Seabed Fluid Storage Tanks Eliminate Umbilical Conduits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for storing and injecting utility fluids into underwater hydrocarbon extraction installations are costly and environmentally risky due to the need for lengthy umbilical conduits, which incur high manufacturing and maintenance costs and pose environmental hazards, and lack efficient and safe storage and injection solutions at the seabed.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a fluid storage system with rigid tanks lowered to the seabed, allowing for the storage and injection of utility fluids without umbilical conduits, using a pump to manage fluid injection and a refueling system for continuous operation, with tanks designed to withstand seabed constraints and be refilled or replaced as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If umbilical conduits are used to transport utility fluids from surface platforms to underwater installations, then fluid delivery is enabled, but manufacturing and maintenance costs increase significantly due to the length and complexity of the conduits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fluid storage function from the surface platform and places it directly at the underwater installation site. Storage tanks are positioned on the seabed near the wellheads, eliminating the need for long umbilical conduits to transport fluids over distance. This extraction of the storage function to the point of use directly reduces both conduit length and associated manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a vertical surface-to-subsea delivery system to a horizontal seabed-based storage system. Instead of transporting fluids vertically from surface platforms through long umbilicals, the system places storage tanks horizontally on the seabed, changing the spatial dimension of fluid delivery from surface-level to seabed-level operations.
2Ease of repair
If umbilical conduits are used to convey control hydraulic fluids and chemicals, then underwater installation operation is enabled, but maintenance costs increase due to environmental constraints and regular monitoring requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fluid storage and delivery function from the complex umbilical conduit system and implements it through simple, self-contained storage tanks on the seabed. This eliminates the need for monitoring and maintaining long umbilical conduits that are subject to environmental constraints, significantly reducing maintenance requirements and operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage tanks on the seabed are self-contained units that require no external monitoring or maintenance through the umbilical system. The tanks autonomously store and deliver fluids directly to the wellheads without requiring surface platform intervention or complex conduit monitoring systems, enabling the underwater installation to service itself.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If chemical products are stored on a surface ship, then fluid supply to underwater installations is enabled, but environmental risk increases due to potential hazards of storing chemicals such as methanol, biocides, and corrosion inhibitors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the chemical storage function from surface ships and relocates it to the seabed near the underwater installations. By placing storage tanks on the ocean floor rather than on surface vessels, the system eliminates the environmental risk associated with transporting and storing large quantities of hazardous chemicals on ships, while still maintaining the necessary quantity of chemicals for continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The seabed storage tanks act as an intermediary between surface supply operations and underwater consumption. Instead of directly storing chemicals on surface ships where environmental risk is high, the system uses intermediate storage tanks on the seabed to hold chemicals, reducing the environmental exposure while maintaining operational continuity.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If deformable elastomer tanks are used for underwater fluid storage, then storage capability is provided, but operational duration is limited due to incompatibility with certain chemical products and seabed constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the storage tanks from deformable elastomer to rigid, chemically resistant materials. This parameter change enables the tanks to withstand both seabed constraints and compatibility requirements with various chemical products including methanol, biocides, and corrosion inhibitors, significantly extending the operational duration and reliability of the fluid storage system.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for injecting fluid into an underwater facility (100). A fluid-storage system (1) including at least one storage vessel (20-24) with rigid walls containing a functional fluid (30) is lowered to the bottom of the water. At least one portion of the functional fluid is injected into the underwater facility (100). After a time of operation, the fluid-storage system (1), or a portion thereof, including the storage vessel (20-24), is raised back up to the surface.