Subsea Methane Hydrate Production Well Control Package
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing methane from subsea methane hydrate formations are inefficient in terms of time and cost, and require different approaches compared to traditional oil and gas production, with challenges in preventing methane from escaping into the atmosphere.
Innovation Solution
An offshore subsea well system is implemented, featuring a submersible pump and methane conduit extending from a surface installation to the seabed, with a well control package and emergency disconnection package, allowing for efficient separation and transportation of methane and water to the surface, eliminating the need for a tubing hanger and enabling direct fluid communication along the tubing length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional tubing hanger systems are used for subsea methane hydrate production, then the well structure is more conventional and easier to implement with existing oil and gas equipment, but the installation time and operational complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the tubing hanger functions directly into the well control package, eliminating the need for separate tubing hanger installation. The well control package is landed on the wellhead first, then the tubing is connected directly to it, merging two previously separate components into one integrated system that reduces installation steps and time.
Solution Approach 2:
The well control package is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the well control device and the tubing support structure (replacing the tubing hanger). This multi-functional design allows existing well control equipment to perform additional roles, simplifying the overall system and reducing installation complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a tubing hanger system is used to suspend tubing from the wellhead, then the structure is more traditional and familiar to oil and gas operators, but the system complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the tubing hanger suspension function into the well control package structure. Instead of having a separate tubing hanger component that suspends the tubing from the wellhead, the well control package itself provides the suspension and sealing functions, reducing the total number of components while maintaining compatibility with existing operations.
3Reliability
If separate conduits are used for methane and water transport, then the separation is more efficient and prevents methane escape, but the device complexity and installation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fluid transport system into separate conduits for methane and water. The well control package includes separate flow paths that divert methane and water into different conduits, ensuring reliable separation and preventing methane escape while maintaining manageable system complexity through clear functional segmentation.
4Productivity
If pressure reduction is used to dissolve methane hydrate, then the production mechanism is simpler and more direct, but the equipment requirements and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the natural pressure differential between the high-pressure hydrate formation and the lower-pressure wellbore environment to drive methane dissolution. The system allows the pressure gradient to perform the work of hydrate decomposition automatically, with minimal active pressure control equipment required, as the formation pressure itself drives the production process.
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 enables efficient and cost-effective methane production from subsea hydrate formations by separating methane and water subsea or at the surface, reducing the need for complex tubing hanger systems and enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A submersible pump arranged is in the tubing
Implementation Method 2
methane and water are separated subsea and conducted to the surface installation in separate conduits
Implementation Method 3
One known manner to produce methane from such formations, is to lower the pressure in the formation, thereby making the hydrate split into methane and water
Data Source
AI summary
An offshore methane hydrate production assembly (1), having a tubing (41) extending into a subsea well (5) that extends down to a methane hydrate formation (7) below the seabed (3). A submersible pump (45) is arranged in the tubing (41). A methane conduit (35,35) extends down from a surface installation (49). A well control package (15) landed on a wellhead (13) is positioned at the upper end of the subsea well (5). Moreover, an emergency disconnection package (25) is arranged between the methane conduit (35,135) and the well control package (15). The tubing (41) is suspended from the well control package (15). Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.