Intervention system dynamic seal and compliant guide
A technique for subsea intervention operations utilizes a retrievable dynamic seal assembly. The retrievable dynamic seal assembly is deployed toward a seabed and locked into place within a tubular member at a subsea installation. During deployment, the dynamic seal assembly is releasably locked to an intervention tool string coupled to a conveyance. Once the dynamic seal assembly is locked in place within the tubular, the tool string is released and the dynamic seal assembly maintains a seal against the conveyance during an intervention operation.
1. A system for subsea intervention operations, comprising:
a retrievable dynamic seal assembly, comprising:
a body;
a tool string lock mechanism coupled to the body at a location to releasably lock the retrievable dynamic seal assembly to a tool string;
a releasable locking mechanism positioned to lock the retrievable dynamic seal assembly in an operational position within a tubular structure at a subsea installation;
a dynamic seal having an actuator that enables selective actuation of the dynamic seal to seal against a conveyance coupled to the tool string; and
a sealing mechanism positioned to form a seal between the body and the tubular.
2. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the dynamic seal comprises a plurality of actuatable dynamic seals.
3. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the dynamic seal is hydraulically actuated.
4. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the releasable locking mechanism can be overridden with a pre-established overpull.
5. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a fishing neck portion.
6. The system as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a valve positioned in the body to block flow through the dynamic seal if the conveyance is not present in the retrievable dynamic seal assembly.
7. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein activation and deactivation of the dynamic seal is accomplished independent of pressures in the subsea installation and the subsea environment.
8. A method of performing a subsea intervention operation, comprising:
providing a retrievable dynamic seal assembly comprising a body, a tool string lock mechanism, a releasable locking mechanism, and a dynamic seal;
releasably locking the retrievable dynamic seal assembly to a tool string with the tool string lock mechanism;
locking the retrievable dynamic seal assembly with the releasable locking mechanism in an operational position within a tubular structure at a subsea installation;
and selectively actuating the dynamic seal to seal against a conveyance coupled to the tool string and a sealing mechanism positioned to form a seal between the body and the tubular structure.