CA2751810A1 - System and method for hydrocarbon production - Google Patents
System and method for hydrocarbon production Download PDFInfo
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- CA2751810A1 CA2751810A1 CA2751810A CA2751810A CA2751810A1 CA 2751810 A1 CA2751810 A1 CA 2751810A1 CA 2751810 A CA2751810 A CA 2751810A CA 2751810 A CA2751810 A CA 2751810A CA 2751810 A1 CA2751810 A1 CA 2751810A1
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- offloading
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- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 90
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 title claims abstract description 77
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 title claims abstract description 77
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 60
- 239000004215 Carbon black (E152) Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 27
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 75
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 34
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 claims description 32
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 claims description 32
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 claims description 14
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 claims description 11
- 238000007667 floating Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000012432 intermediate storage Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000010248 power generation Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000004308 accommodation Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 34
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 description 10
- 230000018109 developmental process Effects 0.000 description 10
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 8
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 7
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 7
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 5
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 description 4
- OKKJLVBELUTLKV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Methanol Chemical compound OC OKKJLVBELUTLKV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000002737 fuel gas Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000003643 water by type Substances 0.000 description 3
- LYCAIKOWRPUZTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethylene glycol Chemical compound OCCO LYCAIKOWRPUZTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 2
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000004873 anchoring Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009977 dual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- WGCNASOHLSPBMP-UHFFFAOYSA-N hydroxyacetaldehyde Natural products OCC=O WGCNASOHLSPBMP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003921 oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003208 petroleum Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000013535 sea water Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001932 seasonal effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000545 stagnation point adsorption reflectometry Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003313 weakening effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/01—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells specially adapted for obtaining from underwater installations
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/34—Arrangements for separating materials produced by the well
- E21B43/36—Underwater separating arrangements
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Earth Drilling (AREA)
Abstract
The invention concerns a system for hydrocarbon production, comprising:
a subsea storage facility arranged to receive hydrocarbons from a subsea production or process plant on a seabed comprising at least one production subsea well; a turret coupled to the subsea production or process plant via at least one umbilical arranged to move hydrocarbons from said at least one production well to the sea surface; a vessel detachably connectable to the turret for controlling operation of said subsea production or process plant; a control arrangement for controlling the flow and production of hydrocarbons from said well and operable to direct the hydrocarbons to the storage facility; wherein the vessel is (temporarily) detachable from the turret, alternatively without stopping production of hydrocarbons, whilst hydrocarbons are directed to the storage facility. The invention also concerns a method for producing hydrocarbons.
a subsea storage facility arranged to receive hydrocarbons from a subsea production or process plant on a seabed comprising at least one production subsea well; a turret coupled to the subsea production or process plant via at least one umbilical arranged to move hydrocarbons from said at least one production well to the sea surface; a vessel detachably connectable to the turret for controlling operation of said subsea production or process plant; a control arrangement for controlling the flow and production of hydrocarbons from said well and operable to direct the hydrocarbons to the storage facility; wherein the vessel is (temporarily) detachable from the turret, alternatively without stopping production of hydrocarbons, whilst hydrocarbons are directed to the storage facility. The invention also concerns a method for producing hydrocarbons.
Description
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HYDROCARBON PRODUCTION
Field of the invention The invention relates to a system for subsea field development and/or exploitation with complete remote processing for deepwater, arctic or similar harsh environments, as well as a method for producing hydrocarbons.
Prior art io There are different ways for developing and exploiting hydrocarbon field deposits located offshore. Examples of oil field developments range from seabed mounted platforms (with or without storage), SPAR platforms, Floating Production Units (FPU) and Floating Production Storage & Offloading (FPSO) vessels. A FPSO vessel is a tanker-type vessel that is permanently moored to the seabed and controls a number of wells either directly or via subsea templates and a combination of these.
Additional hydrocarbon deposits may be developed in the vicinity of such units (platforms or FPSO vessels) wherein a subsea template is tied in to the platform or FPSO for processing and export, known as a "tie-in" in the industry. Several of the more mature fields in the North and Norwegian Sea today have tie-ins to the existing platforms such as Snorre, Gullfaks, Norne, etc.
However, there are practical limits as to how far away from an existing surface processing and control station (i.e. FPU, FPSO or Platform) such seabed templates may be located.
There are also challenges to operation in areas where rapid disconnection may be required such as in harsh weather condition environments, and especially in ice infested waters such as the Arctic. During winter, ice in arctic areas tends to form with varying thickness and intensity caused by features such as ice ridges, etc. Further, local conditions may give room for additional ice challenges such as multi-year ice, which is ice that did not melt the previous ice free season(s) as well as and icebergs.
In shallow waters (less than some 40-60 meters, where icebergs are a limited threat) the challenge arising from ice, may be handled through robust and adequate designs in the form of artificial islands (less than 15-20 meters) to bottom mounted caissons (up to some 40-60 meters). Water depths beyond 40-60 meters must thus be handled by floating structures such as a FPSO or similar moored structure, which has to be suitable for drifting sea ice conditions. So far, most ice operations have taken place in relatively benign areas where either the water depth is moderate or ice conditions are predictable, with respect to icebergs, and/or moderate such that mooring loads caused by ice drifting past the hull is possible to handle.
It is when it comes to heavy ice conditions combined with water depths exceeding critical limit(s) that one finds a lack of available technologies for exploitation in harsh environments, examples of which are in North American Arctic waters, such as the io outer Mackenzie delta and westwards North of Alaska, which forms the basic requirement for the subject system presented herein.
US 5,380,229 concerns an ocean mooring system including a vessel having a hull with an annular mooring recess in the bottom of the hull; a mooring element having an upper part that is engageable with the mooring recess in the bottom of the hull; a plurality of lines connecting the mooring element to the ocean floor, the mooring element being normally maintained at a stored depth below the bottom of the hull; and means for raising the mooring element from the stored depth to engagement with the mooring recess in the bottom of the hull. A wellhead is connected by a flexible hose or pipe to the lower part of the buoyant mooring element to deliver oil or gas produced by the well to a conventional onboard piping system.
US 2010/025043 concerns a system for operation and service of a hydrocarbon-producing well and of equipment, which is disposed under water, for further transport of the well stream, where the system comprises a pipeline, a booster unit, a vessel comprising an anchoring system about which the vessel can rotate or swivel, means for communication with and control of at least one well and other equipment and means for production of energy for operation of subsea equipment.
US 2010/032164 concerns a subsea processing system for the production of oil and gas from production wells such as on deep water. The system includes, beyond the production wells, injection wells for the injection of produced water, a separator, a production pump, a water injection and circulation pump and a heating arrangement.
US 2005145388 concerns a subsea process assembly for separating a multiphase flow, the assembly comprising: an inlet for a multiphase medium; a pressure reducing means for reducing the pressure of the multiphase flow from the inlet and creating a source of energy; a multiphase separator for separating the multiphase input into individual phases; and a pumping system for, in use, pumping at least one of the desired individual phases to a delivery point by utilizing at least some of the energy from the source of energy.
US 2003/159581 concerns a method and system for sea-based handling/treatment of fluid hydrocarbons with associated gas comprising a first separation step in a high-pressure separator installed on the seabed, from which is output an oil flow containing an essentially predefined percentage of residual gas. The oil containing residual gas is io carried through a riser up to a surface vessel/production ship, where it is subjected to a second separation step in a second separator incorporated in a low-pressure surface plant on board the vessel, this separated residual gas being used as fuel for direct/indirect generation of electric power for the operation of the underwater and above-water sections of the system. Water and gas produced in the first separation step is returned to a suitable reservoir by the use of a multiphase pump.
US 2002/141829 concerns an offshore oil storage and offtake system including a storage tank attachable to the seabed and adapted to store hydrocarbons. A
fluid channel is included which has a first end positioned inside of the tank proximal a bottom of the tank and a second end in fluid communication with seawater outside of the tank. The system also includes at least one offload line having a first end coupled to and in fluid communication with the tank proximal a top of the tank and a second end adapted to be fluid coupled to the tanker and accessible from a water surface. The system further includes a hawser having a first end operatively coupled to the tank and a second end adapted to be accessible from the water surface and attachable to a tanker to anchor the tanker during tanker offtake operations.
US 2005/042952 concerns a marine riser system for transferring fluid between a plurality of mutually separated locations on the seabed and a vessel on the surface of the sea. The riser system comprises a submerged buoy, a plurality of risers suspended from the buoy to the location on the seabed and a plurality of flexible conduits extending from the vessel to the submerged buoy. Connectors carried by the submerged buoy connect the flexible conduits to the risers, each connector being remotely operable to disconnect all the flexible conduits from the riser. A central tether may be provided tensioned to limit vertical motion of the buoy.
Field of the invention The invention relates to a system for subsea field development and/or exploitation with complete remote processing for deepwater, arctic or similar harsh environments, as well as a method for producing hydrocarbons.
