Plug retrieval and debris removal tool

Abstract

An apparatus adapted for removing a plug ( 12 ) from a subsea Christmas tree ( 10 ) is disclosed which includes a housing ( 84 ), a distal end of the apparatus that is adapted to engage the plug ( 12 ) and a fluid passage ( 83 ) formed in the housing ( 84 ) for use in directing a stream of fluid toward the plug ( 12 ) to remove debris ( 90 ) from above the plug ( 12 ). Also disclosed is a method for removing debris ( 90 ) from a subsea Christmas tree ( 10 ) including connecting a marine riser and a blowout preventer (BOP) ( 60 ) to a subsea Christmas tree ( 10 ), lowering a plug removal tool ( 80 ) through the marine riser to the Christmas tree ( 10 ), the plug removal tool ( 80 ) having a fluid passage ( 83 ) formed therein, and forcing a fluid down the marine riser and through the fluid passage ( 83 ) in the plug removal tool ( 80 ) to wash out debris ( 90 ) in the Christmas tree ( 10 ).

1 . An apparatus adapted for removing a plug ( 12 ) from a subsea Christmas tree ( 10 ), comprising:
 a housing ( 84 );   a distal end of said apparatus that is adapted to engage said plug ( 12 ); and   a fluid passage ( 83 ) formed in said housing ( 84 ) that is adapted for use in directing a stream of fluid toward said plug ( 12 ) to remove debris from above said plug ( 12 ).   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a tubing hanger running tool ( 70 ) having a bore ( 75 ) formed therein, wherein said housing ( 84 ) is moveably positioned within said bore ( 75 ). 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said housing ( 84 ) sealingly engages said bore ( 75 ). 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein a seal is established between said housing ( 84 ) and said bore ( 75 ). 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said tubing hanger running tool ( 70 ) further comprises a flow port ( 77 ) formed therein that defines a portion of a fluid flow passage that is adapted for removing said fluid introduced through said fluid passage ( 83 ) in said housing ( 84 ). 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said flow port ( 77 ) in said tubing hanger running tool ( 70 ) is adapted to engage an external choke and kill line ( 62 ). 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus further comprises a proximal end that is adapted to be coupled to a wireline device. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a distal end of said fluid passage defines a nozzle. 
   
   
       9 . An apparatus adapted for removing a plug ( 12 ) from a subsea Christmas tree ( 10 ), comprising:
 a housing ( 84 );   a distal end of said apparatus that is adapted to engage said plug ( 12 );   a fluid passage ( 83 ) formed in said housing ( 84 ), the exit of which defines a nozzle that is adapted for use in directing a stream of fluid toward said plug ( 12 ) to remove debris from above said plug ( 12 ); and   a tubing hanger running tool ( 70 ) having a bore ( 75 ) formed therein, wherein said housing ( 84 ) is moveably positioned within said bore ( 75 ).   
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said housing ( 84 ) sealingly engages said bore ( 75 ). 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein a seal is established between said housing ( 84 ) and said bore ( 75 ). 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said tubing hanger running tool ( 70 ) further comprises a flow port ( 77 ) formed therein that defines a portion of a fluid flow passage that is adapted for removing said fluid introduced through said fluid passage ( 83 ) in said housing ( 84 ). 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said flow port ( 77 ) in said tubing hanger running tool ( 70 ) is adapted to engage an external choke and kill line ( 62 ). 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said apparatus further comprises a proximal end that is adapted to be coupled to a wireline device. 
   
   
       15 . An apparatus for removing a plug ( 12 ) from a subsea Christmas tree ( 10 ), comprising:
 a tool housing ( 84 ) having a central passage ( 83 ) formed therethrough and a plug engaging means ( 86 ), said plug engaging means comprising a constricted nozzle adapted for washing out debris from above the plug ( 12 ); and   a tubing hanger running tool ( 70 ).   
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said tubing hanger running tool ( 70 ) comprises a central passage ( 75 ), the tool housing ( 84 ) being movable but sealingly engaged within the passage ( 75 ). 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said tubing hanger running tool ( 70 ) includes a shoulder ( 74 ). 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said tubing hanger running tool ( 70 ) includes at least one flow port ( 77 ). 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein said apparatus includes a passage ( 73 ) connecting the flow port ( 77 ) with an external choke and kill line ( 62 ). 
   
   
       20 . A method for removing debris ( 90 ) from a subsea Christmas tree ( 10 ), comprising:
 connecting a marine riser and a blowout preventer (BOP) ( 60 ) to said subsea Christmas tree ( 10 );   lowering a plug removal tool ( 80 ) through the marine riser to the Christmas tree ( 10 ), said plug removal tool ( 80 ) having a fluid passage ( 83 ) formed therein; and   forcing a fluid down the marine riser and through said fluid passage ( 83 ) in said plug removal tool ( 80 ) to wash out debris ( 90 ) in said Christmas tree ( 10 ).   
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising lowering a tubing hanger running tool ( 70 ) through the marine riser to the Christmas tree ( 10 ). 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said tubing hanger running tool ( 70 ) and said plug removal tool ( 80 ) are lowered at the same time. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said tubing hanger running tool ( 70 ) and said plug removal tool ( 80 ) are lowered at different times. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said tubing hanger running tool ( 70 ) comprises a flow port ( 77 ) formed therein, and wherein the method further comprises forcing said fluid through said flow port ( 77 ) in said tubing hanger running tool ( 70 ). 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising forcing fluid through a choke and kill line ( 62 ) of said Christmas tree ( 10 ). 
   
   
       26 . A method for removing debris ( 90 ) from a subsea Christmas tree ( 10 ), comprising:
 connecting a marine riser and a blowout preventer (BOP) ( 60 ) to said subsea Christmas tree ( 10 );   lowering a running tool ( 70 ) through the marine riser to the Christmas tree ( 10 );   lowering a plug removal tool ( 80 ) towards engagement with the running tool ( 70 ); and   forcing fluid down the riser, the fluid flowing through a passage ( 83 ) in the plug removal tool ( 80 ) to wash out debris ( 90 ) in the Christmas tree ( 10 ).   
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the plug removal tool ( 80 ) is lowered together with the running tool ( 70 ).