retrieval of such from the surrounding water. The skid 58 also may be employed for provlding the qulck disconnect system 56. For exampie, the quick disconnect system 56 may comprise a release mechanlsm 64 assodated with each hose reel 42. In the embodiment s illustrated, each release mechanism 64 Is positioned in a recess 66 formed in a core 68 of the corresponding hose reel 42.

In an operational example, the skid 58 comprises three powered hose reels 42 and remains on vessel 20 while the injector 32 and the blowout preventer 34 are connected to weiihead 26 on platform 24. Each hose reel 42 carries a corresponding hose bundle 40 used to connect the skid io 58 to the corresponding equipment on offshore platform 24. By way of example, one hose bundle 40 may be designed to provide hydraulic power and electrical control for the injector 32, e.g. for the injector drive system. Another hose bundle 40 may be designed to provide hydraulic power for controlling injector 32, e.g. for supply hydraulic power to the Injector control system, as weii as for provlding hydraulic power to auxiliary Systems. A third hose bundle 40 may be is designed to provide hydraulic power for the blowout preventer 34. However, the arrangement of hose bundles and the types of control lines, e.g. hydraulic and/or electrical, in each hose bundle may be adjusted according to the parameters of a given offshore well application.

An embodiment of the release mechanism 64 is illustrated In Figure 4. In this example, the release mechanism 64 comprises a plurality of couplers/connectors 70 designed to releasably 20 couple control lines 44 of each hose bundle 40. The plurality of connectors 70 is mounted to a pair of coupling connecter plates 72, 74 designed for sélective movement Into and out of engagement with each other. The connectors 70 may comprise a plurality of hydraulic connectors 76 and/or electrical connectors 78, e.g. male/female couplera, designed to provide a releasable coupling of, for example, hydraulic hoses and/or electrical cables. The release 2s mechanism 64 also comprises an actuator 80 which is controllable to move connecter plates 72, and connectera 70 into engagement with each other, as illustrated In Figure 4, or to disconnect the connecter plates 72, 74 and connectera 70, as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. By way of exampie, the actuator 80 may comprise a motor 82, e.g. a hydrauiic motor, designed to rotatably drive a screw 84 received In a threaded nut 66 mounted in connecter plate 74, as best j illustrated in Figure 5.

During a disconnection procedure, the actuator 80, e.g. motor 82, is controlled via Input from contrat panel 52 and plates 72, 74 are separated from each other. For example, screw 84 may be rotated by motor 82 within nut 86 to force connecter plate 74 away from connecter plate 72 and thus to disconnect the connectera 70, as illustrated In Figure 5. Continued rotation of screw io 84 causes the nut 86 to eventually separate from the screw 84, thus folly releasîng the connecter plate 74 as illustrated in Figure 6. The release of connecter plate 74 effectively releases the attached hose bundle 40 from skid 58, as illustrated in Figure 2. The release mechanisms 64 assodated with corresponding hose reels 42 may be colledively or independently operated to disconnect the corresponding connectera 70 and to release the u corresponding plates 74/hose bundles 40 from the skid 58.

With added référencé to Figure 7, each release mechanism 64 may be constructed with a primary release 88 and a secondary release 90. By way of example, the primary release 88 may be in the form of motor 82, screw 84, and threaded nut 86. When a release of the hose bundle 40 is desired, the primary release 88 may be actuated by supplying power to motor 82. If motor 20 82 is a hydrauiic motor, hydrauiic power Is supplied to the motor 82 to cause rotation of screw and conséquent disconnection of connectors 70 and release of coupler plate 74. This allows the hose bundle or bundles 40 to separate from the floating vessel 20.

If desired, the secondary release 90 also may be used to disconnect the connectors 70 and to release the hose bundle 40 from skid 58. For example, if the primary release 88 fails to fonction properly, e.g. hydraulic power to motor 82 is interrupted, the secondary release 90 may be actuated to carry out the disconnection and release procedure.

The secondary release 90 may be constructed in a variety of forms and configurations. In the illustrated example, however, secondary release 90 comprises a collet mechanism 92 which is used to hold screw 84 In position on a shaft 94 of motor 82, as illustrated best in Figure 7. The collet mechanism 92 comprises a collet 96 having flexible collet fingers 98 with rétention mechanisms 100 oriented to engage corresponding rétention mechanlsms 102 located on a bearing sleeve 104 of screw 84 (see also Figure 8). To enable operation of screw 84, rétention mechanisms 100 of collet 96 are held in engagement with corresponding rétention mechanisms 102 of screw 84 to secure the screw 84 to motor 82, as Illustrated in Figure 7. However, the rétention mechanisms 100 may be selectively released from corresponding rétention mechanisms 102, as illustrated in Figure 8. In the embodiment illustrated, collet 96 may be secured to connecter plate 72 by an abutment end 106 held In engagement with a framework 108 secured to plate 72 via, for example, fasteners 110. Framework 108 also may be used to mount motor 82 to connecter plate 72.

