Wellhead assemblies are positioned at a top of a well and generally include one or more devices that control fluid flow into and out of the well. For example, wellhead assemblies may include a blowout preventer, positioned on a wellhead, with an adapter therebetween. A tubing hanger may be disposed in the wellhead and landed on a shoulder or another load surface therein. Production tubing, through which fluid recovered from the well flows, may be coupled to the tubing hanger and suspended therefrom into the well.
Safety regulations may require that the wellhead assemblies be capable of withstanding a high amount of transient upward pressure differentials (e.g., high pressure within the well) below the wellhead in comparison to the pressure above the wellhead. In particular, the tubing hanger may be secured against upward displacement relative to the wellhead using a lockdown device.
Further, cables are often run into the well along with the tubing. For example, power cables for electronic submersible pumps (ESP) may be secured to the tubular as it is run into the well. Various other cables/tubing may also be run. Tubular running operations, however, are often not a single, continuous activity, but may start and stop for a variety of reasons. Generally, the production tubing is run in segments, which are connected together as a string. To temporarily terminate tubular running operations, generally at the conclusion of running one of the tubular segments, the production tubing is secured in slips in the wellhead, the cable(s) and/or other tubing that are run along with the production tubing are severed, and the blowout preventer is closed, sealing the well. Alternatively, well kill fluid may be circulated continuously into the well to control pressure at the wellhead.
What is needed is a system and method for running cables and other tubing along with a production tubing that permits temporary sealing of the well, without severing the cable or tubing, and reducing or avoiding continuously circulating fluid in the well.
An assembly configured to be inserted into a wellhead is disclosed. The assembly includes a body and a door that is pivotally coupled to the body. The door is configured to pivot between a closed position and an open position. An interface between the body and the door defines a first passage configured to have a cable pass therethrough, and a second passage configured to have a secondary tube pass therethrough. The assembly also includes one or more hinges that pivotally couple the body to the door. The one or more hinges include a first hinge that is recessed at least partially into the body and the door. The assembly also includes a primary seal insert positioned at least partially within the body and the door. The primary seal insert expands radially-outward to seal with the wellhead in response to being axially-compressed.
A split hanger assembly configured to be inserted into a wellhead is also disclosed. The split hanger assembly includes a body configured to be positioned between an upper sub and a lower sub. The split hanger assembly also includes a door that is pivotally coupled to the body. The door is configured to pivot between a closed position and an open position. An interface between the body and the door defines a first passage configured to have a cable pass therethrough from the upper sub to the lower sub, and a second passage configured to have a secondary tube pass therethrough from the upper sub to the lower sub. The split hanger assembly also includes one or more hinges that pivotally couple the body to the door. The one or more hinges include a first hinge that is recessed at least partially into the body and the door. The split hanger assembly also includes one or more flanges coupled to the upper surface of the body, the door, or both. The one or more flanges are configured to compress packing seals into fluid-tight engagement with the cable, the body, and the door and with the secondary tube, the body, and the door. The split hanger assembly also includes a primary seal insert positioned at least partially within the body and the door. The primary seal insert expands radially-outward to seal with the wellhead in response to being axially-compressed. The split hanger assembly also includes an axial load-bearing feature positioned between the body and the door that transfers axial loads from the split hanger assembly to the wellhead.
A split hanger assembly configured to be inserted into a wellhead and to support a production tubing within a wellbore is also disclosed. The split hanger assembly includes a body configured to be positioned between an upper sub and a lower sub. The split hanger assembly also includes a door that is pivotally coupled to the body. The door is configured to pivot between a closed position and an open position. One or more first captive fasteners secure the door in the closed position. An interface between the body and the door defines a first passage configured to have a cable pass therethrough from the upper sub to the lower sub, and a second passage configured to have a secondary tube pass therethrough from the upper sub to the lower sub. The split hanger assembly also includes one or more hinges that pivotally couple the body to the door. The one or more hinges include a first hinge that is recessed at least partially into the body and the door. The split hanger assembly also includes one or more flanges coupled to an upper surface of the body, the door, or both. The one or more flanges are configured to compress packing seals into fluid-tight engagement with the cable, the body, and the door and with the secondary tube, the body, and the door. One or more second captive fasteners secure the one or more flanges to the body, the door, or both. The split hanger assembly also includes a primary seal insert positioned at least partially within the body and the door and above the first hinge. The primary seal insert expands radially-outward to seal with the wellhead in response to being axially-compressed. The split hanger assembly also includes an axial load-bearing feature between the body and the door that transfers axial loads from the split hanger assembly to the wellhead. The axial load-bearing feature includes a lug that is coupled to or integral with the body and a recess formed in the door.
