U.S. patent application number 15/781702 was filed with the patent office on 2018-12-13 for subsea hydrocarbon extraction system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Cameron International Corporation, Iain Michael Cooper, Andrew Jaffrey, Schlumberger B.V., Schlumberger Technology Corporation. Invention is credited to Iain Michael Cooper, Andrew Jaffrey.
Application Number | 20180355674 15/781702 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56979674 |
Filed Date | 2018-12-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180355674 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cooper; Iain Michael ; et
al. |
December 13, 2018 |
Subsea Hydrocarbon Extraction System
Abstract
A system including a hydrocarbon extraction system (10),
including a well boring apparatus (12) configured to drill through
a subterranean formation without rotating a drill string, and a
seabed support system (14) configured to support drilling
operations of the well boring apparatus.
Inventors: |
Cooper; Iain Michael; (Sugar
Land, TX) ; Jaffrey; Andrew; (Inverurie, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Cooper; Iain Michael
Jaffrey; Andrew
Cameron International Corporation
Schlumberger Technology Corporation
Schlumberger B.V. |
Sugar Land
Inverurie
Houston
Sugar Land
The Hague |
TX
TX
TX |
US
GB
US
US
NL |
|
|
Family ID: |
56979674 |
Appl. No.: |
15/781702 |
Filed: |
September 9, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
September 9, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2016/051111 |
371 Date: |
June 6, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62216872 |
Sep 10, 2015 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 7/124 20130101;
E21B 41/0099 20200501; E21B 15/02 20130101; E21B 43/01
20130101 |
International
Class: |
E21B 15/02 20060101
E21B015/02; E21B 43/01 20060101 E21B043/01; E21B 7/124 20060101
E21B007/124 |
Claims
1. A system, comprising: a hydrocarbon extraction system,
comprising: a well boring apparatus configured to drill through a
subterranean formation without rotation of a drill string; and a
seabed support system configured to support drilling operations of
the well boring apparatus.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the well boring apparatus
comprises one or more interchangeable modules that facilitate
drilling a well.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the seabed support system
comprises one or more modular systems.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the seabed support system
comprises one or more drones or robots.
5. The system of claim 3, wherein the one or more modular systems
comprises a coiled tubing system configured to couple to the well
boring apparatus.
6. The system of claim 3, wherein the one or more modular systems
comprises a blowout preventer.
7. The system of claim 3, wherein the one or more modular systems
comprises a power generation system.
8. The system of claim 3, wherein the one or more modular systems
comprises a separator system.
9. The system of claim 3, wherein the one or more modular systems
comprises a material storage system.
10. The system of claim 3, wherein the one or more modular systems
comprises a control system configured to control the one or more
modular systems.
11. The system of claim 3, wherein the one or more modular systems
comprises a drone garage.
12. The system of claim 3, wherein the one or more modular systems
are supported on one or more subsea platforms.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the subsea support system
comprises a plurality of platforms mechanically coupled
together.
14. A system, comprising: a hydrocarbon extraction system,
comprising: a seabed support system, comprising: one or more
modular systems configured to support drilling operations of a well
boring apparatus.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the seabed support system
comprises one or more platforms configured to support the one or
more modular systems.
16. The system of claim 14, wherein the seabed support system
comprises a plurality of platforms configured to support the one or
more module systems.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the plurality of platforms are
mechanically coupled together.
18. A system, comprising: a hydrocarbon extraction system,
comprising: a well boring apparatus configured to drill through a
subterranean formation without rotation of a drill string; and a
seabed support system, comprising: one or more modular systems
configured to support drilling operations of the well boring
apparatus; and one or more platforms configured to support the one
or more modular systems.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the one or more modular systems
comprise at least one of a coiled tubing system, a blowout
preventer, a power generation system, a water treatment system, a
separator system, a drone/robot garage, a material storage system,
a pump system, a mixing system, a control system, or a
communication system.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein the well boring apparatus
comprises one or more interchangeable modules that facilitate
drilling a well.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 62/216,872, filed Sep. 10, 2015, entitled
"SUBSEA HYDROCARBON EXTRACTION SYSTEM," which is incorporated by
reference herein in its entirety for all purposes.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to hydrocarbon
extraction systems.
BACKGROUND
[0003] This section is intended to introduce the reader to various
aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the
present invention, which are described and/or claimed below. This
discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with
background information to facilitate a better understanding of the
various aspects of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be
understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and
not as admissions of prior art.
[0004] Drilling offshore wells traditionally uses surface equipment
for the exploitation of subsea petroleum and natural gas deposits.
In deep water applications, surface equipment can include floating
platforms or vessels (e.g., drill ships).
[0005] The surface equipment typically supports risers that extend
from one or more wellheads or structures on the seabed to the
equipment at the sea surface. The risers connect the subsea well
with the surface equipment to protect the fluid integrity of the
well and to provide a fluid conduit to and from the wellbore. The
risers connecting the surface systems to the subsea wellhead can be
thousands of feet long and extremely heavy.
[0006] Drilling operations including surface equipment are
generally associated with substantial operating costs. In addition,
the offshore environment can be difficult for personnel working on
the surface equipment or below the surface. Weather often impacts
operations and requires that work stop until conditions improve,
resulting in time delays and additional costs. The time required to
recover defective equipment from the well to the rig and then
returned to the well can amount to days. In view of these issues,
an alternative approach to deepwater subsea drilling would be
beneficial.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Various features, aspects, and advantages of the present
invention will become better understood when the following detailed
description is read with reference to the accompanying figures in
which like characters represent like parts throughout the figures,
wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a subsea
hydrocarbon extraction system;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a subsea
hydrocarbon extraction system;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a subsea
hydrocarbon extraction system; and
[0011] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a subsea
hydrocarbon extraction system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
[0012] One or more specific embodiments of the present invention
will be described below. These described embodiments are only
exemplary of the present invention. Additionally, in an effort to
provide a concise description of these exemplary embodiments, all
features of an actual implementation may not be described in the
specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of
any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design
project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to
achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with
system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary
from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be
appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and
time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of
design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill
having the benefit of this disclosure.
[0013] The disclosed embodiments include a subsea hydrocarbon
extraction system with a well boring apparatus and a seabed support
system. As will be explained in detail below, the seabed support
system supports drilling operations, hydrocarbon production, and
well shutdown operations from the sea floor. For example, the
seabed support system may include multiple modular systems, such as
a coiled tubing spool system, blowout preventers (BOP), power
generation systems, managed pressure drilling systems, continuous
casing systems, water treatment systems, separation systems,
drone/robot garages, material storage systems, pump systems,
control systems, communication systems, laser system, etc. These
modular systems may be supported on one or more platforms or skids
on the sea floor. In some embodiments, the seabed support system
may include multiple platforms that support one or more wells.
These platforms may couple together with tracks and/or other
infrastructure (e.g., pipes) enabling materials and equipment to be
shared during hydrocarbon extraction operations on multiple wells.
In other words, the seabed support system with its variety of
modular systems may form a kind of unmanned subsea village capable
of supporting all drilling, production, and shutdown operations
associated with one or more wells.
[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a subsea
hydrocarbon extraction system 10 that may support unconventional
well boring and production operations. For example, the subsea
hydrocarbon extraction system 10 may support all operations
associated with hydrocarbon extraction from a hydrocarbon reservoir
(e.g., drilling, production, shutdown, etc.). In order to drill the
well, the subsea hydrocarbon extraction system 10 includes a well
boring apparatus 12 capable of drilling a well without a drill
string and drill riser(s). In this way, the well boring apparatus
12 eliminates the time involved in assembling a drill string to
drill deeper or disassembling a drill string to retrieve or change
a drill bit. Moreover, in deep water drilling only 5% to 10% of
surface energy may reach the drill bit. Accordingly, a large
portion of the power of conventional rig top drives is wasted in
overcoming large frictional losses along the drill string.
Accordingly, the well boring apparatus 12 may therefore use less
power to drill the same well due to the absence of frictional
losses. Furthermore, the well boring apparatus 12 may enable
drilling of a constant diameter well, thus avoiding traditional
drilling of an initial large borehole, which is then incrementally
decreased to an ever-smaller borehole as depth increases.
