SYSTEM FOR LAUNCHING EQUIPMENT WITH A CABLE FOR INTERNALLY INSPECTING AND UNBLOCKING PRODUCTION, INJECTION AND DISTRIBUTION DUCTS

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for launching robots for use in oil and gas production wells, comprising a supporting structure (2), on which robot-launching tubing (4) is arranged; a dynamic seal (12) attached to the inlet end of the robot-launching tubing (4), which seals off the umbilical cable (8); an annular BOP valve (3) to restrict upward flow; and a ram BOP valve (7) at the other end of the tubing (4), to restrict upward flow and having a large enough opening to allow the robot to pass through, sealing off the umbilical cable (8). The system can be detached from the duct, used for transporting the robot, it can be flexible in terms of different configurations, and it can have a system that allows inertization of blocked lines. The present invention is used for introducing robots that operate internally in flexible and rigid ducts, with it being necessary to connect the tubing system to the equipment developed. Once connected, and by operating the valves of the system, it is possible to introduce the robot into the tubing.

Claims

1.-12. (canceled)

13. A system for launching equipment, comprising: a support structure comprising a robot-launching tube; a sealing array comprising at least one of: a dynamic seal attached on the inlet end of the robot-launching tube and sealed over an umbilical cable; an annular BOP valve to restrict ascending flow; and a ram-type BOP valve on the other end of the tubing to restrict the ascending flow and to have an opening that is sufficient to allow passage of a robot, wherein the ram-type BOP valve is sealed over the umbilical cable.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the dynamic seal and the annular BOP valve are detachable.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the dynamic seal and the annular BOP valve are detachable by disassembly.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the dynamic seal and the annular BOP valve are detachable by opening to introduce the robot or connection of the umbilical to the robot.

17. The system of claim 13, further comprises a first valve and a second valve on each end of the robot-launching tube so that the robot-launching tube is purged of any oxygen and filled with inert fluid, wherein the second valve is configured for entry and the first valve is configured for outflow of the cleaning or inertization fluid.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the inert fluid is inserted into the robot-launching tube through the second valve as the robot returns and the umbilical cable is retracted.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein a valve is activated after the robot returns to the robot-launching tube and to isolate that robot-launching tube for safe removal of the robot.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein solvent is circulated through the robot-launching tube after the valve is closed and until the components of the robot are free of oil.

21. The system of claim 13, further comprising a branch with a valve for sending excess fluid directly to a burner.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the branch is a sloped branch so that there is support for the robot to allow the robot to move.

23. The system of claim 13, wherein the dynamic seal has a configuration for use of metal, ceramic or elastomer seals, with or without internal steel structures.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the metal, ceramic, or elastomer seals are selected from the group consisting of o-ring, v-rings, u-cups, squared, rectangles, and lips.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein the seals used are labyrinth-type seals and multi-stage labyrinth-type seals.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the geometry of the labyrinth-type seal is selected from the group consisting of a straight seal, a rectangular seal, and a toothed seal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The present invention will be described in greater detail below, referencing the attached drawings which, in a manner not limiting to the scope of the invention, show a preferential embodiment of execution. Therefore:

[0024] FIG. 1 shows the system of the present invention being installed in a storage and control module;

[0025] FIG. 2 shows a view referring to the use of labyrinth-type seals for dynamic blocking of cables with axial translation of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The system of this invention comprises a support structure (2) where the robot-launching tube is placed (4); on the inlet end of that tube a dynamic seal is attached (12), sealing over the umbilical cable (8), and an annular BOP (Blowout Preventer) valve (3) responsible for restricting the ascending flow. The dynamic seal (12) and the valve (3) will be detached, either by disassembly or by opening to introduce the robot or connection of the umbilical to the robot. There is a ram BOP valve (7) on the other end of the tube (4), which restricts ascending flows. The ram BOP valve (7) must have an opening that is large enough to allow passage of the robot, and it must be capable of sealing over the umbilical cable (8).

