Offshore Wind-Powered Water Production Facility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing offshore water production facilities face challenges in space and weight capacity limitations, as well as operational inefficiencies when integrating water injection systems, particularly during Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) processes, where traditional filtration and de-aeration units are bulky, power-intensive, and often require reserved deck space on oil or gas production facilities.
Innovation Solution
A floating offshore water production facility equipped with a wind turbine, power generator, ultra-filtration unit, and membrane de-aeration system, which reduces space and weight requirements, operates independently of oil or gas facilities, and can be relocated, utilizing renewable energy for water injection into hydrocarbon reservoirs, thereby optimizing space and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional filtration towers and de-aeration units are used for water injection, then water quality is improved, but space requirements and weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters by using ultra-filtration membranes with specific pore sizes and operating pressures to achieve effective filtration in a compact form factor. The membrane de-aeration unit operates at controlled vacuum levels to remove gases efficiently without requiring large volumes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs composite filtration structures combining ultra-filtration membranes with support frameworks, and integrates multiple functional components (filtration, de-aeration, dosing) into a compact modular assembly that achieves water treatment effectiveness in reduced space.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional filtration and de-aeration systems are installed on oil or gas production facilities, then water injection capability is achieved, but deck space must be reserved and weight capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The water production system is divided into separate functional modules (ultra-filtration unit, membrane de-aeration unit, dosing system) that can be independently configured and positioned. This modular segmentation allows optimization of each component's footprint and enables flexible arrangement on the facility deck to minimize space occupation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional horizontal spread-out arrangements of filtration equipment to a more vertical or three-dimensional configuration, utilizing the vertical space and structural support elements of the facility to house the water production system, thereby reducing the horizontal deck space requirement.
3Reliability
If larger sized filtration towers and de-aeration units are used, then water treatment effectiveness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical filtration systems with membrane-based ultra-filtration that operates at lower pressures, and substitutes conventional de-aeration methods with membrane vacuum de-aeration. These substitutions reduce the mechanical energy required for water treatment while maintaining or improving treatment effectiveness.
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 enables efficient and cost-effective Enhanced Oil Recovery by providing high-quality water injection with reduced operational and spatial demands, allowing for flexible placement near hydrocarbon reservoirs and minimizing the need for reserved deck space on oil or gas production facilities, while leveraging renewable energy sources.
Implementation Method 1
a floating object comprising a plurality of buoyancy assemblies that support at least one column
Implementation Method 2
at least one wind turbine, a power generator that is coupled to the wind turbine
Implementation Method 3
comprises an ultra-filtration unit and a membrane de-aeration unit for water to be injected
Implementation Method 4
comprises an ultra-filtration unit and a membrane de-aeration unit for water to be injected
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An offshore water production facility to be located on a body of water includes a floating object, at least one wind turbine, a power generator that is coupled to the wind turbine and a water production system. The floating object includes a plurality of buoyancy assemblies that support at least one column on which a wind turbine is mounted. On the at least one column further a process equipment deck is mounted below an operating area of the wind turbine and above a water surface level. The water production system is arranged on the process equipment deck, and the water production system is configured for subsea well water- injection and comprises an ultra-filtration unit and a membrane de-aeration unit for water to be injected.