Subsea Pump Regulating Well Pressure for Barrier Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for manipulating equipment in wells, such as removing or opening barrier assemblies, are time-consuming and complex, requiring tools to be inserted through the X-mas tree and often involving the use of pressurized fluid lines from the surface, which increases installation time and operational complexity.
Innovation Solution
A subsea pump system with a fluid source is used to regulate pressure and flow within the well, allowing for efficient operation of downhole equipment like barrier assemblies, valves, and plugs, eliminating the need for tools to be inserted through the X-mas tree and reducing the number of operational steps required.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a retrieval tool is used to remove the barrier assembly, then the barrier assembly can be removed, but the installation time increases and the operation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the barrier removal function from the complex retrieval tool process and integrates it directly into the barrier assembly design. The barrier assembly includes a destruction mechanism that can be activated by pressure cycles, allowing the barrier to be destroyed and removed without requiring external retrieval tools to be inserted through the X-mas tree, thereby reducing installation time and operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier assembly is designed to be self-removable through pressure-activated destruction mechanisms. The barrier can destroy itself or be easily removed by pressure cycles applied through the fluid connection, eliminating the need for separate retrieval operations and reducing overall installation time.
2Reliability
If a retrieval tool is inserted through the X-mas tree, then the barrier assembly can be removed, but the operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the need for external retrieval tools by integrating the destruction mechanism directly into the barrier assembly. The barrier can be destroyed and removed through pressure cycles applied through the fluid connection, eliminating the complex procedure of inserting and operating retrieval tools through the X-mas tree.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pressure cycles applied through the fluid connection to activate the destruction mechanism of the barrier assembly. This hydraulic/pneumatic approach simplifies the operation by using fluid pressure rather than mechanical retrieval tools, reducing operational complexity.
3Reliability
If fluid lines from the surface are used to pressurize the well, then the barrier assembly can be opened, but the installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the spatial dimension of fluid delivery by placing a subsea pump near the well instead of using long fluid lines from the surface. This reduces the distance fluid must travel and the time required to build pressure, thereby reducing installation time while maintaining reliable barrier assembly opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The subsea pump acts as an intermediary between the fluid source and the well, positioned closer to reduce transmission time. This intermediate positioning allows faster pressure buildup compared to direct surface-to-well fluid lines.
4Ease of operation
If tools are inserted through the X-mas tree, then equipment can be manipulated, but the number of operational steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The subsea pump system serves multiple functions: it pressurizes the well for barrier assembly opening, removes the need for retrieval tools, and provides a unified platform for equipment manipulation. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate operational steps required compared to using multiple specialized tools through the X-mas tree.
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
This approach significantly reduces installation time, simplifies operations, and provides more precise control over well equipment, enabling faster and safer preparation of wells for production while maintaining safety through a double barrier system.
Implementation Method 1
The subsea pump has a mode of operation for regulation of the flow and/or pressure between the pump and the well interior to operate the equipment arranged in the well interior
Implementation Method 2
operating the pump to regulate the flow and/or pressure between the pump and the well interior, thereby regulating the flow and/or pressure of the fluid in the well interior
Data Source
AI summary
—a subsea pump (30) arranged in fluid connection with the well interior (38, 39) providing a closed system suitable for pressure and flow regulation and establishing a temporary fluid flow between the subsea pump and the well interior, —a fluid source (31) supplying fluid to the subsea pump, wherein the subsea pump has a mode of operation for regulation of the flow and/or pressure between the pump and the well interior to operate equipment arranged in the well,—a safety control system for controlling shut down of a valve arrangement in a subsea position, which safety control system is also arranged in a subsea position and comprises a control unit (60) and an actuation unit (70) for local control and operation of the valve arrangement, —the valve arrangement is operated by the control unit into a valve configuration providing a barrier system between a reservoir in fluid communication with the well interior and the surroundings, —a plurality of sensors (100, 51, 52) arranged for measuring fluid parameters transmitted as signals to the control unit, which also receives other signals from subsea and or topside locations, where the control unit is configured such that when at least one transmitted signal deviates from allowable value the control unit activates the actuation unit for the closing of the valve arrangement. The invention also concerns a method.