WO2014074685A1 - Method and system for manipulating a downhole isolation device of an underwater wellhead assembly - Google Patents

Method and system for manipulating a downhole isolation device of an underwater wellhead assembly Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2014074685A1
WO2014074685A1 PCT/US2013/068890 US2013068890W WO2014074685A1 WO 2014074685 A1 WO2014074685 A1 WO 2014074685A1 US 2013068890 W US2013068890 W US 2013068890W WO 2014074685 A1 WO2014074685 A1 WO 2014074685A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
supply module
xmas tree
hydraulic power
isolation device
rov
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2013/068890
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Sigbjorn MADSEN
David Adam BEATON
Original Assignee
Shell Oil Company
Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij B.V.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Shell Oil Company, Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij B.V. filed Critical Shell Oil Company
Publication of WO2014074685A1 publication Critical patent/WO2014074685A1/en

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
    • E21B33/02—Surface sealing or packing
    • E21B33/03—Well heads; Setting-up thereof
    • E21B33/035—Well heads; Setting-up thereof specially adapted for underwater installations
    • E21B33/0355—Control systems, e.g. hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, acoustic, for submerged well heads
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B34/00—Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells
    • E21B34/16—Control means therefor being outside the borehole

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method and system for manipulating a downhole isolation device installed within a subsea well.
  • Conventional subsea wells may comprise a downhole isolation device that is installed within the completion hardware.
  • Such downhole isolation devices are generally required to be hydraulically opened by the application using a number of fluid pressure cycles. Typically this pressure cycling is done either by a drilling rig or vessel that requires to be connected to the subsea xmas tree.
  • a method for manipulating a downhole isolation device within a subsea well below a subsea xmas tree comprising:
  • the downhole isolation device may be manipulated to the open position by the application of a number of pressure pulse cycles provided by fluid delivered by the hydraulic power accumulation and supply module to the xmas tree running tool.
  • the hydraulic power accumulation and supply module may be detachably connected to the xmas tree by a flexible hydraulic fluid supply conduit.
  • a system for manipulating a downhole isolation device of a subsea well comprising:
  • ROV Remotely Operated underwater Vehicle
  • Figure 1 shows a subsea well with a downhole isolation device installed as part of the completion hardware.
  • Figure 2 shows a hydraulic power accumulation and supply module and xmas tree running tool and ROV used in the system and method according to the invention.
  • Figure 3 shows a hydraulic power accumulation and supply module and xmas tree running tool and ROV of Figure 2 mounted on the subsea xmas tree of the well shown in Figure 1.
  • Figure 1 shows a subsea well 1 with a downhole isolation device 2 installed as part of the completion hardware.
  • the well 1 further comprises a pair of telescoping casing sections 21 and 22, a production tubing 23 and a liner 24 that extends into a well inflow region 25.
  • the liner 24 may have a perforated lower region and is suspended within the lower casing section 22 by means of a liner hanger 25.
  • the downhole isolation device is sealingly connected within the liner 24 so that if the downhole isolation device is closed upward flux of well effluents from the interior 26 of the liner 24 below the downhole isolation device 2 into the interior of the liner 24, casing 22 and production tubing 23 above the downhole isolation device 2 is stopped. Only after opening the downhole isolation device 2 well effluents are allowed to flow up through the well tubulars 22 and 23 to the subsea wellhead assembly 30 shown in Figure 3.
  • Figure 3 shows a subsea wellhead assembly 30 comprising a template 31 on which a subsea xmas tree 32 and a manifold 14 are mounted.
  • Figures 2 and 3 furthermore show a hydraulic power accumulation and supply module 4 and ROV assembly 11, 12 used in the system and method according to the invention that can be operated standalone to manipulate the downhole isolation device 2 without requiring physical connection to a drilling rig or vessel.
  • the downhole isolation device 2 and the hydraulic power accumulation and supply module 4 and xmas tree running tool 3 are interconnected by a flexible hose 5.
  • the hydraulic power accumulation and supply module 4 comprises a compressed fluid accumulation tank 6 which is connected by a conduit and valve assembly 7 to the flexible hose 5.
  • hoisting cables 8 and 9 are connected to hoisting equipment mounted at a vessel (not shown) floating at the water surface.
  • the hydraulic power accumulation and supply module 4 and xmas tree running tool 3 are lowered through a body of water 10, which may be a sea, ocean or lake, to the subsea xmas tree 32.
  • FIG. 3 shows the hydraulic power accumulation and supply module 4 and xmas tree running tool 3 after connection to the subsea xmas tree 32.
  • the hydraulic power accumulation and supply module 4 is connected to a first Remotely Operated underwater Vehicle (ROV) 12 by a first power and control cable assembly 15 and the xmas tree running tool 3 is connected to a second Remotely Operated underwater Vehicle (ROV) 11 by a second power and control cable assembly 16.
  • ROV Remotely Operated underwater Vehicle
  • the downhole isolation device 2 shown in Figure 1 may be installed in the well 1 after the well has been drilled and during completion of the well 1.
  • the interior 26,27 of the liner 26, casing 22 and production tubing 23 may be filled with a liquid, such as a base oil, whereupon the downhole isolation device 2 is closed until the production facilities, such as the subsea manifold 14, topsides and/or subsea well effluent export and treatment facilities have been installed and are ready for start up.
  • Such topside and/or subsea facility installation may take from several months up till several years.
  • the downhole isolation device 2 is closed and when production of well effluents 28 is started the downhole isolation device 2 is opened by pressure cycles exerted by the xmas tree running tool 3 to the liquid, such as base oil, within the interior 27 of the well tubular 23, 22 above the downhole isolation device 2, which pressure cycles are configured to open the downhole isolation device 2 and allow influx of well effluents 28 into the well 1 and to flow through the interior 26, 27 of the well tubulars 22,23 and 24 to the xmas tree 32 and manifold 14.
  • the liquid such as base oil
  • the method according to the invention allows the downhole isolation device (2) to be pressure cycled open standalone using submarine ROVs 11,12 that may be launched from a supply vessel without the requirement for a drilling rig or floating vessel to apply the fluid and/or pressure cycles via a drill string or elongate fluid injection conduits extending from the water surface (not shown) to the Xmas tree 32.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)

