Hydraulically Driven Subsea Pumping Module for Heavy Oil
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing subsea oil well pumping systems face high failure rates, especially in deep waters, due to the length and weight of conventional pumps, which complicates installation, handling, and maintenance, and does not effectively address viscosity issues with heavy oils.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulically driven underwater pumping system that uses a pumping module connected to a subsea base, driven by a working fluid from a production unit, reducing module size and eliminating the need for underwater electric motors, and incorporating features like heating to prevent hydrate and paraffin deposition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional submerged centrifugal pumps are used to increase production, then production flow is improved, but the failure rate increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the electric motor from the pumping system, eliminating the component with the highest failure rate. The pumping action is achieved through purely hydraulic means using a piston and cylinder mechanism driven by hydraulic fluid from the well itself, thereby removing the unreliable electrical components while maintaining pumping capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electric motor-driven mechanical system with a hydraulic mechanical system. Instead of using an electric motor to drive the pump, the system uses hydraulic pressure from the well fluid to directly drive a piston, which in turn drives the pumping mechanism through mechanical linkage, eliminating electrical components entirely.
2Ease of operation
If pumps are installed on the sea floor to facilitate maintenance, then installation and replacement becomes easier, but the module length and weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pumping system into modular components that can be easily assembled and disassembled. The pump is divided into separate elements (cylinder, piston, valves, mechanical linkage) that can be handled independently, reducing the overall length and weight of the deployed module while maintaining full pumping functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a long shaft to transmit power from the surface to an underwater motor, the patent inverts the approach by having the well fluid itself provide the driving force at the pump location. The hydraulic drive mechanism is positioned at the pump, eliminating the need for long power transmission shafts and reducing module length.
3Device complexity
If heavy oils are pumped without viscosity reduction, then the pumping process is simpler, but obstruction and flow problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the heavy oil by injecting chemical additives or heating the fluid to reduce its viscosity. This parameter change allows the thick oil to flow more easily through the pumping system and production lines, preventing obstructions while maintaining the relative simplicity of the pumping mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (chemical additive or heat) that modifies the properties of the heavy oil. This intermediary reduces the oil's viscosity and improves its flow characteristics, enabling the pumping system to handle heavy oils without complex additional equipment while preventing flow obstructions.
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
The system reduces the complexity and cost of installation and maintenance by using a compact, hydraulically driven design that efficiently handles heavy oils and prevents obstructions, while eliminating the need for expensive and fault-prone electric components.
Implementation Method 1
a pump, located in the pumping module, that is configured to be driven hydraulically by the working fluid
Implementation Method 2
incorporating features like heating to prevent hydrate and paraffin deposition
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulically driven underwater pumping system may include a pumping module connected to a subsea base. The subsea base may be connected to: a subsea producing well via a production line that carries the fluid produced by the subsea producing well; and a production unit via a riser and a service line. The hydraulically driven underwater pumping system may receive working fluid from the production unit via the service line. Additionally, a pump, located in the pumping module, may be driven hydraulically by the working fluid and pump the fluid produced by the subsea producing well to the production unit. The hydraulically driven underwater pumping system may mix the working fluid, after being used to drive the pump, with the fluid produced by the subsea producing well that is pumped to the production unit.