Subsea Riser Parking and Beacon Location System
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for deploying and repositioning subsea risers are time-consuming and costly, as they require redeployment from a storage site to a wellhead, which involves reconnecting and reconnecting the riser to the wellhead for maintenance and workover operations.
Innovation Solution
A subsea riser assembly with a buoyancy module and a seafloor riser mount that allows the riser to be parked and easily redeployed to different wellheads, incorporating a beacon for location and a modular design that includes a riser extension for accessing the wellhead from above the sea surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the riser is redeployed from a storage site to a wellhead for maintenance operations, then the wellhead can be accessed, but the process becomes time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The riser is pre-positioned on the seafloor near the wellhead location and kept in a ready state. When maintenance is needed, the riser is already in position and can be quickly connected to the wellhead, eliminating the need for time-consuming redeployment from a storage site.
Solution Approach 2:
A subsea wellhead connector serves as an intermediary device that facilitates quick connection between the pre-positioned riser and the wellhead. This connector enables rapid establishment of the fluid pathway without requiring complex redeployment operations.
2Ease of operation
If the riser is kept coupled to the wellhead until well completion, then the wellhead is accessible, but the riser cannot be easily repositioned for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The riser system is divided into separable components: the riser body, the subsea wellhead connector, and the wellhead assembly. This segmentation allows the riser to be easily disconnected from the wellhead and repositioned to different locations without requiring complex disassembly of the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is designed to be dynamically adjustable, allowing the riser to be quickly connected to and disconnected from different wellheads. The subsea connector enables the system to adapt its configuration based on operational needs, facilitating easy repositioning for maintenance operations.
3Ease of operation
If a smaller diameter riser is used for maintenance operations, then access to the wellhead is improved, but the riser must be redeployed from storage
Solution Approach 1:
The riser system uses interchangeable riser sections of different diameters. A larger diameter riser can be used during initial drilling and production, while smaller diameter riser sections can be quickly connected for maintenance operations. This segmentation eliminates the need to deploy a completely different riser from storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The subsea wellhead connector is designed with universal compatibility to accommodate risers of different diameters. This multi-functionality allows the same connector infrastructure to handle both large diameter risers for production and smaller diameter risers for maintenance, eliminating the need for separate deployment systems.
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 solution reduces the time and cost associated with redeploying risers by enabling efficient parking and redeployment of the riser subsea, maintaining a vertical orientation, and facilitating access to wellheads from above the sea surface, thereby streamlining maintenance and workover operations.
Implementation Method 1
the riser incorporates buoyancy such it can be moved from a given location or well site to another well site or location
Data Source
AI summary
A riser for use in subsea operations that is parked subsea deployed as needed onto wellheads disposed proximate where the riser is parked. A base anchored into the seafloor provides a pedestal for parking the riser. The riser emits a beacon signal so it can be located when needed. When parked, the riser can be kept in a vertical orientation by a buoyancy module mounted on an upper portion of the riser. A workboat, or other vessel, attaches to the parked riser and positions it onto a designated wellhead. An extension connects the riser to platform or other vessel above the sea surface.