Subsea Universal Power Platform for Pipeline Pre-Commissioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing subsea pipeline commissioning methods require a skid attached to a subsea vehicle (SV/ROV) for powering pumps, limiting flexibility and increasing costs due to buoyancy requirements and weight constraints, and are not suitable for all pre-commissioning operations like hydrostatic testing, cleaning, and chemical treating.
Innovation Solution
A Universal Power Platform (UPP) consisting of a non-buoyant metal structure suspended by an umbilical from a vessel, providing power to pumps or motors in a skid near the pipeline for various pre-commissioning methods, including hydrostatic testing, cleaning, and chemical treating, without relying on a subsea vehicle for power, and serving as a testing system for control umbilicals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a subsea vehicle (SV/ROV) is used to power pumps on a skid, then the system can perform pre-commissioning operations, but the system becomes limited by buoyancy requirements and weight constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power supply function from the subsea vehicle (SV/ROV) and places it on a surface vessel. The UPP system separates the heavy power generation equipment from the subsea operations, with power delivered through an umbilical cable. This eliminates the need for the SV/ROV to carry power equipment, removing buoyancy and weight constraints while maintaining pre-commissioning operation capability.
2Power
If pumps are mounted on a platform attached to a subsea vehicle, then power can be provided, but the system lacks flexibility and increases costs
Solution Approach 1:
The UPP system is designed as a universal platform that can perform multiple pre-commissioning operations (cleaning, filling, chemical treating, pigging, hydrostatic testing, dewatering) through a single integrated system. The surface-mounted power supply and modular skid design allow the same platform to support different pump configurations and operations, increasing flexibility while reducing overall system complexity and cost.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a non-buoyant metal structure is suspended from a vessel, then power can be delivered independently of subsea vehicles, but the structure requires robust suspension and positioning systems
Solution Approach 1:
The umbilical cable serves as an intermediary element that connects the surface vessel to the submerged UPP structure. It performs multiple functions: mechanical support for the suspended structure, power transmission, and control signal delivery. This intermediary approach allows the non-buoyant metal structure to be independently positioned and operated without direct attachment to subsea vehicles, while the vessel's suspension system provides the necessary strength and positioning capability.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a Universal Power Platform (UPP) that powers the pump or pumps that may not be on the platform but that are in a skid subsea near the pipeline for a desired pre-commissioning method to be carried out, such as cleaning, filling, chemical treating, pigging, hydrostatic testing or dewatering the pipeline. The UPP is suspended from a vessel by an umbilical that provides the electric power for running the selected pump(s). The Power Platform also is used as a testing system for control umbilicals that usually are near the pipelines.