Prior art io There are different ways for developing and exploiting hydrocarbon field deposits located offshore. Examples of oil field developments range from seabed mounted platforms (with or without storage), SPAR platforms, Floating Production Units (FPU) and Floating Production Storage & Offloading (FPSO) vessels. A FPSO vessel is a tanker-type vessel that is permanently moored to the seabed and controls a number of wells either directly or via subsea templates and a combination of these.
Additional hydrocarbon deposits may be developed in the vicinity of such units (platforms or FPSO vessels) wherein a subsea template is tied in to the platform or FPSO for processing and export, known as a "tie-in" in the industry. Several of the more mature fields in the North and Norwegian Sea today have tie-ins to the existing platforms such as Snorre, Gullfaks, Norne, etc.
However, there are practical limits as to how far away from an existing surface processing and control station (i.e. FPU, FPSO or Platform) such seabed templates may be located.
There are also challenges to operation in areas where rapid disconnection may be required such as in harsh weather condition environments, and especially in ice infested waters such as the Arctic. During winter, ice in arctic areas tends to form with varying thickness and intensity caused by features such as ice ridges, etc. Further, local conditions may give room for additional ice challenges such as multi-year ice, which is ice that did not melt the previous ice free season(s) as well as and icebergs.
In shallow waters (less than some 40-60 meters, where icebergs are a limited threat) the challenge arising from ice, may be handled through robust and adequate designs in the form of artificial islands (less than 15-20 meters) to bottom mounted caissons (up to some 40-60 meters). Water depths beyond 40-60 meters must thus be handled by floating structures such as a FPSO or similar moored structure, which has to be suitable for drifting sea ice conditions. So far, most ice operations have taken place in relatively benign areas where either the water depth is moderate or ice conditions are predictable, with respect to icebergs, and/or moderate such that mooring loads caused by ice drifting past the hull is possible to handle.
It is when it comes to heavy ice conditions combined with water depths exceeding critical limit(s) that one finds a lack of available technologies for exploitation in harsh environments, examples of which are in North American Arctic waters, such as the io outer Mackenzie delta and westwards North of Alaska, which forms the basic requirement for the subject system presented herein.
US 5,380,229 concerns an ocean mooring system including a vessel having a hull with an annular mooring recess in the bottom of the hull; a mooring element having an upper part that is engageable with the mooring recess in the bottom of the hull; a plurality of lines connecting the mooring element to the ocean floor, the mooring element being normally maintained at a stored depth below the bottom of the hull; and means for raising the mooring element from the stored depth to engagement with the mooring recess in the bottom of the hull. A wellhead is connected by a flexible hose or pipe to the lower part of the buoyant mooring element to deliver oil or gas produced by the well to a conventional onboard piping system.
US 2010/025043 concerns a system for operation and service of a hydrocarbon-producing well and of equipment, which is disposed under water, for further transport of the well stream, where the system comprises a pipeline, a booster unit, a vessel comprising an anchoring system about which the vessel can rotate or swivel, means for communication with and control of at least one well and other equipment and means for production of energy for operation of subsea equipment.
US 2010/032164 concerns a subsea processing system for the production of oil and gas from production wells such as on deep water. The system includes, beyond the production wells, injection wells for the injection of produced water, a separator, a production pump, a water injection and circulation pump and a heating arrangement.
US 2005145388 concerns a subsea process assembly for separating a multiphase flow, the assembly comprising: an inlet for a multiphase medium; a pressure reducing means for reducing the pressure of the multiphase flow from the inlet and creating a source of energy; a multiphase separator for separating the multiphase input into individual phases; and a pumping system for, in use, pumping at least one of the desired individual phases to a delivery point by utilizing at least some of the energy from the source of energy.
US 2003/159581 concerns a method and system for sea-based handling/treatment of fluid hydrocarbons with associated gas comprising a first separation step in a high-pressure separator installed on the seabed, from which is output an oil flow containing an essentially predefined percentage of residual gas. The oil containing residual gas is io carried through a riser up to a surface vessel/production ship, where it is subjected to a second separation step in a second separator incorporated in a low-pressure surface plant on board the vessel, this separated residual gas being used as fuel for direct/indirect generation of electric power for the operation of the underwater and above-water sections of the system. Water and gas produced in the first separation step is returned to a suitable reservoir by the use of a multiphase pump.
US 2002/141829 concerns an offshore oil storage and offtake system including a storage tank attachable to the seabed and adapted to store hydrocarbons. A
fluid channel is included which has a first end positioned inside of the tank proximal a bottom of the tank and a second end in fluid communication with seawater outside of the tank. The system also includes at least one offload line having a first end coupled to and in fluid communication with the tank proximal a top of the tank and a second end adapted to be fluid coupled to the tanker and accessible from a water surface. The system further includes a hawser having a first end operatively coupled to the tank and a second end adapted to be accessible from the water surface and attachable to a tanker to anchor the tanker during tanker offtake operations.
US 2005/042952 concerns a marine riser system for transferring fluid between a plurality of mutually separated locations on the seabed and a vessel on the surface of the sea. The riser system comprises a submerged buoy, a plurality of risers suspended from the buoy to the location on the seabed and a plurality of flexible conduits extending from the vessel to the submerged buoy. Connectors carried by the submerged buoy connect the flexible conduits to the risers, each connector being remotely operable to disconnect all the flexible conduits from the riser. A central tether may be provided tensioned to limit vertical motion of the buoy.
US 4,892,495 concerns a subsurface vessel mooring and loading system for offshore petroleum production, comprising: submersible buoy to be anchored to a seabed by a plurality of mooring lines to extend from the seabed to said buoy; at least one riser pipe to extend from at least one production well in the seabed and having a top end connected to said buoy; a loading vessel having a hull with a rotatable turret seat said buoy being adapted to be seated in said turret seat and product receiving means in said turret seat; first product transfer means extending laterally from said top end of said at least one riser pipe to said product receiving means of said turret seat; and second product transfer means extending between said turret seat and said receiving loading io facilities of said vessel.
WO 2009141351 concerns a vessel comprising a hull, a shaft extending from an upper part of the hull to a bottom of the hull, a turret being rotatably supported in the shaft via a turret bearing, a manifold support structure carrying one or more conduits being rotatably supported on the turret via a manifold bearing, the turret comprising a cavity for receiving a mooring buoy carrying one or more risers and one or more vertically displaceable actuation members near the manifold bearing for vertically displacing the manifold support structure relative to the turret between a rotational position in which the manifold support structure can rotate relative to the turret via the manifold bearing and a locked position in which the bearing support structure is rotationally locked relative to the turret.
In "Subsea Processing Technologyfor Total's Pazflor Project", Forening for fjernstyrt undervannsteknologi, No. 2, 2008, p. 10-11, a subsea gas/liquid separation unit is described where separated gas from subsea separation units is routed along dual gas flow lines and riser systems to a FPSO.
In "Oil and Gas Developments in Arctic and Cold Regions, Challenges related to station-keeping in ice", 9th annual INTSOK Conference, Houston, Texas, March US - Norway Technology Partnership in Oil & Gas Technology as a differentiator in Arctic conditions, the turret mooring of an oil tanker in ice conditions is described.
In "First Ice Model testing of the Arctic Tandem Offloading Terminal", 19th IAHR
International Symposium on Ice "Using New Technology to Understand Water-Ice Interaction", Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, July 6 to 11, 2008, an Arctic Tandem Offloading Terminal (ATOT) is described, comprising two units; a moored offloading icebreaker (OIB) and an offloading tanker moored in tandem.
With all other parameters being equal, mooring loads arising from ice drift around a floating vessel is closely linked to the vessel width and to some extent length. That is to say that the wider and longer a vessel (for a given shape) the higher is the mooring loads 5 arising from the ice drift past the vessel.
From this it may be concluded that there is a need to reduce the size parameter. For FPSOs or floating buoys with any significant storage capacity, such storage comes at the expense of size. Thus, by being able to store produced hydrocarbons at seabed or io elsewhere, the size may come down considerably.
In addition to storage being a size driving parameter, topside requirements (and thereby weight) will also have a tendency to increase vessel footprint and thus its mooring requirements. Thus it is important to reduce the vessel size as much as possible, which is one of the objects of the invention enclosed herein.
Another challenge for production vessels in ice is the ice interaction with the risers through its turret to the seabed. The more risers, the higher will be the likelihood of such interaction and ice entrapment in the riser area.
Finally, to be able to predict the actual operating conditions in ice has proven to be very difficult indeed. There may be occasions where the ice loads may increase suddenly and above a level for which the moored system is intended to handle. Such situations may arise very rapidly and may thus require ditto disconnection from its moorings.
Current systems designed for Arctic operation are all designed for disconnection but with lead times that would be too long for an actual ice operation in the type of environment envisaged for the enclosed system.
In view of the ice challenges in such areas (e.g. North Alaskan coast/Mackenzie delta), conventional floating technologies will have to make precautionary production shut downs long before it is technically necessary. Such shut downs will essentially lead to "season production" only, which generally is undesirable both for economical and technical reasons.
