Arrangement for providing a flowable solidifier into a subsea hydrocarbon well
11261688 · 2022-03-01
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
E21B33/068
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
E21B41/0057
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
E21B33/05
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
International classification
Abstract
An arrangement is for providing a flowable solidifier into a subsea hydrocarbon well comprising a valve assembly with an opening to a well bore. The arrangement has a connection device comprising a well control unit with a lubricator device with a first through opening, an inlet connector with an inlet for the flowable solidifier to a second through opening. The arrangement further has an elongated injection tubing with a third through opening. The injection tubing is adapted to be displaced through the lubricator device to a certain position enabling the third through opening to receive the flowable solidifier from the inlet of the inlet connector and extending into the opening of the valve assembly so that one or more valves of the valve assembly are shielded from interaction with the flowable solidifier.
Claims
1. An arrangement for providing a flowable solidifier into a subsea hydrocarbon well comprising a valve assembly with an opening to a well bore, wherein the arrangement comprises: a connection device comprising i) a well control unit comprising a lubricator device with a first through opening, ii) an inlet connector comprising a body attached to the well control unit, a second through opening in connection with the first through opening of the lubricator device, and an inlet for the flowable solidifier to the second through opening, the inlet extending from an outside of the body to the second through opening other than the through the first through opening; wherein the connection device is adapted to be connected to the valve assembly so that the second through opening of the inlet connector is in connection with the opening of the valve assembly to the well bore of the well; an elongated injection tubing comprising a third through opening, the injection tubing being adapted to be displaced through the lubricator device to a certain position within the second through opening, the certain position enabling the third through opening to receive the flowable solidifier from the inlet of the inlet connector and the elongated injection tubing extending into the opening of the valve assembly so that one or more valves of the valve assembly are shielded from interaction with the flowable solidifier.
2. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the elongated injection tubing has a length that enables it, when in said certain position, to extend into the opening of the valve assembly passing said one or more valves.
3. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the elongated injection tubing has a length equal to or exceeding a length of the opening of the valve assembly to the well bore.
4. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the connection device further comprises an attachment device for providing a releasable attachment of the connection device to the valve assembly of the well so that the second through opening of the inlet connector is firmly connected to the opening of the valve assembly.
5. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the injection tubing comprises a primary stop member and the inlet connector comprises a secondary stop member, and wherein the injection tubing is adapted to be displaced to a position in which the primary stop member and secondary stop member engage with each other in the certain position.
6. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement comprises a further attachment device adapted to provide a releasable attachment of the injection tubing to the inlet connector so that the injection tubing is firmly attached in said certain position.
7. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the well control unit comprises a lubricator valve assembly comprising a lubricator valve device adapted to be controlled so that the pressure of the first through opening of the lubricator device and second through opening of the inlet connector are adjusted to equilibrium with the pressure of the opening of the valve assembly to the well bore of the well.
8. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement comprises attachment means for wireline connection to the connection device.
9. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement comprises further attachment means for wireline connection to the injection tubing.
10. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the connection device further comprises an outlet for discharge of a fluid from the well bore.
11. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the inlet connector comprises connection means for supply of the flowable solidifier to the inlet.
12. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement further comprises a first separation device and a second separation device adapted to be introduced into the well bore and having the flowable solidifier between them.
13. The arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the first separation device comprises a first separation plug and a first displacement element adapted to engage with the first separation plug, and wherein the second separation device comprises a second separation plug and a second displacement element adapted to engage with the second separation plug.
14. The arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the first separation plug and second separation plug are positioned at an end portion of the injection tubing in connection with the third through opening, and wherein the inlet of the inlet connector and the third through opening of the injection tubing are configured dimensioned for allowing a passage of the first displacement element and the second displacement element.
15. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the inlet of the inlet connector and the third through opening of the injection tubing are configured for a passage of the flowable solidifier, which flowable solidifier comprises a flowable configuration comprising cement adapted to solidify and form a concrete barrier in the well bore of the well.
16. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement further comprises a seal arrangement adapted to form a sealing between the inlet connector and the injection tubing when the injection tubing is in said certain position.