[0015] The well boring apparatus 12 may be self-propelled,
steerable, and launchable from a topside vessel or directly from a
seabed support system 14. In some embodiments, the well boring
apparatus 12 may be capable of drilling multiple tracks (e.g.,
wells) from a central borehole. The well boring apparatus 12 may be
modular such that it can be configured and then reconfigured for
different tasks (e.g., support specific down hole activities). For
example, the well boring apparatus 12 may include one or more
modules 16 (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or more) such as a cutting/boring
module (e.g., a cutter or a grinder), a motor/power module (e.g., a
motor and/or a power source), a thrust module (e.g., movable arms
configured to engage the wellbore and/or to propel the well boring
apparatus), a pump module (e.g., a pump), a cutting processing
module (e.g., a container configured to receive cuttings and/or a
grinder configured to grind the cuttings), a chemical module (e.g.,
a container configured to receive and/or to store chemicals, supply
chemicals, and/or process chemicals), a casing production module
(e.g., pre-cast casing, a frame configured to support precast
casing, a container configured to receive and/or to facilitate
mixing of cuttings and/or chemicals to form a casing, and/or a
frame configured to facilitate deposition of the casing within the
wellbore and/or to support formation of casing between the frame
and a wall of the wellbore), a laser module (e.g., a laser), a
microwave module (e.g., a microwave), a sensor module (e.g., a
temperature, pressure, torque, force, depth, angle, speed
(rotational and travel), inclination, accelerometer, location, flow
rate, gamma ray, nuclear, acoustic, and/or electromagnetic sensor,
among others), a plug module (e.g., a plug), a gas handling module
(e.g., a container or lines to receive and direct gas), etc.
[0016] The cutting/boring module 16 may include a cutting wheel,
one or more drill bits 18, and/or a hammer/vibrator capable of
cutting and breaking through rock formations. In some embodiments,
the subsea hydrocarbon extraction system 10 may include multiple
cutting/boring modules 16 each specialized in cutting through
different kinds of rock and sediment layers. Accordingly, during
drilling operations, the well boring apparatus 12 may be
periodically withdrawn in order to exchange one cutting/boring
module 16 for another. For example, a cutting/boring module 16 with
a drill bit and/or cutting wheel may be substituted for a laser
module 16 capable of cutting through rock formations.
[0017] In order to drive the boring module 16, the well boring
apparatus 12 includes a motor or power module 16 that provides
power to drive the boring module 16. The motor or power module may
include solid oxide and solid acid fuel cells; energetic materials
(e.g., Hydrazine, propellant); aqua batteries (e.g.,
Lithium-seawater); direct electrical supply from the seabed support
system 14 (e.g., through coiled tubing 20 or another connection);
direct electrical supply from a rig and/or a ship; indirect
electrical supply from a rig, a ship, and/or remotely operated
vehicle; and/or hydraulic fluid.
[0018] As the cutting/boring module 16 cuts through the rock
formation, one or more thrust modules 16 may propel the well boring
apparatus 12 further into the well 22. For example, the thrust
module 16 may include gripper arms/shoes, tracks, etc. that engage
the wall 24 of the well 22 and propel the boring apparatus in axial
direction 26. In some embodiments, the well boring apparatus 12 may
be propelled by the coiled tubing 20, as the coiled tubing system
28 rotates in circumferential direction 30. In another embodiment,
the well boring apparatus 12 may be propelled through a combination
of force from the coiled tubing 20 and from the thrust module 16.
The coiled tubing 20 may also be used to retrieve the well boring
apparatus 12 from the hole as the coiled tubing system 28 rotates
in circumferential direction 32. As illustrated, the coiled tubing
system 28 may be part of a seabed support system 14, but may also
be located at a surface location. The well boring apparatus 12 may
also be recovered using a winch and a recovery line on the seabed
support system 14 or a surface location (e.g., ship, rig). In some
embodiments, the coiled tubing system 28 may assist in providing
chemicals used to provide a temporary seal in fluid loss zones as
the cutting/boring module 16 cuts through the rock formation. The
coiled tubing system 28 may include coiled tubing 20 that is either
monochambered for the deployment of fluid to the cutting surface or
could be multi-chambered for the deployment of chemicals that upon
mixing could be used as a temporary sealant in fluid loss
zones.
[0019] As the cutting/boring module 16 drills the well 22, a pump
module 16 may pump seawater and/or mud to removing the cuttings.
The pump module 16 may receive seawater and/or mud through the
coiled tubing 20 and/or a separate tubing attachment. In some
embodiments, the well boring apparatus 12 may include a grinding
module 16 that grinds the cuttings to facilitate transport to the
seabed support system 14 and/or for production of a casing
surrounding the well 22. For example, the well boring apparatus 12
may include a casing production module 16 that produces a
casing/lining using the ground cutting paste produced by the
grinding module 16, and chemicals (e.g., pre-polymers and photo
initiators such as acrylate and methacrylate monomers) stored in a
storage container of a chemical module 16. The casing may then be
cured with a curing module (e.g., microwave component, ultraviolet
light component, etc.). However, in some embodiments, the
casing/lining production module may grind the cuttings, combine the
cuttings with chemicals into a casing/lining, and then cure the
casing/lining; instead of using separate modules. In some
embodiments, the casing production module(s) 16 may include a
material ready to produce the casing (e.g., cement) and/or receive
it from an external source (e.g., from the seabed support system 14
through the tubing spool 20). In some embodiments, the casing
production module 16 may include preformed casing/lining sections
that are installed as the well boring apparatus 12 progresses
towards the hydrocarbon reservoir.
[0020] Once the well boring apparatus 12 reaches the hydrocarbon
reservoir, the well boring apparatus 12 may enable oil and/or
natural gas production by cutting through the casing with a laser
module 16. In another embodiment, the well boring apparatus 12 may
include a water jet-cutting module 16 that is likewise able to cut
through the casing/lining to begin production. The laser module 16
and/or water jet module may also prepare the casing (e.g., cut the
casing) for hydraulic fracturing. For example, in a hydraulic
fracturing situation, the well boring apparatus 12 may cut through
the casing with either a laser module 16 or a water jet-cutting
module 16 (e.g., a waterjet cutter). Once cut, the well boring
apparatus 12 may use a plug module 16 to plug the well 22 before
frac fluid is pumped into the well 22 during hydraulic fracturing
operations.
[0021] As discussed above, the well boring apparatus 12 may include
one or more chemical modules 16 that store chemicals to form the
casing. In some embodiments, the chemical module(s) 16 may store
additional chemicals to facilitate drilling and production
operations. For example, the chemical modules 16 may store
chemicals that inhibit hydrate formation and chemicals that enable
hydrocarbon production by dissolving methane hydrates (e.g.,
release the gas in methane hydrates by the use of exothermic
reactions) as the well boring apparatus 12 drills. The modules 16
may also store chemicals such as acids, hydrate inhibitors, scale
inhibitors, biocides, thermite, eutectic materials (e.g., bismuth
alloys that can be used as temporary or permanent sealants), among
others. These chemicals may also be pumped from the subsea support
system 14 through coiled tubing 20 to replenish module(s) 16 on the
well boring apparatus 12 and/or directly into the well 22 through
the well boring apparatus 12.
[0022] The well boring apparatus 12 may also include other
module(s) 16 to assist in drilling and production operations (e.g.,
melt methane hydrates, inhibit hydrate formation). For example, the
well boring apparatus 12 may include a heating module (e.g., a heat
source) that inhibits hydrate formation and releases gas from
methane hydrates. In some embodiments, the well boring apparatus 12
may include an acoustic energy module (e.g., an acoustic energy
source) that breaks up methane hydrates for production as well as
inhibits formation of hydrates. Moreover, the well boring apparatus
12 may include a microwave module that releases gas from methane
hydrates and inhibits hydrate formation in the well 22.