The present disclosure may best be understood by referring to the following description and accompanying drawings that are used to illustrate embodiments of the invention. In the drawings:
The following disclosure describes several embodiments for implementing different features, structures, or functions of the invention. Embodiments of components, arrangements, and configurations are described below to simplify the present disclosure; however, these embodiments are provided merely as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, the present disclosure may repeat reference characters (e.g., numerals) and/or letters in the various embodiments and across the Figures provided herein. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed in the Figures. Moreover, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows may include embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which additional features may be formed interposing the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. Finally, the embodiments presented below may be combined in any combination of ways, e.g., any element from one exemplary embodiment may be used in any other exemplary embodiment, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
Additionally, certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, various entities may refer to the same component by different names, and as such, the naming convention for the elements described herein is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, unless otherwise specifically defined herein. Further, the naming convention used herein is not intended to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function. Additionally, in the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to.” All numerical values in this disclosure may be exact or approximate values unless otherwise specifically stated. Accordingly, various embodiments of the disclosure may deviate from the numbers, values, and ranges disclosed herein without departing from the intended scope. In addition, unless otherwise provided herein, “or” statements are intended to be non-exclusive; for example, the statement “A or B” should be considered to mean “A, B, or both A and B.”
The split hanger assembly 100 includes a split hanger 103, which is made up at least partially of a main body 106 and a side door 108 that is pivotally coupled to the main body 106 via a hinge 110. In the illustrated closed position, the side door 108 and the main body 106 generally form a cylindrical member. A first (e.g., upper) sub 111 may be coupled to the top of the main body 106, and a second (e.g., intermediate) sub 112 may be coupled to the bottom of the main body 106. In at least some embodiments, the main body 106 may permit fluid communication between the upper sub 111 and the intermediate sub 112 through a bore formed within the main body 106.
A swivel 114 may be coupled to a lower end of the intermediate sub 112, and a lower sub 116 may extend from the bottom of the swivel 114. The production tubing (not shown) may be connected to the lower sub 116, or the lower sub 116 may be omitted, and the swivel 114 may be connected directly to the production tubing.
The split hanger 103 may be configured to permit passage of the cable 102 and the secondary tube 104 therethrough. For example, the interface between the side door 108 and the main body 106 may provide passages axially through the split hanger 103 for the cable 102 and the secondary tube 104. Flanges 120, 122 may be secured to an upper axial face of the main body 106 and the side door 108 to compress packing seals (not visible in this Figure) into fluid-tight engagement with the respective cable 102 or tube 104 and the main body 106 and side door 108.
The split hanger 103 may also include a primary seal insert 210. The primary seal insert 210 may serve a function similar to an O-ring with respect to the exterior of the split hanger 103. That is, in axial compression, such as when the split hanger 103 is set down on a wellhead load shoulder, the primary seal insert 210 may expand radially outwards from the main body 106 and the door 108 and form a seal with the wellhead.
As noted above, the primary seal insert 210 may be positioned in the split hanger 103, e.g., near the axial middle thereof. In at least some embodiments, the primary seal insert 210 may be provided by two inserts 210A, 210B, with the first insert 210A surrounding the main body 106 and the second insert 210B surrounding the side door 108. When the door 108 is closed, the first and second seal inserts 210A, 210B are pressed together and pressed against the cable 102 and the secondary tube 104, thereby preventing communication between the door 108 and the main body 106 along the cable 102 and/or the secondary tube 104. The primary seal insert 210 is shown in greater detail in
As mentioned above, the split hanger 103 may also include packing seals 212, 214, which may be received around the cable 102 and the secondary tube 104, respectively, and compressed by the flanges 120, 122. Accordingly, each of the cable 102 and the secondary tube 104 may be sealed by two separate sealing members: the primary seal insert 210 and the packing seals 212, 214.
