Subsea In-Line Tee Removable Module for Flowline Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing subsea in-line tees require costly and disruptive maintenance, as the entire manifold must be recovered for repairs, leading to high expenses and potential damage to surrounding infrastructure due to weight constraints and the need for heavy lift vessels.
Innovation Solution
A subsea in-line tee arrangement featuring a removable module with connectors and interfaces for process apparatus, allowing for fluid control, measurement, and intervention without disrupting the main flow system, enabling the module to be deployed and retrieved without affecting the in-line tee or wider flow system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the entire manifold is recovered for repairs, then maintenance can be performed, but maintenance costs increase and disruption to production operations occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The manifold system is divided into modular components that can be independently accessed and maintained. The invention allows specific manifold components to be retrieved and replaced without recovering the entire manifold structure, enabling segmented maintenance operations that minimize production disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables extraction of specific malfunctioning components from the manifold system for maintenance while leaving the rest of the system in place and operational. This selective removal approach allows maintenance personnel to access and repair individual components without shutting down the entire production system.
2Ease of repair
If the entire manifold is recovered for repairs, then maintenance can be performed, but large vessels are required which increases costs
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the manifold into maintainable modules, the invention enables maintenance operations to be performed with smaller, more cost-effective vessels. Individual components can be accessed and replaced without requiring heavy lift vessels capable of recovering the entire manifold structure.
3Ease of repair
If the entire manifold is recovered for repairs, then maintenance can be performed, but damage to surrounding subsea infrastructure may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables selective extraction of only the components requiring maintenance, rather than recovering the entire manifold. This minimizes disturbance to the surrounding subsea infrastructure and reduces the risk of accidental damage during maintenance operations.
4Ease of manufacture
If in-line tees are provided to meet future tie-in requirements, then initial expenditure is reduced, but the system becomes more complex when numerous in-line tees are distributed over the pipeline system
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a universal manifold module that can serve multiple functions and be deployed in various configurations. This standardized modular approach reduces initial expenditure by eliminating the need for multiple different in-line tee designs, while simultaneously reducing system complexity through uniformity and interchangeability of components.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a subsea in-line tee arrangement for a subsea production system comprising at least one removable module. The removable module is configured to be assembled with a jumper flowline and provide flow access between a jumper flowline and the subsea in-line tee. At least one retrievable process apparatus can be connected to the retrievable module. The at least one retrievable process apparatus is configured to perform a function selected from the group comprising: fluid control, fluid sampling, fluid diversion, fluid recovery, fluid injection, fluid circulation, fluid measurement and/or fluid metering.