Patent Publication Number: US-10774616-B2

Title: Systems and methods for extinguishing oil and gas wells

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     1. Field of the Disclosure 
     The present invention relates generally to an extinguishing system for oil and gas wells, and more particularly to a portable room with an extinguishing system. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     There are times when hydrocarbon development wells may catch on fire, such as by way of human accident or natural event. As an example, an uncontrolled release of hydrocarbons, known as a blowout, during drilling operations can lead to a fire at the wellhead. Some current methods of extinguishing a fire at the wellhead can include using explosives to deprive the fire of oxygen, ejecting extinguishing materials on the wellhead, or adding casing to the wellhead member to raise the height of the flame above the ground. 
     During a fire at the wellhead quantities of hydrocarbons can be wasted and can pollute the environment. In addition, the process of extinguishing the fire can damage the hydrocarbon development and cause further environmental pollution. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for extinguishing oil and gas wells in a reduced amount of time while containing the hydrocarbons and extinguishing materials so that such hydrocarbons and extinguishing materials have a decreased impact on the environment compared to some currently available extinguishing systems. Systems and methods of this disclosure provide a housing for extinguishing a hydrocarbon well that includes a ram sealing system that can seal around the wellhead member and secure the housing to the wellhead member. The ram sealing system can seal against the pressure of the escaping hydrocarbons and the injected extinguishing materials. 
     In an embodiment of this disclosure, a system for extinguishing a hydrocarbon well includes a housing with an inner chamber sized for placement over a wellhead member. The inner chamber extends from a base of the housing to a roof of the housing. An extinguishing materials injection system is operable to deliver extinguishing materials to the inner chamber of the housing. A valve is located at the roof of the housing. A ram sealing system is located at the base of the housing. The ram sealing system has a pair of rams. Each ram has an engaging surface. The engaging surface is sized and shaped to seal around the wellhead member when the ram sealing system is in a closed position. The ram sealing system also includes a ram body. The pair of rams is rotationally attached to the ram body. An arm link rotationally links each ram to the ram body. 
     In alternate embodiments, each ram can include a base seal, the base seal forming a seal between such ram and the base of the housing. The engaging surface can be operable to anchor the ram sealing system to the wellhead member. Each ram can rotate around a pivot point and the pivot point can be static relative to the base of the housing. Alternately, the ram body can be secured to and static relative to the base of the housing. 
     In other alternate embodiments, the housing can include a sidewall that extends from the base to the roof. The base can include a base end surface extending across a base end defined by the sidewall. The base end surface can have a base opening sized to receive the wellhead member. When the ram sealing system is in the closed position, the ram sealing system can be operable to seal against a pressure of hydrocarbons and a pressure of injected extinguishing materials. The engaging surface can be an arc shaped seal and when the ram sealing system is in the closed position, the engaging surface can seal around an outer circumference of the wellhead member. The ram sealing system can further include an actuating member operable to move the ram sealing system between an open position and the closed position. 
     In an alternate embodiment of this disclosure, a method for extinguishing a hydrocarbon well includes placing a housing with an inner chamber over a wellhead member. The inner chamber extends from a base of the housing to a roof of the housing. A valve is provided at the roof of the housing. A ram sealing system is located at the base of the housing for sealing around the wellhead member. The ram sealing system has a pair of rams. Each ram has an engaging surface. The engaging surface is sized and shaped to seal around the wellhead member when the ram sealing system is in a closed position. The ram sealing system includes a ram body. The pair of rams is rotationally attached to the ram body. An arm link rotationally links each ram to the ram body. Extinguishing materials are delivered to the inner chamber with an extinguishing materials injection system. 
     In alternate embodiments, each ram can include a base seal and the base seal can form a seal between such ram and the base of the housing. The engaging surface can anchor the ram sealing system to the wellhead member. Each ram can rotate around a pivot point and the pivot point can be static relative to the base of the housing. Alternately, the ram body can be secured to and static relative to the base of the housing. 
     In other alternate embodiments, the housing can include a sidewall that extends from the base to the roof. The base can include a base end surface extending across a base end defined by the sidewall. The base end surface can have a base opening sized to receive the wellhead member. When the ram sealing system is in the closed position the ram sealing system can seal against a pressure of hydrocarbons and a pressure of injected extinguishing materials. The engaging surface can be an arc shaped seal. When the ram sealing system is in the closed position, the engaging surface can seal around an outer circumference of the wellhead member. The ram sealing system can be moved between an open position and the closed position with an actuating member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       So that the manner in which the above-recited features, aspects and advantages of the embodiments of this disclosure, as well as others that will become apparent, are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the disclosure briefly summarized above may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the drawings that form a part of this specification. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only certain embodiments of the disclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of the disclosure&#39;s scope, for the disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a system for extinguishing a hydrocarbon well, in accordance with an embodiment of this disclosure, shown being lowered onto a wellhead member. 
