Introduction

This third book in the Schlumberger Testing Services set is divided into two sections. The
first describes well control equipment for offshore and land testing operations. The second sec-
tion describes well test design, safety considerations and the features and selection of surface
equipment. Regardless of the downhole conditions and well location, Schlumberger equipment
and techniques meet the critical need for reliable well control.
When drilling operations are conducted from a floating vessel (a semisubmersible or drill-
ship), the stack of subsea pressure-control equipment typically has the following arrangement:
■ one or two annular blowout preventers (BOPs) at the top of the stack

■ one or two BOPs equipped with blind/shear rams

■ two or three BOPs equipped with pipe rams to close on drillpipe or test strings.

The riser, which brings the mud back to the surface, is landed on top of the BOP stack with a
hydraulic connector that allows disconnection (Fig. 1). The BOPs and the hydraulic connector are
controlled hydraulically from the surface through hoses running in bundles outside the riser.
During testing, the drillstring running through the BOP stack well is full of oil or gas. If it
becomes necessary to cut pipe and pull the drilling vessel off location, the well is held in control
only by the blind/shear rams, which may be damaged from cutting the pipe. In this scenario,
reentry is impossible because of pressure below these rams. To avoid this set of circumstances,
a subsea test tree is inserted into the test string.
A subsea test tree system was originally developed to enable well testing operations from an
offshore floating rig. The subsea test tree contains valves and a latch that allow fast disconnec-
tion of the vessel from the BOP stacks when there is rough weather, dragging or loss of anchor,
or failure or malfunction of a dynamic positioning system. The subsea test tree system is the pri-
mary safety device and provides fast-acting and reliable means to
■ isolate the landing string from the test string

■ prevent discharge of its contents into the riser

■ disconnect the landing string from the test string.

The disconnection sequence is as follows:

1 Close the valves in the subsea test tree.
2. Close the retainer valve and bleed off the pressure between the valves.
3. Unlatch from the subsea tree valve assembly.
4. Pull the subsea tree latch and the string above it clear of the BOP stack.
5. Close the BOP blind rams.
6. Disconnect the riser.
The vessel can then move off location, leaving the well under control.

Safety Systems ■ Introduction 1

Safety Systems
© Schlumberger 2000
Schlumberger
225 Schlumberger Drive
Sugar Land, Texas 77478
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transcribed in any form or
by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photo-
copying and recording, without prior written permission
of the publisher
SMP-7086-3

An asterisk (*) is used throughout this document

to denote a mark of Schlumberger.
 Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Riser Sealing Mandrel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
SenTREE 3 Test Tree System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
SenTREE 3 components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Valve assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Latch assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Retainer valve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Spanner joint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Subsea Control Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Disconnect times . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Standard system features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Deep-sea hydraulic system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Deep-sea electrohydraulic system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Drift-off analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Subsea pressure and temperature carrier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Lubricator Valve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
E-Z Valve Retrievable Well Control Valve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Safety Systems ■ Contents iii

 Riser

Retainer valve
Hydraulic
connector Subsea
test tree latch

Blind rams
BOP stack
Subsea test tree
valve assembly

Figure 1. BOP stack with riser connected (left) and disconnected (right).

2
 Riser Sealing Mandrel

Schlumberger developed the riser sealing mandrel (RSM) (Fig. 2 and Table 1) as an additional
safety device to meet the requirements of Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) studies during deep-
water well testing operations.
With the increase in water depth, a gas or hydrocarbon leak in the landing string close to the
subsea test tree (i.e., leak from inside tubing to the riser) can develop a high-volume gas kick at
the surface. To safely control and divert this volume, the RSM is located at the level of the
diverter BOP below the rig floor, and the diverter BOP is closed on it.
All the umbilical hoses are well protected, and the seal around them is ensured with specially
designed rubber hose sealing elements.

