WO2001020746A1 - Electrical power distribution suitable for a substantially underwater system - Google Patents

Electrical power distribution suitable for a substantially underwater system Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2001020746A1
WO2001020746A1 PCT/GB2000/003220 GB0003220W WO0120746A1 WO 2001020746 A1 WO2001020746 A1 WO 2001020746A1 GB 0003220 W GB0003220 W GB 0003220W WO 0120746 A1 WO0120746 A1 WO 0120746A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
module
modules
host facility
isolating
series
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2000/003220
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
David Eric Appleford
Brian William Lane
Jan Peter Lindholm
Original Assignee
Alpha Thames Ltd.
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 Alpha Thames Ltd. filed Critical Alpha Thames Ltd.
Priority to AU67093/00A priority Critical patent/AU6709300A/en
Priority to EP00954734A priority patent/EP1219002B1/en
Priority to AT00954734T priority patent/ATE308814T1/en
Priority to DE60023728T priority patent/DE60023728D1/en
Priority to BR0014260-3A priority patent/BR0014260A/en
Priority to US10/070,231 priority patent/US6873063B1/en
Publication of WO2001020746A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001020746A1/en
Priority to NO20021169A priority patent/NO20021169L/en

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J4/00—Circuit arrangements for mains or distribution networks not specified as ac or dc
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D17/00—Separation of liquids, not provided for elsewhere, e.g. by thermal diffusion
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D17/00—Separation of liquids, not provided for elsewhere, e.g. by thermal diffusion
    • B01D17/02—Separation of non-miscible liquids
    • B01D17/0208—Separation of non-miscible liquids by sedimentation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D17/00—Separation of liquids, not provided for elsewhere, e.g. by thermal diffusion
    • B01D17/02—Separation of non-miscible liquids
    • B01D17/0208—Separation of non-miscible liquids by sedimentation
    • B01D17/0211—Separation of non-miscible liquids by sedimentation with baffles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D17/00—Separation of liquids, not provided for elsewhere, e.g. by thermal diffusion
    • B01D17/02—Separation of non-miscible liquids
    • B01D17/0208—Separation of non-miscible liquids by sedimentation
    • B01D17/0214—Separation of non-miscible liquids by sedimentation with removal of one of the phases
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D17/00—Separation of liquids, not provided for elsewhere, e.g. by thermal diffusion
    • B01D17/12—Auxiliary equipment particularly adapted for use with liquid-separating apparatus, e.g. control circuits
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D19/00—Degasification of liquids
    • B01D19/0063—Regulation, control including valves and floats
    • 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
    • E21B43/0175—Hydraulic schemes for production manifolds
    • 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
    • E21B43/34—Arrangements for separating materials produced by the well
    • E21B43/35—Arrangements for separating materials produced by the well specially adapted for separating solids

