Off-center running tool for subsea tree
AssigneeVetco Gray Inc.
InventorDavid N. Spencer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A running tool for lowering a christmas tree to a subsea wellhead. The running tool includes an off center adjustment to compensate for asymmetric weight distribution in the christmas tree. The running tool comprises a main body, latches for coupling the body to the christmas tree, an offset arm connected to the body, and a lift arm (drill pipe adaptor) connected to the lift arm and selectively positioned on the lift arm to offset and compensate for the christmas tree asymmetric weight distribution.
Claims21
A running tool for raising and/or lowering a subsea wellhead member, the running tool comprising:
- a tool body having an axis;
- a latch on the tool body;
- an offset member attached to the tool body;
- and
- a lift arm affixed to the offset member, the lift arm selectively offset from the tool axis to accommodate for asymmetric weight distribution in the subsea wellhead member.
A running tool for subsea attachment to a subsea wellhead member, the tool comprising:
- a tool body configured for insertion into a main bore of the subsea wellhead member, the tool body having an axis aligned with the bore axis;
- a subsea wellhead member latching device attached to the tool body;
- an elongate offset member attached to the tool body and oriented with its elongate side substantially perpendicular to the tool body axis;
- and
- a lift arm mechanically coupled to the offset member selectively positioned along the elongate side of the member based on the center of gravity of the running tool and the subsea wellhead member.
A method of handling a subsea wellhead member comprising:
- providing a running tool having a body with an axis, a wellhead member latch on the body, an offset member attached to the body, and a lift arm attached to the offset member;
- estimating an offset distance from the tool body axis to where the lift arm is attached to the offset member, where attaching the lift arm an offset distance from the tool body axis compensates for asymmetric weight distribution of the subsea wellhead member about its axis;
- selectively positioning the lift arm on the offset member a distance away from the axis substantially equal to the offset difference;
- attaching the running tool to the subsea wellhead member;
- and
- manipulating the running tool thereby moving the subsea wellhead member with respect to a subsea well to conduct a subsea wellbore operation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.