17. A system for providing a flowable solidifier into a subsea hydrocarbon well, wherein the system comprises an arrangement comprising a valve assembly with an opening to a well bore, wherein the arrangement comprises: a connection device comprising i) a well control unit comprising a lubricator device with a first through opening, ii) an inlet connector comprising a body attached to the well control unit, a second through opening in connection with the first through opening of the lubricator device, and an inlet for the flowable solidifier to the second through opening, the inlet extending from an outside of the body to the second through opening other than the through the first through opening; wherein the connection device is adapted to be connected to the valve assembly so that the second through opening of the inlet connector is in connection with the opening of the valve assembly to the well bore of the well; wherein the arrangement further comprises an elongated injection tubing comprising a third through opening, the injection tubing being adapted to be displaced through the lubricator device to a certain position within the second through opening, the certain position enabling the third through opening to receive the flowable solidifier from the inlet of the inlet connector and the elongated injection tubing extending into the opening of the valve assembly so that one or more valves of the valve assembly are shielded from interaction with the flowable solidifier; and a lifting arrangement for lifting the well control unit and the elongated injection tubing to the valve assembly of the well.
18. A method for providing a flowable solidifier into a subsea hydrocarbon well comprising a valve assembly with an opening to a well bore, wherein the method comprises: providing a connection device comprising: i) a well control unit comprising a lubricator device with a first through opening; and ii) an inlet connector comprising a body attached to the well control unit, a second through opening in connection with the first through opening of the lubricator device, and an inlet for the flowable solidifier to the second through opening, the inlet extending from an outside of the body to the second through opening other than the through the first through opening; displacing the connection device to engagement with the valve assembly of the well so that the second through opening of the inlet connector is brought in connection with the opening of the valve assembly; displacing an elongated injection tubing comprising a third through opening through the lubricator device to a certain position within the second through opening, the certain position enabling the third through opening of the elongated injection tubing to receive the flowable solidifier from the inlet of the inlet connector and so that the elongated injection tubing extends into the opening of the valve assembly passing one or more valves of the valve assembly; and providing the flowable solidifier through the inlet of the inlet connector and the third through opening, and into the well bore of the well.
19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the method further comprises: terminating providing the flowable solidifier to the through the inlet of the inlet connector; displacing the connection device away from the valve assembly and the connection device, and displacing the connection device away from the valve assembly.
20. The method according to claim 18, wherein the method further comprises: attaching the connection device to the valve assembly by means of changing the attachment device from a disengaged state to an engaged state.
21. The method according to claim 18, wherein the method further comprises: arranging the injection tubing to said certain position by displacing the injection tubing so that the primary stop member of the injection tubing engages with the secondary stop member of the inlet connector.
22. The method according to claim 18, wherein the method further comprises: attaching the injection tubing to the inlet connector by means of changing the further attachment device from a disengaged state to an engaged state.
23. The method according to claim 18, wherein the method further comprises: before displacing the injection tubing through the lubricator device, adjusting the pressure of the first through opening of the lubricator device and second through opening of the inlet connector so that the pressure is adjusted to equilibrium with the pressure of the opening of the valve assembly to the well bore of the well, and opening a valve of the valve assembly so that an open connection is established between the opening of the valve assembly and the first through opening and the second through opening.
24. The method according to claim 18, wherein the method further comprises: before displacing the connection device away from the valve assembly, closing a valve of the valve assembly so that the opening into the well bore of the well is closed.
25. The method according to claim 18, wherein the method further comprises: after closing the valve of the valve assembly, displacing the injection tubing out from the connection device through the lubricator device, and displacing the connection device away from the valve assembly.
26. The method according to claim 18, wherein the method further comprises before displacing the injection tubing out from the connection device, detaching the injection tubing from the inlet connector by means of changing the further attachment device from an engaged state to a disengaged state.
27. The method according to claim 18, wherein the method further comprises before displacing the connection device away from the valve assembly, detaching the connection device from the valve assembly by means of changing the attachment device from an engaged state to a disengaged state.
28. The method according to claim 18, wherein the step of providing the flowable solidifier further comprises the steps of: a) providing a separation fluid through the inlet of the inlet connector and the third through opening into the well bore of the well, b) providing the first separation device into the well bore of the well, c) providing a flowable solidifier through the inlet of the inlet connector and the third through opening into the well bore of the well, d) providing the second separation device into the well bore of the well, and e) providing a separation fluid through the inlet of the inlet connector and the third through opening into the well bore of the well.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
(1) In the following is described examples of preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
(2)
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(10) In
(11) The valve assembly 14 comprises an opening 15 to a well bore 16 of the well 5. In the illustration in
(12) In
(13) The arrangement 3 will be explained in further detail with reference to
(14) In
(15) The valve assembly 14 comprises a valve 22 at the opening 15 to the well bore 16 for opening and closing the access to the well bore 16. The opening 15 relates to a main opening into the well bore 16 of the well 5. That is, an opening used when establishing the well bore 16 by means of a drilling operation.
(16) The arrangement 3 comprises a connection device 30 and an injection tubing 32. In
(17) The connection device 30 and the injection tubing 32 are separate devices. The connection device 30 is adapted to be displaced from the vessel 10 down to the valve assembly 14 of the well 5 and be connected to the valve assembly 14. Thereafter, the injection tubing 32 is adapted to be displaced from the vessel 10 into the connection device 30, as will be explained in further details in the following.
(18) The arrangement 3 comprises attachment means for wireline connection to the connection device 30. Correspondingly, the arrangement 3 comprises further attachment means for wireline connection to the injection tubing 32. The attachment means and further attachment means are not explicitly disclosed in the figures. In
(19) The connection device 30 comprises a well control unit 40 and an inlet connector 42. The well control unit 40 comprises a lubricator device 44 with a first through opening 50. The inlet connector 42 comprises a body 51 attached to the well control unit 40, a second through opening 52 in connection with the first through opening 50 of the lubricator device 44. The first through opening 50 and the second through opening 52 form a combined opening configured to receive the injection tubing 32.
(20) The inlet connector 42 further comprises an inlet 53 extending from an outside of the body 51 to the second through opening 52. The inlet 53 is adapted to conduct the flowable solidifier to the second through opening 52. The inlet connector 42 further comprises connection means for supply of the flowable solidifier to the inlet 53. The connection means is configured to connect a supply conduit, such as a hose, to the inlet 53 for receipt of the flowable solidifier from the vessel 10 at the surface of the sea.
(21) The injection tubing 32 comprises a third through opening 54. The injection tubing 32 is adapted to be displaced through the first through opening 50 and into the second through opening 52 to a certain position enabling the third through opening 54 to receive the flowable solidifier from the inlet of the inlet connector 42. The injection tubing 32 comprises a necking 55 connecting the third through opening 54 in all orientations when the injection tubing 32 is positioned in the certain position. The necking 55 is arranged surrounding a longitudinal axis of the injection tubing 32. Thereby, the injection tubing 32 is configured to receive the flowable solidifier regardless of orientation when the injection tubing 32 is in the certain position.
(22) The injection tubing 32 is further adapted, in the certain position, to extend through the opening 15 of the valve assembly 14 so that one or more valves of the valve assembly 14 are shielded from interaction with the flowable solidifier.
(23) The inlet connector 42 comprises an inlet valve assembly 56 at the inlet 53. The inlet valve assembly 56 comprising an inlet valve device 58 for controlling the introduction of the flowable solidifier to the well bore 16 of the well 5. In the disclosed embodiment, the inlet valve assembly 56 comprises two separately controlled inlet valve devices 58 for purpose of redundancy of the control of the introduction of the flowable solidifier into the well bore 16.
(24) The inlet connector 42 further comprises an outlet 60 extending from the second through opening 52 to the outside of the body 51. The outlet 60 is adapted to conduct a fluid out of the well bore 16 of the well 5. The inlet connector 42 comprises connection means for discharge of the fluid from the outlet 60. The connection means is configured to connect a discharge conduit, such as a hose, to the outlet 60 for discharge of the fluid to the vessel 10 at the surface of the sea. It shall be understood that the outlet 60 is not necessary for the introduction of the flowable solidifier into the well bore of the well.
(25) The inlet connector 42 further comprises an outlet valve assembly 62. The outlet valve assembly 62 comprising an outlet valve device 64 for controlling the outlet of a fluid from the well bore 16. In the disclosed embodiment the outlet valve assembly 62 comprises two separately controlled outlet valve devices 64 for purpose of redundancy control of the outlet 60.
