EP0499547B1 - Underwater wellhead - Google Patents

Underwater wellhead Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0499547B1
EP0499547B1 EP92400392A EP92400392A EP0499547B1 EP 0499547 B1 EP0499547 B1 EP 0499547B1 EP 92400392 A EP92400392 A EP 92400392A EP 92400392 A EP92400392 A EP 92400392A EP 0499547 B1 EP0499547 B1 EP 0499547B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
suspension device
closure element
well
well head
production column
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP92400392A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0499547A1 (en
Inventor
Michel Iato
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Societe Nationale Elf Aquitaine Production SA
Original Assignee
Societe National Elf Aquitaine
Societe Nationale Elf Aquitaine Production SA
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Application filed by Societe National Elf Aquitaine, Societe Nationale Elf Aquitaine Production SA filed Critical Societe National Elf Aquitaine
Publication of EP0499547A1 publication Critical patent/EP0499547A1/en
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Publication of EP0499547B1 publication Critical patent/EP0499547B1/en
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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
    • E21B33/02—Surface sealing or packing
    • E21B33/03—Well heads; Setting-up thereof
    • E21B33/035—Well heads; Setting-up thereof specially adapted for underwater installations
    • E21B33/038—Connectors used on well heads, e.g. for connecting blow-out preventer and riser
    • E21B33/0385—Connectors used on well heads, e.g. for connecting blow-out preventer and riser electrical connectors
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
    • E21B33/02—Surface sealing or packing
    • E21B33/03—Well heads; Setting-up thereof
    • E21B33/04—Casing heads; Suspending casings or tubings in well heads
    • E21B33/0407—Casing heads; Suspending casings or tubings in well heads with a suspended electrical cable
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/01—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells specially adapted for obtaining from underwater installations
    • E21B43/013—Connecting a production flow line to an underwater well head