For a hydrocarbon production system, being able to disconnect on only a few seconds' notice, would translate to a vastly improved regularity, compared with conventional technology during the icy season.
WO 2009141351 concerns a vessel comprising a hull, a shaft extending from an upper part of the hull to a bottom of the hull, a turret being rotatably supported in the shaft via a turret bearing, a manifold support structure carrying one or more conduits being rotatably supported on the turret via a manifold bearing, the turret comprising a cavity for receiving a mooring buoy carrying one or more risers and one or more vertically displaceable actuation members near the manifold bearing for vertically displacing the manifold support structure relative to the turret between a rotational position in which the manifold support structure can rotate relative to the turret via the manifold bearing and a locked position in which the bearing support structure is rotationally locked relative to the turret.
In "Subsea Processing Technologyfor Total's Pazflor Project", Forening for fjernstyrt undervannsteknologi, No. 2, 2008, p. 10-11, a subsea gas/liquid separation unit is described where separated gas from subsea separation units is routed along dual gas flow lines and riser systems to a FPSO.
In "Oil and Gas Developments in Arctic and Cold Regions, Challenges related to station-keeping in ice", 9th annual INTSOK Conference, Houston, Texas, March US - Norway Technology Partnership in Oil & Gas Technology as a differentiator in Arctic conditions, the turret mooring of an oil tanker in ice conditions is described.
In "First Ice Model testing of the Arctic Tandem Offloading Terminal", 19th IAHR
International Symposium on Ice "Using New Technology to Understand Water-Ice Interaction", Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, July 6 to 11, 2008, an Arctic Tandem Offloading Terminal (ATOT) is described, comprising two units; a moored offloading icebreaker (OIB) and an offloading tanker moored in tandem.
With all other parameters being equal, mooring loads arising from ice drift around a floating vessel is closely linked to the vessel width and to some extent length. That is to say that the wider and longer a vessel (for a given shape) the higher is the mooring loads 5 arising from the ice drift past the vessel.
From this it may be concluded that there is a need to reduce the size parameter. For FPSOs or floating buoys with any significant storage capacity, such storage comes at the expense of size. Thus, by being able to store produced hydrocarbons at seabed or io elsewhere, the size may come down considerably.
In addition to storage being a size driving parameter, topside requirements (and thereby weight) will also have a tendency to increase vessel footprint and thus its mooring requirements. Thus it is important to reduce the vessel size as much as possible, which is one of the objects of the invention enclosed herein.
Another challenge for production vessels in ice is the ice interaction with the risers through its turret to the seabed. The more risers, the higher will be the likelihood of such interaction and ice entrapment in the riser area.
Finally, to be able to predict the actual operating conditions in ice has proven to be very difficult indeed. There may be occasions where the ice loads may increase suddenly and above a level for which the moored system is intended to handle. Such situations may arise very rapidly and may thus require ditto disconnection from its moorings.
Current systems designed for Arctic operation are all designed for disconnection but with lead times that would be too long for an actual ice operation in the type of environment envisaged for the enclosed system.
In view of the ice challenges in such areas (e.g. North Alaskan coast/Mackenzie delta), conventional floating technologies will have to make precautionary production shut downs long before it is technically necessary. Such shut downs will essentially lead to "season production" only, which generally is undesirable both for economical and technical reasons.
For a hydrocarbon production system, being able to disconnect on only a few seconds' notice, would translate to a vastly improved regularity, compared with conventional technology during the icy season.
Summary of the invention It is an object of the present invention to at least partly overcome the above problems, s and to provide an improved system for subsea field development and/or exploitation /
an improved hydrocarbon production system. This object, and other objects that will be apparent from the following description, is achieved by a system and method according to the appended independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are set forth in the appended dependent claims.
With the present invention, the number of "risers" is reduced to encompass only one umbilical, which may or may not include an oil export riser, which oil export riser is normally empty during normal production.
In its essence the invention comprises a (surface) vessel, preferably an arctic ice class vessel, which is moored to the seabed via heavy anchor lines. The vessel is detachably connected to a seabed production plant by a combined control, fuel gas and umbilical cable as well as offloading conduit. From the vessel, power is delivered to seabed pumps and compressors along with control equipment, such as to well head templates.
Similarly, seabed mounted first, second and third stage separators may ensure fully stabilised crude where separated water is pumped back into suitable reservoirs along with gas, less a small amount of fuel gas, which is piped via the umbilical cable to the surface control vessel, to compressors for reinjection or export (if available). Produced oil from the wells is pumped into dedicated submerged storage facilities before being exported via an oil hose to the surface vessel from where it is further discharged in tandem mode to a shuttle tanker.
The surface vessel used, may be a robust and capable icebreaking vessel but may still have to disconnect rapidly in case of ice overload, which may occur in a very short period of time.
In case of disconnection, there is no live hydrocarbon well, connected to the surface vessel, which may have to be shut down. Thus a disconnection of surface vessel may be carried out on a very short notice unlike a conventional production system.
In one aspect the invention concerns a system for hydrocarbon production, comprising:
an improved hydrocarbon production system. This object, and other objects that will be apparent from the following description, is achieved by a system and method according to the appended independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are set forth in the appended dependent claims.
With the present invention, the number of "risers" is reduced to encompass only one umbilical, which may or may not include an oil export riser, which oil export riser is normally empty during normal production.
In its essence the invention comprises a (surface) vessel, preferably an arctic ice class vessel, which is moored to the seabed via heavy anchor lines. The vessel is detachably connected to a seabed production plant by a combined control, fuel gas and umbilical cable as well as offloading conduit. From the vessel, power is delivered to seabed pumps and compressors along with control equipment, such as to well head templates.
Similarly, seabed mounted first, second and third stage separators may ensure fully stabilised crude where separated water is pumped back into suitable reservoirs along with gas, less a small amount of fuel gas, which is piped via the umbilical cable to the surface control vessel, to compressors for reinjection or export (if available). Produced oil from the wells is pumped into dedicated submerged storage facilities before being exported via an oil hose to the surface vessel from where it is further discharged in tandem mode to a shuttle tanker.
The surface vessel used, may be a robust and capable icebreaking vessel but may still have to disconnect rapidly in case of ice overload, which may occur in a very short period of time.
In case of disconnection, there is no live hydrocarbon well, connected to the surface vessel, which may have to be shut down. Thus a disconnection of surface vessel may be carried out on a very short notice unlike a conventional production system.
In one aspect the invention concerns a system for hydrocarbon production, comprising:
- a subsea storage facility arranged to receive hydrocarbons from a subsea production or process plant on a seabed comprising at least one production subsea well;
- a turret coupled to the subsea production or process plant via at least one umbilical arranged to move hydrocarbons from said at least one production well to the sea surface;
- a vessel detachably connectable to the turret for controlling operation of said subsea production or process plant;
- a control arrangement for controlling the flow and production of hydrocarbons from said well and operable to direct the hydrocarbons to the storage facility;
wherein the vessel is (temporarily) detachable from the turret, alternatively without stopping production of hydrocarbons, whilst hydrocarbons are optionally directed to the storage facility.
In another aspect the invention concerns:
A system wherein:
the subsea process plant comprising said one or more production wells is connected by fluid conduits to the storage facility, for intermediate storage of produced hydrocarbons;
wherein the surface vessel is a control and offloading vessel 1, which may be detachably connected to the subsea process plant by the multifunctional umbilical through the turret moored to the seabed by mooring lines;
alternatively wherein the multifunctional umbilical is comprising:
an oil export conduit;
power and possibly hydraulic supply for the subsea process plant;
signal cables for remote operational control of the subsea process plant;
possibly chemical injection conduits for various chemicals required at the sea floor systems; and possibly a separate fuel conduit for oil or gas;
wherein the export conduit is connected to the storage facility in one end and to a connection device in the other end for detachable connection to the vessel, for offloading produced hydrocarbons from the storage facility to the vessel;
alternatively wherein the control and offloading vessel remotely controls and substantially powers the subsea process plant while connected to the turret;
alternatively wherein the turret may be lowered to a predefined submerged depth or to the seabed when not connected to the vessel; and alternatively wherein the control and offloading vessel comprises one or more offloading hoses for batch wise offloading of produced hydrocarbons from the storage facility to a tanker.
Further, the invention concerns a system for subsea hydrocarbon field development comprising;
a surface vessel;
a subsea process plant on the seabed comprising:
one or more production wells; connected by fluid conduits to a sub sea storage facility, for intermediate storage of produced hydrocarbons;
an export conduit connected to the storage facility in one end and to a connection device in the other for detachable connection to the surface vessel, for offloading produced hydrocarbons from the storage facility to the surface vessel;
is wherein the surface vessel is a control and offloading vessel, which may be detachably connected to the subsea process plant by a multifunctional umbilical through a turret moored to the seabed by mooring lines;
the multifunctional umbilical comprising the oil export conduit;
power and possibly hydraulic supply for the base;
signal cables for remote operational control of the base;
possibly chemical injection conduits for various chemicals required at the sea floor systems; and possibly a separate fuel conduit for oil or gas;
wherein the control and offloading vessel remotely controls and substantially powers the subsea process plant while connected to the turret;
wherein the turret may be lowered to a predefined submerged depth when not connected to the vessel; and wherein the control and offloading vessel comprises one or more offloading hoses for batch wise offloading of produced hydrocarbons from the storage facility to a tanker.
