US3770053A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ocean bottom well tubing valve installation
Assignee: FMC Corp
•
Filing: 1971-12-14
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Granted: 1973-11-06
•
Expires: 1991-12-14
Abstract
Abstract A method for completing an offshore well with tubing strings having full opening valves at the ocean floor or mudline, and one style of apparatus that can be used for carrying out the method. The method generally involves running and setting the tubing strings in a hanger at the ocean floor or mudline, and then continuing the strings to the surface wellhead by means of tubing extensions that are fitted with remotely controllable valves at the lower ends. The tubing extensions are releasably connected to the tubing strings so that the extensions and the valves can be removed and reinstalled as an assembly, such as for servicing or replacing the valves, without also having to remove the tubing strings or their hanger from the well. The described apparatus includes a tie-back adapter for connecting a riser to the innermost casing hanger in an underwater well at the mudline, a master bushing that supports the tubing strings inside the tieback adapter, and a tie-back mechanism for releasably connecting the tubing extensions to the tubing strings.
Inventors
- 👤 D Martin
- 👤 J Sarver
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:29
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B33/00; E21B33/02; E21B33/03; E21B33/035; E21B17/00; E21B17/01; E21B33/04; E21B33/047
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for remote completion of an under-water well for production of fluids therefrom, the well having at least one string of casing, comprising the folLowing steps: a. running and connecting a riser to the casing to provide a continuous conduit from the casing to the surface; b. running at least one tubing string through the riser and landing said string in the well approximate the location of the lower end of the riser; c. running a tubing extension equipped with a tubing flow control valve into and down the riser to the landed tubing string; and d. releasably connecting the tubing extension into fluid-tight flow communication with the landed tubing string, whereby the tubing flow control valve can be withdrawn from the well for servicing or replacement without having to remove or otherwise disturb the tubing string from its landed position in the well.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for remote completion of an under-water well for production of fluids therefrom, the well having at least one string of casing, comprising the folLowing steps: a. running and connecting a riser to the casing to provide a continuous conduit from the casing to the surface; b. running at least one tubing string through the riser and landing said string in the well approximate the location of the lower end of the riser; c. running a tubing extension equipped with a tubing flow control valve into and down the riser to the landed tubing string; and d. releasably connecting the tubing extension into fluid-tight flow communication with the landed tubing string, whereby the tubing flow control valve can be withdrawn from the well for servicing or replacement without having to remove or otherwise disturb the tubing string from its landed position in the well.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1 including the step of locking down and packing off the tubing string to establish a fluid-tight seal between it and the casing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein two tubing strings are run through the riser, and wherein two tubing extensions, each including a tubing flow control valve, are run into and down the riser and releasably connected to the two landed tubing strings, one extension per string.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein the first tubing string is connected at its upper end to a master bushing that is run, landed and locked down with said first tubing string, and wherein the second tubing string includes a tubing coupling that is run, landed and locked down into said master bushing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein the tubing extensions are releasably secured at their upper ends to a surface located tubing support means connected to the riser.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein the tubing extensions are hung in tension from the tubing support means.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
203 words
A method for remote completion of an underwater well for production of fluids therefrom, the well having at least one string of casing, comprising: a. running and connecting a riser to the casing to provide a continuous conduit from the casing to the surface; b. running a first tubing string and a master bushing, connected to the upper end of said tubing string, through the riser, and landing and locking down said first tubing string and said master bushing in the well approximate the location of the lower end of the riser; c. running a second tubing string that includes a tubing coupling through the riser, and landing said tubing coupling in the master bushing; d. locking down the second tubing string into the master bushing by running and connecting a locking means to said master bushing; e. running two tubing extensions, each including a tubing flow control valve, into and down the riser; and f. releasably connecting the two tubing extensions to the two tubing strings, one extension per string, whereby the tubing flow control valves can be withdrawn from the well for servicing or replacement without also removing or otherwise disturbing the tubing strings from their landed condition in the well.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
203 words
A method for remote completion of an underwater well for production of fluids therefrom, the well having at least one string of casing, comprising: a. running and connecting a riser to the casing to provide a continuous conduit from the casing to the surface; b. running a first tubing string and a master bushing, connected to the upper end of said tubing string, through the riser, and landing and locking down said first tubing string and said master bushing in the well approximate the location of the lower end of the riser; c. running a second tubing string that includes a tubing coupling through the riser, and landing said tubing coupling in the master bushing; d. locking down the second tubing string into the master bushing by running and connecting a locking means to said master bushing; e. running two tubing extensions, each including a tubing flow control valve, into and down the riser; and f. releasably connecting the two tubing extensions to the two tubing strings, one extension per string, whereby the tubing flow control valves can be withdrawn from the well for servicing or replacement without also removing or otherwise disturbing the tubing strings from their landed condition in the well.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
165 words
A method for remote completion of an underwater well for production of fluids therefrom, the well having at least one string of casing, comprising: a. running and connecting a riser to the casing to provide a continuous conduit from the casing to the surface; b. running first and second tubing strings through the riser and landing said strings in the well approximate the location of the lower end of the riser; c. running a tubing string lock down means through the riser, and landing said tubing string lock down means to releasably secure said second tubing string in the well; d. running two tubing extensions, each including a tubing flow control valve, into and down the riser; and e. releasably connecting the tubing extensions to the two tubing strings, one extension per string, whereby the tubing flow control valves can be withdrawn from the well for servicing or replacement without also removing or otherwise disturbing the tubing strings from their landed condition in the well.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
165 words
A method for remote completion of an underwater well for production of fluids therefrom, the well having at least one string of casing, comprising: a. running and connecting a riser to the casing to provide a continuous conduit from the casing to the surface; b. running first and second tubing strings through the riser and landing said strings in the well approximate the location of the lower end of the riser; c. running a tubing string lock down means through the riser, and landing said tubing string lock down means to releasably secure said second tubing string in the well; d. running two tubing extensions, each including a tubing flow control valve, into and down the riser; and e. releasably connecting the tubing extensions to the two tubing strings, one extension per string, whereby the tubing flow control valves can be withdrawn from the well for servicing or replacement without also removing or otherwise disturbing the tubing strings from their landed condition in the well.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
233 words
A method for completing an offshore underwater well from a remote, water surface location, said well containing at least one string of casing extending downward from the ocean floor, comprising: a. running a riser, having a connector means at its lower end, to the well and connecting said riser to the casing; b. running a first tubing string, connected at its upper end to a master bushing, into the well, and landing and locking said master bushing in said connector means; c. running a second tubing string, connected at its upper end to a tubing coupling, through the riser and the master bushing and landing said tubing coupling in said master bushing; d. running a lock down means to the master bushing and locking down the second tubing string and the tubing coupling; e. running a first tubing extension, including a tubing flow control valve, through the riser and releasably securing said tubing extension to the master bushing in flow communication with the first tubing string; and f. running a second tubing extension, including a tubing flow control valve, through the riser and releasably securing said second tubing extension to the tubing coupling in flow communication with the second tubing string, whereby said tubing flow control valves can be individually disconnected from said tubing strings and removed from the well for servicing or replacement while said tubing strings remain undisturbed in the well.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
233 words
A method for completing an offshore underwater well from a remote, water surface location, said well containing at least one string of casing extending downward from the ocean floor, comprising: a. running a riser, having a connector means at its lower end, to the well and connecting said riser to the casing; b. running a first tubing string, connected at its upper end to a master bushing, into the well, and landing and locking said master bushing in said connector means; c. running a second tubing string, connected at its upper end to a tubing coupling, through the riser and the master bushing and landing said tubing coupling in said master bushing; d. running a lock down means to the master bushing and locking down the second tubing string and the tubing coupling; e. running a first tubing extension, including a tubing flow control valve, through the riser and releasably securing said tubing extension to the master bushing in flow communication with the first tubing string; and f. running a second tubing extension, including a tubing flow control valve, through the riser and releasably securing said second tubing extension to the tubing coupling in flow communication with the second tubing string, whereby said tubing flow control valves can be individually disconnected from said tubing strings and removed from the well for servicing or replacement while said tubing strings remain undisturbed in the well.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 9 including suspending the tubing extensions from a tubing head mounted on the riser at a surface location.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein the tubing extensions are suspended in tension from the surface located tubing head.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 9 including automatically locking down and packing off the master bushing into the connector means adapter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein the connector means comprises a tie-back adapter that is run with the riser and connected into the casing in fluid-tight relationship therewith.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein the lock down means comprises a lock down ring that is threaded to the master bushing to lock the second tubing string into said bushing.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-05 | 1977-05-07 | 1977-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-05 | 1981-05-07 | 1981-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-05 | 1985-05-07 | 1985-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |