The present invention relates to an apparatus and method relating to managed pressure drilling and in particular relates to a managed pressure drilling (MPD) integration joint comprising a rotating control device (RCD) and/or an annular seal.
When drilling for offshore hydrocarbons, some target reservoirs are located in difficult formations such as clastic, carbonate or pre-salt formations. Such formations require managed pressure drilling (MPD) in which the drill string is run through a riser and the pressure of the returning drilling fluid is controlled within the annulus between the outside of the drill string and the inner through bore of the riser.
The drilling fluid is typically pumped down the drill string and exists the bottom of the drill string through the BHA and the drill bit and returns up the annulus between the outside of the drill string and the inside of the riser. Deep water MPD systems typically include an integration joint, which typically consists of three or more components all connected in line in the riser system. These three components typically comprise an annular seal within a separate tubular and an RCD located above the annular seal within its own separate tubular, where the integration joint is located in line/in series within the riser string above an MPD flow spool and below a telescopic joint. The RCD, the annular seal and the MPD flow spool along with the other components in the riser system all act together to enable closed loop drilling in deep water environments.
The RCD permits passage of the drill string through the riser but also seals around the drill string whilst permitting rotation of it thereby preventing pressurised drilling fluid from passing further up the annulus in the riser string. Accordingly, the RCD forces the returning drilling fluid to flow out of the annulus in the riser string and through goose necks provided at each side of the MPD flow spool where the goose necks are attached to drilling fluid return hoses.
Additional information and drawings regarding conventional integrated MPD systems can be read in Volume 76, Issue 10 of Offshore magazine and at the time of writing an online version is available at:—
The skilled person will understand that because the different components that make up the integration joint (ie the RCD and the annular seal) are all located in line/series in separate tubular joints (each being around 20 feet in length) within the riser system, conventional MPD systems are relatively long/high in length and this carries the disadvantage that the MPD flow spool is relatively low compared to the moon pool of the drilling vessel in question and therefore it can be difficult for the operator to connect the drilling return fluid hoses to the goose neck outlet ports.
Moreover, because the different components that make up the integration joint (ie the RCD and annular seal) are all located in line/series in separate joints within the riser system and each tubular joint is connected to the next by a flange and bolting arrangement, it can be very difficult and very time consuming for an operator to change out for example one of the annular seals (eg if it is worn) for a new annular seal. Moreover, because the riser string needs to be broken out to enable that tubular annular seal to be removed from the string to allow for the new annulus seal to be included in the string, the operator loses the ability to control the pressure within the riser system and indeed the whole drill string must first be removed from the riser string.
It is an object of the present invention to eliminate or ameliorate some or all of the above-noted disadvantages.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an actuatable sealing mechanism for sealing a fluid channel provided between two co-axially arranged tubular members, the actuatable sealing mechanism comprising:—
an elastomeric seal,
an axially moveable actuating sleeve member; and
a radially moveable activating member;
wherein the activating member is configured to be moveable in a radial direction in use to translate the actuatable sealing mechanism from an unsealed state to a sealed state,
whereby in the unsealed state the activating member does not move the actuating sleeve member sufficiently in a first axial direction to axially compress the elastomeric seal sufficiently to expand the elastomeric seal in a radial direction to seal the fluid channel,
and in the sealed state, the activating member axially compresses the elastomeric seal sufficiently to expand the elastomeric seal in the said radial direction to seal the fluid channel.
Preferably, the activating member is configured to be moveable in a radial inwards direction in use to translate the actuatable sealing mechanism from the unsealed state to the sealed state.
Typically, in the unsealed state the activating member does not move the actuating sleeve member sufficiently in a first axial direction to axially compress the elastomeric seal sufficiently to expand the elastomeric seal in a first radial direction to seal the fluid channel, and in the sealed state, the activating member axially compresses the elastomeric seal sufficiently to expand the elastomeric seal in the first radial direction to seal the fluid channel.
The actuatable sealing mechanism provides a means for selectively sealing a fluid channel whilst allowing the seal to retract from the channel when not required such that the seal will not be in contact with a face which is moving relative to it and could damage it. The elastomeric nature of the seal provides the further advantage that it will inherently return to its original shape of the unsealed state, and in doing so, force the actuating sleeve member to axially move back to its original position in the unsealed state, when the activating member is moved in the second radial direction to return it to the unsealed state.
Preferably, the fluid channel is an annulus. The actuatable sealing mechanism being configured for sealing an annulus is advantageous as it allows an annulus between two types or tubulars, one within the other, to be selectively sealed and then unsealed when it is required to move the tubulars relative to each other, thus not damaging the elastomeric seal during the relative movement of the tubulars.
Preferably, the elastomeric seal is ring-shaped. The elastomeric ring shaped seal allows the actuatable sealing mechanism to provide a seal around the entire annulus.
Preferably, the actuating sleeve member is ring-shaped. The ring shaped actuating sleeve member is advantageous as it allows the elastomeric ring shaped seal to be pressed upon and be forced to move at all points around its circumference, from the unsealed position adopted by the elastomeric ring shaped seal when in the unsealed state to the sealed position adopted by the elastomeric ring shaped seal when in the sealed state. Preferably, the elastomeric ring-shaped seal and the ring-shaped axially moveable actuating sleeve member are arranged such that they share a central axis, the central axis projecting through the centre of the elastomeric ring-shaped seal and the ring-shaped axially moveable actuating sleeve member such that each is radially disposed from the central axis, preferably on the same radius from the central axis. This allows the elastomeric ring shaped seal and ring shaped axially moveable actuating sleeve member to be axially aligned with a substantially matching diameter such that movement of the ring shaped axially moveable actuating sleeve member in a first axial direction will cause compression of the elastomeric ring shaped seal in the same axial direction at all points around its circumference. Furthermore, the alignment of the central axes ensures that the elastomeric ring shaped seal is uniformly compressed axially, which is required for optimum compression in the first axial direction to cause expansion in the first radial direction to perform the sealing function. Preferably, the first axial direction is in a direction of the central axis of the elastomeric ring-shaped seal and ring-shaped actuating sleeve member and more preferably is in a first axial direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the elastomeric ring shaped seal and ring shaped actuating sleeve member and most preferably is movement of the actuating sleeve member in an axial direction toward the seal, and the first radial direction is preferably perpendicular to the first axial direction and more preferably is in the direction radially outward from or radially inward towards the central axis. This configuration allows the activating member to move radially outwards or inwards as required to axially compress the elastomeric ring shaped seal (by means of the axial movement of the actuating sleeve member in the first axial direction) such that it radially expands into the fluid channel in the same direction in which the activating member radially moves and therefore expands the elastomeric ring shaped seal radially into the annulus of the fluid channel to be sealed. This arrangement and in particular the presence of the axially moving actuating sleeve member has the further advantage that the elastomeric seal is capable of being radially expanded into the fluid channel by means of being axially compressed, even though that movement is caused by the radially moving activating member, which means that the elastomeric seal will suffer minimal or no degradation by such movement (which would of course not be the case if the radially moveable activating member was arranged to directly axially compress the elastomeric seal whilst also moving radially).
Preferably, the elastomeric ring-shaped seal has one of an internal or external surface which is shaped to register with a surface of the annulus of the fluid channel to be sealed, such that the elastomeric seal is configured to expand radially into the annulus of the fluid channel to be sealed upon axial compression of the elastomeric seal by the axially moveable actuating sleeve member. The registration of the internal or external surface of the elastomeric ring shaped seal with the surface of the annulus of the fluid channel ensures that the elastomeric ring shaped seal will expand radially upon axial compression, thus ensuring that when the axially moveable actuating sleeve member presses on the elastomeric ring shaped seal the elastomeric ring shaped seal will expand enough to sufficiently seal the annulus of the fluid channel.
Preferably, the elastomeric ring shaped seal comprises an elastically deformable resilient seal in accordance with the third aspect of the present invention.
Typically, the radially moveable activating member is configured to be moved from the unsealed state to the sealed state by a movement mechanism and in some embodiments, the movement mechanism further comprises a locking means such that the radially moveable activating member is capable of being pushed from the unsealed state to the sealed state by the movement mechanism and is preferably further capable of being locked in the sealed state by the locking means. This allows the radially moveable activating member to be operated to push or axially compress the elastomeric seal and thereby radially expand the elastomeric into the sealed state, and then to maintain the elastomeric seal locked in the sealed state, when required.
Preferably, the elastomeric seal is of a sufficiently resilient material such that it is configured to bias or push the axially moveable actuating sleeve member from the sealed state to the unsealed state, when permitted to do so. This provides a configuration wherein the elastomeric seal can move the axially moveable actuating sleeve member back to the unsealed state when the radially moveable activating member is moved from the sealed state to the unsealed state. Providing a sufficiently resilient material for the elastomeric seal removes a requirement to provide another means to move the axially moveable actuating sleeve member back to the unsealed state. This reduces the number of components required and the complexity of the system, and also improves ease of manufacture.
In certain embodiments of the present invention, the elastomeric seal is a first elastomeric seal and the axially moveable actuating sleeve member is a first axially moveable actuating sleeve member, the actuatable sealing mechanism further comprising a second elastomeric seal and a second axially moveable actuating sleeve member. The provision of a second elastomeric seal and second axially moveable actuating sleeve member provides redundancy for the first axially moveable actuating sleeve member and first elastomeric seal. This provides a backup should the first axially moveable actuating sleeve member or first elastomeric seal fail to operate. Furthermore, in some industries where embodiments of the invention could be implemented, it may not be permitted to only provide a single seal, particularly where the seal is used to retain high pressure fluid. The use of a second elastomeric seal and second axially moveable actuating sleeve member provides redundancy for the first elastomeric seal and first axially moveable actuating sleeve member.
Preferably, the second elastomeric seal is a seal in accordance with the first elastomeric seal, and second axially moveable actuating sleeve member is an axially moveable actuating sleeve member in accordance with the first axially moveable actuating sleeve member, wherein the second axially moveable actuating sleeve member is configured to move in a second axial direction, preferably opposite to the first axial direction, to compress the second elastomeric seal. The use of the second elastomeric seal and second axially moveable actuating sleeve member being the same as the first elastomeric seal and first axially moveable actuating sleeve member provides reliable redundancy for the first axially moveable actuating sleeve member and first elastomeric seal.
Preferably, the radially moveable activating member is configured to engage the first and second axially moveable actuating sleeve members, and move the first and second axially moveable actuating sleeve members from the unsealed state to the sealed state. Furthermore, the radially moveable activating member being configured to engage both axially moveable actuating sleeve members allows the radially moveable activating member to simultaneously activate both axially moveable actuating sleeve members and as such to actuate both respective elastomeric seals in one movement, simplifying the operation of the actuatable sealing mechanism.
Preferably, the radially moveable activating member comprises one or more tapered face. Preferably, the first (and if present second) axially moveable actuating sleeve member(s) each comprise a tapered face for engagement with the tapered face of the radially moveable activating member. The provision of a tapered face allows the radially moveable activating member to be pushed against the first (and if present second) axially moveable actuating sleeve member(s) such that as it is pushed further, after engagement therewith, it is adapted to move the first (and if present second) axially moveable actuating sleeve member(s) from the unsealed position to the sealed position. The tapered face allows movement in one direction (radial) to be translated into movement in another direction (axial) to move the first axially moveable actuating sleeve member in that direction while simultaneously (if present) moving the second axially moveable actuating sleeve member in a direction opposite to the first axially moveable actuating sleeve member. This greatly simplifies the operation of the actuatable sealing mechanism as the radially moveable activating member has to only make one movement to activate one and if a second is present both axially moveable actuating sleeve member.
Preferably, when both a first and a second axially moveable actuating sleeve members are present, they are configured to be spaced apart such that the radially moveable activating member can be inserted between the said pair of axially moveable actuating sleeve member to move the said pair of axially moveable actuating sleeve member from the unsealed state to the sealed state. This allows for the radially moveable activating member to make one movement to move both the first axially moveable actuating sleeve member and the second axially moveable actuating sleeve member from the unsealed state to the sealed state. Preferably, the radially moveable activating member comprises a first dimension corresponding to a distance the first and second axially moveable actuating sleeve members are spaced apart in the unsealed state, and a second dimension corresponding to a distance the first and second axially moveable actuating sleeve members are spaced apart in the sealed state. This allows the radially moveable activating member to be able to be aligned between the two axially moveable actuating sleeve members such that it can be further inserted to move each of the axially moveable actuating sleeve members from the unsealed state to the sealed state i.e. when the radially moveable activating member is inserted far enough that the second dimension is in line with and pushing against the first and second axially moveable actuating sleeve members.
Typically, the radially moveable activating member is moveable in either radial direction that is perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the axially moveable actuating sleeve members, and most preferably is moveable in one radial direction when moving the actuatable sealing mechanism from the unsealed state to the sealed state and may be moveable in the other radial direction when moving the actuatable sealing mechanism from the sealed state to the unsealed state.
Preferably, the tapered face of the radially moveable activating member tapers from the first dimension to the second dimension such that in use the tapered face of the radially moveable activating member engages and pushes the first (and second if present) axially moveable actuating sleeve member(s) from the unsealed state to the sealed state. The use of the tapered face allows the radial movement of the activating member to be translated into axial movement of the first (and second if present) axially moveable actuating sleeve member(s). This allows one motion of the radially moveable activating member to move the actuatable sealing mechanism from the unsealed state to the sealed state. It further provides the advantage of allowing a smooth transition between these two states, which is desirable so as not to overly stress any of the materials which form the component parts of the actuatable sealing mechanism.
Preferably, a first tubular is provided within a second tubular, wherein the annulus of the fluid channel to be sealed is formed between the outer circumferential surface of the first tubular and the inner circumferential surface of the second tubular. The annulus to be sealed being the gap between these two tubulars allows embodiments of the invention to be used in many applications where an annulus of this kind must be sealed. Particularly, embodiments of the invention may be applied to two oil and gas tubulars used within for example a riser configuration or a pipeline. These are just examples of such application where it is often desirable to seal such an annulus. These are also just examples of applications where redundant seals are often required due to legislation or safety requirements.
Preferably, one of the first and second tubulars comprises a first recessed portion for housing the first axially moveable actuating sleeve member and the first elastomeric seal, and if the second axially moveable actuating sleeve member is present the same said one tubular further comprises a second recessed portion for housing the second axially moveable actuating sleeve member and the second elastomeric seal. This allows the first tubular to be run inside of or located at least partially within the second tubular, typically in a co-axial manner, with the first (and if present second) axially moveable actuating sleeve member(s) and first (and if present second) elastomeric seals being in the unsealed state which allows for relative axial movement (which may typically be telescopic movement) of the first and second tubulars to occur without causing damage to either of the first (and if present second) elastomeric seals. The recessed portion effectively hides the first (and if present second) elastomeric seals in a retracted position away from the other of the first and second tubular such that the first (and if present second) elastomeric seals cannot be damaged or otherwise suffer from excessive friction.
The said one of the first and second tubulars comprising a first recessed portion for housing the first axially moveable actuating sleeve member and the first elastomeric seal, and a second recessed portion for housing the second axially moveable actuating sleeve member and the second elastomeric seal when the second seal is present also provides the advantage that the first axially moveable actuating sleeve member and first elastomeric seal can be housed in a first recessed portion which can be separate from a second recessed portion which houses the second axially moveable actuating sleeve member and the second elastomeric seal. Particularly, the first recessed portion and the second recessed portion may be separate recessed portions if each of the first recessed portion and the second recessed portion are formed in or provided in different components (of an integration joint assembly for example). In this regard, the first recessed portion may be located in an RCD, for example, and the second recessed portion may be located in an upper packer cartridge, for example. On the other hand, the first recessed portion and second recessed portion may be the same recessed portion or may be viewed as the same recessed portion within a part of a single component of an integration joint assembly, for example. In this regard, the first recessed portion and second recessed portion may be recessed into a single component of the integration joint assembly, for example it or they may be recessed into an RCD or a lower packer cartridge or upper packer cartridge, for example.
Either of the said one or the other of the first and second tubular may house the radially moveable activating member.
In certain embodiments, the said one of the first and second tubular houses the radially moveable activating member.
Preferably, in all embodiments, the second (outer) tubular houses the radially moveable activating member, typically on its outer surface.
Typically, the radially moveable activating member is positioned on the outer of the first and second tubulars, such that the radially moveable activating member is moveable in the inwardly radial direction (i.e. towards the central longitudinal axis of the axially moveable actuating sleeve members) when moving the actuatable sealing mechanism from the unsealed state to the sealed state and may be moveable in the outwardly radial direction (i.e. away from the central longitudinal axis of the axially moveable actuating sleeve members) when moving the actuatable sealing mechanism from the sealed state to the unsealed state.
The radially moveable activating member may be operated by a powered movement mechanism such as a hydraulic movement mechanism for example, which may be connected to the radially moveable activating member located on the second (outer) tubular.
In some embodiments, the second (outer) tubular comprises both the recessed portion for housing the axially moveable actuating sleeve member(s) and the first elastomeric seal, and also houses the radially moveable activating member typically on its outer surface. Embodiments having this arrangement may find particular utility in, for example, telescoping barrel assemblies for use in pipes and pipelines to accommodate expansion and contraction therein.
In some other embodiments, whilst the radially moveable activating member is housed or mounted on the outer tubular, the first (and if present second) seal is/are located on (ie around the outer circumference of) the inner tubular thus providing an actuatable sealing mechanism capable of remote activation of the elastomeric seals to seal the annulus.
Optionally, in certain embodiments, the locking means can further comprise a first part of a latch mechanism being provided in association with the radially moveable activating member further, and a second part of a latch mechanism being provided in association with the first tubular, wherein the first and second parts can be engaged to provide a lock therebetween, and more preferably provide a lock to prevent movement and most preferably prevent axial movement occurring between the first and second tubulars. The first and second parts of the latch mechanism preferably comprise a latch member and a slot into which the latch member can move. Preferably, the first tubular comprises the slot for receiving the radially moveable activating member therein. Preferably, the slot is formed around the outer circumference of the first tubular and the latch member is provided on a radially innermost end of the radially moveable activating member, such that inwards radial movement of the activating member firstly axially moves the actuating sleeve member(s) to axially compress and thereby radially expand the elastomeric seal(s) and secondly moves the latch member into the said slot to provide the axial lock between the first and second tubulars. Preferably, the slot is sized and configured such that when the radially moveable activating member is received therein, the first and second tubulars cannot move axially relative to each other. This stops relative axial movement of the first and second tubulars and so axially locks the actuatable sealing mechanism when the radially moveable activating member is moved from the unlocked state to the locked state. This provides a configuration wherein the latch member of the radially moveable activating member can be securely engaged within the said slot of the first tubular to effectively arrest the movement of the first tubular with respect to the second tubular.
