Patent Publication Number: US-9885220-B2

Title: Hanger running tool

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present invention, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art. 
     Natural resources, such as oil and gas, are used as fuel to power vehicles, heat homes, and generate electricity, in addition to a myriad of other uses. Once a desired resource is discovered below the surface of the earth, drilling and production systems are often employed to access and extract the resource. These systems may be located onshore or offshore depending on the location of a desired resource. Further, such systems generally include a wellhead assembly through which the resource is extracted. These wellhead assemblies may include a wide variety of components and/or conduits, such as various casings, hangers, valves, fluid conduits, and the like, that control drilling and/or extraction operations. In some drilling and production systems, hangers, such as a casing hanger, may be used to suspend strings (e.g., piping) within the well to facilitate extraction of the resource. Such hangers may be disposed within and supported by a housing (e.g., a spool or a bowl) of the wellhead. 
     In some cases, a tool is utilized to facilitate running (e.g., lowering) the hanger into the wellhead. However, typical tools for running the hanger into the wellhead may not maintain alignment of the hanger with a bore of the wellhead during the running operation, and thus, the hanger may be installed within the wellhead in a tilted orientation (e.g., non-parallel to an axial axis of the bore). Such misalignment of the hanger may impede subsequent placement of a sealing assembly to seal an annular space between the hanger and the wellhead and/or may interfere with running other tools and strings through the wellhead. Additionally, typical tools for running the hanger may move circumferentially within the wellhead and may have hard radially outer surfaces that contact various surfaces within the wellhead (e.g., a radially inner surface of the housing) as the hanger is lowered to its landed position, which may wear the various surfaces of the wellhead. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying figures in which like characters represent like parts throughout the figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a mineral extraction system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial cross-section of an embodiment of a hanger running tool disposed within a wellhead of the mineral extraction system of  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 3 . is a partial cross-section of an embodiment of an alignment element of the hanger running tool of  FIG. 2 , taken within line  3 - 3 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of an embodiment of an alignment element of the hanger running tool of  FIG. 2 , taken along line  4 - 4 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial cross-section of the hanger running tool of  FIG. 2 , with a hanger in a landing position within the wellhead; and 
         FIG. 6  is a partial cross-section of the hanger running tool of  FIG. 2  separated from the hanger. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS 
     One or more specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below. These described embodiments are only exemplary of the present invention. Additionally, in an effort to provide a concise description of these exemplary embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     Certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure include a hanger running tool for running (e.g., lowering) a hanger into a wellhead of a mineral extraction system. In particular, the disclosed embodiments include a hanger running tool having an alignment element (e.g., an alignment ring or alignment feature) extending circumferentially about at least a portion of a periphery of the hanger running tool. The alignment element protrudes from a radially outer surface of the hanger running tool, thereby reducing an annular space between the hanger running tool and an inner radially surface (e.g., bore) of the wellhead. Thus, the alignment element reduces radial movement of the hanger running tool within the wellhead, thereby facilitating alignment of the hanger running tool and associated hanger with an axial axis of the wellhead. In turn, proper alignment of the hanger facilitates subsequent installation of sealing assemblies and/or strings. Additionally, the alignment element may be formed from any suitable relatively soft material, such as any of a variety of polymers elastomers, and/or fabrics. The alignment element is configured to contact the inner radially surface of the wellhead as the hanger running tool is lowered into wellhead, and is also configured to block contact between the generally harder (e.g., metal) radially outer surface of the hanger running tool and the radially inner surface of the wellhead in a region proximate to the alignment element. Thus, the alignment element may act as a bumper, thereby reducing wear on the radially inner surface of the wellhead during hanger running operations. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an embodiment of a mineral extraction system  10 . The illustrated mineral extraction system  10  may be configured to extract various minerals and natural resources, including hydrocarbons (e.g., oil and/or natural gas), from the earth, or to inject substances into the earth. In some embodiments, the mineral extraction system  10  is land-based (e.g., a surface system) or sub-sea (e.g., a sub-sea system). As illustrated, the system  10  includes a wellhead  12  coupled to a mineral deposit  14  via a well  16 . The well  16  may include a wellhead hub  18  and a well bore  20 . The wellhead hub  18  generally includes a large diameter hub disposed at the termination of the well bore  20  and is configured to connect the wellhead  12  to the well  16 . 
