Tubing hanger orientation system
A system for orienting a tubing hanger in a wellhead in subsea oil well equipment. The system comprises a tubing hanger having an extendable orientation pin that interfaces with a helical surface inside the high pressure housing of the wellhead, causing the tubing hanger to rotate to a desired rotational position upon the application of upward force to the tubing hanger. The tubing hanger may then be lowered (relanded) and secured, maintaining the desired rotational position.
1 . A tubing hanger orientation system, comprising:
a high pressure housing of a wellhead system, comprising:
a central bore having an internal diameter and an orientation helix in the central bore, the orientation helix comprising a lower annular surface having a helical shape; and
a tubing hanger, comprising:
an orientation pin capable of being extended radially outward such that when in an extended position the orientation pin interfaces with the orientation helix as the tubing hanger is raised, causing the tubing hanger to rotate.
2 . The tubing hanger orientation system of claim 1 , wherein the lower annular surface of the orientation helix comprises two helical ramp portions extending in opposite circumferential directions from a common high point to a common low point.
3 . The tubing hanger orientation system of claim 1 , wherein the orientation helix has a diameter equal or greater than the internal diameter of the central bore of the high pressure housing.
4 . The tubing hanger orientation system of claim 1 , wherein the tubing hanger further comprises a chamber in the tubing hanger containing the orientation pin and a passage connected to the chamber for applying fluid pressure to extend the orientation pin.
5 . The tubing hanger orientation system of claim 1 , wherein the high pressure housing further comprises:
a capture feature positioned at an upper most edge of the lower annular surface of the orientation helix, the capture feature comprising a slot sized to accommodate the orientation pin, wherein the slot extends radially outward from the central bore through the orientation helix and opens at the uppermost edge of the lower annular surface such that the orientation pin enters the slot upon reaching an upper end of the helical shape.
6 . The tubing hanger orientation system of claim 1 , wherein the tubing hanger further comprises:
an indexable sleeve containing an outwardly biased key and the orientation pin, wherein the indexable sleeve can be secured in a plurality of rotational positions relative to a tubing hanger body.
7 . The tubing hanger orientation system of claim 6 , wherein the indexable sleeve further comprises a radial hole for receiving a locking pin and the tubing hanger body comprises a plurality of radial holes for receiving the locking pin.
8 . The tubing hanger orientation system of claim 7 , wherein the outwardly biased key has a chamfered upper surface and a chamfered lower surface, allowing the tubing hanger to be inserted or removed from the high pressure housing.
9 . The tubing hanger orientation system of claim 1 , wherein the high pressure housing further comprises:
a key slot comprising an oval slot extending radially outward through the orientation helix; and
wherein the tubing hanger further comprises:
an outwardly biased key sized to fit in the key slot for restricting rotational movement of the tubing hanger relative to the high pressure housing.
10 . The tubing hanger orientation system of claim 9 , wherein the lower annular surface of the orientation helix comprises two helical ramp portions extending in opposite circumferential directions from a common high point to a common low point.
11 . The tubing hanger orientation system of claim 9 , wherein the orientation helix has a diameter equal or greater than the internal diameter of the central bore of the high pressure housing.
12 . The tubing hanger orientation system of claim 9 , wherein the tubing hanger further comprises a chamber in the tubing hanger containing the orientation pin and a passage connected to the chamber for applying fluid pressure to extend the orientation pin.
13 . The tubing hanger orientation system of claim 9 , wherein the high pressure housing further comprises:
a capture feature positioned at an upper most edge of the lower annular surface of the orientation helix, the capture feature comprising a slot sized to accommodate the orientation pin, wherein the slot extends radially outward from the central bore through the orientation helix and opens at the uppermost edge of the lower annular surface such that the orientation pin enters the slot upon reaching an upper end of the helical shape.
14 . The tubing hanger orientation system of claim 9 , wherein the tubing hanger further comprises:
an indexable sleeve containing the outwardly biased key and the orientation pin, wherein the indexable sleeve can be secured in a plurality of rotational positions relative to a tubing hanger body.
15 . The tubing hanger orientation system of claim 14 , wherein the lower annular surface of the orientation helix comprises two helical ramp portions extending in opposite circumferential directions from a common high point to a common low point.
16 . The tubing hanger orientation system of claim 14 , wherein the orientation helix has a diameter equal or greater than the internal diameter of the central bore of the high pressure housing.
17 . The tubing hanger orientation system of claim 14 , wherein the tubing hanger further comprises a chamber in the tubing hanger containing the orientation pin and a passage connected to the chamber for applying fluid pressure to extend the orientation pin.
18 . The tubing hanger orientation system of claim 14 , wherein the high pressure housing further comprises:
a capture feature positioned at an upper most edge of the lower annular surface of the orientation helix, the capture feature comprising a slot sized to accommodate the orientation pin, wherein the slot extends radially outward from the central bore through the orientation helix and opens at the uppermost edge of the lower annular surface such that the orientation pin enters the slot upon reaching an upper end of the helical shape.
19 . The tubing hanger orientation system of claim 14 , wherein the indexable sleeve further comprises a radial hole for receiving a locking pin and the tubing hanger body comprises a plurality of radial holes for receiving the locking pin.
20 . The tubing hanger orientation system of claim 14 , wherein the outwardly biased key has a chamfered upper surface and a chamfered lower surface, allowing the tubing hanger to be inserted or removed from the high pressure housing.