Such embodiments allow the actuatable sealing mechanism to provide both a locking and sealing function. Preferably, such embodiments of the locking means are configured such that in use in the sealed state the first and second tubulars cannot move relative to each other, and in the unsealed state the first and second tubulars can move relative to each other. This provides such embodiments with the advantage wherein, when the locking means is moved from the unlocked state to the locked state, the two tubulars cannot move relative to each other. This has the further advantage of protecting the elastomeric seal which is moved from the unsealed state to the sealed state as the radially moveable activating member moves from the unlocked state to the locked state. Furthermore, in addition to those advantages, such embodiments of the locking means has a dual function in that it arrests the movement of the two tubulars relative to each other, whilst activating the first (and if present second) axially moveable actuating sleeve member(s) to radially move the elastomeric seals to seal the annulus between the two tubulars.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of sealing a fluid channel provided between two co-axially arranged tubular members comprising the steps of:—
providing an actuatable sealing mechanism in accordance with the first aspect; and
moving the radially moveable activating member radially towards a central longitudinal axis of the tubular members,
which said radial movement results in axial movement of at least one moveable actuating sleeve member,
and which said axial movement results in compression of the elastomeric seal in an axial direction,
and which said axial movement results in expansion of the elastomeric seal in a radial direction such that the actuatable sealing mechanism is translated from the unsealed state to a sealed state to seal the fluid channel.
This provides a method of selectively sealing a fluid channel, and also provides a method of retracting the seal away from the fluid channel when it is not required to be in the sealed position.
Preferably, the step of providing an actuatable sealing mechanism may further comprise providing a second elastomeric seal and a second axially moveable actuating member and which may be similar to the first elastomeric seal and first axially moveable actuating sleeve member. This provides a method wherein the activation of a first and second elastomeric seal causes the sealing of a fluid channel at two points, thus providing sufficient sealing redundancy.
Preferably, the step of moving the first axially moveable actuating sleeve member to compress the first elastomeric seal in the first axial direction such that the first elastomeric seal is expanded in a radial direction to seal the channel may further comprise moving the second axially moveable actuating sleeve member in a second axial direction (which is preferably opposite to the first axial direction) to axially compress the second elastomeric seal. This allows the movement of one component in the form of the radially moveable activating member between the two axially moveable actuating sleeve members to move the axially moveable actuating sleeve members in opposite axial directions which will in turn move each of the respective first and second elastomeric seals radially to seal the fluid channel.
Preferably, the method further comprises the step of inserting a radially moveable activating member between the first axially moveable actuating sleeve member and the second axially moveable actuating sleeve member to push the first and second axially moveable actuating sleeve member from the unsealed state to the sealed state. The use of a radially moveable activating member being inserted between the first and second axially moveable actuating sleeve member allows just one component to be inserted and the resultant effect is that both elastomeric seals are activated by this one component (the radially moveable activating member). This provides a method which is simple but effective to operate both elastomeric seals. The simplicity of the design improves reliability, ease of manufacturing and simplifies and reduces the cost of maintenance.
Preferably, the method further comprises the step of moving the first tubular relative to the second tubular with the actuatable sealing mechanism in the unsealed state. This allows the first and second tubular members to be moved without damaging the elastomeric seal, thus ensuring that the elastomeric seal is in working order when required and reducing the maintenance required on the elastomeric seal. Reducing the wear on the elastomeric seal in this way helps to improve the reliability of the actuatable sealing mechanism, and reduces failures.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an elastically deformable resilient annular seal for installation into an annular groove, wherein in cross-section the seal comprises:
a substantially flat tubular surface for contact with a circumferential and flat surface of the annular groove;
a convex sealing surface opposite the said flat surface; and
a first convex connecting surface and a second convex connecting surface;
wherein each of the first and second connecting surfaces connect the convex sealing surface to the said flat surface.
Optionally the said substantially flat tubular surface is an inner circumferential surface of the seal.
Alternatively, the said substantially flat tubular surface is an outer circumferential surface of the seal.
Typically, the first convex connecting surface comprises:—
a first end which connects it to a first end of the said flat surface; and
a second end which connects it to a first end of the convex sealing surface.
Typically, the second convex connecting surface comprises:—
a first end which connects it to a second end of the said flat surface; and
a second end which connects it to a second end of the convex sealing surface.
Preferably, the junction between the first end of the said flat surface and the first end of the first convex connecting surface comprises a rounded corner having a radius thereon. This has the advantage of reducing the shear stress experienced at that junction.
Preferably, the junction between the second end of the said flat surface and the first end of the second convex connecting surface comprises a rounded corner having a radius thereon. This also has the advantage of reducing the shear stress experienced at that junction particularly during axial compression of the seal.
Preferably, the first convex connecting surface comprises a curved surface which gradually arcs from its first end to its second end toward a radius plane (i.e. the plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis of the seal) such the second end of the first convex connecting surface lies on the radius plane in a direction parallel to the radius plane.
Preferably, the second convex connecting surface comprises a curved surface which gradually curves from its first end to its second end toward the radius plane (i.e. the plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis of the seal) such the second end of the second convex connecting surface lies on the radius plane in a direction parallel to the radius plane.
The convex sealing surface comprises a semi-circular or more preferably, a semioval shape, where the first end preferably curves from the midpoint of the convex sealing surface (which is preferably parallel to the longitudinal central axis of the seal) towards its first end in a gradually reducing radius until the first end lies on the radius plane in a direction parallel to the radius plane at which point it meets the first end of the first convex connecting surface, such that there is no corner nor otherwise angled junction between the said two ends. This has the advantage of reducing the shear stress experienced at that area of the seal particularly during axial compression of the seal.
Preferably, the second end of the convex sealing surface curves from the midpoint of the convex sealing surface towards its second end in a gradually reducing radius until the second end lies on the radius plane in a direction parallel to the radius plane at which point it meets the second end of the second convex connecting surface, such that there is no corner nor otherwise angled junction between the said two ends. This also has the advantage of reducing the shear stress experienced at that area of the seal particularly during axial compression of the seal.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided an integration joint assembly for use in drilling operations, the integration joint assembly comprising:—
an integration joint body comprising:—
a through bore;
an upper end adapted for connection with an upper portion of a riser system; and
a lower end adapted for connection with a lower portion of a riser system;
the integration joint assembly being adapted to permit a tubular work string to pass there through such that there is an annulus created between the inner through bore of the integration joint body and the outer surface of the tubular work string;
wherein the integration joint assembly further comprises at least one sealing device adapted in use to provide a seal within the said annulus; and
wherein the said at least one sealing device and the integration joint body are adapted such that the said at least one sealing device is capable of being located within the through bore of the integration joint body such that there is a fluid channel located between the inner surface of the through bore of the integration joint body and the outer surface of the said at least one sealing device; and
at least one actuatable sealing mechanism in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, being arranged to selectively seal said fluid channel.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of drilling comprising the step of:—
installing an integration joint body according to the fourth aspect of the present invention in a riser string and running a tubular work string through the through bore thereof.
Preferably the integration joint assembly is for use in managed pressure drilling operations and typically the tubular work string is a drill string.
Preferably the said at least one sealing device is adapted to be located co-axially within the through bore of the integration joint body and more preferably the longitudinal length of the integration joint body is longer than the longitudinal length of the said at least one sealing device and more preferably the inner diameter of the integration joint body is greater than the outer diameter of the said at least one sealing device such that the said at least one sealing device is adapted to be wholly located co-axially within the integration joint body and most preferably the said at least one sealing device is adapted to be wholly located co-axially within the through bore of the integration joint body.
Preferably, the said at least one sealing device comprises at least one of:—
a rotation control device (RCD); and
at least one annular seal device;
wherein at least one of the rotation control device and the annular seal device are adapted to be located within the through bore of the integration joint body. Preferably, the integration joint body is adapted to be able to house both of a rotation control device (RCD) and two annular seal devices within its through bore, preferably in series/in line along its longitudinal length.
Preferably, at least one of the rotation control device and the annular seal device can be:—
i) run into the through bore of the integration body, typically through an upper portion of the riser string which typically includes a telescopic joint; and
ii) locked to the integration joint body within the through bore of the integration joint body.
Preferably at least one of the rotation control device and the annular seal device are capable of being unlocked from and more preferably retrieved from the through bore of the integration joint body, typically by pulling it upwards through the through bore of the integration joint body and further pulling it upwards through the through bore of the upper portion of the riser system (which may include the telescopic joint).
Preferably the rotation control device is arranged to be located above the annular seal device within the through bore of the integration joint body.
Preferably there are two annular seal devices and more preferably there is an upper annular seal device and a lower annular seal device.
Preferably the rotation control device and the one or more annular seal devices are locked within the through bore by at least one locking device. More preferably, each of the rotation control device and the one or more annular seal devices comprise their own respective locking device.
Typically, the radially moveable activating member according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises the locking device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention.
Preferably the respective locking device of each of the rotation control device and the one or more annular seal devices can be separately locked and unlocked as required.