As Illustrated, a slidable piston 112 may be used to control collet 96. The slidable piston 112 is slidably received in a hydraulic chamber 114 coupled with a suitable hydraulic supply line. For example, hydraulic chamber 114 and its associated hydraulic supply line may be designed for coupling with a hydraulic pump, e.g. a manual hydraulic pump or a powered hydraulic pump, designed to provide suffîcient hydraulic power to shift the slidable piston 112 from the locked position illustrated in Figure 7 to the unlocked position illustrated in Figure 8. The slidable piston 112 may Initially be secured in the locked position by a rétention member 116, such as a shear screw. Additionally, the slidable piston 112 may comprise a release piston portion 118, e.g. a radialiy inward expanded ring, designed to hold collet 96 and rétention mechanisms 100 in the locked position when the release piston portion 118 is held between rétention mechanisms 100 and the surrounding surface of connecter plate 72. When suffident hydrauiic pressure is applied te hydrauiic chamber 114, rétention member 116 is sheared or otherwise released and slidable piston 112 Is shifted to an unlocked position, as lllustrated in Figure 8. During movement of slidable piston 114, the release piston portion 118 Is moved away from collet Angers 98 to s release rétention mechanisms 100 from corresponding rétention mechanisms 102.

Once collet 96 is unlocked, the screw 84 may be separated from motor shaft 94, as illustrated in Figure 9. By way of example, the connecter plate 74 and Its corresponding hose bundle 40 may slmply be puiled to separate the screw 84 from the motor shaft 94 and to ultimately slide the screw 84 entireiy out of collet mechanism 92, as lllustrated in Figure 10. The abiiity to release ίο screw 84 provides a secondary mechanism for disconnecting the connectera 70 and for reieasing the plate 74 (along with its corresponding hose bundle 40) from the skid 58, as illustrated In Figure 2.

In an operationai example, weather or other influences may lead to an attempted disconnection and release of hose bundles 40 via primary release 88. However, If primary release 88 does not is fonction properly the secondary release 90 may be actuated. In operating the secondary release of the illustrated embodiment, hydrauiic fluid under pressure Is supplied to hydrauiic chamber 114 and is applied against slidable piston 112. In many applications, the volume of hydrauiic fluid used to operate the secondary release can be suffidently small to allow use of a small hand pump to effidently provide power for separating the connecter plate 72, 74. The hydrauiic 20 pressure Is built up until rétention member 116 Is released, e.g. sheared, to allow movement of slidable piston 112. At the end of the stroke of slidable piston 112, the collet 96 is released by allowing rétention mechanisms 100 to spring radially outwardiy with respect to corresponding rétention mechanisms 102. This allows the screw 84 with Its bearing sleeve 104 to move out of collet mechanism 92. By way of example, tension may be applied on the corresponding hose bundle 40 to pull the assembly away from the fixed coupling plate 72. This action disconnects the connecter 70 and allcws the hose bundle 40 to separate from floating vessel 20.

Depending on the offshore application, the overall offshore System may comprise a variety of platforms, vessels, components and configurations of components. Similarly, the skid and the s associated qulck disconnect System may be constructed with a many types of components In a variety of configurations. For example, the skid may be a self-contained transportation skid provlding umbilical hoses, multi-coupling hydraulic connections, release mechanisms, the release control console, the retrievable flotation System, and/or other components arranged In suitable configurations for a given offshore application. Additionally, the quick disconnect io System may comprise primary release mechanisms and individual or plural secondary release mechanisms. In some applications, both the primary release and the secondary release(s) are hydraulically actuated. However, the primary release and the secondary release may be actuated eiectrically, mechanically, and/or via other suitable sources of actuating power. The number of powered hose reels on the skid and the number of associated hose bundles also is may vary according to the parameters of a given operation.

Although a few embodiments of the System and methodology hâve been described in detail above, those of ordinary skiîl in the art will readily appredate that many modifications are possible without materially departing from the teachings of this disclosure. Accordingly, such modifications are Intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined In the 2o daims.

Claims (27)

What Is claimed is:

1. A System for facilitatlng an oilfield operation with respect to a subsea wellbore, comprising:

s a self-contained transportation skid that may be positioned on a vessel, the self* conta in ed transportation skid comprising:

a plurality of powered hose reels;

a plurality of hose bundles, each hose bundle being mounted on a corresponding powered hose reel of the plurality of powered hose io reels, the plurality of hose bundles comprising control lines, including hydraulic lines and electrical lines, for providing hydraulic and electrical communication with equipment on a platform;

a plurality of release mechanîsms coupled to the plurality of hose bundles to enable sélective disconnection of control lines and release of is the plurality of hose bundles from the self-contained transportation skid, at least one release mechanism being mounted on each powered hose reel; and a retrieval flotation System.