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to electrical power distribution suitable for a substantially underwater system used in an underwater oil/gas field.
  • Conventional oil/gas fields have a plurality of wells linked to a host facility which receives the oil/gas via flow lines. If the underwater oil/gas field includes underwater processing units between the wells and the host facility, it would be useful to be able to reconfigure or replace an underwater processing unit without having to power down the other underwater processing units in the field and thereby significantly reduce production from the field.
  • any underwater processing units which require power/ controlling rely on at least one expensive and complex multiple conduit hydraulic line to connect each part to a host facility on/above the sea surface or onshore.
  • a method of electrical power distribution or control signal distribution suitable for a substantially underwater system comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of retrievable substantially autonomous modules, module isolating means and a host facility, the host facility and the modules being connected in series so as to form a circuit, the host facility providing power or control signals to all of the modules; isolating at least one module by operation of the module isolating' means; and removing the isolated at least one module without cutting off the supply of power or control signals to any of the remaining modules of the system.
  • the step of isolating the at least one retrievable module by module isolating means not cutting off the supply of power or control signals to the remaining modules.
  • Each module may have a module based part of the module isolating means and the host facility may have a host facility based part of the module isolating means and wherein the step of isolating the at least one retrievable module may involve the operation of two of said parts of said module isolating means.
  • Each module based part of the module isolating means may include two switches in series relationship, each switch being on opposite sides of connection means to an electrical load of the module, and the host facility based part of the module isolating means may include a switch in each of the two electrical connections between the host facility and the modules and wherein the step of isolating at least one module may involve the operation of two of said switches.
  • the step of isolating the removable part of the system may involve operation of serially adjacent parts of the module isolating means on opposite sides of the removable part.
  • the parts of the module isolating means operated may both be module based parts thereof when the serially adjacent parts on opposite sides of the removable part are modules.
  • the parts of the module isolating means operated may comprise a module based part thereof and a host facility based part thereof when one of the serially adjacent parts on one side of the removable part is a module and that on the opposite side comprises part of the host facility.
  • Each module desirably includes a first portion of a disconnectable electrical power connector means and may be engaged in a location having a complementary second portion of the electrical power connector means and wherein removal of the or each module may involve removing it from its associated location thereby disengaging the complementary portions of the electrical power connector means.
  • the electrical power connector means may be wet mateable in order that the connector means can mate underwater.
  • one portion of the electrical power connector means is a plug and the other portion is a socket.
  • At least one module may include a transformer to which the first portion of the electrical power connector means is connected whereby high voltage power received by the module is lowered to an acceptable level for the module to effectively operate.
  • Each removed module may be replaced with a replacement module and the module isolating means may be operated to restore series power distribution or control signal distribution throughout the system. With such replacement it is possible for the remaining modules to continue to operate.
  • At least one different module may be subsequently removed from the system using the method described above.
  • the method may be for electrical power distribution and control signal distribution.
  • the module isolating means comprises switchgear for electrically isolating at least one module.
  • the system is preferably substantially underwater.
  • the host facility may not be underwater.
  • the sub-systems are desirably on a seabed.
  • the system may include control means for substantially controlling operation of the module in order that normal operation of the module is controlled by the control means making the module substantially autonomous.
  • the control means may provide control to the many parts of the module that need power/controlling.
  • the or each module includes the control means.
  • the control means may be at least substantially an electrical ' control means or the control means may comprise a completely electrical control means. Such an arrangement obviates the requirement for many hydraulic lines from the host facility to various parts of the module that need controlling.
  • the host facility is desirably in communication with the control means. This may be via the electrical power connector means. Alternatively, the host facility may be in communication with the control means via control connector means separate from the electrical power connector means. Thus, the controllable parts of the modules are not separately connected by individual lines to the host facility.
  • the control connector means may be wet mateable.
  • the power distribution system permits the removal of one or more modules without powering down the system and in which the electrical switchgear is not present in apparatus into which the module is inserted, i.e. apparatus which will normally remain on, say, a seabed. Should any problem occur with the switchgear of a given module for example, electrical isolation of that module can be achieved by remote operation of the switchgear in the adjacent modules or adjacent module and host facility.
  • a system comprising a plurality of retrievable substantially autonomous modules, module isolating means, and a host facility, the host facility and the modules being connected in series so as to form a circuit, the host facility being arranged to provide power or control signals to all of the modules, the series connections and the module isolating means being arranged such that isolating at least one module so that it or they can be removed does not cut off the supply of power or control signals to any of the remaining modules of the system.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a subsea field comprising a substantially underwater system according to one embodiment of the ' invention
  • Figure 2 is an elevational view of a modular seabed sub-system of the substantially underwater system
  • Figures 3 and 4 are schematic diagrams of a subsea field comprising the modular seabed sub-systems of Figure 2;
  • Figure 5 is a schematic circuit diagram of the subsea field.
  • FIGS. 6 to 9 are schematic diagrams of a subsea field showing various modules being removed from modular seabed sub-systems using the method according to the invention.
  • a subsea field 1 includes wells 2 for removing a fluid mixture comprising water and oil/gas from reservoirs beneath the seabed.
  • the wells 2 are connected by underwater flow lines 3, such as rigid and/or flexible pipelines, to modular subsea or seabed sub-systems 4,5 of a substantially underwater system where the oil and/or gas may be extracted from the fluid mixture and the oil/gas flows under well pressure or is pumped to a host facility 6 via flow lines 7,8, the flow lines 7,8 connecting the modular seabed sub-systems 4,5 in series to the host facility 6.
  • a plurality of wells may be connected to a template before being connected to a modular seabed sub-system.
  • the host facility may be, for example, onshore or on a fixed or a floating rig.
  • the host facility 6 has an integrated power and control line 9 connecting the modular seabed sub-systems 4,5 in series to form a circuit, the host facility 6 providing the power and control to these sub-systems 4,5.
  • Each modular seabed sub-system 4,5 comprises a support frame 10 which is essentially of a tubular framework construction and is secured to the seabed. Inside each frame 10 is a docking unit or location 1 1 which is connected to flowlines by flowline tie-in and installation tools which are operated by remote operating vehicles (ROVs) or directly from a ship.
  • ROVs remote operating vehicles
  • Two retrievable substantially autonomous modules 1 2, 1 3 (of which only one module 12 can be seen in Fig. 2 as it blocks the view of module 1 3 behind it) are installed in the frame 1 0.
  • the modules 1 2, 1 3 are connected to the docking unit 1 1 by multi-ported valve isolation connectors 1 4 which are described in GB-A-2261 271 .
  • the retrievable modules are designed to include a variety of equipment, such as separators for separating gas and liquid comprising oil and water from the fluid mixture received via flow lines 3, the separated gas and liquid being pumped to the host facility via the further flow lines 7,8.
  • a field 1 comprising a substantially underwater system is shown having a host facility 6 and first and second modular seabed sub-systems 4,5 connected in series by an integrated power/control line 9 to form a circuit.
  • the power/control line 9 thus carries signal information as well as power. Any flow lines have been omitted for clarity.
  • the circuit is breakable at the host facility 6 by means of switchgears 1 5, 1 6 which each isolate one of the two ends of the power/control line 9 from a power and control supply at the host facility 6.
  • Each seabed sub-system 4,5 has two retrievable substantially autonomous subsea modules 1 2, 1 3; 1 7, 1 8 with the first seabed sub-system 4 having the modules 1 2, 1 3 installed therein.
  • Each module has two electric power distribution switchgears 21 a...h in series relationship, each switchgear being on opposite sides of a connection 27 to an electrical/hydraulic load 23,24,25,26 via a transformer (not shown).
  • Each switchgear is also connected to a power/control socket 20a... h and each socket has an associated power/control plug 22a...h which is connected to the docking unit 1 1 .
  • the power/control sockets 20a...h and plugs 22a...h are high voltage, high power subsea wet mateable electrical connectors like those described in EP 042851 5, for example, in which the connector is mated in insulating liquid which is then replaced with gas at near atmospheric pressure.
  • Each retrievable module 1 2, 1 3, 1 7, 1 8 has a control chamber and power chamber (not shown).
  • the control chamber houses control electronics 23', 24', 25', 26' which form part of the load 23,24,25,26, and the power chamber houses the power switchgear 21 a...h.
  • the control electronics 23', 24', 25', 26' controls the normal running of the module and is in communication with the host facility via the integrated power/control line 9 from where it may, for example, be reprogrammed or be instructed to shut down the module and open or close the switchgear 21 a...h.
  • the control chamber and power chamber are constructed as pressure vessels and have cables from the sockets 20a...h of the connectors outside the chambers connecting to the control electronics 23', 24', 25', 26' and switchgear 21 a...h in their chambers.
  • the socket may be connected to the control electronics via a transformer (not shown).
  • FIG 3 shows each docking unit 1 1 having four power/control plugs 22a...d,22e...h.
  • the first plug 22a is connected to the host facility 6
  • the second plug 22b is connected to the third plug 22c
  • the fourth plug 22d is connected to a plug 22h in the second seabed sub-system 5.
  • the modules 1 2, 1 3 being installed on docking unit 1 1 are respectively adapted to provide the connections between the first and second plugs 22a, 22b and the third and fourth plugs 22c, 22d.
  • plug 22a when module 1 2 is installed, plug 22a will be connected to plug 22b in series via socket 20a, switchgear 21 a, 21 b and socket 20b and when module 1 3 is installed, plug 22c will be connected to plug 22d in series via socket 20c, switchgear 21 c,21 d and socket 20d.
  • the second seabed sub-system 5 is similar to the first seabed sub-system 4 with modules 1 7, 1 8 being shown already installed on the docking unit 1 1 .
  • module 1 7 causes plug 22e to be connected to plug 22f in series via socket 20e, switchgear 21 e,21 f and socket 20f and module 1 8 causes plug 22g to be connected to plug 22h in series via socket 20g, switchgear 21 g,21 h and socket 20h.
  • FIG. 4 shows all the modules 1 2, 1 3, 1 7, 1 8 installed.
  • the host facility switchgear 1 5, 1 6 is activated to connect the circuit to the power supply.
  • the power flows from the supply via the closed host facility switchgear 1 5 to load 23 via closed switchgear 21 a and ' also from the closed host facility switchgear 1 6 to load 25 via closed switchgear 21 e.
  • the power to load 23 then flows to load 24 via closed switchgear 21 b, 21 c and the power to load 25 flows to load 26 via closed switchgear 21 f,21 g.
  • Load 24 is connected to load 26 via closed switchgear 21 d,21 h thus completing the circuit so that power can flow in either or both directions from the host facility in the manner of a "ring main".
  • the power/control line 9 comprises three-phase power supply lines 9a, 9b, 9c illustrated in the simplified circuit diagram shown in Figure 5.
  • the power supply line 9a forms a series connection from the switchgear 1 5 to the switchgear 1 6 through the modules 1 2, 1 3, 1 7, 1 8.
  • the power supply line 9b also forms a series connection from the switchgear 1 5 to the switchgear 1 6 through the modules 1 2, 1 3, 1 7, 1 8 as does the power supply line 9c.
  • Each load 23,24,25,26 is connected across the power supply lines 9a, 9b, 9c as shown.
  • Each host facility switchgear 1 5, 1 6 and switchgear 21 a... h effects the switching of all three power supply lines 9a, 9b, 9c.
  • FIG. 6 and 7 shows module 1 3 being isolated and retrieved from the first seabed sub-system 4.
  • Switchgear 21 h in module 1 8 and switchgear 21 b in module 1 2, which are serially adjacent and are on opposite sides of the module 1 3, are opened thus isolating module 1 3. This is effected by sending an apparatus control signal down the power/control line 9 from the host facility 6. Coding of the signal enables the control electronics 23', 24', 25', 26' of each module to determine which signals relate to which module.
  • Each switchgear 21 b,21 h to be opened is accordingly actuated by its associated control electronics 23', 26'.
  • module 1 3 may be inspected/adjusted before being lowered back to and installed in the sub-system 4 or a separate replacement module may be lowered and installed.
  • the sockets 20c, 20d (see Fig. 7) of the lowered module dock and mate with the plugs 22c, 22d of the docking unit 1 1 .
  • Switchgear 21 h in module 1 8 and switchgear 21 b in module 1 2 are closed thus connecting the lowered module to the host facility 6 and hence restoring series power distribution throughout the substantially underwater system.
  • FIGs 8 and 9 shows module 1 2 being retrieved from the first modular seabed sub-system 4.
  • Module 1 2 is serially adjacent to the host facility 6.
  • Host facility switchgear 1 5 and switchgear 21 c in module 1 3, which are serially adjacent to and are on opposite sides of the module 1 2, are opened thus isolating module 1 2.
  • the remaining modules 1 3, 1 7, 1 8 are all still connected to the host facility 6 and so can continue to operate and module 1 2 is then retrieved as shown in Figure 9.
  • Module 1 2 may then be replaced in a similar manner to that described above for module 1 3.
  • the modular seabed sub-systems are all electric, although hydraulics could be used if so desired for selected functions. Electrical systems can operate over greater distances / deeper levels, transmit emergency signals instantaneously, such as to shut down a part of a seabed sub-system, and are cheaper to manufacture and maintain.
  • the sub-systems may be land based and not underwater. Any suitable number of modular sub-systems may be used in a field. Each sub-system may be designed to hold any suitable number of retrievable modules.
  • the integrated power/control line may be replaced by a supply umbilical carrying power and control lines or by separate power and control lines, the control line being connected to the module by a disconnectable, wet mateable connector.
  • the plugs may be located on other parts of the sub-system and not just the docking unit.
  • the subsystems have been described as extracting oil/gas they may not necessarily process the fluid mixture from the reservoir and may, for example, simply commingle or pump the fluid mixture.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
  • Pipeline Systems (AREA)
  • Electrical Discharge Machining, Electrochemical Machining, And Combined Machining (AREA)
  • Laying Of Electric Cables Or Lines Outside (AREA)
  • Organic Low-Molecular-Weight Compounds And Preparation Thereof (AREA)
  • Optical Communication System (AREA)
  • Drilling And Exploitation, And Mining Machines And Methods (AREA)
  • Water Treatment By Sorption (AREA)
  • Domestic Plumbing Installations (AREA)
  • Cyclones (AREA)
  • Artificial Fish Reefs (AREA)
  • Farming Of Fish And Shellfish (AREA)
  • Physical Or Chemical Processes And Apparatus (AREA)

