Patent · US Expired

ROV deployed tree cap for a subsea tree and method of installation

US5992526A · kind A · utility

50Cited by
10References
28Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 2, 1998
Grant dateNov 30, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 2, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B33/038
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A lightweight ROV deployable tree cap (28) for deployment on a subsea production hub (10) of a subsea tree. A tree cap (28) has a lightweight body (30) with parallel planar sides and including suitable openings and slots for mounting of the various operating elements. A seal plate structure (64) includes a piston (66) connected to a seal plate (68) having a pair of downwardly projecting tubular seal members (70, 72) for fitting within the production bore (13) and annulus bore (15) of the tree hub (10) in a sealed landed position. Fluid pressure is applied to fluid line (96) to urge piston (66) and seal plate (68) downwardly into sealing landed position. For removal or retrieval of tree cap (28) from the installed position on subsea tree hub (10), fluid pressure is applied through fluid lines (108, 110) for the upward movement of seal plate (68) and tubular seal members (70, 72) from sealing relation with production bore (13) and annulus bore (15). Hydraulic fluid is supplied from the ROV through fluid coupling devices (98, 112) which are insertable within receptacles (110,114) in the tree cap body (30). The fluid couplers (98, 112) are removed from the operating receptacles after i…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.