US3608630A - Offshore oil production method and apparatus - Google Patents

Offshore oil production method and apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
US3608630A
US3608630A US783945A US3608630DA US3608630A US 3608630 A US3608630 A US 3608630A US 783945 A US783945 A US 783945A US 3608630D A US3608630D A US 3608630DA US 3608630 A US3608630 A US 3608630A
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United States
Prior art keywords
oil
enclosure
gas
well
production
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Expired - Lifetime
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US783945A
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English (en)
Inventor
Bruce J Wooden
Alan M Bieber
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Ocean Systems Inc
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Ocean Systems Inc
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Publication date
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    • 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
    • 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
    • E21B43/017—Production satellite stations, i.e. underwater installations comprising a plurality of satellite well heads connected to a central station

Definitions

  • the conventional methods of producing oil from ofishore location involve either the installation of underwater pipelines from each well to the shore when the production is within a few miles offshore, or the construction of production platforms supported from the ground beneath the water and extending above the surface thereof.
  • oil production platfonns are used to collect the oil from the underwater wells and then pump it into a pipeline communicating with the shore.
  • production platforms which include associated storage facilities are used to collect, separate the waste products from the oil and store the oil until it is either pumped into a pipeline or transferred to a tanker.
  • the present offshore oil production systems are complex and expensive, particularly when the wells are located 150 feet or more below the surface.
  • production platforms In cases where production platforms are utilized, they must be designed to support the substantial weights of the huge structures which usually provide not only for oil storage but, in addition, for living quarters for personnel as well as for separation equipment, pumping equipment and various mechanical handling equipment.
  • the platform structures must also be designed to with stand the forces of most severe ocean storms. These factors require the platforms to employ extremely heavy structural sections, resulting in substantial material, fabrication and installation costs.
  • the platforms are still vulnerable to damage by surface marine traffic as well as by storms, and numerous cases of complete loss of the structures as well as of substantial damage there to have already been recorded.
  • An object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for producing oil from underwater oil fields which does not require the use of surface production platforms.
  • Another object is to provide an offshore production method and apparatus which does not require the use of flow lines from each well to the shore.
  • a further object is to provide an offshore production method and apparatus which is not affected by the full force of surface weather conditions.
  • Still another object is to provide a method and apparatus which is not vulnerable to collision from surface vessels or objects, e.g., icebergs.
  • Yet another object is to provide an apparatus which facilitates the production of oil from previously drilled wells concurrent with the drilling of additional wells without substantial hazards of fire and explosion.
  • Another object is to provide an apparatus which can safely operate completely submerged.
  • Yet another object is to provide a method and apparatus which enables the use of land type wellheads and associated equipment of simple construction and lower cost than present underwater wellheads and associated equipment.
  • a still further object is to provide an apparatus which is completely submerged and which includes means for collection, separation and storage of oil.
  • Fig. l is a perspective view of an apparatus according to the present invention for producing oil from one or more un derwater wells;
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of an enclosure shown in FIG. 1.
  • as offshore production method for producing oil from at least one underwater well by providing a buoyant oil production assembly adjacent the ground.
  • the oil is extracted from the well and flowed into such assembly.
  • the gas is at least partially separated from the oil within the production assembly. Thereafter the oil is either transferred to a submerged storage zone or discharged into a pipeline or tanker for transmission to the shore.
  • a pressurized nonoxidizing gas is introduced into the assembly in order to displace the water therefrom and maintain same in a substantially dry condition.
  • the gas introduced should be nonoxidizing and should be introduced in sufficient quantity so as to maintain the partial pressure of oxygen within the assembly below 5 percent.
  • the gas introduced is the gas separated from the oil flowing into the assembly.
  • a plurality of oil production assemblies are provided for a given oil field and, in addition, a separate submerged oil storage zone is provided. Oil can then be transferred, after gas is at least partially separated therefrom in the production assemblies, to this common storage zone prior to its transfer to the shore.
  • Offshore apparatus for producing oil from an underwater well comprises a buoyant enclosure positioned adjacent the ground and anchored thereto.
  • Conduit means interconnect the underwater well or wells with the enclosure. Since, according to the invention, the capsule is buoyant, the means serving to hold the same in position will always be in tension. Thus, massive foundations as required by offshore platforms are not required.
  • the enclosure contains separation means for separating gas from the oil flowing therein as well as means for controlling the pressure and oxygen content therein.
  • each enclosure contains one or more wellheads for controlling the oil flow from the wells.
  • a plurality of enclosures may serve an oil field. While not limited thereto, it is particularly valuable, according to the present invention, to provide a common submerged storage vessel connected by suitable conduit means to the plurality of enclosures for storing the separated oil prior to its transmission to the shore.
  • a buoyant enclosure 10 is shown submerged adjacent the ground surface 0 and constitutes a buoyant oil production zone.
  • the enclosure 10 is anchored by production casing 11.
  • the enclosure 10 is interconnected by conduit means 12 to one or more wells W for transferring oil produced thereinto, the conduit means 12 terminating in a manifold 14 within the enclosure.
  • the wellheads 13 located at the well sites may be of simple construction. This is made possible by the use of a control system S located within each enclosure.
  • Each enclosure contains separation means 16 for separating gas from the oil entering same. A portion of the separated gas is preferably introduced into each enclosure 10 in order to maintain the atmosphere in a nonexplosive condition. This can be done by introducing sufficient gas, such that the oxygen partial pressure is maintained below 5 percent.
  • the atmosphere may be regulated by atmosphere control means 18 which may include filters, precipitators, scrubbers, burners, absorption media, fans, gas generators, gas analysis equipment, etc.
  • atmosphere control means 18 may also have provisions for regulating the total pressure within the capsule. If desired, another nonoxidizing gas may be introduced into the capsule to control the oxygen partial pressure as well as to displace water and thereby maintain the enclosures in a substantially dry condition.
  • the remaining separated gas from separation means 16 is flared to the water surface through flare line F or consumed by power generation equipment (not shown) located within the buoy B.
  • the oil after having the gas at least partially separated therefrom, is transferred from the enclosures through means 20 to a common submerged oil storage vessel 22.
  • the storage vessel 22 is periodically emptied into a tanker V through off-loading conduit 24 supported by buoy B.
  • Power and control equipment are connected with the enclosures by suitable cables (not shown) from the buoy B.
  • Offshore oil production method which comprises:
  • a buoyant oil production assembly adjacent the submerged ground surface, said assembly including a control system
  • Offshore oil production apparatus which comprises:
  • a submerged buoyant enclosure positioned adjacent the ground and being anchored thereto;
  • conduit means communicating the enclosure with at least one oil well for transferring oil from the well into the enclosure;

