Aker Solutions has been granted a patent for a wellhead arrangement that includes a valve tree with an isolation sleeve and a seal carrier with at least one seal. The seal carrier is positioned between the wellhead and the isolation sleeve, providing a sealing relationship with the inner through-channel of the wellhead and the side wall of the isolation sleeve. The seal carrier is not secured to the isolation sleeve. GlobalData’s report on Aker Solutions gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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A wellhead arrangement with a seal carrier and valve tree
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11761291B2) describes a wellhead arrangement and a method for installing a valve tree onto a wellhead. The wellhead arrangement includes a valve tree with an isolation sleeve and a seal carrier. The seal carrier, which supports at least one seal, is positioned between the wellhead and the isolation sleeve. The seal is in a sealing relationship with the inner through-channel of the wellhead and the side wall of the isolation sleeve. Notably, the seal carrier is not secured to the isolation sleeve.
The isolation sleeve in the wellhead arrangement may include a tapered section. Additionally, the wellhead may have a support surface that prevents the movement of the seal carrier in the longitudinal direction of the inner through-channel. This support surface can be part of a casing hanger, which is arranged in the wellhead.
The method for installing a valve tree onto a wellhead involves placing a seal carrier in the inner through-channel of the wellhead. The seal carrier, which includes at least one seal, is supported by the wellhead. The valve tree and the isolation sleeve are then landed onto the wellhead, bringing the side wall of the isolation sleeve into a sealing engagement with the seal(s) of the seal carrier and the inner through-channel of the wellhead. During the placement of the seal carrier in the inner through-channel, it is positioned against a support surface in the wellhead to prevent movement in the longitudinal direction.
In some embodiments, the method includes energizing the seal(s) in the seal carrier, which may involve bringing the seal(s) into engagement with the tapered section of the isolation sleeve. Furthermore, a locking unit can be installed in the wellhead to prevent movement of the seal carrier in the longitudinal direction of the inner through-channel.
Overall, this patent describes a wellhead arrangement and a method for installing a valve tree onto a wellhead, particularly in subsea applications. The arrangement and method aim to provide effective sealing between the wellhead and the valve tree components, ensuring the integrity of the well system.
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GlobalData’s Patent Analytics tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
