SEALING DEVICE

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

[0001] This application is based on and claims priority to Brazilian Application No. BR 20 2025 000413 0, filed on January 9, 2025, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application refers to a sealing device installed by remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROV) for making a system leak-tight until the entry of the rig, which will carry out the well abandonment.

BACKGROUND

[0003] The offshore oil industry requires, during well intervention operations, among various equipment, the use of sealing devices, especially in old wells with possible hydrocarbon leaks through the Christmas Tree Cap mandrel.

[0004] Before the present application, it was necessary to urgently deploy a rig within a short timeframe to intervene in the well, and the mobilization of this resource was highly critical and could cause an environmental impact if there was a leak of oily fluid into the sea, since both the rig and the tools needed for the intervention are difficult to mobilize within a short timeframe.

[0005] To address unexpected hydrocarbon leaks through the mandrel holes of the Christmas Tree Cap, a sealing device was designed to be installed by the ROV to make the system leak-tight until the arrival of the rig, which will carry out the well abandonment. Thus, the device acts by sealing the system as a whole until the rig is programmed to enter, in the medium and long term, to carry out the definitive well abandonment.

[0006] As it is a simple device in terms of dimensions and weight, it can be installed via crane cable by means of a less critical resource, such as a Remotely Supported Vessel (RSV). The device compresses the top of the subsea connector (HUB) and creates a sealing ring in the coupling region, temporarily addressing the fluid leak and preventing the need for an emergency intervention by a rig within a short timeframe. Document CN216477238U discloses a utility model that comprises a wellhead sealing device for performing minor well repairs, comprising a rubber sleeve, a lower ring, and an upper ring. The upper ring is located on top of the lower ring, the longitudinal section of the upper ring is L-shaped, and an annular clamping groove is formed between the upper ring and the lower ring. The top of the rubber cylinder is fixed in the clamping groove, and the bottom of the rubber cylinder penetrates through an internal hole of the lower ring and extends downward; a set of first screws connected to the lower ring and a set of second screws connected to a wellhead flange are arranged on the upper ring; a set of Z-shaped longitudinal screw joints are arranged above the upper ring, two ends of each screw joint are respectively connected to a first screw and a second screw that are adjacent in position, and a damping block made of an elastic material is coated on the part of the second screw between the screw joints and the upper ring. The sealing device is assembled with a wellhead flange and an internal rubber sleeve and is more firmly combined with the wellhead flange, thus improving the stability of the wellhead seal. Document CN216866639U discloses a wellhead closure device comprising a wellhead body and a sealing cap, the sealing cap is attached to the top of the wellhead body by means of a flange plate, the bottom of the sealing cap is fixed to a sealing ring, the upper part of the wellhead body is fixed to a sealing mounting block, and the sealing mounting block is fixed to the flange plate.

[0007] Document US5329971A discloses an apparatus for hermetically sealing the central opening in a flange, which extends perpendicularly to a tube intended for water drainage. A generally disc-shaped sealing member is attached to the lower end of a threaded shaft screwed through an intermediate hub in a mounting body that extends diametrically. A pair of L-shaped retaining arms are pivotally connected to the corresponding ends of the mounting body. The flange can be integrally formed with a cylindrical sleeve or collar that fits over the upper end of the tube. Additionally, the flange has a large central opening defined by a circular inner edge, is formed with a pair of key-shaped grooves spaced diametrically, and has four smaller holes formed in it and spaced at ninety degrees.

[0008] The concern in the development of this equipment was to design a sealing device installed by the ROV to make the system leak-tight until the arrival of the rig, in order to carry out the permanent abandonment of the well, preventing fluid from escaping through the mandrel holes in the Christmas Tree Cap, which can be manufactured according to the specifications of the mandrel for each well. Additionally, the equipment was designed to minimize environmental impacts until the well is permanently abandoned, and it does not require a hood to contain the leaked fluid, nor does it need to drain this fluid periodically.

