U.S. patent application number 13/578272 was filed with the patent office on 2012-12-13 for rigless intervention.
Invention is credited to Robert Love Byers, Scott Winfield Davis, Jason Hunter Gage, John Joseph Kenney, William Michael Pritchett, Bruce Clinton Volkert.
Application Number | 20120315096 13/578272 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44368096 |
Filed Date | 2012-12-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120315096 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Byers; Robert Love ; et
al. |
December 13, 2012 |
RIGLESS INTERVENTION
Abstract
A method comprising providing a first vessel floating on a
surface of a body of water; connecting a first line from the first
vessel to a subsea structure; lifting the subsea structure within
the body of water; connecting a second line from a second vessel to
the subsea structure; disconnecting the first line from the subsea
structure; and lifting subsea structure to the second vessel with
the second line.
Inventors: |
Byers; Robert Love; (Kathy,
TX) ; Davis; Scott Winfield; (Houston, TX) ;
Gage; Jason Hunter; (Cypress, TX) ; Kenney; John
Joseph; (Houston, TX) ; Pritchett; William
Michael; (Houston, TX) ; Volkert; Bruce Clinton;
(Bellaire, TX) |
Family ID: |
44368096 |
Appl. No.: |
13/578272 |
Filed: |
February 9, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
February 9, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US11/24169 |
371 Date: |
August 10, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61294700 |
Feb 12, 2010 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
405/195.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63C 7/02 20130101; E21B
41/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
405/195.1 |
International
Class: |
E02B 17/08 20060101
E02B017/08 |
Claims
1. A method, comprising: providing a first vessel floating on a
surface of a body of water; connecting a first line from the first
vessel to a subsea structure; lifting the subsea structure within
the body of water; connecting a second line from a second vessel to
the subsea structure; disconnecting the first line from the subsea
structure; and lifting subsea structure to the second vessel with
the second line.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first line from the first
vessel to the subsea structure is connected to at least one subsea
buoy to isolate the first vessel's heave from the subsea
structure.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising supporting the subsea
structure with a platform on the second vessel, and further
comprising disconnecting the second line from the subsea
structure.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising lifting the subsea
structure onto a deck of the second vessel.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising transporting the
subsea structure to land.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first vessel comprises a work
boat with at least one of a winch and a crane.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second vessel comprises an
FPSO.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the subsea structure comprises an
electrical submersible pump.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising transporting the
subsea structure with the first vessel towards the second vessel a
distance from 5 kilometers to 100 kilometers.
10. A method, comprising: providing a first vessel floating on a
surface of a body of water; connecting a first line from the first
vessel to a subsea structure; lowering the subsea structure within
the body of water; connecting a second line from a second vessel to
the subsea structure; disconnecting the first line from the subsea
structure; moving the second vessel, the second line, and the
subsea structure to a desired installation location; and installing
the subsea structure at the desired location within the body of
water.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention is directed to systems and methods for
installing and/or retrieving subsea components without the use of a
drilling rig.
[0003] 2. Background Art
[0004] Currently, sub-sea equipment (e.g., submersible pumps,
manifolds, and trees) may be deployed and/or retrieved using a
semi-submersible drilling rig. Typically, the drilling rigs are
configured to hoist the sub-sea equipment from the ocean floor to
the surface through the use of cables and lines. Once the sub-sea
equipment has reached the surface, it may be lifted through an
opening in the center of the rig (e.g., moon pool) and onto the
deck of the drilling rig. As such, the piece of sub-sea equipment
being retrieved or deployed may be susceptible to being damaged
during transportation. Further, drilling rigs are extremely
expensive to operate, costing around $600,000-$800,000/day to lease
and operate. Furthermore, drilling rigs are transported at a slow
rate when compared to other floating vessels (e.g., ships, tug
boats), which may increase the amount of time it takes to retrieve
and/or deploy sub-sea equipment. Accordingly, there exists a need
for an efficient and cost effective system to retrieve and/or
deploy sub-sea equipment.
[0005] U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2003/0221602
discloses an alternative for deploying and installing subsea
equipment using a workboat or other vessel of opportunity. The
equipment is not supported directly by the vessel, but is instead
supported by one or more buoys below the wave zone. The buoys are
controlled by a combination of chain, wire rope, and synthetic line
linking it to the workboat. As such, the buoy system described
therein decouples vessel motion from the payload by supporting the
payload from the buoys below the wave zone. Because the buoys are
below the wave action and its associated turbulence, there is
little energy and hence little tendency for motion. The result is a
stable, inexpensive, maneuverable system capable of servicing large
subsea payloads in a wide range of water depths. U.S. Patent
Application Publication Number 2003/0221602 is herein incorporated
by reference in its entirety.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 7,314,084 discloses a system comprising a
pumping module coupled to an intermediate flow inlet (IFI) wherein
said IFI is coupled to a base structure disposed on the flow line
that routes production from one or more oil wells, allowing for the
quick and easy installation or recovery of a subsea pumping module
by cable from an inexpensive vessel. The disclosure also provides
for the hydraulic isolation of the subsea pumping module by means
of on-off valves on the IFI whereby the pumping module can be
easily installed or removed without causing underwater oil spills.
Sealing of the connection is of the metal-metal type. It is also
possible to pass a pig through the system for clearing the flow
lines. U.S. Pat. No. 7,314,084 is herein incorporated by reference
in its entirety.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 7,150,325 discloses a subsea pumping assembly
located on a seafloor for pumping well fluid from subsea wells to
the level. The pumping assembly has a tubular outer housing that is
at least partially embedded in the seafloor. A tubular primary
housing located in the outer housing and has a lower end with a
receptacle. An annular space surrounds the primary housing within
the outer housing for delivering fluid to a receptacle at the lower
end of the primary housing. A capsule is lowered in and retrieved
from the primary housing. The capsule sealingly engages the
receptacle for receiving well fluid from the annular space. A
submersible pump is located inside the capsule. The pump has an
intake that receives well fluid and a discharge that discharges the
well fluid exterior of this capsule. The capsule has a valve in its
inlet that when closed prevents leakage of well fluid from the
capsule. The capsule may be retrieved through open sea without a
riser. U.S. Pat. No. 7,150,325 is herein incorporated by reference
in its entirety.
[0008] U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2005/0220645
discloses a booster pumping system for producing hydrocarbons from
a subsea production well. The booster pumping system includes: (1)
a submersible pump hydraulically connected to the production well
to provide energy to the hydrocarbon flow and boost production to
another destination such as a subsea production facility or the
surface via a riser; (2) an inlet conduit to receive the flow from
the production well and isolate the flow from the dummy wellbore
and direct the flow to the intake of the pump; and (3) a motor
exposed to the dummy wellbore to drive the pump. The dummy wellbore
may be flooded or circulated with seawater to cool the motor. U.S.
Patent Application Publication Number 2005/0220645 is herein
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0009] U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2006/0118310
discloses a subsea production system for producing petroleum by
artificial elevation, assisted by submersible centrifugal pumps
(SCPs) upstream of the WCT and installed on the seabed, including a
pumping module having one of more SCPs, installed in series or in
parallel, with an inclination of up to 85 degrees in relation to
the vertical, the module being connectible to a flow base to permit
the "bypass" of production and wherein the pumping module and the
flow base may be linked to installation and recovery by cable. A
production line is connected upstream to the pumping module
upstream and another production line is connected downstream to the
pumping module. A method of installing the system in a new wellhead
is described, as well as a method for installing the system in an
existing wellhead. The uses of the subsea production system for
boosting multiphase flow, injection of water in an injector well
and the transfer of oil between two points of collection are also
described. U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2006/0118310
is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0010] U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2008/0314598
discloses a system for installation of a subsea module of great
length by means of a vessel, using a cable for its installation
and/or retrieval, and methods applied therein. The system allows
transporting the subsea module on the vessel to a location in the
sea and descending the subsea module into the sea at a vertical
position for installation on the seabed. U.S. Patent Application
Publication Number 2008/0314598 is herein incorporated by reference
in its entirety.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] One aspect of the invention provides a method comprising
providing a first vessel floating on a surface of a body of water;
connecting a first line from the first vessel to a subsea
structure; lifting the subsea structure within the body of water;
connecting a second line from a second vessel to the subsea
structure; disconnecting the first line from the subsea structure;
and lifting subsea structure to the second vessel with the second
line.
[0012] Another aspect of the invention provides a method comprising
providing a first vessel floating on a surface of a body of water;
connecting a first line from the first vessel to a subsea
structure; lowering the subsea structure within the body of water;
connecting a second line from a second vessel to the subsea
structure; disconnecting the first line from the subsea structure;
moving the second vessel, the second line, and the subsea structure
to a desired installation location; and installing the subsea
structure at the desired location within the body of water.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0013] FIGS. 1-8 show a retrieval and/or deployment system for an
electric submersible pump (ESP) caisson in accordance with
embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 9 shows an elevation view of a retrieved ESP caisson in
accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] In one aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a
method of retrieving and deploying subsea equipment, such as an
electric submersible pump (ESP) caisson. Specifically, embodiments
disclosed herein relate to a method of using a workboat and a side
deck of a floating production, storage, and offloading vessel
(FPSO) to retrieve, deploy, and/or service an ESP.
FIG. 1:
[0016] Referring initially to FIG. 1, a system for attaching a
piece of subsea equipment 100 to a workboat 102 according to
embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. In this embodiment,
a piece of subsea equipment 100 is located at and/or below the
mudline 101. When repairs, upgrades, replacement, or other
operations known in the art require an installation, retrieval, or
other intervention, a workboat 102 may be connected to the piece of
subsea equipment 100 via a line 104 and a connector 103. The
workboat 102 may include a lifting device 116 such as a crane,
winch, hoist or other lifting device known in the art. The line 104
is preferably a line having a high elastic limit and high strength
to weight ratio, such as a torque balanced wire rope, but it may
also include chains, cables, wires, ropes, or other retrieval or
deployment devices known in the art. The connector 103 may be a
threaded connector, an interference fit connector, a swivel, a
hook, or other connection device known in the art. In one
embodiment disclosed herein, the connector 103 may connect line 104
to a substantially rigid structure affixed to the body of the piece
of subsea equipment 100. Additionally, in another embodiment
disclosed herein, connector 103 may connect line 104 to a
line/cable or series of lines/cables connected to the piece of
subsea equipment 100. Those of ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate the wide variety of available lifting devices, lines,
and connectors that are available and may be used to attach the
piece of subsea equipment 100 to the workboat 102 without departing
from the scope of embodiments disclosed herein.
[0017] In one embodiment, piece of subsea equipment 100 may be
below the mudline such as a caisson separator, a submersible pump,
or other known equipment. In another embodiment, piece of subsea
equipment 100 may be above the mudline such as a subsea separator,
a wellhead, a Christmas tree, a manifold, or other known
equipment.
FIGS. 2 & 3:
[0018] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, a system for recovering the
piece of subsea equipment 100 from the wellbore and transporting
the piece of subsea equipment 100 to the FPSO 106 is illustrated.
In one embodiment, the piece of subsea equipment may be removed
from a template disposed in a main wellbore. The lifting device 116
disposed on the workboat 102 raises the piece of subsea equipment
100 from the wellbore by drawing in the line 104. The lifting
device 116 may be a winch, a crane, a heave compensated lift
system, or other lifting devices as are known in the art. The
recovery of the line may be to a transport depth at which point the
workboat 102 transports the piece of subsea equipment 100 to the
FPSO 106. The transport depth may be determined by safety factors
such as subsea formations, manmade installations, water currents,
water surface conditions, weather, speed of transport, capabilities
of equipment, or other appropriate factors that may influence the
depth of transport. Furthermore, the depth may be determined by
financial factors such as efficiency of the workboat, number of
crew members, wear on equipment or other factors which may affect
operating costs. In one embodiment, a suitable transport depth for
a bottom of the subsea equipment 100 may be from about 100 to about
500 meters, for example from about 250 to about 350 meters.
[0019] FIG. 4:
[0020] Referring now to FIG. 4, a system for recovering the piece
of subsea equipment 100 to a hand off depth is illustrated. The
hand off depth is the depth at which a second line is connected to
the caisson and may or may not be the same as the transport depth.
The second line during recovery, for example, may be a line 108
connected to a FPSO 106. The hand off depth may be determined by
water currents, surface conditions, weather conditions, equipment
operating depths, or other reasons known in the art. The lifting
device 116 of the workboat 102 may recover the caisson 100 by
adjusting the length of line 104 to a specific depth by drawing in
or letting out length of line 104. A line 108 connected to the FPSO
106 may then be let out to a handoff depth that is at least as long
or deep as the suspended workboat line 104. The FPSO line 108 is
attached to a lifting device 216 such as a crane, winch, hoist or
other lifting device known in the art. The FPSO line 108 may be a
rope, cable, chain, or other retrieval or deployment device known
in the art.
[0021] In one embodiment, a suitable handoff depth for a bottom of
the subsea equipment 100 may be from about 100 to about 500 meters,
for example from about 200 to about 400 meters.
[0022] Although an FPSO 106 is illustrated in FIG. 4, other
floating systems may also be used to retrieve the equipment 100,
such as a spar, TLP, semisub, ship, or other floating moored or
unmoored oil and gas drilling and/or production vessels.
FIG. 5:
[0023] Referring to FIG. 5, a system for connecting the piece of
subsea equipment 100 to the FPSO 106 according to embodiments of
the present disclosure is shown. Initially the workboat 102 and the
corresponding line 104 support the loads of the Piece of subsea
equipment 100. The lifting device 216 of the FPSO 106 is attached
to a first end of the line 108. A free end of the line 108 is
suspended in the water and has an FPSO connector 203. A manned
underwater vehicle such as a submarine or unmanned underwater
vehicle
[0024] (UUV), such as a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) 110 may be
used to attach the FPSO line 108 to the piece of subsea equipment
100 via the FPSO connector 203.
[0025] In one embodiment disclosed herein, the connector 203 may
connect line 108 to a substantially rigid structure affixed to the
body of the piece of subsea equipment 100. Additionally, in other
embodiments, FPSO connector 203 may connect line 108 to a
line/cable or series of lines/cables connected to the piece of
subsea equipment 100. The FPSO connector 203 may be a threaded
connector, an interference fit connector, a swivel, a hook, or
other connection device known in the art. The FPSO connector 203
may or may not be the same type of connector as the workboat
connector 103. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the
FPSO connector 203 may connect FPSO line 108 to the same feature of
piece of subsea equipment 100 as the workboat connector 103, where
the feature may be, as described above, a substantially rigid
structure, line/cable, or other element of the piece of subsea
equipment 100.
[0026] In another embodiment disclosed herein, the FPSO connector
203 may connect FPSO line 108 to a different feature of the piece
of subsea equipment 100 disposed in a different location or
orientation than the workboat connector 103. Additionally, the ROV
110 may be used to monitor and/or assist with lowering, raising,
and/or positioning equipment in the water.
[0027] In one embodiment, workboat connector 103 may be connected
to the top of equipment 100, while FPSO connector 203 may be
connected to the bottom of equipment 100, so that when FPSO line
108 is pulled in, equipment 100 is turned upside down.
FIG. 6:
[0028] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a system for transferring
the piece of subsea equipment 100 from the workboat 102 to the FPSO
106 is shown. After the FPSO line 108 is attached to the connector
203 of the caisson 100, for example with an ROV 110, a transfer of
the piece of subsea equipment from the workboat to the FPSO may
take place. The transfer of the load may occur by increasing the
length of the workboat line 104, decreasing the length of the FPSO
line 108, or a combination of the two. Adjustment of the lengths of
the FPSO line 108 and/or the workboat line 104 may be accomplished
through the lifting devices 116, 216 (FIG. 4) located on the FPSO
106 and workboat 102. When the length of one of the FPSO line 108
or workboat line 104 is increased/decreased, such that the FPSO
line 108 or workboat line 104 is longer than the other line, the
load of the caisson is transferred to the structure, i.e., work
boat 102 or FPSO 106, supporting the shorter line. Thus, after the
FPSO line 108 is in tension from supporting the caisson 100 load,
the ROV 110 may release the workboat line 104 from the piece of
subsea equipment 100, or workboat line 104 may be released by
personnel on FPSO 106 when equipment 100 is brought up to FPSO
106.
FIG. 7:
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 7, a system for lifting the piece of
subsea equipment 100 to a support platform 112 of the FPSO 106 is
illustrated. Lifting device 216 on the FPSO 106 may lift the piece
of subsea equipment 100 by decreasing the length of the FPSO line
108 extending into the sea. Additionally, the length of line 108
may be decreased by drawing in line 108 with a winch or various
other means known in the art. The top of the piece of subsea
equipment 100 may rise above the surface of the water.
FIG. 8:
[0030] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, a system for securing the
piece of subsea equipment 100 to the FPSO 106 is shown. The piece
of subsea equipment 100 is suspended from the lifting device 216.
In the embodiment shown, the lifting device 216 is a crane system,
but as previously stated it may also be a winch, hoist, or other
lifting device known in the art without departing from the scope of
the present disclosure. The piece of subsea equipment 100 may be
maneuvered by any necessary means in translational or rotational
directions in order to land the equipment 100 within a holding
bracket 118. Holding bracket 118 is secured to a side of FPSO 106
and is configured to receive and secure piece of subsea equipment
100 to FPSO 106. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate
the many types of brackets and locking mechanisms that may be used
to secure the piece of subsea equipment without departing from the
scope of the present disclosure.
FIG. 9:
[0031] Referring to FIG. 9, an elevation view of a retrieved piece
of subsea equipment 100 positioned on the support platform 112 of
the FPSO 106 is shown. The piece of subsea equipment 100 may be
repaired, upgraded, stored, serviced, or replaced on the deck of
the FPSO 106. The lifting device 216 may be disconnected and used
for other operations.
Equipment Deployment:
[0032] Additionally, referring generally to FIGS. 1-9, a method
similar to those described above may be used to deploy a piece of
subsea equipment 100. During deployment, the piece of subsea
equipment 100 is connected to the lifting device 216 of the FPSO
106 via a line 108. The connector 203 may be one of many different
types previously described. The piece of subsea equipment 100 may
be released from the bracket 118 and lowered to the hand off depth.
Lifting device 116 disposed on workboat 102 lowers the line 104 to
at least the hand off depth. The ROV 110 may attach the workboat
line 104 using any suitable connector 103 known in the art.
Transferring the piece of subsea equipment 100 load from the FPSO
106 to the workboat 102 may be accomplished by letting out the FPSO
line 108, drawing in the workboat line 104, or a combination of the
two. The ROV 110 may then disconnect the FPSO line 108 from the
connector 203 and the workboat 102 may let out or draw in line 104
to position the Piece of subsea equipment 100 at a transport depth.
The workboat 102 transports the Piece of subsea equipment 100 to
the wellbore location where the workboat line 104 is let out to
lower the Piece of subsea equipment 100 closer to the mudline 101.
The Piece of subsea equipment 100 may be maneuvered, e.g., by ROV,
and additional length of line 104 let out to secure the Piece of
subsea equipment 100 in the wellbore. The workboat line 104 is then
disconnected from the connector 103.
Illustrative Embodiments
[0033] Advantageously, embodiments disclosed herein provide for a
method for retrieving and deploying a piece of subsea equipment
without the use of a rig. Thus, a system in accordance with
embodiments disclosed herein may provide more space and resources
for other operations on the rig. Additionally, the method may allow
for the retrieval and deployment of a piece of subsea equipment for
repair or replacement that is not in close proximity to a rig or
FPSO. Lastly, the method may use equipment present in the nearby
surroundings such as a workboat, a FPSO, lifting devices, lines,
and connectors to perform a new task.
[0034] In one embodiment, there is disclosed a method comprising
providing a first vessel floating on a surface of a body of water;
connecting a first line from the first vessel to a subsea
structure; lifting the subsea structure within the body of water;
connecting a second line from a second vessel to the subsea
structure; disconnecting the first line from the subsea structure;
and lifting subsea structure to the second vessel with the second
line. In some embodiments, the first line from the first vessel to
the subsea structure is connected to at least one subsea buoy to
isolate the first vessel's heave from the subsea structure. In some
embodiments, the method also includes supporting the subsea
structure with a platform on the second vessel, and further
comprising disconnecting the second line from the subsea structure.
In some embodiments, the method also includes lifting the subsea
structure onto a deck of the second vessel. In some embodiments,
the method also includes transporting the subsea structure to land.
In some embodiments, the first vessel comprises a work boat with at
least one of a winch and a crane. In some embodiments, the second
vessel comprises an FPSO. In some embodiments, the subsea structure
comprises an electrical submersible pump. In some embodiments, the
method also includes transporting the subsea structure with the
first vessel towards the second vessel a distance from 5 kilometers
to 100 kilometers.
[0035] In one embodiment, there is disclosed a method comprising
providing a first vessel floating on a surface of a body of water;
connecting a first line from the first vessel to a subsea
structure; lowering the subsea structure within the body of water;
connecting a second line from a second vessel to the subsea
structure; disconnecting the first line from the subsea structure;
moving the second vessel, the second line, and the subsea structure
to a desired installation location; and installing the subsea
structure at the desired location within the body of water.
[0036] While the invention has been described with respect to a
limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having
benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments
can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the invention
as disclosed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should
be limited only by the attached claims.
* * * * *