US3877520A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Subsea completion and rework system for deep water oil wells
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-08-17
•
Granted: 1975-04-15
•
Expires: 1993-08-17
Abstract
Abstract A subsea completion system for a plurality of wells drilled from a single template, the template being divided into a plurality of wellhead sections and a plurality of equipment sections. Each wellhead section of the template has a concentric stab ring around the wellhead with the production and service tubing extending from the stab rings of the respective wellhead sections to similar stab rings in the equipment sections of the template. Well completion modules, header modules, separator modules, and power equipment modules are individually connected by means of a mating stab ring at the bottom of the modules to the respective stab rings in the template sections after the template is placed on the sea floor and the wells are drilled. Each well completion module includes the production tree, tubing, hydraulic controls, and equipment necessary to operate the well, the tubing and hydraulic lines terminating in the bottom stab ring for connection to the template. An upper stab ring is provided at the top of each module with tubing extending directly to the tubing connections in the lower stab ring through diverters. A multiposition diverter unit is attachable from the surface to the upper stab ring and can be operated to connect a riser to any one of the tubing connections in the stab ring, providing a direct tubing path between the riser and any one of the tubing connections in the corresponding section of the template. The direct tubing connection provides access for the setting or removal of plugs in the tubing in each template section from the surface through the associated module. This permits the tubing in the template to be shut off, permitting removal of any of the modules from the surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul S Putnam
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:52
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B33/00; E21B33/02; E21B33/03; E21B33/068; E21B33/076; E21B23/00; E21B23/08; E21B23/12; E21B33/035; E21B33/038; E21B33/0387; E21B41/00; E21B41/08; E21B43/00; E21B43/01; E21B43/017; E21B43/0175
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
228 words
A subsea well completion apparatus comprising: a template frame positioned on the sea floor, the template frame having a plurality of sections, each section including a plurality of stab connectors, flow tubing mounted in the template frame for inter-connecting the stab connectors of different sections, a plug-seating nipple in each flow line below each flow line stab connector for receiving and seating a removable line plug, a plurality of wellhead completion modules, each module having a top and a bottom, the bottom including a plurality of stab connectors adapted to engage the stab connectors of one of said templatE frame sections to complete flow line connections between the module and the template frame, the top including a plurality of stab connectors, flow lines in the module extending between stab connectors in the bottom and top of the module, a well completion valve tree in each completion module, the tree including casing connector means in the bottom for connecting the tree to the wellhead casing, and means including tool diverters connecting the flow lines in the module to the valve tree for providing a path for pump-down tools through the flow lines in the template into the well through the tree while providing a line tool path into the flow line in the template through said flow lines extending between the top and bottom stab connectors of the module.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
228 words
A subsea well completion apparatus comprising: a template frame positioned on the sea floor, the template frame having a plurality of sections, each section including a plurality of stab connectors, flow tubing mounted in the template frame for inter-connecting the stab connectors of different sections, a plug-seating nipple in each flow line below each flow line stab connector for receiving and seating a removable line plug, a plurality of wellhead completion modules, each module having a top and a bottom, the bottom including a plurality of stab connectors adapted to engage the stab connectors of one of said templatE frame sections to complete flow line connections between the module and the template frame, the top including a plurality of stab connectors, flow lines in the module extending between stab connectors in the bottom and top of the module, a well completion valve tree in each completion module, the tree including casing connector means in the bottom for connecting the tree to the wellhead casing, and means including tool diverters connecting the flow lines in the module to the valve tree for providing a path for pump-down tools through the flow lines in the template into the well through the tree while providing a line tool path into the flow line in the template through said flow lines extending between the top and bottom stab connectors of the module.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus of claim 1 further including a nipple in each flow line adjacent the stab connectors in the top of each completion module for receiving and seating a removable line plug.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus of claim 1 wherein the centers of the flow line stab connectors in the top are equally spaced around a common circle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus of claim 2 further including a multi-position diverter for selectively connecting each of the flow line stab connectors in the top of a module to a single riser, and means for removably securing the diverter to the top of the module.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein each completion module includes a housing, the stab connectors opening through the top and bottom walls of the housing, and means for sensing the level of oil accumulated and trapped within the housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mating stab connectors in each section of the template frame and the bottom of the associated module are positioned in a ring extending around the associated wellhead.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
160 words
Subsea well completion apparatus for providing completion of wells drilled in the sea floor comprising: a frame adapted to be positioned on the sea floor, the frame having an opening through which a well is drilled, a plurality of flow lines mounted on and secured to the frame, a plurality of stab connectors mounted on the frame and positioned in proximity to said opening, the flow lines terminating in the stab connectors, and plug-seating nipple means for receiving a line plug positioned in each of the flow lines, an enclosed wellhead completion module including a valve tree and flow lines connected to the valve tree, means connecting the valve tree to the top of the well, and a plurality of flow line stab connectors on the end of the flow lines in the completion module and positioned on the bottom of the module to engage the stab connectors in the frame when the valve tree is connected to the well.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
160 words
Subsea well completion apparatus for providing completion of wells drilled in the sea floor comprising: a frame adapted to be positioned on the sea floor, the frame having an opening through which a well is drilled, a plurality of flow lines mounted on and secured to the frame, a plurality of stab connectors mounted on the frame and positioned in proximity to said opening, the flow lines terminating in the stab connectors, and plug-seating nipple means for receiving a line plug positioned in each of the flow lines, an enclosed wellhead completion module including a valve tree and flow lines connected to the valve tree, means connecting the valve tree to the top of the well, and a plurality of flow line stab connectors on the end of the flow lines in the completion module and positioned on the bottom of the module to engage the stab connectors in the frame when the valve tree is connected to the well.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
10 words
Apparatus of claim 7 wherein the stab connectors extend vertically.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus of claim 8 wherein the completion module further includes a plurality of tube connectors opening at the top of the module, and tube means including line tool diverters in the module connecting the upper connectors to the stab connectors in the bottom of the module.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus of claim 9 further including a multi-position wire line diverter, means removably securing the multi-position diverter to the top of the completion module, the diverter including means engaging all of the connectors in the top of the module, a riser connector, and rotating means selectively coupling the riser connector to each of the connectors in the top of the module.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus of claim 10 wherein each module further includes tool diverter means in the fluid flow lines between the top and bottom of the module.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a diverter assembly for selectively coupling any of the fluid flow lines in a module to a common riser extending above the module, the diverter assembly including a plurality of stab connectors adapted to simultaneously engage the stab connectors in the top of a module, and means for detachably securing the diverter assembly to the top of a module.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus of claim 12 wherein the diverter assembly includes rotary positioned coupling means for selectively coupling any one of the stab connectors to the riser.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus of claim 12 wherein the template frame further includes a plurality of vertically projecting guide posts secured to the frame around each connector element position, the diverter assembly including guide means engaging said posts for guiding the diverter assembly into position directly above any selected one of the well positions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
113 words
Apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a plurality of hydraulic control line connectors in the connector ring, matching hydraulic control line stab connectors in the bottom of the module, a plurality of hydraulic control line connectors in the top of the module, and a plurality of matching hydraulic control line stab connectors in the diverter assembly, and valve means in the module actuated by the diverter assembly when connected to the top of a module for cutting off all hydraulic control lines from the connectors in the bottom of the module, whereby hydraulic control of the module through the template is interrupted by connecting the diverter assembly to the top of the module.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
205 words
Apparatus for subsea completion and operation of oil and gas wells comprising: a template frame adapted to be positioned on the sea floor, the template frame including a plurality of connector elements, each element including a plurality of stab connectors, and fluid flow lines interconnecting the stab connectors of different connector elements, each flow line including plug-seating nipples for receiving a line plug, and a plurality of modules for completing and operating wells drilled adjacent selected ones of said connector elements, each module including means detachably securing the module to a wellhead, a plurality of fluid line stab connectors mounted in the bottom of the module adapted to engage the stab connectors of the associated connector element in fluid-tight relationship when the module is secured to the associated wellhead, a plurality of flow line stab connectors opening at the top of the module, and flow lines extending directly between the stab connectors in the top to associated stab connectors in the bottom of the module, the flow lines being adapted to guide a wire line tool through the top of a module into the fluid flow lines in the template frame to set or remove plugs in said plug seating nipples below the connector elements.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
205 words
Apparatus for subsea completion and operation of oil and gas wells comprising: a template frame adapted to be positioned on the sea floor, the template frame including a plurality of connector elements, each element including a plurality of stab connectors, and fluid flow lines interconnecting the stab connectors of different connector elements, each flow line including plug-seating nipples for receiving a line plug, and a plurality of modules for completing and operating wells drilled adjacent selected ones of said connector elements, each module including means detachably securing the module to a wellhead, a plurality of fluid line stab connectors mounted in the bottom of the module adapted to engage the stab connectors of the associated connector element in fluid-tight relationship when the module is secured to the associated wellhead, a plurality of flow line stab connectors opening at the top of the module, and flow lines extending directly between the stab connectors in the top to associated stab connectors in the bottom of the module, the flow lines being adapted to guide a wire line tool through the top of a module into the fluid flow lines in the template frame to set or remove plugs in said plug seating nipples below the connector elements.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus of claim 16 wherein each module further includes plug seating nipples in each of said fluid flow lines extending between the top and bottom of the module.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
