US20080128139A1

US20080128139A1 - Utility skid tree support system for subsea wellhead

Info

Publication number: US20080128139A1
Application number: US11/942,230
Authority: US
Inventors: Paul W. White
Original assignee: Vetco Gray LLC
Current assignee: Vetco Gray LLC
Priority date: 2006-11-09
Filing date: 2007-11-19
Publication date: 2008-06-05

Abstract

A utility skid tree system for subsea wellheads enables a tree to be mounted by and interface with utility skids. Production bore access is provided through an extended production wing block. The system reacts and transfers installation loads and potential snag loads to the conductor. The tree accepts skids for flow boosting, metering, water-oil separation, etc. A conventional choke may be fitted outboard of the utility insert profile.

Description

This patent application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/595,444, filed Nov. 9, 2006, having Attorney Docket No. V2003047A, and entitled Tree Mounted Well Flow Interface Device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates in general to subsea wellheads and, in particular, to an improved system, method, and apparatus for a utility skid tree support system for subsea wellheads.
2. Description of the Related Art
In one type of offshore well production, a subsea production tree is installed at the sea floor. The tree may be connected by a flowline jumper to a subsea manifold, which may be connected to other subsea trees in the vicinity. A production riser may extend from the subsea manifold or from an individual tree to a processing facility, normally a floating platform. The well formation pressure is normally sufficient to cause the well fluid to flow up the well to the tree, and from the tree to the processing facility.
In very deep water, the well may have sufficient pressure to cause the well fluid to flow to the tree but not enough to flow from the sea floor to the processing facility. In other cases, the well may even lack sufficient pressure to flow well fluid to the sea floor. Downhole electrical submersible pumps have been used for many years in surface wells, but because of periodic required maintenance, are not normally employed downhole in a subsea well.
A variety of proposals have been made for booster pumps to be installed at the sea floor to boost the well fluid pressure. However, because of the pump size, installation expense and technical difficulties, such installations are rare. When such configurations are used, large utility skids are typically used to move equipment to and from the subsea well from the surface. Utility skids are cumbersome and manipulating them with respect to the well can be very difficult if not hazardous to operators and the well installation itself. Thus, an improved system and method of facilitating interaction between subsea wells and utility skids would be desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of a system, method, and apparatus for a utility skid tree support system for subsea wellheads are disclosed. The invention enables a tree to be mounted by and precisely interface with utility skids. Production bore access is provided through an extended production wing block. The system reacts and transfers installation loads and potential snag loads to the conductor. The tree accepts skids for flow boosting, metering, water-oil separation, etc. A conventional choke may be fitted outboard (i.e., downstream) from the utility insert profile.
The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, in view of the following detailed description of the present invention, taken in conjunction with the appended claims and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the features and advantages of the present invention, which will become apparent, are attained and can be understood in more detail, more particular description of the invention briefly summarized above may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings which form a part of this specification. It is to be noted, however, that the drawings illustrate only some embodiments of the invention and therefore are not to be considered limiting of its scope as the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a sectional side view of one embodiment of utility skid tree system constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a subassembly of the system of FIG. 1 and is constructed in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of another subassembly of the system of FIG. 1 and is constructed in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, embodiments of a system, method and apparatus for a utility skid tree support system for subsea wellheads are shown. A wellhead housing 11 is located at the upper end of a subsea well. Wellhead housing 11 is a large tubular member mounted to a conductor pipe that extends to a first depth in the well.
A subsea Christmas or production tree 13, such as a horizontal or spool tree, is secured to the upper end of wellhead housing 11 by a conventional connector. Tree 13 has a bore 15 that contains a tubing hanger 17. Tubing hanger 17 supports a string of tubing 19 that extends into the well for the flow of production fluid. Tubing 19 registers with a production passage 21 that extends through tubing hanger 17. A lateral production port 23 extends from production passage 21 through a production master valve 25 within tree 13.
Production passage 21 of tubing hanger 17 has a crown plug profile 31 located above lateral production port 23. Profile 31 is adapted to receive a plug normally lowered and retrieved by a wireline. Tree 13 has a mandrel 33 on its upper end containing an external grooved profile. An adapter 35 lands on tree 13. Adapter 35 has a conventional, hydraulically-actuated connector 37 for connecting to tree mandrel 33. Adapter 35 has a seal sub 39 that extends downward into sealing engagement with production passage 21 in tubing hanger 17. Adapter 35 has a production passage 41 that registers with seal sub 39 for the flow of production fluid. An isolation valve 43 and a retrievable plug 45 are located within production bore 41. A swab valve may be used in lieu of plug 45.
A lateral production port 47 extends from production bore 41 between valve 43 and plug 45. Adapter 35 preferably has a mandrel 49 on its upper end that receives a debris cap 51. Lateral production port 47 connects to an intake conduit 53. A flow interface device 55, such as a subsea pressure intensifier or oil separator, is connected to intake conduit 53, which is preferably shorter than it appears in the drawings.
The device 55, or an outlet conduit extending therefrom (not shown), is connected to a utility skid tree support system 61. In one embodiment, system 61 comprises a wing block 63 having an extended length, a horizontal bore 65 and a vertical bore 71 extending upward therefrom to device 55. The wing block 63 may be mounted to tree 13 as shown on a lip 66, or integrally formed with tree 13 (not shown). Horizontal bore 65 has a production wing valve 67 that is mounted adjacent to and in fluid communication with production master valve 25 and lateral production port 23. Horizontal bore 65 may be interconnected to a choke body 69, which also may comprise a T-conduit or still other equipment.
As best shown in FIG. 1, production wing valve 67 may be located horizontally closer to production master valve 25 than to an end face 70 of wing block 63. In contrast, vertical bore 71 is located horizontally closer to end face 70 than production master valve 25. In a similar non-symmetrical sense, horizontal bore 65 is located closer to left side face 72 (FIGS. 2 and 3) of wing block 63 than right side face 74 thereof.
In one embodiment, a block leg 73 extends downward from wing block 63 directly beneath wing valve 67. Block leg 73 extends across the entire width W of wing block 63, and has a horizontal lower surface 75 and a chamfer 77 as shown. In addition, a wide groove 79 is formed on a top surface 81 of wing block 63. As shown in FIG. 2, groove 79 may extend from end face 70 to tree 13 as shown. Alternatively, groove 79 may be offset from end face 70 (FIG. 3) and intersect an orthogonal shelf 83 formed below and parallel to top surface 81. In one embodiment, groove 79 is located directly above horizontal bore 65, such that it too is closer to left side face 72 than right side face 74. This configuration segments the top surface 81 into a smaller portion (see left side of FIG. 2) and a larger portion (right side of FIG. 2). A complementary vertical groove 85 is formed on the side of tree 13 and aligns with groove 79.
Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 3, the support system 61 further comprises a utility skid 101 having an elongated body with a rectangular foot 103 extending downward therefrom. Foot 103 is closely received by groove 79 (FIG. 3) and groove 85 (FIG. 2) in tree 13 for mating engagement therewith. A flat ring 105 protrudes horizontally from a tree side end of skid 101. Ring 105 has an opening 107 for receiving mandrel 33 as shown, which helps to locate and align skid 101 with respect to the tree 13 and support system 61. Skid 101 may be provided with an optional tab 109 that extends vertically downward from an opposite end thereof with respect to ring 107. Tab 109 engages vertical bore 71 in wing block 63 to complete a mating alignment between skid 101 and wing block 63.
In operation, the well would initially be producing with sufficient pressure to flow well fluid to a surface processing facility. In such case, adapter 35, device 55 and its conduit 53 would not be located subsea. Instead, a choke insert (not shown) may be located in choke body 69. An internal tree cap (not shown) would be located at the upper end of tree 13 for sealing bore 15. A plug (not shown) would be located in profile 31. The fluid would flow out through valves 25 and 67, through the choke in choke body 69, and into a production flow line.
If the pressure of the well depletes sufficiently so as to require a booster pump, the operator would then connect a riser (not shown) to tree mandrel 33. The operator closes valves 25, 67, which along with production port 23, make up a main flow path. The operator removes the internal tree cap through the riser while leaving the crown plug within crown profile 31. With the assistance of an ROV, the operator removes the choke insert from choke body 69. The operator then removes the riser and lowers adapter 35, device 55 and its conduit 53 as a unit. Seal sub 39 stabs sealingly into tubing hanger bore 21. Connector 37 connects adapter 35 in place, and device 55 is connected to wing block 63. A downward force due to the weight of device 55 passes through adapter 35 and tree 13 into wellhead housing 11.
The operator reconnects the riser at this time to adapter mandrel 49. With a wireline tool, the operator removes plug 45 from its position above lateral production port 47. The operator opens valve 43 and removes the crown plug from profile 31 and reinstalls plug 45 above production port 47. Alternatively, the crown plug could be re-located from profile 31 to the position above production lateral port 47, thus serving as plug 45. The riser is removed and debris cap 51 is installed on adapter 35.
Opening valve 97 and supplying power to pressure intensifier 109 causes well fluid to be flow from production bore 76 through passage 96, port 101, and conduit 107 to pressure intensifier 109. Pressure intensifier 109 pumps the fluid out conduit 111 through choke body 83 into the flow line. Adapter passage 96, conduits 107, 111 and pressure intensifier 109 thus create a bypass flow path.
Device 55 also may operate in combination with a downhole electrical submersible pump suspended on tubing. If the assembly is to be used as an injection well, device 55 would operate in the reverse direction and fluid would flow from choke body 69 to device 55, which pumps fluid down production passage 21. If device 55 is to be utilized from the beginning, it could be lowered and installed initially along with tree 13. In that instance, a T-conduit would typically be used for choke body 69. For removing device 55 to repair or replace it, the operator attaches a riser, removes plug 45 and lowers a crown plug into crown plug profile 31.
Alternately, plug 45 may be released, lowered and reset in crown plug profile 31. The operator disengages connector device 55 and connector 37 and retrieves the assembly to the surface. The operator then lowers the assembly with a new or repaired device 55 and repeats the process. In addition, the operator has the ability of lowering tools or instruments on wireline or coiled tubing into tubing 19 by removing debris cap 51 and connecting a riser to mandrel 49. Plug 45 is then removed through the riser, providing access for wireline tools.
The invention has significant advantages. Supporting utility skids with a wing block for the tree utilizes the extensive strength of the tree mandrel to avoid the need for specially constructed supporting frames. Equipment such as pump assemblies can be readily installed and retrieved for maintenance. The assembly allows access to the tree tubing and tubing annulus for workover operations. The system reacts and transfers installation loads and potential snag loads to the conductor. The tree accepts skids for flow boosting, metering, water-oil separation, etc.
While the invention has been shown or described in only some of its forms, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible to various changes without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A production tree, comprising:

a tree body having a bore, a lateral production port extending from the bore, and a mandrel;

a utility skid tree support system having a wing block and a utility skid;

the wing block is mounted to the tree body below the mandrel and has a horizontal bore aligned with the lateral production port, and a vertical bore extending from the horizontal bore, a groove formed on a top surface of the wing block; and

the utility skid having a foot received by the groove, and an aligning member for engaging the mandrel to locate and align the utility skid with respect to the tree body.

2. A production tree according to claim 1, wherein the aligning member comprises a flat ring that protrudes horizontally from the utility skid and circumscribes the mandrel.

3. A production tree according to claim 1, wherein a tab extends vertically downward from the utility skid opposite the aligning member and engages the vertical bore in the wing block.

4. A production tree according to claim 1, wherein the tree body has a lip for supporting the wing block.

5. A production tree according to claim 1, wherein the wing block is integrally formed with the tree body.

6. A production tree according to claim 1, wherein the wing block has a production wing valve that is located horizontally closer to the tree body than to an opposite end face of the wing block, the vertical bore is located horizontally closer to the opposite end face than to the tree body, and the horizontal bore is located closer to one side face of the wing block than an opposite side face thereof.

7. A production tree according to claim 1, wherein the wing block has a block leg extending downward therefrom, the block leg extending across an entire width of the wing block transverse to a direction of the horizontal bore, and the block leg having a horizontal lower surface and a chamfer on one side thereof.

8. A production tree according to claim 1, wherein the groove extends from an end face of the wing block to the tree body.

9. A production tree according to claim 1, wherein the groove is offset from an end face of the wing block and intersects a shelf formed below and parallel to a top surface of the wing block.

10. A production tree according to claim 9, wherein the groove is located directly above the horizontal bore, such that the groove is closer to one side face of the wing block than an opposite side face thereof, and the tree body has a complementary vertical groove formed on a side thereof that aligns with the groove.

11. A production tree, comprising:

a utility skid tree support system having a wing block and a utility skid;

the wing block is mounted to the tree body below the mandrel and has a horizontal bore aligned with the lateral production port, and a vertical bore extending from the horizontal bore, a groove formed on a top surface of the wing block;

the utility skid having a foot received by the groove, and an aligning member for engaging the mandrel to locate and align the utility skid with respect to the tree body; and

the wing block has a production wing valve that is located horizontally closer to the tree body than to an opposite end face of the wing block, and the vertical bore is located horizontally closer to the opposite end face than to the tree body.

12. A production tree according to claim 11, wherein the aligning member comprises a flat ring that protrudes horizontally from the utility skid and circumscribes the mandrel.

13. A production tree according to claim 11, wherein a tab extends vertically downward from the utility skid opposite the aligning member and engages the vertical bore in the wing block.

14. A production tree according to claim 11, wherein the tree body has a lip for supporting the wing block.

15. A production tree according to claim 11, wherein the wing block is integrally formed with the tree body.

16. A production tree according to claim 11, wherein the horizontal bore is located closer to one side face of the wing block than an opposite side face thereof.

17. A production tree according to claim 11, wherein the wing block has a block leg extending downward therefrom, the block leg extending across an entire width of the wing block transverse to a direction of the horizontal bore, and the block leg has a horizontal lower surface and a chamfer on one side thereof.

18. A production tree according to claim 11, wherein the groove extends from an end face of the wing block to the tree body.

19. A production tree according to claim 11, wherein the groove is offset from an end face of the wing block and intersects a shelf formed below and parallel to a top surface of the wing block, the groove is located directly above the horizontal bore, such that the groove is closer to one side face of the wing block than an opposite side face thereof, and the tree body has a complementary vertical groove formed on a side thereof that aligns with the groove.