Wellhead conversion system and method
View Patent ↗Methods and systems relating to subsea wellhead orientation are disclosed. A system may include a wellhead with an orientation key on an outer surface and an opening on an inner surface and a Christmas tree attached to a guide tube having an orientation profile which engages the orientation key and guides the Christmas tree into a desired orientation relative to the wellhead. The system may also include a lockdown sleeve with a mating profile on an inner surface, and a protuberance on an outer surface which engages the opening on the inner surface of the wellhead when the lockdown sleeve is in a desired orientation relative to the wellhead. In addition, the system may include a tubing hanger with a mating profile on an outer surface which engages the mating profile of the lockdown sleeve and guides the tubing hanger into a desired orientation relative to the lockdown sleeve.
1. A method of aligning a Christmas tree with a tubing hanger, comprising:
providing a wellhead with an orientation key on an outer surface and an opening on an inner surface;
providing the Christmas tree attached to a guide tube having an orientation profile configured to engage the orientation key and guide the Christmas tree into a desired radial orientation relative to the wellhead;
providing a lockdown sleeve with a first mating profile on an inner surface, and a protuberance on an outer surface configured to engage the opening on the inner surface of the wellhead when the lockdown sleeve is in a desired orientation relative to the wellhead;
providing the tubing hanger with a second mating profile on an outer surface configured to engage the first mating profile and guide the tubing hanger into a desired orientation relative to the lockdown sleeve;
moving the lockdown sleeve into engagement with the wellhead;
after the lockdown sleeve is in engagement with the wellhead, moving the tubing hanger into engagement with the lockdown sleeve; and
after the tubing hanger is in engagement with the lockdown sleeve, moving the Christmas tree into engagement with the wellhead and the tubing hanger;
wherein the Christmas tree is radially aligned with the tubing hanger once the Christmas tree is moved into engagement with the wellhead and the tubing hanger.
2. The method of aligning a Christmas tree with a tubing hanger of claim 1 , wherein the orientation profile is a tapered slot.
3. The method of aligning a Christmas tree with a tubing hanger of claim 1 , wherein the guide tube is funnel-shaped.
4. The method of aligning a Christmas tree with a tubing hanger of claim 1 , wherein the protuberance is a spring-loaded key.
5. The method of aligning a Christmas tree with a tubing hanger of claim 1 , wherein the orientation key is male and the orientation profile is female.
6. The method of aligning a Christmas tree with a tubing hanger of claim 1 , wherein the first mating profile is at a lower end of the lockdown sleeve.
7. The method of aligning a Christmas tree with a tubing hanger of claim 1 , wherein the first mating profile is a bolted attachment to the lockdown sleeve.
8. The method of aligning a Christmas tree with a tubing hanger of claim 1 , wherein the first mating profile is a helix and the second mating profile is a lug.
9. A system aligning a Christmas tree with a tubing hanger, comprising:
a wellhead with an orientation key on an outer surface and an opening on an inner surface;
the Christmas tree attached to a guide tube having an orientation profile configured to engage the orientation key and guide the Christmas tree into a desired radial orientation relative to the wellhead;
a lockdown sleeve with a first mating profile on an inner surface, and a protuberance on an outer surface configured to engage the opening on the inner surface of the wellhead when the lockdown sleeve is in a desired orientation relative to the wellhead; and
the tubing hanger with a second mating profile on an outer surface configured to engage the first mating profile and guide the tubing hanger into a desired orientation relative to the lockdown sleeve;
wherein one or more of the orientation key, the opening, the orientation profile, the protuberance, the first mating profile, and the second mating profile are configured so that the Christmas tree is radially aligned with the tubing hanger once the Christmas tree is engaged with the wellhead and wherein the opening on the inner surface of the wellhead is radially aligned with the orientation key on the outer surface of the wellhead.
10. The system for aligning a Christmas tree with a tubing hanger of claim 9 , wherein the orientation profile is a tapered slot.
11. The system for aligning a Christmas tree with a tubing hanger of claim 9 , wherein the guide tube is funnel-shaped.
12. The system for aligning a Christmas tree with a tubing hanger of claim 9 , wherein the protuberance is a spring-loaded key.
13. The system for aligning a Christmas tree with a tubing hanger of claim 9 , wherein the orientation key is male and the orientation profile is female.
14. The system for aligning a Christmas tree with a tubing hanger of claim 9 , wherein the first mating profile is at a lower end of the lockdown sleeve.
15. The system for aligning a Christmas tree with a tubing hanger of claim 9 , wherein the first mating profile is a bolted attachment to the lockdown sleeve.
16. The system for aligning a Christmas tree with a tubing hanger of claim 9 , wherein the first mating profile is a helix and the second mating profile is a lug.