Systems and methods for monitoring subsea wellhead systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018283162-A1
Application number	US-201715476197-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 31, 2017
Priority date	Mar 31, 2017
Publication date	Oct 4, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

A system includes a wellhead monitoring system. The wellhead monitoring system includes a processor configured to receive from a sensor a detection of one or more operating parameters associated with a wellhead disposed within a subsea environment. The sensor is coupled to the wellhead, and is configured to detect the one or more operating parameters within the subsea environment. The processor is configured to store the detection of the one or more operating parameters, and to generate an output based at least in part on the detection of the one or more operating parameters. The output includes an indication of an operational fatigue or an operational health of the wellhead.

First claim

1 . A system, comprising:
a wellhead monitoring system, comprising: a processor configured to:
receive from a sensor a detection of one or more operating parameters associated with a wellhead disposed within a subsea environment, wherein the sensor is coupled to a casing of the wellhead and is configured to detect the one or more operating parameters within the subsea environment;
store the detection of the one or more operating parameters; and
generate an output based at least in part on the detection of the one or more operating parameters, wherein the output comprises an indication of an operational fatigue or an operational health of the wellhead.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to receive the detection of the one or more operating parameters within the subsea environment.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to receive a detection of a cement level parameter, a cement quality parameter, a fluid level parameter, a pressure parameter, temperature parameter, a vibration parameter, a clearance parameter, a flow parameter, a load parameter, or any combination thereof, as the detection of the one or more operating parameters.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to receive a detection of an annulus pressure of the wellhead and an annular temperature of the wellhead as the detection of the one or more operating parameters.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a giant magneto-resistive (GMR) sensor.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a tunnel magneto-resistive (TMR) sensor.

7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to generate the output during a drilling operation of the wellhead.

8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to generate the output during a production operation of the wellhead.

9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to store the detection of the one or more operating parameters at the wellhead within the subsea environment.

10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to transmit the stored detection of the one or more operating parameters to a central control system at an above-sea location.

11 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer executable code stored thereon, the code comprising instructions to:
cause a processor of a wellhead monitoring system to receive from a sensor a detection of one or more operating parameters associated with a wellhead disposed within a subsea environment, wherein the sensor is coupled to a casing of the wellhead and is configured to detect the one or more operating parameters within the subsea environment; cause the processor to store the detection of the one or more operating parameters; and cause the processor to generate an output based at least in part on the detection of the one or more operating parameters, wherein the output comprises an indication of an operational fatigue or an operational health of the wellhead.

12 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11 , wherein the code comprises instructions to cause the processor to generate the output during a drilling operation of the wellhead.

13 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11 , wherein the code comprises instructions to cause the processor to generate the output during a production operation of the wellhead.

14 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11 , wherein the code comprises instructions to cause the processor to store the detection of the one or more operating parameters at the wellhead within the subsea environment.

15 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11 , wherein the code comprises instructions to cause the processor to transmit the stored detection of the one or more operating parameters to a central control system at an above-sea location.

16 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the code comprises instructions to cause the central control system to generate an output comprising an indication of the operational fatigue or the operational health of the wellhead.

17 . A wellhead sensor and monitoring system, comprising:
a plurality of subsea sensors each coupled to a casing of a subsea wellhead and configured to detect one or more operating parameters associated with the subsea wellhead while disposed within a subsea environment; and a subsea wellhead monitoring system coupled to each of the plurality of subsea sensors, wherein the subsea wellhead monitoring system is configured to:
receive the detection of the one or more operating parameters;
store the detection of the one or more operating parameters; and
generate an output based at least in part on the detection of the one or more operating parameters, wherein the output comprises an indication of an operational fatigue or an operational health of the subsea wellhead.

18 . The wellhead sensor and monitoring system of claim 17 , wherein the plurality of subsea sensors comprises a plurality of giant magneto-resistive (GMR) sensors.

19 . The wellhead sensor and monitoring system of claim 17 , wherein the plurality of subsea sensors comprises a plurality of tunnel magneto-resistive (TMR) sensors.

20 . The wellhead sensor and monitoring system of claim 17 , wherein the plurality subsea sensors are configured to be disposed along a high pressure housing, a low pressure housing, a connector, or a combination thereof, of the subsea wellhead.

Assignees

• Vetco Gray Inc

Inventors

• Bird Derrell Wade
• Yates Chad Eric

Classifications

• E21B47/001 Primary

  for underwater installation · CPC title

• E21B47/124

  Fixed Constructions · mapped topic

• E21B47/06

  Measuring temperature or pressure · CPC title

• E21B47/0001 Primary

  Fixed Constructions · mapped topic

• E21B33/0355 Primary

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