Subsea Pressure Management Sub-system for MPD
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current subsea managed pressure drilling (MPD) systems require significant lead times for planning and installation, and face challenges with limited space on drilling units, leading to safety concerns and inefficiencies, particularly when implementing equipment like modified riser joints and pressure management sub-systems.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a modified riser joint and a subsea pressure management sub-system, which includes self-contained modules connected to a floating vessel via control umbilicals, allowing for quick connection and operation with minimal modifications to the drilling unit, enabling efficient and safe MPD operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional surface-based MPD equipment is installed on drilling units, then pressure control capability is improved, but installation time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pressure management equipment from the surface drilling unit and relocates it to the subsea wellhead area. The subsea MPD system includes a subsea choke manifold and control modules positioned at the wellhead, separating these functions from the surface drilling rig. This extraction eliminates the need for extensive surface equipment installation while maintaining pressure control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary subsea control system that acts as a bridge between the surface drilling unit and the subsea wellhead equipment. This intermediary system includes remote control modules and communication interfaces that allow surface operators to control subsea pressure management equipment, eliminating the need for direct surface installation of complex pressure control hardware.
2Manufacturing precision
If more MPD equipment is added to drilling units, then pressure management precision is improved, but available space on drilling units is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the bulk of pressure management equipment from the surface drilling unit and relocates it to the subsea environment. The subsea choke manifold, control modules, and associated hardware are positioned at the wellhead, freeing up significant surface space on the drilling rig while maintaining precise pressure management capability through subsea instrumentation and control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If extensive surface equipment integration is performed, then system functionality is improved, but risk to workers during installation and operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts hazardous functions and equipment from the surface environment and relocates them to the subsea area. By positioning the choke manifold, pressure control valves, and associated high-pressure equipment at the subsea wellhead rather than on the drilling rig, the system maintains full functionality while removing workers from exposure to high-risk areas during installation and operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The subsea pressure management system is designed to operate autonomously with minimal human intervention. The system includes automated pressure sensing, control algorithms, and remote actuation capabilities that allow the equipment to self-regulate pressure without requiring workers to physically access or manually operate high-pressure components, thereby reducing worker risk while maintaining system functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and processes for subsea marine managed pressure operations. One system includes a modified riser joint configured to fluidly connect inline with one or more riser joints. The modified riser joint and the one or more riser joints are connected to form a riser connecting a floating vessel with a wellhead. The system further includes a subsea pressure management sub-system configured to be operatively and fluidly connected to the modified riser joint at a subsea location.