GB2388820A - Remote subsea wellhead power support system - Google Patents
Remote subsea wellhead power support system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2388820A GB2388820A GB0210190A GB0210190A GB2388820A GB 2388820 A GB2388820 A GB 2388820A GB 0210190 A GB0210190 A GB 0210190A GB 0210190 A GB0210190 A GB 0210190A GB 2388820 A GB2388820 A GB 2388820A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- buoyant structure
- sea
- sub
- surface piercing
- support system
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 230000033001 locomotion Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 abstract description 3
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 abstract description 3
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 abstract description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009423 ventilation Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
- B63B35/44—Floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, or workshops, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/01—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells specially adapted for obtaining from underwater installations
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
- B63B35/44—Floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, or workshops, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
- B63B2035/442—Spar-type semi-submersible structures, i.e. shaped as single slender, e.g. substantially cylindrical or trussed vertical bodies
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
- B63B35/44—Floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, or workshops, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
- B63B2035/4433—Floating structures carrying electric power plants
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B21/00—Tying-up; Shifting, towing, or pushing equipment; Anchoring
- B63B21/50—Anchoring arrangements or methods for special vessels, e.g. for floating drilling platforms or dredgers
- B63B21/502—Anchoring arrangements or methods for special vessels, e.g. for floating drilling platforms or dredgers by means of tension legs
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)
Abstract
A remotely operational surface piercing sub-sea wellhead power provision and support system has a surface piercing buoyant structure 1 taut moored to a gravity base 4, using flexible steel tethers 3. Power generating equipment 2 can be stored and maintained within the hull storage chamber 7 of the surface buoyant structure 1 and linked using an umbilical 5 to a sub-sea distribution system 6 connecting to one or more wells 9. A surface piercing cylinder 8 connected to the storage chamber 7 provides access for personnel and equipment. A boat landing deck is situated above mean sea level, and a helideck supported at a suitable distance above wave height is a further possibility. A mid-water buoyant structure can also be used to increase stability and capacity.
Description
REMOTE SUBSEA WELLHEAD POWER SUPPORT SYSTEM
This invention relates to offshore oil and gas production wells.
In the extraction and production of oil and gas from sub-sea wells, power and generating equipment is required to operate various systems used to drill, clean, check, maintain, and pump wells. Conventionally, large infrastructures requiring a permanent manual presence are required to support the necessary power and generating equipment associated with production operations.
We have now devised a means of reducing the size and cost of infrastructures necessary to support production operations.
According to the present invention there is provided a remotely operational surface piercing sub-sea wellhead power provision and support system comprising a surface piercing buoyant structure taut moored to a seabed foundation arrangement, the buoyant structure being configured so that power generating equipment can be stored and maintained within its hull, said equipment being linked to a sub-sea distribution system connecting to one or more wells, and an umbilical cable linking the buoyant structure to the sub-sea distribution system.
Preferably the buoyant structure is located and held in position above or near to the sub-sea distribution system by flexible mooring tethers tensioned adequately to ensure minimal motions of said buoyant structure and thereby allowing operations to continue under a wide range of environmental conditions.
In an alternative embodiment the surface piercing buoyant structure is taut moored to a mid-
water buoyant structure, which is itself taut moored to a sea-bed foundation arrangement.
The mid-water buoyant structure is located typically 125 metros below mean sea level, and can be equipped with support systems and other equipment. In this case the umbilical will be linked between each structure and between the mid-water structure and the sub-sea distribution system.
A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure I shows the remote sub-sea wellhead power support system on location.
Referring to Figure I the system comprises a surface piercing buoyant structure 1, power generating equipment 2, flexible steel tethers 3, a gravity base 4, and an umbilical 5. The surface buoyant structure has a larger cylindrical storage chamber 7 located at a depth adequate to ensure that wave forces acting on it are reduced to an acceptable range such that buoy motions are stable enough for equipment operation.
The storage chamber 7 provides space for power generating equipment 2 and associated pipe-
work, support stands, fuel, cooling systems, instruments and items required for operation, maintenance and remote control. The power generating equipment 2 is most likely to be in the form of diesel generators. Ventilation, lighting, ladders, and safety equipment is also provided.
\ ( 2 The buoyant structure I has a surface piercing cylinder 8 connected to the storage chamber 7 which is very much smaller in diameter than the storage chamber 7 and provides access for personnel and equipment. A boat landing deck is situated above mean sea level, and a helideck supported at a suitable distance above wave height is a further possibility.
The buoyant structure 1 is taut moored using flexible steel tethers 3 to a gravity base 4 located on the seabed. An umbilical cable 5 links the power equipment 2 to a sub-sea distribution system 6. The sub-sea distribution system 6 provides power to a network of wells and associated equipment 9.
Claims (9)
1. A remotely operational surface piercing sub-sea wellhead power provision and support system comprising a surface piercing buoyant structure taut moored to a seabed foundation arrangement, the buoyant structure being configured so that power generating equipment can be stored and maintained within its hull, said equipment being linked to a sub-sea distribution system connecting to one or more wells, and an umbilical cable linking the buoyant structure to the sub-sea distribution system.
