Subsea Pipeline Tee Layout Without a Common Manifold
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing subsea production systems require a common manifold for collecting production pipelines from Xmas Trees, which is cumbersome and costly, and do not easily allow for the swapping of Xmas Trees from production to injection mode or reduce the need for seabed preparations.
Innovation Solution
The system employs pre-installed In-line Tee connections in pipelines laid directly onto a subsea structure, eliminating the need for a common manifold by allowing direct connection to subsea stations, enabling flexible configuration and easy swapping of Xmas Trees, and minimizing seabed preparation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a common manifold is used to collect production pipelines from Xmas Trees, then the system provides centralized processing capability, but the device complexity and installation cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the traditional centralized manifold system into distributed T-connections along the pipeline. Each T-connection serves as an independent connection point for individual flowlines, segmenting the manifold function across multiple locations rather than consolidating it in a single complex structure. This reduces overall system complexity while maintaining connection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the manifold's core function of collecting multiple flowlines and distributes it along the pipeline route. By placing T-connections at various points along the pipeline rather than requiring all flowlines to converge at a central manifold, the system eliminates the need for a complex centralized manifold structure while achieving the same flow collection objective.
2Productivity
If pipelines are connected to a common manifold, then centralized flow collection is achieved, but the installation process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The T-connections are pre-installed and pre-positioned along the pipeline before the pipeline is laid on the seabed. This preliminary placement of connection points eliminates the need for complex on-site manifold assembly and connection operations, significantly reducing installation time and improving productivity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a manifold system is used, then flow collection from multiple wells is enabled, but seabed preparation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The T-connections are positioned at specific locations along the pipeline where flowline connections are needed, rather than requiring a centralized manifold location. This allows the pipeline to be routed and connected at optimal local positions, reducing the need for extensive seabed preparation and increasing flexibility in adapting to different seabed conditions.
4Adaptability or versatility
If Xmas Trees are connected via pipeline to a common manifold, then production processing is enabled, but swapping Xmas Trees from production to injection mode becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The T-connection design allows for dynamic reconfiguration of flow paths. By utilizing valve control at the T-connections, the system can dynamically switch between production and injection modes for different Xmas Trees, enabling flexible operational changes without requiring complex re-piping or manifold reconfiguration.
Data Source
AI summary
Subsea system (100) and method of installing the subsea system (100), the method comprising the steps of: —preparing a first foundation (1′) comprising at least a first dedicated position for receiving a first subsea station (3′, 13′), —providing the first foundation (1′) with at least a first guide system (4′), —installing the first foundation (1′) at a subsea location, —preparing at least a first subsea station (3′, 13′) comprising a first flow module (5′) for connection with a pipeline (6), —installing the at least first subsea station (3′, 13′) with the first flow module (5′) in the first dedicated position on the first foundation (1′), —preparing a pipeline (6) and providing the pipeline (6) with at least a first T-connection (7′) at a determined calculated position corresponding to the first dedicated position on the first foundation (1′), —installing the pipeline (6) and allowing the pipeline (6) to rest on the first guide system (4′) on the first foundation (1′) such that the first T-connection (7′) is arranged at or in the proximity of the first dedicated position on the first foundation (1′), —preparing a first piece of pipe (8′) and connecting the first T-connection (7′) of the pipeline (6) with the first flow module (5′) on the first subsea station (3′, 13′) using the first piece of pipe (8′).