Offshore Assembly Wind Turbine Compartmentalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current offshore assemblies for underwater oil and gas production facilities face challenges in making electricity readily usable and efficiently supplying chemicals, especially when located far from power sources and chemical storage, due to complexity and safety concerns related to flammable materials.
Innovation Solution
An offshore assembly with a semi-submersible support structure equipped with a wind turbine, back-up power sources, and compartmentalized tubular portions for safe housing and distribution of electrical equipment, chemical storage, and ventilation systems, ensuring safe operation and independence from external power and chemical supplies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an offshore assembly is located far from power sources and chemical storage, then it can operate underwater facilities more independently, but the complexity and cost of supplying energy and chemicals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (chemical storage, power generation, equipment housing) into a single integrated offshore assembly platform. This merging eliminates the need for separate supply systems from distant power sources and chemical storage facilities, thereby reducing supply system complexity while maintaining operational independence.
Solution Approach 2:
The offshore assembly generates its own electricity through wind turbines and back-up power sources mounted on the platform. It also stores chemicals onboard in dedicated compartments. This self-service capability eliminates dependence on external power sources and chemical supply lines, reducing supply system complexity while enhancing operational independence.
2Ease of operation
If compartments housing flammable chemicals are located on the offshore assembly, then chemical distribution to underwater facilities is simplified, but safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The offshore assembly is divided into multiple separate compartments, each dedicated to specific functions. Flammable chemicals are stored in dedicated compartments separated from other equipment and activities. This segmentation isolates hazardous materials, reducing safety risks while maintaining ease of chemical distribution to underwater facilities through controlled interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
Different compartments are designed with specific local qualities appropriate to their function. Chemical storage compartments have specialized features for safe flammable material handling, while other compartments house electrical equipment or control systems. This localized design optimizes each area for its specific purpose, managing safety risks while enabling efficient chemical distribution.
3Productivity
If multiple equipment and functions are integrated in the compartments, then the offshore assembly becomes more compact and efficient, but the risk from hazardous activities increases
Solution Approach 1:
The offshore assembly integrates multiple equipment and functions within a compact structure by using segmented compartments. Each compartment houses specific equipment or performs specific functions, allowing efficient integration while maintaining physical separation of hazardous activities from other operations. This achieves both compactness and safety through functional segmentation.
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
The solution provides a reliable and safe system for generating and distributing electricity and chemicals to underwater oil and gas production facilities, enhancing operational independence and safety by segregating hazardous activities and using back-up power sources to maintain continuous energy supply.
Implementation Method 1
a wind turbine (14) to generate electricity
Implementation Method 2
a cooling and ventilation system (41) to cool and ventilate the plurality of compartments
Data Source
AI summary
An offshore assembly to operate a facility, in particular an underwater oil and gas production facility. The offshore assembly has: a semi-submersible support structure arranged in a body of water and having at least one tubular portion; a wind turbine to generate electricity and equipped with a tower, a nacelle and a blade assembly. The offshore assembly also has at least one back-up power source mounted on the semi-submersible support structure to generate electricity. A plurality of compartments are stacked on top of each other within the tubular portion. Each of the compartments is dedicated to housing respective equipment to perform respective functions, and a cooling and ventilation system cools and ventilates the plurality of compartments.