Features
■ The 9.5-in. OD and the modular design enable using the RSM with most BOP sizes and
configurations.
■ The rig-up time is shortened with easy-to-install protective plates and specially designed
rig-up tools.
■ The protective capacity (26 hose-sealing elements) allows it to be used with various umbilical
hoses:
5 hoses 1 × 2 in. 2 × 11⁄4 in. 2 × 3⁄8 in.
6 hoses 1 × 11⁄2 in. 2 × 11⁄4 in. 1 × 1 in. 2 × 3⁄8 in.

Table 1. Riser Sealing Mandrel Specifications

Unit RSM
Service H2S

OD in. [mm] 9.5 [241]

ID in. [mm] 3.75 [95]

Working pressure psi [bar] 10,000 [690]

Working temperature °F [°C] –20 to 250 [–30 to 120]

Make-up length ft [m] 30 [9.1]

Max tensile load lbf at 0 psi [kN at 0 bar] 520,000 [2310]

Safety Systems ■ Riser Sealing Mandrel 3

 Umbilical

Hose-sealing
elements

A A′ 9.5 in.

Protective
plates Section A–A′
(sealing elements are compressed)

Figure 2. Riser sealing mandrel.

4
 SenTREE 3
Test Tree System

Johnston-Schlumberger was the pioneer in subsea systems with the introduction of the E-Z Tree*
retrievable well control system in 1975. In the mid-1990s, Schlumberger launched a project to
redesign the subsea test tree system to meet the latest industry requirements:
■ ability to close the shear rams with the latch in place

■ latest study requirements (HAZOP) for deep-sea operations incorporated

■ ability to close two BOP pipe rams around the slick joint

■ ability to close two shear rams.

Following a very successful field test period, the SenTREE* 3 system (EZTM) was commer-
cialized at the end of 1997.
The SenTREE 3 test tree (Fig. 3) is hydraulically controlled from the surface and consists of
a dual fail-safe ball valve and flapper valve and a connector (latch) that is landed in the BOP
stack. Its modularity (Fig. 4) enables placement of the slick joint either below the valve assem-
bly or between the latch and valve assembly to match even very short BOP stack configurations.
A set of unique features (verified and approved by Det Norske Veritas) makes the SenTREE 3
system the preferred tree for all standard tests and the first choice for deep-sea and high-
pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) operations.

Features
■ Reduced length and modularity
– 46-in. standard configuration
– 16- and 32-in. split configuration
■ HPHT tested and qualified to full pressure and temperature range
■ Ability to unlatch at full tension, with an angle of up to 6°
■ Backup mechanical unlatch (5 turns)
■ Latch fishing profile and dedicated fishing tool
■ Chemical injection below or at valve level
With the standard control section, the SenTREE 3 tree is operated through an umbilical hose
that consists of three hydraulic control lines. At the surface, the hose is connected to an air-
driven hydraulic power unit (control console). The specially designed deep-sea control systems
available are described subsequently in this section.
When a chemical injection hose or a four-line umbilical hose is run, the SenTREE 3 system
allows injection of chemicals (such as hydrate or corrosion inhibitors) either above or below the
ball valve.

Safety Systems ■ SenTREE 3 Test Tree System 5

 Riser

Spanner joint
Annular BOP

Retainer valve

Bleed-off valve

Shear sub
Shear rams
Latch assembly

Blind rams
Valve assembly

Pipe rams

Slick joint
Pipe rams

Adjustable
fluted hanger

BOP stack

Figure 3. SenTREE 3 standard configuration.

6
 Riser

Spanner joint
Annular BOP

Retainer valve
Bleed-off valve

Shear rams
Shear sub

Shear rams
Latch assembly

Pipe rams

Slick joint
Pipe rams

Valve assembly

Adjustable
fluted hanger

BOP stack

Figure 4. SenTREE 3 modular split configuration.

