Subsea Geothermal Power System for Hydrocarbon Wells
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high manufacturing cost and power loss issues associated with electrical cables used in subsea systems for hydrocarbon extraction, due to the substantial power transmission and shielding requirements, necessitate a more efficient and cost-effective power solution.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a subsea geothermal power system that converts thermal energy from hydrocarbon wells into electrical and mechanical energy to power subsea equipment, potentially eliminating the need for traditional electrical cables and reducing carbon emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If traditional electrical cables are used to power subsea equipment, then power transmission is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases substantially and power loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power generation function from the surface and places it directly at the subsea wellhead through geothermal power plants. This eliminates the need for expensive electrical cables by generating power locally where it is needed, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving power transmission and controlling manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces geothermal power plants as intermediary devices between the hydrocarbon well and the subsea equipment. These power plants convert thermal energy from the well fluid into electrical or mechanical energy, serving as an intermediary power source that eliminates the need for traditional electrical cable infrastructure.
2Power
If electrical cables with shielding are used for power transmission, then power delivery is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the electrical cable infrastructure entirely by extracting power generation to the wellhead location. This eliminates the need for expensive shielded cables while maintaining reliable power delivery to subsea equipment through local geothermal power generation.
3Power
If long electrical cables are used to connect power station to surface platform, then power transmission is achieved, but power loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power transmission function by placing geothermal power plants at multiple locations along the wellhead infrastructure. This segmentation eliminates long cable runs by generating power locally at each segment point, thereby reducing power loss while maintaining transmission capability.
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 subsea geothermal power system reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for three-phase power cables and traditional fuels, while providing reliable power with zero carbon emissions, mitigating power loss and enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The geothermal power plant is configured to receive thermal energy from a well fluid received from the hydrocarbon well and convert the thermal energy into at least one of electrical energy and mechanical energy
Implementation Method 2
a first heat exchanger configured to transfer thermal energy from the well fluid to a thermal fluid circulating in the fluid circuit
Implementation Method 3
a turbine driven by the thermal fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a subsea geothermal power system. The subsea geothermal power system includes a well connection configured to couple to a hydrocarbon well. The subsea geothermal power system also includes a geothermal power plant fluidly coupled to the well connection. The geothermal power plant is configured to receive thermal energy from a well fluid received from the hydrocarbon well and convert the thermal energy into at least one of electrical energy and mechanical energy. The system also includes a subsea equipment at least partially powered by at least one of the electrical energy and the mechanical energy produced by the subsea geothermal power system.