The rotation control device may be retrieved and run into the through bore on its own by a running/retrieval tool or alternatively, may be retrieved and run into the through bore with at least one of the annular sealing devices.
One or both of the rotation control device and the at least one annular seal device may be located within the through bore of and locked to the integration joint body when the integration joint body is installed within the riser string; or
one or both of the rotation control device and the at least one annular seal device may be run into the through bore of the integration body through the through bore of an upper portion of the riser string (which could include the telescopic joint) and be locked to the integration joint body within the through bore of the integration joint body after the integration joint body has been installed within riser string.
Typically, suitable seals such as (but not limited to) O-ring seals, pressure activated seals or mechanically activated seals are provided to act between the outer surface of the RCD and the inner through bore of the integration joint body. Preferably said seals are provided on and/or around the outer circumferential surface of the RCD such that they act to seal the gap between the outer surface of the RCD and the inner through bore of the integration joint body.
Additionally, further suitable seals such as (but not limited to) O-ring, pressure activated seals or mechanically activated seals are typically provided to act between the outer surface of the said at least one annular seal and the inner through bore of the integration joint body. Preferably said seals are provided on and/or around the outer circumferential surface of the said at least one annular seal such that they act to seal the gap between the outer surface of the said at least one annular seal and the inner through bore of the integration joint body.
Typically, suitable seals such as (but not limited to) O-ring, pressure activated seals or mechanically activated seals are provided to act between the adjoining ends of the RCD and the said at least one annular seal.
Preferably the integration joint body comprises a seat or other formation formed on its inner through bore preferably at a location on its inner diameter and which prevents the rotation control device and the one or more annular seal devices from moving any lower through the integration joint body than said seat. Typically, the said seat is a formation formed on the inner diameter of the integration joint body and more preferably said formation comprises a narrower inner diameter load bearing shoulder than the outer diameter of at least a portion of the rotation control device and the one or more annular seal devices such that the said portion seats upon said shoulder and thus any further downward movement of the rotation control device and the one or more annular seal devices is arrested. Typically, the said formation comprises a narrower inner diameter load bearing shoulder than the outer diameter of at least a portion of a lowermost annular seal device.
Typically, the RCD comprises an RCD body member and at least one and preferably two seals which more preferably are rotatable with respect to the RCD body member. Typically, the RCD further comprises a bearing to couple each respective seal to the RCD body member such that the said each respective seal is rotatable on the bearing with respect to the stationary RCD body member such that the said each respective seal seals against and is rotatable with the drill string which passes through the through bore of the integration joint body. Preferably the RCD comprises a pair of longitudinally spaced apart rotatable seals such that the RCD comprises an in use upper most rotatable seal and a lowermost rotatable seal. Preferably each of the upper and lower rotatable seals is formed from a resilient material such as rubber or polyurethane or any other suitable material and has an inner diameter which is a friction fit or comprises a smaller inner diameter that the outer diameter of the drill string such that each of the upper and lower rotatable seals elastically stretches to accommodate the drill string and seals against the outer surface of the drill string such that it does not permit drilling fluid located in the annulus to pass through the through bore of the RCD in the upwards direction from downhole to up-hole.
Typically, each of the said annular seals comprises an in use de-energised or deflated inner diameter which is greater than the outer diameter of the drill string which passes there through such that when each of the said annular seals in use is de-energised it allows the free movement of the drill string there through and therefore does not impede the movement there through and therefore does not seal against the outer diameter of the drill string.
In addition, each of the said annular seals typically comprises an in use energised or inflated inner diameter which is smaller than the outer diameter of the drill string which passes there through such that when each of the said annular seals in use is energised it seals against the outer diameter of the drill string and therefore does not permit drilling fluid located in the annulus to pass through the through bore of the annular seal in the upwards direction from downhole to up-hole. Preferably each annular seal can be selectively energised or de-energised by the respective introduction or removal of fluid from a cavity in fluid communication with a surface of the said annular seal and more preferably said cavity is in fluid communication with an outer surface of the said annular seal such that when fluid is pumped into said cavity, the said annular seal is forced inwards into contact with tubular work string passing through the integration joint body to thereby form a seal in the annulus between the outer surface of the tubular work string and the inner through bore of the integration joint body.
The embodiments of the present invention have many advantages including great flexibility due to the modular nature of the sealing devices and the skilled person will understand that the RCD may be omitted if the riser system in question requires to be run in a conventional mode (not managed pressure drilling) but be able to maintain the ability to operate as a gas handling joint.
Embodiments of the present invention have the great advantage that the riser string does not need to be pulled up and taken apart in order to replace any one or more than one of the rotation control device and the at least one annular seal device because they can be run into and retrieved from the through bore of the integration joint body.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a pipe sealing mechanism for sealing an annular fluid channel between an inner pipe and an outer pipe, the pipe sealing mechanism comprising:—
an actuatable sealing mechanism in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, being arranged to selectively seal said fluid channel.
Preferably, outer tubular comprises both a recessed portion for housing the axially moveable actuating sleeve member and the first elastomeric seal, and also houses the radially moveable activating member, typically on its outer surface. Preferably, the actuatable sealing mechanism is arranged such that inwards radial movement of the activating member firstly axially moves the actuating sleeve member to axially compress and thereby radially expand the elastomeric seal inwards towards the inner tubular until the elastomeric seal seals against the outer circumference of the inner tubular.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of sealing an annular fluid channel between an inner pipe and an outer pipe, the method comprising the steps of:—
providing a pipe sealing mechanism according to the sixth aspect of the present invention; and
actuating the pipe sealing mechanism to seal the said annular fluid channel.
The accompanying drawings illustrate presently exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain, by way of example, the principles of the disclosure.
In the description that follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals, respectively. The drawings are not necessarily to scale. Certain features of the invention may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form and some details of conventional elements may not be shown in the interest of clarity and conciseness. The present invention is susceptible to embodiments of different forms. Specific embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings and herein will be described in detail, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to that illustrated and described herein. It is to be fully recognized that the different teachings of the embodiments discussed below may be employed separately or in any suitable combination to produce the desired results.
The following definitions will be followed in the specification. As used herein, the term “wellbore” refers to a wellbore or borehole being provided or drilled in a manner known to those skilled in the art. The wellbore may be ‘open hole’ or ‘cased’, being lined with a tubular string. Reference to up or down will be made for purposes of description with the terms “above”, “up”, “upward”, “upper” or “upstream” meaning away from the bottom of the wellbore along the longitudinal axis of a work string toward the surface and “below”, “down”, “downward”, “lower” or “downstream” meaning toward the bottom of the wellbore along the longitudinal axis of the work string and away from the surface and deeper into the well, whether the well being referred to is a conventional vertical well or a deviated well and therefore includes the typical situation where a rig is above a wellhead and the well extends down from the wellhead into the formation, but also horizontal wells where the formation may not necessarily be below the wellhead. Similarly, ‘work string’ refers to any tubular arrangement for conveying fluids and/or tools from a surface into a wellbore. In the present invention, drill string is the preferred work string.
The various aspects of the present invention can be practiced alone or in combination with one or more of the other aspects, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant arts. The various aspects of the invention can optionally be provided in combination with one or more of the optional features of the other aspects of the invention. Also, optional features described in relation to one embodiment can typically be combined alone or together with other features in different embodiments of the invention. Additionally, any feature disclosed in the specification can be combined alone or collectively with other features in the specification to form an invention.
Various embodiments and aspects of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. Still other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the entire description thereof, including the figures, which illustrates a number of exemplary embodiments and aspects and implementations. The invention is also capable of other and different embodiments and aspects and its several details can be modified in various respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like is included in the specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all of these matters formed part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention.
Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. Furthermore, the terminology and phraseology used herein is solely used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as limiting in scope. Language such as “including”, “comprising”, “having”, “containing” or “involving” and variations thereof, is intended to be broad and encompass the subject matter listed thereafter, equivalents and additional subject matter not recited and is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. In this disclosure, whenever a composition, an element or a group of elements is preceded with the transitional phrase “comprising”, it is understood that we also contemplate the same composition, element or group of elements with transitional phrases “consisting essentially of”, “consisting”, “selected from the group of consisting of”, “including” or “is” preceding the recitation of the composition, element or group of elements and vice versa. In this disclosure, the words “typically” or “optionally” are to be understood as being intended to indicate optional or non-essential features of the invention which are present in certain examples but which can be omitted in others without departing from the scope of the invention.
All numerical values in this disclosure are understood as being modified by “about”. All singular forms of elements, or any other components described herein including (without limitations) components of the assembly are understood to include plural forms thereof and vice.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:—
Moreover, the integration joint body 10 comprises a through bore 16 having an inner through bore surface 18, an outer diameter surface 20 and a side wall 22 such that the integration joint body 10 is generally tubular along its longitudinal length.
The side wall 22 is generally sealed along its length such that pressurised fluids located within the integration joint body 10 and thus the rest of the riser string are safely contained by and within the side wall 22 of the integration joint body 10.
