EP3434861A1 - Portable subsea well service system - Google Patents
Portable subsea well service system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3434861A1 EP3434861A1 EP18185881.2A EP18185881A EP3434861A1 EP 3434861 A1 EP3434861 A1 EP 3434861A1 EP 18185881 A EP18185881 A EP 18185881A EP 3434861 A1 EP3434861 A1 EP 3434861A1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- station
- subsea
- underwater vehicle
- recited
- docking
- Prior art date
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63G—OFFENSIVE OR DEFENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS ON VESSELS; MINE-LAYING; MINE-SWEEPING; SUBMARINES; AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
- B63G8/00—Underwater vessels, e.g. submarines; Equipment specially adapted therefor
- B63G8/001—Underwater vessels adapted for special purposes, e.g. unmanned underwater vessels; Equipment specially adapted therefor, e.g. docking stations
-
- 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
- E21B41/00—Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00
- E21B41/04—Manipulators for underwater operations, e.g. temporarily connected to well heads
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B27/00—Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers
- B63B27/16—Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers of lifts or hoists
- B63B2027/165—Deployment or recovery of underwater vehicles using lifts or hoists
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
- B63C11/00—Equipment for dwelling or working underwater; Means for searching for underwater objects
- B63C11/52—Tools specially adapted for working underwater, not otherwise provided for
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63G—OFFENSIVE OR DEFENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS ON VESSELS; MINE-LAYING; MINE-SWEEPING; SUBMARINES; AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
- B63G8/00—Underwater vessels, e.g. submarines; Equipment specially adapted therefor
- B63G8/001—Underwater vessels adapted for special purposes, e.g. unmanned underwater vessels; Equipment specially adapted therefor, e.g. docking stations
- B63G2008/002—Underwater vessels adapted for special purposes, e.g. unmanned underwater vessels; Equipment specially adapted therefor, e.g. docking stations unmanned
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63G—OFFENSIVE OR DEFENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS ON VESSELS; MINE-LAYING; MINE-SWEEPING; SUBMARINES; AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
- B63G8/00—Underwater vessels, e.g. submarines; Equipment specially adapted therefor
- B63G8/001—Underwater vessels adapted for special purposes, e.g. unmanned underwater vessels; Equipment specially adapted therefor, e.g. docking stations
- B63G2008/002—Underwater vessels adapted for special purposes, e.g. unmanned underwater vessels; Equipment specially adapted therefor, e.g. docking stations unmanned
- B63G2008/008—Docking stations for unmanned underwater vessels, or the like
Definitions
- Hydrocarbon fluids such as oil and natural gas are obtained from a subterranean geologic formation, referred to as a reservoir, by drilling a well that penetrates the hydrocarbon-bearing geologic formation.
- the well is drilled at a subsea location and completed with the appropriate type of completion equipment.
- the well and the completion equipment may be serviced via intervention operations.
- subsea intervention operations tend to be extremely costly.
- intervention operations often involve deployment of a rig, e.g. a semi-submersible rig using tension risers, and this deployment is time-consuming and costly.
- Some subsea intervention operations also may employ a surface vessel to supply equipment for use in the intervention.
- the surface vessel also may be used as a platform for the intervention by being precisely positioned over the subsea well during the well servicing operation.
- a system and methodology facilitate subsea well servicing, e.g. intervention operations.
- the system utilizes a station movably positioned on a sea floor.
- the station comprises a housing and a lifting arrangement mounted on the housing to enable lifting of the station. Consequently, the station may be lifted from one subsea location and moved to another subsea location for a subsequent well service operation.
- the station further comprises a docking station having connectors within the housing.
- the docking station may be coupled with a power lead operatively connected with a subsea installation for transfer of power to the station.
- the station also may comprise a transceiver for communicating data to a desired location, e.g. a surface location.
- the docking station enables docking with an underwater vehicle used to facilitate the subsea intervention operation or other well servicing operation.
- the present disclosure generally relates to a system and methodology which facilitate subsea well intervention operations.
- the system utilizes a transportable station which may be movably positioned on a sea floor.
- the transportable station is readily coupled with a surface vessel or other transport vehicle so that it may be lifted from a subsea location and moved to another subsea location.
- the transportable station may be positioned on the seabed proximate a well to facilitate a well intervention operation.
- the transportable station may be lifted and moved to another seabed location to facilitate an intervention operation for another well.
- the transportable station comprises a housing and a lifting arrangement mounted on the housing to enable lifting of the station.
- the lifting arrangement may be coupled with a lift line or other suitable mechanism so the transportable station may be lifted from one subsea location and moved to another subsea location for a subsequent intervention operation or other well servicing operation. Depending on the location of the subsequent well, the station may be lifted to the surface and transported via sea, air, and/or land to the subsequent subsea location.
- the transportable station may further comprise a docking station having connectors within the housing.