Further, the invention concerns a system as mentioned above with one or more of the following features:
wherein the control and offloading vessel comprises a power generator that supplies sufficient power for the operation of the subsea process plant, said power generator being fuelled by produced hydrocarbons at said process plant and fed by the fuel conduit in the multifunctional umbilical;
s wherein the subsea process plant comprises a separator connected to the wells for separating oil and produced water and/or gas from the hydrocarbons from said wells;
- a turret coupled to the subsea production or process plant via at least one umbilical arranged to move hydrocarbons from said at least one production well to the sea surface;
- a vessel detachably connectable to the turret for controlling operation of said subsea production or process plant;
- a control arrangement for controlling the flow and production of hydrocarbons from said well and operable to direct the hydrocarbons to the storage facility;
wherein the vessel is (temporarily) detachable from the turret, alternatively without stopping production of hydrocarbons, whilst hydrocarbons are optionally directed to the storage facility.
In another aspect the invention concerns:
A system wherein:
the subsea process plant comprising said one or more production wells is connected by fluid conduits to the storage facility, for intermediate storage of produced hydrocarbons;
wherein the surface vessel is a control and offloading vessel 1, which may be detachably connected to the subsea process plant by the multifunctional umbilical through the turret moored to the seabed by mooring lines;
alternatively wherein the multifunctional umbilical is comprising:
an oil export conduit;
power and possibly hydraulic supply for the subsea process plant;
signal cables for remote operational control of the subsea process plant;
possibly chemical injection conduits for various chemicals required at the sea floor systems; and possibly a separate fuel conduit for oil or gas;
wherein the export conduit is connected to the storage facility in one end and to a connection device in the other end for detachable connection to the vessel, for offloading produced hydrocarbons from the storage facility to the vessel;
alternatively wherein the control and offloading vessel remotely controls and substantially powers the subsea process plant while connected to the turret;
alternatively wherein the turret may be lowered to a predefined submerged depth or to the seabed when not connected to the vessel; and alternatively wherein the control and offloading vessel comprises one or more offloading hoses for batch wise offloading of produced hydrocarbons from the storage facility to a tanker.
Further, the invention concerns a system for subsea hydrocarbon field development comprising;
a surface vessel;
a subsea process plant on the seabed comprising:
one or more production wells; connected by fluid conduits to a sub sea storage facility, for intermediate storage of produced hydrocarbons;
an export conduit connected to the storage facility in one end and to a connection device in the other for detachable connection to the surface vessel, for offloading produced hydrocarbons from the storage facility to the surface vessel;
is wherein the surface vessel is a control and offloading vessel, which may be detachably connected to the subsea process plant by a multifunctional umbilical through a turret moored to the seabed by mooring lines;
the multifunctional umbilical comprising the oil export conduit;
power and possibly hydraulic supply for the base;
signal cables for remote operational control of the base;
possibly chemical injection conduits for various chemicals required at the sea floor systems; and possibly a separate fuel conduit for oil or gas;
wherein the control and offloading vessel remotely controls and substantially powers the subsea process plant while connected to the turret;
wherein the turret may be lowered to a predefined submerged depth when not connected to the vessel; and wherein the control and offloading vessel comprises one or more offloading hoses for batch wise offloading of produced hydrocarbons from the storage facility to a tanker.
Further, the invention concerns a system as mentioned above with one or more of the following features:
wherein the control and offloading vessel comprises a power generator that supplies sufficient power for the operation of the subsea process plant, said power generator being fuelled by produced hydrocarbons at said process plant and fed by the fuel conduit in the multifunctional umbilical;
s wherein the subsea process plant comprises a separator connected to the wells for separating oil and produced water and/or gas from the hydrocarbons from said wells;
10 wherein - the stabilised oil is transported to the storage facility by an oil conduit, alternatively with the aid of a transport pump;
- any separated water is transported by a produced water conduit to an injection well, with the aid of transport pump; and 1s - any separated gas is transported by a gas conduit to an injection well with the aid of a transport compressor;
wherein the injection wells are part of an injection well frame, alternatively where gas and water are lead to separate injection well templates;
wherein the separator is a three stage separator providing fully stabilised oil, produced water and gas;
wherein a part of the compressed gas is directed through the separate fuel conduit of the multifunctional umbilical for power production aboard the control and offloading vessel, preferably in an amount sufficient to produce power for the operating the subsea process plant, and preferably the vessel itself;
wherein the separator provides full separation down to 1 atm vapour pressure to obtain a completely stabilised hydrocarbon liquid fraction;
wherein the control and offloading vessel and tanker may be detachably connected by one or more towing wires, said wires providing indirect mooring of said tanker through the turret moored vessel;
wherein the tanker comprises receiving means for the one or more offloading hoses connected to the offloading vessel;
- any separated water is transported by a produced water conduit to an injection well, with the aid of transport pump; and 1s - any separated gas is transported by a gas conduit to an injection well with the aid of a transport compressor;
wherein the injection wells are part of an injection well frame, alternatively where gas and water are lead to separate injection well templates;
wherein the separator is a three stage separator providing fully stabilised oil, produced water and gas;
wherein a part of the compressed gas is directed through the separate fuel conduit of the multifunctional umbilical for power production aboard the control and offloading vessel, preferably in an amount sufficient to produce power for the operating the subsea process plant, and preferably the vessel itself;
wherein the separator provides full separation down to 1 atm vapour pressure to obtain a completely stabilised hydrocarbon liquid fraction;
wherein the control and offloading vessel and tanker may be detachably connected by one or more towing wires, said wires providing indirect mooring of said tanker through the turret moored vessel;
wherein the tanker comprises receiving means for the one or more offloading hoses connected to the offloading vessel;
wherein the control and offloading vessel leaves a smaller footprint than a Floating Production Storage & Offloading (FPSO) vessel necessarily would;
s wherein the control and offloading vessel is an Offloading Ice Breaker (OIB);
wherein the tanker is an ice breaking tanker;
The invention also concerns a method for producing hydrocarbons by the use of any of 1o the systems described above.
Further the invention concerns a method of producing hydrocarbons from a subsea production or process plant on a seabed comprising at least one production subsea well, the method comprising the steps of:
1s (a) providing a storage facility arranged to receive hydrocarbons from at least one well, a turret coupled to said at least one well via at least one umbilical, and a vessel;
(b) controlling the flow of hydrocarbons from said at least one well;
(c) detaching said vessel from the turret whilst optionally directing the 20 hydrocarbons to said storage facilities and without stopping production for a predetermined period of time.
Further the invention concerns a method for producing hydrocarbons wherein hydrocarbons are extracted from hydrocarbon wells and separated by a subsea separator 25 into stabilised oil, produced water and/or gas, said oil is transported to a temporary subsea storage facility, and batch wise offloaded from said storage facility 100 by a multifunctional umbilical 104 detachably connected to a control and offloading vessel 1 at sea level when said vessel is connected to the umbilical and a tanker 2, preferably as an Arctic Tandem Offloading Terminal (ATOT).
Also, the invention concerns a method as mentioned above with one or more of the following features:
wherein said produced water is injected to the sub-terrain by an injection well and wherein said separated gas is injected to the sub-terrain by an injection well preferably by the aid of a subsea compressor;
s wherein the control and offloading vessel is an Offloading Ice Breaker (OIB);
wherein the tanker is an ice breaking tanker;
The invention also concerns a method for producing hydrocarbons by the use of any of 1o the systems described above.
Further the invention concerns a method of producing hydrocarbons from a subsea production or process plant on a seabed comprising at least one production subsea well, the method comprising the steps of:
1s (a) providing a storage facility arranged to receive hydrocarbons from at least one well, a turret coupled to said at least one well via at least one umbilical, and a vessel;
(b) controlling the flow of hydrocarbons from said at least one well;
(c) detaching said vessel from the turret whilst optionally directing the 20 hydrocarbons to said storage facilities and without stopping production for a predetermined period of time.
Further the invention concerns a method for producing hydrocarbons wherein hydrocarbons are extracted from hydrocarbon wells and separated by a subsea separator 25 into stabilised oil, produced water and/or gas, said oil is transported to a temporary subsea storage facility, and batch wise offloaded from said storage facility 100 by a multifunctional umbilical 104 detachably connected to a control and offloading vessel 1 at sea level when said vessel is connected to the umbilical and a tanker 2, preferably as an Arctic Tandem Offloading Terminal (ATOT).
