BOP stack with a universal intervention interface

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9115563-B2
Application number	US-201414266551-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 30, 2014
Priority date	Dec 9, 2010
Publication date	Aug 25, 2015
Grant date	Aug 25, 2015

Abstract

Systems for accessing a well bore including a BOP stack with a universal intervention interface are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system includes a BOP stack and a valve assembly. The BOP stack has a throughbore and is installable on a well such that the throughbore is in fluid communication with the well bore. The valve assembly is coupled to the BOP stack and includes a fluid flowpath in fluid communication with the BOP stack throughbore, two valves connected in series and disposed along the fluid flowpath, the valves operable to control flow through the fluid flowpath, and a ROV panel including ports accessible by a ROV for operation of the two valves.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system for accessing a bore of a subsea well through a BOP stack using different types of intervention equipment, the system comprising:
a valve assembly configured to couple to the BOP stack, the valve assembly including:
a fluid flowpath configured to be in fluid communication with a throughbore of the BOP stack;
two valves connected in series and disposed along the fluid flowpath, the valves operable to control flow through the fluid flowpath;
a tubular spool attached to the two valves opposite the BOP stack so as to be in fluid communication with the fluid flowpath, the tubular spool comprising a hub suitable for connection by the different types of intervention equipment; and
a ROV panel including ports accessible by a ROV for operation of the two valves.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the hub comprises a universal intervention interface.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the hub comprises a profile that conforms to API standards.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the different types of intervention equipment comprise at least one of a flow line, a gooseneck, a conduit, a jumper, a manifold, a choke, and injection equipment.

5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising the BOP stack including the throughbore and installable on the subsea well such that the throughbore is in fluid communication with the subsea well, the valve assembly coupled to the BOP stack such that the fluid flowpath is in fluid communication with the BOP stack throughbore.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the valve assembly is coupled to the BOP stack over a port in fluid communication with the BOP stack throughbore, the fluid flowpath of the valve assembly in fluid communication with the port.

7. The system of claim 5 , wherein the BOP stack is supported on a frame, and wherein the hub of the tubular spool extends from the BOP stack to be at least flush with a footprint of the frame.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the tubular spool comprises a flowbore that extends in a direction substantially parallel to a flowbore of at least one of the two valves, wherein the ROV panel defines a plane, wherein the tubular spool comprises an elongated cylindrical profile that extends out substantially perpendicular to the plane of the ROV panel, and wherein a length of the tubular spool is at least the same size as a height of the ROV panel.

9. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a closure assembly disposed at the hub, the closure assembly preventing fluid flow from the fluid flowpath and being removable to enable fluid flow to or from the fluid flowpath, and wherein the closure assembly comprises a blind hub and a ROV operable clamp.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the valve assembly is connectable to a flowline such that the flowline is configured to be in fluid communication with the BOP stack throughbore through the fluid flowpath of the valve assembly, and wherein the flowline is one of a group consisting of a choke line and a kill line.

11. A system for accessing a bore of a subsea well through a valve assembly using different types of intervention equipment, the system comprising:
a tubular spool configured to be attached to the valve assembly opposite the subsea well so as to be in fluid communication with a fluid flowpath of the valve assembly, the tubular spool comprising a hub suitable for connection by the different types of intervention equipment; and
a ROV panel connected to the tubular spool and including ports accessible by a ROV for operation of the valve assembly.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the hub comprises a universal intervention interface.

13. The system of claim 11 , wherein the hub comprises a profile that conforms to API standards.

14. The system of claim 11 , wherein the ROV panel defines a plane, wherein the tubular spool comprises an elongated cylindrical profile that extends out substantially perpendicular to the plane of the ROV panel, and wherein a length of the tubular spool is at least the same size as a height of the ROV panel.

15. The system of claim 11 , further comprising:
a BOP stack including a throughbore and installable on the subsea well such that the throughbore is in fluid communication with the subsea well; and
the valve assembly coupled to the BOP stack such that the fluid flowpath of the valve assembly is in fluid communication with the BOP stack throughbore, the valve assembly including two valves connected in series and disposed along the fluid flowpath, the valves operable to control flow through the fluid flowpath.

16. A system for accessing a bore of a subsea well through a valve assembly using different types of intervention equipment, the system comprising:
a tubular spool configured to be attached to the valve assembly opposite the subsea well so as to be in fluid communication with a fluid flowpath of the valve assembly, the tubular spool comprising a profile that conforms to API standards suitable for connection by the different types of intervention equipment; and
a ROV panel connected to the tubular spool and including ports accessible by a ROV for operation of the valve assembly.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the tubular spool comprises a universal intervention interface that comprises a hub.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the hub is suitable for connection by the different types of intervention equipment.

19. The system of claim 16 , wherein the ROV panel defines a plane, wherein the tubular spool comprises an elongated cylindrical profile that extends out substantially perpendicular to the plane of the ROV panel, and wherein a length of the tubular spool is at least the same size as a height of the ROV panel.

20. The system of claim 16 , further comprising:
a BOP stack including a throughbore and installable on the subsea well such that the throughbore is in fluid communication with the subsea well; and
the valve assembly coupled to the BOP stack such that the fluid flowpath of the valve assembly is in fluid communication with the BOP stack throughbore, the valve assembly including:
two valves connected in series and disposed along the fluid flowpath, the valves operable to control flow through the fluid flowpath.

Assignees

• Cameron Int Corp

Inventors

• Kotrla Johnnie E
• Stevenson Ross

Classifications

• E21B33/076 Primary

  specially adapted for underwater installations · CPC title

• E21B33/064 Primary

  specially adapted for underwater well heads · CPC title

• E21B33/068 Primary

  having provision for introducing objects or fluids into, or removing objects from, wells (cementing-heads E21B33/05) · CPC title