US20130022401A1 - Air-freightable subsea well containent tooling package - Google Patents

Air-freightable subsea well containent tooling package Download PDF

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Publication number: US20130022401A1
Authority: US; United States
Prior art keywords: dispersant; subsea; manifold; chemical; flow line
Prior art date: 2011-06-28
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.): Abandoned

Application number

US13/533,538

Other languages

English (en)

Inventor

Keith Magowan

Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)

BP Corp North America Inc

Original Assignee

BP Corp North America Inc

Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)

2011-06-28

Filing date

2012-06-26

Publication date

2013-01-24

2012-06-26 Application filed by BP Corp North America Inc filed Critical BP Corp North America Inc

2012-06-26 Priority to US13/533,538 priority Critical patent/US20130022401A1/en

2013-01-24 Publication of US20130022401A1 publication Critical patent/US20130022401A1/en

Status Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

- 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
- E21B43/0122—Collecting oil or the like from a submerged leakage

Definitions

the invention relates generally to a tooling package deployed as an initial response to a subsea hydrocarbon discharge. More particularly, the invention relates to an air-freightable tooling package including a subsea dispersant injection system for delivering chemical dispersants to a subsea hydrocarbon discharge stream.
a blowout preventer BOP
BOP blowout preventer
LMRP marine riser package
a drilling riser extends from a flex joint at the upper end of LMRP to a drilling vessel or rig at the sea surface.
a drill string is then suspended from the rig through the drilling riser, LMRP, and the BOP into the well bore.
drilling fluid or mud
drilling fluid is delivered through the drill string, and returned up an annulus between the drill string and casing that lines the well bore.
the BOP and/or LMRP may actuate to seal the annulus and control the well.
BOPs and LMRPs comprise closure members capable of sealing and closing the well in order to prevent the release of gas or liquids from the well.
a “blowout” may occur if the wellbore is not sealed in response to a surge of formation fluid pressure in the annulus. The blowout may result in the discharge of hydrocarbons into the surrounding sea water. The subsea release of hydrocarbons may present environmental issues.
hydrocarbons may potentially present a hazardous environment at the surface. Consequently, the more time it takes to respond to a subsea blowout and subsea discharge of hydrocarbons, the more hydrocarbons are likely discharged into the surrounding water).
Dispersing agents are specially formulated chemical products containing surface-active agents and a solvent. Dispersants aid in breaking up hydrocarbon solids and liquids by reducing the interfacial tension between the oil and water, thereby promoting the migration of finely dispersed water-soluble micelles that are rapidly diluted. As a result, the hydrocarbons are effectively spread throughout a larger volume of water, and the environmental impact may be reduced.
dispersants are believed to facilitate and accelerate the digestion of hydrocarbons by microbes, protozoa, nematodes, and bacteria.
the use of dispersants reduces the risk to responders at the surface by minimizing the accumulation of oil, associated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hydrocarbon vapors. Dispersants can also delay the formation of persistent oil-in-water emulsions.
dispersants have been sprayed onto the oil at the surface of the water. Normally, this process is controlled and delivered from surface vessels or from the air immediately above the oil at the surface.
aircraft may be employed to spray oil dispersant over an oil slick on the surface of the sea.
dispersants may comprise chemicals, there is generally a desire to minimize the quantity and distribution of dispersants that are used.
oil released from a subsea well diffuses and spreads out at it rises to the surface, oil at the surface is often spread out over a relatively large area (e.g., hundreds or thousands of square miles). To sufficiently cover all or substantially all of the oil that reaches the surface, relatively large quantities of dispersant must be distributed over the relatively large area encompassed by the oil slick.
turbulence at the surface e.g., wave action
surface turbulence may be less than adequate.
dispersants by limiting distribution of dispersants to the surface, only those microbes at or proximal the surface have an opportunity to begin digestion of the oil.
the system comprises a surface vessel including a dispersant storage tank and a dispersant pump configured to pump dispersant from the storage tank.
the system comprises a first flow line coupled to the pump and extending subsea from the vessel.
the system comprises a subsea dispersant distribution system coupled to the first flow line.
the dispersant distribution system includes a modular subsea manifold assembly including a base, a frame removably coupled to the base, and a chemical dispersant manifold coupled to the frame.
the system comprises a dispersant injection device coupled to the distribution system and configured to inject dispersant from the tank into a subsea hydrocarbon stream.
the manifold assembly comprises a base including a plate and a plurality of posts extending perpendicularly from the plate.
the manifold assembly comprises a frame removably coupled to the base.
the frame has an upper end, a lower end, and a plurality of parallel posts extending from the upper end to the lower end.
Each post has a receptacle at the lower end that slidingly receives one of the posts of the base.
the manifold assembly comprises a chemical dispersant manifold coupled to the frame.
