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WO2016036563A1 - Distribution de système sous-marin à un fond marin - Google Patents

Distribution de système sous-marin à un fond marin Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2016036563A1
WO2016036563A1 PCT/US2015/046987 US2015046987W WO2016036563A1 WO 2016036563 A1 WO2016036563 A1 WO 2016036563A1 US 2015046987 W US2015046987 W US 2015046987W WO 2016036563 A1 WO2016036563 A1 WO 2016036563A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
tether
frame structure
seabed
operations
floating vessel
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.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2015/046987
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Ross Foster
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.)
ConocoPhillips Co
Original Assignee
ConocoPhillips Co
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.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by ConocoPhillips Co filed Critical ConocoPhillips Co
Publication of WO2016036563A1 publication Critical patent/WO2016036563A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • E21B41/00—Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00
    • E21B41/0007—Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00 for underwater installations
    • 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
    • E21B17/00—Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
    • E21B17/02—Couplings; joints
    • E21B17/021—Devices for subsurface connecting or disconnecting by rotation
    • 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
    • E21B19/00—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
    • E21B19/002—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables specially adapted for underwater drilling
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
    • E02B17/02—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor placed by lowering the supporting construction to the bottom, e.g. with subsequent fixing thereto
    • E02B17/021—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor placed by lowering the supporting construction to the bottom, e.g. with subsequent fixing thereto with relative movement between supporting construction and platform