Abstract

A substantially underwater system comprises a plurality of retrievable substantially autonomous subsea modules (12, 13, 17, 18) and switchgear (15, 16, 21a...h). A host facility (6) and the modules are connected in series so as to form a circuit, the host facility providing power to all of the modules. Operation of the switchgear electrically isolates a module or a plurality of serially adjacent modules so that the module or modules can be removed without cutting off the power supply to any of the remaining modules of the system. Module based parts of the switchgear (21a...h) only or a combination of module based parts (21a...h) and host facility based parts (15, 16) of the switchgear are actuated depending on which module or modules are isolated and removed.

Description

ELECTRICAL POWER DISTRIBUTION SUITABLE FOR A SUBSTANTIALLY UNDERWATER SYSTEM
The present invention relates to electrical power distribution suitable for a substantially underwater system used in an underwater oil/gas field.
Conventional oil/gas fields have a plurality of wells linked to a host facility which receives the oil/gas via flow lines. If the underwater oil/gas field includes underwater processing units between the wells and the host facility, it would be useful to be able to reconfigure or replace an underwater processing unit without having to power down the other underwater processing units in the field and thereby significantly reduce production from the field.
Presently, any underwater processing units which require power/ controlling rely on at least one expensive and complex multiple conduit hydraulic line to connect each part to a host facility on/above the sea surface or onshore.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method and system which alleviates/solves problems associated with power distribution to a system, particularly one which is substantially underwater. According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of electrical power distribution or control signal distribution suitable for a substantially underwater system, comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of retrievable substantially autonomous modules, module isolating means and a host facility, the host facility and the modules being connected in series so as to form a circuit, the host facility providing power or control signals to all of the modules; isolating at least one module by operation of the module isolating' means; and removing the isolated at least one module without cutting off the supply of power or control signals to any of the remaining modules of the system.
There is preferably a plurality of series connected sub-systems, each including a plurality of said modules connected in series, the step of isolating the at least one retrievable module by module isolating means not cutting off the supply of power or control signals to the remaining modules.
Each module may have a module based part of the module isolating means and the host facility may have a host facility based part of the module isolating means and wherein the step of isolating the at least one retrievable module may involve the operation of two of said parts of said module isolating means. Each module based part of the module isolating means may include two switches in series relationship, each switch being on opposite sides of connection means to an electrical load of the module, and the host facility based part of the module isolating means may include a switch in each of the two electrical connections between the host facility and the modules and wherein the step of isolating at least one module may involve the operation of two of said switches.
It is preferable for one module or a plurality of serially adjacent modules to constitute a removable part of the system to be isolated and removed. The step of isolating the removable part of the system may involve operation of serially adjacent parts of the module isolating means on opposite sides of the removable part. The parts of the module isolating means operated may both be module based parts thereof when the serially adjacent parts on opposite sides of the removable part are modules. Alternatively, the parts of the module isolating means operated may comprise a module based part thereof and a host facility based part thereof when one of the serially adjacent parts on one side of the removable part is a module and that on the opposite side comprises part of the host facility.
Each module desirably includes a first portion of a disconnectable electrical power connector means and may be engaged in a location having a complementary second portion of the electrical power connector means and wherein removal of the or each module may involve removing it from its associated location thereby disengaging the complementary portions of the electrical power connector means. The electrical power connector means may be wet mateable in order that the connector means can mate underwater. Preferably, one portion of the electrical power connector means is a plug and the other portion is a socket. At least one module may include a transformer to which the first portion of the electrical power connector means is connected whereby high voltage power received by the module is lowered to an acceptable level for the module to effectively operate. Each removed module may be replaced with a replacement module and the module isolating means may be operated to restore series power distribution or control signal distribution throughout the system. With such replacement it is possible for the remaining modules to continue to operate.
At least one different module may be subsequently removed from the system using the method described above.
The method may be for electrical power distribution and control signal distribution.
Preferably, the module isolating means comprises switchgear for electrically isolating at least one module. The system is preferably substantially underwater. The host facility may not be underwater. The sub-systems are desirably on a seabed.
The system may include control means for substantially controlling operation of the module in order that normal operation of the module is controlled by the control means making the module substantially autonomous. Thus, the control means may provide control to the many parts of the module that need power/controlling. Desirably, the or each module includes the control means. The control means may be at least substantially an electrical' control means or the control means may comprise a completely electrical control means. Such an arrangement obviates the requirement for many hydraulic lines from the host facility to various parts of the module that need controlling. The host facility is desirably in communication with the control means. This may be via the electrical power connector means. Alternatively, the host facility may be in communication with the control means via control connector means separate from the electrical power connector means. Thus, the controllable parts of the modules are not separately connected by individual lines to the host facility. The control connector means may be wet mateable.
The power distribution system permits the removal of one or more modules without powering down the system and in which the electrical switchgear is not present in apparatus into which the module is inserted, i.e. apparatus which will normally remain on, say, a seabed. Should any problem occur with the switchgear of a given module for example, electrical isolation of that module can be achieved by remote operation of the switchgear in the adjacent modules or adjacent module and host facility. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a system comprising a plurality of retrievable substantially autonomous modules, module isolating means, and a host facility, the host facility and the modules being connected in series so as to form a circuit, the host facility being arranged to provide power or control signals to all of the modules, the series connections and the module isolating means being arranged such that isolating at least one module so that it or they can be removed does not cut off the supply of power or control signals to any of the remaining modules of the system.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-
Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a subsea field comprising a substantially underwater system according to one embodiment of the' invention;
Figure 2 is an elevational view of a modular seabed sub-system of the substantially underwater system; Figures 3 and 4 are schematic diagrams of a subsea field comprising the modular seabed sub-systems of Figure 2;
Figure 5 is a schematic circuit diagram of the subsea field; and
Figures 6 to 9 are schematic diagrams of a subsea field showing various modules being removed from modular seabed sub-systems using the method according to the invention.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, a subsea field 1 includes wells 2 for removing a fluid mixture comprising water and oil/gas from reservoirs beneath the seabed. The wells 2 are connected by underwater flow lines 3, such as rigid and/or flexible pipelines, to modular subsea or seabed sub-systems 4,5 of a substantially underwater system where the oil and/or gas may be extracted from the fluid mixture and the oil/gas flows under well pressure or is pumped to a host facility 6 via flow lines 7,8, the flow lines 7,8 connecting the modular seabed sub-systems 4,5 in series to the host facility 6. A plurality of wells may be connected to a template before being connected to a modular seabed sub-system. The host facility may be, for example, onshore or on a fixed or a floating rig. The host facility 6 has an integrated power and control line 9 connecting the modular seabed sub-systems 4,5 in series to form a circuit, the host facility 6 providing the power and control to these sub-systems 4,5.
