Subsea Arrangement With Retrievable Fluid Connection Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing subsea modules for fluid flow in hydrocarbon wells are large, difficult to handle, and expensive to install, requiring complex operations and specialized equipment, limiting their modification and flexibility during their lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A retrievable connection module with releasable fluid ports and profiles, allowing for easy installation and retrieval without disrupting flow lines, and enabling interchangeable utility arrangements for monitoring and altering fluid characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional subsea modules are used to establish fluid flow in subsea wells, then reliable fluid connection is achieved, but the modules become large, difficult to handle, and expensive to install
Solution Approach 1:
The subsea arrangement is divided into separate functional components: a fixed subsea station with connection profiles and removable connection modules. This segmentation allows the heavy infrastructure to remain stationary while lighter, easier-to-handle modules are installed and removed as needed, resolving the contradiction between reliable connection and installation ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection module is designed to be dynamically installable and removable from the subsea station, transforming the static traditional module system into a dynamic one. This allows flexible deployment and recovery operations, improving ease of operation while maintaining reliable fluid flow connections when installed.
2Reliability
If traditional subsea modules are used, then fluid flow control is achieved, but installation requires specialized equipment and is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the permanent subsea station from the removable connection modules, the system enables rapid module deployment without the need to install entire traditional subsea assemblies. This reduces installation time significantly while the station's connection profiles ensure reliable fluid flow control is maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The subsea station is pre-installed with connection profiles and fluid flow control infrastructure before modules are deployed. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming on-site assembly of control systems, allowing modules to be quickly installed and immediately functional.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If modules are designed for long-term installation, then stable operation is achieved, but modification during lifespan becomes difficult and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The removable module design transforms the static long-term installation into a dynamic system where modules can be easily swapped during the operational lifespan of the subsea station. This enables modifications and upgrades without replacing the entire system, simultaneously achieving long-term stable operation and high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The subsea station is designed with universal connection profiles that can accommodate different types of connection modules with varying capabilities. This allows the system to maintain stable long-term operation while adapting to changing requirements by swapping modules, achieving both durability and versatility.
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional subsea modules are used, then comprehensive utility functions are provided, but module weight increases by approximately 60%
Solution Approach 1:
Utility functions are segmented between the stationary subsea station and removable connection modules. The heavy infrastructure providing comprehensive utility capabilities remains fixed, while lighter modules provide specific functional additions, dramatically reducing the weight of deployable components while maintaining full utility functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The subsea station acts as an intermediary that provides comprehensive utility functions to multiple different connection modules. This allows each module to be lighter and more specialized while the station provides the heavy-duty utility support, resolving the contradiction between weight and capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of configuring a subsea arrangement to establish a fluid flow between a hydrocarbon well and a flow line. The method includes, in a subsea location, disconnecting a first connection profile from a flow line to restrict a fluid communication at a first fluid port and disconnecting a second connection profile from a subsea station to restrict a fluid communication at a second fluid port, retrieving a first retrievable connection module from a subsea location, providing a second retrievable connection, and connecting a second connection profile of a second retrievable connection module to the subsea station so as to permit a fluid communication between the hydrocarbon well and a second fluid port, and connecting the first connection profile of the second retrievable connection module to the flow line so as to permit a fluid communication between the flow line and the first fluid port.