         FIG. 2  is a section view of system for extinguishing a hydrocarbon well, in accordance with an embodiment of this disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a ram assembly in accordance with an embodiment of this disclosure, shown with the rams in the open position. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic plan view of a ram assembly in accordance with an embodiment of this disclosure, shown with the rams in the closed position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate embodiments of the disclosure. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the illustrated embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and the prime notation, if used, indicates similar elements in alternative embodiments or positions. 
     In the following discussion, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that embodiments of the present disclosure can be practiced without such specific details. Additionally, for the most part, details concerning well drilling, reservoir testing, well completion and the like have been omitted inasmuch as such details are not considered necessary to obtain a complete understanding of the present disclosure, and are considered to be within the skills of persons skilled in the relevant art. 
     Looking at  FIG. 1 , a hydrocarbon development operation can include subterranean well  10  that extends from earth&#39;s surface  12  towards a hydrocarbon reservoir. Wellhead member  14  can be positioned at earth&#39;s surface  12  downstream from subterranean well  10 . During hydrocarbon development operations, such as during drilling, production, or shutting in of subterranean well  10 , hydrocarbons may travel from subterranean well  10  and into wellhead member  14 . There is a risk that such hydrocarbons could catch on fire. 
     Extinguishing assembly  16  can be used to extinguish a fire at subterranean well  10 . Extinguishing assembly  16  can include a self-extinguishing room for extinguishing oil and gas wells. Extinguishing assembly  16  can be delivered to subterranean well  10  by crane  18 . Crane  18  can lower extinguishing assembly  16  over wellhead member  14  for extinguishing the fire at the hydrocarbon well. In alternate embodiments, extinguishing assembly  16  can be moved by a helicopter (not shown), skidded along a bridge extending to the wellhead member (not shown), or moved by a remote controlled transportation tool (not shown). 
     Extinguishing assembly  16  includes a self-extinguishing room in the form of housing  20 . Housing  20  can have a diameter in a range of one to ten meters, and in particular embodiments, can have a diameter in a range of three to four meters. Housing  20  can be formed of heat resistant material and can have layers of heat insulating material on an inside surface of housing  20 . Base  22  of housing  20  can have a generally prism shape with a circular, triangular, square, or other polygonal cross sectional shape. Base  22  can have a height sufficient to contain fluid flowing out of a particular subterranean well  10 . 
     Housing  20  includes roof  24  can have a generally frustro conical shape. The wider end of roof  24  is attached to base  22 . Valve  26  is located at the narrower end of roof  24  of housing  20 . Ram sealing system  28  is located at base  22  of housing  20 . Hydraulic system  30  can be used to actuate ram sealing system  28  and to move valve  26  between a valve open position and a valve closed position. 
     Pressure balancing assemblies  32  can be located around a circumference of housing  20 . Pressure balancing assemblies  32  can automatically balance the ejection pressure of burning materials and the ejection pressure of extinguishing materials. 
     Looking at  FIG. 2 , housing  20  has inner chamber  34  sized for placement over wellhead member  14  ( FIG. 1 ). Inner chamber  34  is an open space within housing  20 . Inner chamber  34  extends from base  22  of housing  20  to roof  24  of housing  20 . Housing  20  further includes sidewall  36  that extends from base  22  of housing  20  to roof  24  of housing  20 . Sidewall  36  defines both the shape of the outer surface of housing  20  and the limits of inner chamber  34 . Housing  20  additionally includes base end surface  38 . Base end surface  38  extends across a base end of housing  20  that is defined by sidewall  36 . Base end surface  38  has base opening  40  that is sized to receive wellhead member  14  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     Extinguishing assembly  16  includes an extinguishing materials injection system operable to deliver the extinguishing materials into inner chamber  34  of housing  20 . Extinguishing materials injection system can include hose  42  that is attached to sidewall  36 . Hose  42  can be used to inject large quantities of extinguishing materials into housing  20 . Hose  42  can withstand the pressure required to inject the extinguishing materials into housing  20 . Hose  42  can have a heat insulating material to protect hose  42  from the flames of the burning hydrocarbon. Hose  42  can have control valve  44  for controlling the injection of extinguishing materials into housing  20 . 