the chemical dispersant manifold includes a plurality of dispersant inlets and a plurality of dispersant outlets.
the method comprises (a) storing a base of a subsea manifold assembly, a frame of a subsea manifold assembly, a chemical dispersant manifold of the subsea manifold assembly, a flying lead, and a dispersant application device at a common geographical location.
the method comprises (b) transporting the base, the frame, the dispersant manifold, the flying lead, and the application device to the offshore location.
the method comprises (c) assembling the base, the frame, and the dispersant manifold into the manifold assembly.
the method comprises (d) lowering the manifold assembly subsea after (c).
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a subsea dispersant injection system in accordance with the principles described herein;
FIG. 2 is a perspective front view of the subsea dispersant manifold of FIG. 1 ;
FIG. 3 is a perspective rear view of the subsea dispersant manifold of FIG. 1 ;
FIG. 4 is a top view of the subsea dispersant manifold of FIG. 1 ;
FIG. 5 is a front view of the subsea dispersant manifold of FIG. 1 ;
FIG. 6 is a rear view of the subsea dispersant manifold of FIG. 1 ;
FIG. 7 is an exploded assembly view of the subsea dispersant manifold of FIG. 1 ;
FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the subsea dispersant manifold of FIG. 1 ;
FIG. 9A is a perspective view of one of the dispersant application devices of FIG. 1 ;
FIG. 9B is a side view of the dispersant application device of FIG. 9A ;
FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the dispersant application device of FIGS. 9A and 9B deployed with a subsea remotely operated vehicle and used in conjunction with the subsea dispersant injection system of FIG. 1 to inject dispersant into a subsea hydrocarbon stream at a subsea hydrocarbon discharge site;
FIGS. 11A-11E are side views of embodiments of dispersant injection wands that may be employed with the base of FIGS. 9A and 9B ;
FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a plurality of components maintained at a common geographic location for deployment as a first response to a subsea hydrocarbon discharge.
the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to . . . ”
the term “couple” or “couples” is intended to mean either an indirect or direct connection. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device, that connection may be through a direct connection, or through an indirect connection via other devices, components, and connections.
the terms “axial” and “axially” generally mean along or parallel to a central axis (e.g., central axis of a body or a port), while the terms “radial” and “radially” generally mean perpendicular to the central axis.
an axial distance refers to a distance measured along or parallel to the central axis
a radial distance means a distance measured perpendicular to the central axis.
System 100 extends from the sea surface 102 to the sea floor 103 and delivers chemical dispersants to one or more subsea hydrocarbon discharge sources or sites 110 .
a discharge site 110 may be any subsea location at which hydrocarbons are emitted into the surrounding sea water including, without limitation, a subsea BOP, a subsea manifold, a subsea pipe or conduit, a riser, etc.
a well may be intentionally vented into the surrounding sea water from a subsea BOP or manifold upon evacuation of associated surface operations in anticipation of a hurricane.
oil may be emitted into the surrounding sea water from a damaged or broken subsea oil conduit or other subsea equipment.
hydrocarbons are emitted as a stream 111 that slowly diffuses and spreads out as it rises to the sea surface 102 to form a hydrocarbon plume 112 .
system 100 is employed to inject a chemical dispersant directly into the hydrocarbon stream 111 at discharge site 110 to facilitate its breakup, dissipation, and microbial digestion.
system 100 includes an offshore support vessel 120 at the sea surface 102 , a dispersant distribution system 130 extending along the sea floor 103 , and a plurality of subsea dispersant application devices 200 coupled to distribution system 130 .
support vessel 120 stores chemical dispersants at the sea surface 102 and pumps the chemical dispersants to the distribution system 130 .
Dispersant in system 130 is then supplied to application devices 200 , which are employed by one or more subsea remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) 290 to inject the dispersant into the hydrocarbon stream 111 emitted at discharge site 110 .
ROVs remotely operated vehicles
Vessel 120 includes a plurality of chemical dispersant storage tanks 121 , a plurality of dispersant injection pumps 122 coupled to tanks 121 , and a dispersant flow line 124 extending from pumps 122 to distribution system 130 .
flow line 124 is coiled tubing mounted to a coiled tubing reel or unit 123 that supplies the dispersants to distribution system 130 and application devices 200 .
flow line 124 may be a subsea umbilical that supplies the dispersants to distribution system 130 and application devices 200 , and may also supply electrical power and pressurized hydraulic fluid to system 130 .
Such an umbilical may be mounted to a reel or stored and deployed in another suitable fashion.
Tanks 121 store chemical dispersants at the sea surface 102 on vessel 120 .
three tanks 121 are provided, each tank 121 being the same.
each tank 121 comprises a five-thousand gallon dispersant storage vessel.
tanks 121 may comprise any suitable number and size dispersant storage tanks
the chemical dispersant stored in tanks 121 and supplied to system 130 may comprise any suitable chemical dispersant including, without limitation, a surfactant or mixture of fluids including surfactants.
a suitable chemical dispersant is Corexit® EC9500A available from Nalco Company of Naperville, Ill.
