Subsea tool assembly and method of operating a subsea tool

Abstract

A subsea tool assembly that can enable full control of a subsea tool with operational feedback without the use of an umbilical. The assembly includes a package that houses a tool control device for controlling operation of a subsea tool, a controller configured to selectively operate the tool control device, a first acoustic communication node configured to receive and transmit acoustic signals through a tubular body of a subsea string, and an electrical power source for powering them. The controller is in electronic communication with the first acoustic communication node, and is configured to decode acoustic control signals received thereby and selectively operate the tool control device in response thereto. A related wireless subsea tool communication system and method of operating a subsea tool are also provided.

1 . A subsea tool assembly comprising:
 a string having a tubular body;   a tool suspended from the string; and   a package operatively connected to the tool and the string;   wherein the package houses at least:
 a tool control device for controlling operation of the tool; 
 a controller configured to selectively operate the tool control device; 
 a first acoustic communication node configured to receive and transmit acoustic signals through the tubular body of the string; and 
 an electrical power source for powering the tool control device, the first acoustic communication node, and the controller; 
 wherein the controller is in electronic communication with the first acoustic communication node, and is configured to decode acoustic control signals received thereby and selectively operate the tool control device in response thereto. 
   
     
     
         2 . The subsea tool assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the tool control device is a hydraulic accumulator in fluid communication with the tool, and the controller selectively operates the hydraulic accumulator to supply hydraulic fluid to the tool. 
     
     
         3 . The subsea tool assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the hydraulic accumulator includes a closed volume for containing hydraulic fluid enclosed within the package. 
     
     
         4 . The subsea tool assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the hydraulic accumulator includes an electronically controlled valve that can be selectively opened or closed by the controller to allow hydraulic fluid to exit the closed volume or prevent hydraulic fluid from exiting the closed volume. 
     
     
         5 . The subsea tool assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the electronically controlled valve is a solenoid valve. 
     
     
         6 . The subsea tool assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the package further comprises a hydraulic fluid conduit in fluid communication with the hydraulic accumulator, and wherein the hydraulic fluid conduit extends from the package into the tool to supply hydraulic fluid to the tool. 
     
     
         7 . The subsea tool assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical power source is a battery. 
     
     
         8 . The subsea tool assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the package is removably coupled to the string at a first axial end and removably coupled to the tool at an opposing, second axial end. 
     
     
         9 . The subsea tool assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the package is threadably coupled to the string at the first axial end and threadably coupled to the tool at the second axial end. 
     
     
         10 . The subsea tool assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the first axial end and second axial end form tool joints with the string and tool, respectively. 
     
     
         11 . The subsea tool assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a second acoustic communication node positioned on the tubular body and spaced from the first acoustic communication node, wherein the second acoustic communication node is configured to receive and relay acoustic signals from and to the first acoustic communication node through the tubular body of the string. 
     
     
         12 . The subsea tool assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a sensor for detecting data relating to an operational downhole or tool condition and configured to transmit the data reflecting the operational downhole or tool condition for communication to the first acoustic communication node;   wherein the first acoustic communication node generates an acoustic signal indicative of the operational downhole or tool condition from the data relating to the operational downhole or tool condition and transmits this uphole through the tubular body of the string.   
     
     
         13 . The subsea tool assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the subsea tool assembly is a landing tool assembly, the string is a landing string, and the tool is a tubular hanger running tool for running a tubing hanger into a wellhead. 
     
     
         14 . The subsea tool assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the tool control device is configured to actuate the tubular hanger running tool to lock the tubing hanger in position within the wellhead. 
     
     
         15 . A subsea tool communication system comprising:
 the subsea tool assembly of  claim 1 ,   a control terminal configured to selectively generate tool control signals for communication downhole;   a control communication device configured to receive tool control signals from the control terminal and convert these to acoustic signals, wherein the control communication device is further configured to transmit the acoustic signals downhole through the tubular body of the string.   
     
     
         16 . The subsea tool communication system of  claim 15 , wherein the control terminal and control communication device are located on an oil platform or vessel at a sea surface. 
     
     
         17 . A method of operating a subsea tool comprising the steps of:
 sending acoustic signals through a tubular body of a string;   receiving the acoustic signals at a first acoustic communication node of a package operatively connected to the string;   communicating the acoustic signals to a controller of the package;   decoding the acoustic signals using the controller to provide a control signal for operating the subsea tool;   sending the control signal to a tool control device;   activating the tool control device using the control signal to operate a tool operatively connected to the package.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of sending acoustic signals through a tubular body of a string further comprises:
 using a control terminal above a sea surface to provide the control signal;   transmitting the control signal to a control communication device;   converting the control signal to acoustic signals using the control communication device;   transmitting the acoustic signals through the tubular body of the string using the control communication device.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 using a sensor to sense data relating to an operational downhole or tool condition;   transmitting the data relating to an operational downhole or tool condition to the controller or the first acoustic communication node;   generating an acoustic signal indicative of the operational downhole or tool condition using the first acoustic communication node; and   transmitting the acoustic signal indicative of the operational downhole or tool condition uphole through the tubular body of the string.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 using a/the control communication device to receive the acoustic signal indicative of the operational downhole or tool condition;   converting the acoustic signal indicative of the operational downhole or tool condition to electronic data indicative of the operational downhole or tool condition;   transmitting the electronic data indicative of the operational downhole or tool condition to a/the control terminal.