Subsea BOP Control System Segmentation for Deepwater Redundancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Subsea blowout preventer (BOP) control systems lack adequate redundancy and monitoring capabilities, especially in deepwater operations where increased pressure poses greater safety risks, necessitating enhanced safety instrumented systems for backup and function monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A control system comprising surface and subsea logic solvers, with redundant communication and power pathways, including high voltage and optical lines, and a hydraulic control unit, to ensure reliable operation and disconnection/reconnection of subsea BOPs, enhancing safety and redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a BOP control system is used in deepwater operations, then the ability to drill in deeper waters is improved, but safety risks and consequences of well leaks increase due to higher pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple independent components: a first control system with a first logic solver, a second control system with a second logic solver, and a third control system with a third logic solver. Each control system can independently operate to control the BOP, providing redundancy and ensuring safety under deepwater high-pressure conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by providing multiple backup control systems that are ready to take over if the primary control system fails. The redundant logic solvers and control systems are pre-configured to ensure continuous safe operation of the BOP, cushioning against potential failures in deepwater operations.
2Reliability
If redundant backup systems are added to the BOP control system, then safety and reliability are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into three separate control systems, each with its own logic solver. This segmentation allows each subsystem to be independently tested, maintained, and operated, reducing the overall complexity management while providing comprehensive redundancy for enhanced safety.
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 system provides increased redundancy and monitoring capabilities, ensuring safe operation of subsea BOPs under high pressure conditions, simplifying disconnection and reconnection processes, and complying with regulatory standards by reducing the complexity of connections and enhancing the reliability of BOP control.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic control unit in the lower stack. The second subsea logic solver is in hydraulic communication with the subsea BOP, and the first subsea logic solver so that the second subsea logic solver receives the commands from the first subsea logic solver and implements the commands by activating the hydraulic control unit to operate the BOP
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for a subsea blowout preventer (BOP) positioned in a lower stack, the lower stack releasably engaged with a lower marine riser package (LMRP). The control system includes a surface logic solver positioned at or adjacent the surface of the sea that generates commands for operating the subsea BOP, a first subsea logic solver attached to the LMRP and in communication with the surface logic solver so that the first subsea logic solver receives the commands from the surface logic solver, and a second subsea logic solver attached to a hydraulic control unit in the lower stack. The second subsea logic solver is in hydraulic communication with the subsea BOP, and the first subsea logic solver so that the second subsea logic solver receives the commands from the first subsea logic solver and implements the commands by activating the hydraulic control unit to operate the BOP.