Method and apparatus for replacing a packer element
AssigneeTuboscope I/P, Inc.
InventorDenzal Wayne Van Winkle
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and a device for replacing a seal element in an undersea blowout preventer is provided. A complete system includes a control center on the surface, an umbilical from the control center to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), and a seal element carrier manipulated by the ROV. The carrier includes either retrieving tool or a running tool, which retains a cartridge which is to be inserted into or has been retrieved from a BOP. The cartridge is split along a vertical plane, with each half of the cartridge becoming a temporarily integral part of a pipe ram on either side of the BOP. Alignment ramps on the cartridge mate with complementary surfaces on the respective faces of the pipe rams.
Claims13
A method of replacing a sealing element in an undersea blowout preventer comprising the steps of:
- a. lowering a retrieving tool within a retrieving cylinder to an undersea blowout preventer;
- b. removing a first cartridge carrying the sealing element from the blowout preventer into the retrieving cylinder by the retrieving tool;
- c. mounting a replacement sealing element to a second cartridge;
- d. mounting the second cartridge on a running tool within a running cylinder;
- e. lowering the running cylinder with the second cartridge to the blowout preventer;
- and
- f. inserting the second cartridge into the blowout preventer.
A system for replacing a sealing element in a blowout preventer on the ocean floor comprising:
- a. a retrieving tool for retrieving a first sealing element from the blowout preventer;
- b. a running tool for running a new sealing element to the blowout preventer;
- c. a first cartridge for retaining the first sealing element;
- d. a second cartridge for retaining the new sealing element;
- and
- e. a cartridge latch for alternately retaining the first cartridge and the second within the blowout preventer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.