Dual BOP Riser System for High-Pressure Subsea Drilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for developing high pressure subsea hydrocarbon reservoirs are often difficult and costly, necessitating alternative approaches for efficient and cost-effective well drilling.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of drilling apparatuses with interchangeable blowout prevention components, where a first component with a lower pressure rating is replaced or stored, and a second component with a higher pressure rating is installed or lowered to the seabed to penetrate high pressure reservoirs, allowing for efficient drilling through subsea wells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single high pressure-rated BOP is used for drilling into high pressure reservoirs, then safety and pressure containment are improved, but equipment cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drilling operation is divided into two distinct phases, each using an appropriately-rated BOP component. The first BOP (lower pressure rating) handles shallow drilling, while the second BOP (higher pressure rating) handles deep reservoir penetration. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific pressure requirements without requiring the entire system to be over-engineered for maximum pressure from the outset.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure rating parameter of the BOP component is changed between drilling phases. The system transitions from using a BOP with lower pressure rating (suitable for shallow drilling) to a BOP with higher pressure rating (suitable for deep reservoir penetration). This parameter change allows cost-effective drilling operations while maintaining safety for high pressure reservoirs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If drilling apparatus is reconfigured with different BOP components for different well depths, then adaptability to various reservoir pressures is improved, but operational time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drilling apparatus is designed with universal interfaces and mounting configurations that allow different BOP components to be interchangeably installed on the same wellhead structure. The first and second BOPs share common connection points and operational interfaces, enabling relatively quick replacement without requiring complete system reconfiguration. This multi-functionality allows the same drilling platform to efficiently handle both shallow and deep well drilling operations.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure is drawn to methods of drilling wells utilizing blow out prevention components of differing pressure ratings. In the initial drilling phase, a lower pressure rated blow out prevention component is used. In a subsequent drilling phase where a reservoir of a natural resource is penetrated, a higher pressure rated blow out prevention component is used.