Safety Systems ■ SenTREE 3 Test Tree System 7

 SenTREE 3 components
The SenTREE 3 test tree system includes the following components:
■ valve assembly (EZTV)

■ latch assembly (EZTH)

■ retainer valve (RETV)

■ spanner joint.

Valve assembly
The SenTREE 3 valve assembly (EZTV) (Fig. 5 and Table 2) consists of two hydraulically operated
fail-safe valves. The main valve is a ball type; the second is a flapper valve. This combination has
proved to be the most reliable fullbore subsea system.
Sequential valve closure ensures that the flapper valve closes only after the ball valve is closed.
The delay allows wireline or coiled tubing (CT) to clear the flapper after being cut by the lower
ball assembly.
The pump-through facility of the valve assembly permits well control if hydraulic control is
lost. Positive differential pressure applied from above opens a flow area for well kill operations
that is equivalent to a 11⁄4-in. line.

Table 2. SenTREE 3 Valve Assembly Specifications

Unit EZTV-DA

Service H2S per NACE MR-01-75

Working pressure psi [bar] 15,000 [1035]

Design temperature °F [°C] –4 to 350 [–20 to 177]

OD in. [mm] 13.0† [330]

With centralizer 16.1 [409]

ID in. [mm] 3.0 [76]

Test pressure (body psi [bar] 22,500 [1550]

only, valves open)

Max tensile load at 90% lbf at 0 psi [kN at 0 bar] 520,000 [2310]
yield and 350°F [177°C] lbf at 15,000 psi [kN at 1035 bar] 255,000 [1130]

Injection line working pressure psi [bar] 15,000 [1035]

Bottom connection 5-in. 4 S.A. box

Wireline cutting capability Up to 5⁄16 in. (no assistance required)

[Up to 7.9 mm (no assistance required)]

CT cutting capability Up to 11⁄2 in. × 0.156 in. (hydraulic assistance 5000 psi)
[Up to 38 mm × 3.9 mm (hydraulic assistance 345 bar)]

Max torque ft-lbf [N⋅m] 7500 [10,200]

Length in. [mm] 32.2 [818]

Weight with centralizer lbm [kg] 1124 [510]

†13-in. OD for the bottom nut only (height 4.1 in.); SenTREE 3 body OD is 12.5 in.

8
 Flapper

Ball piston

Ball valve

Figure 5. SenTREE 3 valve assembly.

Safety Systems ■ SenTREE 3 Test Tree System 9

 Latch assembly
The latch assembly (EZTH) (Fig. 6 and Table 3) is the upper part of the subsea tree and connects
the landing string to the valve assembly. If hydraulic control is lost, the latch can be disconnected
mechanically. Two shear keys, which break at a known torque value, connect the latch body to
the shear sub. Figure 7 shows the combined latch and valve assemblies of the SenTREE 3 test
tree system.

Table 3. SenTREE 3 Latch Assembly Specifications

Unit EZTH-DA

Service H2S per NACE MR-01-75

Working pressure psi [bar] 15,000 [1035]

Design temperature °F [°C] –4 to 350 [–20 to 177]

OD in. [mm] 12.5 [318]

With centralizer 16.1 [409]

ID in. [mm] 3.0 [76]

Test pressure psi [bar] 22,500 [1550]

Max tensile load lbf at 0 psi [kN at 0 bar] 520,000 [2310]

at 90% yield and 350°F lbf at 15,000 psi [kN at 1035 bar] 255,000 [1130]

Top connection 5-in. 4 S.A. pin

Max torque ft-lbf [N⋅m] 7500 [10,200]

Length in. [mm] 16.0 [406]

Weight with centralizer lbm [kg] 860 [390]

10
 Piston

Latch dog

Skirt

Figure 6. SenTREE 3 latch assembly.

Safety Systems ■ SenTREE 3 Test Tree System 11

 Latch
assembly

Latch dog

Latch profile

Valve
assembly

Figure 7. SenTREE 3 latch and valve assemblies.

12
 Retainer valve
The retainer valve (RETV) (Fig. 8 and Table 4) can be run above the SenTREE 3 latch assembly
to retain the fluids trapped in the landing string after disconnecting from the SenTREE 3 valve
assembly. When disconnecting, the retainer valve prevents the uncontrolled release of hydro-
carbons from the landing string into the riser and the sea. When testing wells in deep water or
when testing high-pressure gas wells, use of the retainer valve is a safety and environmental
requirement.
The RETV is controlled hydraulically in sequence with the subsea test tree. An integral bleed-
off valve (BOV) vents the trapped pressure between the retainer valve and the test tree to the
riser before unlatching. The RETV uses the same ball valve mechanism as the SenTREE 3 system
and is capable of cutting 1.5-in. CT. Hydrocarbons in the landing string can be reversed out as the
RETV ball valve is pumped away from its seat with greater pressure below the valve. The RETV is
a fail-safe valve when closed, but in case of control line failure, the RETV ball valve can be opened
by closing the annular BOP on the spanner joint and pressuring up below.

Features
■ Fail-safe closure
■ Ability to cut 1.5-in. × 0.15-in. CT with pressure assist
■ Integrated bleed-off valve
■ Pump-through facility with the spanner joint
■ Pressure tests from above
■ Reverse circulation (U-tube)
■ Ports for high-rate injection

Table 4. SenTREE 3 Retainer Valve Specifications

Unit RETV-DA

Service H2S per NACE MR-01-75

Working pressure psi [bar] 15,000 [1035]

Design temperature °F [°C] –4 to 350 [–20 to 177]

OD in. [mm] 13.0 [330]

ID in. [mm] 3.0 [76]

Test pressure (valves open) psi [bar] 22,500 [1550]

Max tensile load lbf at 0 psi [kN at 0 bar] 520,000 [2310]

at 90% yield and 350°F lbf at 15,000 psi [kN at 1035 bar] 255,000 [1130]

Connection 5-in. 4 S.A. box with lock key

Max torque ft-lbf [N⋅m] 15,000 [20,300]

Overall length including ft [m] with 5-ft spanner 10.6 [3.2]

spanner joint ft [m] with10-ft spanner 15.6 [4.7]

Overall weight including lbm [kg] with 5-ft spanner 2000 [910]
spanner joint lbm [kg] with 10-ft spanner 2400 [1090]

Safety Systems ■ SenTREE 3 Test Tree System 13

 Ball cage

Seal retainer
Ball spring
Ball valve
Pins

Piston

Sequencing valve

BOV Open BOV Closed

Figure 8. SenTREE 3 retainer valve.

14
 Spanner joint
The spanner joint (Fig. 9 and Table 5) sits on top of the retainer valve and allows closing the
annular BOP. This safety feature was introduced in 1997. The spanner joint was developed to
fulfill the following functions:
■ enable closure of the annular BOP on the landing string to pressurize the annulus to open the
ball valve if hydraulic controls are lost
■ enable, through the hydraulic block manifold, the operating sequence of the SenTREE 3
system and the RETV valves
■ protect the control hoses when closing the BOP.

Table 5. Spanner Joint Specifications

Unit Spanner Joint

Service H2S per NACE MR-01-75

Working pressure psi [bar] 15,000 [1035]

Design temperature °F [°C] –4 to 350°F [–20 to 177]

OD in. [mm] 10.75 [273]

ID in. [mm] 3.0 [76]

Test pressure psi [bar] 22,500 [1550]

Max tensile load lbf at 0 psi [kN at 0 bar] 520,000 [2310]

at 90% yield and 350°F lbf at 15,000 psi [kN at 1035 bar] 255,000 [1130]

Connection 5-in. 4 S.A. box with lock key

Max torque ft-lbf [N⋅m] 15,000 [20,300]

Sealing length ft [m] 5 or 10 [1.5 or 3.0]

Safety Systems ■ SenTREE 3 Test Tree System 15

 Hydraulic sequencing
manifold

Skirt

Hydraulic hose

Centralizer

Retainer valve

Figure 9. Spanner joint.

