This disclosure relates in general to oil and gas tools, and in particular, to systems and methods for retrieval and/or recovery of various wellbore components.
In exploration and production of formation minerals, such as oil and gas, wellbores may be drilled into an underground formation. The wellbores may include various drilling, completion, or exploration components, such as hangers or sealing systems that may be arranged in a downhole portion or at a surface location. Toward an end of a well life, various components are removed from the wellbore and the wellbore may be plugged, which may be referred to as a plug and abandon operation. In offshore conditions, this may require large rigs or ships, which increase costs for operators.
Applicants recognized the problems noted above herein and conceived and developed embodiments of systems and methods, according to the present disclosure, for wellbore operations.
In an embodiment, a wellbore system includes an upper body, a lower body, removably coupled to the upper body, and a passage extending through both the upper body and the lower body, the passage being aligned and extending through an interface between the upper body and the lower body. The wellbore system also includes a latch piston, confined to the lower body, the latch piston being moveable responsive to an applied pressure via the passage. The wellbore system further includes a latch piston retaining ring, confined to the lower body.
In an embodiment, a wellbore tool kit includes an upper body having a first passage extending from a first end to second end. The wellbore tool kit also includes a lower body having a second passage extending axially from a top end to a piston chamber. The lower body further includes one or more gripping components, the gripping component being movable responsive to a pressure applied via the first passage and the second passage. The lower body also includes one or more gripping component retainers. The upper body is removably coupled to the lower body such that an interface is formed between the second end and the top end, the first passage and the second passage being aligned when the upper body is coupled to the lower body.
In an embodiment, a method includes providing an upper body. The method also includes determining one or more features of a tubing hanger for removal from a well. The method further includes selecting, from a set of lower bodies, a lower body based, at least in part, on the one or more features. The method also includes coupling, to the upper body, the lower body selected from the set of lower bodies.
The present technology will be better understood on reading the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments thereof, and on examining the accompanying drawings, in which:
The foregoing aspects, features and advantages of the present technology will be further appreciated when considered with reference to the following description of preferred embodiments and accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements. In describing the preferred embodiments of the technology illustrated in the appended drawings, specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity. The present technology, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terms used, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.
When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Any examples of operating parameters and/or environmental conditions are not exclusive of other parameters/conditions of the disclosed embodiments. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “certain embodiments,” or “other embodiments” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Furthermore, reference to terms such as “above,” “below,” “upper”, “lower”, “side”, “front,” “back,” or other terms regarding orientation are made with reference to the illustrated embodiments and are not intended to be limiting or exclude other orientations.
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward one or more open water universal recovery tools (OWURT) that offer operators the ability to retrieve a tubing hanger and/or equipment of a similar nature/mechanism during regular or plug and abandon operations without the need for a rig to be installed over the well. In various embodiments, systems and methods provide a tool that allows operators to retrieve the equipment from a light well intervention (LWI) vessel, resulting in substantial savings in terms of both time and cost. Current systems and methods do not provide such an option and utilize larger workover components in order to remove components, such as hangers and various other equipment.
Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward systems (e.g., tools, tool assemblies, etc.) and methods that can be run on a wireline from an LWI vessel and provide substantial forces on downhole components. These forces would normally be generated by pulling on a drill pipe from some type of rig or vessel, which may include, but is not limited to a mobile and offshore drilling unit (MODU), a floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel, or the like. Embodiments provide a small and compact tool that is modular, easy to deploy, easy to operate, and easy to recover. As a result, tubing hangers (or other components) may be recovered “open water” using wireline and can be carried out from a boat or vessel, rather than a rig. Various embodiments enable wireline deployment and operation using one or more of umbilical lines from a vessel or via a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) interfacing. In at least one embodiment, systems and methods provide substantial unlock forces, which may meet or exceed forces applied by conventional tooling, such as tubing hanger secondary retrieving tools (THSRT), tubing hanger running tools (THRT), and tubing hanger emergency retrieval tools (THERT).
In at least one embodiment, systems and methods provide tools that can hydraulically unlock (e.g., up to 566 kips) and facilitate open water recovery of multiple pieces of equipment, such as conventional tubing hangers, horizontal internal tree caps (ITC)s, and horizontal tubing hangers, among other options. It should be appreciated that 566 kips is provided by way of non-limiting example only and is not intended to restrict the scope of the instant application, as various embodiments may apply more or less force. Various embodiments provide module components that provide for agnostic interchangeability to interface with a variety of different configurations, such as tubing hangers. Furthermore, embodiments provide for tools that can be run on wire from an LWI vessel or drill pipe from a MODU. Various embodiments further provide a tool complete with a latch piston visual indicator/mechanical overpull rods as an additional secondary recovery option.