Pumps 122 supply dispersant in tanks 121 to coiled tubing 124 of coiled tubing unit 123 .
one fluid pump 122 is provided for each storage tank 121 , and thus, each pump 122 pulls dispersant from one tank 121 and supplies it to coiled tubing unit 123 and associated coiled tubing 124 .
each pump 122 includes a flowmeter to measure and monitor the volumetric flow rate of dispersant through that pump 122 .
Pumps 122 preferably operate at pressures and flow rates suitable for the downstream components of system 100 .
each pump 122 is configured to output dispersant at a pressure less than or equal to 5,000 psi and flow rate less than or equal to 12 gpm.
Coiled tubing 124 extends from coiled tubing unit 123 and vessel 120 at the sea surface 102 to subsea distribution system 130 .
distribution system 130 extends between coiled tubing 124 and application devices 200 and supplies dispersant therebetween.
distribution system 130 includes a subsea manifold assembly 140 coupled to tubing 124 and a plurality of flexible dispersant flow lines or flying leads 190 extending between manifold assembly 140 and application devices 200 .
Each flying lead 190 has a first or inlet end 190 a coupled to manifold assembly 140 and a second or outlet end 190 b coupled to one application device 200 .
each flying lead 190 is a flexible hose preferably rated for at least 5,000 psi, and more preferably rated for at least 10,000 psi.
dispersant is pumped from vessel 120 via pumps 122 down coiled tubing 124 to manifold assembly 140 , which distributes the dispersant to one or more flying leads 190 .
Each flying lead 190 supplies dispersant to one application device 200 .
pumps 122 on vessel 120 facilitate the flow of dispersant through system 100 from storage tanks 121 to application devices 200 .
each ROV 290 includes an arm 291 having a claw 292 , a subsea camera 293 for viewing the subsea operations, and an umbilical 294 .
Streaming video and/or images from cameras 293 are communicated to the surface or other remote location via umbilical 294 for viewing on a live or periodic basis.
Arms 291 and claws 292 are controlled via commands sent from the surface or other remote location to ROV 290 through umbilical 294 .
arms 291 and claws 292 enable ROVs 290 to grasp, manipulate, install, actuate, and position various subsea components.
manifold assembly 140 is positioned at the sea floor 103 and includes a base 141 , a support frame 150 coupled to base 141 , a plurality of arms 160 extending from frame 150 , a chemical dispersant manifold 170 supported by frame 150 , and a hydraulic fluid manifold 180 supported by frame 150 .
base 141 supports manifold assembly 140 on the sea floor 103
frame 150 supports manifolds 170 , 180 , which route and control the flow of dispersant and hydraulic fluid, respectively, through manifold assembly 140
arms 160 support flying leads 190 during deployment of manifold assembly 140 .
one flying lead 190 is shown wrapped around one set of arms 160 .
base 141 comprises a generally rectangular plate 142 mounted on a plurality of elongate, parallel joists 143 and a plurality of parallel cross-members 144 extending between adjacent joists 143 .
Plate 142 extends beyond the periphery of frame 150 and provides a relatively large surface area for engaging the sea floor 103 . Consequently, base 141 functions as a “mud mat” that distributes the weight of manifold assembly 140 along the sea floor 103 , thereby restricting and/or preventing manifold assembly 140 from sinking into the sea floor 103 .
plate 142 includes a central rectangular opening 145 and a plurality of circular holes 146 disposed about opening 145 .
base 141 includes four parallel posts 147 extending upwardly and perpendicularly from plate 142 and generally positioned at the four corners of opening 145 .
Each post 147 has a first or upper end 147 a , a second or lower end 147 b , and a shoulder 148 positioned between ends 147 a, b .
Shoulder 148 extends about the entire perimeter of its corresponding post 147 .
Each post 147 also includes a male extension 149 extending from shoulder 148 to end 147 a .
Each extension 149 is configured to engage a mating receptacle in frame 150 .
Lower ends 147 b are fixed to cross members 144 .
frame 150 has a vertically oriented central or longitudinal axis 155 , a first or upper end 150 a distal base 141 , and a second or lower end 150 b releasably coupled to base 141 .
frame 150 has a rectangular prismatic shape, and thus, may generally be described as having vertical, parallel front and rear sides 151 a, b , respectively; vertical, parallel lateral sides 151 c, d , respectively; and horizontal, parallel top and bottom sides 151 e, f , respectively.
Each lateral side 151 a, b extends between sides 151 c, d and between sides 151 e, f ; sides 151 c, d extend between sides 151 a, b and sides 151 e, f ; and sides 151 e, f extend between sides 151 a, b and between sides 151 c, d .
Top and bottom sides 151 e, f are perpendicular to axis 155 , and sides 151 a, c, e are orthogonal.
frame 150 includes four vertical posts 152 , a first plurality of horizontal stringers or cross-members 153 extending between posts 152 at upper end 150 a , and a second plurality of horizontal cross-members 153 extending between posts 152 at lower end 150 b .
Each post 152 is coaxially aligned with one post 147 of base 141 and is positioned at the intersection of one side 151 a, b and one lateral side 151 c, d .
each post 152 has a first or upper end 152 a disposed at frame upper end 150 a , and a second or lower end 152 b disposed at frame lower end 150 b and releasably connected to one post 147 of base 141 .
each lower end 152 b comprises a receptacle 154 that slidingly receives one extension 149 , thereby coupling frame 150 to base 141 .
one cross-member 153 extends perpendicularly between each pair of adjacent posts 152 at upper end 150 a and lower end 150 b , and one cross-member 153 extends between diagonally opposed posts 152 at upper end 150 a an lower end 150 b.
