Subsea Manifold Hub Layout for Modular Branch Standardization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional manifold designs for subsea oil and gas production are costly and difficult to standardize due to unique requirements for each branch, leading to increased complexity and cost in connecting multiple manifolds to a single pipeline.

Innovation Solution

A modular manifold system with a central hub featuring header, conduit, and module connection arrangements, allowing for standardized modules to be stacked vertically and connected to a header pipe, facilitating efficient space utilization and reduced installation complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional manifold designs with unique branches for each connection are used, then each branch can be tailored to specific requirements, but the cost increases and standardization becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebranch customizationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and standardization

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The manifold is divided into a central hub and separate modular connection units. Each module can be independently manufactured with standardized interfaces, allowing customization through module selection rather than custom branch design. This segmentation enables standardization of core components while maintaining adaptability through modular combinations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The central hub is designed with universal connection interfaces that can accommodate multiple types of modules. The standardized flange connections and flow port configurations allow the same hub design to serve multiple functions with different module attachments, reducing the need for custom-designed branches for each application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Area of stationary object

If standardized modules are stacked vertically and connected to a header pipe, then space utilization is improved and installation is simplified, but connection arrangements must be precisely configured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidconnection arrangement configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The central hub incorporates universal connection interfaces with standardized flange patterns and flow port configurations that can accommodate various module types. This universality reduces the precision requirements for connection arrangement configuration, as standardized interfaces provide tolerance compensation and alignment features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Modules are pre-configured with standardized connection interfaces and mounting features during manufacturing. The flange connections and positioning elements are prepared in advance with built-in alignment features, reducing the precision requirements during final installation and connection to the header pipe.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12577967B2Modular subsea manifold system

Publication Date: 2026.03.17 ONESUBSEA AS

AI summary

A modular manifold system for connection to a header pipe. The modular manifold system includes a central hub which has a header pipe connection, a conduit connection arrangement arranged on the central hub, and a module connection arrangement arranged on the central hub. The header pipe connection defines a flow port which permits a fluid communication between the header pipe and the central hub. The conduit connection arrangement has a conduit connected thereto and defines a flow port which permits a fluid communication between the central hub and the conduit connected to conduit connection arrangement. The module connection arrangement defines a flow port which permits a fluid communication between the central hub and a connected module.