Method of functioning and / or monitoring temporarily installed equipment through a Tubing Hanger.

Abstract

The invention covers the method of supplying services to a device such as a Subsea Intervention Tree and Retainer Valve using conduits routed through a tubing Hanger. The method of this invention provides control of equipment sitting within the BOP stack and/or marine riser using control systems located external to the Marine riser. This removes the need for a costly umbilical/conduit to be run alongside the casing or tubing string within the marine riser, thereby reducing cost and risk of damage during deployment of the string. Running time will be significantly reduced saving valuable rig time. Also, in deeper waters complex Electro/Hydraulic or MUX control systems traditionally run within the Marine riser and/or the BOP stack as a part of the Landing string can be replaced by a local control system located outside the Marine riser on or around the Production Tree.

1 . Method of functioning and/or monitoring temporarily installed equipment through a Tubing Hanger. Comprising: Control System (Item 1), Subsea Production Tree (Item 13) & Tubing Hanger (Item 9). Delivering hydraulic or electrical controls from the vessel (Item 15) through a control system umbilical (Item 1), terminating at a junction plate (Item 11) mated to the Production Tree (Item 13). The Production Tree (Item 13) providing internal conduits communicating controls through a series of stabs (Item 10). Control of the Tubing Hanger (Item 9) and other equipment is established by landing the completion (Item 12) within the production Tree (Item 13) this has the effect of enabling the stabs (Item 10) and establishing communications with the completion equipment (Item 17) typically SCSSV, Electrical gauges and Chemical injection mandrels. Reconfiguring and adding stabs (Item 10) diverts controls up the assembly into the THRT (Item 7) and ultimately to other equipment. Establishing communication and control this way provides full functional control of the said devices. In order to maintain status of any unlatched elements of the system during disconnect activities the disconnection points will require hydraulic checking stabs, these will trap hydraulic pressure allowing the latch to reconnect and re-establish communications. This method of control requires that during the initial deployment prior to landing the Tubing hanger (Item 9) the operator will have no control over device functionality, and as such it will be necessary to trap control fluids within some chambers to lock components in preset positions, control will be regained subsequent to landing the Tubing Hanger (Item 9). Also, the operator may insist on monitoring pressure status, in this instance a pressure transducer could be fitted to transmit data to surface either by electrical conduit or other form of data transmission. 
   
   
       2 . As per  claim 1 , data is being transmitted as opposed to hydraulics or electrical power. 
   
   
       3 . As per  claim 1 , Chemicals or gas is being transmitted as opposed to hydraulics or electrical power. 
   
   
       4 . As per  claim 1 , Hydraulic stabs or electrical connectors could be replaced by other methods of establishing communication such as spheriseals, sliding sleeves or seal gallery arrangements. 
   
   
       5 . As per  claim 1 , The hydraulically operated Tubing Hanger may be replaced by a mechanically actuated hanger. 
   
   
       6 . As per  claim 1 , communication between the Production Tree (Item 13) and the Tubing Hanger is established using pressure applied in the annulus below the BOP pipe rams or by applied pressure within the casing/tubing bore.