a plurality of handles 156 are coupled to posts 152 and cross-members 153 . Handles 156 facilitate the grasping and manipulation of frame 150 at the surface and subsea.
each handle 156 is a generally U-shaped handle.
Frame 150 also includes an umbilical connection plate 157 coupled to cross-members 152 at upper end 150 a .
Connection plate 157 includes a central, circular opening 158 that allows the inner lines and cables of a subsea umbilical to extend through plate 157 and into frame 150 . As best shown in FIG.
frame 150 also includes a plurality of cylindrical arm mounts 159 —four mounts 159 extend perpendicularly from front side 151 a and four mounts 159 extend perpendicularly from rear side 151 b .
One mount 159 is positioned at upper end 150 a and lower end 150 b of each corner of frame 150 .
each arm 160 is releasably coupled to each mount 159 .
arms 160 are cylindrical tubulars, each arm 160 having a first end 160 a attached to one mount 159 and a free end 160 b distal frame 150 .
first end 160 a of each arm 160 defines a receptacle 161 that slidingly receives one mating mount 159 .
each arm 160 includes a distal portion 162 extending from end 160 b and oriented perpendicular to lateral sides 151 c, d .
a first set of four arms 160 have parallel distal portions 162 extending perpendicularly away from side 151 c
a second set of four arms 160 have parallel distal portions 162 extending perpendicularly away from side 151 d.
Each arm 160 comprises a finger 163 rotatably coupled to free end 160 b of each arm 160 . More specifically, each finger 163 is pivotally coupled to one end 160 b and configured to rotate about an axis 164 oriented perpendicular to distal portion 162 of the corresponding arm 160 , perpendicular to a plane containing front side 151 a , and parallel to plate 142 . Each finger 163 coupled to each arm 160 connected to frame 150 at upper end 150 a extends vertically upward from its corresponding end 160 b , and each finger 163 coupled to each arm 160 connected to frame 150 at lower end 150 b extends vertically downward from its corresponding end 160 b .
each finger 163 has a first position generally perpendicular to distal portion 162 of the corresponding arm 160 and plate 142 , and a second position extending axially from distal portion 162 of the corresponding arm 160 and parallel to plate 142 . Fingers 163 are biased to the first position, but may be transitioned to the second position by application of a force generally parallel to distal portion 162 of the corresponding arm 160 and perpendicular to a plane containing lateral side 151 c.
arms 160 generally provide a means for storing flying leads 190 during deployment of manifold assembly 140 and when manifold assembly 140 is not in use.
one or more flying leads 190 may be looped or wrapped around the distal portions 162 of the four arms 160 extending from side 151 c
one or more flying leads 190 may be looped or wrapped around the distal portions 162 of the other four arms 160 extending from side 151 d .
Dispersant manifold 170 is coupled to and supported by a dispersant control panel 171 positioned on front side 151 a and extending between adjacent posts 152 .
dispersant manifold 170 controls and routes the flow of dispersant pumped from vessel 120 through coiled tubing 124 to manifold assembly 140 .
dispersant manifold 170 includes a first dispersant inlet 172 , a pair of second dispersant inlets 173 , and a pair of dispersant outlets 174 .
inlet 172 and each outlet 174 comprises an API 17H Hi Flow “hot stab” receptacle or connector 175 configured to releasably engage a mating hot stab connector coupled to the end of coiled tubing
each inlet 173 comprises a JIC connector 176 configured to releasably engage a mating connector at the end of a dispersant flow line carried within an umbilical.
inlet 172 may also be described as a “coiled tubing” or “hot stab” inlet
each outlet 174 may also be described as a “coiled tubing” or “hot stab” outlet
each inlet 173 may also be described as an “umbilical” inlet.
dispersant manifold 170 enables the delivery of dispersant via coiled tubing (e.g., coiled tubing 124 ) or umbilical, thereby enhancing the versatility of manifold assembly 140 .
coiled tubing e.g., coiled tubing 124
umbilical umbilical
the subsea, lower end of coiled tubing 124 is releasably connected to coiled tubing inlet 172 .
each inlet 172 , 173 is coupled to each outlet 174 via flow lines 177 .
fluid communication between each inlet 172 , 173 and each outlet 174 is controlled by a plurality of valves 178 .
Each valve 178 has an open position allowing fluid flow through that valve 178 and a closed position restricting and/or preventing fluid flow through that valve 178 .
each inlet 172 , 173 includes a valve 178 that controls the flow of fluid (e.g., dispersant) through that particular inlet 172 , 173
each outlet 174 includes a valve 178 that controls the flow of fluid through that particular outlet 174 .
Valves 178 are positioned along flow lines 177 between inlets 172 , 173 and outlets 174 .
fluid communication between any one inlet 172 , 173 and any one outlet 174 requires the valve 178 of that particular inlet 172 , 173 to be opened and the valve 178 of the particular outlet 174 to be opened.
valve 178 of inlet 172 is opened and valve 178 of one outlet 174 is open, fluid communication between inlet 172 and that particular outlet 174 is permitted.
a valve of any inlet 172 , 173 is closed or a valve 178 of an outlet 174 is closed, fluid communication between that particular inlet 172 , 173 and that particular outlet 174 is restricted and/or prevented.
fluid communication between any inlet 172 , 173 and any outlet 174 requires at least two valves 178 be opened.
each valve 178 is a quarter-turn ball valve that is manually actuated by one or more subsea ROVs 290 .
