WO1983001471A1 - Collecteur de separation pour eruptions sous-marines - Google Patents

Collecteur de separation pour eruptions sous-marines Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1983001471A1
WO1983001471A1 PCT/US1981/001397 US8101397W WO8301471A1 WO 1983001471 A1 WO1983001471 A1 WO 1983001471A1 US 8101397 W US8101397 W US 8101397W WO 8301471 A1 WO8301471 A1 WO 8301471A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
collector
riser
gas
collector element
wellhead
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1981/001397
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Institute Of Technology Massachusetts
Original Assignee
Milgram, Jerome, H.
Burgess, James
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Milgram, Jerome, H., Burgess, James filed Critical Milgram, Jerome, H.
Priority to PCT/US1981/001397 priority Critical patent/WO1983001471A1/fr
Priority to CA000413688A priority patent/CA1195240A/fr
Publication of WO1983001471A1 publication Critical patent/WO1983001471A1/fr

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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
    • E21B43/0122—Collecting oil or the like from a submerged leakage
    • 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

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a device for collecting oil and gas escaping from a seabottom wellhead blow-out, i.e. an uncontrolled eruption.
  • Blowouts from subsea wells usually contain oil, water and, initially, substantial quantities of gas. Upon reaching the surface the gas either burns or escapes to the atmosphere. However, even if there is a surface fire, most of the oil remains unburned and causes marine pollution.
  • Attempts at subsurface collection include an umbrella shaped fabric device used at the Santa Barbara blowout of about 10 years ago. This device was placed near the surface well after the blow-out had occurred to collect rising oil. The oil was then pumped out of the top of the umbrella.
  • the collector means comprises a plurality of collector elements, each having an extended, open base, a first collector element disposed below at least a second collector element with an open volume defined therebetween, the first collector element positioned to intercept fluid rising from the wellhead, and the second collector element positioned to receive and collect excess flow of the rising fluid that is not collected by the first collector element, the riser means comprising at least a fir.st conduit-defining riser extending from the first collector element to the surface of the sea, and a second conduit-defining riser extending from the second collector element to a storage means above the second collector element, the first
  • TITUTE SHEET / ⁇ capable of carrying water and accompanying oil from the second collector element to the storage means.
  • the percentage of recovered oil (P) is a function of the Froude Number (F) and the Phase Ratio (R) according to the equation.
  • the percentage of oil recovered the collector apparatus is substantially unaffected by Phase Ratio (R) .
  • At least two of the collector elements are substantially concentric; the base of at least one collector element is substantially
  • SUBSTITUTE SHEET concentric with the axis of flow of gas rising, in the water, from the wellhead; the first conduit-defining riser is contained within the second conduit defining riser; and the first riser and said second riser are substantially concentric.
  • the invention in another aspect, relates to a method of collecting hydrocarbon from a blown-out seabottom wellhead, including positioning a collector apparatus over the wellhead to contain fluid rising therefrom, the collector apparatus comprising a collector element having an extended, open base and an upper portion enclosing a volume to receive fluid
  • the method includes providing a plurality of collector elements, each having" an extended, open base, disposing a first collector element below at least a second collector element, and defining an open volume therebetween, positioning the first collector element to intercept fluid rising from the wellhead, and positioning the second collector element to receive and collect excess flow of rising fluid that is not collected by the first collector element, providing riser means comprising at least a first conduit-defining riser extending from the first collector element to the surface of the sea, and a second conduit-defining riser extending from the second collector element to a storage means above the second collector element including in the first riser an adjustable value means, restricting flow through the riser and allowing only a portion of gas -from the blown-out wellhead to flow through the first riser, causing a further portion of gas and oil to be rejected by the first collector element and flow into the second collector element, and causing the second riser to conduct gas in a gas-lift pumping flow rate to carry water and accompanying oil from the second collector element to the storage
  • the invention thus provides a collection apparatus for recovery of escaping gas and oil that separates a portion of the substantially excess volume of escaping gas from the similarly escaping oil to provide a gas-lift pumping system that is relatively unaffected by the phase ratio of the system and allows recovery of a previously unobtainable percentage of the oil escaping from a blown-out well.
  • Fig. 1 is an isometric side view of a subsea oil well drilling operation employing the collector apparatus of the invention to contain a subsea well blow-out;
  • Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are side views partially in section of the collector apparatus being positioned above a blown-out well and brought into collecting operation;
  • Fig. 5 is a side view partially in section of another embodiment of the collector apparatus; and Fig. 6 is a graph of percent oil collected versus Froude number.
  • FIG. 1 an apparatus 10 for drilling subsea wells to recover petroleum, e.g. gas or oil, is shown.