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  • 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)
  • Physical Or Chemical Processes And Apparatus (AREA)
US783945A 1968-12-16 1968-12-16 Offshore oil production method and apparatus Expired - Lifetime US3608630A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US78394568A 1968-12-16 1968-12-16

Publications (1)

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US3608630A true US3608630A (en) 1971-09-28

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US783945A Expired - Lifetime US3608630A (en) 1968-12-16 1968-12-16 Offshore oil production method and apparatus

Country Status (5)

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US (1) US3608630A (ru)
DE (1) DE1961343C3 (ru)
FR (1) FR2026277A1 (ru)
GB (1) GB1296699A (ru)
NL (1) NL6917406A (ru)

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3948196A (en) * 1975-07-18 1976-04-06 Brown & Root, Inc. Apparatus for burning fluid at a burner mounted on a floating vessel subject to wave action
US4705114A (en) * 1985-07-15 1987-11-10 Texaco Limited Offshore hydrocarbon production system
US5460227A (en) * 1993-04-05 1995-10-24 Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Undersea integrated repressurization system and method
US5474601A (en) * 1994-08-02 1995-12-12 Conoco Inc. Integrated floating platform vertical annular separation and pumping system for production of hydrocarbons
US5477924A (en) * 1994-12-20 1995-12-26 Imodco, Inc. Offshore well gas disposal
US20030159581A1 (en) * 2000-05-04 2003-08-28 Morten Sanderford Method and system for sea-based handling of hydrocarbons
US6651745B1 (en) * 2002-05-02 2003-11-25 Union Oil Company Of California Subsea riser separator system
US20060124313A1 (en) * 2002-08-16 2006-06-15 Gramme Per E Pipe separator for the separation of fluids, particularly oil, gas and water
US20070215218A1 (en) * 2003-11-21 2007-09-20 Roger Stave Device for Removal and Filtration of Drilling Fluid
WO2011044892A1 (de) * 2009-10-13 2011-04-21 Man Diesel & Turbo Se Unterwasser-kompressoranordnung und damit ausgerüstete unterwasser-prozessfluidförderanordnung
WO2020010420A1 (pt) * 2018-07-10 2020-01-16 Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras Sistema para atenuação de golfadas em linhas de escoamento de petróleo
US11848113B2 (en) 2017-03-21 2023-12-19 Strong Force Iot Portfolio 2016, Llc Network and information systems and methods for shipyard manufactured and ocean delivered nuclear platform