Each modular seabed sub-system 4,5 comprises a support frame 10 which is essentially of a tubular framework construction and is secured to the seabed. Inside each frame 10 is a docking unit or location 1 1 which is connected to flowlines by flowline tie-in and installation tools which are operated by remote operating vehicles (ROVs) or directly from a ship. Two retrievable substantially autonomous modules 1 2, 1 3 (of which only one module 12 can be seen in Fig. 2 as it blocks the view of module 1 3 behind it) are installed in the frame 1 0. The modules 1 2, 1 3 are connected to the docking unit 1 1 by multi-ported valve isolation connectors 1 4 which are described in GB-A-2261 271 . The retrievable modules are designed to include a variety of equipment, such as separators for separating gas and liquid comprising oil and water from the fluid mixture received via flow lines 3, the separated gas and liquid being pumped to the host facility via the further flow lines 7,8. Referring to Figure 3, a field 1 comprising a substantially underwater system is shown having a host facility 6 and first and second modular seabed sub-systems 4,5 connected in series by an integrated power/control line 9 to form a circuit. The power/control line 9 thus carries signal information as well as power. Any flow lines have been omitted for clarity. The circuit is breakable at the host facility 6 by means of switchgears 1 5, 1 6 which each isolate one of the two ends of the power/control line 9 from a power and control supply at the host facility 6. Each seabed sub-system 4,5 has two retrievable substantially autonomous subsea modules 1 2, 1 3; 1 7, 1 8 with the first seabed sub-system 4 having the modules 1 2, 1 3 installed therein. Each module has two electric power distribution switchgears 21 a...h in series relationship, each switchgear being on opposite sides of a connection 27 to an electrical/hydraulic load 23,24,25,26 via a transformer (not shown). Each switchgear is also connected to a power/control socket 20a... h and each socket has an associated power/control plug 22a...h which is connected to the docking unit 1 1 . The power/control sockets 20a...h and plugs 22a...h are high voltage, high power subsea wet mateable electrical connectors like those described in EP 042851 5, for example, in which the connector is mated in insulating liquid which is then replaced with gas at near atmospheric pressure.
Each retrievable module 1 2, 1 3, 1 7, 1 8 has a control chamber and power chamber (not shown). The control chamber houses control electronics 23', 24', 25', 26' which form part of the load 23,24,25,26, and the power chamber houses the power switchgear 21 a...h. The control electronics 23', 24', 25', 26' controls the normal running of the module and is in communication with the host facility via the integrated power/control line 9 from where it may, for example, be reprogrammed or be instructed to shut down the module and open or close the switchgear 21 a...h. The control chamber and power chamber are constructed as pressure vessels and have cables from the sockets 20a...h of the connectors outside the chambers connecting to the control electronics 23', 24', 25', 26' and switchgear 21 a...h in their chambers. To reduce high voltage input from a socket, the socket may be connected to the control electronics via a transformer (not shown).
Figure 3 shows each docking unit 1 1 having four power/control plugs 22a...d,22e...h. For the first seabed sub-system 4 the first plug 22a is connected to the host facility 6, the second plug 22b is connected to the third plug 22c and the fourth plug 22d is connected to a plug 22h in the second seabed sub-system 5. The modules 1 2, 1 3 being installed on docking unit 1 1 are respectively adapted to provide the connections between the first and second plugs 22a, 22b and the third and fourth plugs 22c, 22d. Thus, when module 1 2 is installed, plug 22a will be connected to plug 22b in series via socket 20a, switchgear 21 a, 21 b and socket 20b and when module 1 3 is installed, plug 22c will be connected to plug 22d in series via socket 20c, switchgear 21 c,21 d and socket 20d. The second seabed sub-system 5 is similar to the first seabed sub-system 4 with modules 1 7, 1 8 being shown already installed on the docking unit 1 1 . Thus, module 1 7 causes plug 22e to be connected to plug 22f in series via socket 20e, switchgear 21 e,21 f and socket 20f and module 1 8 causes plug 22g to be connected to plug 22h in series via socket 20g, switchgear 21 g,21 h and socket 20h. Hence, there is a circuit connecting the seabed sub-systems 4,5 to the host facility 6.
Figure 4 shows all the modules 1 2, 1 3, 1 7, 1 8 installed. When the field 1 is commissioned, the host facility switchgear 1 5, 1 6 is activated to connect the circuit to the power supply. The power flows from the supply via the closed host facility switchgear 1 5 to load 23 via closed switchgear 21 a and' also from the closed host facility switchgear 1 6 to load 25 via closed switchgear 21 e. The power to load 23 then flows to load 24 via closed switchgear 21 b, 21 c and the power to load 25 flows to load 26 via closed switchgear 21 f,21 g. Load 24 is connected to load 26 via closed switchgear 21 d,21 h thus completing the circuit so that power can flow in either or both directions from the host facility in the manner of a "ring main".
The power/control line 9 comprises three-phase power supply lines 9a, 9b, 9c illustrated in the simplified circuit diagram shown in Figure 5. The power supply line 9a forms a series connection from the switchgear 1 5 to the switchgear 1 6 through the modules 1 2, 1 3, 1 7, 1 8. The power supply line 9b also forms a series connection from the switchgear 1 5 to the switchgear 1 6 through the modules 1 2, 1 3, 1 7, 1 8 as does the power supply line 9c. Each load 23,24,25,26 is connected across the power supply lines 9a, 9b, 9c as shown. Each host facility switchgear 1 5, 1 6 and switchgear 21 a... h effects the switching of all three power supply lines 9a, 9b, 9c.
To retrieve a module from one of the seabed sub-systems, that module needs to be electrically isolated. Figures 6 and 7 shows module 1 3 being isolated and retrieved from the first seabed sub-system 4. Switchgear 21 h in module 1 8 and switchgear 21 b in module 1 2, which are serially adjacent and are on opposite sides of the module 1 3, are opened thus isolating module 1 3. This is effected by sending an apparatus control signal down the power/control line 9 from the host facility 6. Coding of the signal enables the control electronics 23', 24', 25', 26' of each module to determine which signals relate to which module. Each switchgear 21 b,21 h to be opened is accordingly actuated by its associated control electronics 23', 26'. The remaining modules 1 2, 1 7, 1 8 are all still electrically connected to the host facility 6 and so can continue to operate and module 1 3 is then retrieved as shown in Figure 7. Once retrieved, module 1 3 may be inspected/adjusted before being lowered back to and installed in the sub-system 4 or a separate replacement module may be lowered and installed. The sockets 20c, 20d (see Fig. 7) of the lowered module dock and mate with the plugs 22c, 22d of the docking unit 1 1 . Switchgear 21 h in module 1 8 and switchgear 21 b in module 1 2 are closed thus connecting the lowered module to the host facility 6 and hence restoring series power distribution throughout the substantially underwater system.
Figures 8 and 9 shows module 1 2 being retrieved from the first modular seabed sub-system 4. Module 1 2 is serially adjacent to the host facility 6. Host facility switchgear 1 5 and switchgear 21 c in module 1 3, which are serially adjacent to and are on opposite sides of the module 1 2, are opened thus isolating module 1 2. The remaining modules 1 3, 1 7, 1 8 are all still connected to the host facility 6 and so can continue to operate and module 1 2 is then retrieved as shown in Figure 9. Module 1 2 may then be replaced in a similar manner to that described above for module 1 3.
It is possible to isolate and retrieve a plurality of serially adjacent modules. For example, to retrieve both modules 1 2 and 1 3, host facility switchgear 1 5 and switchgear 21 h in module 1 8, which are serially adjacent to and are on opposite sides of the modules 1 2 and 13, are opened thus isolating modules 1 2, 1 3. The two remaining modules 1 7, 1 8 are still connected to the host facility 6 and so can continue to operate and modules 1 2,1 3 are then retrieved. To retrieve, say, both modules 1 3 and 1 8, switchgear 21 b,21 f are opened, isolating module 1 3 and 1 8.
The modular seabed sub-systems are all electric, although hydraulics could be used if so desired for selected functions. Electrical systems can operate over greater distances / deeper levels, transmit emergency signals instantaneously, such as to shut down a part of a seabed sub-system, and are cheaper to manufacture and maintain.
If the modular seabed sub-systems are not operating at a long distance from the host facility then high voltage may not be required and consequently the modules may not require transformers.
Whilst a particular embodiment has been described, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the sub-systems may be land based and not underwater. Any suitable number of modular sub-systems may be used in a field. Each sub-system may be designed to hold any suitable number of retrievable modules. The integrated power/control line may be replaced by a supply umbilical carrying power and control lines or by separate power and control lines, the control line being connected to the module by a disconnectable, wet mateable connector. The plugs may be located on other parts of the sub-system and not just the docking unit. Although the subsystems have been described as extracting oil/gas they may not necessarily process the fluid mixture from the reservoir and may, for example, simply commingle or pump the fluid mixture.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1 . A method of electrical power distribution or control signal distribution suitable for a substantially underwater system, comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of retrievable substantially autonomous modules