     The wellhead  12  may include multiple components that control and regulate activities and conditions associated with the well  16 . For example, the wellhead  12  generally includes bodies, valves, and seals that route produced minerals from the mineral deposit  14 , regulate pressure in the well  16 , and inject chemicals down-hole into the well bore  20 . In the illustrated embodiment, the wellhead  12  includes a tree  22 , a tubing spool  24 , a casing spool  26 , and a hanger  28  (e.g., a casing hanger). The system  10  may include other devices that are coupled to the wellhead  12 , and devices that are used to assemble and control various components of the wellhead  12 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the system  10  includes a tool  30  suspended from a drill string  32 . As discussed in more detail below, in certain embodiments, the tool  30  may be a hanger running tool that is configured to be lowered from an offshore vessel into the wellhead  12 . In other embodiments, such as surface systems, the tool  30  may be a hanger running tool that is configured to be lowered into the wellhead  12  via a crane or other supporting device. 
     The tree  22  generally includes a variety of flow paths (e.g., bores), valves, fittings, and controls for operating the well  16 . For instance, the tree  22  may include a frame that is disposed about a tree body, a flow-loop, actuators, and valves. Further, the tree  22  may provide fluid communication with the well  16 . For example, the tree  22  includes a tree bore  34 . The tree bore  34  provides for completion and workover procedures, such as the insertion of tools into the well  16 , the injection of various chemicals into the well  16 , and so forth. Further, minerals extracted from the well  16  (e.g., oil and natural gas) may be regulated and routed via the tree  22 . For instance, the tree  22  may be coupled to a jumper or a flowline that is tied back to other components, such as a manifold. Accordingly, produced minerals flow from the well  16  to the manifold via the wellhead  12  and/or the tree  22  before being routed to shipping or storage facilities. A blowout preventer (BOP)  36  may also be included, either as a part of the tree  22  or as a separate device. The BOP  36  may consist of a variety of valves, fittings, and controls to prevent oil, gas, or other fluid from exiting the well in the event of an unintentional release of pressure or an overpressure condition. 
     The tubing spool  24  provides a base for the tree  22 . Typically, the tubing spool  24  is one of many components in a modular sub-sea or surface mineral extraction system  10  that is run from an offshore vessel or surface system. The tubing spool  24  includes a tubing spool bore  38 . The tubing spool bore  38  connects (e.g., enables fluid communication between) the tree bore  34  and the well  16 . Thus, the tubing spool bore  38  may provide access to the well bore  20  for various completion and workover procedures. For example, components can be run down to the wellhead  12  and disposed in the tubing spool bore  38  to seal off the well bore  20 , to inject chemicals down-hole, to suspend tools down-hole, to retrieve tools down-hole, and so forth. 
     As will be appreciated, the well bore  20  may contain elevated pressures. For example, the well bore  20  may include pressures that exceed 10,000, 15,000, or even more pounds per square inch (psi). Accordingly, the mineral extraction system  10  may employ various mechanisms, such as seals, plugs, and valves, to control and regulate the well  16 . For example, plugs and valves are employed to regulate the flow and pressures of fluids in various bores and channels throughout the mineral extraction system  10 . For instance, the illustrated hanger  28  is typically disposed within the wellhead  12  to secure tubing and casing suspended in the well bore  20 , and to provide a path for hydraulic control fluid, chemical injections, and so forth. The hanger  28  includes a hanger bore  40  that extends through the center of the hanger  28 , and that is in fluid communication with the tubing spool bore  38  and the well bore  20 . 
       FIG. 2  is a partial cross-section of a hanger running tool  50  disposed within the wellhead  12  of the mineral extraction system  10 . The mineral extraction system  10 , and the components therein, may be described with reference to an axial axis or direction  54 , a radial axis or direction  56 , and a circumferential axis or direction  58 . As illustrated, the hanger running tool  50  and the hanger  28  are coupled to one another and may be lowered together into the wellhead  12 , as shown by arrow  60 , to facilitate installation of the hanger  28  within the wellhead  12 . 
