Modular Underwater Hydrocarbon Processing Facility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Underwater hydrocarbon processing facilities face challenges with limited flexibility, complex maintenance, and high costs due to existing architectures that are not easily adaptable to changing field conditions and require frequent interventions, especially in deepwater environments.
Innovation Solution
An underwater hydrocarbon processing facility with a modular design featuring an interconnection unit that allows for the operatively coupling of multiple modules, enabling flexible configuration, quick interchangeability, and standardization of interfaces, with a subsea control module for managing fluid flow and control signals, reducing the complexity of interfaces and facilitating easier maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional underwater hydrocarbon processing facilities are used, then hydrocarbon extraction can be performed, but the facilities lack flexibility and require frequent maintenance interventions
Solution Approach 1:
The underwater processing facility is divided into separate modular units (first module with separation device, second module with treatment device, third module with injection device) that can be independently connected and disconnected. This segmentation allows individual modules to be maintained or replaced without shutting down the entire facility, thereby improving flexibility while reducing maintenance frequency.
Solution Approach 2:
The facility employs dynamic reconfigurability through quick-connect interfaces that allow modules to be rapidly reconfigured based on production needs. The system can adapt its configuration during operation to optimize performance for different field conditions, enhancing flexibility while maintaining continuous operation and reducing maintenance interventions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex underwater processing facilities are deployed, then more processing functions are available, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Complex processing functions are segmented into separate specialized modules (separation, treatment, injection) rather than integrating them into a single complex unit. Each module performs a specific function with simplified internal architecture, and the overall system complexity is managed through standardized interconnection interfaces between modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The quick-connect interfaces and standardized module designs provide universal connectivity that allows the same infrastructure to support multiple processing functions. Different combinations of modules can be configured to meet various processing requirements, achieving multi-functionality without increasing individual module complexity.
3Productivity
If underwater processing facilities are installed, then hydrocarbon production is enabled, but the facilities require frequent maintenance interventions
Solution Approach 1:
The facility is segmented into independently maintainable modules with standardized quick-connect interfaces. When maintenance is required, individual modules can be quickly disconnected and replaced or repaired without affecting other modules, enabling continuous hydrocarbon production while simplifying maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design with standardized interfaces enables self-contained modules that can be independently serviced. Each module is designed to be maintained or replaced as a complete unit, reducing the need for complex on-site repairs and allowing for easier substitution of malfunctioning modules to maintain production continuity.
Data Source
AI summary
An underwater hydrocarbon processing facility has at least one fluid processing clusters provided with modules having, each, one fluid processing device and a plurality of first connection members configured to define the inlet and the outlet of the process fluids; and an interconnection unit having a plurality of second connection members defining inlet and outlet for the process fluids and configured to be operatively coupled to corresponding first connection members configured to operatively interconnect the modules.