Definitions

  • Embodiments of the invention relate generally to operations involving subsea equipment and subsea handling of the equipment, which may be associated with hydrocarbon wells or pipelines.
  • a remote operated vehicle may work to carry out some tasks but has inherent limits for size and complexity of the functions to be performed.
  • Currents may limit towing and positioning of buoyant structures employed in some prior approaches.
  • Operators rely on conventional rigs, such as floating platforms or jack-up rigs with decks above water, for such operations as interventions.
  • a blowout situation may require maintaining a safe distance away from the blowout limiting ability to position the rig above where desired. Presence of ice on the sea may also inhibit locating the rig as needed. Avoiding damage to surrounding pipelines and managing currents and possible turbulent flows of escaping hydrocarbons further complicates potential options for servicing the well or pipeline.
  • a method of deploying a subsea system for seabed operations includes setting an anchor coupled to a tether thereby fixed to the seabed and coupling the tether to a frame structure carrying equipment to perform the operations. Deploying the frame structure with the equipment from a floating vessel connected to the tether while anchored enables moving the frame structure under water along the tether toward where anchored and the location for the seabed operations. The method further includes landing the frame structure on the seabed at the location of the operations.
  • a subsea system for seabed operations includes a frame structure carrying equipment to perform the operations.
  • a tether anchors to the seabed and couples to the frame structure for under water movement of the frame structure along the tether.
  • a floating vessel connects to the tether for deployment of the frame structure with the equipment along the tether toward where anchored and the location for the seabed operations.
  • Figure 1 is a top view of a subsea structure disposed on a seabed in position for work on a well, according to embodiments of the invention.
  • Figure 2 is a side view of the subsea structure coupled to a tether, according to embodiments of the invention.
  • Figure 3 is a view of a floating vessel and an anchor handler used to pull the tether from the floating vessel, according to embodiments of the invention.
  • Figure 4 is a schematic depicting a path of the anchor handler around an exclusion zone to position the tether intersecting the exclusion zone, according to embodiments of the invention.
  • Figure 5 is a view of the floating vessel with the tether anchored for deployment of the subsea structure, according to embodiments of the invention.
  • Figure 6 is an enlarged view of an anchor next to the well and having a sheave through which the tether passes, according to embodiments of the invention.
  • Figure 7 is a side view of the subsea structure during deployment along the tether toward the well, according to embodiments of the invention.
  • Figure 8 is a view of a conduit deployment process utilizing the tether in carrying the conduit toward the well, according to embodiments of the invention.
  • Embodiments of the invention relate to methods and systems for seabed operations, such as well intervention or capping, involving subsea equipment and subsea handling of the equipment, which may be associated with hydrocarbon wells or pipelines.
  • a subsea system submerges during deployment and is landed on the seabed.
  • the system may include a suspension assembly coupled to a frame structure for carrying equipment used in the operations.
  • the deployment of the system may include deploying the frame structure with the equipment from a floating vessel connected to an anchored tether and moving the frame structure under water along the tether toward where anchored and the location for the seabed operations.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a subsea structure 100 disposed on a seabed in position for work on a well 102, which is shown as an example only and may represent any subsea apparatus including pipelines requiring work.
  • the structure 100 includes a frame 104 made of a steel structural open network with three jack-up legs 106, buoyancy members 108 and a suspension assembly 110. Given an exemplary C, U or V shape of the frame 104, an open side of the frame 104 enables the structure 100 to be moved sideways as described further herein and be disposed around and receive wellhead components of the well 102 extending from the seabed.
  • the suspension assembly 110 includes a first rail 112 parallel to a second rail 114 and a cross bar 116 spanning, and perpendicular to, the first and second rails 112, 114.
  • a hoist 118 couples equipment 120 to the cross bar 116 for carrying the equipment 120 subsea with the structure 100.
  • Operations with the well 102 rely on the equipment 120, such as a capping and/or containment stack to kill and/or divert flow from a blowout of the well 102.
  • the equipment 120 may include a rotary drive, a pump or wellbore tools, such as logging, perforating, plugging or stimulation tools.
  • the suspension assembly 110 enables movement of the equipment 120 relative to the frame 104, which remains stable and supported on the seabed once in position for the work on the well 102.
  • control of this movement comes from an operator sending commands from above to subsea via a direct umbilical line 122 to the structure 100 or a remote operated vehicle (ROV) having a communication line back to surface.
  • the ROV may interface with the structure 100 for the operation of the structure 100 and may be carried subsea by latching to the structure 100, for example, to limit problems with long distance travel of the ROV.
  • An actuation mechanism such as a piston and cylinder or rack and pinion assembly, may move the cross bar 116 along the first and second rails 112, 114 to facilitate movement of the equipment 120 in a first horizontal direction.
  • Another actuation mechanism may move the hoist 118 along the cross bar 116 for moving the equipment 120 in a second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction.
  • a further actuation mechanism of the hoist 1 18 may rotate the equipment 120 and/or provide angular motion from the hoist 118 relative to the frame 104.
  • a conveyance coupling 124 shown gripping a tether 126 at two locations attaches the frame 104 to the tether 126 for deployment as described herein.
  • a polyethylene cable or DYNEEMA® rope provides the tether 126 to limit weight relative to steel cables, which could also present problems due to potential for steel cables cutting pipelines on the seabed.
  • a secondary tether used in combination with the tether 126 may function like the tether 126 but attaches to an opposite side of the frame 104 from the coupling 124 in situations where sea current or tide conditions challenge deployment using the tether 126 alone.
  • Figure 2 shows the subsea structure 100 coupled to the tether 126.
  • An additional actuation mechanism 214 enables raising and lowering the rails 112, 114 in a vertical direction relative to the frame 104 and thereby adjusts height of the equipment 120 above the seabed once the legs 106 are set in a lowered position.