Abstract

A method for manipulating a downhole isolation device(2) within a subsea well(1) below a subsea xmas tree(32) comprises: - lowering a xmas tree running tool (3), a hydraulic power accumulation and fluid supply module(4) and a Remotely Operated underwater Vehicle(ROV) assembly(11, 12) from the water surface to the subsea xmas tree(32); - connecting the hydraulic power accumulation and fluid supply module(4) to the xmas tree running tool(3); - connecting the hydraulic power accumulation and fluid supply module(4) to the ROV assembly(11,12); - connecting the xmas tree running tool(3) to the xmas tree; and - inducing the ROV assembly(11,12) to activate the hydraulic power accumulation and fluid supply module(4) to induce the xmas tree running tool(3) to apply hydraulic pressure cycles to fluid inside well tubulars(22,23) between the xmas tree(32) and the downhole isolation device(2). The method allows the downhole isolation device (2) to be pressure cycled open standalone without the requirement for a drilling rig or vessel to apply the fluid and/or pressure cycles.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANIPULATING A DOWNHOLE ISOLATION DEVICE OF AN UNDERWATER WELLHEAD ASSEMBLY
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority to European Patent Application No. 12191927.8, filed November 9, 2012, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a method and system for manipulating a downhole isolation device installed within a subsea well.
Conventional subsea wells may comprise a downhole isolation device that is installed within the completion hardware. Such downhole isolation devices are generally required to be hydraulically opened by the application using a number of fluid pressure cycles. Typically this pressure cycling is done either by a drilling rig or vessel that requires to be connected to the subsea xmas tree.
There is a need for an improved method and system for manipulating a downhole isolation device of a subsea well that does not require connection to a drilling rig or vessel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention there is provided a method for manipulating a downhole isolation device within a subsea well below a subsea xmas tree, the method comprising:
- lowering an xmas tree running tool, a hydraulic power accumulation and supply module and a Remotely Operated underwater Vehicle(ROV) assembly from the water surface to the subsea xmas tree;
- connecting the hydraulic power accumulation and supply module to the xmas tree;
- the hydraulic power accumulation and supply module to the ROV assembly;
- connecting the xmas tree running tool to the xmas tree; and
- inducing the ROV assembly to activate the hydraulic power accumulation and supply module to induce the xmas tree running tool to apply hydraulic pressure cycles to fluid inside well tubular between the xmas tree and the downhole isolation device to manipulate the downhole isolation device. The downhole isolation device may be manipulated to the open position by the application of a number of pressure pulse cycles provided by fluid delivered by the hydraulic power accumulation and supply module to the xmas tree running tool.
The hydraulic power accumulation and supply module may be detachably connected to the xmas tree by a flexible hydraulic fluid supply conduit.
In accordance with the invention there is furthermore provided a system for manipulating a downhole isolation device of a subsea well, the system comprising:
- a hydraulic power accumulation and supply module and a Remotely Operated underwater Vehicle (ROV) assembly, that are configured to be lowered from the water surface to the subsea xmas tree;
- a conduit for connecting the hydraulic power accumulation and supply module to the subsea xmas tree;
- a connector for connecting the hydraulic power accumulation and supply module to the ROV assembly; and
- means for inducing the ROV assembly to activate the hydraulic power accumulation and supply module to manipulate the downhole isolation device.
These and other features, embodiments and advantages of the method and/or system according to the invention are described in the accompanying claims, abstract and the following detailed description of a non-limiting embodiment depicted in the accompanying drawings, in which description reference numerals are used which refer to corresponding reference numerals that are depicted in the drawings.
Similar reference numerals in different figures denote the same or similar objects.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 shows a subsea well with a downhole isolation device installed as part of the completion hardware.