Various embodiments of the present disclosure overcome various drawbacks present in existing techniques. By way of example, systems and methods are configurable for different hanger types and ITCs, which provides significant advantages over current tooling options. Furthermore, embodiments include a visual indicator/overpull rods to aid operational ease, which have not been added to the previous tools, which rely on volume control. This addition offers a secondary means of unlatch in the event that hydraulic communication with the tool is lost during operations. Additionally, the design of the internal components provides modular functionality and makes it far cheaper and easier to service, inspect, and convert. As noted, while various embodiments may describe hanger removal, systems and methods are not limited to such applications.
In at least one embodiment, systems and methods include a modular tool concept that includes an upper body and a lower body, where the different bodies are coupled together via one or more fasteners, among other options. As will be described below, the modular tool concept provides for improved configurations per tool equipment style (e.g., cylinders will not have to be removed) to reduce costs and maintenance. Additionally, various embodiments may provide common or universal interfaces that specific “kits” or other tools can mate to. In at least one embodiment, a length of the upper body may be modified. Furthermore, in at least one embodiment, one or more latch pistons and/or latch piston retaining rings may further provide for modular operations. For example, rather than positioning a latch piston within an inner body, the latch piston may be held in place by a retaining ring. Modular configurations are further provided by using internal and external rings to facilitate fastening components together.
Furthermore, in at least one embodiment, the modular tool concept may further include indicator/overpull rods. In at least one embodiment, the rods provide an improvement over previous systems that relied on volume pumped/returned in order to indicate position. In sharp contrast, the indicator/overpull rods may provide a visual indication that is easier to see.
In at least one embodiment, the indicator/overpull rods protrude up through the upper body and may be located proximate a sleeve indicator. In order to provide improved spacing, various embodiments may incorporate a low-tech indicator into the modular tool. Instead of going up through the flat surface of the upper body, the indicator may be fitted to the lower body only and be visible between the upper and outer bodies. However, in various embodiments, the indicator may protrude through the upper body. Moreover, various embodiments include a contingency measure, where in the event of loss of hydraulic function the rods (by means of shackle and sling arrangement or jacks) can be utilized to pull up the latch piston and facilitate recovery of the tool from the tubing hanger.
Various embodiments can be reconfigured to suit additional applications through changing out of one or more interface kits. The upper body, cylinders, outer body, ROV panel, flanged adapter, and smaller ancillary parts connected here would remain common. However, the kit for the additional application would implement a new lower body, latch piston, retaining ring (e.g., inner body), connector rods, and connector spacers. Furthermore, in at least one embodiment, latch dogs can be utilized from an existing THERT tool and incorporated into the kit.
Various embodiments can be reconfigured to suit an ITC application through changing out of one or more interface kits. The upper body, cylinders, outer body, ROV panel, flanged adapter, and smaller ancillary parts connected here would remain common. However, the ITC kit would implement a new lower body, connector rods, and connector spacers. Furthermore, in at least one embodiment, latch dogs can be utilized from an existing OWUPT tool and incorporated into the kit. The Latch Piston and Retaining Ring can be made compatible with both ITC and tubing hanger variants. It should be appreciated that an ITC may sit higher than a hanger, and as a result, height adjustments may be implemented.
In this example, an upper body 102 is coupled to a lower body 104. The upper body 102 may be joined to the lower body 104 via one or more fasteners 106 to facilitate both connection and disconnection of the upper body 102 to the lower body 104. As will be described herein, in various embodiments, the fasteners 106 may be positioned at a variety of locations to permit coupling the upper body 102 to the lower body 104. In at least one embodiment, the lower body 104 is secured to the upper body 102 via an internal ring and an external ring of fasteners, such as cap screws. However, it should be appreciated that a variety of different fasteners and connection devices may be utilized within the scope of the present disclosure. In various embodiments, different connectors may be selected based, at least in part, on expected operating conditions because the connection between the components may be exposed to an expected or anticipated pressure. Various embodiments may utilize kits where the lower body 104 is removed and replaced with a different lower body having different dimensions (e.g., a second lower body). Accordingly, in at least one embodiment, the fasteners 106 may be accessible from an interior portion, such as a bore 108. In various embodiments, the bore may be formed in the lower body. In certain embodiments, the bore may be referred to as an inner body bore. Moreover, in embodiments, additional fasteners may be accessible from an exterior portion. Additionally, in at least one embodiment, addition connection devices such as clips, dogs, bayonet fittings, and the like may be utilized.