However, if MPD is required then the system shown in
Next, an operator attaches a lower packer cartridge assembly 100, with an upper packer cartridge assembly 200 located above the lower packer cartridge assembly 100 and also attaches an RCD bearing assembly 300 just above the upper packer cartridge assembly 200 to the running tool 54, such that the running tool 54 (and the drill string 50 located below it) are lowered into the through bore 16 of the integration joint body 10 such that the lower packer cartridge assembly 100, upper packer cartridge assembly 200 and RCD bearing assembly 300 are run into the through bore of the telescopic joint and rest of upper portion of the riser system and then into the through bore of the integration joint body 10 in order to form the integration joint assembly 5 in accordance with the present invention and this point in the operation is shown in
The lower packer cartridge assembly 100 is shown in more detail in
The inner through bore surface 105 of the lower packer cartridge body 104 is further provided with a retrieval profile 110 formed therein and which in use can be latched into by the running tool 54 having a suitably configured and co-operating retrieval profile 56 (seen in
The lower packer cartridge assembly 100 further comprises a groove 114 formed circumferentially around the outer surface of the lower packer cartridge body 104 where, in use, an operator can extend lower packer cartridge locking dogs 60 through the side wall 22 of the integration joint body 10 into the groove 114 in order to longitudinally lock the lower packer cartridge assembly 100 in place at the lower end within the through bore 16 of the integration joint body 10 as will be described subsequently.
Lower packer cartridge seals 109 (see
Upper Packer Cartridge Assembly 200—
The upper packer cartridge assembly 200 is broadly speaking relatively similar to the lower packer cartridge assembly 100, and thus similar components and features of the upper packer cartridge assembly 200 to those of the lower packer cartridge assembly 100 are indicated with the same reference numeral but with the addition of 100.
In general terms though, the upper packer cartridge assembly 200 is slightly longer along the longitudinal axis than the lower packer cartridge assembly 100 and the retrieval profile 210 is formed on the inner through bore surface 207 of the upper packer end cap 206 (instead of being formed on the inner through bore surface 205). In addition, the very lower end of the upper packer end cap 206 is provided with a spigot 216 which further comprises seals such as O-ring seals 217 formed about its outer circumferential surface and which is arranged to project into and therefore seal against (by means of the seals 217) against the inner surface of socket joint 118 provided at the upper end of the lower packer cartridge body 104.
Upper packer cartridge seals 209 (see
The RCD bearing assembly 300 is best seen in
The RCD bearing assembly 300 further comprises an upper RCD seal 304 arranged within a recess 303 within the RCD bearing body 306 where the upper RCD seal 304 is further connected to the RCD bearing body 306 at its upper end by means of a rotatable bearing 308 such that the upper RCD seal 304 can rotate about the longitudinal axis 307 with respect to the stationary RCD bearing body 306. The RCD bearing assembly 300 further comprises a groove or recess 314 formed circumferentially about or around the outer surface of the RCD bearing body 306 where, in use, an operator can extend RCD assembly locking dogs 68 through the side wall 27 of the integration joint body 10 into the groove 314 in order to longitudinally lock the RCD bearing assembly 300 in place at the upper end of the through bore 16 within the integration joint body 10 as will be described subsequently.
RCD bearing assembly seals 317 are provided on the outer diameter of the RCD bearing assembly 300 to seal against the inner diameter 18 of the integration joint body 10 to seal the annulus 24 between the outer diameter of the RCD bearing assembly 300 and the inner diameter 18 of the integration joint body 10 and thereby prevent any fluid in the riser string from leaking past the outer surface of the RCD bearing assembly 300.
In the first example of an integration joint described with reference to
An embodiment of an improved integration joint assembly 1005 in accordance with the fourth aspect of the present invention and utilising at least one actuatable sealing mechanism in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, and which therefore utilises at least one elastically deformable resilient seal in accordance with the third aspect of the invention, is now described. This embodiment of the integration joint assembly 1005 is broadly speaking in some respects relatively similar to the first integration joint assembly 5 of the first example described above with reference to
Referring now to
The sets of sealing assemblies (1), (2), (3) are arranged as follows:
(1) The first set of sealing assemblies 1030a, 1030b are positioned between the lower packer cartridge assembly 1100 and the upper packer cartridge 1200, and are capable of locking the lower packer cartridge assembly 1100 in place within the integration joint body 1010.
The locking dogs 1060a, 1060b are for longitudinally locking (i.e. stopping the relative axial (and optionally also relative rotational) movement of) the lower packer cartridge assembly 1100 and the integration joint body 1010. The locking dogs 1060a, 1060b are also for actuating the actuatable sealing mechanisms 1070, 1072 to provide a fluid tight seal between the outer surface of the lower packer cartridge assembly 1100 and the inner surface 1018 of the integration joint body 1010, and to provide a fluid tight seal between the outer surface of the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 and the inner surface 1018 of the integration joint body 1010.
(2) The second set of sealing assemblies 1034a, 1034b are positioned at the approximate midpoint of the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200, and are capable of locking the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 in place within the integration joint body 1010.
The locking dogs 1064a, 1064b are for longitudinally locking (i.e. stopping the relative axial (and optionally also relative rotational) movement of) the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 and the integration joint body 1010, and for actuating the actuatable sealing mechanisms 1074, 1076 to provide a fluid tight seal between the outer surface of the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 and the inner surface 1018 of the integration joint body 1010.
(3) The third set of sealing assemblies 1038a and 1038b are positioned at the upper end of the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 and the approximate midpoint of the RCD bearing assembly 1300, in such a way that the sealing assemblies 1038a, 1038b are capable of locking the RCD bearing assembly 1300 in place within the integration joint body 1010.
The locking dogs 1068a, 1068b are for longitudinally locking (i.e. stopping the relative axial (and optionally also relative rotational) movement of) the RCD bearing assembly 1300 and the integration joint body 1010 by locating into a groove 1314 (not shown) provided around the outer surface of the RCD bearing assembly 1300. The locking dogs 1068a, 1068b are also for actuating the actuatable sealing mechanism 1078 to provide a fluid tight seal between the outer surface of the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 and the inner surface 1018 of the integration joint body 1010, and for actuating an actuatable sealing mechanism (not shown) provided on the circumference of the RCD bearing assembly 1300 to provide a fluid tight seal between the outer surface of the RCD bearing assembly 1300 and the inner surface 1018 of the integration joint body 1010. Components of the locking dogs 1060a, 1060b, 1064a, 1064b, 1068a, 1068b will be described in more detail with reference to
The actuatable sealing mechanisms or assemblies 1030a, 1030b, 1034a, 1034b, 1038a, 1038b in accordance with the present invention provide advantages over the seals 109, 209, 317 used in the first example, and may be implemented in an integration joint assembly preferably instead of, or at least together with, one or more of the seals 109, 209, 317 of the first example, as will be further described.
A detailed view of the sealing assembly 1034a is shown in
The first actuatable sealing mechanism 1076 shown in
As shown in
The first and second actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b are positioned within respective first and second actuating sleeve grooves 1405a, 1405b, which are also radial circumferential recesses within and around the outer surface of the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200. The first and second actuating sleeve grooves 1405a, 1405b are shaped and sized such that the actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b can move axially (ie in the direction of Ax to Ax as shown in
The first and second elastomeric seals 1209a, 1209b are in accordance with the third aspect of the present invention and are substantially compressible in the axial directions (Ax) and have a suitable poisson's ratio such that compression in the axial direction (Ax) will cause a substantially large enough expansion in the radial direction (R) to provide a fluid tight seal between the outer surface of the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 and the inner surface 1018 of the integration joint body 1010 to thereby seal the annulus 1024 there between.
The first and second actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b are for contacting and compressing, respectively the first and second seals 1209a, 1209b. The first actuating sleeve 1400a is aligned with the first seal 1209a such that they share a central axis, the central axis projecting through the centre of the first seal 1209a and the first actuating sleeve 1400a, thus allowing the first actuating sleeve 1400a to axially move (ie in the direction Ax to Ax) and impinge upon the first seal 1209a equally at all points around the circumference of the first seal 1209a.
The first and second actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b are substantially non-compressible and substantially non-deformable and are configured to move axially (Ax) with respect to the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200. The first and second actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b are typically made from a suitable grade of steel, however any suitable material may be selected.
Still referring to
The first and second actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b are spaced apart such that the latch 1410 can be inserted between the actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b to move the actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b axially in the direction Ax from the unsealed state to the sealed state. It will be understood with reference to
Still referring to
The flat inner surface 1430 assists in ensuring that compression of the first seal 1209a axially causes radial expansion, radially outwards, to seal the annular gap 1024 between the outer surface of the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 and the inner surface 1018 of the integration joint body 1010.
In the described embodiment, the first elastomeric seal 1209a is made from a sufficiently elastic and resilient material, such as rubber or polyurethane or any other suitable material, with an inner surface 1430 diameter of around 17 inches, an axial dimension (A) of around 0.75 inches and a radial dimension (B) of around 0.452 inches, when in the unlocked and unsealed position. This larger axial dimension (A) than radial dimension (B) also assists in ensuring that the first seal 1209a is configured to sufficiently expand radially when compressed axially, so as to seal the annulus 1024 between the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 and the integration joint body 1010.
The elastomeric seal 1209a comprises a substantially flat tubular inner circumferential surface or throughbore 1430 for contact with the circumferential and flat outer surface of the annular groove 1211a. It also comprises a convex sealing surface 1432 opposite the said flat surface 1430, where the convex sealing surface 1432 is preferably semioval in shape, curving through 180 degrees on a gradually reducing radius from one end to the other. The elastomeric seal 1209a also comprises a first convex connecting surface 1434 which is preferably of constant radius such as 0.375 inches and a second convex connecting surface 1436 which is also preferably of constant radius such as 0.375 inches. Each of the first 1434 and second 1436 connecting surfaces connect the convex sealing surface 1432 to the said flat surface 1430.
