Subsea Well Adapter Assembly for Open-Water Methane Hydrate Completion

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Solution Overview

Problem

The requirement for subsea test trees and blowout preventers (BOP) stacks limits the use of open water completion systems in methane hydrate operations, necessitating a more efficient and time-effective installation method.

Innovation Solution

A well adapter system that allows for the installation of a cap and valve package in subsea environments, enabling the flow of production fluids without the need for a subsea test tree or BOP, using an open water completion system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If subsea test trees and BOP stacks are used for methane hydrate operations, then well control and safety are ensured, but installation time increases and operational efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewell control safetyVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the subsea test tree and BOP stack components from the completion system, replacing them with a simplified well adapter that integrates well control functions directly into the completion assembly, thereby eliminating unnecessary installation steps and reducing time loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The well adapter combines multiple functions (well capping, fluid flow control, and well monitoring) into a single integrated component that replaces the traditional separate test tree and BOP stack assemblies, reducing installation complexity and time while maintaining safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If subsea test trees and BOP stacks are installed, then complete well control capability is achieved, but the number of installation trips increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewell control capabilityVSAvoidinstallation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The well adapter is designed as a universal component that performs multiple functions including well capping, fluid flow regulation, and well monitoring in a single assembly, eliminating the need for separate test trees and BOP stacks and reducing the number of installation trips required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The completion system is segmented into modular components (well adapter, valve package, cap) that can be independently installed and configured, allowing for streamlined installation procedures and reduced trip requirements while maintaining complete well control capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If traditional subsea test tree systems are used, then comprehensive well monitoring is possible, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewell monitoring capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The well monitoring functions are merged into the well adapter assembly, which integrates sensors, flow control, and data collection capabilities into a single unified system, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12560042B2Methane hydrate production equipment and method

Publication Date: 2026.02.24 BAKER HUGHES ENERGY TECH UK LTD

AI summary

A system for subsea operations and associated methods are disclosed. The system includes a well adapter to be associated with a production or monitoring well where the well adapter can receive a cap for capping the production or monitoring well and can receive a valve package to allow flow of production fluids therethrough, from the production well to the well adapter.