(1 2, 1 3, 1 7, 18), module isolating means (1 5, 1 6,21 a... h) and a host facility (6), the host facility and the modules being connected in series so as to form a circuit, the host facility providing power or control signals to all of the modules; isolating at least one module by operation of the module isolating means (1 5, 1 6,21 a...h); and removing the isolated at least one module without cutting off the supply of power or control signals to any of the remaining modules of the system.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 , including a plurality of series connected sub-systems (4,5), each including a plurality of said modules (1 2, 1 3, 1 7, 1 8) connected in series, the step of isolating the at least one retrievable module by module isolating means ( 1 5, 1 6,21 a... h) not cutting off the supply of power or control signals to the remaining modules.
3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, each module having a module based part (21 a...h) of the module isolating means and the host facility having a host facility based part ( 1 5, 1 6) of the module isolating means and wherein the step of isolating the at least one retrievable module involves the operation of two of said parts of said module isolating means.
4. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein each module based part (21 a...h) of the module isolating means includes two switches in series relationship, each switch being on opposite sides of connection means (27) to an electrical load (23,24,25,26) of the module ( 1 2, 1 3, 1 7, 1 8), and the host facility based part ( 1 5, 1 6) of the module isolating means includes a switch in each of the two electrical connections (9) between the host facility (6) and the modules and wherein the step of isolating at least one module involves the operation of two of said switches.
5. A method as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein one module (1 2, 1 3, 1 7, 1 8) or a plurality of serially adjacent modules constituting a removable part of the system are isolated and removed.
6. A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the step of isolating the removable part of the system involves operation of serially adjacent parts of the module isolating means (1 5, 1 6,21 a... h) on opposite sides of the removable part.
7. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the parts of the module isolating means operated are both module based parts (21 b,21 h) thereof.
8. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the parts of the module isolating means operated comprise a module based part (21 c) thereof and a host facility based part ( 1 5) thereof.
9. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each module includes a first portion (20a... h) of a disconnectable electrical power connector means and engages a location ( 1 1 ) having a complementary second portion (22a...h) of the electrical power connector means and wherein removal of the or each module involves removing it from its associated location thereby' disengaging the complementary portions of the electrical power connector means.
10. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, including the further steps of replacing the or each removed module with a replacement module and operating the module isolating means ( 1 5, 1 6,21 a... h)) to restore series power distribution or control signal distribution throughout the system.
1 1 . A method as claimed in claim 1 0, including the further steps of removing at least one different module from the system using the method according to claim 1 .
1 2. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the method is for electrical power distribution and control signal distribution.
1 3. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the system (1 ) is substantially underwater.
1 4. A method as claimed in claim 2 or any claims dependent thereon, wherein the sub-systems (4,5) are on a seabed.
1 5. A system comprising a plurality of retrievable substantially autonomous modules (1 2, 1 3, 1 7, 1 8), module isolating means (1 5, 1 6,21 a... h), and a host facility (6), the host facility and the modules being connected in series so as to form a circuit, the host facility being arranged to provide power or control signals to all of the modules, the series connections and the module isolating means ( 1 5, 1 6,21 a... h) being arranged such that isolating at least one module (1 2, 1 3) so that it or they can be removed does not cut off the supply of power or control signals to any of the remaining modules of the system.
1 6. A system as claimed in claim 1 5, including a plurality of series connected sub-systems (4,5), each including a plurality of said modules (1 2, 1 3,1 7, 18) connected in series.
17. A system as claimed in claim 15 or 16, wherein each module has a module based part (21 a...h) of the module isolating means and the host facility has a host facility based part (15,16) of the module isolating means.
18. A system as claimed in claim 17, wherein each module based part (21 a...h) of the module isolating means includes two switches in series relationship, each switch being on opposite sides of connection means (27) to an electrical load (23,24,25,26) of the module (12,13,17,18) and the host facility based part of the module isolating means includes a switch (15,16) in each of the two electrical connections (9) between the host facility (6) and the modules, at least one module being adapted to being isolated by involving the operation of two of said switches.
19. A system as claimed in claim 17 or 18, wherein one module (12,13,17,18) or a plurality of serially adjacent modules constitute a removable part of the system to be isolated and removed.
20. A system as claimed in claim 19, wherein serially adjacent parts of the module isolating means (15,16,21 a... h) on opposite sides of the removable part are adapted to isolate the removable part of the system.
21. A system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the parts of the module isolating means are both module based parts (21b,21h) thereof.
22. A system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the parts of the module isolating means operated comprise a module based part (21c) thereof and a host facility based part (15) thereof.
23. A system as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 22, wherein each module includes a first portion (20a... h) of a disconnectable electrical power connector means and the system including a location (1 1 ) having a complementary second portion (22a... h) of the electrical power connector means for the first portion to engage so that the removal of the or each module involves removing it from its associated location thereby disengaging the complementary portions of the electrical power connector means.
24. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 5 to 23, wherein the module isolating means (1 5, 16,21 a... h) is adapted to restore series power distribution or control signal distribution throughout the system when the or each removed module has been replaced with a replacement module.
25. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 5 to 24, wherein the host facility is arranged to provide power and control signals to all of the modules, the series connections and the module isolating means (1 5,1 6,21 a... h) being arranged such that isolating at least one module (1 2, 1 3) so that it or they can be removed does not cut off the supply of power and control signals to any of the remaining modules of the system.
26. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 5 to 25, wherein the module isolating means (1 5, 1 6,21 a... h) comprises switchgear for electrically isolating at least one module (1 2, 1 3, 1 7, 1 8).
27. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 5 to 26, including control means (23', 24', 25', 26') for substantially controlling operation of the module
(1 2,1 3,17, 1 8).
28. A system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the or each module (1 2,1 3, 17,1 8) includes the control means (23', 24', 25', 26').
29. A system as claimed in claim 27 or 28, wherein the control means (23', 24', 25', 26') is at least substantially an electrical control means or the control means comprises a completely electrical control means.
30. A system as claimed in claims 27, 28 or 29, wherein the host facility (6) is in communication with the control means (23', 24', 25', 26').
31 . A system as claimed in claims 23 and 28, wherein the host facility (6) is in communication with the control means (23', 24', 25', 26') via the electrical power connector means (20a...h,22a...h).
32. A system as claimed in claims 23 and 30, wherein the host facility (6) is in communication with the control means (23', 24', 25', 26') via control connector means separate from the electrical power connector means (20a...h, 22a...h).
33. A system as claimed in claim 32, wherein the control connector means is wet mateable.
34. A system as claimed in claim 23 or any claims dependent thereon, wherein the electrical power connector means (20a...h, 22a...h) is wet mateable.
35. A system as claimed in claim 23 or any claims dependent thereon, wherein one portion of the electrical power connector means is a plug
(22a...h) and the other portion is a socket (20a...h).
36. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 5 to 35, wherein the system is substantially underwater.
37. A system as claimed in claim 36, wherein the host facility (6) is not underwater.
38. A system as claimed in claim 1 6 or any claims dependent thereon, wherein the sub-systems (4,5) are on a seabed.
39. A system as claimed in claim 23 or any claims dependent thereon, wherein at least one module (1 2, 1 3, 1 7,1 8) includes a transformer to which the first portion (20a...h) of the electrical power connector means is connected.
PCT/GB2000/003220 1999-09-10 2000-08-18 Electrical power distribution suitable for a substantially underwater system WO2001020746A1 (en)

