Utility skid tree support system for subsea wellhead

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.

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 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;   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.