[0009] In this context, despite technological developments, there are still scenarios where it is necessary to use a sealing device installed by the ROV to make the system leak-tight until the rig enters to definitively abandon the well in a faster and safer manner with an RSV resource, which is less costly and more available in subsea activities compared to the availability of rigs. The emergency deployment of a rig for intervention within a short timeframe may occur mainly for older and flowing wells that have been in operation for more than twenty years, due to the unexpected leakage of hydrocarbons migrating through the mandrel holes of the Christmas Tree Cap. Both the rig and the tools necessary for intervention are difficult to mobilize within a short timeframe, increasing the risk of environmental impact. Given this, the development of a sealing device capable of making the system leak-tight up to the entrance of the rig becomes necessary.

[0010] The application described below results from ongoing research in this field, which aims to develop a sealing device installed by the ROV capable of making the system leak-tight until the rig enters for the well definitive abandonment. It is a quick solution compared to the availability of a rig to perform the same service; furthermore, there is no need to make a type of plug for each leaking hole, as the solution seals the entire system. The project is simple and low-cost, and can be installed with a RSV. After the well abandonment, the tool is retrieved and can be reused in another project.

OBJECTIVES

[0011] The purpose of this application is to provide a new function in a sealing device installed by a ROV, which is capable of keeping a system leak-tight until the arrival of a rig to carry out the permanent abandonment of a well.

SUMMARY

[0012] According to the present application, an improvement is disclosed in a sealing device 1 for a Christmas Tree Cap, comprising: a split clamp 5, comprising: a closure handle 10, a closure base 6, a closure pin 11, an articulation device 8, a ball joint 9, a plurality of padeyes 7A, 7B, a plurality of shackles 33A, 33B, 33C, 33D, a plurality of holes 37A, 37B, 37C, 37D, 37E, 37F, 37G, 37H; a sealing cap 100, configured to be fitted into the split clamp 5, the sealing cap 100 comprising: a central shaft 90, comprising a shackle 32 and a padeye 39, a plurality of through-holes 38A, 38B, 38C, 38D, 38E, 38F, 38G, 38H, wherein the sealing cap 100 is secured to the split clamp 5 by means of a plurality of guide sleeves 44 inserted into each of the plurality of through-holes 38A, 38B, 38C, 38D, 38E, 38F, 38G, 38H of the sealing cap 100 and into each of the plurality of holes 37A, 37B, 37C, 37D, 37E, 37F, 37G, 37H of the split clamp 5. wherein the guide sleeve 44 comprises a first fastening nut 44A at a first end of the guide sleeve 44 and a second fastening nut 44B at a second end of the guide sleeve 44, opposite the first end of the guide sleeve 44.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0013] The present application will be better understood from the detailed description and the figures described below, which refer thereto.

[0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the Christmas Tree Cap mandrel, where a split clamp will be installed.

[0015]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the split clamp installed on the mandrel of the Christmas Tree Cap.

[0016]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the descent of the sealing cap that will be fitted into the split clamp. FIG. 4 is a perspective view with the sealing cap installed and a torque wrench tightening the sealing cap with the split clamp.

[0017]FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the installation of the sleeves with nuts.

[0018]FIG. 6 is another perspective view illustrating the installation of the sleeves with nuts.

[0019]FIG. 7 is an illustration of the larger O-ring and the smaller O-ring used for sealing the cap on the mandrel.

[0020]FIG. 8 is an illustration of the closure base.

[0021]FIG. 9 is an illustration of the padeyes.

[0022]FIG. 10 is an illustration of the articulation device.

[0023]FIG. 11 is an illustration of the ball joint.

[0024]FIG. 12 is an illustration of the closure handle.

[0025]FIG. 13 is an illustration of the closure pin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The present application represents an improvement in a sealing device for a Christmas Tree Cap.

[0027]FIG. 1 illustrates a Christmas Tree Cap 800 with a hydrocarbon leak, which migrates through the mandrel holes; therefore, to stop the leak, a split clamp 5 will descend in an open position through slings 21A, 21B attached to a Masterlink 31 and connected to the split clamp 5 via shackles 22A, 22B and to the padeyes 7A, 7B.

[0028] Furthermore, it is possible to observe on the split clamp 5 the presence of a closure handle 10, a closing base 6, a closure pin 11, an articulation device 8, a ball joint 9, a plurality of shackles 33A, 33B, 33C, 33D, a plurality of holes 37A, 37B, 37C, 37D, 37E, 37F, 37G, 37H, and a plurality of guide sleeves 44.