16
 Accessories
Figure 10 shows the SenTREE 3 components in both a short configuration and a standard con-
figuration. The spanner joints, retainer valve and shear sub extensions are required in both
configurations.

Riser sealing mandrel

Spanner joints

RETV-DA

Retainer valve

Shear sub extensions

Crossover
Super short configuration Standard configuration

Standard High-strength
shear sub shear sub

EZSJ-DA
Slick joint
EZSJ-FA
16-in. configuration
Integral slick joint
with ported lines
46-in. configuration
with ported line

EZH-IA
Integral bottom EZSJ-GA EZSJ-HA
sub/hanger Slick joint Slick joint
with ported lines with ported nonported
line
EZH-DB
Hanger nonported
EZHR-A
Slim 2.5-in. ID EZHP-DA
nonported line Hanger ported line

Figure 10. SenTREE 3 accessories.

Safety Systems ■ SenTREE 3 Test Tree System 17

 Subsea Control Systems

The type of subsea control system used to operate the subsea test tree depends on the water
depth. Schlumberger has developed three systems (Fig. 11) to accommodate different depths
and optimize the disconnect time of the latch assembly:
■ standard system for depths to 1500 ft [457 m]

■ deep-sea hydraulic system for depths from 1500 to 4500 ft [457 to 1372 m]

■ electrohydraulic system for depths from 4,500 to 10,000 ft [1372 to 3048 m].

Standard System Deep-Sea Deep-Sea

Hydraulic System Electrohydraulic System

Console Reel Console Reel Accumulator Reel HPU

EPU

SenTREE 3
system + RETV Hydraulic
1500 ft
pod

SenTREE 3
system + RETV Electro-
4500 ft
hydraulic
Surface accumulator pod
can be used to decrease
disconnect time SenTREE 3
10,000 ft system + RETV
Use only with
moored vessel

Always use with dynamically

positioned vessels

Figure 11. SenTREE 3 control systems.

Safety Systems ■ Subsea Control Systems 19

 Disconnect times
The disconnect time for any hydraulic system depends on the landing string configuration, on
whether a retainer valve is used and on the umbilical hose length.
The downhole hydraulic pod system with surface accumulator was tested and qualified both
onshore and offshore. Using the SenTREE 3 system and RETV, the complete cycle (close, bleed-
off and disconnect) times are 41 s at 4400 ft [1341 m] and 52 s at 7400 ft [2255 m].
The electrohydraulic pod with 8500 ft [2591 m] of umbilical hose was also tested and
qualified both onshore and offshore. Using the SenTREE 3 system and RETV, the complete cycle
(close, bleed-off and disconnect) time is 10 s at water depths to 8500 ft.

Standard system features

The standard system (Fig. 12 and Table 6) intended for SenTREE 3 operation in shallow water
depths to 1500 ft comprises
■ console

■ reeler

■ hose bundle, 4500-ft long.

A hydraulic logic diagram for the standard control system used with the SenTREE 3 system
is shown in Fig. 13. A diagram for use with the SenTREE 3 system and retainer valve is shown in
Fig. 14.

Table 6. Standard Control System Reeler and Console Specifications

Unit Reeler Console

Reeler motion Air driven

Reeler capacity three-hose bundle ft [m] 4500 [1370]

Footprint ft [m] 10.5 × 6.9 [3.2 × 2.1] 2.9 × 2.0 [0.9 × 0.6]

Height ft [m] 6.6 [2.0] 3.8 [1.2]

Weight lbm [kg] 5500 [2500] 660 [300]

20
 Console Reel

Spanner joint

Retainer

SenTREE 3 system

1500 ft

Figure 12. SenTREE 3 system with standard control system.