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2628142B1 (fr) * 1988-03-02 1990-07-13 Elf Aquitaine Dispositif de separation huile gaz en tete d'un puits sous-marin
GB9504387D0 (en) * 1995-03-04 1995-04-26 Jp Kenny Caledonia Limited A manifold
NO303144B1 (no) * 1995-03-20 1998-06-02 Norske Stats Oljeselskap System for produksjon av hydrokarboner fra reservoarer til havs

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3221816A (en) * 1961-12-07 1965-12-07 Shell Oil Co Underwater oil gathering installation
US3353364A (en) * 1962-04-26 1967-11-21 Gen Dynamics Corp Underwater well enclosing capsule and service chamber
US3366173A (en) * 1965-09-29 1968-01-30 Mobil Oil Corp Subsea production system
US3391734A (en) * 1966-01-19 1968-07-09 Mobil Oil Corp Subsea production satellite
US3401746A (en) * 1965-12-10 1968-09-17 Mobil Oil Corp Subsea production satellite system
US3454083A (en) * 1967-06-29 1969-07-08 Mobil Oil Corp Fail-safe subsea fluid transportation system

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3221816A (en) * 1961-12-07 1965-12-07 Shell Oil Co Underwater oil gathering installation
US3353364A (en) * 1962-04-26 1967-11-21 Gen Dynamics Corp Underwater well enclosing capsule and service chamber
US3366173A (en) * 1965-09-29 1968-01-30 Mobil Oil Corp Subsea production system
US3401746A (en) * 1965-12-10 1968-09-17 Mobil Oil Corp Subsea production satellite system
US3391734A (en) * 1966-01-19 1968-07-09 Mobil Oil Corp Subsea production satellite
US3454083A (en) * 1967-06-29 1969-07-08 Mobil Oil Corp Fail-safe subsea fluid transportation system

Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3948196A (en) * 1975-07-18 1976-04-06 Brown & Root, Inc. Apparatus for burning fluid at a burner mounted on a floating vessel subject to wave action
US4705114A (en) * 1985-07-15 1987-11-10 Texaco Limited Offshore hydrocarbon production system
US5460227A (en) * 1993-04-05 1995-10-24 Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. Undersea integrated repressurization system and method
US5474601A (en) * 1994-08-02 1995-12-12 Conoco Inc. Integrated floating platform vertical annular separation and pumping system for production of hydrocarbons
US5477924A (en) * 1994-12-20 1995-12-26 Imodco, Inc. Offshore well gas disposal
US6893486B2 (en) * 2000-05-04 2005-05-17 Navion Asa Method and system for sea-based handling of hydrocarbons
US20030159581A1 (en) * 2000-05-04 2003-08-28 Morten Sanderford Method and system for sea-based handling of hydrocarbons
US6651745B1 (en) * 2002-05-02 2003-11-25 Union Oil Company Of California Subsea riser separator system
US20040099422A1 (en) * 2002-05-02 2004-05-27 David Lush Subsea riser separator system
US7210530B2 (en) 2002-05-02 2007-05-01 Chevron U.S.A. Inc. Subsea separation system
US20060124313A1 (en) * 2002-08-16 2006-06-15 Gramme Per E Pipe separator for the separation of fluids, particularly oil, gas and water
US7516794B2 (en) * 2002-08-16 2009-04-14 Norsk Hydro Asa Pipe separator for the separation of fluids, particularly oil, gas and water
US20070215218A1 (en) * 2003-11-21 2007-09-20 Roger Stave Device for Removal and Filtration of Drilling Fluid
US7431081B2 (en) * 2003-11-21 2008-10-07 Roger Stave Device for removal and filtration of drilling fluid
WO2011044892A1 (de) * 2009-10-13 2011-04-21 Man Diesel & Turbo Se Unterwasser-kompressoranordnung und damit ausgerüstete unterwasser-prozessfluidförderanordnung
US11848113B2 (en) 2017-03-21 2023-12-19 Strong Force Iot Portfolio 2016, Llc Network and information systems and methods for shipyard manufactured and ocean delivered nuclear platform
WO2020010420A1 (pt) * 2018-07-10 2020-01-16 Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras Sistema para atenuação de golfadas em linhas de escoamento de petróleo

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2026277A1 (ru) 1970-09-18
DE1961343B2 (de) 1973-02-22
GB1296699A (ru) 1972-11-15
DE1961343A1 (de) 1970-06-25
DE1961343C3 (de) 1973-09-13
NL6917406A (ru) 1970-06-18

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