Also, the invention concerns a method as mentioned above with one or more of the following features:
wherein said produced water is injected to the sub-terrain by an injection well and wherein said separated gas is injected to the sub-terrain by an injection well preferably by the aid of a subsea compressor;
wherein fuel from the separator in the form of gas or oil is supplied by the multifunctional umbilical 104 to the control and offloading vessel 1, preferably gas from a subsea compressor, for power generation providing power for the vessel itself and subsea units for hydrocarbon extraction, separation, storage, s injection and transport;
wherein the control and offloading vessel 1 remotely controls the subsea units for hydrocarbon extraction, separation, storage, injection and transport through the multifunctional umbilical 104;
The disconnection and reconnection of the control and offloading vessel from the turret is according to the present invention a part of normal procedural production and not an emergency procedure as described in prior art. The subsea production or process plant is hence adapted to quick and frequent controlled shut down and restart as part of normal production. During disconnection of the control and offloading vessel from the subsea production or process plant, the plant may quickly shut down in a self-shutting controlled manner to a safe mode enabled amongst other by the subsea storage facility.
Said safe mode also enables fast reconnection and start up of production once the control and offloading vessel is reconnected to the system by the turret.
The present invention will now be described in further detail by way of example embodiments and with reference to the appended drawings, none of which should be interpreted as limiting of the scope of the invention.
Brief description of the drawings Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the subsea field development and/or exploitation system with a non-icebreaking surface vessel.
3o Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the subsea field development and/or exploitation system according to the invention.
Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the subsea field development and/or exploitation system in a disconnected condition.
Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the subsea field development and/or exploitation system in an offloading mode with a shuttle tanker attached in a tandem-offloading mode.
wherein the control and offloading vessel 1 remotely controls the subsea units for hydrocarbon extraction, separation, storage, injection and transport through the multifunctional umbilical 104;
The disconnection and reconnection of the control and offloading vessel from the turret is according to the present invention a part of normal procedural production and not an emergency procedure as described in prior art. The subsea production or process plant is hence adapted to quick and frequent controlled shut down and restart as part of normal production. During disconnection of the control and offloading vessel from the subsea production or process plant, the plant may quickly shut down in a self-shutting controlled manner to a safe mode enabled amongst other by the subsea storage facility.
Said safe mode also enables fast reconnection and start up of production once the control and offloading vessel is reconnected to the system by the turret.
The present invention will now be described in further detail by way of example embodiments and with reference to the appended drawings, none of which should be interpreted as limiting of the scope of the invention.
Brief description of the drawings Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the subsea field development and/or exploitation system with a non-icebreaking surface vessel.
3o Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the subsea field development and/or exploitation system according to the invention.
Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the subsea field development and/or exploitation system in a disconnected condition.
Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the subsea field development and/or exploitation system in an offloading mode with a shuttle tanker attached in a tandem-offloading mode.
Detailed description of the invention Fig. 1 shows one embodiment of the system for subsea field development and/or exploitation with complete remote processing for deepwater, arctic or similar harsh environments according to the present invention. The system comprises a subsea process plant 99, or system template, based on the seafloor 200, which may be remotely operated by a vessel I at sea level 300.
1o The subsea process plant 99 is a total production system comprising a subsea storage facility 100 for temporary storage of produced hydrocarbons from one or more hydrocarbon wells 101; alternatively pumps 103, 106; alternatively piping 102, (and possibly 133, 104a, 104b) there between; alternatively control centre(s) 107; and control and power cabling 110 for power supply, possibly monitoring and control of all is units of the system.
The storage facility 100 may comprise one or more of any conventional storage facilities available, such as seabed tanks, which may be connected in series or in parallel, according to the capacity needed.
The hydrocarbon wells 101 may comprise well head templates and are connected to the storage facilities 100 by one or more hydrocarbon transport conduits 102, which conduits alternatively may be equipped with an oil transport pump 103 if needed, dependent on the pressure from the hydrocarbon wells 101 and the distance between the wells and the storage facilities 100, as well as recirculation possibilities.
The storage facility 100 allows for temporary storage during production from the wells 101 and produced oil is offloaded by an export conduit 104c (and possibly 104a, 104b) which in a first end is connected to the storage facility and in the second end detachably connected to a control and offloading vessel 1. The system may also comprise one or more export pumps 106 in order to enable transport of oil from the storage facilities 100 to the control and offloading vessel 1. In order to allow for quick disconnection of the control and offloading vessel 1, in case of turbulent sea, bad weather, icing conditions or drifting ice or the like, the export conduit 104a is connected by a quickly detachable turret 105 to the vessel 1. The turret 105 is moored to the seabed 200 by conventional mooring lines 109, while the vessel I is provided with receiving means, such as a turret seat for detachable accommodating the turret 105, upon which the vessel 1 may swivel.
1o The subsea process plant 99 is a total production system comprising a subsea storage facility 100 for temporary storage of produced hydrocarbons from one or more hydrocarbon wells 101; alternatively pumps 103, 106; alternatively piping 102, (and possibly 133, 104a, 104b) there between; alternatively control centre(s) 107; and control and power cabling 110 for power supply, possibly monitoring and control of all is units of the system.
The storage facility 100 may comprise one or more of any conventional storage facilities available, such as seabed tanks, which may be connected in series or in parallel, according to the capacity needed.
The hydrocarbon wells 101 may comprise well head templates and are connected to the storage facilities 100 by one or more hydrocarbon transport conduits 102, which conduits alternatively may be equipped with an oil transport pump 103 if needed, dependent on the pressure from the hydrocarbon wells 101 and the distance between the wells and the storage facilities 100, as well as recirculation possibilities.
The storage facility 100 allows for temporary storage during production from the wells 101 and produced oil is offloaded by an export conduit 104c (and possibly 104a, 104b) which in a first end is connected to the storage facility and in the second end detachably connected to a control and offloading vessel 1. The system may also comprise one or more export pumps 106 in order to enable transport of oil from the storage facilities 100 to the control and offloading vessel 1. In order to allow for quick disconnection of the control and offloading vessel 1, in case of turbulent sea, bad weather, icing conditions or drifting ice or the like, the export conduit 104a is connected by a quickly detachable turret 105 to the vessel 1. The turret 105 is moored to the seabed 200 by conventional mooring lines 109, while the vessel I is provided with receiving means, such as a turret seat for detachable accommodating the turret 105, upon which the vessel 1 may swivel.
The export conduit 104 (104a, 140b, 140c) may be joined at any point by other conduits and cables in order to make up a multifunctional umbilical 104c leading up to the turret 105. For example, a first part of the export conduit 104a may connect the storage s facility 100 to the export pump 106, a second part of the export conduit 104b may connect the pump to the turret 105 via a control box 107 where said conduits and cables join the export conduit to make up the multifunctional umbilical 104c.
The control and offloading vessel 1 controls and powers the subsea production system io as well as itself and needs fuel to produce such power. Produced hydrocarbons may be separated by a subsea separator 120, where separated oil is directed to the storage facility 100, by conduit 102, and separated produced water and/or gas is directed to an injection well 132 by the help of a pump or compressor 124 for subterranean storage.
This solves the handling issues of such fluids at seabed level and does not involve 15 processing thereof at sea level or transport to the sea level such as in prior art. In the case of separated gas (or oil) a fuel conduit 133 may direct a part of the gas (or oil) to the multifunctional umbilical 104c.
Hence the multifunctional umbilical 104c may preferably also comprise the fuel conduit 20 for hydrocarbon fuel, such as gas (or oil if required), in order to produce electrical power on board the vessel 1. In addition, the multifunctional umbilical comprises power cables in order to supply the subsea system with power, especially the pumps and compressors. Also, the multifunctional umbilical 104c comprises control cables, such as conventional signal cables of copper threads and/or optical fibres, and possibly 25 hydraulic cables if needed for hydraulic power, in addition to possible chemical transfer lines such as for treatment of units, pipes, wells, etc.
The power supply and/or control cables may be connected to a subsea power/control unit 107 which is connected by power/control cables 110 to each unit, such as well 3o heads, pumps, separators, compressors, valves, pipes and the storage facilities in order to power, control and monitor such units during active remote operation from the control and offloading vessel 1. Also, such a subsea power/control unit 107 may control the units mentioned according to pre-programmed shut down operational routines during and after disconnection from the surface vessel 1. Such shut down operations 35 may include recirculation of hydrocarbons in a production loop, injection of glycol or methanol, for example to hinder hydrate formation in the subsea piping and equipment, or alternatively even continued production, preferably pre-programmed, other otherwise remotely controlled.
The control and offloading vessel 1 typically stays connected to the turret 105 and 5 controls and powers the seabed process plant 99 while weather and climate conditions permits. Produced hydrocarbons are regularly offloaded from the temporary subsea storage facilities 100, via the surface vessel 1 and to a shuttle tanker 2, such as by transfer conduits 32 aboard the vessel which may be connected to a corresponding connection 11 on the tanker 2. The transfer conduits or hoses may for example be io hoisted over the bow of a tanker via a support tower 31 on the stern deck of the control and offloading vessel 1.
The storage facility 100 may for example have a capacity for continuous independent production from several days to even a few weeks. In addition, the storage facilities 15 may have a certain additional storage capacity to accommodate production during harsh weather conditions where the lighter and more robust control and offloading vessel 1 may stay connected to the system, but where tanker connection or availability may be difficult, as will be explained in more detail later.
The control and offloading vessel 1 is in this regard quite different from a FPSO vessel (Floating Production Storage & Offloading) as it has virtually no process and storage capacity for the subsea process base, save a small power generation, and therefore leaves a much smaller footprint than a FPSO. The control and offloading vessel 1 may be built substantially more robust against heavy ice conditions than, which conditions a FPSO endures and which may cause shut downs of production for security reasons both with and without disconnection from the subsea wells.
The control and offloading vessel 1 serves as a control centre for the production of oil, which production is supplied to the subsea storage facility 100. Hence, extremely quick 3o disconnection of the vessel 1 is possible as no live transfer of oil is made from the wells.
The disconnections may be in the order of 2 minutes, compared to a period of 1 or 2 days for productions islands or FPSOs which are connected to live wells with several heavy risers that need long and complicated shutdown procedures.
Fig. 2 shows another embodiment according to the present invention. In order for the subsea production system to continuously operate, there may be a need for processing of the produced hydrocarbons depending on their state and quality. In this embodiment, a complete three stage separator 120 receives the hydrocarbons produced by one or more production wells 101a, 10lb. The separator 120 may deliver completely separated and stabilized oil down to 1 atm vapour pressure, which is delivered by oil conduit 102, possibly by one or more pumps 103, to the storage facility 100. Produced water is separated out in the separator and may be directed by a pipe 121 to an injection well frame 130 comprising one or more injection wells, such as a water injection well 131.
Transport of water may be assisted by one or more water pumps 123. Gas is also separated out if present, and is fed by a gas pipe 122, preferably with the assistance of a subsea gas compressor 124, to the injection well frame 130 to be injected in an injection io well 132, or possibly together with water in a Water-Alternating-Gas (WAG) injection configuration.
As shown in Fig. 2, the oil conduit 102 may not be connected directly to the storage facility, but may alternatively be connected to the export conduit 104 from said facility.
Produced oil will normally be directed towards the storage facility, but during offloading of the storage facility, produced oil may also be directed towards the offloading vessel I when connected to a tanker. Upon disconnection from the control and offloading vessel 1, the produced and stabilised oil will automatically be directed to the storage facility instead of towards the umbilical 104 ending in the turret 105. With the connection scheme of fig. 2, the oil conduit in the multifunctional umbilical 104 will, when disconnected, be sealed in the turret 105 and the export pump 106 turned off.
Upon harsh weather conditions such as icing, hard and thick drift ice, or possible collisions with icebergs 301 control and offloading vessel 1, here illustrated by an ice breaker vessel, which is moored by the mooring lines 109 of the turret 105, may quickly disconnect and move out of the path of such ice, or actively clear the ice around the turret 105 with its ice breaking capability.
While the control and offloading vessel I is disconnected from the subsea production system, as shown in Fig. 3, the turret 105 may be stabilised at a safe submerged position in stand-by mode, such as at a predefined depth, avoiding interaction with the icebergs 301, ice formations or icing of the turret itself, or heavy seas, but still above the seabed 200. The multifunctional umbilical 104, which may contain several functional conduits and cables as mentioned, is preferably equipped with buoys 108 to maintain the umbilical off the seabed while providing slack so as the umbilical is not strained neither during stand-by mode or offloading mode.
The control and offloading vessel 1 controls and powers the subsea production system io as well as itself and needs fuel to produce such power. Produced hydrocarbons may be separated by a subsea separator 120, where separated oil is directed to the storage facility 100, by conduit 102, and separated produced water and/or gas is directed to an injection well 132 by the help of a pump or compressor 124 for subterranean storage.
This solves the handling issues of such fluids at seabed level and does not involve 15 processing thereof at sea level or transport to the sea level such as in prior art. In the case of separated gas (or oil) a fuel conduit 133 may direct a part of the gas (or oil) to the multifunctional umbilical 104c.
Hence the multifunctional umbilical 104c may preferably also comprise the fuel conduit 20 for hydrocarbon fuel, such as gas (or oil if required), in order to produce electrical power on board the vessel 1. In addition, the multifunctional umbilical comprises power cables in order to supply the subsea system with power, especially the pumps and compressors. Also, the multifunctional umbilical 104c comprises control cables, such as conventional signal cables of copper threads and/or optical fibres, and possibly 25 hydraulic cables if needed for hydraulic power, in addition to possible chemical transfer lines such as for treatment of units, pipes, wells, etc.
The power supply and/or control cables may be connected to a subsea power/control unit 107 which is connected by power/control cables 110 to each unit, such as well 3o heads, pumps, separators, compressors, valves, pipes and the storage facilities in order to power, control and monitor such units during active remote operation from the control and offloading vessel 1. Also, such a subsea power/control unit 107 may control the units mentioned according to pre-programmed shut down operational routines during and after disconnection from the surface vessel 1. Such shut down operations 35 may include recirculation of hydrocarbons in a production loop, injection of glycol or methanol, for example to hinder hydrate formation in the subsea piping and equipment, or alternatively even continued production, preferably pre-programmed, other otherwise remotely controlled.
The control and offloading vessel 1 typically stays connected to the turret 105 and 5 controls and powers the seabed process plant 99 while weather and climate conditions permits. Produced hydrocarbons are regularly offloaded from the temporary subsea storage facilities 100, via the surface vessel 1 and to a shuttle tanker 2, such as by transfer conduits 32 aboard the vessel which may be connected to a corresponding connection 11 on the tanker 2. The transfer conduits or hoses may for example be io hoisted over the bow of a tanker via a support tower 31 on the stern deck of the control and offloading vessel 1.
The storage facility 100 may for example have a capacity for continuous independent production from several days to even a few weeks. In addition, the storage facilities 15 may have a certain additional storage capacity to accommodate production during harsh weather conditions where the lighter and more robust control and offloading vessel 1 may stay connected to the system, but where tanker connection or availability may be difficult, as will be explained in more detail later.
The control and offloading vessel 1 is in this regard quite different from a FPSO vessel (Floating Production Storage & Offloading) as it has virtually no process and storage capacity for the subsea process base, save a small power generation, and therefore leaves a much smaller footprint than a FPSO. The control and offloading vessel 1 may be built substantially more robust against heavy ice conditions than, which conditions a FPSO endures and which may cause shut downs of production for security reasons both with and without disconnection from the subsea wells.
The control and offloading vessel 1 serves as a control centre for the production of oil, which production is supplied to the subsea storage facility 100. Hence, extremely quick 3o disconnection of the vessel 1 is possible as no live transfer of oil is made from the wells.
The disconnections may be in the order of 2 minutes, compared to a period of 1 or 2 days for productions islands or FPSOs which are connected to live wells with several heavy risers that need long and complicated shutdown procedures.
Fig. 2 shows another embodiment according to the present invention. In order for the subsea production system to continuously operate, there may be a need for processing of the produced hydrocarbons depending on their state and quality. In this embodiment, a complete three stage separator 120 receives the hydrocarbons produced by one or more production wells 101a, 10lb. The separator 120 may deliver completely separated and stabilized oil down to 1 atm vapour pressure, which is delivered by oil conduit 102, possibly by one or more pumps 103, to the storage facility 100. Produced water is separated out in the separator and may be directed by a pipe 121 to an injection well frame 130 comprising one or more injection wells, such as a water injection well 131.
Transport of water may be assisted by one or more water pumps 123. Gas is also separated out if present, and is fed by a gas pipe 122, preferably with the assistance of a subsea gas compressor 124, to the injection well frame 130 to be injected in an injection io well 132, or possibly together with water in a Water-Alternating-Gas (WAG) injection configuration.
As shown in Fig. 2, the oil conduit 102 may not be connected directly to the storage facility, but may alternatively be connected to the export conduit 104 from said facility.
Produced oil will normally be directed towards the storage facility, but during offloading of the storage facility, produced oil may also be directed towards the offloading vessel I when connected to a tanker. Upon disconnection from the control and offloading vessel 1, the produced and stabilised oil will automatically be directed to the storage facility instead of towards the umbilical 104 ending in the turret 105. With the connection scheme of fig. 2, the oil conduit in the multifunctional umbilical 104 will, when disconnected, be sealed in the turret 105 and the export pump 106 turned off.
Upon harsh weather conditions such as icing, hard and thick drift ice, or possible collisions with icebergs 301 control and offloading vessel 1, here illustrated by an ice breaker vessel, which is moored by the mooring lines 109 of the turret 105, may quickly disconnect and move out of the path of such ice, or actively clear the ice around the turret 105 with its ice breaking capability.