     By mixing the extinguishing materials with the burning hydrocarbons, the concentration of burning hydrocarbons can be reduced. By mixing the extinguishing materials with the vapor of the burning hydrocarbons, it is possible to extinguish the burning hydrocarbons. The extinguishing materials are injected in the required amount to decrease the concentration of flowing materials to a concentration lower than the concentration that is necessary for burning these materials. The extinguishing materials can include known materials that are used in a fire disaster, such as dry powder carbon dioxide. While injecting the extinguishing materials into housing  20 , housing  20  can suppress the flames and isolate the flames from oxygen in the surrounding air. The extinguishing materials can be ejected from a tank (not shown) that is placed on housing  20  or located proximate to housing  20 . 
     During the injection of the extinguishing materials into housing  20 , the balance between the production pressure of burning materials and the injection pressure of extinguishing materials is controlled by pressure balancing assemblies  32 . Pressure balancing assemblies  32  can extend through sidewall  36  and provide a fluid flow path from inner chamber  34  to outside of housing  20 . Pressure balancing assemblies  32  can have a spring loaded pressure balancing valve  46 . When the pressure within inner chamber  34  exceeds the pressure required to overcome the spring force, pressure balancing valve  46  will open to relieve the pressure within inner chamber  34 . When the pressure within inner chamber  34  is less than pressure required to overcome the spring force, pressure balancing valve  46  will move to, and remain in, a closed position and prevent fluids or pressure from exiting inner chamber  34  by way of pressure balancing valve  46 . 
     Valve  26  is shown in the example of  FIG. 2  as a gate valve. In alternate embodiments, valve  26  can be another type of valve known in the industry, such as for example, a ball valve, a butterfly valve, or a plug valve. Valve  26  can have inner bore  48  that aligns with a roof opening  50  of extinguishing assembly  16  and can further align with the bore of subterranean well  10 . With valve  26  in the open position, access to inner chamber  34  is provided by way of inner bore  48  and roof opening  50 . Valve  26  can provide access for well intervention operations. As an example, wireline, coiled tubing and snubbing units can be rigged up on valve  26  to workover the well and regain control of the well and restore well integrity. 
     In order to form a seal around wellhead member  14  to prevent extinguishing materials from escaping though the base end of housing  20 , ram sealing system  28  can form a seal with base end surface  38  and form a seal around wellhead member  14  ( FIG. 1 ). Ram sealing system  28  can also secure housing  20  to wellhead member  14  ( FIG. 1 ). Ram sealing system  28  can provide a sufficient seal to seal against the pressure of the escaping hydrocarbons and the pressure of the injected extinguishing materials. As an example, ram sealing system  28  can seal against a pressure of three million to fifteen million pounds per square inch. 
     Ram sealing system  28  can therefore prevent escaping hydrocarbons and extinguishing materials from reaching the environment surrounding extinguishing assembly  16 . Ram sealing system  28  can also provide a sufficient grip with wellhead member  14  ( FIG. 1 ) to secure ram sealing system  28  to wellhead member against the pressure of the escaping hydrocarbons and the pressure of the injected extinguishing materials. 
     In order to form a seal around wellhead member  14  ( FIG. 1 ), ram sealing system  28  has engaging surface  56  that is sized and positioned to seal around wellhead member  14  ( FIG. 1 ). Ram sealing system  28  further includes base seal  58 . Base seal  58  can form a dynamic seal between ram sealing system  28  and base end surface  38 . In the example embodiment of  FIG. 2 , ram sealing system  28  can be secured to housing  20  by way of pivot point  54 . 
     Ram sealing system  28  is shown in an open position in  FIG. 3  and in a closed position in  FIG. 4 . Looking at  FIGS. 3-4 , ram sealing system  28  includes a pair of rams  52 . When ram sealing system  28  is in the open position, rams  52  are rotated outward around pivot point  54  so that engaging surfaces  56  of rams  52  are spaced apart from each other. Engaging surfaces  56  are sized and shaped to seal around wellhead member  14  ( FIG. 1 ) when ram sealing system  28  is in a closed position. 
     Engaging surface  56  is an arc shaped seal and when the ram sealing system  28  is in the closed position, engaging surface  56  seals around an outer circumference of wellhead member  14  ( FIG. 1 ). Engaging surface  56  can include a gripping surface so that engaging surface  56  can also anchor ram sealing system  28  to wellhead member  14  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     Each ram  52  further includes base seal  58 . Base seal  58  forms a seal between ram  52  and base  22  of housing  20  ( FIG. 2 ). Base seal  58  can be a generally arc shaped member located on a side surface of each ram  52  that is adjacent to housing  20  ( FIG. 2 ). 
     Each ram  52  can have a general “C” shape with end surfaces  60  that meet when rams  52  are in a closed position. Surface seals  62  can be positioned on end surfaces  60 . Surface seals  62  can seal between end surfaces  60  when end surfaces  60  meet. In alternate embodiments, engaging surface  56  can provide a sufficient seal around wellhead member  14  ( FIG. 1 ) so that surface seals  62  are not included. 
     Ram sealing system  28  also includes actuating arm assembly  64 . Actuating arm assembly  64  includes arm link  66  and ram body  68 . Ram  52  is rotationally attached to ram body  68  by way of of arm link  66 . Arm link  66  rotationally links ram  52  to ram body  68 . Arm link  66  has a first end  70  rotationally attached to ram  52  and second end  72  rotationally attached to ram body  68 . First end  70  can be rotationally attached to ram  52  with a pin that allows arm link  66  to rotate relative to ram  52 . Second end  72  can be rotationally attached to ram body  68  with a pin that allows arm link  66  to rotate relative to ram body  68 . Ram body  68  acts as a support structure for ram  52  and actuating arm assembly  64 . 
     Pivot point  54  can be a pin that passes through ram  52  and actuator member  74 . Relative movement between actuator member  74  and ram body  68  can move ram sealing system  28  between the open position and the closed position. In certain embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 2 , pivot point  54  is static relative to base  22  of housing  20  ( FIG. 2 ). In such an embodiment, actuator member  74  is also static relative to base  22  of housing  20  ( FIG. 2 ) and ram body  68  is moved relative to actuator member  74  to pivot rams  52  around pivot point  54  to move ram sealing system  28  between the open position and the closed position. Ram body  68  can be moved by hydraulic system  30  ( FIG. 1 ) with a hydraulic pressure that is provided by crane  18 . 
     In alternate embodiments, ram body  68  is secured to and static relative to base  22  of housing  20  ( FIG. 2 ). In such embodiments, actuator member  74  is moved relative to ram body  68  to pivot rams  52  around pivot point  54  to move ram sealing system  28  between the open position and the closed position. Actuator member  74  can be moved by hydraulic system  30  ( FIG. 1 ) with a hydraulic pressure that is provided by crane  18 . 
     In an example of operation, there may be times when hydrocarbon development wells catch on fire, such as by way of human accident or natural event. In order to extinguish such a fire, extinguishing assembly  16  can be delivered to wellhead member  14 , such as with crane  18 . Housing  20  of extinguishing assembly  16  can be lowered over wellhead member  14  so that wellhead member  14  passes through base opening  40  of base  22  of housing  20  and into inner chamber  34  of housing  20 . 
     Hydraulic system  30  can be used to move ram sealing system  28  to the closed position so that ram sealing system  28  seals around wellhead member  14  and secures extinguishing assembly  16  to wellhead member  14 . Ram sealing system  28  is moved between the open position and the closed position from one side, making the operation of ram sealing system simpler than if ram sealing system  28  was operated from more than one side. Extinguishing material can then be injected into inner chamber  34  through hose  42 . After the fire has been extinguished, valve  26  can be opened to perform operations on or through wellhead member  14 . Valve  26  can be opened with hydraulic system  30 . After the operation has been performed on or through wellhead member  14  and subterranean well  10  is under control ram sealing system  28  can be moved to the open position and extinguishing assembly  16  can be removed from wellhead member  14 . 
     Systems and methods disclosed herein can be used to extinguish a hydrocarbon well with a self-extinguishing room that is sealed around, and secured to, the wellhead member. Embodiments of this disclosure can reduce the time required to extinguish the fire and reduce the release of hydrocarbons and extinguishing materials into the environment, compared to currently available systems. 
     Systems and methods of the present disclosure described herein, therefore, are well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as others inherent therein. While example embodiments of the disclosure have been given for purposes of disclosure, numerous changes exist in the details of procedures for accomplishing the desired results. These and other similar modifications will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and are intended to be encompassed within the spirit of the present disclosure and the scope of the appended claims.