Multifunctional test tool for subsea applications

Abstract

A tool for testing pressure in a wellhead, having a stem for insertion in the wellhead. the stem having an up position and a down position. The tool further includes an energizing member and an isolation seal, so that when the stem is in the down position, the energizing member energizes the isolation seal so that it seals against the wellhead. In addition, the tool includes a plug adapter surrounding the stem and having a variable inner diameter that selectively seals against the stem, so that when the stem is in the up position the interface between the plug adapter and the stem is sealed, and when the stem is in the down position, the interface between the plug adapter and the stem is not sealed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tool, for testing pressure in a wellhead bore, comprising:
 a longitudinal stem;   an energizing member circumscribing the stem and in communication with an isolation seal, the isolation seal capable of expanding into sealing contact with an inner surface of the bore when the stem is in a down position; and   a plug adapter surrounding the longitudinal stem and having a variable inner diameter that selectively seals against the longitudinal stem, so that when the stem is in the up position the interface between the plug adapter and the longitudinal stem is sealed, and when the stem is in the down position, the plug adapter is set back from the longitudinal stem.   
     
     
         2 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the plug adapter has at least first and second plug seals circumscribing the plug adapter on an outer surface thereof for sealing against the inner surfaces of a first position casing hanger and a second position casing hanger, respectively, the first plug seal located at a first position for sealing the interface between the plug adapter and the first position casing hanger, and the second plug seal located at a second position for sealing the interface between the plug adapter and the second position casing hanger. 
     
     
         3 . The tool of  claim 1  further comprising an adjustment member, wherein the position of the longitudinal stem is determined by a slot that engages a portion of the adjustment member, the slot having a horizontal portion and a vertical portion, and the longitudinal stem adjusted between up and down positions by rotating the stem until the portion of the adjustment member that engages the slot is aligned with the vertical portion, thereby allowing the stem to rise and fall as the portion of the adjustment member tracks the vertical portion of the slot. 
     
     
         4 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the variable inner diameter of the plug adapter includes an upper section having a first diameter, and a lower section having a second diameter, and wherein the second diameter is larger than the first diameter. 
     
     
         5 . The tool of  claim 4 , wherein the outer surface of the longitudinal stem has a stem plug seal positioned to seal against the upper section of the inner diameter of the plug adapter when the longitudinal stem is in the up position, and to be separated from the lower section of the inner diameter of the plug adapter when the longitudinal stem is in the down position. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus for testing pressure in a wellhead having a high pressure housing with a casing hanger inserted therein, the apparatus comprising:
 a longitudinal stem for insertion in the wellhead and circumscribed by a compression ring that is fixedly attached to the stem in a longitudinal direction, the stem having an up position and a down position;   an energizing sleeve surrounding the longitudinal stem, the energizing sleeve in an upper position when the stem is in the up position, and pushed by the compression ring into a lower position when the stem is in the down position;   an isolation seal positioned between the apparatus and the high pressure housing so that when the energizing sleeve is in the down position, the isolation seal is energized and seals the interface between the apparatus and the high pressure housing;   a plug adapter surrounding the longitudinal stem below the isolation sleeve proximate to the casing hanger, the plug adapter having a variable inner diameter, and a hanger seal that seals the interface between the plug adapter and the casing hanger;   a plug seal attached to and circumventing an outer diameter of the longitudinal stem so that when the stem is in the up position, the plug seal seals the interface between the longitudinal stem and the plug adapter, and when the stem is in the down position, the plug seal does not contact the plug adapter, thereby allowing fluid to pass between the plug adapter and the longitudinal stem.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the plug adapter has at least first and second seals circumscribing the plug seal on an outer surface thereof for sealing against the inner surfaces of a first position casing hanger and a second position casing hanger, respectively, the first seal located at a first position for sealing the interface between the plug adapter and the first position casing hanger, and the second seal located at a second position for sealing the interlace between the plug adapter and the second position casing hanger. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the longitudinal stem includes a slot having a horizontal portion and a vertical portion, and the apparatus further comprises an adjustment sleeve aligned adjacent the slot, the longitudinal stem adjusted between up and down positions by rotating the stem until the portion, of the adjustment sleeve that engages the slot is aligned with the vertical portion of the slot, thereby allowing the stem to rise and fall as the portion of the adjustment member tracks the vertical portion of the slot. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the variable inner diameter of the plug adapter includes an upper section having a first diameter, and a lower section having a second diameter, and wherein the second diameter is larger than the first diameter. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the outer surface of the longitudinal stem has a stem plug seal positioned to seal against the upper section of the inner diameter of the plug adapter when the longitudinal stem is in the up position, and to be separated from the lower section of the inner diameter of the plug adapter when the longitudinal stem is in the down position. 
     
     
         11 . A method for pressure testing components in a well, the method comprising:
 inserting a tool having an isolation seal and a plug adapter into a well so that the isolation seal is disposed adjacent a high pressure housing and the plug adapter is disposed adjacent a casing hanger;   sealing the casing hanger so that fluid above the plug adapter is contained above the plug adapter;   increasing the pressure of fluid above the plug adapter;   monitoring the pressure above the plug adapter to determine the integrity of the seal between the casing hanger and the high pressure housing;   adjusting the tool to open the plug adapter and allow fluid to flow past the plug adapter to a portion of the well below the plug adapter;   sealing the interface between the isolation seal and the high pressure housing;   increasing the pressure of fluid above the isolation seal;   monitoring the pressure above the isolation seal to determine the integrity of components above the isolation seal.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 monitoring the pressure in a blow-out preventer (BOP) above the isolation seal to determine the integrity of the BOP rams.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 monitoring the pressure in the drilling connect or high pressure housing to determine the integrity of the seal between the drilling connect and high pressure housing.