- the docking station may be coupled with a power lead which, in turn, may be operatively connected with a subsea installation for transfer of power to the station. In some applications, the power lead also may be used to communicate data.
- the transportable station may comprise a transceiver for communicating data to a desired location, e.g. a surface location.
- the docking station further enables docking with an underwater vehicle used to perform the subsea intervention operation.
- the underwater vehicle may comprise a variety of controllable underwater vehicles having a rechargeable battery or other power supply to power thrusters or other motive devices for moving the underwater vehicle between the station and the desired subsea installation, e.g. wellhead assembly.
- the underwater vehicle is able to move into the transportable station and dock with the docking station to receive power and/or data.
- the underwater vehicle may remain docked in the transportable station while the station is moved from one subsea location to another.
- the system may be used with subsea wells which extend beneath the sea floor.
- the subsea station may be located on the sea floor.
- An underwater vehicle is housed in the station and is adapted to service at least one subsea well.
- the station and underwater vehicle are transportable and may be moved from one subsea well to another subsea well not serviceable from the original position of the station.
- the station and underwater vehicle are used to service wells in a first grouping of subsea wells and then the station and underwater vehicle are transported together to a second location for servicing wells in a second grouping of subsea wells.
- the underwater vehicle comprises a battery which may be recharged when the underwater vehicle docks with a docking station within the underwater station. While docked, the battery may be recharged for further operation of the underwater vehicle in performing well service operations and/or other subsea operations.
- the battery of the underwater vehicle may be charged, for example, by power supplied via the power lead and/or batteries located on the transportable station.
- Various data also may be communicated between the surface and the station/underwater vehicle while, for example, the underwater vehicle is docked with the station. In some applications, data also may be communicated when the underwater vehicle is undocked.
- the underwater vehicle may comprise various other components, such as sensors used to locate wells, the station, and/or other underwater installations.
- the underwater vehicle may be used in a well intervention operation.
- the underwater vehicle gathers appropriate tools from the station.
- the underwater vehicle is then directed to a desired wellhead corresponding with the well to be serviced.
- the underwater vehicle performs a desired intervention operation before returning to and again docking with the underwater station.
- the subsea well system 20 may be used in a variety of subsea applications, e.g. subsea well applications, and comprises a station 22 which is movably positioned on a sea floor 24 or at another subsea location, e.g. on a subsea installation.
- the station 22 is transportable from one subsea location to another, e.g. from one sea floor position to another sea floor position, for performance of subsequent subsea operations.
- the subsea station 22 comprises a housing 26 and a lifting arrangement 28 mounted on the housing 26 to enable lifting and transport of the station 22 between subsea locations.
- the underwater station 22 further comprises a docking station 30 located at least partially within the housing 26 and having interfaces 31 to enable docking and undocking with an underwater vehicle 32.
- the docking station 30 also may be coupled with a power lead 34 which may be selectively coupled with various types of subsea infrastructure 36, e.g. a subsea installation.
- the transportable station 22 also may comprise a power source 37, e.g. batteries, for use by the station 22 to recharge the underwater vehicle 32 and/or for other uses.
- At least one of the subsea installations 36 may comprise a wellhead assembly 38 (and associated equipment, e.g. blowout preventer and other subsea equipment) positioned generally over a well 40 having a wellbore 41 extending into the subsea geologic formation.
- the subsea installations 36 may be positioned at desired locations along the sea floor 24 and may each comprise a subsea installation docking station 42 for engagement with underwater vehicle 32.
- the underwater vehicle 32 may be used for carrying tools, operating equipment, and performing various subsea operations, e.g. intervention operations, with respect to a given well 40.
- the underwater vehicle 32 may be used for coupling and uncoupling the power lead 34 with the appropriate subsea installation 36.
- command signals and/or other data may be communicated from the surface to station 22 or from station 22 to the surface.
- the station 22 may comprise a transceiver 44 used, for example, to communicate data between the subsea station 22 and a host 46.
- the transceiver 44 may comprise an acoustic or optical transmitter and receiver for sending and/or receiving data wirelessly with respect to the host 46.
- the host 46 may comprise various types of hosts and may comprise one or more of a platform 48, a surface vessel (e.g. a floating production storage and offloading vessel) 50, a wave glider 52, an unmanned surface vehicle 54, e.g. a buoy 55 or other unmanned surface vehicle, or another suitable host located at a sea surface 56 or at a suitable submerged location.
- Each host 46 comprises a suitable host transceiver 57 for communicating with station transceiver 44.
- communication data e.g. commands
- the power lead 34 also may incorporate other types of communication lines, e.g. fiber optic communication lines, so that power and data, e.g. underwater vehicle command signals, may be relayed from the subsea installation 36 to the station 22.
- Other communication systems also may be used for communication of data or to supplement communication of data.
- the underwater vehicle 32 may be constructed in various sizes, configurations, and with several types of components.
- the underwater vehicle 32 may comprise a battery 58, e.g. a rechargeable battery pack, a sensor 60 (or several sensors 60), and a vehicle docking assembly 62.
- the vehicle docking assembly 62 is configured for docking and undocking with respect to docking station 30 of subsea station 22.
- the sensor or sensors 60 may be used to guide the underwater vehicle 32 to the desired well 40, e.g. to the desired wellhead assembly 38, or to other subsea infrastructure 36 under the power of battery 58.
- the sensor(s) 60 may comprise a laser sensor or other type of light sensor which tracks light from a given light source on the desired subsea infrastructure, e.g. the subsea wellhead assembly 38, so that control signals may be provided to suitable thrusters 64 or other motive units.
- the battery 58 may be used to power thrusters 64 or other types of motive units which may be selectively oriented or which may work in cooperation with controllable guide vanes to direct the underwater vehicle 32 along a desired path.
- an internal controller may be used to control thrusters 64, e.g. side thrusters and end thrusters, to guide the underwater vehicle 32 to a desired location.
- suitable underwater vehicles 32 may be based on remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) or other controllable underwater vehicles such as the underwater vehicle described in US Patent 6,808,021 .
- ROVs remotely operated vehicles
- the underwater vehicle 32 may comprise a variety of tool grasping devices, tool storage devices, torque arms, grappling devices, robotic arms, and/or other features selected to enable a desired intervention operation or other subsea operation.
- the underwater vehicle 32 is illustrated as having undocked from station 22 and moved via thrusters 64 to a well 40.
- the underwater vehicle 32 may be guided via at least one of the sensors 60 into docking engagement with the desired subsea installation 36.
- the underwater vehicle 32 may be operated in cooperation with the subsea installation 36 in a variety of other ways to facilitate a given well servicing operation, e.g. intervention operation.
- At least one of the sensors 60 may be in the form of a light sensor used to track a light source on the desired subsea installation 36.
- the light sensor 60 provides sensor data to a suitable vehicle controller, e.g. microprocessor, to enable control over thrusters 64.
- Thrusters 64 may be controlled so as to direct the underwater vehicle 32 into engagement with installation docking assembly 42 or to another suitable position for interaction with well 40 or other subsea infrastructure 36.
- the underwater vehicle may be used to provide a desired tool or other equipment for use in an intervention operation with respect to the well 40.
- the underwater station 22 may be moved to another underwater location for servicing of other wells.
- a lift line 66 or other suitable mechanism may be coupled with lifting arrangement 28 of station 22.
- the station 22 is then lifted from a subsea location, e.g. from a location on sea floor 24, and moved to another desired location, e.g. another location along see floor 24.
- the station 22 also may be transported from and/or to subsea locations on subsea infrastructure 36, e.g. on subsea installations.
- lift line 66 also is connected with a surface vessel 68 via, for example, a winch 70 or other suitable lifting device.
- the lifting device/winch 70 may be operated to lift the station 22 from its position on sea floor 24. This enables the surface vessel 68 to move the station 22 to a subsequent subsea location. Depending on the distance station 22 is to be moved, the station 22 potentially can be moved through water or lifted to the surface vessel 68 for transport. In some operations, the station 22 may be placed on another vessel for transport by sea or by air to another subsea well site. Here, the station 22 may be deployed to the subsequent subsea location for servicing additional wells 40.
- the station 22 may be transported alone or with the underwater vehicle 32 disposed within housing 26 of station 22, as illustrated.
- the underwater vehicle 32 may be powered via thrusters 64 through an opening 72 in housing 26 and guided into docking engagement with docking station 30 for transport.
- the underwater vehicle 32 may first be used to disconnect power lead 34 from the corresponding subsea installation 36.
- other methods of disconnecting power lead 34 also may be employed to enable transport of station 22.
- the station 22 may have a variety of other and/or additional components and features to accommodate parameters of a given operation and/or environment.
- the subsea station 22 comprises housing 26 with generally rectangular sides and having opening 72 located at one end.
- the housing 26 may be constructed with various other shapes, e.g. semi-cylindrical shapes, to accommodate different types of underwater vehicles 32.
- lifting arrangement 28 comprises a plurality of lugs 74 having attachment features 76, e.g. openings, to which the lift line 66 or other lifting mechanism may be attached.
- the plurality of lugs 74 may comprise four lugs 74 positioned in corners of the housing 26, as illustrated. However, different numbers and arrangements of lugs 74 may be used to enable lifting and transport of station 22. In some applications, the lugs 74 may be replaced or supplemented with various other features of lifting arrangement 28.
- the docking station 30 is positioned at least partially within housing 26.
- the docking station 30 may be located within housing 26 and the power lead 34 may be routed from the internal docking station 30, through a wall of housing 26, and to an exterior of housing 26 for coupling with a suitable subsea installation 36 or other subsea equipment.
- the docking station 30 may comprise a connector 78 or a plurality of connectors 78 to which the power lead 34 is coupled for supplying power and/or data communication.