Safety Systems ■ Subsea Control Systems 21

 CI A B C

Unlatch Latch connector

Latch Unlatch
Latch

Flapper valve

Open
Close Open
Close

Chemical injection

Ball valve

Open Close Open

Close

Figure 13. Hydraulic logic diagram for standard control system used with SenTREE 3 system.

22
 CI A B C

HF CI
Vent to annulus

Spanner
joint

Retainer
valve
Open
Close Open
Close
Chemical
injection

BOV
Open
Close Open
Close
Sequence valve

Latch
Unlatch connector
Latch Unlatch
Latch

Flapper
valve
Open
Close Open
Close
Chemical
injection

Ball valve

Open Close Open

Close

Figure 14. Hydraulic logic diagram for standard control system used with SenTREE 3 system with retainer valve.

Safety Systems ■ Subsea Control Systems 23

 Deep-sea hydraulic system
The deep-sea hydraulic system (Fig. 15 and Table 7) is for operation of the SenTREE 3 system in
medium water depths, between 1500 and 4500 ft. The system comprises
■ deep-sea console

■ accumulator surface unit

■ reeler

■ hose bundle, 4500 ft long

■ hydraulic control pod.

Table 7. Deep-Sea Hydraulic System Component Specifications

Unit Pod
Service H2S
OD in. [mm] 13.0 [330]

ID in. [mm] 3.0 [76]

Mandrel working pressure psi [bar] 15,000 [1035]

Mandrel test pressure psi [bar] 22,500 [1550]

Max tensile load lbf at 0 psi [kN at 0 bar] 520,000 [2310]

lbf at 15,000 psi [kN at 1035 bar] 255,000 [1130]

Max torque ft-lbf [N⋅m] 7500 [10,200]

Connection 5 in. 4 S.A. box up × pin down

Accumulator Surface Unit

Working pressure psi [bar] 5000 [345]

Capacity gal [L] 2 × 13 [2 × 50]

Nitrogen pressure psi [bar] 2600 [180]

Footprint ft [m] 8.2 × 2.0 [2.5 × 0.6]

Height ft [m] 2.2 [0.7]

Weight lbm [kg] 1430 [650]

Reeler
Reeler motion Air driven

Reeler capacity three-hose bundle ft [m] 6000 [1830]

24
 Reel

Accumulator
Console surface unit

Hydraulic pod

Spanner joint

Retainer

SenTREE 3 system

4500 ft

Figure 15. SenTREE 3 system with deep-sea hydraulic control system.

Safety Systems ■ Subsea Control Systems 25

 Deep-sea electrohydraulic system
The deep-sea electrohydraulic control system (Fig. 16 and Table 8) is for remote control of the
SenTREE 3 system in water depths to 10,000 ft.
The system is designed for a closure and unlatching time of 10 s at any water depth. A single
umbilical hose is used for all functions, including two surface readout lines for the pressure and
temperature monitoring sub. The system comprises
■ surface control unit

■ umbilical hose and air-driven reeler

■ deep-sea pod (hydraulic accumulators and solenoid valves).

Table 8. Deep-Sea Electrohydraulic System Component Specifications

Unit Pod
Service H2S

OD in. [mm] 14.5 [368]

ID in. [mm] 3.0 [76]

Mandrel working pressure psi [bar] 15,000 [1035]

Mandrel test pressure psi [bar] 22,500 [1550]

Max tensile load lbf at 0 psi [kN at 0 bar] 520,000 [2310]

lbf at 15,000 psi [kN at 1035 bar] 255,000 [1130]

Max torque ft-lbf [N⋅m] 7500 [10,200]

Length ft [m] 22.4 [6.8]

Weight lbm [kg] 4635 [2100]

Connection 5-in. 4 S.A. box up × pin down

Reeler and Surface Control Unit

Reeler motion Air driven

Reeler capacity three-hose bundle ft [m] 10,000 [3050]

Footprint ft [m] 13.5 × 8.5 [4.1 × 2.6]

Height ft [m] 8.9 [2.7]

Weight lbm [kg] 25,000 [11,340]

26
 Reel

Surface
control unit

Electrohydraulic
pod and accumulator

T and P surface
readout

Spanner joint

Retainer

SenTREE 3 system

10,000 ft

Figure 16. SenTREE 3 system with deep-sea electrohydraulic control system.

