Method and System for Controlling Slip Joint Packer Activation

• US 20170107782A1
• Filed: 03/31/2015
• Published: 04/20/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Romar International Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Romar International Ltd.
• Inventors: MCKENZIE, Martin
• Granted Patent: US 10,145,200 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/01 Risers
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/07 Telescoping joints for varying drill string lengths; Shock absorbers
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/127 with inflatable sleeve E21B33/122, E21B33/124 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/066 electrically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/06 Measuring temperature or pressure

Abstract

The invention provides a system and method for controlling packer activation in a riser slip joint. The system comprises a first electronically actuated valve disposed between a first packer and a fluid pressure source for the actuation of the first packer. A second electronically actuated valve is disposed between a second packer and a fluid pressure source for the actuation of the second packer. A control unit is operable to actuate the first and/or second electronically actuated valve in response to at least one input signal to control the activation of the first and second packers, and is configured to control the actuation of the first and second electronically actuated valves independently.

Claims

1. A system for controlling packer activation in a riser slip joint comprising:

a first electronically actuated valve disposed between a first packer and a fluid pressure source for the actuation of the first packer;

a second electronically actuated valve disposed between a second packer and a fluid pressure source for the actuation of the second packer;

a control unit operable to actuate the first and/or second electronically actuated valve in response to at least one input signal to control the activation of the first and second packers;

and wherein the control unit is configured to control the actuation of the first and second electronically actuated valves independently.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein the input signal is generated by at least one sensor, and wherein the at least one sensor is selected from the group comprising:

a pressure sensor, a volume sensor, a density sensor or a flow rate sensor.

4. The system according to claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor is a pressure sensor and wherein the pressure sensor is configured to measure a pressure between the first or second packer and its respective fluid pressure source.

5. The system according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the first electronically actuated valve or second electronically actuated valve is a solenoid valve.

7. The system according to claim 2 wherein the control unit is configured to receive a pressure signal from a pressure sensor and is further configured to compare the pressure signal with at least one historical measured pressure level and generate a control signal when the pressure signal differs from the at least one historical measured pressure level by an amount equal to or greater than a preset value.

9. The system according to claim 1 wherein the control unit is configured to close the first electronically actuated valve to de-energise the first packer.

10. The system according to claim 1 wherein the control unit is configured to open the second electronically actuated valve to energise the second packer.

14. The system according to claim 1 wherein the control unit is configured to activate the first and/or second packers when in a rig divert mode.

15. The system according to claim 1 wherein the system comprises a pressure sensor in a rig divert control line, and the control unit is configured to activate the first and/or second packers when a change in pressure is detected in the rig divert control line.

18. The system according to claim 1 comprising a gas pressure source and a hydraulic pressure source.

19. The system according to claim 1 comprising a pressure source sensor for monitoring the pressure of the fluid pressure source.

22. The system according to claim 1 comprising a manual control system operable to activate one or both of the first or second packers.

39. A riser or slip joint apparatus comprising the system for controlling packer activation according to claim 1.

40. A hydrocarbon production or exploration installation comprising the system for controlling packer activation according to claim 1.

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23. A method of controlling packer activation in a riser slip joint comprising:

providing a packer activation apparatus comprising a first electronically actuated valve disposed between a first packer and a fluid pressure source for the actuation of the first packer and a second electronically actuated valve disposed between a second packer and a fluid pressure source for the actuation of the second packer;

receiving at least one input signal in a control unit;

generating a control signal from the control unit in response to the at least one input signal to control the actuation of each electronically actuated valve independently, to thereby independently control the activation of the first and second packers.

24. The method according to claim 23 wherein the input signal comprises a pressure signal from at least one pressure sensor.

25. The method according to claim 23 comprising measuring a pressure between the first and/or second packer and its respective fluid pressure source.

26. The method according to claim 24 comprising comparing the pressure signal with at least one historical measured pressure level and generating a control signal when the measured pressure signal differs from the at least one historical measured pressure level by an amount equal to or greater than a preset value.

30. The method according to claim 23 comprising activating the first and second packers when a pressure drop is detected between either or both of the first or second packers and its respective fluid pressure source.

31. The method according to claim 23 comprising measuring a pressure of the fluid pressure source at a first location on an upstream side of a restriction in a pathway to at least one of the packers, and comparing with a pressure value at a second location on a downstream side of the restriction.

32. The method according to claim 31 comprising diagnosing a packer fault condition or a fluid pressure source fault from the comparison of the pressure or pressures at the first and second locations.

34. The method according to claim 32 wherein the first and second locations are on opposing sides of one of the first or second electronically actuated valves.

36. The method according to claim 23 comprising measuring the pressure of a fluid in a rig divert control system and activating the first and second packers when a change in pressure in a rig divert mode line is detected

38. The method according to claim 23 comprising manually activating one or both of the first or second packers.

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