  • Jack-up platform 12 typically 60 meters (195 feet) across, is supported above the water surface 14 on trusses 16, typically 6 meters (20 feet) across, used in tripod configuration, reaching to ocean floor 18,
  • wellhead 20 Located on ocean floor 18 is wellhead 20 through which drilling had been taking place but which has now "blown out”.
  • separating collector 24 Suspended below platf.orm 12 at height (h) , typically 9 meters (30 feet) or less, above the top of . wellhead 20, is separating collector 24, comprised of two concentric cones 26, typically 9 meters (30 feet) in diameter, and 28, typically at least 12 meters (40 feet) in diameter, the inner volumes of which are connected to the platform surface 12 via marine risers 30, 32.
  • Riser 32, typically 0.75 meter (30 inches in diameter from outer cone 28 is connected at its upper end 42 to oil tanker 44 operating at the surface 14 of the ocean.
  • Separating collector 24 is positioned over wellhead 20 by means of cables 36 from truss legs 16.
  • the percentage (P) of oil collected is a function of the Froude Number (F) and the Phase Ratio (R) according to the equation:
  • jackup platform 12 is floated into position over a prospective drilling site. Trusses 16, typically three are employed, are established on the ocean floor 18 and platform 12 is "jacked up" off the ocean surface (hence the name) to form a stable, drilling operation surface.
  • a wellhead 20 is established on the ocean floor 18 and drilling operations are commenced. If a blow-out occurs during the drilling, with the ensuing violent eruption of oil 44 and substantial volumes of gas 40, drilling operations cease and the drill string is broken off and withdrawn.
  • Collector apparatus 24 comprising concentric cones 26, 28, 9 and 12 meters in diameter, respectively, is lowered from drilling platform 12. Apparatus 24 is suspended by risers 30, 32 which connect the inner volumes of cones 26, 28, respectively, to the surface 14 and is positioned over the blowout by means of cables 36 connected to trusses 16.
  • the collector apparatus (24, Fig. 2) is positioned over wellhead 20 at a height (h) which is egual to the minimum diameter (w) of the base 27 of the collector element, in this case inner cone 26.
  • h the minimum diameter of the base 27 of the collector element, in this case inner cone 26.
  • the base of the collector apparatus is positioned at least within 12 meters (the diameter of the base 29 outer cone 28) and preferably within 9 meters (the diameter of the base 27 of the inner cone 26) of the top of wellhead 20. In this manner, substantially all of the escaping gas 40 is collected within apparatus 24.
  • Fig. 2 the base of the collector apparatus is positioned at least within 12 meters (the diameter of the base 29 outer cone 28) and preferably within 9 meters (the diameter of the base 27 of the inner cone 26) of the top of wellhead 20.
  • gas 40 fills riser 30 and the upper portion of inner cone 26, with the gas/liquid interface 42 located between the opening of riser 30 and base 27 of inner cone 26.
  • the gas volume flow rate (g ) at wellhead 20 of the blown-out well is substantial, particularly in the earlier stages of a blow out, and the volume of gas is substantially in excess of the volume desirable for gas-lift pumping in riser 30 to recover oil also rising from the wellhead and the entraining water.
  • This excess gas volume flowing in riser 30 substantially diminishes the volume (Q_) of oil and water that can be carried to the surface in the riser by gas lift pumping as indicated (Fig. 6) by the resulting lower Froude Number (F) and lower Phase Ratio (R) .
  • the percentage of oil released from the wellhead recoverable through riser 30 from inner cone 26 is negligible.
  • the large volume of gas escaping from wellhead 20 forces th-e gas/liquid interface 42 to a position remote from the opening to riser 30.
  • substantially no liquid (water 46/oil 44) is carried up riser 30 by the escaping gas 40, and substantially no gas 40 escapes from within inner cone 26 to outer cone 28. (Due to the highly turbulent nature of interface 42, liquid recovery and escape of some gas and oil will periodically occur.)
  • valve 34 in inner cone riser 30 is operated to restrict the flow of gas 40 in riser 30.
  • This causes the liquid/gas interface 42 to move lower in inner cone 26, i.e. the interface 42 is closer to the base 27 and further from the opening to riser 30.
  • the interface 42 is closer to the base 27 and further from the opening to riser 30.
  • IP ensures that primarily only gas 40 will be pass up riser 30, i.e. "choked flow”.
  • the gas/liquid interface 42 in outer cone 28 is maintained, by the volume of gas 40 caused to escape from inner cone 26 into outer cone 28 which is controlled by the position of restriction valve 34, for optimum gas lift pumping in riser 32, i.e. the volume of escaping gas 40 is regulated to deliver the maximum volume of collected liguid Q- from within outer cone 28.
  • valve 34 is adjusted periodically in response, e.g., to changes in gas flow (g ) from the blown-out well 20 to maintain optimum gas-lift pumping in riser 32.
  • the liquid, typically large volumes of water 46 with oil 44 droplets entranced therein, carried by the gas 40 in riser 32 is delivered to oil tanker 44, where separation of the gas, oil and water takes place by known means.
  • the collector apparatus 24' may be located above wellhead 20 at height (h* ) equal to the minimum diameter (w') of the base 29 of outer cone 28 in a position where a portion of the escaping gas 40 is first collected by outer cone 28'.
  • the apparatus performs as above, with the valve 34' controlled to cause a sufficient volume of additional gas 40 to escape from inner cone 26' into outer cone 28* for optimum gas-lift pumping in riser 32'.
  • the risers 30', 32* may be concentric, and the collector elements may be any shape adapted to contain a volume of gas and oil rising in the water.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Earth Drilling (AREA)

