Inductive Power Transfer for Subsea Riser Tools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional subsea drilling systems face challenges in providing electrical communication and power to subsea equipment without damaging the umbilical, especially when using a surface BOP, due to the need for a spanner joint at the surface and the risk of umbilical damage during drilling operations.
Innovation Solution
The use of an inductive power and communication system external to the drilling riser, where a subsea control module with an inductive receiver and power pack is integrated into the tubing hanger system, allowing power and control signals to be transmitted through an umbilical outside the riser, reducing the risk of damage and eliminating the need for internal umbilical lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the umbilical is terminated and individual function lines are ported through a BOP spanner joint to enable BOP closure, then the BOP can close on the running tool without damaging the umbilical, but the umbilical must accommodate variable height depending on water depth and there is inherent risk of damage during running and operation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the electrical power and control communication functions from the internal umbilical lines that would be vulnerable to damage. Instead of routing umbilical lines through the BOP spanner joint area where they would be subject to variable height stresses and potential damage during running operations, the system uses an external umbilical connected to a power pack that provides power and communication externally to the drilling riser system, eliminating the need for internal umbilical routing through hazardous zones
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a power pack as an intermediary device that receives power and control signals from an external umbilical and translates them into the necessary electrical power and communication signals for the running tool and BOP system. This intermediary eliminates the need for direct internal umbilical connections through the BOP spanner joint, thereby removing the umbilical from the hazardous internal riser environment while maintaining all necessary control and power functions
2Loss of information
If internal umbilical lines are used for power and control communication, then electrical communication can be provided to subsea equipment, but the umbilical is at risk of damage during running and operation within subsea drilling risers
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the power and control communication functions from the internal umbilical routing and relocates them to an external umbilical connection. The external umbilical connects to the power pack which is positioned outside the drilling riser system, thereby removing the vulnerable internal umbilical lines from the hazardous environment while maintaining all necessary electrical power and control communication capabilities to the subsea equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The power pack serves as an intermediary that receives power and control signals from the external umbilical and provides them to the running tool and other subsea equipment. This intermediary architecture allows the umbilical to remain external to the riser system, eliminating exposure to damage risks while preserving full control and communication functionality
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 solution effectively transmits power and control signals to subsea equipment while minimizing the risk of umbilical damage, enabling safer and more reliable subsea drilling operations by keeping the umbilical external to the riser system.
Implementation Method 1
System and method for inductive signal and power transfer from ROV to in riser tools
Implementation Method 2
System and method for inductive signal and power transfer from ROV to in riser tools
Data Source
AI summary
A subsea wellhead assembly having a completion landing string inside a drilling riser is described herein and comprises a power source for generating an alternating electrical current; a connector for connecting the power source to a receptacle in the subsea well assembly; a first inductor electrically connected to the power source through the connector; a subsea control module delivering power and control signals to the subsea well assembly; and a second inductor spaced from the first inductor, and located in the subsea control module, the second inductor positioned so that an EMF is produced on the second inductor when the alternating electrical current is passed through the first inductor to thereby generate an alternating current signal on the second inductor.