The mid-point M-M of the depth of the first seal 1209a is shown as having the depth of 0.226 inches and is therefore half of the depth of the first seal 1209a that being 0.452 inches. The mid-point M-M also serves as the transition or juncture between the curvature of the semioval convex sealing surface 1432 which extends all the way round from the first mid-point M (the upper mid-point M shown in
In addition, the convex sealing surface 1432 comprises a varying radius which starts out relatively large at the centre point CP of the convex sealing surface 1432 but starts to reduce in diameter toward each end of the convex sealing surface 1432 as it approaches the junction with each of the first 1434 and second 1436 convex connecting surfaces. In other words, the first convex connecting surface 1434 comprises a curved surface which curves or arcs from its first end (at the junction with C1) to its second end (at its flat or seamless join with the first end of the convex sealing surface 1432) toward a radius plane (i.e. the plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis of the seal 1209a) such the second end of the first convex connecting surface 1434 lies on the radius plane in a direction parallel to the radius plane. In addition, the second convex connecting surface 1436 comprises a curved surface which curves or arcs from its first end (at the junction with C2) to its second end (at its flat or seamless join with the second end of the convex sealing surface 1432) toward the radius plane (i.e. the plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis of the seal) such the second end of the second convex connecting surface 1436 lies on the radius plane in a direction parallel to the radius plane.
The semioval shape of the convex sealing surface 1432 means that the first end thereof preferably curves from the midpoint CP of the convex sealing surface 1432 (which is preferably parallel to the longitudinal central axis of the seal 1209a) towards its first end in a gradually reducing radius until the first end lies on the radius plane in a direction parallel to the radius plane at which point it meets the first end of the first convex connecting surface in a seamless manner, such that there is no corner nor otherwise angled junction between the said two ends. This has the advantage of reducing the shear stress experienced at that area of the seal 1209a particularly during axial compression of the seal 1209a.
Preferably, the second end of the convex sealing surface 1432 curves from the midpoint CP of the convex sealing surface 1432 towards its second end in a gradually reducing radius until the second end lies on the radius plane in a direction parallel to the radius plane at which point it meets the second end of the second convex connecting surface 1436 in a seamless manner, such that there is no corner nor otherwise angled junction between the said two ends. This also has the advantage of reducing the shear stress experienced at that area of the seal 1209a particularly during axial compression of the seal 1209a.
This geometric arrangement of the first seal 1209 has the advantage that it increases the ability of the first seal 1209a to expand radially as the first seal 1209a is compressed axially. In addition, the geometry also assists in enhancing the seal and indeed the movement of the first seal 1209a into the corners of the groove recess 1211a as will be shown subsequently. It will be understood that different dimensions may be used, and may be required with different materials. The first seal 1209a is shown in
Similarly, to the flat inner surface 1430 of the first seal 1209a being registered with the shape of the first seal groove 1211a, the first actuating sleeve 1400a comprises a flat inner surface 1218 which is registered with the cylindrical shape of the first actuating sleeve groove 1405a, such that the first actuating sleeve 1400a can be positioned and seat in the first actuating sleeve groove 1405a in the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200. The corresponding flat inner surface 1218 and first actuating sleeve groove 1405a assist in ensuring that the first actuating sleeve 1400a can move axially within the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200.
Referring to
Furthermore, the first actuating sleeve 1400a comprises a stepped configuration, wherein registration of the shape of the first actuating sleeve 1400a and the first actuating sleeve groove 1405a allows axial movement of the first actuating sleeve 1400a, and provides a gap 1224 (see
Referring now to
The slot 1221 comprises a first wall 1223a and a second wall 1223b, each wall 1223a, 1223b being for arresting the axial movement of the first actuating sleeve 1400a. In the unsealed and unlocked position, the first actuating sleeve 1400a is arrested from moving further by the pin 1222 contacting the first wall 1223a. In the sealed and locked position, the first actuating sleeve 1400a is arrested from moving further by the pin 1222 contacting the second wall 1223b. The sizing of the pin 1222 and corresponding slot 1221 determines the allowable movement between the unsealed and unlocked position, and the sealed and locked position, and ensures that the first actuating sleeve 1400a cannot fall out of the first actuating sleeve groove 1405a.
It will be appreciated that, as described with reference to
In the unlocked and unsealed state, the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 can be run within the integration joint body 1010, thus allowing the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 to either be installed within or removed from the integration joint body 1010, without any contact between the seals 1209a, 1209b and the integration joint body 1010. This ensures the integrity of the seals 1209a, 1209b and ensures that the seals 1209a, 1209b are not damaged or worn by being run into or pulled from the integration joint body 1010. The same advantage is accorded to the lower packer cartridge assembly 1100 and RCD bearing assembly 1300 for the same reasons.
Installation and Retrieval of Cartridge Assemblies 100, 200 and RCD Bearing Assembly 300 into and from Through Bore 16 of the Integration Joint Body 10
Once the lower seat 120 of the lower packer cartridge assembly 100 has landed on the load shoulder 26, the integration joint assembly 5 is complete in that it now comprises the integration joint body 10 and within its through bore are now located the lower and upper packer cartridge assemblies 100, 200 and the RCD bearing assembly 300.
Indeed, the seals 109, 209 on the outer diameter of the upper 200 and lower 100 packer cartridge assemblies are engaged on the inner diameter 18 of the integration joint body 10 and seals 317 provided on the outer diameter of the RCD bearing assembly 300 are also engaged on the inner diameter 18 of the integration joint body 10 in order to seal the annulus there between.
The upper RCD seal 304 and lower RCD seal 302 are generally formed of a resilient material such as rubber or polyurethane or any other suitable material and in use will act as a relatively tight sealing ring through which the operator (when conducting MPD operations) will physically push the drill pipe string in order to have the drill pipe string pass through the RCD bearing assembly 300. Accordingly, the lower RCD seal 302 and upper RCD seal 304 are adapted to stretch in the radially outwards direction as the drill pipe string 50 is pushed through them and indeed are adapted to always seal via their respective inner surfaces to the outer surface of the drill pipe string up to the point where the drill pipe string is removed from within their through bore or ultimately up until the point that the upper or lower RCD seals 302, 304 fail. Moreover, because each of the upper 304 and lower 302 RCD seals are provided with their respective bearings 305, 308, the lower 302 and upper 304 RCD seals will rotate with the drill pipe string when it rotates relative to the stationary riser string and integration joint body 10.
In order to prepare for MPD, the operator will lock the lower packer cartridge assembly 100, upper packer cartridge assembly 200 and RCD bearing assembly 300 in the position as shown in
Accordingly, the integration joint assembly 5 is now in the configuration as shown in
The operator then remotely actuates the upper packer cartridge locking dogs 68 in order to retract them from engagement with the groove 214 such that the upper packer cartridge assembly 200 is no longer locked in place within the integration joint body 10 and this stage is shown in
If the operator wishes to remove the lower packer cartridge assembly 100, the retrieval tool 54 is once again run down into the integration joint body 10 on the drill string 50 at the top thereof such that it is run through the telescopic joint (not shown) and into the integration joint body 10. The retrieval tool 54 is moved sufficiently downwards such that its retrieval profile 56 is moved into alignment with the retrieval profile 110 formed by the grooves provided on the inner surface of the through bore 105 of the lower packer cartridge body 104 until the respective profiles 56, 110 are in locking engagement with one another. It should be noted that the retrieval tool 54 and retrieval profile 56 could be the same retrieval tool 54 and retrieval profile 56 that were used to retrieve the upper packer cartridge assembly 200 although it may be that they could be different if operational requirements would find that beneficial. This point in the operation is shown in
Continued lifting of the drill pipe string and retrieval tool 54 lifts the lower packer cartridge assembly 100 out of the through bore 16 of the integration joint body 10 and through the telescopic joint (not shown) to the surface. This stage in the operation is shown in
If the operator wishes, the operator can repeat the stages shown in
In addition, the operator has additional flexibility in that it is possible to remove different combinations of the RCD bearing assembly 300 and the upper 200 and lower 100 packer cartridge assemblies depending upon operational requirements.
For example, the operator can decide to remove the RCD bearing assembly 300 and the upper packer cartridge assembly 200 as one unit by running the retrieval tool 54 from the surface down through the telescopic joint and into the through bore 16 of the integration joint body 10. The operator can arrange the running/retrieval tool 54 to lock into the grooved recessed profile on the inner diameter surface 205 of the upper packer cartridge assembly 200 and this stage of the operation is shown in
The operator will then remotely unlock the RCD assembly locking dogs 68 by retracting them through the side wall 22 and will also instruct the upper packer cartridge locking dogs 64 to retract again by withdrawing them back through the side wall 22 such that the RCD bearing assembly 300 and the upper packer cartridge assembly 200 are now unlocked with respect to the integration joint body 10. It should be noted that this unlocking can be achieved whilst fully maintaining operation of the lower packer cartridge assembly 100. Moreover, the lower packer cartridge assembly 100 may be energised or de-energised during this stage as shown in
Locking and Sealing of the Upper and Lower Packer Cartridge Assemblies 100, 1100, 200, 1200 and RCD Bearing Assemblies 300, 1300 Against the Through Bore 16, 1016 of the Integration Joint Body 10, 1010
In the first example, the lower packer cartridge seals 109 and upper packer cartridge seals 209 are provided on the outer diameter of the lower 100 and upper 200 packer cartridge assemblies, which respectively seal on the inner diameter of the integration joint body 10 and prevent any fluid in the riser string from leaking past the respective lower 100 and upper 200 packer cartridge assemblies.