- connectors 78 may comprise power connectors to which electrical conductors of power lead 34 are coupled so as to supply electrical power to docking station 30.
- the power may be used to recharge battery 58 and/or to provide electrical power for other uses with respect to the underwater vehicle 32 and station 22.
- at least one of the connectors 78 may be used for communication of data to or from the underwater vehicle 32 when, for example, transceiver 44 is not used or as a supplement to transceiver 44.
- the power lead 34 may comprise an electrical flying lead adapted to connect to the desired subsea infrastructure, such as the desired subsea installation 36.
- the power lead 34 may be used for coupling with subsea trees, subsea manifolds, electrical termination units, existing field control systems, or other subsea installations.
- the power lead 34 receives power from the existing subsea architecture, e.g. the subsea installation 36 to which it is attached.
- the power lead 34 also may be configured to receive communication data from the existing subsea system by incorporating fiber optics or other data transmission media.
- the underwater vehicle 32 or another suitable underwater device may be used to engage the power lead 34 with the subsea installation 36 and to disengage the power lead 34 when the station 22 is moved to another location.
- the docking station 30 also may comprise a guide structure 80 which works in cooperation with connectors 78 so as to facilitate easy docking and undocking of underwater vehicle 32.
- the connectors 78 and guide structure 80 serve as interfaces 31 to facilitate the docking and undocking.
- the underwater vehicle 32 may be guided through opening 72 and towards docking station 30 via one or more emitters 82, e.g. light sources, cooperating with a corresponding sensor or sensors 60 of the underwater vehicle 32.
- the underwater vehicle 32 is moved into station 22 via, for example, thrusters 64 until engaging guide structure 80.
- the guide structure 80 ensures proper coupling of the vehicle docking assembly 62 with connectors 78.
- the station 22 also may comprise an additional emitter or emitters 83, e.g. a light source, positioned along the exterior ofhousing 26 so as to initially guide underwater vehicle 32 to the general vicinity of station 22 for docking.
- the subsea station 22 may comprise various other features.
- the station 22 may comprise internal tool storage areas 84 located along a floor of housing 26.
- the station 22 may comprise storage bins 86, vertical racks 88, horizontal racks 90, and/or other features to accommodate storage of tools 92 and/or other devices.
- the tools 92 may be well intervention tools which may be selected and utilized by underwater vehicle 32 during a well intervention operation on a desired well 40.
- the underwater vehicle 32 may be sent suitable commands via transceiver 44 and/or power lead 34. Based on this command data, the underwater vehicle 32 gathers appropriate tools 92 from station 22 and then undocks from docking station 30. The underwater vehicle 32 then moves via thrusters 64 to the appropriate wellhead assembly 38 corresponding with the well 40 in which the intervention operation is to be performed. In some operations, the underwater vehicle 32 may dock with the corresponding installation docking assembly 42 to perform the intervention operation. Once the intervention operation is completed, the underwater vehicle 32 returns to station 22 and docks with docking station 30 to, for example, recharge battery 58.
- the lift line 66 may be coupled with lugs 74 via underwater vehicle 32 or via another suitable underwater device. Subsequently, the station 22 (or the station 22 with internal underwater vehicle 32) may be lifted and moved to a subsequent location for additional well servicing operations. Once at the subsequent location, the station 22 is positioned on the sea floor 24 (or at another suitable subsea location) to enable operation of underwater vehicle 32 with respect to a corresponding well or wells 40.
- station housing 26 may have various shapes to accommodate different types of underwater vehicles 32.
- the station 22 may use a variety of lifting assemblies, docking stations, guiding lights or other emitters, transceivers, and tool storage features.
- the station 22 also may incorporate additional devices or features to accommodate aspects of different types of well servicing operations.
- the base of housing 26 may be constructed for resting on various types of sea floor materials and/or engaging various types of subsea installations.
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Abstract
Description
- Hydrocarbon fluids such as oil and natural gas are obtained from a subterranean geologic formation, referred to as a reservoir, by drilling a well that penetrates the hydrocarbon-bearing geologic formation. In subsea applications, the well is drilled at a subsea location and completed with the appropriate type of completion equipment. The well and the completion equipment may be serviced via intervention operations. However, subsea intervention operations tend to be extremely costly. For example, intervention operations often involve deployment of a rig, e.g. a semi-submersible rig using tension risers, and this deployment is time-consuming and costly. Some subsea intervention operations also may employ a surface vessel to supply equipment for use in the intervention. In some applications, the surface vessel also may be used as a platform for the intervention by being precisely positioned over the subsea well during the well servicing operation.