each valve 178 may comprise any suitable valve capable of being transitioned between an open position allowing fluid flow therethrough and a closed position preventing fluid flow therethrough. Examples of suitable valves include, without limitation, gate valves, ball valves, and butterfly valves.
valves 178 are manual valves operated by subsea ROVs 290 in this embodiment, in other embodiments, valves 178 may be actuated by other suitable means including, without limitation, hydraulically actuation, electrical actuation, pneumatic actuation, or combinations thereof.
valves 178 of outlets 174 are preferably closed until it is time to inject the dispersant into the subsea hydrocarbon stream.
Inlet 172 and each outlet 174 also includes a pressure gauge 179 that measures the pressure of fluid within that particular inlet 172 and outlet 174 , respectively.
coiled tubing inlet 172 As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8 , coiled tubing inlet 172 , coiled tubing outlets 174 , and gauges 179 are generally located on the front or outward facing side of panel 171 , whereas umbilical inlets 173 are located on the rear or inward facing side of panel 171 .
umbilical connection plate 157 the lower end of the outer sheath of a subsea umbilical is attached to umbilical connection plate 157 , and the dispersant supply lines within the umbilical pass through hole 158 to the interior of frame 150 where they are routed and connected to inlets 173 on the backside of panel 171 .
each valve 178 may accessed and transitioned between the open and closed positions by a rotatable member or handle 178 a positioned on the front side of panel 171 .
hydraulic fluid manifold 180 is coupled to and supported by a hydraulic fluid control panel 181 positioned on rear side 151 b and extending between adjacent posts 152 .
hydraulic fluid manifold 180 controls and routes the flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid through manifold assembly 140 .
pressurized fluid may be supplied to manifold assembly 140 and delivered to other subsea components such as hydraulic accumulators, etc.
hydraulic fluid manifold 180 includes a pair of hydraulic fluid inlets 182 and a pair of hydraulic fluid outlets 183 ; a flow line 185 extends from each inlet 182 to one of the outlets 183 .
each inlet 182 comprises a JIC connector 176 configured to releasably engage a mating coupling at the end of a dispersant flow line carried within an umbilical
each outlet 183 comprises a port disposed within an API 17H dual port “hot stab” receptacle or connector 184 configured to releasably engage a mating connector coupled to the end of a hydraulic fluid flow line.
each inlet 182 may also be described as an “umbilical” inlet
each outlet 183 may also be described as a “hot stab” outlet.
each inlet 182 is coupled to one outlet 183 via a single dedicated flow line 185 .
fluid communication between each inlet 182 and each outlet 183 is controlled by a valve 186 disposed in each flow line 185 .
Valves 186 are similar to valves 178 previously described. Namely, each valve 186 has an open position allowing fluid flow through that valve 186 and a closed position restricting and/or preventing fluid flow through that valve 186 .
each flow line 185 includes one valve 186 that controls the flow of fluid (e.g., hydraulic fluid) through that flow line 185 and corresponding inlet 182 and outlet 183 .
each valve 186 is a quarter-turn ball valve that is manually actuated by one or more subsea ROVs 290 .
each valve 186 may comprise any suitable valve capable of being transitioned between an open position allowing fluid flow therethrough and a closed position preventing fluid flow therethrough. Examples of suitable valves include, without limitation, gate valves, ball valves, and butterfly valves.
valves 186 are manual valves operated by subsea ROVs 290 in this embodiment, in other embodiments, valves 186 may be actuated by other suitable means including, without limitation, hydraulically actuation, electrical actuation, pneumatic actuation, or combinations thereof.
Each flow line 185 also includes a pressure gauge 179 as previously described that measures the pressure of fluid within that particular flow line 185 .
outlets 183 and gauges 179 are generally located on the front or outward facing side of panel 181
umbilical inlets 182 are located on the rear or inward facing side of panel 181 .
the lower end of the outer sheath of a subsea umbilical is attached to umbilical connection plate 157 , and the hydraulic fluid supply lines within the umbilical pass through hole 158 to the interior of frame 150 where they are routed and connected to inlets 182 on the backside of panel 181 .
each valve 186 may be accessed and transitioned between the open and closed positions by a rotatable member or handle 186 a positioned on the front side of panel 181 .
each outlet 174 of dispersant manifold 170 supplies dispersant to one dispersant application device 200 via one flying lead 190 .
dispersant manifold 170 includes two outlets 174 as previously described, and thus, manifold 170 can be used to simultaneously supply dispersant to two dispersant application devices 200 .
Inlet end 190 a of each flying lead 190 comprises a coupling 191 sized and configured to releasably connect to one coiled tubing connector 175 , thereby placing that flying lead 190 in fluid communication with the corresponding outlet 174 .
each flying lead 190 comprises a coupling 192 sized and configured to releasably connect to one dispersant application device 200 .
each device 200 may comprise any device that allows dispersant to be injected into the hydrocarbon stream at discharge site 110 . Exemplary embodiments of dispersant application devices (e.g., devices 200 ) are described in more detail below. In general, devices 200 are operated, manipulated, and maneuvered by subsea ROVs 290 .
dispersant application device 200 for injecting dispersants into a subsea stream of hydrocarbons is shown.