[0023] In order to steer and measure properties in the well 22, the
well boring apparatus 12 may include a sensor and/or control module
16 with one or more sensors. For example, the sensor module 16 may
include a temperature, pressure, torque, force, depth, angle, speed
(rotational and travel), inclination, accelerometer, location, flow
rate, gamma ray, nuclear, acoustic, and electromagnetic sensors
among others. The sensor and/or control module 16 may also include
navigation tools such as an inertial navigation system that guides
the well boring apparatus 12. The sensors also may enable the well
boring apparatus 12 to analyze properties of the surrounding
environment such as temperature, pressure, acidity, and for the
presence of particular chemicals, as well as steer the well boring
apparatus 12. Accordingly, the direction of the well bore may be
changed at any time during the drilling process. In some
embodiments, the steering control signals may be provided from a
surface location, the seabed support system 14, and/or a preloaded
mission package. In some embodiments, the direction of drilling can
be manipulated by changing characteristics of the cutting wheel or
bits 18 that contact the formation (e.g., changing the location,
number, or type of teeth, the angle of the cutting wheel relative
the formation, the portions of the cutting wheel in contact with
the formation, etc.). In some embodiments, the thrust module 16 may
be used to control the direction of travel, or a combination of the
thrust module 16 and the cutting wheel or bit(s) 18.
[0024] In order to launch, recover, and selectively change the
modules 16, the subsea hydrocarbon extraction system 10 may include
a launch and recovery frame 34 that aligns the well boring
apparatus 12 for insertion into the well 22 through the wellhead
36. In some embodiments, the frame 34 may couple to the well boring
apparatus 12 to enable a drone or robot 38 to change the
configuration of the well boring apparatus 12 (e.g., selectively
coupling and uncoupling modules 16 from the well boring apparatus
12). As illustrated, the wellhead 36 may couple to a multi-port
wellhead connection 39 that includes multiple conduits 40 that
enable insertion of the well boring apparatus 12, insertion of
additional tools into the well 22, as well as fluid processing of
fluid (e.g., drilling mud, water, hydrocarbons, etc.) coming out of
the well 22. For example, the wellhead 36 may include a main
conduit 42 that enables insertion of the well boring apparatus 12
into the wellhead 36. Coupled to the main conduit 42 are second and
third conduits 44 and 46. The second and third conduits 44, 46 may
enable insertion of additional tools following insertion of the
well boring apparatus 12, as well as fluid processing. For example,
the secondary conduit 44 may direct fluid to a production tree as
it flows out of the well 22, while the third conduit 46 may enable
tool insertion and/or chemical injection. To control fluid flow out
of the multi-port wellhead connection 39, the multi-port wellhead
connection 39 may couple to various blowout preventers 48 that
control access to the well 22.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a subsea
hydrocarbon extraction system 10 with a seabed support system 14
that supports operation of the well boring apparatus 12. In some
embodiments, the seabed support system 14 may include modular
equipment and/or systems 58 supported by one or more platforms or
skids 60. As illustrated, the platforms 60 may include a leveling
system 62 legs or jacks that lift the platform 60 off a sea floor
64. For example, the legs or jacks may be raised or lowered in
order to level the platforms or skids 60 on an uneven sea floor 64.
The subsea modular systems 58 may include the coiled tubing system
28, blowout preventers (BOP) 48, power generation system(s) 66,
water treatment system(s) 68, separator system(s) 70, drone/robot
garage(s) 72, material storage system(s) 74, pump system(s) 76,
mixing system(s) 78, control system(s) 80, communication system(s)
81, high power laser (power source, generator, fiber and lasing
head), fishing and remedial equipment etc. In other words, the
seabed support system 14 may include all of the equipment and
systems to support the well boring apparatus 12 and the production
of hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon reservoir. Moreover, because the
systems 58 may be modular, the modular systems 58 facilitate
installation, retrieval, and exchange. In other words, the systems
58 may be seamlessly swapped out.
[0026] The modular systems 58 may be installed and retrieved
directly by lowering and retrieving the platform 60 and/or with the
use of a remotely operated vehicle or an autonomous underwater
vehicle. Moreover, the seabed support system 14 may be deployed
from a construction vessel rather than a conventional drilling
unit. For example, the platform 60 and/or modular systems 58 may be
secured using ball and taper units that allow for quick-release
disconnection by remotely operated vehicle as well as retrieval for
maintenance and/or replacement.
[0027] In order to power the seabed support system 14 and/or the
well boring apparatus 12, the power generation system 66 may
generate and/or store power. The power generation system 66 may
produce power in various ways including subsea turbines (e.g.,
water/hydro turbines), nuclear, fuel cells, energetic materials
(such as hydrazine, propellants), and/or thermal conversion. The
power generation system 66 may also store power produced on the
surface (e.g., wind power system, wave power system, rig, ship,
etc.) using batteries and/or provide a connection for external
power to flow to the subsea hydrocarbon extraction system 10. For
example, the power generation system 66 may electrically couple to
a ship 82 that produces power (e.g., power generation ship). The
ship 82 then transfers power to the subsea hydrocarbon extraction
system 10 through power line(s) 84 (e.g., umbilical lines). In some
embodiments, the power generation system 66 may couple to subsea
cables that carry power from a shore facility. As the power
generation system 66 receives power, it distributes the power
throughout the subsea support system 14 and/or stores the power in
batteries for later use (e.g., during a storm).
[0028] As the well boring apparatus 12 drills the well 22, pump
systems 72 may pump water, chemicals, and/or drilling mud into the
well 22 to remove cuttings (e.g., rock, sand, etc.), to
hydraulically fracture the well, or otherwise facilitate drilling
operations. Moreover, as the well boring apparatus 12 drills, the
water, drilling mud, chemicals, etc. may mix with natural gas
and/or oil. However, instead of processing the cuttings, water,
chemicals, drilling mud, etc. at the surface, the subsea
hydrocarbon extraction system 10 may process these materials at the
seabed with the seabed support system 14, thereby removing the need
for a drilling riser. In order to process the fluids exiting the
well 22, the seabed support system 14 may include a separator
system 70 that separates oil and/or natural gas from the water,
chemicals, and/or mud exiting the well 22. The oil and/or natural
gas may then be pumped through pipelines 86 to the surface or along
the sea floor to the shore for further processing and refining.
After separating the water, gas, and oil in the separator system
70, the seabed support system 14 may also treat the water in a
water treatment system 68 for reuse in the well 22 or for release
into the surrounding environment (e.g., desalination, disinfection,
etc.).
[0029] Similarly, instead of pumping drilling mud, frac fluid,
etc., from the surface the seabed system 14 may include material
storage systems 74 with storage tanks, racks, etc. These storage
systems 74 may store a variety of materials such as water,
chemicals, proppant, cement, fishing heads (e.g., for retrieving
stuck pipes or equipment), pipes, thermite (e.g., to form temporary
or permanent zonal seals in the well 22 as well as wellhead
isolation), bismuth alloy, etc. for use by the hydrocarbon
extraction system 10. The tanks may in turn couple to mixer systems
78 that combine water, chemicals, proppant, cement, etc. that is
then pumped into the well 22 using pumps 76 (e.g., drilling mud
pumps, frac pumps, etc.). The mixer systems 78 may also combine
chemicals, water, etc. for use in the modules 16 of the well boring
apparatus 12.
[0030] As explained above, the well boring apparatus 12 may include
one or more modules 16 that facilitate drilling of the well 22.
These modules 16 enable the well boring apparatus 12 to be
reconfigured to perform different activities. In order to exchange
and/or change out the modules 16, the seabed support system 14 may
include drones/robots 38 that move modules 16 around the platform
60 as well as change the configuration of the well boring apparatus
12. The drones/robots may also manipulate other equipment and
systems 58. For example, the drones/robots 38 may perform repairs
on the seabed support system 14, replace equipment or systems 58,
lay pipes, lift pre-formed casing into the well 22, etc. When the
drones/robots 38 are not in use or when the robots/drones 38 need
maintenance (e.g., battery charging, refueling) the drones/robots
38 may be relocated to a drone/robot garage(s) 72 that recharges
batteries, downloads data, uploads missions, etc.
