Patent ID: 8997874
Filing Date: 2015-04-07
Classification: E21B,F16L

Abstract:
1. A method of evacuating hydrocarbons from a plurality of nested tubulars of an underwater well pipe extending from an underwater well tree, comprising steps of: a) attaching a first fluid transmission line to the underwater well tree, the fluid transmission line having first and second end portions, the first end portion forming an attachment to the underwater well tree and the second end portion attached to a pump that enables transmission of fluid under pressure to the underwater well tree and to the plurality of nested tubulars attached to the underwater well tree; b) forming a plurality of aligned openings, each opening extending through one of multiple tubulars of the plurality of nested tubulars and at a selected location; c) attaching to the plurality of nested tubulars a fitting having a saddle, and an inner mandrel surrounded by an outer annular seal member that seals the plurality of aligned openings that were formed in step “b”, the seal being expandable responsive to rotation of a rotating member relative to the saddle, the saddle surrounding the mandrel and bearing against an outer tubular of the plurality of nested tubulars; d) wherein the fitting has a fitting bore and enabling hydrocarbons to escape from the plurality of nested tubulars via the fitting bore; and e) transmitting the hydrocarbons of step “d” to a collection vessel using a second fluid transmission line.