  • the legs 106 remain retracted upward as depicted during deployment to avoid the system 100 dragging the seabed or hitting pipelines crossed as being deployed.
  • the conveyance coupling 124 grips the tether 126 pulled in order to move the structure 100.
  • Alternative arrangements may move the structure 100 with a tractor of the conveyance coupling 124 to advance along the tether 126 without movement of the tether 126.
  • the conveyance coupling 124 attaching the frame 104 to the tether 126 may also include a guide through which a returning portion 226 of a loop formed by the tether 126 slides and passes without being gripped.
  • control of the buoyancy members 108 sets submerged weight of the structure 100 on the seabed.
  • submerged means the structure 100 is completely covered by water.
  • the legs 106 extend downward relative to the frame 104 jacking up the frame 104 over the seabed and supporting the submerged weight.
  • Figure 3 illustrates a floating vessel 300 and an anchor handler 302 used to pull the tether 126 from the floating vessel 300 in an initial stage for deployment of the structure 100.
  • An anchor 304 couples to the tether 126 and hooks, as may be assisted by an ROV, to the anchor handler 302.
  • the anchor handler 302 takes the anchor 304 to where desired for being dropped and set.
  • Figure 4 shows a path of the anchor handler 302 around an exclusion zone 400.
  • the exclusion zone 400 may represent an area considered unsafe for personnel or equipment due to a well blowout beneath the exclusion zone 400.
  • the exclusion zone 400 could also result from ice on the sea preventing access by the floating vessel 300, provided the anchor 304 may be preset or the anchor handler 302, e.g., a subsea vessel, may still be able to tow the anchor 304 to where desired.
  • the anchor handler 302 and the tether 126 move through the path over time and are thus depicted at five distinct times for schematic representation as the anchor handler 302 moves further away from the floating vessel 300.
  • the tether 126 intersects the exclusion zone 400 without need to have the anchor handler 302 travel through the exclusion zone 400.
  • the floating vessel 300 at all times remains disposed at least 1000 meters in a horizontal direction away from above a location for the well 102 or the seabed operations during the deploying of the structure 100 and the operation at the well 102 using the structure 100.
  • Figure 5 illustrates a subsequent step in the deployment of the structure 100 with the tether 126 anchored to the seabed 502. Due to the final position of the anchor handler 302, the anchor 304 sets proximate the well 102. In some embodiments, the tether 126 through use of a clump weight 504, for example, fixes to the seabed 502 at another location away from the anchor 304 and in a direction toward the floating vessel 300.
  • the floating vessel 300 includes a winch 506 to provide aforementioned pull of the tether 126 used to advance the structure 100.
  • the operator for the structure 100 and/or the ROV may reside on the floating vessel 300.
  • Controlling the buoyancy members 108 for submergence of the structure 100 may occur by trimming gas tanks forming the buoyancy members 108. Variable lift provided by the buoyancy members 108 adjusts for weight of the equipment 120 needed to be carried. The winch 506 then takes in the return portion 226 of the tether 126 to cause an advancing portion of the tether 126 let out from another spool on the vessel 300 to advance toward the well 102. While the structure 100 is traveling underwater in a horizontal direction toward the well 102, the buoyancy members 108 may provide neutral buoyancy for the structure 100 or otherwise provide lift selected to maintain the structure 100 submerged and above the seabed without over countering the anchor 304 and weight 504.
  • Figure 6 shows a sheave 600 through which the tether 126 passes proximate the well 102 and is an enlarged detailed view around the well 102 in Figure 5.
  • a linker 602 such as a chain, connects the anchor 304 to the sheave 600 held off the seabed by a float 604.
  • the sheave 600 forms the point where the tether 126 loops back toward the vessel 300 as the return portion 226 and may be disposed between the anchor 304 and the well 102 opposite the well 102 from the vessel 300.
  • Figure 7 illustrates the subsea structure 100 during deployment along the tether 126 toward the well 102.
  • Final intake of the structure 100 toward the well 102 may employ use of the ROV and a winch between the well 102 and the structure 100.
  • the operations on the seabed then commence with the structure 100 as desired.
  • Some embodiments may also utilize the structure 100 to assist with making a conduit connection given the following description regarding conduit deployment.
  • the structure 100 remains secured to the seabed 502 to enable leaving and abandoning the structure 100 without risks from drifting.
  • recovery of the structure 100 may take place by reversing the deployment procedure and direction of pull to the tether 126. Compressed air to the buoyancy members 108 may lift the structure 100 for the recovery.
  • the structure 100 may release from the tether 126 and be picked up from straight above with conventional techniques since risk preventing deployment access is gone due to the operations performed.
  • Figure 8 shows a conduit deployment process from a service vessel 800 utilizing the tether 126 to carry a conduit 802 toward the well 102.
  • Buoyancy modules 804 counter weight of the conduit 802.
  • the conduit 802 may connect to the containment stack added to the well 102 to recover escaping hydrocarbons and provide a flow pathway to a vessel capable of handling/processing/storing hydrocarbons.
  • a ROV 806 clamps the conduit 802 to the tether 126.
  • the floating vessel 300 then pulls the tether 126 to advance the tether 126 toward the well 102, as described with respect to the structure 100.
  • the conduit 802 upon being taken along the tether 126 to the well 102 may be connected to the well 102 using the ROV 806.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Earth Drilling (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne des procédés et des systèmes qui se rapportent à des opérations de fond marin, telles que des opérations d'intervention ou de fermeture d'un puits mettant en œuvre un équipement sous-marin et une manipulation sous-marine de l'équipement, qui peuvent être associées à des puits ou des conduites de transport d'hydrocarbures. Un système sous-marin est immergé pendant le déploiement et est posé sur le fond marin. Le système peut comprendre un ensemble de suspension couplé à un portique permettant de supporter l'appareil utilisé au cours des opérations. Le déploiement du système peut consister à déployer le portique ayant l'équipement à partir d'un navire flottant relié à une amarre ancrée et à déplacer le portique sous l'eau le long de l'amarre vers l'emplacement où elle est ancrée et le site pour réaliser des opérations de fond marin.
PCT/US2015/046987 2014-09-03 2015-08-26 Distribution de système sous-marin à un fond marin Ceased WO2016036563A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201462045110P 2014-09-03 2014-09-03
US62/045,110 2014-09-03
US14/836,178 US20160060993A1 (en) 2014-09-03 2015-08-26 Subsea system delivery to seabed
US14/836,178 2015-08-26

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2016036563A1 true WO2016036563A1 (fr) 2016-03-10

Family

ID=55401918

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2015/046987 Ceased WO2016036563A1 (fr) 2014-09-03 2015-08-26 Distribution de système sous-marin à un fond marin

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US20160060993A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2016036563A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN105967089A (zh) * 2016-06-13 2016-09-28 广东精铟海洋工程股份有限公司 一种用于海上平台的双作用连续升降系统及其升降方法
US11078661B2 (en) 2019-10-04 2021-08-03 Timothy William Canby Rolling block restraint connector having an improved linkage assembly

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2553320B (en) * 2016-09-01 2019-02-06 Statoil Petroleum As Marine installation
US10781670B1 (en) * 2019-10-10 2020-09-22 Trendsetter Engineering, Inc. Process for non-vertical installation and removal of a subsea structure

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6113312A (en) * 1997-06-05 2000-09-05 Alcatel Local remote operated vehicle for installing elongate element on seabed
US7516795B2 (en) * 2004-08-17 2009-04-14 Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras Subsea petroleum production system method of installation and use of the same
US7543799B2 (en) * 2002-01-24 2009-06-09 Acergy Uk Limited Method and apparatus for deploying articles in deep waters
US20120263540A1 (en) * 2011-04-15 2012-10-18 Arne Berg Subsea cable installation unit
US8695711B2 (en) * 2010-06-04 2014-04-15 J. Ray Mcdermott, S.A. Subsea well containment and intervention apparatus

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013020077A1 (fr) * 2011-08-04 2013-02-07 Halo Maritime Defense Systems Téléphérique marin

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6113312A (en) * 1997-06-05 2000-09-05 Alcatel Local remote operated vehicle for installing elongate element on seabed
US7543799B2 (en) * 2002-01-24 2009-06-09 Acergy Uk Limited Method and apparatus for deploying articles in deep waters
US7516795B2 (en) * 2004-08-17 2009-04-14 Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras Subsea petroleum production system method of installation and use of the same
US8695711B2 (en) * 2010-06-04 2014-04-15 J. Ray Mcdermott, S.A. Subsea well containment and intervention apparatus
US20120263540A1 (en) * 2011-04-15 2012-10-18 Arne Berg Subsea cable installation unit

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN105967089A (zh) * 2016-06-13 2016-09-28 广东精铟海洋工程股份有限公司 一种用于海上平台的双作用连续升降系统及其升降方法
CN105967089B (zh) * 2016-06-13 2017-05-10 广东精铟海洋工程股份有限公司 一种用于海上平台的双作用连续升降系统及其升降方法
US11078661B2 (en) 2019-10-04 2021-08-03 Timothy William Canby Rolling block restraint connector having an improved linkage assembly

Also Published As

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