Device 200 is connected to outlet end 190 b of one dispersant flow line 190 previously described and shown in FIG. 1 to inject dispersant into subsea hydrocarbon discharge site 110 .
dispersant application device 200 comprises a base 201 and an elongate dispersant application wand 210 extending from base 201 .
Wand 210 is a tubular having a central or longitudinal axis 215 , a first or base end 210 a coupled to base 201 , and a second or free end 210 b opposite end 210 a and distal base 201 .
wand 210 and axis 215 extend linearly from base 201 .
Distal end 210 b of wand 210 comprises an orifice defining a nozzle 211 for injecting dispersant into the hydrocarbon stream at discharge site 110 .
dispersant from distribution system 130 flows through flow line 190 to base 201 , and is then supplied through wand 210 to nozzle 211 .
Device 200 also includes a dispersant inlet 202 and an inlet valve 203 , each mounted to base 201 .
Inlet 202 in fluid communication with one flow line 190 previously described.
inlet 202 is releasably connected to outlet end 190 b of one flow line 190 with a coupling 192 as previously described.
Inlet valve 203 controls the flow of dispersant through inlet 202 and wand 210 . Specifically, when inlet valve 203 is opened, inlet 202 and flow line 190 are in fluid communication with wand 210 . However, when valve 203 is closed, fluid communication between inlet 202 and wand 210 is restricted and/or prevented.
inlet valve 203 is a quarter-turn ball valve that is manually actuated by one or more subsea ROVs 290 .
valve 203 may comprise any suitable valve capable of being transitioned between an open position allowing fluid flow therethrough and a closed position preventing fluid flow therethrough. Examples of suitable valves include, without limitation, gate valves, ball valves, and butterfly valves.
valve 203 is a manual valve operated by subsea ROVs 290 in this embodiment, in other embodiments, valve 203 may be actuated by other suitable means including, without limitation, hydraulic actuation, electrical actuation, pneumatic actuation, or combinations thereof.
valve 203 is preferably closed until it is time to inject the dispersant into the subsea hydrocarbon stream.
dispersant flows through flying lead 190 into inlet 202 , and then through valve 203 to wand 210 .
the flow lines connecting inlet 202 and valve 203 , and wand 210 and valve 203 are not shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B .
a pair of handles 204 extend from base 201 and enable one or more ROVs 290 to grasp, manipulate, and position device 200 .
discharge site 110 is a subsea BOP stack 300 including a subsea blowout preventer (BOP) 320 mounted to a wellhead 330 at the sea floor 103 , and a lower marine riser package (LMRP) 340 including a riser flex joint 345 .
Casing 341 extends from wellhead 330 into subterranean wellbore 301 .
a riser extends from LMRP 340 to a platform or vessel at the sea surface 102 , however, in this embodiment, the riser has been removed to provide direct access to BOP stack 300 .
BOP 320 and LMRP 340 are configured to selectively seal wellbore 301 and contain hydrocarbon fluids therein with a plurality of sets of opposed rams 321 in BOP 320 (e.g., opposed blind shear rams or blades, opposed pipe rams, etc.) and/or an annular blowout preventer 341 in LMRP 340 (i.e., an annular elastomeric sealing element that is mechanically squeezed radially inward).
a “kick” or surge of formation fluid pressure in wellbore 301 one or more sets of rams 321 and/or annular BOP 341 are normally actuated to seal in wellbore 301 .
FIG. 10 stack 300 is shown after a subsea blowout.
hydrocarbon fluids flowing upward in wellbore 301 pass through BOP 320 and LMRP 340 , and are discharged into the surrounding sea water proximal the sea floor 103 , thereby resulting in hydrocarbon stream 111 and plume 112 .
device 200 is connected to outlet end 190 b of one flow line 190 with ROV 290 , and then positioned and oriented with ROV 290 such that free end 210 b is disposed in hydrocarbon stream 111 at discharge site 110 .
dispersant is pumped from tanks 121 to application device 200 .
valve 203 opened, the dispersant flows through inlet 202 and wand 210 to end 210 b where it is injected into stream 111 through nozzle 211 .
wand 210 has a linear central axis 215 , and distal end 210 b includes a single nozzle 211 .
the wand e.g., wand 210
the distal end or portion e.g., end 210 b
FIGS. 11A-11E a variety of exemplary wands that may be used in connection with application device 200 in place of wand 210 previously described are shown.
FIG. 11A-11E a variety of exemplary wands that may be used in connection with application device 200 in place of wand 210 previously described are shown. In FIG.
a wand 310 having a linear central axis 315 and a free end 312 having a fan geometry including a plurality of dispersant injection nozzles 313 is shown.
a wand 320 having a linear central axis 325 and a free end 322 having a trident geometry including three dispersant injection nozzles 323 is shown.
a hook-shaped wand 330 having an arcuate central axis 335 , a free end 332 , and a distal portion 333 including a plurality of axially and circumferentially spaced dispersant injection nozzles 334 is shown.
FIG. 11A a wand 310 having a linear central axis 315 and a free end 312 having a fan geometry including a plurality of dispersant injection nozzles 313 is shown.
a wand 320 having a linear central axis 325 and a free end 322 having a trident geometry including three dis
a wand 340 having a linear central axis 345 and a C-shaped distal portion 342 including a plurality of dispersant injection nozzles 343 is shown.
a wand 350 having a linear central axis 355 and a Y-shaped distal portion 352 including a plurality of dispersant injection nozzles 353 is shown.
dispersant application devices e.g., device 200
wands 310 , 320 , 330 , 340 , 350 may be deployed in the same manner device 200 previously described and shown in FIG. 10 .
Other examples of dispersant injection devices are described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/479,888 filed Apr. 28, 2011, and entitled “Subsea Dispersant Injection Systems and Methods,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
the dispersant nozzles may be positioned and oriented to generate a vortex to enhance mixing of the dispersant and the discharged hydrocarbons.
the nozzles may also be configured to enhance the contact surface area between the discharged dispersant and the hydrocarbons.
the nozzles may be configured to discharge relatively small droplets of dispersant.
manifold assembly 140 has been broken down to facilitate transport to the offshore location.
manifold assembly 140 has been broken down into base 141 , frame 150 , arms 160 , and panels 171 , 181 , which comprise manifolds 170 , 180 , respectively.
a plurality of flying leads 190 , application devices 200 , and tools 502 are preferably inventoried with the components of manifold assembly 140 to provide a complete response package that contains all the necessary hardware for implementing system 130 .
tools 502 may include any tool suitable for deploying and installing system 130 as well as clearing debris in preparation for installation of system 130 including, without limitation, subsea ROV operated saws (e.g., chop saws), torque tools, grinders, grapple tools, cleaning tools, riser/pipe shears (e.g., shears available from Prime Marine Services Inc. of Broussard, La.), stud removal tools, impact wrenches, acoustic modems and pressure transducers, diamond wires, etc.
subsea ROV operated saws e.g., chop saws
torque tools e.g., grinders, grapple tools
cleaning tools e.g., riser/pipe shears (e.g., shears available from Prime Marine Services Inc. of Brouss
manifold assembly 140 e.g., base 141 , frame 150 , arms 160 , and panels 171 , 181 ) shown in FIG. 12 are sized and configured to be air-freightable on their own or in conjunction with other components.
each component of manifold assembly 140 has a weight and dimensions suitable for air transport.
Conventional cargo aircraft such as the Antonov AN124-100 and Boeing 747 have a maximum payload capacity of about 120 tons (2.4 ⁇ 10 3 lbs.), and cargo bays sized to accommodate cargo having a maximum width of up to about 21 ft. and a maximum height of up to about 14 ft.
manifold assembly 140 has a total weight of about 7 tons (7 ⁇ 10 3 lbs.), and all of the components of the exemplary response package have a total combined weight less than 120 tons.
a fully assembled manifold assembly 140 may not be sized to fit within a standard heavy lift cargo bay, the ability to break down manifold assembly 140 into base 141 , frame 150 , and arms 160 enables the air transportability of manifold assembly 140 .
base 141 , frame 150 , arms 160 , and panels 171 , 181 are each sized such that they can be oriented to have a width less than 21 ft. and a height less than 14 ft.
manifold assembly 140 may be broken down into the components shown in FIG. 12 , which may then be transported together by air in a single cargo aircraft.
Flying leads 190 , devices 200 , and tools 502 may be transported in the same cargo aircraft with the components of manifold assembly 140 or transported in a separate cargo aircraft.
all the components of the response package fit securely within four standard 20 ft. cargo containers or vans configured for transportation in a single cargo aircraft (e.g., Boeing 747 or Antonov AN124-100).
embodiments of dispersant manifold assemblies described herein are air-freightable, and thus, may be transported around the globe in a matter of hours or short number of days (e.g., 1-2 days maximum).
embodiments described herein offer the potential to more efficiently and timely contain a subsea blowout, thereby potentially reducing the total volume of subsea hydrocarbon emissions.
the centrally stored or warehoused components shown in FIG. 12 are transported via air, land, sea or combinations thereof to the offshore site.
One or more tools 502 may be employed to prepare the subsea discharge site 110 , the sea floor 103 , and/or the anticipated landing site of manifold assembly 140 for the installation of system 130 .
ROVs 290 may utilize one or more tools 502 to cut and clear debris surrounding discharge site 110 so that hydrocarbon stream 111 can be accessed with dispersant application devices 200 .
manifold assembly 140 may have been broken down, and thus, manifold assembly 140 is preferably assembled at the sea surface 102 and lowered subsea with wireline or pipestring. During subsea deployment, fluid leads 190 are preferably wrapped about arms 160 as shown in FIG. 5 .
ROVs 290 are employed to facilitate the connection of dispersant flow line 124 to manifold inlet 172 (or to connect one or two umbilical dispersant line(s) to inlet(s) 173 ), the connection of inlet end 190 a of each flying lead 190 to one outlet 174 , the connection of outlet end 190 b of each flying lead 190 to one dispersant application device 200 , and the connection of any hydraulic fluid flow lines to manifold 180 .
dispersants are pumped from vessel 120 to distribution system 130 , and the appropriate valves 178 are manipulated (e.g., opened or closed) to direct the dispersants to application devices 200 .
Subsea ROVs 290 maneuver and manipulate devices 200 to inject chemical dispersants directly into stream 111 at discharge site 110 .
injecting dispersant at the point of subsea hydrocarbon release offers the potential to minimize VOCs at the surface, enhance microbial digestion/breakdown of the hydrocarbons subsea, and enable continuous 24 hour application of dispersants over a range of weather conditions and sea states.
direct injection into “fresh” oil at the discharge site reduces and/or eliminates problems associated with dispersant application to weathered crude oil.