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an underwater wellhead, and, more particularly, to such a wellhead intended for use on an activated well of an oil field at low pressure.
  • the pressure of the hydrocarbons at the wellhead is low and may even be lower than the pressure prevailing at the bottom of the sea.
  • a pump should be installed, for example at the lower end of the production column.
  • an electric pump of the centrifugal type which requires the laying of an electric cable between a source, generally mounted on the central platform, and the pump motor.
  • the pump being used in a corrosive environment, has a lifespan of the order of one year.
  • the pump fails, it is necessary to disconnect the wellhead, remove the production column fitted with the pump, replace the pump and reinstall the production column and wellhead.
  • This complex and therefore costly operation is made even more complicated by the need to re-establish the electrical connection and to ensure the hydraulic communication of the production column with the production line at the outlet of the wellhead.
  • GB-A-1082825 describes an underwater wellhead for eruptive wells.
  • Document EP-A-374016 describes a well head for activated wells provided with an electrical connector with inductive coupling intended to supply an electric pump arranged at the bottom of a production column.
  • a closure element is mounted on the well head via a thread. The mounting of the closure element requires a rotation thereof relative to the well head.
  • Document WO 86/01852 corresponding to the characteristics of the preamble of claim 1, describes an underwater well head comprising a hollow body intended to receive a suspension device, provided with a production column, which is retained in the hollow body by lateral actuators.
  • the present invention therefore relates to an underwater wellhead of simple and reliable construction, and which simplifies the operation of changing the pump disposed at the bottom of the production column.
  • the invention provides an underwater wellhead, for activated wells, comprising a hollow body tightly mounted on a well and intended to receive a suspension device provided with a production column intended for s' extending into the well, the body being provided, in addition, with an outlet for the petroleum product rising from the well by the production column, the hydraulic passage between the production column and the outlet being effected through the suspension device , the hydraulic passage being ensured regardless of the rotational position of the suspension device relative to the body, characterized in that it comprises a closure element mounted on an open end of the body, the closure element having a substantially shaped annular allowing it to be mounted on the body, only by axial translation regardless of the relative rotational position of the closure element relative to the body and in that the closure element is arranged to hold the suspension device in place, the hollow body being provided with a safety valve intended to close the hollow body during removal of the closure element.
  • an underwater wellhead is disposed on the seabed 12.
  • the wellhead 10 comprises a body 14, substantially tubular which is mounted in leaktight manner with respect to an oil well 16 via a base 18.
  • the body 14 is provided with a hydrocarbon outlet 20 intended to be connected to an oil pipe (not shown) and an inlet 22 which is in hydraulic communication with the annular space 24 between the wall of the well 16 and the production column 26.
  • the device 30 is provided with an annular seal 32 which isolates the inside the body 10 of the annular space 24.
  • the inlet 20 communicates with the interior of the production column 26 via an annular space 34, defined between the device 30 and the body 10, and d 'a passage 36 formed in the body 14.
  • the device 30 further comprises a passage 38 through which passes an electric cable 40 intended to supply a pump (not shown) which is mounted at the lower end of the production column 26.
  • the end of the cable 40 is connected to the male element 42 of an electrical connector 44 of the cylindrical type.
  • the body 14 is provided with a safety valve 46 which is radially movable to come to cooperate with an annular groove 48 formed in the device 30 for suspending the production column, thus forming the interior of the body 10.
  • a closing element is removably mounted on the body 14 and comprises the female part 52 of the electrical connector 44.
  • the closing element 50, the body 14 and device 30 are arranged together coaxially.
  • the closing element 50 comprises a hydraulic actuator 54 intended to move the female part 52 to establish an electrical connection with the male element 42 of the electrical connector 44.
  • the closing element 50 further comprises an annular ring 56 in which is mounted a pressure sensor 58 capable of measuring the pressure prevailing at the outlet of the production column 26, via a passage 60 and the interior of the body 14. It should be noted that the device 30 is mounted inside the body 14 with a predetermined play.
  • mounting arms 62 which are intended to receive guide and mounting tubes 64 arranged around the lower end of an extension tube 66, more commonly known as a "riser".
  • an extension tube 66 more commonly known as a "riser”.
  • the safety valve 46 When there is a failure of the pump mounted at the bottom of the production column 26, it is changed by first closing the safety valve 46. Having thus closed the interior of the body 14, the element can be removed closure 50 after having previously disconnected the male and female elements from the electrical connector 44.
  • a location 68 is provided on one of the mounting arms 62 to receive the closure element 50 after removal of the well head 10. This position is shown in Figure 2 in dotted lines.
  • the lower end of the riser 66 has an annular flange 70 having a shape substantially similar to that of the closing element 50.
  • the riser 66 is lowered onto the well head 10 so that the guide tubes 64 are received on the mounting arm 62, the annular flange 70 attaching to the body 14 in place of the closing element 50.
  • the safety valve 46 is then reopened allowing the withdrawal, from the inside of the riser 66, of the device 30 from suspension as well as the column of production 26 fitted with the faulty pump.
  • the pump is replaced before lowering the assembly formed by the device 30 from the production column 26 and from the pump in order to replace it in the well head 10.
  • the symmetrical shape of the device 30 as well as the presence of the annular space 34 avoid the need to orient the device 30 in the body 14, the hydraulic passage between the production column and the outlet 20 establishing itself automatically.
  • the safety valve 46 is closed before removing the riser 66 and replacing the closing element 50.
  • the symmetrical shape of the closing element 50 as well as the location of the electrical connector 44 on the longitudinal axis of the well head 10 also avoids the need to orient the closing element 50 on the body 14.
  • the present invention allows a simplified installation and replacement of the well head without the need for a predetermined orientation of the elements.

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  • Geology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Structures Of Non-Positive Displacement Pumps (AREA)
  • Physical Or Chemical Processes And Apparatus (AREA)
  • Agricultural Chemicals And Associated Chemicals (AREA)
  • Paper (AREA)
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging Apparatus (AREA)
  • Control Of Throttle Valves Provided In The Intake System Or In The Exhaust System (AREA)
  • Removal Of Floating Material (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Radiation Diagnosis (AREA)

Abstract

Underwater well head (10) for activated wells, comprising a hollow body (14) mounted in a sealed manner on a well (16) and intended to receive a hanging device (30) equipped with a production casing (26) designed to extend into the well, the body (14) being equipped, in addition, with an outlet (20) for the oil product rising up the well inside the production casing (26), the hydraulic flow between the production casing (26) and the outlet (20) taking place through the hanging device (30), characterised in that the hydraulic flow can take place regardless of the rotational position of the hanging device (30) relative to the body (14). <IMAGE>

Description

La présente invention se rapporte à une tête de puits sous-marine, et, plus particulièrement, à une telle tête de puits destinée à être utilisée sur un puits activé d'un champ pétrolier à faible pression.The present invention relates to an underwater wellhead, and, more particularly, to such a wellhead intended for use on an activated well of an oil field at low pressure.

Lors de la mise en production d'un champ pétrolier sous-marin, plusieurs puits, disposés de manière espacée sur la surface du champ, sont reliés à une plate-forme de production centrale par des conduites qui sont disposées sur le fond de la mer. Chaque puits est muni d'une tête de puits qui assure l'étanchéité du puits par rapport à son environnement et qui comporte une ou plusieurs vannes de sécurité.When an underwater oil field is put into production, several wells, spaced apart on the surface of the field, are connected to a central production platform by pipes which are arranged on the seabed Each well is fitted with a well head which seals the well in relation to its environment and which includes one or more safety valves.

Dans certains champs pétroliers, la pression des hydrocarbures à la tête de puits est faible et peut même être inférieure à la pression régnant au fond de la mer. Afin de mettre en production ce type de champ, où les hydrocarbures ne sont pas naturellement éruptifs, il convient d'installer une pompe par exemple à l'extrémité inférieure de la colonne de production.In certain oil fields, the pressure of the hydrocarbons at the wellhead is low and may even be lower than the pressure prevailing at the bottom of the sea. In order to put into production this type of field, where the hydrocarbons are not naturally eruptive, a pump should be installed, for example at the lower end of the production column.

De manière classique, on utilise, en général, une pompe électrique du type centrifuge qui nécessite la pose d'un câble électrique entre une source, généralement montée sur la plate-forme centrale, et le moteur de la pompe. La pompe, étant utilisée dans un milieu corrosif, a une durée de vie de l'ordre d'un an. Lors de la défaillance de la pompe, il est nécessaire de déconnecter la tête de puits, de retirer la colonne de production munie de la pompe, de remplacer la pompe et de réinstaller la colonne de production et la tête de puits. Cette opération complexe, et donc coûteuse, est rendue plus compliquée encore par la nécessité de réétablir la connexion électrique et d'assurer la mise en communication hydraulique de la colonne de production avec la ligne de production à la sortie de la tête de puits.Conventionally, an electric pump of the centrifugal type is generally used which requires the laying of an electric cable between a source, generally mounted on the central platform, and the pump motor. The pump, being used in a corrosive environment, has a lifespan of the order of one year. When the pump fails, it is necessary to disconnect the wellhead, remove the production column fitted with the pump, replace the pump and reinstall the production column and wellhead. This complex and therefore costly operation is made even more complicated by the need to re-establish the electrical connection and to ensure the hydraulic communication of the production column with the production line at the outlet of the wellhead.

Le document GB-A-1082825 décrit une tête de puits sous-marine pour puits éruptifs.GB-A-1082825 describes an underwater wellhead for eruptive wells.

Le document EP-A-374016 décrit une tête de puits pour puits activés munie d'un connecteur électrique à accouplement inductif destiné à alimenter une pompe électrique disposée au fond d'une colonne de production. Un élément de fermeture est monté sur la tête de puits par l'intermédiaire d'un filetage. Le montage de l'élément de fermeture nécessite une rotation de celui-ci par rapport à la tête de puits.Document EP-A-374016 describes a well head for activated wells provided with an electrical connector with inductive coupling intended to supply an electric pump arranged at the bottom of a production column. A closure element is mounted on the well head via a thread. The mounting of the closure element requires a rotation thereof relative to the well head.