[0031] The seabed support system 14 may also include control and
communication system modules 80, 81 that control operation of the
seabed support systems 58, well boring apparatus 12, and
drones/robots 38. For example, the control system modules 80 (e.g.,
a control system having an electronic controller, processor, and
memory) may be in signal communication (fluid, optical, electrical,
wireless, acoustic, radio, inductive, and/or magnetic) with one or
more modular systems 58 (e.g., sensors and/or controllers coupled
to the modular systems 58), well boring apparatus 12, and one or
more drones/robots 38. In some embodiments, the control system
module 80 may also receive feedback from video cameras (e.g.,
visual, infrared, thermal) positioned around the subsea support
system 14. In this way, the control system module 80 enables
monitoring and control of hydrocarbon extraction operations (e.g.,
drilling, production, and well abandonment operations). For
example, the control system module 80 may control permanent or
zonal sealing of the well 22 during drilling as well as wellhead
isolation once production is complete. The control system module 80
may use the well boring apparatus 12 and modules 16 (e.g., chemical
modules 16 with thermite, and/or bismuth alloys) to form the seals.
In some embodiments, the control system module 80 may control other
equipment (e.g., cranes) on the subsea support system 14 to deploy
thermite, explosives, bismuth alloys, etc. to form temporary or
permanent seals (e.g., zonal seals) in the well 22. Moreover, the
control system module 80 may communicate with remote operators
(e.g., shore, rig, ship, etc.) by providing video feed, sensor
data, etc. Thereby, enabling operators to monitor and control
operation of the subsea hydrocarbon extraction system 10
remotely.
[0032] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a subsea
hydrocarbon extraction system 10 with a well boring apparatus 12
and a seabed support system 14. As illustrated, the seabed support
system 14 may include multiple platforms or skids 60 (e.g., 1, 2,
3, 4, 5, or more) that support one or more modular systems 58.
These platforms 60 may couple together with tracks 110 (e.g.,
rails). The tracks 110 may support pipes and other infrastructure
as well as enable drones 38 to travel back and forth between
platforms 60 carrying supplies, repairing equipment, replacing
equipment, carrying modules 16 or 58, etc. As the drilling
operations progress, some of the modular systems 58 may no longer
be needed. Accordingly, the modularity of the seabed support system
14 may enable some of the platforms 60 and/or modular systems 58 to
be removed from the hydrocarbon extraction system 10 for use at a
different location. As illustrated, the subsea hydrocarbon
extraction system 10 may also include hydrophones and/or geophones
112 or other sensing equipment used in analyzing the hydrocarbon
formation, rock/sediment layers, etc. (e.g., produce 4D imaging).
In some embodiments, the seabed support system 14 may additionally
or alternatively include a conveying system (e.g., roller ball
conveying system) to facilitate movement of the modules 16 about
the platform 60. For example, roller balls may protrude from a
transport surface (e.g., a surface of tracks 110 or other structure
that contacts modules 16 or other equipment for use in the seabed
support system 14), and controlled rotation of the roller balls may
drive or cause movement of the modules 16 along the platforms 60,
along tracks 110 or other pathways of the seabed support system 14,
or the like.
[0033] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a subsea
hydrocarbon extraction system 10 with a well boring apparatus 12
and a seabed support system 14. As illustrated, the seabed support
system 14 may include multiple platforms or skids 60 (e.g., 1, 5,
10, or more) and tracks 110 in a hub and spoke layout that
surrounds a central well 22. It should be understood that the
platforms 60 may have any number of geometries suitable for
drilling operations and that accommodate the sea floor terrain. As
explained above, each of these platforms 60 may support a variety
of modular systems 58 of the seabed support system 14. Coupling the
platforms 60 are tracks 110 that support drone/robot movement as
well as infrastructure (e.g., pipes). Moreover, and as illustrated,
the seabed support system 14 may support multiple wells 22 with the
tracks 110 connecting each of these wells 22 together. Accordingly,
one seabed support system 14 may support multiple wells 22 with
some or all of the same modular systems 58.
[0034] While the invention may be susceptible to various
modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been
shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in
detail herein. However, it should be understood that the invention
is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed.
Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents,
and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined by the following appended claims.
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