Furthermore, the RCD bearing assembly seal 317 provided on the outer diameter of the RCD bearing assembly 300, seals on the inner diameter of the integration joint body 10.
In the first embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the integration joint body 1010 is locked and sealed with the lower packer cartridge 1100 and upper packer cartridge 1200, and the RCD bearing assembly 1300 if and when present. The method of locking and sealing the upper packer cartridge 1200 with the integration joint body 1010 using the first and second actuatable sealing mechanisms 1076, 1074 and the locking dogs 1064a, 1064b is now described with reference to
This allows the operator to pull components out of the integration joint assembly 1005 for servicing or replacement as required. When the integration joint assembly 1005 is to be reassembled with the lower packer cartridge 1100, upper packer cartridge 1200 and, although not shown in this embodiment, the RCD bearing assembly 1300 or other components, they are run into the integration joint body 1010 until they seat in their respective positions. In this unlocked and unsealed state the seals 1209a, 1209b are not protruding into the annulus 1024 and are not sealing the annulus 1024, and furthermore the seals 1209a, 1209b are retracted into the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 and so they are hidden from contact with any components such as the integration joint body 1010, which could damage the seals 1209a, 1209b if they are in contact with, whilst moving relative to, these components.
When the operator wishes to lock the integration joint body 1010 with the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 and seal the annulus 1024, the upper packer cartridge 1200 is moved to the correct position, as shown in
The first piston reservoir 1215a expands as it fills with hydraulic fluid, and the latch 1410 is pushed between the first and second actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b and into the slot 1214 of the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200. The tapered faces 1219a, 1219b of the latch 1410 engage with the respective tapered shoulders 1213a, 1213b of the first and second actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b. The direction of the taper of each of the tapered faces 1219a, 1219b and the tapered shoulders 1213a, 1213b, and the actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b being configured to be moved axially, allows the latch 1410 to move radially inward into the slot 1214 and push the actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b axially in opposite directions as it passes them.
As the tapered faces 1219a, 1219b of the latch 1410 push the actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b axially, the first and second seals 1209a, 1209b are compressed in their axial direction by the respective actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b. As more hydraulic fluid is pumped into the first piston reservoir 1215a, the latch 1410 continues to be pushed radially inward into the slot 1214 until the second dimension D2 is pushing against the actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b. The actuatable sealing mechanisms 1076, 1074 are then in the locked and sealed state (i.e. as shown in
In this locked and sealed state, the upper packer cartridge 1200 cannot move axially with respect to the integration joint body 1010, as this movement is arrested by the latch 1410 which is engaged into the slot 1214 of the upper packer cartridge 1200. The annulus 1024 is sealed by the first and second seals 1209a, 1209b which have expanded radially into the annulus 1024 and contacted the inner surface 1018 of the integration joint body 1010 to make a fluid tight seal.
When the operator wishes to unlock and unseal the actuatable sealing mechanisms 1076, 1074 from the locked and sealed state shown in
The first and second seals 1209a, 1209b are sufficiently resilient such that the first and second actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b will be moved, by the respective seal 1209a, 1209b, axially back to the unsealed and unlocked position as the latch 1410 is moved radially outward (i.e. out of the slot 1214).
The first and second seals 1209a, 1209b disengage from the inner surface 1018 of the integration joint body 1010 and are retracted back from protruding into the annulus 1024 as they push the respective first and second actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b back to the unsealed and unlocked position (as the seals 1209a, 1209b expand axially again).
Finally, as the latch 1410 is moved completely out of the slot 1214 and then out of the annulus 1024 and back into the position shown in
It will be understood that the actuatable sealing mechanisms 1076, 1074 may be implemented with any or preferably all of the locking dogs 1060a, 1060b, 1064a, 1064b, 1068a, 1068b. Furthermore, the locking dogs 60, 64, 68 may be adapted to incorporate actuatable sealing mechanisms as described herein, or indeed locking dogs 60, 64, 68 may no longer be required in some designs of integration joint assemblies if locking dogs 1060a, 1060b, 1064a, 1064b, 1068a, 1068b of the first embodiment are used, as these also lock the components inside the integration joint body 1010 whilst providing the sealing function.
The skilled person will however understand that other embodiments in accordance with the first and/or third and/or fourth aspects of the present invention could use different locking means/different locking dogs/latch arrangements in order to move or activate the first and second actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b and/or the first and second seals 1209a, 1209b such as by using the weight of the lower packer cartridge assembly 1100 and/or upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 and/or RCD bearing assembly 1300. Further alternative embodiments for activating the first and second actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b and/or the first and second seals 1209a, 1209b could include further modifying the embodiments of the locking means currently provided by the radially moveable activating member in the form of the locking dogs 1060a, 1060b, 1064a, 1064b, 1068a, 1068b and/or modifying the arrangement of the axially moveable actuating sleeve members currently provided by the actuating sleeves 1400a, 1400b).
The skilled person will also understand that actuatable sealing mechanisms in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention as described above in relation to the integration joint assembly 1005 of
Additional components and equipment can be added to the integration joint assembly 5 and embodiments of the integration joint assembly 1005 as required such as auxiliary lines (eg choke and kill lines) etc. without departing from the present invention.
Embodiments of the present invention have the great advantage over conventional integration joints that the integration joint assembly 1005 is much shorter in length than conventional integration joints and therefore, in use, the goose necks of the MPD flow spool will be much higher up the riser string and therefore are closer to the moon pool of the surface vessel thus allowing the operator much easier access to the drilling fluid return hoses that are connected to the goose necks of the MPD flow spool. In addition, whilst the integration joint assembly 1005 can be and is intended for managed pressure drilling, it can additionally be used for gas handling (in which case the RCD bearing assembly 1300 is not required).
It should also be noted that where the integration joint assembly 1005 is not used in a floating rig application, the integration joint assembly 1005 would not need to be located in line below the telescopic joint but for floating rig applications such as a semi-submersible or drill ship, the integration joint assembly 1005 is typically located within the riser string below the telescopic joint (not shown).
Embodiments of the present invention also have the advantage that instead of pressurised hydraulic fluid being pumped into the cavity behind each of the lower 1102 and upper 1202 annular packer seals, pressurised gas could instead be pumped into that cavity via the respective hydraulic port 1108A, 1208A from the respective lower 1108B and upper 1208B packer hydraulic fluid extend ports.
The lower 1100 and upper 1200 packer cartridge assemblies can be used for a wide range of scenarios such as, but not limited to:—
sealing on the drill pipe string 1050 when the RCD bearing assembly 1300 seals 1302, 1304 fail;
as a back up to the RCD bearing assembly 1300;
for stripping drill pipe from the drill pipe string 1050 when removing/replacing the RCD bearing assembly 1300; or
for gas handling.
Embodiments of the present invention have the further advantage that the upper 1202 and lower 1102 annular packer seals are housed within separate cartridges 1200, 1100 and these cartridges 1100, 1200 are retrievable separately or can be retrieved together from the through bore 1016. In addition, the upper packer cartridge 1200 is additionally designed to have the RCD bearing assembly 1300 landed and housed thereon and this therefore allows the RCD bearing assembly 1300 to land and seal on the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 and this feature also allows both the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 and RCD bearing assembly 1300 to be run/retrieved from the through bore 16 through the riser string as one unit if desired.
Embodiments of the present invention have the further advantage that the upper and lower packer cartridge assemblies 1200, 1100 provide redundancy and the ability to change the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 whilst maintaining the lower packer assembly 1100 functionality. It would be possible however that modifications could be made to the integration joint assembly 1005 in order to have further packer seals or indeed just one packer seal such as that 1102 contained in the lower packer cartridge assembly 1100.
The RCD bearing assembly 1300 can be retrieved from the through bore 1016 whilst maintaining the functionality of both the lower 1100 and upper 1200 packer cartridge assemblies and the cartridge assemblies 1100, 1200 can remain locked in place in the through bore 1016 during removal and replacement of the RCD bearing assembly 1300.
The embodiments of the present invention have the further advantage that the upper packer cartridge 1200 can be retrieved whilst maintaining the functionality of the lower packer cartridge assembly 1100 which can remain locked in place within the through bore 1016 of the integration joint body 1010. In addition, the upper 1200 and lower 1100 packer cartridge assemblies can be retrieved collectively if desired or alternatively the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 can be retrieved on its own by the operator.
The locking dogs 1060, 1064, 1068 are incorporated into the integration joint body 1010 to independently lock the RCD bearing assembly 1300, upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 and lower packer cartridge assembly 1100 and these locking dogs, 1060, 1064, 1068 are hydraulically driven and extend radially inwards to lock on to their respective locking grooves 1314 in the RCD bearing assembly 1300 and groove 1214 in the upper packer cartridge assembly and locking groove 1114 in the lower packer cartridge assembly 1100. Moreover, the locking dogs 1060, 1064, 1068 can function independently or in any combination thereof and thus permit independent locking and unlocking for each of the RCD bearing assembly 1300, upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 and lower packer cartridge assembly 1100.