While the control and offloading vessel I is disconnected from the subsea production system, as shown in Fig. 3, the turret 105 may be stabilised at a safe submerged position in stand-by mode, such as at a predefined depth, avoiding interaction with the icebergs 301, ice formations or icing of the turret itself, or heavy seas, but still above the seabed 200. The multifunctional umbilical 104, which may contain several functional conduits and cables as mentioned, is preferably equipped with buoys 108 to maintain the umbilical off the seabed while providing slack so as the umbilical is not strained neither during stand-by mode or offloading mode.
All piping illustrated may comprise return conduits in order to recirculate fluids during shutdown periods in loops. Recirculation in the production loops (not shown), including oil, gas and water conduits as well as production units, of the subsea production system may preferably be performed towards the storage facilities 100, in order to hinder blocking by formation of hydrate or ice in the piping and production equipment.
In fig. 2, 3 and 4 the power and remote control cables 110 are not indicated as in fig. 1, as they preferably may be bundled or integrated with all or any of the subsea piping and units shown. Although not shown, the embodiments of fig. 2, 3 and 4 may still comprise io control centers, as shown by control centre 107 in fig. 1, both in the form of main centrals and sub-centrals distributed around the process plant 99.
The control and offloading vessel 1 is a light vessel compared to a tanker or FPSO and may disconnect and connect quickly to the production system so that production may 1s resume quickly once reconnected, especially as the system is idle on recirculation in a stand-by mode. The control and offloading vessel 1 shown in fig. 2 may also have the characteristics of an ice breaker, such as an Offloading Ice Breaker (OIB), when operating in cold climates, such as arctic areas. The vessel may keep the area around the production site, and especially proximal to the turret 105, more or less clear of ice, or at 20 least clear of ice that may cause problems for the vessel itself and shuttle tankers for offloading. An icebreaking control and offloading vessel 1 may even break ice to clear channels for tankers into an ice infested area, so as to offload oil from the site via the control and offloading vessel 1. As seen on fig. 2, such an ice breaker control and offloading vessel 1 may be of a conventional ice breaking hull design, with front and aft 25 thrusters for manoeuvrability in ice infested areas as well as for weakening and breaking ice together with the design and enforcement of the hull.
Fig. 4 shows another embodiment according to the present invention, wherein the sea may be partly or totally covered with ice 302, such as by drift ice, seasonal ice or year 3o round ice, and in addition possibly icebergs 301 or ice ridges. In these conditions a conventional tanker may not be equipped to access the production site and the control and offloading vessel 1. If the ice is thick and no channel is made an icebreaking tanker 2 may therefore be used as shown in fig. 4. In this embodiment a so called Arctic Tandem Offloading Terminal (ATOT) is set up by the tandem loading by the OIB 3 35 moored to the turret 105, which offloads produced and stabilised oil to the icebreaking tanker 2 which is also preferably connected to the OIB during said offload by towing wires 33 or similar.
In fig. 2, 3 and 4 the power and remote control cables 110 are not indicated as in fig. 1, as they preferably may be bundled or integrated with all or any of the subsea piping and units shown. Although not shown, the embodiments of fig. 2, 3 and 4 may still comprise io control centers, as shown by control centre 107 in fig. 1, both in the form of main centrals and sub-centrals distributed around the process plant 99.
The control and offloading vessel 1 is a light vessel compared to a tanker or FPSO and may disconnect and connect quickly to the production system so that production may 1s resume quickly once reconnected, especially as the system is idle on recirculation in a stand-by mode. The control and offloading vessel 1 shown in fig. 2 may also have the characteristics of an ice breaker, such as an Offloading Ice Breaker (OIB), when operating in cold climates, such as arctic areas. The vessel may keep the area around the production site, and especially proximal to the turret 105, more or less clear of ice, or at 20 least clear of ice that may cause problems for the vessel itself and shuttle tankers for offloading. An icebreaking control and offloading vessel 1 may even break ice to clear channels for tankers into an ice infested area, so as to offload oil from the site via the control and offloading vessel 1. As seen on fig. 2, such an ice breaker control and offloading vessel 1 may be of a conventional ice breaking hull design, with front and aft 25 thrusters for manoeuvrability in ice infested areas as well as for weakening and breaking ice together with the design and enforcement of the hull.
Fig. 4 shows another embodiment according to the present invention, wherein the sea may be partly or totally covered with ice 302, such as by drift ice, seasonal ice or year 3o round ice, and in addition possibly icebergs 301 or ice ridges. In these conditions a conventional tanker may not be equipped to access the production site and the control and offloading vessel 1. If the ice is thick and no channel is made an icebreaking tanker 2 may therefore be used as shown in fig. 4. In this embodiment a so called Arctic Tandem Offloading Terminal (ATOT) is set up by the tandem loading by the OIB 3 35 moored to the turret 105, which offloads produced and stabilised oil to the icebreaking tanker 2 which is also preferably connected to the OIB during said offload by towing wires 33 or similar.
For this purpose, the OIB 3 comprises one or more transfer conduits 32 which may be hoisted out over the stern of the OIB by a support tower 31 or crane, for safe and flexible connection to the icebreaking tanker 2, preferably to an offload connection 11 s on the bow of said tanker. The vessels may preferably be connected together by one or more towing wires 33, in order to keep the vessels from drifting apart, and for indirect mooring of the tanker 2 to the seabed via the OIB and the turret 105 (with its mooring lines 109).
io Subsurface connection in ice is considered as a much more extensive operation than in open water. The subsurface mooring therefore has a strong design and the OIB
may be a high capacity ice-breaking vessel. Together this enables the OIB to stay on in severe ice conditions, and reduce the number of connections/disconnections to a minimum, which is preferable in order to hinder ice formation that easily may appear on the turret during 15 submerged standby. Such icing of the turret may again hinder connection to a turret seat in the OIB or control and offloading vessel 1 when reconnecting or at least prolong reconnection time.
In one additional embodiment the vessel can comprise emergency storage tank (not 20 shown) on board for emergency offloading / recovering of hydrocarbons from the storage facilities 100 in case of emergency, etc. and/or a buffer tank for coupling and decoupling procedures with a tanker to avoid spills.
In summary the system according the present invention provides the following 25 improvements:
1. Reducing the control vessel's footprint (displacement) and thus mooring loads by arranging oil storage at the seabed.
2. Further reducing the vessel's footprint (displacement) and thus mooring loads by arranging the process plant at the seabed.
30 3. Reducing the number of risers exposed to ice interaction under the vessel by having the process plant at seabed.
4. Having no live hydrocarbon connections to the seabed (except for a small line for fuel gas) which enables a much more rapid disconnection of the turret mooring in case of ice overload.
35 5. By virtue of the above features enable much higher production regularity than what is otherwise possible with today's technology.
io Subsurface connection in ice is considered as a much more extensive operation than in open water. The subsurface mooring therefore has a strong design and the OIB
may be a high capacity ice-breaking vessel. Together this enables the OIB to stay on in severe ice conditions, and reduce the number of connections/disconnections to a minimum, which is preferable in order to hinder ice formation that easily may appear on the turret during 15 submerged standby. Such icing of the turret may again hinder connection to a turret seat in the OIB or control and offloading vessel 1 when reconnecting or at least prolong reconnection time.
In one additional embodiment the vessel can comprise emergency storage tank (not 20 shown) on board for emergency offloading / recovering of hydrocarbons from the storage facilities 100 in case of emergency, etc. and/or a buffer tank for coupling and decoupling procedures with a tanker to avoid spills.
In summary the system according the present invention provides the following 25 improvements:
1. Reducing the control vessel's footprint (displacement) and thus mooring loads by arranging oil storage at the seabed.
2. Further reducing the vessel's footprint (displacement) and thus mooring loads by arranging the process plant at the seabed.
30 3. Reducing the number of risers exposed to ice interaction under the vessel by having the process plant at seabed.
4. Having no live hydrocarbon connections to the seabed (except for a small line for fuel gas) which enables a much more rapid disconnection of the turret mooring in case of ice overload.
35 5. By virtue of the above features enable much higher production regularity than what is otherwise possible with today's technology.
Claims (25)
1. System for hydrocarbon production, comprising:
- a subsea storage facility arranged to receive hydrocarbons from a subsea production or process plant on a seabed comprising at least one production subsea well;
- a turret coupled to the subsea production or process plant via at least one umbilical arranged to move hydrocarbons from said at least one production well to the sea surface;
- a vessel detachably connectable to said turret for controlling operation of said subsea production or process plant;
- a control arrangement for controlling the flow and production of hydrocarbons from said well and operable to direct the hydrocarbons to the storage facility.
