Subsea Pumping Module for High Gas Fraction Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current subsea pumping systems face difficulties in efficiently pumping hydrocarbons with high gas fractions due to the adverse effects of gas on pump performance, leading to increased complexity and costs, especially in deep water operations, where existing solutions often require complex gas separation and high-powered pumps.
Innovation Solution
A subsea pumping module is designed with a combination of a conventional ESP pump for liquid phases and a jet pump for gas-rich phases, utilizing a gas-liquid separator to divide the multiphase flow into two streams, allowing for separate pumping and improving tolerance to high gas fractions, with the option to house the module in a lined hole or on a skid on the sea bed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional ESP pump is used to pump hydrocarbons with high gas fractions, then the pump can effectively handle liquid phases, but the gas phase adversely affects pump performance and may rule out the use of this lifting method
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is segmented into two independent pumping units: a first pump (ESP type) dedicated to liquid phase and a second pump (jet pump type) dedicated to gas phase. This segmentation allows each pump to be optimized for its specific phase, eliminating the performance degradation caused by gas presence in conventional single-phase pumps.
Solution Approach 2:
A gas-liquid separator acts as an intermediary device between the inlet and the dual pump system. It separates the multiphase flow into gas-rich and liquid-rich streams, directing each to the appropriate pump. This intermediary component enables the pumps to operate in their optimal performance ranges without direct exposure to unfavorable phase compositions.
2Productivity
If gas is separated off and removed to improve lifting efficiency, then lifting energy associated with gas is removed, but this directly implies the use of high-powered pumps and a very great increase in pressure, especially in deep water
Solution Approach 1:
The gas phase is extracted and removed from the liquid phase before pumping. The gas-liquid separator extracts gas-rich stream which is then handled by a dedicated second pump, allowing the first pump to handle only liquid phase. This extraction prevents gas from interfering with the pumping action while avoiding the need for excessively high-powered pumps.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes hydraulic principles in the gas-liquid separator and pneumatic principles in the jet pump (second pump) to efficiently separate and pump gas and liquid phases. The jet pump uses fluid dynamics to create suction and move gas-rich flow without requiring high mechanical power input, leveraging pressure differentials and fluid flow characteristics.
3Reliability
If a combination of ESP pump and jet pump is used with gas-liquid separation, then the system can handle high gas fractions efficiently, but the device complexity increases due to multiple pumps and separation equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The pumping module is designed as a multi-functional integrated system that combines gas-liquid separation, liquid pumping, and gas pumping capabilities in a single modular unit. This universal design allows the system to handle various gas fractions and flow conditions while maintaining a compact, standardized configuration that simplifies installation and operation despite the multiple functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas-liquid separator, first pump, and second pump are merged into a single integrated pumping module. This combining of components into one modular unit reduces the overall system complexity by eliminating the need for separate, distributed equipment and simplifies installation, maintenance, and operation while maintaining the dual-pumping capability.
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 configuration enhances the ability to handle high gas fractions by separately pumping gas-rich and liquid-rich streams, reducing the need for high-powered pumps and minimizing gas-related issues, thereby improving operational efficiency and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
separator equipment (3) located internally at the top of the capsule (1) and connected to the oil inlet pipe (2), intended to separate the flow of oil originating from a production well into two separate phases, such as gas and liquid
Implementation Method 2
a second pump (8) which is poorly tolerant for liquid phase and connected to the suction pipe (6) and intended to pump gas phase separated by the separator equipment (3)
Data Source
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AI summary
This invention relates to equipment and a subsea pumping system using a subsea module installed on the sea bed, preferably away from a production well and intended to pump hydrocarbons having a high associated gas fraction produced by one or more subsea production wells to the surface. One object of this invention is achieved by means of the design of a pumping module (PM) which is linked to pumping equipment already present in a production well and which basically comprises: an inlet pipe (2), separator equipment (3), a first pump (4) and a second pump (8). In the subsea pumping system for the production of hydrocarbons with a high gas fraction, the other object of this invention, when oil is pumped from the production well (P) the well pump (13) increases the energy of the fluid in the form of pressure and transmits this increase in energy in the form of an increase in suction pressure in the second pump (8) of the subsea module (PM).