Modular Subsea Control System for Blowout Preventer Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current subsea well drilling control systems face challenges in redundancy, maintenance, and operational efficiency due to the remote location of subsea control modules and the complexity of connecting hydraulic, electrical, and communication signals to blowout preventer stacks.
Innovation Solution
A subsea blowout preventer assembly with a lower marine riser package and a blowout preventer stack, featuring modular designs that allow for redundant control modules and auxiliary modules to be installed and retrieved using a remotely operated vehicle, providing enhanced redundancy and reducing maintenance needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If subsea control modules are located remotely relative to surface control equipment, then quick response times of tree valve actuations are achieved, but system complexity and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into modular components including subsea control modules, surface control equipment, and umbilical connections. Each module can be independently maintained or replaced, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining remote operation capabilities for quick response times.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts critical control functions into separate subsea control modules that can be independently accessed, maintained, or replaced without affecting the entire system. This allows maintenance personnel to service specific components remotely or retrieve them for shore-based repair.
2Reliability
If redundant supplies of communication signals, electrical power, and hydraulic power are transmitted through umbilical hoses and cables, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The umbilical system is segmented into separate conduits for different utility types (electrical power, communication signals, hydraulic power). This segmentation allows for easier identification, maintenance, and replacement of individual umbilical components without affecting the entire redundant power and communication system.
Solution Approach 2:
The umbilical system is designed to provide multiple functions (electrical power, communication, hydraulic power) through a unified structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate independent umbilicals for each utility type, thereby reducing overall complexity while maintaining redundancy.
3Ease of repair
If modular control modules are installed and retrieved by remotely operated vehicle, then maintenance time and costs are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into standardized modular modules that can be independently installed and retrieved by remotely operated vehicles. Each module is designed with standardized interfaces and mounting mechanisms that simplify the maintenance process while the modularity itself manages system complexity through standardized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular modules are designed to be self-contained with all necessary components and connections integrated into each module. This self-service capability allows remotely operated vehicles to install and retrieve modules without requiring complex external support systems or specialized equipment, thereby reducing maintenance time.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular control system consisting of multiple, remotely retrievable functional modules for controlling a blowout preventer stack. The various functional modules can be located on the lower marine riser package and blowout preventer stack positioned near the equipment with which they are associated, wherein this distribution of modules nearly eliminates the complex interface connection between the lower marine riser package and blowout preventer stack. Each of the functional modules is capable of being installed, retrieved or replaced with a single remotely operated vehicle (ROV) deployment from a vessel. The functional modules can be used to operate as a complete control system for a blowout preventer stack or can be used selectively individually or in various combinations to accommodate multiple control applications or upgrades of other control systems.