Compact Subsea Fluid Distributor for Hydraulic Power Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current subsea oil and gas production systems face challenges in efficiently distributing hydraulic power and chemical services to multiple wells from a single umbilical, often requiring large and complex distribution units and pre-installed chemical injection valves.
Innovation Solution
A compact subsea fluid distributor is introduced, which connects incoming and outgoing flying leads to subsea equipment, allowing for the distribution of hydraulic power and chemical services through a support framework with integrated chemical injection valves and multi-quick connectors, enabling flexible connection and distribution without pre-installation of valves on equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional subsea distribution units (SDU) or hydraulic distribution manifolds (HDM) are used to distribute hydraulic and chemical services to multiple wells, then the distribution capability is achieved, but the device size and structural complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the distribution system into modular components: a compact distribution unit with separate incoming and outgoing junction plates, allowing independent connection and distribution to multiple wells. Each junction plate can be independently configured and connected, enabling scalable distribution without requiring a monolithic complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes vertical stacking of junction plates and flying leads arranged in multiple layers, transitioning from a planar to a three-dimensional configuration. This allows multiple hydraulic and chemical lines to be distributed to multiple wells in a compact vertical footprint, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining full distribution capability.
2Reliability
If chemical injection valves are pre-installed on subsea equipment prior to deployment, then the injection function is ensured, but the installation flexibility and operational adaptability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the chemical injection valves from the subsea equipment and relocates them to the distribution unit. This allows the valves to be independently installed, tested, and configured within the distribution unit before deployment, ensuring reliable injection function while providing flexibility to modify or reconfigure the injection system without affecting the subsea equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution unit serves as an intermediary between the umbilical and the subsea equipment, housing the chemical injection valves in this intermediate position. This mediator role allows the valves to be easily accessible for installation and maintenance while still providing the required injection function to the subsea equipment, bridging the gap between fixed installation requirements and operational flexibility.
3Reliability
If multiple hydraulic couplings are mated together simultaneously using mechanical mating mechanisms, then the connection reliability is improved, but the connection time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the connection process into separate stages using incoming and outgoing junction plates. Hydraulic couplings are mated in sequential steps rather than simultaneously, allowing each connection to be established and verified before proceeding to the next. This maintains connection reliability through proper sequencing while reducing overall connection time by avoiding the complexity of simultaneous multi-point mating.
4Productivity
If large distribution units are used to serve multiple wells from a single umbilical, then the distribution capacity is increased, but the installation and maintenance difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the distribution system into modular junction plates and flying leads that can be independently installed and connected. This modular approach allows the distribution capacity to be expanded by adding more junction plates or flying leads without requiring installation of a single large complex unit, significantly easing installation and maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a dynamic, reconfigurable distribution system where junction plates and flying leads can be added, removed, or reconfigured based on operational requirements. This dynamic architecture allows the distribution capacity to adapt to changing well configurations without requiring reinstallation of the entire distribution unit, making installation and future modifications much easier.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A subsea fluid distributor comprises a support framework (10) configured to be removably mounted to and hydraulically connected to a subsea structure intermediate the subsea structure and an incoming flying lead terminator of an incoming flying lead; a plate (20) attached to an upper section of the support framework (10); a fixed bucket (30) attached to the support framework (10); a valve (40) attached to the support framework (10); a lower framework (51) attached to a lower portion of the support framework (10); a first hydraulic tube (81) attached to the lower framework (51 ) and in fluid communication with the valve (40); a flying lead junction plate assembly (70) attached to the lower portion of the support framework (10); a second hydraulic tube (71 ) disposed at least partially within flying lead junction plate assembly (70) and in fluid communication with various subsea equipment.