Subsea Tree Fluid Swivel for Riser Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for exploiting smaller scale oil and gas fields are economically unviable due to high costs, necessitating a more efficient and cost-effective method for harvesting hydrocarbons without the need for traditional components.
Innovation Solution
A subsea tree assembly with a fluid swivel that allows for rotational movement of a riser and surface vessel, featuring a fixed inner body for fluid communication with a production conduit and a rotatable outer body for attachment to a riser, enabling the vessel to rotate around the subsea well without requiring a swivel assembly on the surface vessel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional components and infrastructure are used for subsea well exploitation, then reliability and control capability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the swivel functionality from the surface vessel and relocates it to a fluid swivel component integrated into the subsea tree assembly. This extraction allows the surface vessel to be simpler while maintaining rotational capability through the subsea-integrated fluid swivel, thereby reducing surface infrastructure complexity without sacrificing control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid swivel acts as an intermediary component between the fixed subsea tree and the rotating riser system. It provides the necessary rotational interface while maintaining fluid sealing, enabling the riser to rotate without compromising the integrity of the fluid connection to the subsea well.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional surface vessels with swivel assemblies are used, then rotational movement capability is improved, but cost and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the swivel assembly on the surface vessel as in traditional designs, the invention inverts the approach by integrating the fluid swivel into the subsea tree assembly. This allows the surface vessel to be simpler while achieving the same rotational capability through the subsea-integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the swivel functionality with the subsea tree assembly, creating an integrated system where the fluid swivel is a permanent part of the subsea infrastructure. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate swivel assemblies on surface vessels, reducing overall system complexity.
3Productivity
If smaller scale oil and gas fields are targeted, then resource exploitation is improved, but economic viability worsens due to high infrastructure costs
Solution Approach 1:
The subsea tree assembly with integrated fluid swivel serves multiple functions: it provides well control, enables riser rotation, and maintains fluid sealing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby lowering infrastructure costs and making smaller field developments economically viable.
Data Source
AI summary
A subsea tree including a fluid swivel, the fluid swivel comprising: (a) a fixed inner body defining an inlet for fluid communication with a production conduit fora subsea well; (b) a rotatable outer body defining an outlet and an attachment point for fluid communication with a riser; (c) a first interface between the fixed inner body and the rotatable outer body defining a fluid chamber in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet; and (d) a first seal between the fixed inner body and the rotatable outer body; wherein, when the fluid swivel is attached to the riser, the riser is capable of rotational movement around the subsea tree.