Safety Systems ■ Subsea Control Systems 27

 Drift-off analysis
Drift-off analysis defines the disconnect philosophy and establishes the times required for dis-
connection of stack components in the subsea test tree.
As an example, consider a drift-off analysis for North Sea conditions, where a complete dis-
connect is required in 37 s or less, including pull-off from the BOP stack. This leaves 20 s for the
complete sequence. Of the three control systems, only the electrohydraulic system is capable of
making these disconnect times. In the analysis in Fig. 17, the subsea test tree must close,
disconnect and clear the riser connector before the emergency disconnect sequence (ESD)
procedure can begin.

Storm environment: 1-knot current, 55-knot wind

9

Vessel offset 5
(% water depth)
4 Start
emergency
3 disconnect

2 Drilling Riser
disconnect
1 Testing 37-s SenTREE 25-s
disconnect disconnect
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Elapsed time (s)

Figure 17. Deep-sea drift-off analysis example.

28
 Subsea pressure and temperature carrier
The subsea pressure and temperature carrier (EZGC) (Fig. 18 and Table 9) is used to monitor
pressure and temperature at the subsea tree level. The well effluent pressure and temperature
are recorded in surface readout or recorder mode.
This sub is recommended for use in HPHT tests, particularly to measure temperature at the
BOP level and to ensure that the maximum temperature rating of the BOP elastomers is not
exceeded. The other application is for hydrates control, especially during deep-sea operations.
Two UNIGAGE* H-Sapphire* pressure gauges are included with the tool. One gauge should
have a high-resolution thermometer for direct effluent temperature measurement.

Table 9. Subsea Pressure and Temperature Carrier Specifications

Unit EZGC-A

Service H2S
OD in. [mm] 7.9 [200]

ID in. [mm] 3.0 [76]

Working pressure psi [bar] 15,000 [1035]

Working temperature °F [°C] 375 [190]

Make-up length ft [m] 10.6 [3.2]

Weight lbm [kg] 1320 [600]

Max tensile load lbf at 0 psi [kN at 0 bar] 520,000 [2310]

lbf at 15,000 psi [kN at 1035 bar] 255,000 [1130]

Max torque ft-lbf [N⋅m] 7500 [10,200]

Connection 5-in. 4 S.A. box × pin with lock key

Safety Systems ■ Subsea Control Systems 29

 Jumper cable SRO module

UNIGAGE H-Sapphire

Direct temperature reading

Figure 18. Subsea pressure and temperature carrier.

30
 Lubricator Valve

During offshore testing where slickline, wireline or CT operations are performed, it may be
advantageous to use a valve that limits lubricator height above the flowhead. The lubricator valve
(LUBV), usually located about 90 ft below the flowhead, enables the upper part of the string to
be used as a lubricator. The LUBV is a balanced system and remains in the position in which it
was last placed (open or closed) (Fig. 19). If the valve is closed, however, application of 1800-psi
differential pressure from above allows pump-through to kill the well. The LUBV can be pressure
tested from above (with hydraulic pressure maintained in the closed line); the valve contains an
equalizing device to remove any differential prior to opening.
The LUBV can be used alone or as a backup for a conventional lubricator system. It is a surface-
operated hydraulic valve that is run on tubing or drillpipe during testing operations (Table 10).
It is normally run in conjunction with the SenTREE 3 system and its retainer valve or with an
E-Z Valve* device. The LUBV can be actuated as many times as required for wireline operations.
Conversely, the SenTREE 3 or E-Z Valve products are safety devices and should be actuated only
in emergencies.

