Floatable Subsea Platform Module Buoyancy Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The high cost and time-consuming process of installing and maintaining subsea facilities in deep waters, which requires specialized equipment and is affected by weather conditions, necessitates a more efficient method for reducing reliance on cranes and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs).

Innovation Solution

A modular subsea facility with a buoyancy system and buoyancy control assembly allows for the formation of a floatable subsea platform that can be assembled quayside, tested, and lowered to the sea floor using conventional winches, reducing the need for large cranes and ROVs, and enabling individual modules to be raised for surface repairs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional subsea facilities are installed using large cranes and ROVs, then installation can be performed in deep waters, but installation cost and time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation capability in deep watersVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The subsea facility is divided into multiple detachable modules that can be assembled separately onshore and then connected underwater. This segmentation allows each module to be prepared independently using conventional equipment, reducing the time and cost of deepwater installation while maintaining the capability to install in deep waters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Modules are pre-assembled and tested onshore before being transported to the installation site. This preliminary action allows complex assembly operations to be performed using conventional cranes and equipment in controlled conditions, eliminating the need for expensive deepwater assembly operations and significantly reducing installation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If traditional subsea facilities are installed using large cranes and ROVs, then installation can be performed in deep waters, but installation cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation capability in deep watersVSAvoidinstallation cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The subsea facility is divided into multiple detachable modules that can be assembled separately onshore and then connected underwater. This segmentation allows each module to be prepared independently using conventional equipment, reducing the time and cost of deepwater installation while maintaining the capability to install in deep waters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Modules are pre-assembled and tested onshore before being transported to the installation site. This preliminary action allows complex assembly operations to be performed using conventional cranes and equipment in controlled conditions, eliminating the need for expensive deepwater assembly operations and significantly reducing installation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of repair

If subsea facilities are maintained using ROVs, then maintenance can be performed underwater, but maintenance time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunderwater maintenance capabilityVSAvoidmaintenance time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The facility is divided into modular sections that can be independently disconnected and raised to the surface. This allows maintenance to be performed on individual modules rather than the entire facility, reducing maintenance time and enabling the use of conventional maintenance equipment instead of expensive ROV operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of bringing maintenance equipment down to the subsea facility, the modular design allows the facility modules to be raised up to the surface for maintenance. This inversion of the maintenance approach enables the use of conventional surface equipment and facilities, significantly reducing maintenance costs and time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Ease of repair

If subsea facilities are maintained using ROVs, then maintenance can be performed underwater, but maintenance cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunderwater maintenance capabilityVSAvoidmaintenance cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The facility is divided into modular sections that can be independently disconnected and raised to the surface. This allows maintenance to be performed on individual modules rather than the entire facility, reducing maintenance time and enabling the use of conventional maintenance equipment instead of expensive ROV operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of bringing maintenance equipment down to the subsea facility, the modular design allows the facility modules to be raised up to the surface for maintenance. This inversion of the maintenance approach enables the use of conventional surface equipment and facilities, significantly reducing maintenance costs and time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

5Ease of operation

If subsea facilities are installed using conventional methods, then installation can be performed, but installation process is affected by weather conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation operationVSAvoidweather conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Modules are pre-assembled and tested onshore in controlled conditions before being transported to the installation site. This preliminary action allows complex assembly operations to be performed using conventional cranes and equipment in controlled conditions, eliminating the need for expensive deepwater assembly operations and significantly reducing installation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach significantly reduces installation costs and time, allows for safer and more efficient maintenance, and enables subsea facilities to be installed and repaired independently of weather conditions, using existing port equipment and minimizing the need for specialized vessels.

Implementation Method 1

a floatable subsea platform comprising a first module and a second module that are connected together quayside to form a platform; each module having a buoyancy system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 2

each module having a buoyancy control assembly that is controllable from the surface to control buoyancy of the individual module

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuoyancy control: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS9254894B2Flotable subsea platform (FSP)
Publication Date: 2016.02.09 CONOCOPHILLIPS CO
  • US9254894B2 patent drawing
  • US9254894B2 patent drawing
  • US9254894B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A subsea facility for hydrocarbon recovery in deep waters and methods of installation are provided. More specifically, the subsea facility equipment is on multiple modules equipped with a buoyancy system to allow the modules to sink to the sea floor. The modules can be attached and unattached to each other, thus allowing for a module to be raised to the surface for repairs without affecting the rest of the subsea facility.