A series of fasteners, such as bolts 220 may be configured to secure the door 108 in the closed position, while being releasable to permit the door 108 to open. In particular, as shown, the bolts 220 may be positioned above and below the primary seal insert 210, so as to ensure a fluid-tight compression of the primary seal insert 210 within the split hanger 103.
An axial load-bearing feature may also be provided between the door 108 and the main body 106, which in turn transfers the axial loads to the wellhead. The axial load-bearing feature may include, for example, lugs 230 that are received into recesses 232, as shown. In other embodiments, various other structures such as shoulders, steps, keyways, etc. may be used instead of or in addition to lugs. The axial load-bearing feature may prevent or at least mitigate shearing forces applied to the bolts 220, which might otherwise damage the bolts 220 and reduce the ability to easily release these bolts 220 so that the door 108 can be opened.
Additionally, the main body 106 and the door 108 together define a load surface 310 for the split hanger 103. The load surface 310 may be configured to transfer axial loads to the wellhead, when installed therein. Further, the main body 106 and the door 108 together may define a locking groove 312, which may receive a locking member (e.g., one or more screws) when the split hanger 103 is installed in the wellhead. As also shown in
The swivel 114 may permit rotation of the split hanger 103 relative to the production tubular above/below the split hanger assembly 100. For example, the swivel 114 may include a profiled end 610 of the lower sub 116, and a profiled end 612 of the intermediate sub 112. The profiled end 610 may include a nose 614 and a threaded portion 616. The profiled end 612 may include a shoulder 618.
The nose 614 may extend into the profiled end 612 of the intermediate sub 112, and seals 620 may form a fluid-tight engagement therebetween. A sleeve 622 may be received around the profiled end 612 and threaded onto the threaded portion 616 of the profiled end 610, such that the sleeve 622 engages the shoulder 618. Accordingly, because the nose 614 extends into the profiled end 610, a seal is formed across a range of relative axial positions of the intermediate sub 112 and the lower sub 116. This permits a range of circumferential positions of the split hanger 103, permitting the split hanger 103 to be oriented circumferentially to receive the cable 102 and the secondary tubular 104 without requiring the cable 102 and/or secondary tubular 104 to deviate from straight in the axial direction.
More particularly, the primary seal insert 1610 may include a first scarf cut 1620 extending from the large hanger opening 1612 to the small hanger opening 1614. In the embodiment shown, the primary seal insert 1610 may also include a second scarf cut 1622 extending form the small hanger opening 1614 to the cable opening 1616, and a third scarf cut 1624 extending from the large hanger opening 1612 to the secondary tube opening 1618. In another embodiment, the second scarf cut 1622 may instead extend from the large hanger opening 1612 to the cable opening 1616, and/or the third scarf cut 1624 may instead extend from the small hanger opening 1614 to the secondary tube opening 1618. The primary seal insert 1610 may also include a fourth scarf cut 1626 extending from the small hanger opening 1614 to an exterior of the primary seal insert 1610. Alternatively, the fourth scarf cut 1626 may instead extend from the large hanger opening 1612 to the exterior of the primary seal insert 1610. The fourth scarf cut 1626 may include one or more turns (e.g., a zig-zag or “Z” shape), which may provide an overlapping locking mechanism designed to hold the two portions of rubber together when installed. This prevents them from separating after installation to ensure they do not get hung up (or the ends separate) when being installed into the wellhead.
As used herein, the terms “inner” and “outer”; “up” and “down”; “upper” and “lower”; “upward” and “downward”; “above” and “below”; “inward” and “outward”; “uphole” and “downhole”; and other like terms as used herein refer to relative positions to one another and are not intended to denote a particular direction or spatial orientation. The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “connect,” “connection,” “connected,” “in connection with,” and “connecting” refer to “in direct connection with” or “in connection with via one or more intermediate elements or members.”
The foregoing has outlined features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/476,446, filed on Dec. 21, 2022, which is incorporated by reference.
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