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Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
Geology (AREA)
Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
Earth Drilling (AREA)
Jet Pumps And Other Pumps (AREA)

US13/533,538 2011-06-28 2012-06-26 Air-freightable subsea well containent tooling package Abandoned US20130022401A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number	Priority Date	Filing Date	Title
US13/533,538 US20130022401A1 (en)	2011-06-28	2012-06-26	Air-freightable subsea well containent tooling package

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

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US201161502188P	2011-06-28	2011-06-28
US201161502200P	2011-06-28	2011-06-28
US13/533,538 US20130022401A1 (en)	2011-06-28	2012-06-26	Air-freightable subsea well containent tooling package

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US20130022401A1 true US20130022401A1 (en)	2013-01-24

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US (1)	US20130022401A1 (fr)
WO (2)	WO2013003367A2 (fr)

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US20130022400A1 (en) *	2011-04-28	2013-01-24	Wild Well Control, Inc.	Subsea dispersant injection systems and methods
WO2015053963A1 (fr) *	2013-10-07	2015-04-16	Transocean Innovation Labs, Ltd.	Circuits de canalisation destinées à acheminer un fluide hydraulique vers un bloc obturateur de puits sous-marin et procédés associés
US20170333948A1 (en) *	2014-10-23	2017-11-23	Industry-University Cooperation Foundation Hanyang University	Propulsion apparatus using sound radiation force and control method therefor
US20170350210A1 (en) *	2016-06-01	2017-12-07	Trendsetter Engineering, Inc.	Rapid mobilization air-freightable capping stack system
US10767432B1 (en) *	2016-12-07	2020-09-08	Tressie L. Hewitt	Drill alignment device
EP3986781A4 (fr) *	2019-08-19	2023-07-26	Kinetic Pressure Control, Ltd.	Actionneur robotique sous-marin à distance

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CN108278101A (zh) *	2017-06-09	2018-07-13	杭州云蜂工业设计有限公司	一种海底表层可燃冰专用铲车设备
WO2020197409A1 (fr) *	2019-03-25	2020-10-01	Subsea Smart Solutions As	Passage pour un trajet d'écoulement pour un fluide vers un dispositif sous-marin

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US8708600B2 (en) *	2010-09-20	2014-04-29	Wild Well Control, Inc.	Subsea injection of oil dispersant

2012
- 2012-06-26 WO PCT/US2012/044234 patent/WO2013003367A2/fr not_active Ceased
- 2012-06-26 WO PCT/US2012/044227 patent/WO2013003364A2/fr not_active Ceased
- 2012-06-26 US US13/533,538 patent/US20130022401A1/en not_active Abandoned

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US20130022400A1 (en) *	2011-04-28	2013-01-24	Wild Well Control, Inc.	Subsea dispersant injection systems and methods
US8784004B2 (en) *	2011-04-28	2014-07-22	Bp Corporation North America Inc.	Subsea dispersant injection systems and methods
WO2015053963A1 (fr) *	2013-10-07	2015-04-16	Transocean Innovation Labs, Ltd.	Circuits de canalisation destinées à acheminer un fluide hydraulique vers un bloc obturateur de puits sous-marin et procédés associés
US9664005B2 (en)	2013-10-07	2017-05-30	Transocean Innovation Labs Ltd	Manifolds for providing hydraulic fluid to a subsea blowout preventer and related methods
US10267116B2 (en)	2013-10-07	2019-04-23	Transocean Innovation Labs Ltd.	Manifolds for providing hydraulic fluid to a subsea blowout preventer and related methods
US11795776B2 (en) *	2013-10-07	2023-10-24	Transocean Innovation Labs Ltd	Manifolds for providing hydraulic fluid to a subsea blowout preventer and related methods
US20170333948A1 (en) *	2014-10-23	2017-11-23	Industry-University Cooperation Foundation Hanyang University	Propulsion apparatus using sound radiation force and control method therefor
US20170350210A1 (en) *	2016-06-01	2017-12-07	Trendsetter Engineering, Inc.	Rapid mobilization air-freightable capping stack system
US10392892B2 (en) *	2016-06-01	2019-08-27	Trendsetter Engineering, Inc.	Rapid mobilization air-freightable capping stack system
US10767432B1 (en) *	2016-12-07	2020-09-08	Tressie L. Hewitt	Drill alignment device
EP3986781A4 (fr) *	2019-08-19	2023-07-26	Kinetic Pressure Control, Ltd.	Actionneur robotique sous-marin à distance

Also Published As

Publication number	Publication date
WO2013003364A2 (fr)	2013-01-03
WO2013003367A3 (fr)	2013-04-18
WO2013003364A3 (fr)	2013-06-20
WO2013003367A2 (fr)	2013-01-03

Publication	Publication Date	Title
US20130022401A1 (en)	2013-01-24	Air-freightable subsea well containent tooling package
US8784004B2 (en)	2014-07-22	Subsea dispersant injection systems and methods
US9416797B2 (en)	2016-08-16	Capping stack and method for controlling a wellbore
US20180283151A1 (en)	2018-10-04	Fracturing manifold alignment systems
US9255446B2 (en)	2016-02-09	Pre-positioned capping device for source control with independent management system
CA2839284C (fr)	2018-06-12	Systeme deflecteur pour puits sous-marin
US10890297B2 (en)	2021-01-12	Assembly, system and method for directed high-pressure fluid delivery
US8708600B2 (en)	2014-04-29	Subsea injection of oil dispersant
US20120085276A1 (en)	2012-04-12	Subsea autonomous dispersant injection system and methods
US10392892B2 (en)	2019-08-27	Rapid mobilization air-freightable capping stack system
WO2012149095A2 (fr)	2012-11-01	Appareil et procédés utilisés pour établir et/ou maintenir un débit régulé d'hydrocarbures pendant des opérations subaquatiques
US20240368973A1 (en)	2024-11-07	Continuous pumping operations using decoupled pump maintenance
US20130140035A1 (en)	2013-06-06	Systems And Methods For Collecting Hydrocarbons Vented From A Subsea Discharge Site
US12503934B2 (en)	2025-12-23	Continuous pumping operations using central pump area
US20150060081A1 (en)	2015-03-05	Capping stack for use with a subsea well
US20130161022A1 (en)	2013-06-27	Systems and methods for mechanical hydrocarbon dispersion
EP3294981B1 (fr)	2020-05-06	Procédé et système de régulation de débit de gaz
CA3114025A1 (fr)	2022-10-01	Ensemble, systeme et methode d'alimentation dirigee en fluide haute pression

Legal Events

Date	Code	Title	Description
2015-09-04	STCB	Information on status: application discontinuation	Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION