Subsea Sampling Assembly with Removable Skid for Reduced Coupling Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sampling systems for subsea oil and gas wells face challenges in separating liquid and gas phases in multiphase flows, particularly in low production flow rates, and frequent equipment connections and disconnections are time-consuming and difficult.
Innovation Solution
A sampling assembly comprising a receiving structure, a saver sub, and a retrievable skid with quick connect/disconnect components, allowing for reduced coupling interactions and facilitated sample collection and servicing, with a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for efficient sample retrieval and replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If multiple samples are taken during the well lifecycle by connecting and unconnecting equipment, then sampling can be performed throughout the well life, but the process becomes time-consuming and servicing connections becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sampling system is divided into separate modular components: a permanently mounted receiving structure with saver sub, and a removable retrievable skid containing sample chambers. This segmentation allows the sampling function to remain permanently installed while the sample collection portion can be independently retrieved and serviced without disconnecting the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The saver sub acts as an intermediary component that remains permanently connected to the wellhead receiving structure, while the retrievable skid can be attached and detached as needed. This intermediary design allows frequent sample retrieval without requiring repeated disconnection and reconnection of the main sampling system, reducing time loss and servicing difficulty.
2Reliability
If a flow device is used to generate pressure differential for sample retention, then liquid and gas phases can be separated, but at low production flow rates the pressure differential becomes insufficient to retain samples
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the sampling function into a dedicated retrievable skid with sample chambers that can be filled and then sealed. Once filled, the sample chambers are isolated from the flow stream, allowing samples to be retained without requiring continuous pressure differential from the flow device, thus enabling reliable sample retention even at low production rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The sample chambers are filled with production fluid samples during periods when adequate flow and pressure differential are available. Once filled and sealed, the samples are retained in the chambers without requiring continued pressure differential generation, allowing the system to capture samples even when subsequent production rates are low.
Data Source
AI summary
A sampling assembly for taking single or multiphase production fluid samples from a subsea well. The sampling assembly includes a receiving structure that houses a saver sub and a retrievable skid. The sampling assembly allows for repeated retrieval of collected samples and replenishment of empty sample chambers using the retrievable skid. A releasable connection interface between the retrievable skid and the saver sub allows an ROV to connect the retrievable skid to the saver sub and provide electrical and hydraulic power to the sampling assembly for taking samples.