Figure 2 shows a hydraulic power accumulation and supply module and xmas tree running tool and ROV used in the system and method according to the invention; and
Figure 3 shows a hydraulic power accumulation and supply module and xmas tree running tool and ROV of Figure 2 mounted on the subsea xmas tree of the well shown in Figure 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DEPICTED EMBODIMENTS
Figure 1 shows a subsea well 1 with a downhole isolation device 2 installed as part of the completion hardware.
The well 1 further comprises a pair of telescoping casing sections 21 and 22, a production tubing 23 and a liner 24 that extends into a well inflow region 25.
The liner 24 may have a perforated lower region and is suspended within the lower casing section 22 by means of a liner hanger 25.
The downhole isolation device is sealingly connected within the liner 24 so that if the downhole isolation device is closed upward flux of well effluents from the interior 26 of the liner 24 below the downhole isolation device 2 into the interior of the liner 24, casing 22 and production tubing 23 above the downhole isolation device 2 is stopped. Only after opening the downhole isolation device 2 well effluents are allowed to flow up through the well tubulars 22 and 23 to the subsea wellhead assembly 30 shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3 shows a subsea wellhead assembly 30 comprising a template 31 on which a subsea xmas tree 32 and a manifold 14 are mounted.
Figures 2 and 3 furthermore show a hydraulic power accumulation and supply module 4 and ROV assembly 11, 12 used in the system and method according to the invention that can be operated standalone to manipulate the downhole isolation device 2 without requiring physical connection to a drilling rig or vessel.
The downhole isolation device 2 and the hydraulic power accumulation and supply module 4 and xmas tree running tool 3 are interconnected by a flexible hose 5.
The hydraulic power accumulation and supply module 4 comprises a compressed fluid accumulation tank 6 which is connected by a conduit and valve assembly 7 to the flexible hose 5.
The hydraulic power accumulation and supply module 4 and xmas tree running tool
3 are connected to hoisting cables 8 and 9 that are connected to hoisting equipment mounted at a vessel (not shown) floating at the water surface.
By paying out the hoisting cables 8 and 9 the hydraulic power accumulation and supply module 4 and xmas tree running tool 3 are lowered through a body of water 10, which may be a sea, ocean or lake, to the subsea xmas tree 32.
Figure 3 shows the hydraulic power accumulation and supply module 4 and xmas tree running tool 3 after connection to the subsea xmas tree 32. The hydraulic power accumulation and supply module 4 is connected to a first Remotely Operated underwater Vehicle (ROV) 12 by a first power and control cable assembly 15 and the xmas tree running tool 3 is connected to a second Remotely Operated underwater Vehicle (ROV) 11 by a second power and control cable assembly 16.
The downhole isolation device 2 shown in Figure 1 may be installed in the well 1 after the well has been drilled and during completion of the well 1. In that case the interior 26,27 of the liner 26, casing 22 and production tubing 23 may be filled with a liquid, such as a base oil, whereupon the downhole isolation device 2 is closed until the production facilities, such as the subsea manifold 14, topsides and/or subsea well effluent export and treatment facilities have been installed and are ready for start up. Such topside and/or subsea facility installation may take from several months up till several years. During the period of installation the downhole isolation device 2 is closed and when production of well effluents 28 is started the downhole isolation device 2 is opened by pressure cycles exerted by the xmas tree running tool 3 to the liquid, such as base oil, within the interior 27 of the well tubular 23, 22 above the downhole isolation device 2, which pressure cycles are configured to open the downhole isolation device 2 and allow influx of well effluents 28 into the well 1 and to flow through the interior 26, 27 of the well tubulars 22,23 and 24 to the xmas tree 32 and manifold 14.
The method according to the invention allows the downhole isolation device (2) to be pressure cycled open standalone using submarine ROVs 11,12 that may be launched from a supply vessel without the requirement for a drilling rig or floating vessel to apply the fluid and/or pressure cycles via a drill string or elongate fluid injection conduits extending from the water surface (not shown) to the Xmas tree 32.

