Subsea Control System for Power Distribution Balancing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The high power requirements of subsea well equipment, combined with the long distances over which power must be transmitted, result in reduced power delivery and efficiency limitations in conventional control systems for subsea applications.
Innovation Solution
A subsea control system is deployed proximate to the well equipment, utilizing marinized process control technology to enhance control of subsea components like submersible pumps and booster pumps, reducing latency and facilitating closed-loop control through communication with sensors and surface control systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If power is transmitted over long distances to subsea equipment, then subsea pumping systems can be deployed at substantial depths, but power delivery and operational efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple components distributed across different locations: subsea control equipment positioned near the wellhead, surface control equipment at the platform, and remotely operated vehicles for intervention. This segmentation allows control functions to be distributed, reducing transmission distances for critical control signals while maintaining the ability to operate equipment at substantial depths.
Solution Approach 2:
A subsea control system acts as an intermediary between surface control equipment and subsea pumping systems. This intermediary processes control signals locally at subsea locations, eliminating the need to transmit high-power control signals over long distances and reducing energy loss while enabling deep subsea deployment.
2Device complexity
If conventional surface-based control systems are used, then system complexity is reduced, but latency and control responsiveness worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The subsea control system is pre-positioned and activated before subsea pumping systems require intervention. This allows the control system to be ready and waiting, processing control signals locally without requiring long-distance communication delays, thus reducing latency while maintaining manageable system complexity.
3Productivity
If subsea control equipment is deployed proximate to well equipment, then control responsiveness and closed-loop control improve, but system complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The subsea control equipment is designed with multi-functionality, serving as a universal control platform that can manage various subsea pumping systems and well equipment. This universal design consolidates control functions into a single system, reducing overall system complexity despite the distributed architecture, while enabling rapid local response and closed-loop control.
4Power
If high power is required for subsea pumps, then pumping capability is improved, but power transmission losses and efficiency limitations worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts pumping operations based on real-time conditions monitored by sensors. By optimizing pump operations dynamically rather than operating at fixed high-power settings, the system maintains pumping capability while reducing unnecessary energy consumption and transmission losses.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors provide real-time feedback on pumping system performance and well conditions to the subsea control equipment. This feedback enables closed-loop control that optimizes power consumption, ensuring high pumping capability is maintained only when necessary while reducing power transmission losses during normal operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A technique is provided for control of subsea well systems. The technique utilizes a subsea controller coupled to a plurality of subsea well system components to allow localized control of the subsea well system. The subsea controller can be used in a variety of functional applications, such as balancing power distribution to subsea components.