As shown, various passages 110 are provided through the upper body 102 that couple to associated passages 110 in the lower body at an interface 112. For example, the passages 110A associated with the upper body 102 may be referred to as upper passages while the passages 110 associated with the lower body 104 may be referred to as lower passages. 110B. In at least one embodiment, one or more seals or sleeves 114 extends across the interface 112 to reduce a likelihood of leaks at the interface 112. It should be appreciated that a location of the passages 110 may be maintained between different modular components such that swapping out the lower body 104 will not interfere with operation of the tool 100. That is, even if a different lower body 104 configuration is utilized, a location of the passages 110 may be similar across all different lower body configurations so that rework or other modifications are not necessary. In this manner, the tool 100 may be modular and/or part of a kit that allows for rapid replacement of various components while also reusing different portions, thereby reducing costs for users.
Further illustrated within the lower body 104 is a latch piston 116 and a latch piston retaining ring 118, which may also be referred to as an inner body. The latch piston retaining ring 118 may maintain a position of the latch piston 116 within the lower body 104. In various embodiments, the latch piston 116 is coupled to the lower body 104. Moreover, in embodiments, the latch piston retaining ring 118 may include one or more surfaces to block or restrict movement of the latch piston 116 beyond a predetermined location. The latch piston retaining ring 118 may replace one or more features, such as components of the lower body 104, to retain the latch piston 116. As a result, different adjustments to the latch piston 116 may be made to interact with particular components. Such adjustment may be associated with changes to the lower body 104 as well, but would not affect the upper body 102, as these components are modular and configured to be swapped out for intended uses. In at least one embodiment, the latch piston retaining ring 118 is an annular component. In at least one embodiment, the latch piston retaining ring 118 is a segmented component.
In this example, the latch piston 116 is shown associated with a latch port 120 and an unlatch port 122. As shown, the latch port 120 is fluidly coupled to the passage 110A (e.g., the lower passage 110A) that receives a fluid, such as a hydraulic fluid, from the passage 110B (e.g., the upper passage 110B). In at least one embodiment, the latch port 120 directs fluid (and the associated fluid pressure) to a top 124 of the latch piston 116, driving the latch piston 116 in an axially downward direction 126. In at least one embodiment, the axially downward direction 126 may refer to a downhole direction and/or to a direction away from the upper body 102. For example, upon activation, the fluid is directed through the passages 110 to drive the latch piston 116 in the downward direction 126, which thereby causes a gap 128 between the latch piston 116 and the latch piston retaining ring 118 to reduce (e.g., a length of the gap is reduced) as the latch piston 116 moves in a downward direction to facilitate removal and recovery of one or more components.
In contrast, the unlatch port 122 removes fluid pressure acting at the bottom 134 of the latch piston 116. For example, in at least one embodiment, the unlatch port 122 is similarly coupled to flow passages 110 and to the gap 128. Upon activation, fluid may flow through the flow passages 110 and into the gap 128, thereby driving the latch piston 116 in an upward direction 130 (e.g., opposite the downward direction 126, in an uphole direction, toward the upper body 102). As a result, the length of the gap 128 is increased and the piston latch piston 116 is retracted. In this manner, different flow activation may be utilized to latch and unlatch the piston 116.
Various embodiments of the present disclosure position the latch piston 116 within a space 132 that permits axial movement of the latch piston 116 responsive to a location of fluid pressure activation. For example, movement through the space 132 in the downward direction 126 may be responsive to fluid pressure at the top 124 and movement through the space 132 in the upward direction 130 may be responsive to fluid pressure at a bottom 134. The latch piston 116 may include seals to block fluid from moving from the top 124 to the bottom 134, and as a result, control of fluid flow through the passages 110 may be used to activate and deactivate the latch piston 116.
In this example, the rods 200 include a rod top 202 including an eye, a rod guide bushing 204, a rod shaft 206, and a rod seal bushing 208. As shown, the rod shaft 206 extends across the interface 112. It should be appreciated that the rods 200, and their associated components, may be arranged on differing angles than the sleeves 114. For example, in at least one embodiment, the rods 200 may be offset by approximately 90 degrees from the sleeves 114. It should be appreciated that such an offset is provided by way of example only and may be different in various embodiments.
The rod shafts 206 may be coupled to the latch piston 116, for example via one or more fasteners. In operation, hydraulic pressure may be utilized to drive movement of the rods 200, thereby driving movement of the latch piston 116.
One efficient way to start drilling a wellbore 706 is through use of a suction pile 734. Such a procedure is accomplished by attaching the wellhead housing 708 to the top of the suction pile 734 and lowering the suction pile 734 to a sea floor 736. As interior chambers in the suction pile 734 are evacuated, the suction pile 734 is driven into the sea floor 736, as shown in
Although the technology herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present technology. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present technology as defined by the appended claims.
This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/290,041, titled “TUBING HANGER OPEN WATER RECOVERY SYSTEM AND METHOD,” filed Dec. 16, 2021, the full disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference, in its entirety, for all purposes.
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