- In general, a system and methodology facilitate subsea well servicing, e.g. intervention operations. The system utilizes a station movably positioned on a sea floor. The station comprises a housing and a lifting arrangement mounted on the housing to enable lifting of the station. Consequently, the station may be lifted from one subsea location and moved to another subsea location for a subsequent well service operation. The station further comprises a docking station having connectors within the housing. The docking station may be coupled with a power lead operatively connected with a subsea installation for transfer of power to the station. In some applications, the station also may comprise a transceiver for communicating data to a desired location, e.g. a surface location. The docking station enables docking with an underwater vehicle used to facilitate the subsea intervention operation or other well servicing operation.
- However, many modifications are possible without materially departing from the teachings of this disclosure. Accordingly, such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the claims.
- Certain embodiments of the disclosure will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements. It should be understood, however, that the accompanying figures illustrate the various implementations described herein and are not meant to limit the scope of various technologies described herein, and:
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Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of an example of a subsea well system utilizing a transportable station able to communicate with a variety of hosts located at the surface or at other suitable locations, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; -
Figure 2 is a schematic illustration similar to that ofFigure 1 but showing an example of an underwater vehicle in a different operational position relative to the station, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; -
Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of an example of a transportable subsea station being moved from one subsea location to another, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and -
Figure 4 is an illustration of an example of a transportable station which may be used with a dockable underwater vehicle, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. - In the following description, numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the system and/or methodology may be practiced without these details and that numerous variations or modifications from the described embodiments may be possible.
- The present disclosure generally relates to a system and methodology which facilitate subsea well intervention operations. The system utilizes a transportable station which may be movably positioned on a sea floor. The transportable station is readily coupled with a surface vessel or other transport vehicle so that it may be lifted from a subsea location and moved to another subsea location. For example, the transportable station may be positioned on the seabed proximate a well to facilitate a well intervention operation. Upon completion of the well intervention operation, the transportable station may be lifted and moved to another seabed location to facilitate an intervention operation for another well.
- According to an embodiment, the transportable station comprises a housing and a lifting arrangement mounted on the housing to enable lifting of the station. The lifting arrangement may be coupled with a lift line or other suitable mechanism so the transportable station may be lifted from one subsea location and moved to another subsea location for a subsequent intervention operation or other well servicing operation. Depending on the location of the subsequent well, the station may be lifted to the surface and transported via sea, air, and/or land to the subsequent subsea location. The transportable station may further comprise a docking station having connectors within the housing. The docking station may be coupled with a power lead which, in turn, may be operatively connected with a subsea installation for transfer of power to the station. In some applications, the power lead also may be used to communicate data. However, the transportable station may comprise a transceiver for communicating data to a desired location, e.g. a surface location.
- The docking station further enables docking with an underwater vehicle used to perform the subsea intervention operation. The underwater vehicle may comprise a variety of controllable underwater vehicles having a rechargeable battery or other power supply to power thrusters or other motive devices for moving the underwater vehicle between the station and the desired subsea installation, e.g. wellhead assembly. The underwater vehicle is able to move into the transportable station and dock with the docking station to receive power and/or data. In some applications, the underwater vehicle may remain docked in the transportable station while the station is moved from one subsea location to another.
- The system may be used with subsea wells which extend beneath the sea floor. In such an embodiment, the subsea station may be located on the sea floor. An underwater vehicle is housed in the station and is adapted to service at least one subsea well. The station and underwater vehicle are transportable and may be moved from one subsea well to another subsea well not serviceable from the original position of the station. In some applications, the station and underwater vehicle are used to service wells in a first grouping of subsea wells and then the station and underwater vehicle are transported together to a second location for servicing wells in a second grouping of subsea wells.
- In a specific example, the underwater vehicle comprises a battery which may be recharged when the underwater vehicle docks with a docking station within the underwater station. While docked, the battery may be recharged for further operation of the underwater vehicle in performing well service operations and/or other subsea operations. The battery of the underwater vehicle may be charged, for example, by power supplied via the power lead and/or batteries located on the transportable station. Various data also may be communicated between the surface and the station/underwater vehicle while, for example, the underwater vehicle is docked with the station. In some applications, data also may be communicated when the underwater vehicle is undocked. As described in greater detail below, the underwater vehicle may comprise various other components, such as sensors used to locate wells, the station, and/or other underwater installations.
- In an operational example, the underwater vehicle may be used in a well intervention operation. According to commands provided from the surface, the underwater vehicle gathers appropriate tools from the station. The underwater vehicle is then directed to a desired wellhead corresponding with the well to be serviced. While at the desired well, the underwater vehicle performs a desired intervention operation before returning to and again docking with the underwater station.
- Referring generally to
Figure 1 , an example of asubsea well system 20 is illustrated. Thesubsea well system 20 may be used in a variety of subsea applications, e.g. subsea well applications, and comprises astation 22 which is movably positioned on asea floor 24 or at another subsea location, e.g. on a subsea installation. In other words, thestation 22 is transportable from one subsea location to another, e.g. from one sea floor position to another sea floor position, for performance of subsequent subsea operations. - In the illustrated example, the
subsea station 22 comprises ahousing 26 and alifting arrangement 28 mounted on thehousing 26 to enable lifting and transport of thestation 22 between subsea locations. Theunderwater station 22 further comprises adocking station 30 located at least partially within thehousing 26 and havinginterfaces 31 to enable docking and undocking with anunderwater vehicle 32. Thedocking station 30 also may be coupled with apower lead 34 which may be selectively coupled with various types ofsubsea infrastructure 36, e.g. a subsea installation. In some embodiments, thetransportable station 22 also may comprise apower source 37, e.g. batteries, for use by thestation 22 to recharge theunderwater vehicle 32 and/or for other uses. - By way of example, at least one of the
subsea installations 36 may comprise a wellhead assembly 38 (and associated equipment, e.g. blowout preventer and other subsea equipment) positioned generally over a well 40 having awellbore 41 extending into the subsea geologic formation. Thesubsea installations 36 may be positioned at desired locations along thesea floor 24 and may each comprise a subseainstallation docking station 42 for engagement withunderwater vehicle 32. Depending on the application, theunderwater vehicle 32 may be used for carrying tools, operating equipment, and performing various subsea operations, e.g. intervention operations, with respect to a given well 40. In some applications, theunderwater vehicle 32 may be used for coupling and uncoupling thepower lead 34 with the appropriatesubsea installation 36. - During various operations, command signals and/or other data may be communicated from the surface to station 22 or from
station 22 to the surface. Accordingly, thestation 22 may comprise atransceiver 44 used, for example, to communicate data between thesubsea station 22 and ahost 46. By way of example, thetransceiver 44 may comprise an acoustic or optical transmitter and receiver for sending and/or receiving data wirelessly with respect to thehost 46. - The
host 46 may comprise various types of hosts and may comprise one or more of aplatform 48, a surface vessel (e.g. a floating production storage and offloading vessel) 50, awave glider 52, anunmanned surface vehicle 54, e.g. abuoy 55 or other unmanned surface vehicle, or another suitable host located at asea surface 56 or at a suitable submerged location. Eachhost 46 comprises asuitable host transceiver 57 for communicating withstation transceiver 44. It should be noted that communication data, e.g. commands, may be communicated viatransceiver 44 and/or overpower lead 34. For example, low bandwidth data communication may be provided along with power through thepower lead 34. Thepower lead 34 also may incorporate other types of communication lines, e.g. fiber optic communication lines, so that power and data, e.g. underwater vehicle command signals, may be relayed from thesubsea installation 36 to thestation 22. Other communication systems also may be used for communication of data or to supplement communication of data. - The
underwater vehicle 32 may be constructed in various sizes, configurations, and with several types of components. By way of example, theunderwater vehicle 32 may comprise abattery 58, e.g. a rechargeable battery pack, a sensor 60 (or several sensors 60), and avehicle docking assembly 62. Thevehicle docking assembly 62 is configured for docking and undocking with respect todocking station 30 ofsubsea station 22. - The sensor or
sensors 60 may be used to guide theunderwater vehicle 32 to the desired well 40, e.g. to the desiredwellhead assembly 38, or to othersubsea infrastructure 36 under the power ofbattery 58. By way of example, the sensor(s) 60 may comprise a laser sensor or other type of light sensor which tracks light from a given light source on the desired subsea infrastructure, e.g. thesubsea wellhead assembly 38, so that control signals may be provided tosuitable thrusters 64 or other motive units. In this type of example, thebattery 58 may be used topower thrusters 64 or other types of motive units which may be selectively oriented or which may work in cooperation with controllable guide vanes to direct theunderwater vehicle 32 along a desired path. - Based on data from the sensor/
sensors 60, an internal controller may be used to controlthrusters 64, e.g. side thrusters and end thrusters, to guide theunderwater vehicle 32 to a desired location. Examples of suitableunderwater vehicles 32 may be based on remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) or other controllable underwater vehicles such as the underwater vehicle described inUS Patent 6,808,021 . Additionally, theunderwater vehicle 32 may comprise a variety of tool grasping devices, tool storage devices, torque arms, grappling devices, robotic arms, and/or other features selected to enable a desired intervention operation or other subsea operation. - With additional reference to
Figure 2 , theunderwater vehicle 32 is illustrated as having undocked fromstation 22 and moved viathrusters 64 to awell 40. By way of example, theunderwater vehicle 32 may be guided via at least one of thesensors 60 into docking engagement with the desiredsubsea installation 36. However, theunderwater vehicle 32 may be operated in cooperation with thesubsea installation 36 in a variety of other ways to facilitate a given well servicing operation, e.g. intervention operation. - In some embodiments, at least one of the
sensors 60 may be in the form of a light sensor used to track a light source on the desiredsubsea installation 36. Thelight sensor 60 provides sensor data to a suitable vehicle controller, e.g. microprocessor, to enable control overthrusters 64.Thrusters 64 may be controlled so as to direct theunderwater vehicle 32 into engagement withinstallation docking assembly 42 or to another suitable position for interaction with well 40 or othersubsea infrastructure 36. In some operations, the underwater vehicle may be used to provide a desired tool or other equipment for use in an intervention operation with respect to thewell 40. - When a given operation is completed with respect to well 40 or a group of
wells 40, theunderwater station 22 may be moved to another underwater location for servicing of other wells. By way of example, alift line 66 or other suitable mechanism may be coupled with liftingarrangement 28 ofstation 22. Thestation 22 is then lifted from a subsea location, e.g. from a location onsea floor 24, and moved to another desired location, e.g. another location along seefloor 24. It should be noted thestation 22 also may be transported from and/or to subsea locations onsubsea infrastructure 36, e.g. on subsea installations. - In the embodiment illustrated,
lift line 66 also is connected with asurface vessel 68 via, for example, awinch 70 or other suitable lifting device. The lifting device/winch 70 may be operated to lift thestation 22 from its position onsea floor 24. This enables thesurface vessel 68 to move thestation 22 to a subsequent subsea location. Depending on thedistance station 22 is to be moved, thestation 22 potentially can be moved through water or lifted to thesurface vessel 68 for transport. In some operations, thestation 22 may be placed on another vessel for transport by sea or by air to another subsea well site. Here, thestation 22 may be deployed to the subsequent subsea location for servicingadditional wells 40. - The
station 22 may be transported alone or with theunderwater vehicle 32 disposed withinhousing 26 ofstation 22, as illustrated. For example, theunderwater vehicle 32 may be powered viathrusters 64 through anopening 72 inhousing 26 and guided into docking engagement withdocking station 30 for transport. In some operations, theunderwater vehicle 32 may first be used to disconnectpower lead 34 from the correspondingsubsea installation 36. However, other methods ofdisconnecting power lead 34 also may be employed to enable transport ofstation 22. - Referring generally to
Figure 4 , an embodiment ofstation 22 is illustrated in greater detail. It should be noted thestation 22 may have a variety of other and/or additional components and features to accommodate parameters of a given operation and/or environment. In the illustrated example, thesubsea station 22 compriseshousing 26 with generally rectangular sides and havingopening 72 located at one end. However, thehousing 26 may be constructed with various other shapes, e.g. semi-cylindrical shapes, to accommodate different types ofunderwater vehicles 32. - In the example illustrated, lifting
arrangement 28 comprises a plurality oflugs 74 having attachment features 76, e.g. openings, to which thelift line 66 or other lifting mechanism may be attached. The plurality oflugs 74 may comprise fourlugs 74 positioned in corners of thehousing 26, as illustrated. However, different numbers and arrangements oflugs 74 may be used to enable lifting and transport ofstation 22. In some applications, thelugs 74 may be replaced or supplemented with various other features of liftingarrangement 28. - As illustrated, the
docking station 30 is positioned at least partially withinhousing 26. By way of example, thedocking station 30 may be located withinhousing 26 and thepower lead 34 may be routed from theinternal docking station 30, through a wall ofhousing 26, and to an exterior ofhousing 26 for coupling with a suitablesubsea installation 36 or other subsea equipment. Thedocking station 30 may comprise aconnector 78 or a plurality ofconnectors 78 to which thepower lead 34 is coupled for supplying power and/or data communication. - By way of example,
connectors 78 may comprise power connectors to which electrical conductors ofpower lead 34 are coupled so as to supply electrical power todocking station 30. The power may be used to rechargebattery 58 and/or to provide electrical power for other uses with respect to theunderwater vehicle 32 andstation 22. In some embodiments, at least one of theconnectors 78 may be used for communication of data to or from theunderwater vehicle 32 when, for example,transceiver 44 is not used or as a supplement totransceiver 44. - Depending on the type of application, the
power lead 34 may comprise an electrical flying lead adapted to connect to the desired subsea infrastructure, such as the desiredsubsea installation 36. Thepower lead 34 may be used for coupling with subsea trees, subsea manifolds, electrical termination units, existing field control systems, or other subsea installations. Thepower lead 34 receives power from the existing subsea architecture, e.g. thesubsea installation 36 to which it is attached. In some embodiments, thepower lead 34 also may be configured to receive communication data from the existing subsea system by incorporating fiber optics or other data transmission media. Theunderwater vehicle 32 or another suitable underwater device may be used to engage thepower lead 34 with thesubsea installation 36 and to disengage thepower lead 34 when thestation 22 is moved to another location. - The
docking station 30 also may comprise aguide structure 80 which works in cooperation withconnectors 78 so as to facilitate easy docking and undocking ofunderwater vehicle 32. In this example, theconnectors 78 and guidestructure 80 serve asinterfaces 31 to facilitate the docking and undocking. By way of example, theunderwater vehicle 32 may be guided throughopening 72 and towardsdocking station 30 via one ormore emitters 82, e.g. light sources, cooperating with a corresponding sensor orsensors 60 of theunderwater vehicle 32. Theunderwater vehicle 32 is moved intostation 22 via, for example,thrusters 64 until engagingguide structure 80. Theguide structure 80 ensures proper coupling of thevehicle docking assembly 62 withconnectors 78. It should be noted thestation 22 also may comprise an additional emitter oremitters 83, e.g. a light source, positioned along theexterior ofhousing 26 so as to initially guideunderwater vehicle 32 to the general vicinity ofstation 22 for docking. - Depending on the parameters of a given operation, e.g. well intervention operation, the
subsea station 22 may comprise various other features. For example, thestation 22 may comprise internaltool storage areas 84 located along a floor ofhousing 26. Additionally, thestation 22 may comprisestorage bins 86,vertical racks 88,horizontal racks 90, and/or other features to accommodate storage oftools 92 and/or other devices. By way of example, thetools 92 may be well intervention tools which may be selected and utilized byunderwater vehicle 32 during a well intervention operation on a desired well 40. - In a well intervention operation, for example, the
underwater vehicle 32 may be sent suitable commands viatransceiver 44 and/orpower lead 34. Based on this command data, theunderwater vehicle 32 gathersappropriate tools 92 fromstation 22 and then undocks fromdocking station 30. Theunderwater vehicle 32 then moves viathrusters 64 to theappropriate wellhead assembly 38 corresponding with the well 40 in which the intervention operation is to be performed. In some operations, theunderwater vehicle 32 may dock with the correspondinginstallation docking assembly 42 to perform the intervention operation. Once the intervention operation is completed, theunderwater vehicle 32 returns to station 22 and docks withdocking station 30 to, for example, rechargebattery 58. - If the overall intervention operations are finished, the
lift line 66 may be coupled withlugs 74 viaunderwater vehicle 32 or via another suitable underwater device. Subsequently, the station 22 (or thestation 22 with internal underwater vehicle 32) may be lifted and moved to a subsequent location for additional well servicing operations. Once at the subsequent location, thestation 22 is positioned on the sea floor 24 (or at another suitable subsea location) to enable operation ofunderwater vehicle 32 with respect to a corresponding well orwells 40. - Depending on the specifics of a given use, the shape, size, and features of
station 22 may be adjusted. For example,station housing 26 may have various shapes to accommodate different types ofunderwater vehicles 32. Similarly, thestation 22 may use a variety of lifting assemblies, docking stations, guiding lights or other emitters, transceivers, and tool storage features. Thestation 22 also may incorporate additional devices or features to accommodate aspects of different types of well servicing operations. The base ofhousing 26 may be constructed for resting on various types of sea floor materials and/or engaging various types of subsea installations. - Although a few embodiments of the disclosure have been described in detail above, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible without materially departing from the teachings of this disclosure. Accordingly, such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the claims.
Claims (15)
- A system for use in a subsea operation, comprising:a station movably positioned at a subsea location, the station comprising:a housing;a lifting arrangement coupled to the housing to enable repeated coupling of the lifting arrangement with a lift line as the station is sequentially transported from one subsea location to another for a plurality of well servicing operations; anda docking station having interfaces for an underwater vehicle receivable within the housing.
- The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising the underwater vehicle dockable with the docking station within the housing.
- The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the station further comprises a power lead coupled to the docking station and a transceiver for communicating data wirelessly.
- The system as recited in claim 3, further comprising a host, the transceiver communicating data between the station and the host.
- The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the station further comprises batteries for supplying electrical power.
- The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the underwater vehicle comprises a sensor to detect subsurface equipment.
- The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the underwater vehicle comprises a sensor to detect a subsea infrastructure.
- The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the underwater vehicle comprises a battery to power the underwater vehicle when it leaves the docking station.
- The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the transceiver comprises a transmitter for transmitting data wirelessly to a host located on the surface.
- A system as recited in claim 4, wherein the host comprises a surface vessel.
- A method, comprising:placing a transportable station on a sea floor;docking an underwater vehicle to a docking station within a housing of the transportable station;coupling a lift line to the transportable station;lifting the transportable station from the sea floor; andmoving the transportable station to another location on the sea floor.
- The method as recited in claim 11, further comprising powering the transportable station from a subsea installation.
- The method as recited in claim 11, further comprising undocking the underwater vehicle from the docking station and directing the underwater vehicle to a subsea infrastructure.
- The method as recited in claim 11, further comprising using a power lead coupled to the docking station and a transceiver for communicating data wirelessly.
- The method as recited in claim 11, further comprising providing the station with batteries for supplying electrical power.
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US15/661,068 US20190031307A1 (en) | 2017-07-27 | 2017-07-27 | Portable subsea well service system |
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EP3434861B1 EP3434861B1 (en) | 2023-11-22 |
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US12031417B2 (en) | 2018-05-31 | 2024-07-09 | DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH | Untethered drone string for downhole oil and gas wellbore operations |
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