Priority Applications (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU67093/00A AU6709300A (en) 1999-09-10 2000-08-18 Electrical power distribution suitable for a substantially underwater system
EP00954734A EP1219002B1 (en) 1999-09-10 2000-08-18 Electrical power distribution suitable for a substantially underwater system
AT00954734T ATE308814T1 (en) 1999-09-10 2000-08-18 ELECTRICAL POWER SUPPLY SUITABLE FOR AN UNDERWATER SYSTEM
DE60023728T DE60023728D1 (en) 1999-09-10 2000-08-18 ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY SUITABLE FOR A UNDERWATER SYSTEM
BR0014260-3A BR0014260A (en) 1999-09-10 2000-08-18 Method of adequate distribution of electrical energy for an essentially underwater system
US10/070,231 US6873063B1 (en) 1999-09-10 2000-08-18 Electrical power distribution suitable for a substantially underwater system
NO20021169A NO20021169L (en) 1999-09-10 2002-03-08 Electric power distribution system, especially underwater

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9921373.8 1999-09-10
GBGB9921373.8A GB9921373D0 (en) 1999-09-10 1999-09-10 Modular sea-bed system

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001020746A1 true WO2001020746A1 (en) 2001-03-22

Family

ID=10860665

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2000/003220 WO2001020746A1 (en) 1999-09-10 2000-08-18 Electrical power distribution suitable for a substantially underwater system
PCT/GB2000/003227 WO2001020128A1 (en) 1999-09-10 2000-08-18 A retrievable module and operating method suitable for a seabed processing system

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2000/003227 WO2001020128A1 (en) 1999-09-10 2000-08-18 A retrievable module and operating method suitable for a seabed processing system

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (2) US6640901B1 (en)
EP (3) EP1219002B1 (en)
AT (2) ATE308814T1 (en)
AU (2) AU6709800A (en)
BR (2) BR0014267A (en)
DE (2) DE60019771D1 (en)
GB (1) GB9921373D0 (en)
NO (2) NO20021169L (en)
WO (2) WO2001020746A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002072999A1 (en) * 2001-03-09 2002-09-19 Alpha Thames Ltd Power connection to and/or control of wellhead trees
US7952855B2 (en) 2006-07-05 2011-05-31 Vetco Gray Scandinavia As Subsea switchgear apparatus

