Subterranean Channel for Subsea Hydrate Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
The formation of hydrates and wax deposits in subsea oil and gas wells poses challenges for hydrocarbon flow, leading to costly mitigation measures like inhibitor injection and insulation, which are inefficient and can result in production shutdowns and environmental risks, especially in deep-sea fields where hydrate formation is exacerbated by temperature and pressure conditions.
Innovation Solution
Creating subterranean channels between adjacent wells to harness latent heat from the sub-soil, preventing hydrate formation and wax deposits, while also facilitating the drilling of relief wells for emergency access, using tunnel boring machines or directional drilling to connect wells and subsea units, and circulating seawater to regulate temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If inhibitor injection (e.g., MEG) is used to prevent hydrate formation, then hydrate prevention is improved, but cost and operational complexity increase due to injection and extraction requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the hydrate prevention function from the complex chemical injection system and relocates it to the subterranean channel environment, where the natural geothermal heat provides temperature maintenance without requiring chemical inhibitors
Solution Approach 2:
The subterranean channel utilizes the natural geothermal heat from the earth's interior to automatically maintain hydrocarbon temperature above hydrate formation thresholds, eliminating the need for external chemical injection systems
2Reliability
If insulation materials are applied to subsea wellhead equipment and pipelines, then hydrate prevention is improved, but cost and reliability decrease due to potential cold spots from insufficient coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the insulation system entirely and replaces it with subterranean channel placement that utilizes natural geothermal heat, eliminating the cold spot problem inherent in insulation coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The subterranean channel acts as an intermediary heat transfer medium, allowing geothermal heat to reach the hydrocarbons through the channel walls without requiring insulating materials on external surfaces
3Reliability
If electrical heating systems are installed on pipelines, then hydrate prevention is improved, but cost and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the naturally occurring geothermal heat from the earth's interior, which would otherwise be wasted heat, into a useful heating source for preventing hydrate formation in subterranean channels
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses free, naturally occurring geothermal heat to provide temperature maintenance, eliminating the need for energy-consuming electrical heating systems
4Adaptability or versatility
If subsea Wells are drilled from heavy steel structures (templates), then well placement is constrained, but the sequence and timing of drilling activities is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the well placement function from the heavy steel template structure and enables direct drilling from the seabed through subterranean channels, eliminating the need for complex template installations and allowing greater freedom in drilling sequences
5Ease of operation
If Rigid Well Jumpers are fabricated and installed subsea, then connection between wells and manifolds is achieved, but fabrication and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the Rigid Well Jumper component entirely and replaces it with flexible hose connections and subterranean channel pathways, eliminating the need for complex rigid fabrication and precision subsea installation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces the risk of hydrate-related shutdowns, lowers costs by minimizing inhibitor use and insulation needs, allows for more flexible well placement, and enables rapid relief well access, enhancing safety and operational efficiency in subsea production systems.
Implementation Method 1
locating the Subterranean Channels at a depth wherein the latent heat in the sub-soil is capable of preventing the formation of hydrates and/or wax
Implementation Method 2
circulating seawater to regulate temperature
Data Source
AI summary
There is herein described the prevention of hydrates and the provision of a Relief Well in an oil and gas Well. More particularly, there is described the prevention of hydrates in an oil and gas Well by utilizing the latent heat in the sub-soil and providing Subterranean Channels to facilitate the provision of Relief Well access.