Subsea Phase Routing With Crossflow Injection for SPU Bottlenecks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current subsea separation systems lack the ability to manage fluid phases effectively across multiple stationary production units (SPUs), leading to operational bottlenecks and inefficiencies due to the lack of interconnection and real-time control over process parameters like gas-liquid ratio, gas-oil ratio, and water content.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows controlled mixing of streams from two-phase or three-phase separators, utilizing a crossflow injection control system to manipulate process parameters in real time, optimizing phase proportions without the need for pressure-raising systems, and enabling the interconnection of SPUs to balance processing capacities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional modular view of production systems with no interconnection between SPUs is used, then each SPU operates independently, but processing bottlenecks occur when some SPUs reach capacity limits while others remain underutilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges previously independent SPU systems by introducing interconnection pipelines that allow multiphase streams to be shared between multiple SPUs. This enables phases to be redistributed dynamically based on each SPU's current processing capacity, transforming isolated modular units into an integrated network that optimizes overall field productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic phase management where the distribution of gas, oil, and water phases to different SPUs can be adjusted in real-time based on processing demands. Control systems monitor SPU capacity and automatically redirect phases through the interconnection network, allowing the system to adapt continuously changing production conditions without manual intervention.
2Ease of operation
If pressure-raising systems or artificial lifting are used to manipulate process parameters, then real-time control over GLR, GOR, and water cut is achieved, but system complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the natural pressure differentials and flow characteristics of the multiphase streams themselves to achieve phase separation and redistribution. By leveraging the inherent properties of the flowing phases and the pressure gradients created by elevation changes and flow dynamics, the system manipulates process parameters without requiring external pressure-raising equipment, thereby maintaining simplicity while enabling real-time control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic and pneumatic principles by using the kinetic energy and pressure of the flowing multiphase streams to drive the phase manipulation process. The interconnection pipelines are designed to utilize flow-induced pressure changes to automatically regulate phase distribution, eliminating the need for mechanical pressure-raising systems while maintaining operational flexibility.
3Productivity
If SPUs are interconnected to balance processing capacities, then overall field productivity is optimized, but system complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The interconnection pipelines are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as transport conduits for multiphase streams and as pressure regulation pathways. The same infrastructure that connects SPUs for phase redistribution also functions as part of the overall production network, eliminating the need for separate dedicated lines and reducing overall system complexity despite the added interconnectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the phase management function from the overall production system, allowing independent control and optimization of phase distribution through dedicated control modules. This segmentation enables the interconnection infrastructure to be managed as a separate, modular component that can be adjusted without affecting the core production operations of individual SPUs.
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
Enables efficient management of subsea streams, optimizing processing capacity, extending the maximum oil production plateau, and ensuring environmental and safety compliance by adjusting phase ratios in real time using autogenous pressure and crossflow injection control.
Implementation Method 1
using the process's own autogenous pressure to perform this adjustment
Implementation Method 2
provide the gravitational separation of fluids according to with its specific mass
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention presents a system that allows mixing in a controlled way the streams exported by two-phase or three-phase separators, allowing the management of the phases according to the processing needs of the SPUs. The main idea is that the outlet streams of the subsea separation modules can be routed to different SPUs in order to optimize the processing capacity of the surface plant.It is capable of manipulating in real time process parameters such as GLR (Gas-Liquid Ratio), or GOR (Gas-Oil Ratio) or Water Cut (amount of water in oil) to generate the multiphase streams required by each SPU, using the own autogenous pressure of the process to carry out this adjustment, that is, without the need for pressure raising systems or artificial lifting (pumps, compressors, gas lift, etc.) of the export streams of the system. This is possible by means of a crossflow injection control system between the phases. However, the possibility of using pressure raising systems (pumps, compressors, etc.) is not excluded, if the SPUs are at high distances, for example, and require the use of this device.