Families Citing this family (56)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB0110398D0 (en) * 2001-04-27 2001-06-20 Alpha Thames Ltd Wellhead product testing system
GB0124616D0 (en) * 2001-10-12 2001-12-05 Alpha Thames Ltd A system and method for injecting water into a hydrocarbon reservoir
GB0124614D0 (en) * 2001-10-12 2001-12-05 Alpha Thames Ltd Multiphase fluid conveyance system
GB0124613D0 (en) * 2001-10-12 2001-12-05 Alpha Thames Ltd System and method for separating fluids
GB0124612D0 (en) * 2001-10-12 2001-12-05 Alpha Thames Ltd Single well development system
EP1353038A1 (en) * 2002-04-08 2003-10-15 Cooper Cameron Corporation Subsea process assembly
EP1352679A1 (en) * 2002-04-08 2003-10-15 Cooper Cameron Corporation Separator
GB0213635D0 (en) * 2002-06-13 2002-07-24 Alpha Thames Ltd Pressure protection system
GB0215062D0 (en) * 2002-06-28 2002-08-07 Alpha Thames Ltd A method and system for combating the formation of emulsions
DK1529152T3 (en) * 2002-08-14 2007-11-19 Baker Hughes Inc Undersea Injection Unit for Injection of Chemical Additives and Monitoring System for Operation of Oil Fields
NO316840B1 (en) * 2002-08-16 2004-05-24 Norsk Hydro As Rudder separator for separation of fluid, especially oil, gas and water
JP4344791B2 (en) * 2002-10-21 2009-10-14 日本電気株式会社 Submarine cable system and submarine power supply branching device
NO320179B1 (en) * 2002-12-27 2005-11-07 Vetco Aibel As underwater System
NO323543B1 (en) 2002-12-27 2007-06-11 Vetco Gray Scandinavia As underwater System
US6907933B2 (en) * 2003-02-13 2005-06-21 Conocophillips Company Sub-sea blow case compressor
DE10329914B4 (en) * 2003-07-02 2005-09-01 Rheinmetall Landsysteme Gmbh Error detection for Powerring
EP2283905A3 (en) 2003-09-24 2011-04-13 Cameron International Corporation Subsea well production flow and separation system
US7181980B2 (en) * 2004-04-30 2007-02-27 Roxar Flow Measurement As Subsea multiphase flow meter detector retrievable electronics
US7958938B2 (en) * 2004-05-03 2011-06-14 Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company System and vessel for supporting offshore fields
US7219740B2 (en) * 2004-11-22 2007-05-22 Energy Equipment Corporation Well production and multi-purpose intervention access hub
GB2422170C (en) * 2005-01-12 2010-03-03 David Lindsay Edwards Subsea tanker hydrocarbon production system
CN101300433B (en) * 2005-08-02 2010-10-06 越洋离岸深海钻探公司 Modular backup fluid supply system
SE530770C2 (en) * 2005-08-24 2008-09-09 Westinghouse Electric Sweden Systems and uses of eddy current measurements on nuclear reactor components
MY140159A (en) * 2005-08-29 2009-11-30 Alpha Perisai Sdn Bhd Control system for seabed processing system
US7931090B2 (en) * 2005-11-15 2011-04-26 Schlumberger Technology Corporation System and method for controlling subsea wells
NO20055727L (en) * 2005-12-05 2007-06-06 Norsk Hydro Produksjon As Electric underwater compression system
US7686086B2 (en) * 2005-12-08 2010-03-30 Vetco Gray Inc. Subsea well separation and reinjection system
FR2899288B1 (en) 2006-03-30 2008-06-13 Total Sa METHOD AND DEVICE FOR COMPRESSION OF A MULTIPHASIC FLUID
US7770651B2 (en) * 2007-02-13 2010-08-10 Kellogg Brown & Root Llc Method and apparatus for sub-sea processing
DE502007003860D1 (en) * 2007-06-26 2010-07-01 Siemens Ag Peripheral module and peripheral system for an automation system
CN101939503B (en) * 2007-09-21 2013-07-10 越洋塞科外汇合营有限公司 System and method for providing additional blowout preventer control redundancy
US8375716B2 (en) * 2007-12-21 2013-02-19 United Technologies Corporation Operating a sub-sea organic Rankine cycle (ORC) system using individual pressure vessels
NO330025B1 (en) * 2008-08-07 2011-02-07 Aker Subsea As Underwater production plant, method for cleaning an underwater well and method for controlling flow in a hydrocarbon production system
GB2463487A (en) * 2008-09-15 2010-03-17 Viper Subsea Ltd Subsea protection device
US8382457B2 (en) * 2008-11-10 2013-02-26 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Subsea pumping system
US8083501B2 (en) * 2008-11-10 2011-12-27 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Subsea pumping system including a skid with wet matable electrical and hydraulic connections
US8500419B2 (en) 2008-11-10 2013-08-06 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Subsea pumping system with interchangable pumping units
EP2409000A4 (en) * 2009-03-16 2017-10-11 Services Pétroliers Schlumberger Subsea sampling system and method
NO329763B1 (en) * 2009-05-09 2010-12-13 Tool Tech As Procedure for sampling and analysis of production from an underwater well for salt content in produced water and volume ratio of liquid fractions
EA201390035A1 (en) * 2010-06-30 2013-05-30 Шеврон Ю.Эс.Эй. Инк. SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRODUCTION OF HYDROCARBONS FROM A WELL
CN103582740A (en) * 2011-06-17 2014-02-12 Bp北美公司 Air-freightable containment cap for containing a subsea well
CA2868111C (en) * 2012-04-27 2020-08-25 Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company Method for design of subsea electrical substation and power distribution system
US9343880B2 (en) * 2012-04-28 2016-05-17 Schneider Electric Industries Sas Modular subsea electrical distribution system having subsea cable harness assembly and method for assembling same
CN104797777A (en) * 2012-08-24 2015-07-22 Fmc技术股份有限公司 Methods for retrieval and replacement of subsea production and processing equipment
CN104884734B (en) 2012-08-24 2017-11-28 Fmc技术股份有限公司 Underwater production and processing equipment is fetched
EP2717401B1 (en) * 2012-10-05 2015-01-28 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Subsea electrical power system
DE202013000322U1 (en) 2013-01-15 2013-02-06 Marco Schupp Stackable bottle
US9951779B2 (en) 2013-12-27 2018-04-24 General Electric Company Methods and systems for subsea boosting with direct current and alternating current power systems
US20160047216A1 (en) * 2014-08-15 2016-02-18 Robert Carl Rajewski Wellsite production machines
EP3054083B1 (en) * 2015-02-05 2017-05-17 Saipem S.p.A. Underwater hydrocarbon processing facility
KR101985648B1 (en) 2015-02-26 2019-09-03 엑손모빌 업스트림 리서치 캄파니 Subsea system for installation, shutdown and removal of production and processing equipment
US11480034B2 (en) * 2017-12-22 2022-10-25 National Oilwell Varco, L.P. Overpressure protection apparatus
WO2019180406A1 (en) * 2018-03-20 2019-09-26 D & P Innovations Sdn. Bhd Filtration vessel
NO346741B1 (en) * 2020-04-15 2022-12-12 Vetco Gray Scandinavia As A scalable modular fluid separation system
EP4063646A1 (en) * 2021-03-25 2022-09-28 ABB Schweiz AG Power collection system for subsea transfer of power from offshore power generation units
CN114458251B (en) * 2021-12-29 2024-02-09 海洋石油工程股份有限公司 Underwater supercharging manifold device

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2261271A (en) 1991-11-11 1993-05-12 Alpha Thames Eng A two-part connector for fluids conduits
EP0752668A1 (en) * 1995-07-07 1997-01-08 Sun Microsystems, Inc. Method and apparatus for hot plugging/unplugging a sub-system to/from an electrically powered system
WO1997014206A1 (en) * 1995-10-11 1997-04-17 Invetech Operations Pty. Ltd. Modular power supply

