Subsea Stripper Seal Replacement System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for replacing subsea equipment, such as blowout preventers and strippers, are inefficient and require significant downtime, as they often necessitate bringing components to the surface for refurbishment, which is costly and time-consuming, especially at deeper drilling depths where diver operations become impractical.
Innovation Solution
A system for remotely replacing seal assemblies in subsea strippers using a seal replacement arm actuated by an actuator, allowing for the secure installation and removal of packer elements within the stripper without the need for divers, featuring a split carrier design and thread for gripping during replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If subsea equipment is brought to the surface for refurbishment, then maintenance can be performed, but downtime increases and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is divided into modular components (packer, bushings, retaining members) that can be independently replaced. The seal assembly portion is segmented from the main stripper body, allowing selective replacement of only the worn sealing components rather than the entire assembly, enabling rapid in-situ maintenance without bringing equipment to surface.
Solution Approach 2:
A carrier assembly acts as an intermediary device that holds replacement seal components and facilitates their installation into the stripper. The carrier serves as a temporary holding and delivery mechanism, allowing seal assemblies to be replaced through the wellhead without surface intervention.
2Ease of repair
If subsea equipment is brought to the surface for refurbishment, then maintenance can be performed, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stripper system performs its own maintenance operations through the seal replacement mechanism. The system is self-sufficient, allowing seal assemblies to be replaced in-situ without requiring external surface equipment or facilities, thereby eliminating the costly logistics of surface refurbishment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal assembly design with standardized components (packer, bushings, retaining members) creates a universal system that can be maintained using the same replacement mechanism regardless of depth or specific seal type, reducing the need for specialized surface maintenance equipment and operations.
3Ease of repair
If diver operations are used for equipment replacement, then maintenance can be performed, but depth limitations apply and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces diver-based manual operations with an automated mechanical seal replacement system. The seal assembly is installed and secured through mechanical mechanisms (carrier, retaining members, bushings) that can be operated remotely or automatically, eliminating the need for human divers to work at dangerous depths.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier assembly serves as an intermediary that delivers and installs seal components without requiring diver intervention. This mechanical intermediary performs the maintenance function that would otherwise require human operators in hazardous deep-sea environments.
4Ease of repair
If complete BOP components are brought to surface for replacement, then worn parts can be refurbished, but device complexity increases and downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal replacement system is segmented into discrete, independently replaceable components (packer, bushings, retaining members, carrier). This segmentation allows replacement of only the worn seal assembly portion rather than the entire BOP or stripper system, reducing the complexity and scope of maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal assembly portion is extracted as a separate, removable component from the main stripper body. This extraction allows the seal assembly to be replaced independently without disturbing or replacing the main BOP components, simplifying the replacement operation to a localized maintenance task.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for replacing equipment at a wellsite, the wellsite having a subsea stripper installed proximate a subsea borehole. The system has at least one seal assembly portion, at least one seal replacement arm and an actuator. The seal assembly portion(s) is (are) positionable in the subsea stripper and replaceable therefrom. The seal assembly portion(s) has (have) a packer extendable within the subsea stripper to form a seal about the subsea stripper. The seal replacement arm(s) is (are) for replacing the seal assembly portion(s) through a door of the subsea stripper. The actuator is for remotely actuating the seal replacement arm(s) to engage the seal assembly portion(s) whereby the seal assembly portion(s) is (are) remotely replaceable.