System and method for performing intervention operations with a compliant guide
A technique for subsea intervention operations incorporates use of a compliant guide that extends between a surface location and a subsea installation. The technique facilitates deployment of tool strings into a subsea well. For example, a portion of the compliant guide can be used as a subsea lubricator during pressure deployment of tool strings. In some applications, a tool entry guide can be connected into the subsea installation to facilitate deployment of tool strings into the subsea well.
1. A system for use with a subsea well, comprising:
a guide disposed between a surface location and a subsea installation, wherein at least a lower portion of the guide serves as a subsea lubricator;
a blowout preventer disposed above the subsea well; and
a subsea fluid separation seal conveyable through and disposed within the guide and able to accommodate movement of a conveyance therethrough, wherein the seal is disposed above the blowout preventer.
2. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the guide is a compliant guide.
3. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the guide is a spoolable compliant guide.
4. The system as recited in claim 2 , further comprising the subsea installation, wherein the subsea installation comprises a subsea wellhead and a pressure barrier between the subsea wellhead and the compliant guide.
5. The system as recited in claim 1 , further comprising the subsea installation, wherein the subsea installation comprises a subsea wellhead and a pressure barrier between the subsea wellhead and the guide.
6. The system as recited in claim 2 , further comprising a buffer fluid within the compliant guide.
7. A method of intervening in a subsea well, comprising:
coupling a guide between a surface location and a subsea installation; and
utilizing at least a lower portion of the guide as a subsea lubricator during pressure deployment of a tool string, comprising:
disposing a subsea fluid separation seal within the guide and above a blowout preventer disposed above the subsea well;
conveying the subsea fluid separation seal through the guide; and
conveying the tool string through the subsea fluid separation seal.
8. The method as recited in claim 7 , wherein coupling comprises coupling a compliant guide between the surface location and the subsea installation.
9. The method as recited in claim 7 , wherein coupling comprises coupling a spoolable compliant guide between the surface location and the subsea installation.
10. The method as recited in claim 8 , further comprising:
positioning the subsea fluid separation seal proximate a lower end of the compliant guide; and
subsequently moving the tool string down to the subsea fluid separation seal.
11. The method as recited in claim 10 , further comprising subsequently adjusting the pressure in the compliant guide to control the wellhead pressure.
12. The method as recited in claim 7 , further comprising:
opening the subsea fluid separation seal; and
running the tool string into the subsea well.
13. The method as recited in claim 10 , wherein utilizing comprises utilizing the lower portion of the compliant guide as the subsea lubricator in combination with another subsea lubricator.
14. A method of intervening in a subsea well, comprising:
coupling a guide between a surface location and a subsea installation;
connecting a tool entry guide to the subsea installation such that an inlet of a tool entry guide is positioned externally of the guide;
running a tool string to the tool entry guide externally of the guide; and
holding the tool string with a tool lock to facilitate connection of the tool string with a conveyance deployed through the guide.
15. The method as recited in claim 14 , wherein coupling comprises coupling a spoolable compliant guide between the surface location and the subsea installation.
16. The method as recited in claim 14 , further comprising deploying a fluid separation seal to a position proximate a lower end of the guide.
17. The method as recited in claim 14 , further comprising:
sealing the inlet of the tool entry guide; and
deploying the tool string into the subsea well.
18. A method of intervening in a subsea well, comprising:
coupling a guide between a surface location and a subsea installation;
utilizing at least a lower portion of the guide as a subsea lubricator having a first configuration;
lowering the guide and the subsea lubricator toward the subsea installation;
conducting a subsea intervention with a tool having a first configuration;
retrieving the tool and the subsea lubricator toward the subsea installation;
utilizing at least a lower portion of the guide as a second subsea lubricator having a second configuration;
lowering the guide and the second subsea lubricator toward the subsea installation; and
conducting a subsea intervention with a second tool having a second configuration.
19. The method as recited in claim 18 , wherein the tool having a first configuration is storable inside the subsea installation and the tool having a second configuration is too large for storage inside the subsea installation.
20. A method of intervening in a subsea well, comprising:
coupling a guide between a surface location and a subsea installation;
disposing a blowout preventer above the subsea well:
disposing a subsea fluid separation seal within the guide and above the blowout preventer;
utilizing at least a lower portion of the guide as a subsea lubricator; and
conducting a subsea intervention with a tool having a length greater than that of the subsea installation.