101 words
A multiline diverter assembly comprising a group of flow line connectors arranged in a circle, a single flow line connector positioned along the axis of rotation of said circle, a fluid flow line section, rotating coupling means connecting one end of said section to said single connector, power-operated connector means positioned on the other end of said section and adapted to connect and disconnect said section from any one of said flow line connectors, and power-operated indexing means for rotating said section to move the power-operated connector means into engaging position with any one of the group of flow line connectors.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
101 words
A multiline diverter assembly comprising a group of flow line connectors arranged in a circle, a single flow line connector positioned along the axis of rotation of said circle, a fluid flow line section, rotating coupling means connecting one end of said section to said single connector, power-operated connector means positioned on the other end of said section and adapted to connect and disconnect said section from any one of said flow line connectors, and power-operated indexing means for rotating said section to move the power-operated connector means into engaging position with any one of the group of flow line connectors.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus of claim 18 further including control means for successively disconnecting the power-operated connector means from a flow line connector, rotating said flow line section to a position opposite the next flow line connector, and reconnecting the power-operated connector means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
177 words
Apparatus for subsea completion and operation of oil and gas wells comprising: a template frame adapted to be positioned on the sea floor, a plurality of modules adapted to be removably mounted on top of the template frame, each module being positioned at one of said sections, the template frame including a plurality of fluid flow lines extending between the sections, each fluid flow line including a vertically extending stab connector at each end, each fluid flow liNe further including a plug-seating nipple for receiving a line plug, each module including a plurality of vertically extending stab connectors at the bottom of the module positioned to engage the stab connectors terminating the fluid flow lines in the associated template section, a plurality of stab connectors opening at the top of each module, and flow lines extending between stab connectors at the bottom of a module and associated stab connectors at the top of a module for directing a wire line tool through the module to the plug-seating nipples in the associated flow lines in the template frame.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
177 words
Apparatus for subsea completion and operation of oil and gas wells comprising: a template frame adapted to be positioned on the sea floor, a plurality of modules adapted to be removably mounted on top of the template frame, each module being positioned at one of said sections, the template frame including a plurality of fluid flow lines extending between the sections, each fluid flow line including a vertically extending stab connector at each end, each fluid flow liNe further including a plug-seating nipple for receiving a line plug, each module including a plurality of vertically extending stab connectors at the bottom of the module positioned to engage the stab connectors terminating the fluid flow lines in the associated template section, a plurality of stab connectors opening at the top of each module, and flow lines extending between stab connectors at the bottom of a module and associated stab connectors at the top of a module for directing a wire line tool through the module to the plug-seating nipples in the associated flow lines in the template frame.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus of claim 20 wherein a portion of the modules includes a wellhead valve tree for connecting to a wellhead, and a portion of the modules includes header means for fluid connecting groups of fluid flow lines in the module to individual flow lines in the module.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus of claim 20 wherein each module further includes plug seating nipples in each of said fluid flow lines extending between the top and bottom of the module.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus of claim 20 wherein each module further includes tool diverter means in the fluid flow lines between the top and bottom of the module.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus of claim 20 further comprising a diverter assembly for selectively coupling any of the fluid flow lines in a module to a common riser extending above the module, the diverter assembly including a plurality of stab connectors adapted to simultaneously engage the stab connectors in the top of a module, and means for detachably securing the diverter assembly to the top of a module.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus of claim 24 wherein the diverter assembly includes rotary positioned coupling means for selectively coupling any one of the stab connectors to the riser.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus of claim 24 wherein the template frame further includes a plurality of vertically projecting guide posts secured to the frame around each connector element position, the diverter assembly including guide means engaging said posts for guiding the diverter assembly into position directly above any selected one of the well positions.
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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) | 1978-04-14 | 1978-10-14 | 1979-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-14 | 1982-10-14 | 1983-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-14 | 1986-10-14 | 1987-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |