Installation assembly for a subsea wellhead

Abstract

A system for load transfer from a wellhead to the sea bed adjacent a subsea well, including a suction pile for securing to the sea bed, and a wellhead housing assembly having a longitudinal axis and attached to the suction pile, the wellhead housing for subjection to an axial load acting in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a bending load acting in a direction not parallel to the longitudinal axis. The system further includes a suction pile connector that transmits the axial load and the bending load from the wellhead housing through the suction pile toward the sea bed, and that is attached to the suction pile, the suction pile connector engaged with the wellhead housing to substantially maintain the relative positions of the wellhead housing and the suction pile.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to and the benefit of, co-pending U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62 / 251,803, filed Nov. 6, 2015, the full disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.BACKGROUND[0002]Field of Invention[0003]This invention relates in general to equipment used in the hydrocarbon industry, and in particular, to systems and methods for subsea drilling operations.[0004]Description of the Prior Art[0005]Typical subsea drilling operations include a drilling vessel and an arrangement of equipment to accomplish the first drilling phase of a well. In many known systems, for example, the first phase of the drilling operation may include jetting. Jetting is a process wherein a jetting tool, enclosed within a casing, is placed adjacent the sea floor. Fluid is sprayed through the end of the jetting tool and directed at the sand on the sea floor. The fluid is turbulent and stirs ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a system for transferring loads from a wellhead to the sea bed adjacent a subsea well. The system includes a suction pile that is attached to the sea bed and a wellhead housing that is attached to the suction pile. The wellhead housing can be subject to axial loads or bending loads that act parallel or perpendicular to its long axis. The system also includes a suction pile connector that transmits the load from the wellhead housing to the suction pile, ensuring the relative positions of the wellhead housing and the suction pile are maintained. The technical effect of the invention is the provision of a reliable and flexible system for load transfer in offshore oil and gas drilling.

Problems solved by technology

One problem that can occur in known system relates to the reduction in weld life of the joints in the low and high pressure housing of the wellhead.

Over time, such axial and bending forces degrade the welded connections between the low and high pressure housing of the wellhead and the respective casings, leading to failure and a potential risk for hydrocarbons to leak to the surface during drilling or production.

In addition, the weld locations are also not very accessible post-installation of the wellhead to the seabed and hence, difficult to repair.

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