[0027] After the BOP valves (3) and (7), there are two valves (10) and (11). They are used in the process of inertization and cleaning of the equipment, with valve (11) being the inlet and valve (10) being the outlet for the cleaning or inertization fluid, or vice versa.

[0028] After valve (10), on the final end of the launching tube (4), there will be a ball valve (5) for access to the piping, and right after that there will be a branch (9) with a valve (6) to direct the excess fluid directly to the burner. This drift will have a framework in the branch hole from the principal tube so that there is support for the robot on that framework, to allow movement of the robot.

[0029] The equipment is connected to the production duct into which the robot will be introduced by the branch (9). Before the support structure (2) a storage module will be installed (1) from the umbilical cable and the robot control center and from the process. The dynamic seal (12) in particular may assume different configurations. One optional configuration is the use of metal, ceramic or elastomer seals, in this case with or without internal steel frameworks. These seals may be of different types and materials: o-ring, x-ring, v-ring, u-cup, square, rectangular, lips, etc. Another optional configuration is the use of labyrinth-type seals and multi-stage labyrinth-type seals. Optionally, this labyrinth-type seal may have internal inflows and/or outflows of fluid to prevent the fluid from the line escaping into the environment. The labyrinth-type seal may assume different geometries, such as a straight seal, a rectangular seal, and a toothed seal. It may also, optionally, present scrapers to increase the loss of load.

[0030] The present invention therefore includes a tube that is inclined (4) in relation to the horizontal where the robotic system is enclosed for transport and connection to a hydrocarbon production line. This tube allows movement of the robot through its locomotion system and resists the pressure that might come from the well.

[0031] The present invention incorporates two valves (10, 11) into the tube (4) on each end of the tube (4) so that the tube is purged of any oxygen and filled with inert fluid.

[0032] At the tube entry (4) an annular BOP valve (3) is used to regulate the pressure from closing its elastomer interface over the circumference of the robot's umbilical cable. This may be completely opened to allow access to the robot at the time of its assembly, where it is connected to an umbilical cable, or closed over the cable when a pressure peak reaches the system.

[0033] Additionally, a valve (11) is used in the invention to collect fluid from the inside of the duct as the umbilical cable enters into it, performing volumetric compensation.

[0034] If, during the intervention, the line is exposed to pressure from the well, the invention has a drift (9) so that the fluid pressure can drain to the burner on the platform, or to a storage tank. Inevitably there will be pressure in the launching tube (4), and if the dynamic seal is not capable of maintaining the pressure, the annular BOP valve (3) will be activated, preventing leaks in the region of the launcher. Optionally, as a redundancy for the safety of the system, a second BOP valve, although ram type (7), may be positioned immediately above the drift (9), sealing around the umbilical cable if there are any issues with the dynamic seal and the annular BOP valve (3).

[0035] The present invention uses a dynamic seal (12) to allow passage of the cable while maintaining the seal. Alternatively, the annular BOP valve (3) may be used to perform the procedure known as stripping, where the umbilical cable is pulled with the pressurized annular valve over the circumference of the cable to prevent this interface from leaking fluid from the well. After the robot returns to the launching tube (4) a conventional valve (5) is activated and it isolates the launching tube (4) for safe removal of the robot.

[0036] Furthermore, the present invention modifies the area of the drift, where the orifice that leads to the tube section that is connected in the valve (6) has a framework so that the feet of the robot are supported, but without blocking the flow of hydrocarbons coming from the well. For this reason, different types of BOP valves are used, an annular and a ram valve, in order to ensure that the same type of failure does not occur in both valves.

[0037] Fluid is inserted through the valve (11) into the launching tube as the robot returns and the umbilical cable is retracted.

[0038] Using the valves (10) and (11), after the valve is closed (5), the solvent may be circulated through the launching tube (4) until the components of the robot are free of oil.

[0039] It should be noted that despite the present invention having been described in relation to the attached drawings, it may undergo modifications and adaptations by technicians versed in the matter, depending on the specific situation, but as long as it remains within the scope of the invention defined herein.