Le document WO 86/01852, correspondant aux caractéristiques du préambule de la revendication 1, décrit une tête de puits sous-marine comprenant un corps creux destiné à recevoir un dispositif de suspension, muni d'une colonne de production, qui est retenu dans le corps creux par des actionneurs latéraux.Document WO 86/01852, corresponding to the characteristics of the preamble of claim 1, describes an underwater well head comprising a hollow body intended to receive a suspension device, provided with a production column, which is retained in the hollow body by lateral actuators.

La présente invention a donc pour objet une tête de puits sous-marine de construction simple et fiable, et qui rend plus simple l'opération de changement de la pompe disposée au fond de la colonne de production.The present invention therefore relates to an underwater wellhead of simple and reliable construction, and which simplifies the operation of changing the pump disposed at the bottom of the production column.

Pour ce faire, l'invention propose une tête de puits sous-marine, pour puits activés, comprenant un corps creux monté de façon étanche sur un puits et destiné à recevoir un dispositif de suspension muni d'une colonne de production prévue pour s'étendre dans le puits, le corps étant muni, de plus, d'une sortie pour le produit pétrolier remontant du puits par la colonne de production, le passage hydraulique entre la colonne de production et la sortie s'effectuant à travers le dispositif de suspension, le passage hydraulique étant assuré quelle que soit la position en rotation du dispositif de suspension par rapport au corps , caractérisée en ce qu'elle comporte un élément de fermeture monté sur une extrémité ouverte du corps, l'élément de fermeture ayant une forme sensiblement annulaire lui permettant d'être monté sur le corps, uniquement par translation axiale quelle que soit la position relative en rotation de l'élément de fermeture par rapport au corps et en ce que l'élément de fermeture est agencé à maintenir en place le dispositif de suspension, le corps creux étant muni d'une vanne de sécurité destinée à fermer le corps creux lors d'un retrait de l'élément de fermeture.To do this, the invention provides an underwater wellhead, for activated wells, comprising a hollow body tightly mounted on a well and intended to receive a suspension device provided with a production column intended for s' extending into the well, the body being provided, in addition, with an outlet for the petroleum product rising from the well by the production column, the hydraulic passage between the production column and the outlet being effected through the suspension device , the hydraulic passage being ensured regardless of the rotational position of the suspension device relative to the body, characterized in that it comprises a closure element mounted on an open end of the body, the closure element having a substantially shaped annular allowing it to be mounted on the body, only by axial translation regardless of the relative rotational position of the closure element relative to the body and in that the closure element is arranged to hold the suspension device in place, the hollow body being provided with a safety valve intended to close the hollow body during removal of the closure element.

D'autres particularités et avantages de la présente invention apparaîtront plus clairement à la lecture de la description ci-après faite, à titre d'exemple, en référence aux dessins annexés sur lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue en coupe longitudinale d'une tête de puits selon l'invention ; et
  • la figure 2 est une vue, analogue à celle de la figure 1, de la tête de puits lors d'un changement de la pompe.
Other particularities and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the description below made, by way of example, with reference to the appended drawings in which:
  • Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a well head according to the invention; and
  • Figure 2 is a view, similar to that of Figure 1, of the well head when changing the pump.

Comme indiqué sur la figure 1, une tête de puits sous-marine, représentée généralement en 10 est disposée sur le fond de la mer 12. La tête de puits 10 comprend un corps 14, sensiblement tubulaire qui est monté de manière étanche par rapport à un puits pétrolier 16 par l'intermédiaire d'un socle 18. Le corps 14 est muni d'une sortie d'hydrocarbure 20 destinée à être reliée à une conduite pétrolière (non représentée) et une entrée 22 qui est en communication hydraulique avec l'espace annulaire 24 entre la paroi du puits 16 et la colonne de production 26.As shown in FIG. 1, an underwater wellhead, generally represented at 10, is disposed on the seabed 12. The wellhead 10 comprises a body 14, substantially tubular which is mounted in leaktight manner with respect to an oil well 16 via a base 18. The body 14 is provided with a hydrocarbon outlet 20 intended to be connected to an oil pipe (not shown) and an inlet 22 which is in hydraulic communication with the annular space 24 between the wall of the well 16 and the production column 26.

