Non-orientating tubing hanger and tree
AssigneeDril-Quip, Inc.
InventorsJohn E. Nelson, Frank D. Kalb
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for landing a tubing hanger in a wellhead, landing a tree on the wellhead, and making electrical and hydraulic couplings between the tree and the tubing hanger without having to orient the tree or the tubing hanger relative to each other are provided. This is accomplished using a seal sub that is coupled to the tree and lowered with the tree into contact with the tubing hanger located in the wellhead. The seal sub features an electrical conductor that facilitates electrical coupling of the tree to the tubing hanger. The tubing hanger and seal sub may include a metal-to-metal and elastomeric seal arrangement designed to seal off electrical and hydraulic connections between these components when, the tree is positioned within the wellhead.
Claims20
A system, comprising:
- a tubing hanger for landing in a wellhead, wherein the tubing hanger comprises a bore, a hydraulic fluid conduit, and an electrical or fiber optic line;
- a tree for landing on the tubing hanger within the wellhead, wherein the tree comprises a bore, a hydraulic fluid conduit, and an electrical or fiber optic line;
- and
- a seal sub coupled to a radially inner wall of the tree and configured to be landed in and engaged with a radially inner wall of the tubing hanger, wherein the seal sub comprises:
- a first series of seals disposed along a radially outer wall of the seal sub, the first series of seals defining at least one upper circumferential sealed zone between the seal sub and the tree;
- and
- a second series of seals disposed along the radially outer wall of the seal sub, the second series of seals defining at least one lower circumferential sealed zone between the seal sub and the tubing hanger;
- wherein the seal sub provides a hydraulic connection and an electrical connection between the seal sub and the tubing hanger regardless of an orientation of the tubing hanger relative to the tree.
A seal sub, comprising:
- a bore;
- a hydraulic fluid conduit;
- an electrical or fiber optic line;
- a first series of seals disposed along a radially outer wall of the seal sub, wherein the first series of seals defines at least one upper circumferential sealed zone between the outer wall of the seal sub and a tree;
- a second series of seals disposed along the radially outer wall of the seal sub, wherein the second series of seals defines at least one lower circumferential sealed zone between the outer wall of the seal sub and a tubing hanger;
- an electrical conductor disposed between adjacent seals of the seal sub, wherein the electrical conductor extends 360 degrees about the seal sub;
- and
- an electrical shroud configured to insulate the electrical conductor, wherein the electrical shroud comprises protrusions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.