(26) The arrangement 3 further comprises a seal arrangement 70 adapted to form a sealing between the body 51 of the inlet connector 42 and the injection tubing 32 when the injection tubing 32 is in said certain position, see
(27) The arrangement 3 further comprises a primary stop member 74a at the injection tubing 32 and the inlet connector 42 comprises a secondary stop member 74b adapted to engage with each other for arranging the injection tubing 32 in the certain position. The secondary stop member 74b is for example a protrusion directed into the second through opening 52. The primary stop member 74b is for example a protrusion directed in the opposite direction to the secondary stop member 74b when the injection tubing 32 is displaced through the first through opening 50 and into the second through opening 52, see
(28) The connection device 30 further comprises an attachment device 80 for providing a releasable attachment of the connection device 30 to the valve assembly 14 of the well 5 so that the second opening 52 of the inlet connector 42 is firmly connected to the opening 15 of the valve assembly 14. In the discloses embodiment, the attachment device 80 is schematic illustrated at the inlet connector 42. However, it shall be understood that the attachment device 80 may be arranged at the well control unit 40 or between both the well control unit 40 and inlet connector 42, see
(29) The attachment device 80 comprises an attachment mechanism for changing the attachment device 80 between an engaged state and a disengaged state. The attachment mechanism 80 comprises for example a hydraulic induced drive unit, a pneumatic induced drive unit, an electric induced drive unit, and etcetera.
(30) The arrangement 3 further comprises a further attachment device 82 that is adapted to provide a releasable attachment of the injection tubing 32 to the inlet connector 42 when the injection tubing 32 has been displaced to the certain position. Thereby, it is assured that the injection tubing 32 is firmly held in the certain position during providing the flowable solidifier into the well bore 16 of the well 5. The further attachment device 82 comprises preferably a movable engagement member 84 that is adapted to engage with the inlet connector 42. In the disclosed embodiment, the further attachment device 82 comprises a plurality of movable engagement members 84 that are adapted to engage with respective recesses in an inner wall section of the body 51 of the inlet connector 42.
(31) The further attachment device 82 comprises a further attachment mechanism for changing the one or more engagement members 84 between an engaged state and a disengaged state. The further attachment mechanism comprises for example a hydraulic induced drive unit, a pneumatic induced drive unit, an electric induced drive unit, and etcetera.
(32) The well control unit 40 comprises a lubricator valve assembly 86 comprising a lubricator valve device 88 adapted to be controlled so that the pressure of the first through opening 50 of the lubricator device 44 and second through opening 52 of the inlet connector 42 are adjusted to equilibrium with the pressure of the opening 15 of the valve assembly 14 to the well bore 16 of the well 5. In the disclosed embodiment, the lubricator valve assembly 86 comprises two separately controlled lubricator valve devices 88. Thereby, a redundant control of the pressure of the first through opening 50 and second through opening 52. However, it shall be understood that a single lubricator valve device 88 is sufficient for the function of the pressure control.
(33) After the pressure of the first through opening 50 and second through opening 52 has been adjusted to equilibrium with or essentially equilibrium with the pressure of the opening 15 of the valve assembly 14, the valve 22 of the valve assembly 14 at the opening 15 to a well bore 16 is opened. Thereby, the first through opening 50, the second through opening 52 and the opening 22 of the valve assembly 14 are in communication with each other, and the injection tubing 32 is thereafter adapted to be displaced through first through opening 50 of the lubricator device 44 into the second through opening 52 of the inlet connector 42. The injection tubing 32 is adapted to be displaced to the certain position which enables it to receive the flowable solidifier from the inlet 53 of the inlet connector 42 and passing one or more valves 22 of the valve assembly 14. Preferably, the injection tubing 32 is configured with a length that allows it to pass through the full length of the opening 22 of the valve assembly 14 into the well bore 16 of the well 5. Thereby, it is assured that the flowable solidifier can be conducted into the well bore 16 without interaction with one or more valves 22 and other control functions of the valve assembly 14.
(34) The arrangement 3 further comprises a first separation device 90a and a second separation device 90b adapted to be introduced into the well bore 16 and having the flowable solidifier between them. The first separation device 90a comprises a first separation plug 92a and a first displacement element 94a adapted to engage with the first separation plug 90a. Correspondingly, the second separation device 90b comprises a second separation plug 92b and a second displacement element 94b adapted to engage with the second separation plug 90b. The first separation plug 90a and the second separation plug 90b are positioned at an end portion of the injection tubing 32 that is adapted to be directed towards the well bore 16 of the well 5.
