Subsea Multibore Drilling Template with Movable Bore Separator Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small hydrocarbon reservoirs in shallow waters are not economically viable for development due to high costs associated with traditional drilling methods, such as full subsea development systems or dedicated platforms.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for drilling multiple wells using a jack-up rig or tender assist drilling rig, which includes a landing template with multiple through bores, a skirt conductor to stabilize the template near the mudline, and a movable bore separator guide to align a drill bit guide with each bore, allowing simultaneous drilling and completion of wells without the need for expensive semi-submersible rigs or full subsea development.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional full subsea development systems or dedicated platforms are used, then drilling and production capability is ensured, but development cost becomes prohibitively high for marginal reservoirs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple drilling functions into a single template structure with multiple through-bores, allowing simultaneous drilling of multiple wells from one location. This merging of functions reduces the need for multiple separate platforms or subsea systems, thereby lowering overall development costs while maintaining drilling capability
Solution Approach 2:
The template structure serves multiple purposes: it provides drilling guidance for multiple wells, supports conductor casings, and enables simultaneous drilling operations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated equipment for each well, reducing the complexity and cost of development systems
2Ease of operation
If semi-submersible drilling rigs are used for subsea drilling, then drilling capability is achieved, but equipment cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a temporary template structure that is installed for the duration of drilling operations and then removed. This disposable approach eliminates the need for expensive permanent subsea infrastructure, allowing marginal reservoirs to be developed cost-effectively while maintaining full drilling capability during the operational period
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple wells are drilled sequentially through separate operations, then each well can be completed thoroughly, but drilling time and operational cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The template structure is pre-installed with multiple through-bores and alignment features before drilling begins. This preliminary preparation enables multiple wells to be drilled simultaneously or in rapid succession without the need for repositioning or realignment between operations, maintaining completion quality while dramatically increasing drilling speed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from sequential one-well-at-a-time drilling to simultaneous multi-well drilling by adding the spatial dimension of multiple through-bores in the template. This dimensional change allows parallel processing of multiple drilling operations, improving productivity without compromising the precision required for proper well completion
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for drilling multiple wells include a landing template, the landing template having at least two through bores. Each through bore extends from a first face of the landing template to an opposite second face of the landing template. A skirt conductor is secured to the landing template, the skirt conductor operable to be driven into a sea floor so that the landing template is proximate to a mudline. A bore separator guide has a drill bit guide sized to register with one of the through bores. The bore separator guide is moveable to align with each of the at least two through bores one at a time.