Method and apparatus for evacuating hydrocarbons from a distressed well
US9217314B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 28, 2011 |
| Grant date | Dec 22, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 9, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16L41/088
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A method of evacuating hydrocarbons from a plurality of nested tubulars of a well pipe that extends from an underwater well tree includes an initial step of attaching a fluid transmission line to the underwater well tree, the fluid transmission line having one end portion forming the attachment to the tree and the other end portion attached to a pump that forces fluid under pressure to the tree and attached nested tubulars. Openings are formed through one or more tubulars of the nested tubulars at a selected location. A specially configured fitting is attached to the tubulars. The fitting seals the openings. The fitting has an expandable seal that is expandable responsive to rotation of a rotating member that rotates upon a saddle, pulling a tapered mandrel against the seal. The saddle surrounds the mandrel and bears against an outer tubular of the nested tubulars. The fitting mandrel has a bore. Hydrocarbons escape from the tubulars via the mandrel bore.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.