     As shown, an alignment element  62  is disposed circumferentially about a portion of a periphery of the hanger running tool  50 . The alignment element  62  is positioned within a cavity  64  formed in a radially outer surface  66  of the hanger running tool  50 . As discussed in more detail below, the alignment element  62  protrudes radially outward from the radially outer surface  66  of the hanger running tool  50  to maintain axial alignment of the hanger running tool  50 , and thus the hanger  28 , during running and setting operations. Furthermore, the alignment element  62  may be formed from a relatively soft material, such as any suitable polymer, elastomer, and/or fabric. As the hanger running tool  50  moves within the wellhead  12 , the alignment element  62  may contact various surfaces within the wellhead  12 , such as a radially inner surface  68  of a housing  70  of the wellhead  12 . Accordingly, the alignment element  62  may block contact between the relatively hard, metal radially outer surface  66  of the hanger running tool  50  and the surfaces of the wellhead  12 , thereby reducing wear on the surfaces of the wellhead  12 . 
     Any suitable number (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) of alignment elements  62  may be provided about the periphery of the hanger running tool  50 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , multiple alignment elements  62  are positioned at different positions along the axial axis  54  of the hanger running tool  50 . In embodiments having multiple alignment elements  62 , each of the multiple alignment elements  62  may have any of the various features disclosed herein. 
     During extraction operations, the hanger  28  is used to suspend a string of tubing (e.g., piping) in the hanger bore  40 , enabling various flows into and out of the well. Once the hanger  28  is lowered into a landing position within the wellhead  12 , the hanger  28  may be mechanically locked into position. The hanger running tool  50  may then be uncoupled from the hanger  28  and extracted from the wellhead  12 . 
       FIG. 3  is a partial cross-section of an embodiment of the alignment element  62  of the hanger running tool  50  of  FIG. 2 , taken within line  3 - 3 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , a hanger running tool diameter  72  may be less than a wellhead diameter  74 . Thus, the radially outer surface  66  of the hanger running tool  50  may be separated from the radially inner surface  68  of the housing  70  of the wellhead  12  by a radial clearance  80  defining an annular space  78  (e.g., gap). 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the alignment element  62  is disposed within the cavity  64  formed in the radially outer surface  66  of the hanger running tool  50 . The alignment element  62  protrudes radially outward from the cavity  64  and from the radially outer surface  66  of the hanger running tool  50 . Thus, the alignment element  62  extends into the annular space  78  and may contact the radial inner surface  68  of the housing  70  as the hanger running tool  50  moves through the wellhead  12 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the alignment element  62  has a generally round cross-sectional shape and a curved radially outward surface  79 , although the alignment element  62  may have any suitable shape in alternative embodiments. Further, as shown, the cavity  64  has a tapered configuration, which may secure the alignment element  62  within the cavity  64 . For example, the cavity  64  includes a top axial surface  86  and a bottom axial surface  88  that are tapered (e.g., converge) toward one another along a radially outward direction from an interior portion of the hanger running tool  50  to the radially outer surface  66 . In some embodiments, a first axial distance  90  between a radially outward top end  92  of the top axial surface  86  and a radially outward bottom end  94  of the bottom axial surface  88  is less than a second axial distance  96  (e.g., diameter) of the alignment element  62 . Thus, the alignment element  62  may protrude from the cavity  64 , while also being retained within by the cavity  64 . 
     The cavity  64  illustrated in  FIG. 3  is merely intended to be exemplary, and the cavity  64  may have any suitable cross-sectional shape or configuration for supporting the alignment element  62 . Additionally, in some embodiments, the alignment element  62  may be coupled directly to the radially outer surface  66  of the hanger running tool  50  (e.g., via an adhesive). As noted above, any suitable number (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) of alignment elements  62  may be provided about the periphery of the hanger running tool  50 . In some embodiments, multiple alignment elements  62  may be disposed at various axial and/or circumferential locations about the hanger running tool  50 . 
     The alignment element  62  may facilitate alignment of the hanger running tool  50 , and thus the hanger  28 , during running, cementing, and locking operations. For example, the alignment element  62  blocks movement of the hanger running tool  50  in the radial direction  56  and blocks tilting of the hanger running tool  50  relative to the axial axis  54 . Thus, the alignment element  62  facilitates installation of the hanger  28  in an orientation aligned with (e.g., parallel to) the axial axis  54  of the wellhead bore, which may facilitate subsequent setting of a seal assembly and/or subsequent extraction operations, for example. 
