Subsea Wellhead Installation Tool Electrical Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation and testing of subsea wellhead stacks in deep water are costly and time-consuming due to the need for drilling rigs, extensive equipment, and umbilicals for pressurized fluids and hydraulic power, which are impractical for large numbers of wellheads.
Innovation Solution
A tool for subsea installation and testing of wellhead modules using a ship crane, eliminating the need for drilling rigs by employing an electrical/optical umbilical for power and control, with a subsea unit that includes connectors, positioning means, and testing capabilities, allowing for hydraulic power from an ROV system, and utilizing gas-filled accumulators for pressure testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a drilling rig with hydraulic umbilicals is used for subsea wellhead installation, then reliable hydraulic power and control are provided, but the operation becomes extremely costly and time-consuming in deep water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hydraulic power transmission system with an electrical power and control system. The subsea tool is equipped with electrical connectors that receive power and control signals from the surface vessel, eliminating the need for long hydraulic umbilicals and their associated pumps and fluid storage systems. This substitution dramatically reduces installation time while maintaining operational reliability through electrical actuation of all tool functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the hydraulic power transmission infrastructure from the system. By eliminating the need for hydraulic umbilicals, surface-mounted hydraulic pumps, and fluid storage drums, the invention significantly reduces the equipment footprint on the drilling rig and eliminates the time-consuming operations of handling and connecting these heavy hydraulic systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If extensive equipment including hydraulic drums and umbilicals is deployed, then complete testing and commissioning capability is achieved, but the equipment footprint and cost increase dramatically
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the subsea tool itself. The tool integrates testing capabilities, commissioning functions, and operational controls directly at the subsea location, eliminating the need for separate surface-mounted testing equipment and hydraulic infrastructure. This consolidation maintains full testing and commissioning capability while dramatically reducing the equipment footprint on the drilling rig.
Solution Approach 2:
The subsea tool is designed as a universal platform that performs multiple functions: installation, testing, commissioning, and production operations. By integrating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional device with electrical controls, the patent eliminates the need for multiple specialized equipment systems, thereby reducing overall device complexity and footprint while maintaining adaptability.
3Productivity
If drilling rig is used for both drilling and wellhead installation, then resource utilization is improved, but the cost per wellhead increases significantly in deep water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptability to the drilling rig system by enabling rapid deployment and retrieval of the subsea tool. The electrical control system allows for quick reconfiguration and operation, enabling the drilling rig to efficiently transition between drilling and wellhead installation tasks without the time penalties associated with handling heavy hydraulic equipment, thereby improving overall productivity and reducing cost per wellhead.
Data Source
AI summary
A tool for subsea installation and testing of wellhead modules such as Xmas trees and similar equipment, from a ship using a ship crane. The tool includes a subsea unit that includes a connector for releasable connection to subsea wellhead modules or equipment, means for positioning and means for testing, and a connector for electric power and electric and/or optical control.