- a subsea storage facility arranged to receive hydrocarbons from a subsea production or process plant on a seabed comprising at least one production subsea well;
- a turret coupled to the subsea production or process plant via at least one umbilical arranged to move hydrocarbons from said at least one production well to the sea surface;
- a vessel detachably connectable to said turret for controlling operation of said subsea production or process plant;
- a control arrangement for controlling the flow and production of hydrocarbons from said well and operable to direct the hydrocarbons to the storage facility.
2. System according to claim 1, wherein said vessel is provided with receiving means such as a turret seat for detachable accommodation of the turret upon which the vessel may swivel.
3. System according to claim 1, wherein:
the subsea production or process plant (99) comprising said one or more production wells (101; 101a, 1001b) is connected by fluid conduits (102) to the storage facility (100), for intermediate storage of produced hydrocarbons;
wherein the surface vessel is a control and offloading vessel 1, which is detachably connected to the subsea process plant by the multifunctional umbilical (104) through the turret (105) moored to the seabed by mooring lines (109);
alternatively wherein the multifunctional umbilical (104) is comprising:
an oil export conduit;
power and possibly hydraulic supply for the subsea process plant;
signal cables for remote operational control of the subsea process plant;
possibly chemical injection conduits for various chemicals required at the sea floor systems; and possibly a separate fuel conduit for oil or gas;
wherein the export conduit is connected to the subsea storage facility (100) in one end and to a turret in the other end for detachable connection to the vessel (1), for offloading produced hydrocarbons from the storage facility (100) to the vessel (1);
alternatively wherein the control and offloading vessel (1) remotely controls and substantially powers the subsea process plant while connected to the turret;
alternatively wherein the turret (105) may be lowered to a predefined submerged depth or to the seabed when not connected to the vessel (1); and alternatively wherein the control and offloading vessel (1) comprises one or more offloading hoses (32) for batch wise offloading of produced hydrocarbons from the storage facility (100) to a tanker (2).
the subsea production or process plant (99) comprising said one or more production wells (101; 101a, 1001b) is connected by fluid conduits (102) to the storage facility (100), for intermediate storage of produced hydrocarbons;
wherein the surface vessel is a control and offloading vessel 1, which is detachably connected to the subsea process plant by the multifunctional umbilical (104) through the turret (105) moored to the seabed by mooring lines (109);
alternatively wherein the multifunctional umbilical (104) is comprising:
an oil export conduit;
power and possibly hydraulic supply for the subsea process plant;
signal cables for remote operational control of the subsea process plant;
possibly chemical injection conduits for various chemicals required at the sea floor systems; and possibly a separate fuel conduit for oil or gas;
wherein the export conduit is connected to the subsea storage facility (100) in one end and to a turret in the other end for detachable connection to the vessel (1), for offloading produced hydrocarbons from the storage facility (100) to the vessel (1);
alternatively wherein the control and offloading vessel (1) remotely controls and substantially powers the subsea process plant while connected to the turret;
alternatively wherein the turret (105) may be lowered to a predefined submerged depth or to the seabed when not connected to the vessel (1); and alternatively wherein the control and offloading vessel (1) comprises one or more offloading hoses (32) for batch wise offloading of produced hydrocarbons from the storage facility (100) to a tanker (2).
4. System according to claim 1,2 or 3, wherein the control and offloading vessel (1) comprises a power generator that supplies sufficient power for the operation of the subsea production or process plant, said power generator being fuelled by produced hydrocarbons at said process plant and fed by the fuel conduit in the multifunctional umbilical (104).
5. System according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the subsea process plant comprises a separator (120) connected to the wells (101) for separating oil and produced water and/or gas from the hydrocarbons from said wells.
6. System according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein - the stabilised oil is transported to the storage facility (100) by an oil conduit (102), alternatively with the aid of a transport pump (103);
- any separated water is transported by a produced water conduit (121) to an injection well (131), with the aid of transport pump (123); and - any separated gas is transported by a gas conduit (122) to an injection well (132) with the aid of a transport compressor (124).
- any separated water is transported by a produced water conduit (121) to an injection well (131), with the aid of transport pump (123); and - any separated gas is transported by a gas conduit (122) to an injection well (132) with the aid of a transport compressor (124).
7. System according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the injection wells (131, 132) are part of an injection well frame (130), alternatively where gas and water are lead to separate injection well templates.
8. System according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the separator is a three stage separator providing fully stabilised oil, produced water and gas.
9. System according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein a part of the compressed gas is directed through the separate fuel conduit of the multifunctional umbilical (108) for power production aboard the control and offloading vessel (1), preferably in an amount sufficient to produce power for operating the subsea process plant, and preferably the vessel itself.
10. System according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein the separator provides full separation down to 1 atm vapour pressure to obtain a completely stabilised hydrocarbon liquid fraction.
11. System according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control and offloading vessel (1) and tanker (2) may be detachably connected by one or more towing wires (33), said wires providing indirect mooring of said tanker through the turret moored vessel (1).
12. System according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tanker (2) comprises receiving means (11) for the one or more offloading hoses (32) connected to the offloading vessel (1).
13. System according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control and offloading vessel (1) leaves a smaller footprint than a Floating Production Storage &
Offloading (FPSO) vessel necessarily would.
Offloading (FPSO) vessel necessarily would.
14. System according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control and offloading vessel (1) is an Offloading Ice Breaker (OIB).
15. System according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tanker (2) is an ice breaking tanker.
16. System according to any of the preceding claims, wherein any piping comprises return conduits in order to recirculate fluids during shut down periods in loops.
17. Method for producing hydrocarbons by the use of any of the systems according to claim 1-16 , wherein hydrocarbons are extracted from hydrocarbon wells (101) and separated by a subsea separator (120) into stabilised oil, produced water and/or gas, said oil is transported to a temporary subsea storage facility (100), and batch wise offloaded from said storage facility (100) by a multifunctional umbilical (104)connected to a turret which is detachably connected to a control and offloading vessel 1 at sea level when said vessel is connected by an offloading hose to a tanker (2) receiving said oil, preferably as an Arctic Tandem Offloading Terminal (ATOT).
18. Method according to claim 17, wherein said vessel comprises a control centre for the production of oil and further supply of produced oil to said subsea storage facility.
19. Method according to claim 17, wherein said turret is connected to said control and offloading vessel during offloading oil from said storage facility to said tanker.
20. Method according to claim 17, wherein said turret is lowered and stabilised to a predefined submerged depth when not connected to the vessel and the umbilical is equipped with buoys to maintain the umbilical off the seabed.
21. Method according to any of the preceding claims 17, wherein a subsea power and control unit controls the subsea units according to a pre-programmed shut down operational routine during and after the disconnection from the surface vessel.
22. Method according to claim 17, wherein no live hydrocarbon well is connected to said surface vessel when said turret is disconnected.
23. Method according to claim 17, wherein said produced water is injected to the sub-terrain by an injection well (131) and wherein said separated gas is injected to the sub-terrain by an injection well (132) preferably by the aid of a subsea compressor (124).
24. Method according to any of the claims 17, wherein fuel from the separator in the form of gas or oil is supplied by the multifunctional umbilical (104) to the control and offloading vessel (1), preferably gas from a subsea compressor, for power generation providing power for the vessel itself and subsea units for hydrocarbon extraction, separation, storage, injection and transport.
25. Method according to any of the claims 17, wherein the control and offloading vessel (1) remotely controls the subsea units for hydrocarbon extraction, separation, storage, injection and transport through the multifunctional umbilical (104).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| NO20101254 | 2010-09-08 | ||
| NO20101254 | 2010-09-08 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2751810A1 true CA2751810A1 (en) | 2012-03-08 |
Family
ID=45804314
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2751810A Abandoned CA2751810A1 (en) | 2010-09-08 | 2011-09-07 | System and method for hydrocarbon production |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2751810A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NO337004B1 (en) * | 2013-07-10 | 2015-12-21 | Kværner Concrete Solutions As | Process and system for deep water oil production |
| WO2019046172A1 (en) * | 2017-08-30 | 2019-03-07 | Bp Corporation North America Inc. | Systems and methods for colocation of high performance computing operations and hydrocarbon production facilities |
| CN110397424A (en) * | 2019-07-11 | 2019-11-01 | 中国石油工程建设有限公司 | A kind of deep water gas hydrates production system and method based on decompression exploitation |
-
2011
- 2011-09-07 CA CA2751810A patent/CA2751810A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NO337004B1 (en) * | 2013-07-10 | 2015-12-21 | Kværner Concrete Solutions As | Process and system for deep water oil production |
| WO2019046172A1 (en) * | 2017-08-30 | 2019-03-07 | Bp Corporation North America Inc. | Systems and methods for colocation of high performance computing operations and hydrocarbon production facilities |
| CN110397424A (en) * | 2019-07-11 | 2019-11-01 | 中国石油工程建设有限公司 | A kind of deep water gas hydrates production system and method based on decompression exploitation |
| CN110397424B (en) * | 2019-07-11 | 2024-05-31 | 中国石油工程建设有限公司 | Deep water natural gas hydrate production system and method based on depressurization exploitation |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 20160908 |