2o

2. The System as recited In claim 1, further adapted for a coiled tubing operation, comprising a coiled tubing reel mounted on the vessel, wherein the plurality of powered hose reels comprises at least three powered hose reels.

3. The System as recited In claim 1, wherein at least one of the hose bundles provides hydraulic power and electrical control for an injector.

4. The System as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the hose bundles provides hydraulic power for a blowout preventer.

5 a plurality of control line connectors;

a primary release to disconnect the control lines and to release the hose bundle from the skid; and a secondary release.

to

5. The System as recited in claim 1, wherein each release mechanism is mounted in a core of a corresponding powered hose reel.

6. The System as recited In claim 1, wherein each release mechanism comprises a p ri mary release mechanism, to disconnect the control lines and to release the hose bundle from the self-contained transportation skid, and a secondary release mechanism.

7. The System as recited in claim 6, wherein the primary release mechanism comprises a motor operationally coupled with a pair of coupling connecter plates.

8. The system as recited in daim 7, wherein the pair of coupling connecter plates comprises hydraulic and electrical connectera.

9. The system as redted In daim 8, wherein the motor is a hydraulic motor.

10. The system as redted in daim 6, wherein the secondary release mechanism is hydraulically operated.

11. A system for facilitating a coiled tublng operation with respect to a subsea wellbore, comprising:

a powered hose reel that may be mounted on a skid; and a release mechanism mounted on the powered hose reel to engage a hose bundle having a plurality of control lines, the release mechanism comprising:

12. The System as recited In daim 11, wherein the primary release comprises a motor arranged to drive the sélective disconnection of the plurality of control line connectors.

13. The System as redted ln daim 12, wherein the motor Is coupled to a drive screw is engaged with at least one connecter plate of a pair of connecter plates.

14. The System as redted In daim 13, wherein the motor comprises a hydraulic motor.

20

15. The System as redted In daim 11, wherein the secondary release Is hydraulically actuated.

16. The System as redted in daim 11, wherein the secondary release comprises a collet positioned such that release of the collet enables séparation of a pair of connecter 25 plates.

17. The system as recited in daim 11, wherein the secondary release comprises a hydraulic piston shiftable between a locked rétention position and a release position allowing disconnedion of the control lines and release of the hose bundle.

5

18. A method of fadlitatîng a coiled tubing operation with resped to a subsea wellbore, comprising:

positioning a plurality of hose bundles on a plurality of hose reels;

releasably coupling each hose bundle with resped to a corresponding hose reel of the plurality of hose reels via a primary release and a secondary io release, the primary release and a secondary release belng

Independently capable of simultaneous disconnedion of a plurality of control lines in each hose bundle; and mounting the plurality of hose reels on a skid.

is

19. The method as redted in daim 18, further comprising:

provîding the skid with a retrieval dotation system; mounting the skid on a vessel separate from an offshore platform; and coupling the plurality of hose bundles to the offshore platform.

20 coupling connecter plate.

20 20. The method as redted In daim 19, further comprising locating the primary release and the secondary release in an integrated release mechanism; and mounting each Integrated release mechanism to a core of the corresponding hose reel.

21. A System for simultaneously releasing a plurality of control lines, comprising:

2S a first coupling connedor plate having a plurality of first control line connedors;

M a second coupling connecter plate having a plurality of second control line connectera;

a motor operationally coupled with the first coupling connecter plate and the second coupling connecter plate to selectively disengage the plurality of s first control line connectera from the plurality of second control line connectera; and a secondary release mechanism providing redondant capability for disengaging the plurality of first control line connectera from the plurality of second control line connectera.

22. The System as recited In claim 21, wherein the plurality of first and second control line connectera comprises at least one hydraulic control line connecter and at least one electrical control line connecter on each of the first and second coupling connecter plates.

23. The system as recited in claim 21, wherein the motor is a hydraulic motor.

24. The System as recited In claim 21, wherein the secondary release mechanism comprises a releasable collet securing the second coupling connecter plate to the first

25. The system as recited In daim 21, wherein the secondary release mechanism Is controlled hydraulically.

26. The System as reclted in daim 21, wherein the motor is coupled to a drive screw which may be rotated to cause relative movement of the first and second coupling connecter plates with respect to each other.

s

27. The system as redted in daim 21, wherein the first coupiing connecter plate is mounted to a coiled tubing reel and the second coupling connecter plate is connected to a hose bundle.