(35) The first separation plug 90a and the second separation plug 90b are in connection with the third through opening 54 of the injection tubing 32 and are adapted to adapted to be controllable displaced into the well bore 16 of the well 5 by means of the introduction of the first displacement element 94a and the second displacement element 94b so that the flowable solidifier is arranged between them.
(36) The first separation plug 92a and the second separation plug 92b comprise one of more fins that are adapted to bear against the wall of the well bore 16 so that the risk of interaction between impurities in the well bore 16 and the flowable solidifier is reduced. Thereby, the quality of the formed barrier 20 from the flowable solidifier is assured.
(37) Preferably, prior to displacing the first separation plug 92a into the well bore 16, a separation fluid is introduced in to the well bore 16. Preferably, subsequently to the displacing the second separation plug 92b into the well bore 16, a separation fluid is correspondingly introduced into the well bore 16. By means of the separation fluid, the quality of the barrier 20 formed from the flowable solidifier can further be assured.
(38) The operation of the arrangement and the system in
(39) In
(40) The method comprises, in a step 110, displacing the connection device 30 to engagement with the valve assembly 14 of the well 5 so that the second through opening 52 of the inlet connector 42 is brought in connection with the opening of the valve assembly 14. In case the valve assembly 14 is provided with a cover, this is removed prior to the operation of connecting the connection device 30 to the valve assembly 14.
(41)
(42) The method comprises, in a step 120, displacing the injection tubing 32 through the lubricator device 44 to a certain position enabling the third through opening 54 of the injection tubing 32 to receive the flowable solidifier from the inlet 53 of the inlet connector 42 and so that the injection tubing 32 extends into the opening 15 of the valve assembly 14 passing one or more valves of the valve assembly.
(43)
(44) The method comprises, in a step 130, providing the flowable solidifier through the inlet 53 of the inlet connector 42 and the third through opening 54 and into the well bore 16 of the well 5.
(45)
(46) The method comprises, in a step 140, terminating providing the flowable solidifier through the inlet 53 of the inlet connector 42. In a step 150, the method comprises displacing the injection tubing 32 away from the valve assembly 14 and the connection device 30.
(47)
(48) The method comprises, in a step 160, displacing the connection device 30 away from the valve assembly 14.
(49) In
(50) The method differs from the embodiment in
(51) The method further comprises, in a step 114, adjusting the pressure of the first through opening 50 of the lubricator device 44 and second through opening 52 of the inlet connector 42 so that the pressure is adjusted to equilibrium with the pressure of the opening 15 of the valve assembly 14 to the well bore 16 of the well 5.
(52) The method further comprises, in a step 116, opening the valve 22 of the valve assembly 14 so that an open connection is established between the opening 15 of the valve assembly 14 and the first through opening 50 and the second through opening 52. Thereby, the injection tubing 32 can be safely displaced to the certain position enabling it to receive the flowable solidifier from the inlet 53 of the inlet connector 42.
(53) The step 120 further comprises arranging the injection tubing 32 in the certain position by displacing the injection tubing 32 so that the primary stop member 74a of the injection tubing 32 engages with the secondary stop member 74b of the inlet connector 42.
(54) In a step 122, the method comprises attaching the injection tubing 32 to the inlet connector 42 by means of changing the further attachment device 82 from a disengaged state to an engaged state.
(55) In a step 142, the method comprises detaching the injection tubing 32 from the inlet connector 42 by means of changing the further attachment device 82 from an engaged state to a disengaged state.
(56) In a step 152, the method comprises detaching the connection device 30 from the valve assembly 14 by means of changing the attachment device 80 from an engaged state to a disengaged state.
(57) In
(58) The method comprises, in a step 126, providing a separation fluid through the inlet 53 of the inlet connector 42 and the third through opening 54 and into the well bore 16 of the well 5.
(59) The method comprises, in a step 126, providing the first separation device 90a into the well bore 16 of the well 5. In
(60) The method comprises, in a step 132, providing the second separation device 90b into the well bore 16 of the well 5. In
(61) It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb “comprise” and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.