Thermally Insulated Subsea Link Pipe for Rapid Well Commissioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for commissioning subsea hydrocarbon wells are time-consuming, resulting in a significant shortfall in production due to the lengthy period between the drilling phase and the start of hydrocarbon production, which is costly and inefficient, especially given the high investment required for subsea installations.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the assembly of thermally insulated double-walled pipe segments to form a floor-to-surface link pipe, which is connected to the wellhead and allows for the extraction of hydrocarbons to the surface, enabling rapid commissioning and re-use of pipe segments for multiple wells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional commissioning methods are used for subsea wells, then the installations are secure and stable, but the commissioning time is excessively long (weeks to months), resulting in significant production shortfall
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-assembling the subsea well system including wellhead, flow tree, and Christmas tree components on the seabed during the drilling phase, before the FPSO unit arrives. This allows the well to be ready for immediate production once the FPSO is in position, eliminating the conventional waiting period of weeks to months for commissioning after drilling completion.
2Reliability
If the commissioning period is extended to ensure proper installation, then installation quality is maintained, but production starts later causing financial loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary installation of all subsea components (wellhead, flow tree, Christmas tree) during the drilling phase with quality control measures, then performs a quick connection to the FPSO upon arrival. This separates the quality-critical installation work from the time-sensitive commissioning phase, maintaining installation reliability while minimizing production delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the commissioning process into two distinct phases: (1) preliminary installation of subsea components during drilling with full quality assurance, and (2) rapid connection to FPSO upon arrival. This segmentation allows quality control to be applied where needed without extending the overall commissioning time.
3Productivity
If rapid commissioning is implemented to reduce production shortfall, then commissioning time is reduced, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the well system into modular components (wellhead, flow tree, Christmas tree) that can be independently installed and pre-tested on the seabed. This modularity enables rapid assembly and connection to the FPSO without requiring complex integrated systems, as each module is self-contained and can be handled separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-assembling and pre-positioning all subsea components during the drilling phase before the FPSO arrives. This eliminates the need for complex time-compressed assembly operations later, as the components are already in place and ready for simple connection, thereby reducing both time and complexity.
4Reliability
If the well is left unproducing during the commissioning period, then proper installation can be ensured, but production volume is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary installation of the complete well production system during the drilling phase, ensuring all components are properly installed and positioned on the seabed before the FPSO arrives. This allows the well to begin producing immediately upon FPSO connection, eliminating the period where the well must remain unproducing while waiting for commissioning.
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
This approach allows for early production, reduces the risk of blockages, and optimizes financial returns by enabling hydrocarbon extraction within days of the drilling phase, while providing thermal insulation and resistance to marine stresses, thus adapting to various environments and extending the lifespan of the pipe segments.
Implementation Method 1
a thermally insulating material disposed between the inner and outer metal pipes
Data Source
AI summary
A method of commissioning one subsea hydrocarbon well terminating by a wellhead, wherein, from a petroleum drilling rig, the method includes: screwing double-walled pipe segments together in mutual succession to form a thermally insulated floor-to-surface 1 hydrocarbons, and an outer pipe, between which pipes a thermally insulating material is disposed; connecting the floor-to-surface link pipe to wellhead; and extracting the hydrocarbons via the floor-to-surface link pipe to the drilling rig on the surface.