# US 2010/0163243 A1 · Intervention system dynamic seal and compliant guide > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2010/0163243 A1 - Document ID: US20100163243A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/532,661 - Filed: 2008-04-03 - Published: 2010-07-01 - Earliest claimed: 2007-04-05 - Assignees: Schlumberger Technology Corporation - Inventors: Andrea Sbordone - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20100163243A1 ## CPC - E21B 17/015: {Non-vertical risers, e.g. articulated or catenary-type} - E21B 33/076: specially adapted for underwater installations - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract A technique for subsea intervention operations utilizes a retrievable dynamic seal assembly. The retrievable dynamic seal assembly is deployed toward a seabed and locked into place within a tubular member at a subsea installation. During deployment, the dynamic seal assembly is releasably locked to an intervention tool string coupled to a conveyance. Once the dynamic seal assembly is locked in place within the tubular, the tool string is released and the dynamic seal assembly maintains a seal against the conveyance during an intervention operation. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for use with a subsea well, comprising: a compliant guide extending between a surface location and a subsea installation; and a dynamic seal sized for movement through the compliant guide to a desired location, the dynamic seal having a locking mechanism to lock the dynamic seal at the desired location. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a conveyance on which the dynamic seal is transported through the compliant guide. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the dynamic seal comprises an attachment mechanism for attaching the dynamic seal to the conveyance. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the dynamic seal seals against the conveyance during movement of the conveyance through the dynamic seal. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the desired location is within the compliant guide and the dynamic seal forms a sealing contact with the compliant guide when positioned at the desired location. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the compliant guide is a spoolable compliant guide. ### Claim 7 A method of intervening in a subsea well, comprising: coupling a compliant guide between a surface location and a subsea installation; moving a dynamic seal down through the compliant guide to a desired subsea location; and locking the dynamic seal into an operative position at the desired subsea location. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method as recited in claim 7, further comprising releasing the dynamic seal; and retrieving the dynamic seal through the compliant guide following an intervention operation. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method as recited in claim 7, wherein moving comprises moving the dynamic seal through the compliant guide on a conveyance. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising moving the conveyance through the dynamic seal in sealing engagement with the dynamic seal. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The method as recited in claim 7, wherein locking comprises locking the dynamic seal within a lower end of the compliant guide. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The method as recited in claim 7, further comprising: activating the dynamic seal to seal against the conveyance; opening the subsea well; and delivering an intervention tool into the subsea well via the conveyance. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising adjusting the seal between the conveyance and the dynamic seal by adjusting the differential pressure above and below the dynamic seal. ### Claim 14 A method of performing a subsea intervention operation, comprising: releasably connecting a retrievable dynamic seal assembly above a tool string coupled to a conveyance; landing the retrievable dynamic seal assembly in a tubular having a lubricating chamber to facilitate deployment of the tool string into a pressurized subsea installation; locking the retrievable dynamic seal assembly at its landing position in the tubular; releasing the tool string; and activating the retrievable dynamic seal assembly to form a dynamic seal with the conveyance. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method as recited in claim 14, further comprising equalizing pressure between the lubricating chamber and the subsea installation to enable opening of the subsea installation for delivery of the tool string. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method as recited in claim 15, further comprising conveying the tool string into the subsea installation and performing an intervention operation. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method as recited in claim 16, further comprising: retrieving the tool string into the lubricating chamber; and locking the tool string to the retrievable dynamic seal assembly. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method as recited in claim 17, further comprising: releasing the retrievable dynamic seal assembly from its landing position in the tubular; and retrieving the tool string and the retrievable dynamic seal assembly to a surface location. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The method as recited in claim 14, wherein landing comprises conveying the retrievable dynamic seal assembly and the tool string to the subsea installation through a tubular member. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The method as recited in claim 14, wherein activating comprises creating a plurality of dynamic seals with the conveyance. ### Claim 21 A system for subsea intervention operations, comprising: a retrievable dynamic seal assembly, comprising: a body; a tool string lock mechanism coupled to the body at a location to releasably lock the retrievable dynamic seal assembly to a tool string; a releasable locking mechanism positioned to lock the retrievable dynamic seal assembly in an operational position within a tubular structure at a subsea installation; a dynamic seal having an actuator that enables selective actuation of the dynamic seal to seal against a conveyance coupled to the tool string; and a sealing mechanism positioned to form a seal between the body and the tubular. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The system as recited in claim 21, wherein the dynamic seal comprises a plurality of actuatable dynamic seals. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The system as recited in claim 21, wherein the dynamic seal is hydraulically actuated. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The system as recited in claim 21, wherein the releasable locking mechanism can be overridden with a pre-established overpull. ### Claim 25 (depends on 21) The system as recited in claim 21, wherein the body comprises a fishing neck portion. ### Claim 26 (depends on 21) The system as recited in claim 21, further comprising a valve positioned in the body to block flow through the dynamic seal if the conveyance is not present in the retrievable dynamic seal assembly. ### Claim 27 (depends on 21) The system as recited in claim 21, wherein activation and deactivation of the dynamic seal is accomplished independent of pressures in the subsea installation and the subsea environment.