Abstract

Un appareil collecteur (24) utilisé selon le procédé de l'invention avec une tête de puits d'un fond marin en éruption (20) comprend une pluralité d'éléments collecteurs (26 et 28) ayant chacun une base étendue ouverte et une partie supérieure enfermant un volume pour recevoir un fluide comprenant du gaz et des quantités moindres de pétrole montant, dans l'eau, depuis la tête de puits, et des colonnes montantes (30 et 32) connectées aux éléments collecteurs et s'étendant au-dessus de ceux-ci pour en conduire le fluide. Un élément collecteur (26) est disposé sous au moins un autre élément collecteur (28) en définissant un volume ouvert entre les deux, le premier élément étant positionné pour intercepter le fluide montant depuis la tête de puits et le second élément étant positionné pour recevoir et récupérer l'écoulement de fluide en excès qui n'est pas récupéré par le premier élément. Une colonne montante (30) s'étend depuis le premier élément collecteur (26) vers la surface de la mer, et une seconde colonne montante (32) s'étend depuis le second élément collecteur (28) vers un réservoir de stockage placé au-dessus du second élément collecteur. La première colonne montante (30) comprend une vanne réglable (34) adaptée pour limiter l'écoulement au travers de la colonne montante de manière que seule une partie du gaz provenant de la tête de puits en éruption puisse s'écouler au travers de la première colonne montante et une autre partie de gaz et de pétrole soit rejetée par le premier élément collecteur et s'écoule dans le second élément collecteur, et la seconde colonne montante est adaptée pour conduire le gaz avec un débit de pompage à ascension au gaz (gas-lift) pouvant transporter l'eau et le pétrole qui l'accompagne depuis le second élément collecteur vers le réservoir de stockage.
PCT/US1981/001397 1981-10-16 1981-10-16 Collecteur de separation pour eruptions sous-marines WO1983001471A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US1981/001397 WO1983001471A1 (fr) 1981-10-16 1981-10-16 Collecteur de separation pour eruptions sous-marines
CA000413688A CA1195240A (fr) 1981-10-16 1982-10-18 Capteur-separateur pour eruptions sous-marines

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US1981/001397 WO1983001471A1 (fr) 1981-10-16 1981-10-16 Collecteur de separation pour eruptions sous-marines

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1983001471A1 true WO1983001471A1 (fr) 1983-04-28

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1981/001397 WO1983001471A1 (fr) 1981-10-16 1981-10-16 Collecteur de separation pour eruptions sous-marines

Country Status (2)

