Marine Riser Well Equipment Remote Operation Without Umbilicals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for remote operation of well equipment through a marine riser require the use of an umbilical, which is costly, time-consuming to deploy, and poses space and environmental challenges, while also limiting weather windows and increasing rig interface complexity.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a first and second module, where the first module includes a communication and control module with batteries, and the second module includes reservoirs, pumps, motors, and valves, connected via an electric cable, allowing for remote operation without an umbilical, adaptable to different marine riser systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an umbilical is used to provide electricity, pressurised fluid and control for operating well equipment, then the well equipment can be operated remotely, but the system becomes costly, time-consuming to deploy, and requires significant space and rig interface complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the umbilical functionality into separate modules: a power module containing batteries and power management equipment, and a control module containing control units and communication equipment. These modules are positioned at different locations along the marine riser, eliminating the need for a single complex umbilical while maintaining remote operation capability through distributed power and control delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the umbilical component entirely from the system. Instead of using a traditional umbilical to deliver electricity, pressurised fluid, and control signals, the system uses separate power modules positioned along the marine riser that deliver power and control through alternative means, thereby removing the complexity and costs associated with umbilical deployment and handling.
2Reliability
If a significant length of umbilical (up to 3000 meters) is used to reach deep fields, then remote operation is enabled, but costs increase significantly and deployment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power delivery system is segmented into multiple discrete power modules positioned at specific intervals along the marine riser. This allows power to be delivered at multiple points rather than requiring a single long umbilical run, significantly reducing deployment time while maintaining reliable power supply for remote operation of well equipment in deep fields.
3Ease of operation
If an umbilical is used for remote operation, then power and control are provided, but topside footprint and rig interfaces increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the umbilical system from the topside infrastructure, thereby eliminating the space required for umbilical storage, handling equipment, and interface components. The power modules are integrated into the marine riser structure itself, allowing remote operation capability to be achieved with minimal topside footprint and simplified rig interfaces.
4Ease of operation
If manual handling of umbilical is required, then connection and disconnection can be performed, but safety risks and damage potential increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention eliminates the umbilical component that requires manual handling, clamping, and routing. Power modules are integrated into the marine riser structure and connected through fixed, protected interfaces that eliminate the need for manual umbilical handling operations, thereby removing the associated safety risks and damage potential while maintaining the ability to connect and disconnect power supply as needed.
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
Eliminates the need for an umbilical, reducing costs, time, and space requirements, while enhancing weather window availability and safety by avoiding manual handling and damage risks, and integrating with existing equipment.
Implementation Method 1
The first module (100) comprises a communication module (110), batteries (120), and a control module (130)
Implementation Method 2
one or more pumps (290), a plurality of motors (240), a plurality of valves (250)
Implementation Method 3
one or more pumps (290), a plurality of motors (240), a plurality of valves (250)
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A system and a method for remote operation of a well equipment through a marine riser (50) is disclosed. The system is for remote operation of a well equipment through a marine riser (50), the marine riser (50) extending between a blowout preventer, BOP, (20) attached to a well head (60) and a vessel or a rig (10) at the surface. An umbilical comprising three lines, an electric power line, a hydraulic power line, and a communication line, being excluded from the system for the remote operation of the well equipment. The system comprising a first module (100) and a second module (200) connectable to a landing string (40) in the marine riser (50); wherein the first module (100) comprises a communication module (110), batteries (120), and a control module (130); and wherein the second module (200) comprises a plurality of reservoirs (210) for fluid, one or more pumps (290), a plurality of motors (240), a plurality of valves (250), and a control unit (260). The control module (130) controls the one or more pumps (290), and the control unit (260) controls the plurality of motors (240), and the plurality of valves (250). Each valve (250) being configured for controlling one or more tools of the well equipment. The first module (100) is a separate module from the second module (200) along the landing string (40), the second module (200) being configured to be closer to the well head (60) than the first module (100) along the landing string (40). The communication module (110) of the first module (100) is configured to receive communication data for controlling the one or more tools of the well equipment, the communication data being received from the vessel or the rig (10) at the surface. The first module (100) and the second module (200) are configured to have an electric cable (300) between them, the first module (100) supplying via the electric cable (300) electric power from the batteries (120), in the first module (100), to the one or more pumps (290) and the plurality of motors (240), in the second module (200), and the first module (100) supplying via the electric cable (300) communication data from the control module (130), in the first module (100), to the control unit (260), in the second module (200).