Subsea Pressure Control System for Wellbore Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wellbore pressure control methods require extensive modifications to surface equipment, especially in shallow, deep, and ultra-deep water drilling, and lack the ability to effectively control pressure at a subsea location, which is desirable for maintaining a desired wellbore pressure.
Innovation Solution
A subsea pressure control system that includes a subsea choke and pump positioned at the well site, allowing for immediate control of pressure in the well annulus, regardless of drilling fluid circulation, using a subsea process control system to automatically adjust the choke and pump operations based on real-time sensor data to maintain desired pressure levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surface equipment is used for wellbore pressure control, then pressure control can be achieved through drilling fluid rheology and pump control, but extensive modification of surface equipment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pressure control function from the surface location and relocates it to a subsea location. A subsea pressure control device is deployed that includes a subsea pump and subsea choke manifold, separating the pressure control functionality from the surface drilling equipment. This allows pressure control to be performed independently at depth without modifying surface equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a subsea pressure control device as an intermediary system between the surface drilling operations and the wellbore. This intermediate system at subsea location handles the pressure control functions, acting as a mediator that eliminates the need for direct surface equipment modifications while maintaining effective pressure management.
2Ease of operation
If surface location pressure control is used, then drilling fluid circulation can be controlled, but the ability to control pressure at subsea location is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure control functionality is extracted from the surface location and placed at the subsea location where it is needed. The subsea pressure control device includes local pumps, choke manifolds, and sensors that enable direct pressure control at depth, improving accessibility and responsiveness to wellbore pressure conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The subsea pressure control device is designed to operate autonomously at the subsea location with its own pump system, choke manifold, and control sensors. The system can self-regulate pressure using local resources and real-time pressure data without requiring continuous surface intervention, enhancing both accessibility and reliability.
3Reliability
If drilling fluid rheology is controlled for pressure management, then wellbore pressure can be influenced, but the control is indirect and less precise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the indirect chemical/rheological control method with a direct mechanical pressure control system. Instead of modifying drilling fluid properties to influence pressure, the system uses mechanical pumps and adjustable choke manifolds at the subsea location to directly regulate wellbore pressure, providing more precise and reliable control.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure control function is extracted from the drilling fluid rheology modification approach and implemented through dedicated mechanical pressure control equipment at the subsea location. This separation allows independent optimization of pressure control without being constrained by fluid property changes.
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 precise control of wellbore pressure at the subsea location without extensive modifications to surface equipment, facilitating efficient drilling operations across various water depths and maintaining optimal pressure conditions, reducing the risk of formation damage and fluid loss.
Implementation Method 1
a subsea pump which moves the drilling fluid from the subsea location to the surface location
Implementation Method 2
a subsea choke which variably restricts flow of the drilling fluid from the well annulus to a surface location
Implementation Method 3
allowing for immediate control of pressure in the well annulus... to maintain desired pressure levels
Data Source
AI summary
A subsea pressure control system can include at least one subsea choke which variably restricts flow of drilling fluid from a well annulus to a surface location, the choke being positioned at a subsea location, and a subsea process control system which automatically operates the subsea choke, whereby a desired pressure is maintained in the well annulus. Another subsea pressure control system can include at least one subsea choke which variably restricts flow of drilling fluid from a well annulus to a surface location, the choke being positioned at a subsea location, and a subsea pump which pumps the drilling fluid from the subsea location to the surface location.