Modular Offshore Platform Buoy Segmentation for Scalable Production

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Offshore floating platforms are often sized for peak capacity, leading to underutilization as hydrocarbon production declines, and existing turret-based systems are expensive and limited in scalability and interchangeability.

Innovation Solution

A modular floating platform system featuring a detachable floating buoy communicably coupled to a subsea production system via communication lines, with floating surface facilities that can individually mate with the buoy via a standardized interface, eliminating the need for turrets and allowing for greater flexibility and scalability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional floating platforms are sized for peak capacity, then initial production capability is improved, but asset utilization deteriorates as hydrocarbon production declines

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinitial production capabilityVSAvoidasset utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The floating platform is divided into modular components that can be independently configured. The system includes a buoy, risers, and a platform module that can be assembled and disassembled to match different production requirements, enabling the same physical asset to be reconfigured for different production levels and reservoir profiles throughout its service life

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static, fixed-capacity platform to a dynamic, reconfigurable system. The disconnectable turret and modular platform design allow the facility to be dynamically adjusted or relocated to match changing production profiles, transforming the asset from a fixed capability to an adaptable resource that can respond to varying reservoir characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If turret-based disconnectable systems are used, then platform deployment flexibility is improved, but system cost and complexity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplatform deployment flexibilityVSAvoidmooring and riser system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the mooring and riser functions into separate, standardized components. The buoy serves as a独立的 mooring element while risers connect to the platform through a standardized interface, simplifying the overall system architecture and reducing the complexity of integrating multiple functions into a single turret assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The buoy and standardized interface design create universal connection points that can accommodate different platform configurations and riser arrangements. This universal interface eliminates the need for complex, custom-designed turret systems for each deployment scenario, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If turret-based systems with swivels are used, then rotational capability is improved, but pressure and temperature limits deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotational capabilityVSAvoidswivel seal limits

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The swivel mechanism is extracted from the critical production flow path and replaced with a simpler disconnectable interface. The buoy and platform connection uses a standardized mechanical interface that eliminates the need for rotating seals in the high-pressure production line, removing the reliability limitation while preserving rotational capability through alternative means

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Adaptability or versatility

If standardized modular interfaces are used, then interchangeability and scalability are improved, but manufacturing and assembly precision requirements deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinterchangeabilityVSAvoidinterface mating precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The standardized interface concentrates precision requirements to specific localized features rather than requiring overall high precision across entire components. By focusing tolerances on critical mating surfaces and alignment features of the interface elements, the system achieves interchangeability without demanding excessive manufacturing precision across all components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12240566B2Modular offshore floating platform systems and methods for operating the same

Publication Date: 2025.03.04 EXXONMOBIL TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING CO

AI summary

A modular floating platform system includes a detachable floating buoy providing a body tethered to a seafloor with a plurality of mooring lines and coupled to a subsea production system via one or more communication lines, and a plurality of floating surface facilities, each floating surface facility providing a standardized bottom interface matable with the detachable floating buoy. A latching mechanism individually couples each floating surface facility to the detachable floating buoy when each floating surface facility is individually mated to the detachable floating buoy. One or more communication couplings place each floating surface facility in communication with the subsea production system via the one or more communication lines when each floating surface facility is individually mated to the detachable floating buoy.