Subsea Test Tree Control via Electromagnetic Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In deepwater subsea operations, the use of hydraulic and electrical umbilicals for controlling subsea test trees is costly and risky due to increased water depth, leading to longer umbilical lengths, higher operational risks, and reduced efficiency in direct hydraulic control response times.
Innovation Solution
A subsea test tree control system that eliminates the need for umbilicals by using passages within the tubing hanger and horizontal subsea tree to supply hydraulic fluid pressure and electric potential directly, allowing for controlled operation of subsea completion and workover assemblies without the need for umbilicals in the riser.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydraulic and electrical umbilicals are used to control subsea test trees in deepwater, then control power can be supplied to subsea equipment, but operational costs increase and operational risks increase due to longer umbilical lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the umbilical from the deepwater control system. Instead of using long hydraulic and electrical umbilicals to supply power to subsea test trees, the invention integrates control functions directly into the subsea equipment, allowing operations to be controlled from the surface without physical umbilical connections through the water column.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electromagnetic coupling mechanism as an intermediary between surface control equipment and subsea test trees. This allows wireless transmission of control signals and power through the riser wall, eliminating the need for physical umbilical connections while maintaining reliable control capability.
2Reliability
If umbilicals are strapped to the landing string for running and retrieval, then control power can be supplied, but running and retrieval time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the umbilical strapping operation entirely from the running and retrieval process. By eliminating the need to physically attach and detach umbilicals to the landing string, the system achieves faster intervention deployment and retrieval while maintaining continuous power and control capability through the electromagnetic coupling mechanism.
3Reliability
If manual fastening of umbilical to riser string is performed, then control connections can be established, but worker safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual fastening system with an electromagnetic coupling system. Instead of workers physically clamping umbilicals to the riser string, control signals and power are transmitted wirelessly through the riser wall, eliminating worker exposure to hazardous areas around the well opening.
4Ease of operation
If hydraulic control is used for deepwater operations, then direct control can be achieved, but response time becomes unacceptable due to hydraulic fluid compression and line length
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces electromagnetic fields as an intermediary for control signal transmission. Instead of relying on slow hydraulic fluid transmission through long lines, control signals are transmitted electromagnetically through the riser wall, providing near-instantaneous response times while maintaining direct control capability.
5Adaptability or versatility
If umbilical length increases with water depth, then power can be supplied to deeper wells, but capital and operating expenditure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the umbilical from the deepwater control architecture. By using electromagnetic coupling through the existing riser structure, the system achieves deepwater control capability without requiring long, expensive hydraulic and electrical umbilicals, significantly reducing both capital and operating expenditures.
6Reliability
If increased umbilical weight and size are used for deeper water, then power transmission capability is maintained, but drill rig capacity is impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the heavy umbilical from the system entirely. By using the existing riser structure for electromagnetic coupling, the system maintains full power transmission capability to subsea equipment without adding the significant weight and size of long hydraulic and electrical umbilicals, preserving drill rig capacity.
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 operational costs, shortens running and retrieval times, decreases equipment needs, and enhances worker safety by eliminating the risks associated with umbilical handling and storage, while maintaining efficient control over subsea operations.
Implementation Method 1
Hydraulic fluid pressure and electric potential are supplied to the running tool to cause the running tool to set the tubing hanger in the tree; wherein at least one of the hydraulic fluid pressure or the electrical potential pass through the passage in the tree and the port to the running tool
Implementation Method 2
The method provides the horizontal tree with a passage leading from an exterior of the tree to the landing shoulder, and then connects a riser from the horizontal tree to a platform at a sea surface
Implementation Method 3
Hydraulic fluid pressure and electric potential are supplied to the running tool to cause the running tool to set the tubing hanger in the tree
Data Source
AI summary
A subsea test tree control system provides operational control and power to subsea test tree equipment located within a subsea riser without an in riser umbilical to supply additional power to the subsea test tree control system. The subsea test tree control system includes a subsea horizontal subsea tree landed on a subsea wellhead, and a subsea control module communicatively coupled to the horizontal subsea tree. A subsea test tree stack is landed through the riser in the horizontal subsea tree. A subsea control module communication line extends through the horizontal subsea tree to terminate at a bore of the horizontal subsea tree proximate to the tubing hanger, and a riser string communication line communicatively couples to the subsea control module communication line to provide operational power and control the subsea test tree stack. Intervention workover control system umbilicals may bypass the subsea control module and directly connect to the subsea control module communication line.