Subsea Tool Insertion Chamber for Vessel-Free Well Intervention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional subsea well intervention is limited by the availability of vessels and weather conditions, leading to unserviced wells and delayed maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A robotic subsea intervention system that operates independently of vessel availability and weather windows, using a tool insertion system and subsea work chamber to perform well interventions, including a wireline reeler unit, lubricator system, and robotic assembly mechanism, allowing for timely and efficient well operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional drill ships are used for subsea well intervention, then well intervention can be performed, but vessel availability and weather conditions limit service timing and reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the well intervention capability from the drill ship platform and relocates it to a subsea location. The subsea work chamber and tool insertion system are deployed independently at the wellsite, eliminating dependence on drill ship availability and weather windows, thereby resolving the contradiction between intervention reliability and service delay
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a subsea work chamber as an intermediary platform between the surface and the wellhead. This intermediate structure provides a stable base for tool insertion and wireline operations, enabling continuous intervention activities regardless of surface weather conditions or vessel scheduling
2Productivity
If drill ships are contracted for well intervention, then intervention services can be provided, but limited availability causes many wells to go un-serviced
Solution Approach 1:
The subsea work chamber is equipped with self-contained tool insertion capabilities, wireline reeling mechanisms, and robotic assembly systems that operate autonomously at the wellsite. This self-service capability eliminates the need to contract external drill ships, thereby increasing both intervention throughput and the number of wells that can be serviced
Solution Approach 2:
The subsea work chamber is designed as a universal platform that can service multiple wells and perform various intervention tasks including wireline operations, tool deployment, and well diagnostics. This multi-functionality increases service coverage across the field without requiring specialized vessels for each well
3Reliability
If weather windows are waited for drill ship operations, then safe intervention can be performed, but timely maintenance is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts well intervention operations from the weather-dependent drill ship environment and relocates them to a subsea work chamber that operates independently of surface weather conditions. This enables maintenance to be performed on schedule without waiting for weather windows, resolving the contradiction between safe operation and maintenance timing
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed embodiments relate to systems for providing well intervention for a subsea wellhead. For example, the system can comprise a tool insertion system and a subsea work chamber, with the tool insertion system operatively coupled to the subsea work chamber and to the wellhead. In embodiments, both the work chamber and the tool insertion system can be disposed subsea, for example in proximity to the wellhead. In some embodiments, the work chamber may be maintained at atmospheric pressure. In some embodiments, the tool insertion system can have a retracted position which provides access to a wireline within the work chamber, and an extended position which isolates the work chamber from the tool insertion system, the distal end of the wireline, an isolation valve, and/or the wellhead.