Un dispositif 30 de suspension de la colonne de production, monté à l'intérieur du corps 10, reçoit, de manière fixe à son extrémité inférieure, la colonne de production 26. Le dispositif 30 est muni d'un joint annulaire 32 qui isole l'intérieur du corps 10 de l'espace annulaire 24. L'entrée 20 communique avec l'intérieur de la colonne de production 26 par l'intermédiaire d'un espace annulaire 34, défini entre le dispositif 30 et le corps 10, et d'un passage 36 formé dans le corps 14. Le dispositif 30 comporte, de plus, un passage 38 par lequel passe un câble électrique 40 destiné à alimenter une pompe (non représentée) qui est montée à l'extrémité inférieure de la colonne de production 26. L'extrémité du câble 40 est reliée à l'élément mâle 42 d'un connecteur électrique 44 du type cylindrique.A device 30 for suspending the production column, mounted inside the body 10, receives, fixedly at its lower end, the production column 26. The device 30 is provided with an annular seal 32 which isolates the inside the body 10 of the annular space 24. The inlet 20 communicates with the interior of the production column 26 via an annular space 34, defined between the device 30 and the body 10, and d 'a passage 36 formed in the body 14. The device 30 further comprises a passage 38 through which passes an electric cable 40 intended to supply a pump (not shown) which is mounted at the lower end of the production column 26. The end of the cable 40 is connected to the male element 42 of an electrical connector 44 of the cylindrical type.

Le corps 14 est muni d'une vanne de sécurité 46 qui est déplaçable radialement pour venir coopérer avec une gorge annulaire 48 formée dans le dispositif 30 de suspension de la colonne de production, formant ainsi l'intérieur du corps 10. Un élément de fermeture, représenté généralement en 50 est monté amovible sur le corps 14 et comporte la partie femelle 52 du connecteur électrique 44. L'élément de fermeture 50, le corps 14 et le dispositif 30 sont disposés ensemble de façon coaxiale. l'élément de fermeture 50 comporte un actionneur hydraulique 54 destiné à déplacer la partie femelle 52 pour établir une connexion électrique avec l'élément mâle 42 du connecteur électrique 44. L'élément de fermeture 50 comprend, de plus, une bague annulaire 56 dans laquelle est monté un capteur de pression 58 susceptible de mesurer la pression régnant à la sortie de la colonne de production 26, par l'intermédiaire d'un passage 60 et l'intérieur du corps 14. Il est à noter que le dispositif 30 est monté à l'intérieur du corps 14 avec un jeu prédéterminé.The body 14 is provided with a safety valve 46 which is radially movable to come to cooperate with an annular groove 48 formed in the device 30 for suspending the production column, thus forming the interior of the body 10. A closing element , generally shown at 50, is removably mounted on the body 14 and comprises the female part 52 of the electrical connector 44. The closing element 50, the body 14 and device 30 are arranged together coaxially. the closing element 50 comprises a hydraulic actuator 54 intended to move the female part 52 to establish an electrical connection with the male element 42 of the electrical connector 44. The closing element 50 further comprises an annular ring 56 in which is mounted a pressure sensor 58 capable of measuring the pressure prevailing at the outlet of the production column 26, via a passage 60 and the interior of the body 14. It should be noted that the device 30 is mounted inside the body 14 with a predetermined play.

Le montage et le démontage de la tête de puits 10 seront maintenant décrits en se référant à la figure 2. Autour de la tête de puits 10 sont disposés des bras 62 de montage qui sont destinés à recevoir des tubes 64 de guidage et de montage disposés autour de l'extrémité inférieure d'un tube prolongateur 66, plus communément appelé "riser". Quand on constate une défaillance de la pompe montée au fond de la colonne de production 26, on procède à son changement en fermant d'abord la vanne de sécurité 46. Ayant ainsi obturé l'intérieur du corps 14, on peut retirer l'élément de fermeture 50 après avoir préalablement déconnecté les éléments mâle et femelle du connecteur électrique 44. Un emplacement 68 est prévu sur l'un des bras de montage 62 pour recevoir l'élément de fermeture 50 après retrait de la tête de puits 10. Cette position est représentée sur la figure 2 en pointillés.The mounting and dismounting of the wellhead 10 will now be described with reference to FIG. 2. Around the wellhead 10 are arranged mounting arms 62 which are intended to receive guide and mounting tubes 64 arranged around the lower end of an extension tube 66, more commonly known as a "riser". When there is a failure of the pump mounted at the bottom of the production column 26, it is changed by first closing the safety valve 46. Having thus closed the interior of the body 14, the element can be removed closure 50 after having previously disconnected the male and female elements from the electrical connector 44. A location 68 is provided on one of the mounting arms 62 to receive the closure element 50 after removal of the well head 10. This position is shown in Figure 2 in dotted lines.

L'extrémité inférieure du riser 66 comporte une collerette annulaire 70 ayant une forme sensiblement analogue à celle de l'élément de fermeture 50. Le riser 66 est descendu sur la tête de puits 10 de façon que les tubes de guidage 64 soient reçus sur les bras de montage 62, la collerette annulaire 70 se fixant sur le corps 14 à la place de l'élément de fermeture 50. La vanne de sécurité 46 est ensuite réouverte permettant le retrait, par l'intérieur du riser 66, du dispositif 30 de suspension ainsi que de la colonne de production 26 munie de la pompe défaillante. On procède au remplacement de la pompe avant de redescendre l'ensemble formé du dispositif 30 de la colonne de production 26 et de la pompe pour la remettre en place dans la tête de puits 10.The lower end of the riser 66 has an annular flange 70 having a shape substantially similar to that of the closing element 50. The riser 66 is lowered onto the well head 10 so that the guide tubes 64 are received on the mounting arm 62, the annular flange 70 attaching to the body 14 in place of the closing element 50. The safety valve 46 is then reopened allowing the withdrawal, from the inside of the riser 66, of the device 30 from suspension as well as the column of production 26 fitted with the faulty pump. The pump is replaced before lowering the assembly formed by the device 30 from the production column 26 and from the pump in order to replace it in the well head 10.

Selon un aspect de l'invention, la forme symétrique du dispositif 30 ainsi que la présence de l'espace annulaire 34 évitent la nécessité d'orienter le dispositif 30 dans le corps 14, le passage hydraulique entre la colonne de production et la sortie 20 s'établissant automatiquement.According to one aspect of the invention, the symmetrical shape of the device 30 as well as the presence of the annular space 34 avoid the need to orient the device 30 in the body 14, the hydraulic passage between the production column and the outlet 20 establishing itself automatically.

Ayant remis le dispositif 30 en place dans le corps 14, la vanne de sécurité 46 est fermée avant le retrait du riser 66 et la remise en place de l'élément de fermeture 50. La forme symétrique de l'élément de fermeture 50 ainsi que l'emplacement du connecteur électrique 44 sur l'axe longitudinal de la tête de puits 10 évitent également la nécessité d'orienter l'élément de fermeture 50 sur le corps 14.Having replaced the device 30 in place in the body 14, the safety valve 46 is closed before removing the riser 66 and replacing the closing element 50. The symmetrical shape of the closing element 50 as well as the location of the electrical connector 44 on the longitudinal axis of the well head 10 also avoids the need to orient the closing element 50 on the body 14.

Afin de pouvoir s'assurer, lors de sa mise en place, que la nouvelle pompe est en état de marche, on peut prévoir l'installation d'un câble d'alimentation électrique à l'intérieur du riser 66. De cette manière, on peut s'assurer du fonctionnement de la pompe avant de remettre en place l'élément de fermeture 50.In order to be able to ensure, during its installation, that the new pump is in working condition, provision may be made for the installation of an electrical supply cable inside the riser 66. In this way, the operation of the pump can be checked before replacing the closing element 50.

Ainsi, la présente invention permet une mise en place et un remplacement simplifiés de la tête de puits sans avoir besoin d'une orientation prédéterminée des éléments.Thus, the present invention allows a simplified installation and replacement of the well head without the need for a predetermined orientation of the elements.

Claims (4)

  1. Submarine well head (10), for activated wells, comprising a hollow body (14) mounted in leaktight manner on a well (16) and intended to accommodate a suspension device (30) equipped with a production column (26) provided so as to extend into the well, the body (14) being further provided with an outlet (20) for the petroleum product rising from the well via the production column (26), the hydraulic passage between the production column (26) and the outlet (20) being brought about via the suspension device (30), the hydraulic passage being provided irrespective of the rotational position of the suspension device (30) relative to the body (14), characterised in that it comprises a closure element (50) mounted on an open end of the body (14), the closure element (50) being substantially annular enabling it to be mounted on the body (14) solely by axial translation irrespective of the relative rotational position of the closure element (50) with respect to the body (14); and in that the closure element (50) is arranged so as to hold the suspension device (30) in place, the hollow body (14) being provided with a safety valve (46) for closing the hollow body when the closure element (50) is withdrawn.
  2. Well head according to Claim 1, characterised in that the hydraulic passage partially consists of an annular space defined between the suspension device (30) and the body (14).
  3. Well head according to Claim 2, characterised in that the body (14) is substantially tubular, the suspension device (30) being substantially cylindrical, the annular space being defined between the interior of the body (14) and a part, of the suspension device (30), having a smaller cross-section.
  4. Well head according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that it further comprises an electric cable (40) for supplying a pump disposed at the bottom of the production column (26), the well head (10) also being provided with an electrical connector (44) of which a part (42) is mounted on the suspension device (30), the other part (52) being mounted on the closure element (50), the closure element being provided with an activator (54) for bringing the two parts (42, 52) of the electrical connector (44) into electrical contact.
EP92400392A 1991-02-14 1992-02-13 Underwater wellhead Expired - Lifetime EP0499547B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9101723A FR2672935B1 (en) 1991-02-14 1991-02-14 UNDERWATER WELL HEAD.
FR9101723 1991-02-14

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0499547A1 EP0499547A1 (en) 1992-08-19
EP0499547B1 true EP0499547B1 (en) 1994-11-02

Family

ID=9409697

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP92400392A Expired - Lifetime EP0499547B1 (en) 1991-02-14 1992-02-13 Underwater wellhead

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Country Link
US (1) US5213162A (en)
EP (1) EP0499547B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE113692T1 (en)
DE (1) DE69200593D1 (en)
FR (1) FR2672935B1 (en)
NO (1) NO179624C (en)
OA (1) OA09590A (en)

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US6062312A (en) * 1998-04-09 2000-05-16 Kvaerner Oilfield Products Tree running tool with emergency release
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US7063160B2 (en) * 2002-07-30 2006-06-20 Vetco Gray Inc. Non-orienting tubing hanger system with a flow cage
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
OA09590A (en) 1993-04-30
NO179624B (en) 1996-08-05
EP0499547A1 (en) 1992-08-19
NO920584D0 (en) 1992-02-14
DE69200593D1 (en) 1994-12-08
NO920584L (en) 1992-08-17
US5213162A (en) 1993-05-25
FR2672935A1 (en) 1992-08-21
ATE113692T1 (en) 1994-11-15
NO179624C (en) 1996-11-13
FR2672935B1 (en) 1999-02-26

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