[0029]FIG. 2 shows the split clamp 5 fitted into the mandrel of the Christmas Tree Cap. The split clamp 5 is closed and tightened with a grip using the closure handle 10.

[0030]FIG. 3 illustrates the lowering of the sealing cap 100, using a shackle 32, connected to a padeye 39, where the sealing cap 100 is fitted into the split clamp 5 through the guide sleeves 44.

[0031]FIG. 4 illustrates the sealing cap 100 in greater detail, in which it is possible to observe the presence of a plurality of through-holes 38A, 38B, 38C, 38D, 38E, 38F, 38G, 38H, wherein one of the plurality of guide sleeves 44 is inserted into one of the plurality of through-holes 38A, 38B, 38C, 38D, 38E, 38F, 38G, 38H of the sealing cap and inserted into one of the plurality of holes 37A, 37B, 37C, 37D, 37E, 37F, 37G, 37H. A torque wrench 200 is used to tighten the nuts 44A, 44B (not shown) of the guide sleeve 44.

[0032]FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a perspective view of the sealing device 1, in which it is possible to observe in detail the sealing cap 100, the central shaft 90, the padeye 39, the shackle 32, and the guide sleeves 44, wherein a first fastening nut 44A is tightened by means of a torque wrench on a first end of the guide sleeve 44, and a second fastening nut 44B is tightened by means of a torque wrench on a second end of the guide sleeve 44, opposite to the first end of the guide sleeve 44.

[0033]FIG. 7 illustrates the larger O-ring 3, which represents the first protection barrier for sealing the mandrel, and the smaller O-ring 4, which represents the second protection barrier for sealing the mandrel. The larger O-ring 3 and the smaller O-ring 4 are inserted into the mandrel ports 34 to provide a leak-tight sealing.

[0034]FIG. 8 is a detailed representation of the closure base 6, which functions to hold the closure handle 10 in order to ensure the coupling of the split clamp 5. The closure base 6 comprises a fastening support 216, a support shaft 217, and a fastening wall 218.

[0035]FIG. 9 is a detailed representation of the padeyes 7A, 7B, which represent the connection point for the slings 21A, 21B used to move the split clamp 5. The padeyes 7A, 7B comprise a support shaft 219, a through-hole 220, and a base platform 221.

[0036]FIG. 10 is a detailed representation of the articulation device 8, which serves as a guide for the closure pin to couple the split clamp 5. The articulation device 8 comprises a column 223 and an articulated seat 224.

[0037]FIG. 11 is a detailed representation of the ball joint 9, which ensures the opening and closing of the split clamp 5. The ball joint 9 comprises a support column 225, a support surface 226, and a plurality of through-holes 227.

[0038]FIG. 12 is a detailed representation of the closure handle 10, which tensions the split clamp 5 to ensure closure and coupling to the mandrel. The closure handle 10 comprises a tightening grip 228, a shaft 229, a centering disc 230, and a base 231.

[0039]FIG. 13 is a detailed representation of the closure pin 11, which moves within the articulation device 8 so that the closure handle 10 performs the coupling of the split clamp 5 to the mandrel. The closure pin 11 comprises a closing hole 232 and a cylindrical base 233.

[0040] Therefore, in the event of hydrocarbon leakage problems through the mandrel ports, O-rings 3, 4 will be inserted into the mandrel ports 34, a split clamp 5 will be fitted onto the mandrel 34 with the aid of a closure handle 10, guide sleeves 44 will be inserted into the plurality of holes 37A, 37B, 37C, 37D, 37E, 37F, 37G, 37H of the split clamp 5 so that a sealing cap 100 is fitted onto the split clamp 5, and during fitting, the guide sleeves 44 inserted into the plurality of openings 37A, 37B, 37C, 37D, 37E, 37F, 37G, 37H of the split clamp 5 are inserted into the plurality of through-holes 38A, 38B, 38C, 38D, 38E, 38F, 38G, 38H of the sealing cap 100. The guide sleeves are secured to the split clamp 5 and the sealing cap 100 by means of nuts 44A, 44B and a torque wrench 200, thereby ensuring a leak-tight sealing.