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CA (1) CA1195240A (fr)
WO (1) WO1983001471A1 (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2216433A (en) * 1988-03-02 1989-10-11 Elf Aquitaine Underwater separator for oil well
ITRM20100257A1 (it) * 2010-05-19 2010-08-19 Palamara Giovanni Dispositivo di interruzione di emergenza su fonti risorgive fuori controllo di liquidi e/o gas eventualmente in fiamme
WO2011153995A1 (fr) 2010-06-02 2011-12-15 Egon Evertz K.G. (Gmbh & Co.) Dispositif d'aspiration et procédé d'aspiration
WO2012004235A3 (fr) * 2010-07-09 2013-01-10 Helmut Derwand Procédé pour empêcher les fuites de matières polluantes lors de forages sous-marins et train de tiges correspondant
WO2013135600A3 (fr) * 2012-03-14 2014-04-10 Fmc Kongsberg Subsea As Agencement de séparation d'écoulement sous-marin

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3610194A (en) * 1969-07-17 1971-10-05 Gilbert Siegel Submerged offshore fluid storage facility
US3643447A (en) * 1969-12-04 1972-02-22 Texaco Inc Flexible storage container for offshore facility
US3643741A (en) * 1970-02-03 1972-02-22 Salvatore W Miranda Sealing of underwater fissures
US3653215A (en) * 1969-06-04 1972-04-04 Cerebro Dynamics Inc Method and apparatus for confining and collecting oil leakage
US3664136A (en) * 1969-11-28 1972-05-23 Laval Claude C Collecting device for submarine oil leakage
US3719048A (en) * 1971-11-18 1973-03-06 Chicago Bridge & Iron Co Offshore structure with static and dynamic stabilization shell
US3745773A (en) * 1971-06-16 1973-07-17 Offshore Recovery Syst Inc Safety off shore drilling and pumping platform
US3762548A (en) * 1971-11-19 1973-10-02 Chicago Bridge & Iron Co Underwater tanker ballast water/oil separation
US4283159A (en) * 1979-10-01 1981-08-11 Johnson Albert O Protective shroud for offshore oil wells

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3653215A (en) * 1969-06-04 1972-04-04 Cerebro Dynamics Inc Method and apparatus for confining and collecting oil leakage
US3610194A (en) * 1969-07-17 1971-10-05 Gilbert Siegel Submerged offshore fluid storage facility
US3664136A (en) * 1969-11-28 1972-05-23 Laval Claude C Collecting device for submarine oil leakage
US3643447A (en) * 1969-12-04 1972-02-22 Texaco Inc Flexible storage container for offshore facility
US3643741A (en) * 1970-02-03 1972-02-22 Salvatore W Miranda Sealing of underwater fissures
US3745773A (en) * 1971-06-16 1973-07-17 Offshore Recovery Syst Inc Safety off shore drilling and pumping platform
US3719048A (en) * 1971-11-18 1973-03-06 Chicago Bridge & Iron Co Offshore structure with static and dynamic stabilization shell
US3762548A (en) * 1971-11-19 1973-10-02 Chicago Bridge & Iron Co Underwater tanker ballast water/oil separation
US4283159A (en) * 1979-10-01 1981-08-11 Johnson Albert O Protective shroud for offshore oil wells

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2216433A (en) * 1988-03-02 1989-10-11 Elf Aquitaine Underwater separator for oil well
US4982794A (en) * 1988-03-02 1991-01-08 Societe Nationale Elf Aquitaine (Production) Apparatus for oil/gas separation at an underwater well-head
GB2216433B (en) * 1988-03-02 1991-11-27 Elf Aquitaine An apparatus for oil/gas separation at an underwater well-head
ITRM20100257A1 (it) * 2010-05-19 2010-08-19 Palamara Giovanni Dispositivo di interruzione di emergenza su fonti risorgive fuori controllo di liquidi e/o gas eventualmente in fiamme
WO2011153995A1 (fr) 2010-06-02 2011-12-15 Egon Evertz K.G. (Gmbh & Co.) Dispositif d'aspiration et procédé d'aspiration
WO2012004235A3 (fr) * 2010-07-09 2013-01-10 Helmut Derwand Procédé pour empêcher les fuites de matières polluantes lors de forages sous-marins et train de tiges correspondant
WO2013135600A3 (fr) * 2012-03-14 2014-04-10 Fmc Kongsberg Subsea As Agencement de séparation d'écoulement sous-marin
US9410416B2 (en) 2012-03-14 2016-08-09 Fmc Kongsberg Subsea As Subsea flow splitting arrangement

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA1195240A (fr) 1985-10-15

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