Table 10. Lubricator Valve Specifications

Unit LUBV-CC LUBV-CCB

Service H2S H2S

Working pressure psi [bar] 15,000 [1035] 10,000 [690]

Working temperature °F [°C] –4 to 350 [–20 to 175] –4 to 350 [–20 to 175]

Fail-safe Closed Closed

Pump-through differential psi [bar] 1800 [125] 1800 [125]

Max tensile load lbf at 0 psi [kN at 0 bar] 520,000 [2310] 520,000 [2310]
lbf at 15,000 psi [kN at 1035 bar] 255,000 [1130] 255,000 [1130]

Shearing wireline capability Up to 15⁄32-in. [11.9 mm]

Shearing CT capability 11⁄4-in. × 15⁄32 in. wall [32-mm × 11.9-mm wall]

Connection (box/box) 5-in. 4 S.A. 5-in. 4 S.A.

Length ft [m] 5.0 [1.5] 5.0 [1.5]

OD in. [mm] 8.25 [210] 8.25 [210]

ID in. [mm] 3.0 [76] 3.0 [76]

Weight lbm [kg] 700 [320] 700 [320]

Safety Systems ■ Lubricator Valve 31

 Double check
valve

Hydraulic
fluid

Ball valve

Injection point

Bottom plug

Valve Open Valve Closed Injection Line

Figure 19. Lubricator valve.

32
 E-Z Valve Retrievable
Well Control Valve

The E-Z Valve (EZV) retrievable well control safety device is designed for installation in the BOP
stack of a jackup or land rig during well testing when there is no unlatch facility (Table 11). The
pipe rams close around a slick joint above the valve, protecting the annulus, while the E-Z Valve
ball closes to secure the well at BOP level.
The E-Z Valve device is normally closed by a spring and nitrogen pressure and is opened by
hydraulic pressure applied from a console on the rig floor (Fig. 20). The valve is designed pri-
marily to hold pressure from below, but it can be pressure tested from above to 5000 psi with
normal hose and console or to 7500 psi with a high-pressure set. A hydrate inhibitor such as
glycol or methanol can be injected below the valve.
E-Z Valve closure can also be assisted by hydraulic pressure, enabling the ball to cut wireline
or 11⁄4-in. CT in an emergency. Standard and two optional installations are shown in Fig. 21.

Table 11. E-Z Valve Specifications

Unit EZV-CC

Service H2S
Working pressure psi [bar] 15,000 [1035]

Working temperature °F [°C] –4 to 350 [–20 to 175]

Fail-safe Closed

Shearing wireline capability Up to 15⁄32 in. [11.9 mm]

Shearing CT capability Up to 11⁄4 in. [32 mm]

Pump-through differential psi [bar] 1800 [125]

N2 precharge psi [bar] 1200 [83]

Connection (box/box) 5-in. 4 S.A.

Body length ft [m] 3.8 [1.1]

Valve only length ft [m] 5.0 [1.5]

Slick joint length ft [m] 5.7 [1.7]

E-Z Valve system length ft [m] 16. [5.1]

OD in. [mm] 8.25 [210]

ID in. [mm] 3.0 [76]

Slick joint and valve weight lbm [kg] 1230 [560]

Adjustable hanger kit weight lbm [kg] 1500 [680]

Safety Systems ■ E-Z Valve Retrievable Well Control Valve 33

 Slick joint

Double
check valve

Hydraulic
fluid

Nitrogen
and spring

Ball valve

Injection
point

Bottom plug

Valve Open Valve Closed Valve Closed Injection Line

with Assistance

Figure 20. E-Z Valve operation.

34
 C
A B

E-Z Valve

Slick joint

E-Z Valve

E-Z Valve

Standard Option 1 Option 2

Installation (only from 9 5/8-in. casing)

Figure 21. E-Z Valve installation options.

Safety Systems ■ E-Z Valve Retrievable Well Control Valve 35