Subsea Tool Assembly With Acoustic Control and No Umbilical
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Solution Overview
Problem
Subsea tools require lengthy and cumbersome umbilicals for hydraulic and electrical power, which are prone to detachment and necessitate costly downtime for testing and reattachment, and lack real-time monitoring capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A subsea tool assembly with an acoustic communication system and a package containing a tool control device, hydraulic accumulator, and electrical power source, allowing wireless operation and real-time monitoring via acoustic signals through a tubular body, eliminating the need for umbilicals and separate testing apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If umbilicals are used to supply hydraulic fluid and electrical power to subsea tools, then the tool can be operated, but the umbilicals are very long, heavy, and prone to detachment under harmful stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the umbilical connection from the system by extracting the power and control functions. The subsea tool includes an integrated power source (battery) and control device that can operate independently without external umbilical connections, eliminating the harmful stresses and detachment risks associated with long umbilicals.
Solution Approach 2:
The subsea tool is designed to be self-powered through an integrated battery system that provides electrical power for operation and monitoring without requiring external supply. The tool controls itself through an onboard control device that can activate tool functions without external hydraulic or electrical connections.
2Reliability
If separate testing apparatus is used to confirm subsea equipment setting, then testing can be conducted, but it requires pulling the tool to the sea surface and replacing it, adding significant downtime and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the testing functionality with the subsea tool itself. The tool includes a testing device that can verify equipment setting directly at the subsea location without requiring removal or replacement, integrating the testing function into the tool's operational capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The subsea tool performs self-testing to verify its own operation and equipment setting. The integrated testing device allows the tool to confirm proper setting at the subsea location without requiring external testing apparatus or retrieval to the surface, eliminating the downtime associated with separate testing operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If real-time monitoring of downhole conditions is implemented, then operational adaptation is enabled, but additional equipment and power requirements are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the monitoring device directly into the subsea tool assembly, combining sensing, processing, and communication functions in a single unit. This merged system monitors downhole conditions (temperature, pressure, tool position) and transmits data to the surface without requiring separate monitoring equipment or additional power umbilicals.
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
Enables reliable, cost-effective, and efficient subsea tool operation with reduced downtime by eliminating the need for umbilicals and real-time monitoring, reducing operational costs and enhancing operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a first acoustic communication node configured to receive and transmit acoustic signals through the tubular body of the string
Data Source
AI summary
A subsea tool assembly that can enable full control of a subsea tool with operational feedback without the use of an umbilical. The assembly includes a package that houses a tool control device for controlling operation of a subsea tool, a controller configured to selectively operate the tool control device, a first acoustic communication node configured to receive and transmit acoustic signals through a tubular body of a subsea string, and an electrical power source for powering them. The controller is in electronic communication with the first acoustic communication node, and is configured to decode acoustic control signals received thereby and selectively operate the tool control device in response thereto. A related wireless subsea tool communication system and method of operating a subsea tool are also provided.