In addition, the embodiments of the present invention have the advantage that the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 lands on the lower packer cartridge assembly 1100 when being installed separately and the upper packer cartridge assembly 1200 comprises seals 1217 which seal against the inner surface of the socket joint 1118 once landed in the lower packer cartridge assembly 1100.
Embodiments of the present invention have the yet further and important advantage that any one, two or three of the RCD bearing assembly 1300, upper 1200 and lower 1100 packer cartridge assemblies can be replaced by running them through the through bore of the riser string from and into the through bore 1016 without having to dismantle the riser string and that advantage will provide very significant benefits to an operator.
Modifications and improvements may be made to the embodiments hereinbefore described without departing from the scope of the invention.
For example, the RCD bearing assembly 1300 could be modified to only have one of the upper 1304 or lower 1302 RCD seals (and the second embodiment of integration joint assembly shown in
Referring now to
Referring now to
Each sealing assembly 2030a, 2030b, 2034a, 2034b, 2038a, 2038b comprises a respective radially movement activating member in the form of a locking dog 2060a, 2060b, 2064a, 2064b, 2068a, 2068b which forms part of a respective actuatable sealing mechanism 2070, 2072, 2074, 2076, 2078. It should be noted that the sealing assembly 2038a, 2038b only comprise one actuatable sealing mechanism 2078 provided on its in use lower side. Furthermore, it should be noted that the pair of locking assemblies 2040a, 2040b do not comprise an actuatable sealing mechanism in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, but rather they are more similar to the locking dog arrangements of the first example shown in
Accordingly, and as can be seen in the cross-section view of
The sets of sealing assemblies (1), (2), (3) of the integration joint assembly 2005 are arranged in a similar manner to those of the first embodiment of integration joint assembly 1005. The additional fourth (4) set of sealing assemblies 2040a, 2040b are arranged to actuate their locking dogs 2069a, 2069b respectively into the groove or recess 2314 formed circumferentially about or around the outer surface of the RCD bearing body 2306 but are not arranged to provide a seal against the outer surface of the RCD bearing body 2306 because the RCD bearing body 2306 will be rotating with respect to the integration joint body 2010 when the lower RCD seal 2302 is sealing against the outer surface of the drill pipe string (not shown) which passes there through.
A detailed view of the part of the sealing assembly 2034a is shown in
The first actuatable sealing mechanism 2076 shown in
The elastomeric seal 2209a is positioned within a seal groove or recess 2211a formed around the outer circumference of the upper packer cartridge assembly 2200. The seal groove 2211a is a radial circumferential recess formed within and around the outer surface of the upper packer cartridge assembly 2200 and is formed with two orthogonal walls. The groove 2211a is sized such that when the actuatable sealing assembly 2076 is in the unlocked and unsealed state, the elastomeric seal 2209a is housed or located entirely within the groove 2211a such that the elastomeric seal 2209a does not protrude out of the groove 2211a beyond the outer diameter of the upper packer cartridge assembly 2200 and thus does not protrude into the annulus 2024 nor contact the integration joint body 2010 and is thus protected within the groove 2211a.
The actuating sleeve 2400a is positioned within its actuating sleeve groove 2405a which is also a radial circumferential recess within and around the outer surface of the upper packer cartridge assembly 2200. The actuating sleeve groove 2405a is shaped and sized such that the actuating sleeve 2400a can move axially within the respective groove 2405a when the sealing assembly 2076 translates or transforms between a) the unlocked and unsealed state and b) the locked and sealed state.
When the sealing assembly 2034a is in the unlocked/unsealed state, a gap 2224 (as shown in
The elastomeric seal 2209a is identical to the elastomeric seal 1209a as previously described. The locking dog 2064a and the hydraulically operated latch 2410 of the actuatable sealing mechanism 2034a are very similar if not identical to the locking dog 1064a and latch 1410 of the first embodiment shown in
Furthermore, in the second and preferred embodiment of actuatable sealing mechanism 2034a, a recess is cut into the inner diameter of the integration joint body 2010 and is then filled with a suitably hard material 2510 such as inconel or other suitable hard material and the recess 2508 and thus the hard material 2510 are located to be axially aligned with the elastomeric seal 2209a such that the elastomeric seal 2209a is arranged to seal against the hard material 2510 when it is radially expanded outwards. That has the advantage of providing an optimal sealing surface 2510 for the seal 2209a to seal against.
However,
The shear strain experienced by the elastomeric seal 2209a when significant bore pressure P, such as 3000 psi, is applied to the upstream side of the elastomeric seal 2209a in the sealed and locked state as shown in
Accordingly, the second embodiment of the actuatable sealing mechanism 2034a as hereinbefore described provides yet another embodiment of an actuatable sealing mechanism 2034a in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, in which the latch 2410 of the locking dog 2064a can move radially inwards to cause axial movement of the actuating sleeve 2400a to cause compression of the elastomeric seal 2209a in the axial direction and which thus causes radial expansion of the seal 2209a in the outwards direction toward the sealing surface provided by the hard material 2510 of the integration joint body 2010. Thus, the elastomeric seal 2209a does not directly experience the radial inwards movement of the latch 2410 and thus will not be damaged had such movement been directly applied to it—rather, the intermediate component of the actuating sleeve 2400a has axially compressed the elastomeric seal 2209a to cause the outwards radial expansion thereof.
A yet further embodiment of an actuatable sealing mechanism for sealing a fluid channel provided between two axially arranged tubular members is shown in
The expansion barrel assembly 3305 is particularly suitable for use at various intervals such as every 5-10 kilometres in an offshore or onshore pipeline (not shown) for transport of hydrocarbons, particularly in cold environments where the outdoor temperature can be minus 45° C. and the hydrocarbons fluids flowing inside the pipeline can be in the region of 65° C. Such a temperature difference conventionally causes pipelines to expand and contract and therefore it is useful to have a telescopic joint in the form of an expansion barrel 3005 every 5-10 kilometres. It is however important to be able to provide a seal between the outer surface 3014 of the inner pipe 3012 and the inner surface 3011 of the outer pipe 3010 in order to seal the annular gap 3013 there between. However, such a seal needs to be able to cope with the axial relative movement that will occur between the inner and outer pipes 3010 and 3012. Conventionally, such seals are provided by, for example, O-ring seals but such conventional O-ring seals do not last a sufficient length of time (due to the axial friction acting thereon) before needing to be replaced.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a seal 3015 that can be selectively actuated and de-actuated.
The expansion barrel assembly 3007 comprises an elastomeric seal 3015 which in many ways is similar to the elastomeric seal 1209a as previously described except that the elastomeric seal 3015 has a much larger diameter (in the region of an outer diameter of 30.875 inches) and more importantly is flipped inside out compared to that elastomeric seal 1209a, in that the elastomeric seal 3015 comprises its flat surface on its outer circumferential face. Otherwise, the elastomeric seal 3015 comprises the same cross-sectional shape as the elastomeric seal 1209a.
The elastomeric seal 3015 is however located in a groove or recess formed circumferentially around the inner surface 3011 of the outer pipe 3010 and is arranged such that the elastomeric seal 3015 has its lower end butting against the upwardly directed shoulder 3018 of the groove 3017 such that the upwardly directed shoulder 3018 prevents any further downward movement of the elastomeric seal 3015.
An axially moveable actuating sleeve member 3020 is located vertically above the elastomeric seal 3015, where the actuating sleeve member 3020 is an annular ring located around the outer surface 3014 of the inner pipe 3012 such that there is a sufficient annular gap 3013 there between. The actuating sleeve 3020 has a substantially cylindrical uniform inner surface but on its rear face 3032, the actuating sleeve 3020 comprises upper 3021u and lower 3021L O-ring seals located in suitably sized recesses and which act against the inner surface 3011 of the outer pipe 3010. The actuating sleeve 3020 is held captive in the inner bore 3011 of the outer pipe 3010 by a stop plate 3024 which is secured to the upper end of the outer pipe 3010 by a suitable bolt 3022. A locking dog assembly 3023 is provided at six locations around the outer circumference of the outer pipe 3010 toward the upper end thereof, where the locking dog assembly 3023 comprises a radially moveable rod 3028 which can be moved by a suitable movement mechanism such as a hydraulic assembly (not shown), where the radially inner most end of the rod 3028 is coupled to the outer end of a radially moveable activating member 3025 in the form of a latch 3025.
The outer rear face 3032 of the actuating sleeve 3020 comprises one or more tapered surfaces 3033 and which in use are arranged to, and are shaped to, co-operate with the front leading face 3030 of the latch 3025, where the front leading face 3030 comprises one or more similarly shaped and correspondingly shaped tapered surfaces 3031. The respective tapered surfaces 3031 and 3033 could be any suitable angle but are preferably in the region of 45° to the radial axis. Consequently, inwardly radial movement of the rod 3028 causes similar radially inward movement of the latch 3025 from the open position shown in
Thus, the embodiment of actuatable sealing mechanism 3007 shown in
Yet further modifications and improvements may be made to the embodiments hereinbefore described without departing from the scope of the invention.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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1906260.3 | May 2019 | GB | national |
1906364.3 | May 2019 | GB | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/GB2020/051084 | 5/1/2020 | WO | 00 |