Christmas tree and assembly for controlling flow from a completed well

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11668152-B2
Application number	US-202017635010-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 14, 2020
Priority date	Aug 15, 2019
Publication date	Jun 6, 2023
Grant date	Jun 6, 2023

Abstract

A Christmas tree includes a main body, an bulkhead connector, a wet-mate connector, a cable, and a sensor. The main body has a first and a second main body end, and a further passage, and encloses a main passage. The further passage includes a first further passage end at a main body exterior and a second further passage end at the main passage, and extends from the first to the second further passage end. The bulkhead connector is secured to the main body exterior to close the first further passage end, and has a first and a second electrical connection. The wet-mate connector is mounted in the second further passage end to close the second further passage end. The cable transmits an electrical signal and connects the first electrical connection to the wet-mate connector. The sensor is arranged in the further passage and electrically connects to the second electrical connection.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A Christmas tree comprising:
a main body comprising,
a first main body end which is configured to be secured to a wellhead,
a second main body end which is configured to be connected to a production flowline, wherein, the main body is configured to enclose a main passage as a first fluid flow path which extends from the first main body end to the second main body end so that a fluid in the wellhead can pass along the main passage to the production flowline, and
a further passage comprising a first further passage end at an exterior of the main body and a second further passage end at the main passage, the further passage being configured to extend from the first further passage end to the second further passage end so as to provide a second fluid flow path from the main passage to the exterior of the main body;

an electrical bulkhead connector which is secured to the exterior of the main body so as to close the first further passage end, the electrical bulkhead connector comprising a first electrical connection and a second electrical connection;
a wet-mate connector which is mounted in the second further passage end so as to close the second further passage end;
a cable which is configured to transmit an electrical signal and to electrically connect the first electrical connection of the electrical bulkhead connector to the wet-mate connector; and
a sensor arranged in the further passage, the sensor being electrically connected to the second electrical connection of the electrical bulkhead connector.

2. The Christmas tree as recited in claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a vibration sensor, or an acoustic sensor.

3. The Christmas tree as recited in claim 1 , wherein the electrical bulkhead connector further comprises a third electrical connection which is configured to be earthed.

4. The Christmas tree as recited in claim 1 , wherein the wet-mate connector comprises a first wet-mate end which is arranged in the second further passage end, and a second wet-mate end which extends into the main passage and which is configured to engage with and form an electrical connection with a further corresponding electrical connector.

5. The Christmas tree as recited in claim 1 , wherein the electrical bulkhead connector further comprises a multi-pin electrical bulkhead.

6. The Christmas tree as recited in claim 1 , wherein,
the main passage comprises a first main passage portion with a longitudinal axis which, when the Christmas tree is mounted on the wellhead, extends generally parallel to a main fluid flow passage through the wellhead, and
the main body further comprises a radially outwardly facing exterior surface which is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first main passage portion.

7. The Christmas tree as recited in claim 6 , wherein the first further passage end forms a port in the radially outwardly facing exterior surface of the main body.

8. The Christmas tree as recited in claim 6 , wherein the main body further comprises a production flowline connector which is configured to be connected to the production flowline so that the fluid can flow from the main passage into the production flowline.

9. The Christmas tree as recited in claim 8 , wherein,
the main passage further comprises a second main passage portion which extends generally perpendicular to the first main passage portion through the production flowline connector, and
the production flowline connector is arranged on the radially outwardly facing exterior surface of the main body.

10. The Christmas tree as recited in claim 6 , wherein the second further passage end extends into the first main passage portion.

11. The Christmas tree as recited in claim 6 , wherein the further passage further comprises a first further passage portion which extends into the main body from the radially outwardly facing exterior surface of the main body, and a second further passage portion which extends into the main body to the first further passage portion from the first main passage portion.

12. The Christmas tree as recited in claim 11 , wherein,
the first main passage portion has a larger diameter portion at the first main body end and a smaller diameter portion which extends from the larger diameter portion to the second main passage portion, and
the main body further comprises a shoulder between the larger diameter portion and the smaller diameter portion of the main passage, the shoulder extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first main passage portion.

13. The Christmas tree as recited in claim 12 , wherein the second further passage end extends to and forms a port in the shoulder.

14. The Christmas tree as recited in claim 11 , wherein the second further passage portion extends generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first main passage portion.

15. A well completion assembly comprising:
a wellhead comprising the Christmas tree as recited in claim 1 ; and
a tubing hanger mounted in the wellhead.

16. The well completion assembly as recited in claim 15 , wherein,
the tubing hanger comprises a corresponding wet-mate connector, and
the wet-mate connector of the Christmas tree is connected to the corresponding wet-mate connector provided in the tubing hanger.

17. A method of pressure testing the Christmas tree as recited in claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a pressure sensor, the method comprising:
pumping a pressurized fluid into the main passage; and
using the pressure sensor to monitor a pressure in the further passage.

Assignees

• Aker Solutions As

Inventors

• Skauen Torgeir
• Spitz Stuart

Classifications

• E21B33/03

  Well heads; Setting-up thereof · CPC title

• E21B47/06

  Measuring temperature or pressure · CPC title

• E21B33/035 Primary

  specially adapted for underwater installations (E21B33/043, E21B33/064, E21B33/076 take precedence) · CPC title

• E21B33/0355

  Control systems, e.g. hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, acoustic, for submerged well heads · CPC title

• E21B33/038

  Connectors used on well heads, e.g. for connecting blow-out preventer and riser · CPC title