     Additionally, the alignment element  62  may act as a bumper to block contact between the hanger running tool  12  and the radially inner surface  68  of the housing  70  and/or other surfaces within the wellhead  12 . As the hanger running tool  50  is lowered into the wellhead  12 , the relatively soft alignment element  62  may contact the radially inner surface  68  of the housing  70  and may block contact between the radially outer surface  66  of the hanger running tool  50  and the radially inner surface  68  of the housing  70 . Thus, the alignment element  62  may reduce wear on the radially inner surface  68  of the housing  70 , as well as other surfaces of the wellhead  12 . The alignment element  62  disclosed herein is not configured to seal the annular space  78  and may enable air and/or other fluids to flow about the alignment element  62 . Thus, the alignment element  62  is not configured to affect the flow and pressures of fluids within the wellhead  12 . 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of an embodiment of the alignment element  62  of the hanger running tool  50  of  FIG. 2 , taken along line  4 - 4 . As shown, multiple alignment elements  62  are disposed circumferentially about the periphery of the hanger running tool  50 . Each alignment element  62  of the multiple alignment elements  62  extends between adjacent axial flow slots  90  of the hanger running tool  50 . In such a configuration, the alignment elements  62  do not block a flow of fluid, such as cement, through the axial flow slots  90 . Thus, the alignment elements  62  enable cementing operations for cementing casing or strings suspended from the hanger  28  through the wellbore  20 . Although four alignment elements  62  and four axial flow slots  90  are shown, the hanger running tool  50  may include any suitable number (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) of alignment elements  62  and/or axial flow slots  90 . Additionally, the multiple alignment elements  62  and the axial flow slots  90  may be distributed axially and/or circumferentially about the periphery of hanger running tool  50  in any suitable arrangement. 
     In some embodiments, each of the multiple alignment elements  62  may be individually molded and/or cut to a suitable size or shape, and may subsequently be individually attached to the hanger running tool  50  in corresponding cavities  64  formed between the axial flow slots  90  via any suitable technique (e.g., adhesive, interference fit, or the like). In alternative embodiments, the alignment element  62  may be a continuous ring having holes cut at locations corresponding to the axial flow slots  90  to enable cement flow. 
       FIG. 5  is a partial cross-section of the hanger running tool  50 , with the hanger  28  in a landed position  100  within the wellhead  12 . In the landed position  100 , the hanger  28  is supported by a shoulder  102  within the wellhead  12 . The shoulder  102  facilitates setting the hanger  28  in place. As discussed above, the alignment element  62  facilitates proper alignment of the hanger  28  within the wellhead bore, and thus, the hanger  28  is parallel to the axial axis  54  (e.g., is not substantially tilted relative to the wellhead bore) when the hanger  28  reaches the landed position  100 . Once the hanger  28  reaches the landed position  100 , the hanger  28  may be mechanically locked (e.g., secured) into placed within the wellhead  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the hanger  28  may be locked within the wellhead  12  (e.g., axially movement of the hanger  28  relative to the wellhead  12  is blocked) when a locking ring  104  engages a corresponding locking recess  106  within the wellhead  12 . The locking ring  104  may be driven radially outwardly into the corresponding locking recess  106  via any suitable technique. 
     As noted above, the alignment element  62  may be positioned circumferentially about the hanger running tool  50  in a location that does not block the flow of cement through the axial flow slots  90 . Thus, the alignment element  62  may also enable the hanger running tool  50  to maintain alignment of the hanger  28  during cementing operations, thereby facilitating proper alignment of the hanger  28  and/or the strings suspended from the hanger  28  as the strings are cemented in place within the wellhead  12 . 
       FIG. 6  is a partial cross-section of the hanger running tool  50  separated from the hanger  28 . Once the hanger  28  is locked into place within the wellhead  12 , the hanger running tool  50  may be unthreaded or uncoupled from the hanger  28  and extracted from the wellhead  12 . The alignment element  62  may contact the radially inner surface  68  of the housing  70  as the hanger running tool  50  turns or moves axially upward within the wellhead  12 . The alignment element  62  may block contact between the radially outer surface  66  of the hanger running tool  50  and the radially inner surface  68  of the housing  70  while the hanger running tool  50  is unthreaded and pulled out of the wellhead  12 , thus reducing wear on the radially inner surface  68 . 
     While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims.