Subsea Caisson for Wellbore Protection Against Ice Gouging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Subsea wellbore operations face challenges due to equipment exposure in open water environments, leading to potential catastrophic environmental damage from equipment failures, particularly in cold and shallow regions where sea ice poses a threat.
Innovation Solution
A subsea wellbore protection system comprising a caisson structure positioned below-grade with respect to the sea floor, enclosing subsea wellbore equipment components and allowing fluid communication, which mitigates damage from ice gouging and contains fluid leaks within the structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If subsea wellbore equipment is exposed in open water environments, then ease of installation and access is improved, but equipment reliability deteriorates due to ice gouging and environmental damage risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds wellbore equipment components within a caisson structure that is positioned below the sea floor. The caisson acts as a protective enclosure, nesting the equipment inside while maintaining operational access through openings. This resolves the contradiction by protecting equipment from ice gouging and environmental damage while allowing installation and maintenance operations to proceed.
Solution Approach 2:
The caisson structure serves as an intermediary between the subsea equipment and the harsh marine environment. It provides a protective barrier that isolates equipment from ice, waves, and other environmental hazards while still allowing fluid communication and operational access. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by decoupling the equipment from direct environmental exposure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If subsea equipment is positioned below-grade with respect to the sea floor, then protection from ice gouging is improved, but device complexity increases due to excavation and structure requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The protective system is segmented into distinct components: the caisson structure, the wellbore equipment components, and the excavation zone. This segmentation allows for modular construction and deployment, reducing overall system complexity while providing comprehensive protection below the sea floor.
Solution Approach 2:
The caisson structure is positioned and equipped before full operational use, with excavation and structural preparation completed in advance. This preliminary action ensures equipment is protected from ice gouging before exposure to harsh conditions, while allowing systematic implementation that manages complexity.
3Reliability
If equipment is enclosed in a caisson structure, then environmental protection is improved, but ease of maintenance deteriorates due to access requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The caisson structure is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a protective enclosure and as a maintenance platform. Openings and access points are integrated into the design, allowing the same structure that provides environmental protection to also facilitate maintenance operations. This resolves the contradiction by combining protection and accessibility functions in a single design.
Data Source
AI summary
A subsea wellbore protection (SWP) system. The SWP system includes a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation beneath a sea floor and a SWP structure positioned below-grade with respect to the sea floor. The SWP structure comprises a caisson that encloses a first wellbore equipment component. The first wellbore equipment component is in fluid communication with the wellbore.