Well control means

Abstract

A controller for a well facility has at least one electronic control module ( 20 ) and at least one power switching module ( 21, 22 ). The power switching module may provide either a wholly hydraulic or wholly electrical output. The distributed electronic and power switching controls facilitate their removal and replacement by a remote operating vehicle. The modules are preferably housed on a subsea well tree ( 31 ).

1 . A controller for a well facility, comprising an electronic control module and a power switching module, said electronic control module being configured to provide a wholly electronic output and said power switching module being configured to provide a power switching output using said electronic output.  
   
   
       2 . The controller according to  claim 1 , wherein said power switching module produces wholly hydraulic output.  
   
   
       3 . The controller according to  claim 1 , wherein said power switching module produces wholly electrical output.  
   
   
       4 . The controller according to  claim 1 , wherein said electronic control module and said power switching module are arranged to be removably mounted on a well tree.  
   
   
       5 . The controller according to  claim 1 , comprising a jumper for carrying control signals from said electronic control module to said power switching module.  
   
   
       6 . The controller according to  claim 1 , further comprising an umbilical termination unit.  
   
   
       7 . The controller according to  claim 6 , wherein said electronic control module and said power switching module are arranged to be removably mounted on a well tree and wherein said umbilical termination unit is arranged to be removably mounted on said well tree.  
   
   
       8 . The controller according to  claim 6 , comprising a jumper for connection between said electronic control module and said umbilical termination unit.  
   
   
       9 . The controller according to  claim 6 , wherein said power switching module produces wholly hydraulic output, the control means further comprising a hydraulic feed for feeding hydraulic power from the umbilical termination unit to the power switching module.  
   
   
       10 . The controller according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said electronic control module, said power switching module, said umbilical termination unit, said hydraulic feed and said jumpers is adapted for removal and fitting by a remotely operated vehicle.  
   
   
       11 . The controller according to  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of such power switching modules, each connected to said control module.  
   
   
       12 . The controller according to  claim 11 , wherein at least one of said power switching modules produces wholly electrical output and at least one produces wholly hydraulic output.  
   
   
       13 . A well tree comprising the controller according to  claim 1 .  
   
   
       14 . A well facility comprising the controller according to  claim 1 .  
   
   
       15 . A method of controlling well operations using an electronic control module to produce a wholly electronic output, which output controls a power switching module to produce a power switching output.  
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the electronic control module receives control signals from a remote station.  
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the control signals are received at the electronic control module via an umbilical termination unit.