Autonomous Subsea Well Intervention Docking for Lower Vessel Standby
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high operational costs associated with maintaining a seaborne vessel near a subsea well for extended periods during slickline and electric line interventions are a significant challenge, as it increases the overall cost of subsea well operations.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous robotic system is deployed from a docking system, which is tethered to a seaborne vessel but operates independently within a subsea wellbore, allowing the vessel to travel to other locations while the robotic system performs interventions, reducing the need for continuous vessel presence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seaborne vessel remains afloat above a subsea well for extended periods to perform slickline and electric line interventions, then the intervention operations can be performed, but the operational costs greatly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the intervention operation into two independent components: a seaborne vessel that deploys the docking system and an autonomous robotic system that performs the actual well intervention. This segmentation allows the vessel to leave after deployment while the robot continues operations independently, eliminating the need for continuous vessel presence and reducing operational costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous robotic system performs well intervention operations independently without requiring continuous human oversight or vessel presence. The robot navigates the wellbore, performs interventions, and returns to the docking system autonomously, enabling self-service operations that reduce the need for expensive vessel standby time.
2Productivity
If a seaborne vessel remains stationed above a subsea well for extended periods, then intervention operations can be performed, but the vessel occupancy time and overall cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the deployment function (performed by the vessel) from the intervention execution function (performed by the autonomous robot). This allows the vessel to complete its mission quickly by deploying the docking system and robotic unit, then depart while the robot continues operations, significantly reducing vessel occupancy time while maintaining intervention productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational mode from manual vessel-based intervention to autonomous robot-based intervention. This parameter change enables continuous operations without vessel presence, transforming the time-cost relationship by allowing the vessel to be released immediately after deployment while interventions proceed autonomously.
3Ease of operation
If slickline and electric line methods are used for subsea well intervention, then the well can be serviced, but a seaborne vessel must remain afloat above the well location
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous robotic system acts as an intermediary between the seaborne vessel and the subsea well. The vessel deploys the robot, which then performs all intervention operations independently. This intermediary eliminates the direct requirement for the vessel to remain positioned above the well, simplifying the operational configuration while maintaining full intervention capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces traditional mechanical well intervention methods (slickline and electric line operations requiring vessel presence) with an autonomous robotic system that uses integrated navigation, actuation, and control systems. This substitution eliminates the need for continuous vessel-m Well connection while preserving intervention capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes an autonomous robotic system and a docking system deployed by a seaborne vessel. The docking system houses the autonomous robotic system and couples to a subsea structure of a subsea system. The subsea structure is disposed on a sea floor. The autonomous robotic system deploys from the docking system into a wellbore of a subsea well of the subsea system. The autonomous robotic system also moves within the wellbore.