Claims

C L A I M S
1. A method for manipulating a downhole isolation device within a subsea well below a subsea xmas tree, the method comprising:
- lowering a hydraulic power accumulation and supply module and a Remotely Operated underwater Vehicle(ROV) assembly from the water surface to the subsea xmas tree;
- connecting the hydraulic power accumulation and supply module to the xmas tree;
- connecting the hydraulic power accumulation and supply module to the ROV assembly;
- connecting the xmas running tool to the xmas tree; and
- inducing the ROV assembly to activate the hydraulic power accumulation and supply module to activate the xmas running tool to exert pressure pulses to fluid inside well tubulars within the well below the xmas tree to manipulate the downhole isolation device.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the downhole isolation device is opened by a series of hydraulic fluid pulse cycles via the hydraulic power accumulation and supply module.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the downhole isolation device is hydraulically opened by application of a number of pressure pulse cycles provided by fluid delivered by the hydraulic power accumulation and supply module.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the hydraulic power accumulation and supply module is detachably connected to the subsea xmas tree by a flexible hydraulic fluid supply conduit.
5. The method of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the ROV assembly is detachably connected to the xmas tree running tool and the hydraulic fluid accumulation and supply module by a flexible power and/or signal communication cable assembly.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the ROV assembly comprises a first ROV which is connected to the hydraulic accumulation module by a first flexible power and/or signal communication cable and a second ROV which is connected to the xmas tree running tool by a second flexible power and/or signal communication cable and to the subsea xmas tree by a third flexible power and/or signal communication cable.
7. A system for manipulating a downhole isolation device, the system comprising:
- a hydraulic power accumulation and supply module and a Remotely Operated underwater Vehicle (ROV) assembly, that are configured to be lowered from the water surface to the subsea xmas tree;
- a conduit for connecting the hydraulic power accumulation and supply module to the subsea xmas tree;
- a connector for connecting the hydraulic power accumulation and supply module to the ROV assembly; and
- means for inducing the ROV assembly to activate the hydraulic power accumulation and supply module to manipulate the downhole isolation device.
PCT/US2013/068890 2012-11-09 2013-11-07 Method and system for manipulating a downhole isolation device of an underwater wellhead assembly WO2014074685A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP12191927.8 2012-11-09
EP12191927 2012-11-09

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WO2014074685A1 true WO2014074685A1 (en) 2014-05-15

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10344549B2 (en) 2016-02-03 2019-07-09 Fmc Technologies, Inc. Systems for removing blockages in subsea flowlines and equipment
US11072993B2 (en) 2014-11-14 2021-07-27 Fmc Kongsberg Subsea As System for manipulating subsea equipment and controlling a subsea barrier system

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2003070565A2 (en) * 2002-02-19 2003-08-28 Preston Fox Subsea intervention system, method and components thereof
WO2006099316A1 (en) * 2005-03-11 2006-09-21 Saipem America Inc. Riserless modular subsea well intervention, method and apparatus
WO2009122168A1 (en) * 2008-04-04 2009-10-08 Vetco Gray Controls Limited Communication system for a hydrocarbon extraction plant
WO2011128355A2 (en) * 2010-04-14 2011-10-20 Aker Subsea As Subsea orientation and control system
US20120043089A1 (en) * 2010-08-17 2012-02-23 Corey Eugene Hoffman Retrieving a subsea tree plug

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2003070565A2 (en) * 2002-02-19 2003-08-28 Preston Fox Subsea intervention system, method and components thereof
WO2006099316A1 (en) * 2005-03-11 2006-09-21 Saipem America Inc. Riserless modular subsea well intervention, method and apparatus
WO2009122168A1 (en) * 2008-04-04 2009-10-08 Vetco Gray Controls Limited Communication system for a hydrocarbon extraction plant
WO2011128355A2 (en) * 2010-04-14 2011-10-20 Aker Subsea As Subsea orientation and control system
US20120043089A1 (en) * 2010-08-17 2012-02-23 Corey Eugene Hoffman Retrieving a subsea tree plug

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11072993B2 (en) 2014-11-14 2021-07-27 Fmc Kongsberg Subsea As System for manipulating subsea equipment and controlling a subsea barrier system
US10344549B2 (en) 2016-02-03 2019-07-09 Fmc Technologies, Inc. Systems for removing blockages in subsea flowlines and equipment

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