2. A remotely operational surface piercing sub-sea wellhead power provision and support system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the buoyant structure is located and held in position
above or near to the sub-sea distribution system by flexible mooring tethers tensioned adequately to ensure minimal motions of said buoyant structure and thereby allowing operations to continue under a wide range of environmental conditions.
3. A remotely operational surface piercing sub-sea wellhead power provision and support system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein a mid-water buoyant structure is utilized to aid floating stability, such that the surface piercing buoyant structure is taut moored to the mid-
water buoyant structure, which is itself taut moored to a sea-bed foundation arrangement.
4. A remotely operational surface piercing sub-sea wellhead power provision and support system as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the mid-water buoyant structure can be equipped with support systems and other equipment.
5. A remotely operational surface piercing sub-sea wellhead power provision and support system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the surface piercing buoyant structure has a large cylindrical storage chamber located at a depth adequate to ensure that wave forces acting on it are reduced to an acceptable range such that said buoyant structure motions are stable enough for equipment operation.
6. A remotely operational surface piercing sub-sea wellhead power provision and support system as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the buoyant structure has a surface piercing cylinder connected to the storage chamber which is very much smaller in diameter than the storage chamber and provides access for personnel and equipment.
7. A remotely operational surface piercing sub-sea wellhead power provision and support system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a boat landing deck is situated on the buoyant structure above mean sea level.
8. A remotely operational surface piercing sub-sea wellhead power provision and support system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a helideck is supported on the buoyant structure at a suitable distance above wave height.
9. A remotely operational surface piercing sub-sea wellhead power provision and support system substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0210190A GB2388820A (en) | 2002-05-03 | 2002-05-03 | Remote subsea wellhead power support system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0210190A GB2388820A (en) | 2002-05-03 | 2002-05-03 | Remote subsea wellhead power support system |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0210190D0 GB0210190D0 (en) | 2002-06-12 |
| GB2388820A true GB2388820A (en) | 2003-11-26 |
Family
ID=9936036
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0210190A Withdrawn GB2388820A (en) | 2002-05-03 | 2002-05-03 | Remote subsea wellhead power support system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2388820A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2493935A (en) * | 2011-08-22 | 2013-02-27 | Tamacrest Ltd Uk | Buoyant structure with rapidly releasable seabed fixing arrangement |
Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1594284A (en) * | 1978-04-28 | 1981-07-30 | Havron Eng Ltd | Control of sub-sea equipment |
| GB2106164A (en) * | 1981-09-22 | 1983-04-07 | Michael Shaun Bradley | Multi-body offshore arrangement |
| US4606673A (en) * | 1984-12-11 | 1986-08-19 | Fluor Corporation | Spar buoy construction having production and oil storage facilities and method of operation |
| GB2317635A (en) * | 1996-09-30 | 1998-04-01 | Amerada Hess Ltd | Apparatus for offshore production of hydrocarbon fluids |
| GB2326655A (en) * | 1997-06-27 | 1998-12-30 | Amerada Hess Ltd | Offshore production of hydrocarbon fluids |
| GB2349611A (en) * | 1999-05-04 | 2000-11-08 | Inst Francais Du Petrole | Sizing of tension lines for a tension leg platform |
-
2002
- 2002-05-03 GB GB0210190A patent/GB2388820A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1594284A (en) * | 1978-04-28 | 1981-07-30 | Havron Eng Ltd | Control of sub-sea equipment |
| GB2106164A (en) * | 1981-09-22 | 1983-04-07 | Michael Shaun Bradley | Multi-body offshore arrangement |
| US4606673A (en) * | 1984-12-11 | 1986-08-19 | Fluor Corporation | Spar buoy construction having production and oil storage facilities and method of operation |
| GB2317635A (en) * | 1996-09-30 | 1998-04-01 | Amerada Hess Ltd | Apparatus for offshore production of hydrocarbon fluids |
| GB2326655A (en) * | 1997-06-27 | 1998-12-30 | Amerada Hess Ltd | Offshore production of hydrocarbon fluids |
| GB2349611A (en) * | 1999-05-04 | 2000-11-08 | Inst Francais Du Petrole | Sizing of tension lines for a tension leg platform |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2493935A (en) * | 2011-08-22 | 2013-02-27 | Tamacrest Ltd Uk | Buoyant structure with rapidly releasable seabed fixing arrangement |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0210190D0 (en) | 2002-06-12 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| COOA | Change in applicant's name or ownership of the application |
Owner name: RAMUNIA OCEAN RESOURCE PLC Free format text: FORMER APPLICANT(S): OCEAN TECHNOLOGIES LTD |
|
| COOA | Change in applicant's name or ownership of the application |
Owner name: TAMACREST LTD Free format text: FORMER APPLICANT(S): RAMUNIA OCEAN RESOURCE PLC |
|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |