Offshore Wellhead Platform Slipover Upgrade for Added Loads

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Solution Overview

Problem

Offshore wellhead platforms deteriorate under harsh conditions, limiting their ability to support additional equipment and wells needed for extended hydrocarbon production, necessitating cost-effective upgrade strategies that consider structural integrity, production potential, and construction risks.

Innovation Solution

Upgrading offshore wellhead platforms through in-place, two piles, auxiliary platform, or slipover upgrades, determined by assessing well health, structural integrity, and construction feasibility, including techniques like installing clamps for horizontal load management and designing safe pile clearances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the existing offshore wellhead platform structure is used, then the platform can maintain structural integrity, but it cannot accommodate additional loads from new equipment and upgrades

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidcapacity to accommodate additional loads

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The platform upgrade is divided into multiple independent techniques (in-place upgrade, additional two piles upgrade, auxiliary platform upgrade, slipover upgrade). Each technique segments the upgrade process into distinct options that can be selected based on specific structural capabilities and load requirements, allowing the platform to accommodate additional loads through targeted structural modifications rather than complete replacement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces vertical dimensionality by driving additional piles into the seabed to support new equipment loads. This vertical expansion allows the platform to accommodate additional loads without compromising the original horizontal structural integrity, effectively adding a new dimension to the load-bearing capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a new offshore wellhead platform is built, then the platform can support all future wells and equipment, but the cost is higher than upgrading the existing platform

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapacity to support future wells and equipmentVSAvoidconstruction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary assessment of the existing platform structure, well health status, and production potential before determining the upgrade path. This preliminary action identifies the most cost-effective upgrade technique by evaluating what can be achieved through modifications versus complete replacement, avoiding unnecessary construction costs while ensuring future capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The upgrade techniques modify key parameters of the existing platform such as structural strength, load-bearing capacity, and configuration. By changing these parameters through targeted upgrades (adding piles, auxiliary platforms, or slipover structures), the platform achieves future-ready capacity at lower cost than building a completely new platform

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If existing wells are used to handle horizontal loads during platform removal, then construction risks are reduced, but the wells must be designed to withstand horizontal loading

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconstruction risk managementVSAvoidwell load-bearing capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses well conductors as intermediary elements that transfer and distribute horizontal loads during the platform removal and replacement process. These conductors act as mediators between the existing wells and the new structure, enabling safe load transfer while maintaining well integrity and reducing construction risks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates clamps and other protective elements that are installed beforehand to cushion and protect the well conductors during the removal and installation process. These preliminary protective measures prevent damage to the wells while they bear horizontal loads, ensuring construction safety and well integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS20250347075A1Upgrading Offshore Wellhead Platforms

Publication Date: 2025.11.13 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

Systems and methods for upgrading an offshore wellhead platform include identifying existing wells on an offshore wellhead platform that are capable to produce hydrocarbons for a specified time period; determining that an existing platform structure of the offshore wellhead platform is unable to accommodate additional loads from new equipment and upgrades when at least 50% of the existing wells on the offshore wellhead platform are capable to produce hydrocarbons for the specified time period; determining that the existing platform structure is unable to accommodate addition of two piles to support the additional loads from new equipment and upgrades; determining that the existing wells will handle horizontal loads when the existing platform structure is removed; and performing a slipover platform upgrade to the offshore wellhead platform when the existing wells will handle horizontal loads.