Family Cites Families (29)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2767802A (en) * 1955-08-22 1956-10-23 Shell Dev Underwater oil precipitator
US3366173A (en) * 1965-09-29 1968-01-30 Mobil Oil Corp Subsea production system
US3503443A (en) * 1967-09-11 1970-03-31 Gen Dynamics Corp Product handling system for underwater wells
US3643736A (en) * 1968-06-27 1972-02-22 Mobil Oil Corp Subsea production station
US3556218A (en) * 1968-06-27 1971-01-19 Mobil Oil Corp Underwater production satellite
US3536135A (en) * 1968-06-27 1970-10-27 Shell Oil Co Underwater production facility including base unit and production fluid handling unit
US3621911A (en) * 1969-04-01 1971-11-23 Mobil Oil Corp Subsea production system
US3590919A (en) * 1969-09-08 1971-07-06 Mobil Oil Corp Subsea production system
US3602302A (en) * 1969-11-10 1971-08-31 Westinghouse Electric Corp Oil production system
USRE27308E (en) * 1970-04-08 1972-03-14 Underwater low temperature separation unit
US3865142A (en) * 1970-05-19 1975-02-11 Fmc Corp Electric remote control system for underwater wells
US3754380A (en) * 1972-04-05 1973-08-28 Black Sivalls & Bryson Inc Submarine oil well production apparatus
FR2513356A1 (en) * 1981-09-23 1983-03-25 Chaudot Gerard SAFETY SYSTEM FOR ELIMINATING ANY RISK OF DRIVING LIQUIDS AT THE TORCH OF THE TORCH OR THE EVENT, WHEN TURNING OR DISPERSION GASES ASSOCIATED WITH THE PRODUCTION OR TREATMENT OF EARTH AND SEA HYDROCARBONS
FR2528106A1 (en) * 1982-06-08 1983-12-09 Chaudot Gerard SYSTEM FOR THE PRODUCTION OF UNDERWATER DEPOSITS OF FLUIDS, TO ALLOW THE PRODUCTION AND TO INCREASE THE RECOVERY OF FLUIDS IN PLACE, WITH FLOW REGULATION
US4438817A (en) * 1982-09-29 1984-03-27 Armco Inc. Subsea well with retrievable piping deck
GB8707307D0 (en) 1987-03-26 1987-04-29 British Petroleum Co Plc Sea bed process complex
US4772806A (en) * 1987-05-01 1988-09-20 Shay Lean Switching device for a series loop circuit
GB8722562D0 (en) * 1987-09-25 1987-11-04 Goodfellow Associates Ltd Connector for fluid carrying conduits
FR2628142B1 (en) * 1988-03-02 1990-07-13 Elf Aquitaine DEVICE FOR SEPARATING OIL GAS AT THE HEAD OF AN UNDERWATER WELL
NO172555C (en) * 1989-01-06 1993-08-04 Kvaerner Subsea Contracting As UNDERWATER STATION FOR TREATMENT AND TRANSPORTATION OF A BROWN STREAM
NO900500D0 (en) * 1990-02-02 1990-02-02 Kvaerner Subsea Contracting PROCEDURE FOR UNDERWATER ROUTE TRANSPORTATION OF HYDROCARBON FLOWERS AA HINTER HYDRATE CREATION, AND UNDERWATER PLANT FOR PROCESSING A BROWN CURRENT FOR AA HIDDEN HYDRATE CREATION.
GB9006684D0 (en) 1990-03-26 1990-05-23 British Offshore Eng Tech Subsea separator,storage & pumping unit and its associated control system
US5299312A (en) * 1990-11-15 1994-03-29 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Network fault recovery by controllable switching of subnetworks
GB9113963D0 (en) 1991-06-28 1991-08-14 Alpha Thames Eng Valve actuator
GB9604427D0 (en) * 1996-03-01 1996-05-01 Stc Submarine Systems Ltd A branching unit
US6456902B1 (en) * 1998-04-08 2002-09-24 Foy Streetman Web-based system and method for enhancing fluid and gas recovery as well as remote on demand control of fluid flow in a well
AU2453300A (en) 1999-02-11 2000-08-29 Fmc Corporation Subsea completion apparatus
US6197095B1 (en) * 1999-02-16 2001-03-06 John C. Ditria Subsea multiphase fluid separating system and method
US6234248B1 (en) * 1999-03-04 2001-05-22 Roy F. Knight Well production apparatus

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2261271A (en) 1991-11-11 1993-05-12 Alpha Thames Eng A two-part connector for fluids conduits
EP0752668A1 (en) * 1995-07-07 1997-01-08 Sun Microsystems, Inc. Method and apparatus for hot plugging/unplugging a sub-system to/from an electrically powered system
WO1997014206A1 (en) * 1995-10-11 1997-04-17 Invetech Operations Pty. Ltd. Modular power supply

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
HUNTER P L ET AL: "FAULT TOLERANT, HOT-PLUGGABLE POWER SYSTEM DESIGN", PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL APPLIED POWER ELECTRONICS CONFERENCE AND EXPOSITION (APEC),US,NEW YORK, IEEE, vol. CONF. 9, 13 February 1994 (1994-02-13), pages 815 - 822, XP000467397 *

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002072999A1 (en) * 2001-03-09 2002-09-19 Alpha Thames Ltd Power connection to and/or control of wellhead trees
US7952855B2 (en) 2006-07-05 2011-05-31 Vetco Gray Scandinavia As Subsea switchgear apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1555387A1 (en) 2005-07-20
BR0014267A (en) 2002-05-21
WO2001020128A1 (en) 2001-03-22
EP1219002A1 (en) 2002-07-03
EP1219002B1 (en) 2005-11-02
ATE308814T1 (en) 2005-11-15
AU6709800A (en) 2001-04-17
BR0014260A (en) 2002-05-14
AU6709300A (en) 2001-04-17
ATE294318T1 (en) 2005-05-15
EP1214500B1 (en) 2005-04-27
NO20021170D0 (en) 2002-03-08
NO20021170L (en) 2002-05-08
DE60019771D1 (en) 2005-06-02
DE60023728D1 (en) 2005-12-08
NO20021169L (en) 2002-04-23
EP1214500A1 (en) 2002-06-19
GB9921373D0 (en) 1999-11-10
NO20021169D0 (en) 2002-03-08
US6640901B1 (en) 2003-11-04
US6873063B1 (en) 2005-03-29

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP1219002B1 (en) Electrical power distribution suitable for a substantially underwater system
EP1373682B1 (en) Power connection to and/or control of wellhead trees
AU2009233573B2 (en) Communication system for a hydrocarbon extraction plant
US7011152B2 (en) Integrated subsea power pack for drilling and production
EP2383428A2 (en) Subsea control module with removable section and method
FI100123B (en) Multiplexed electro-hydraulic control unit for use in an under- production production system
EP2383429A2 (en) Subsea control module with removable section having a flat connecting face
EP1444415B1 (en) Single well development system
EP1322834B1 (en) Modular seabed processing system
GB2202561A (en) Sea bed process complex
US20020100589A1 (en) Methods and apparatus for hydraulic and electro-hydraulic control of subsea blowout preventor systems
SG195600A1 (en) Subsea control module with removable section
US9832549B2 (en) System, method, and apparatus for subsea optical to electrical distribution
EP0454717B1 (en) Subsea electrical conductive insert coupling
NO317145B1 (en) A coupling device
EP4038700A1 (en) Subsea connector
WO2020251821A1 (en) Subsea data acquisition pods
Grude The remote control system for the lille-frigg high pressure, high temperature subsea development

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VN YU ZA ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 10070231

Country of ref document: US

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: IN/PCT/2002/403/KOL

Country of ref document: IN

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 67093/00

Country of ref document: AU

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2000954734

Country of ref document: EP

WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 2000954734

Country of ref document: EP

REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: JP

WWG Wipo information: grant in national office

Ref document number: 2000954734

Country of ref document: EP