ROV retrievable regulator module

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10107058-B2
Application number	US-201313772050-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 20, 2013
Priority date	Feb 21, 2012
Publication date	Oct 23, 2018
Grant date	Oct 23, 2018

Abstract

A retrievable module assembly can be used to install and/or de-install a blowout preventer (BOP) module from a BOP subsea where the BOP comprises one or more corresponding BOP module receivers. The retrievable module assembly typically comprises a frame configured to house and support the subsea BOP module; and a modular storage unit disposed at least partially within the frame. The modular storage unit further comprises a storage area configured to removably accept the subsea BOP module; a rotator configured to attach to and rotate the subsea BOP module, the rotator disposed at least partially within the frame; a rotator mover, slidably mounted in the frame and operatively in communication with the rotator; and a power connector operatively connected to the rotator and rotator mover and configured to interface with a power source.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A retrievable module assembly, comprising:
a. a frame configured to house and support a subsea blowout preventer (BOP) module adapted to be operatively received into a corresponding BOP module receiver of a BOP disposed subsea, the frame further comprising a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) mount adapted to mate with a corresponding ROV mount receiver attached to an ROV; and
b. a modular storage unit disposed at least partially within the frame, the modular storage unit further comprising:
i. a storage area configured to removably accept the subsea BOP module;
ii. a rotator configured to attach to and rotationally align the subsea BOP module into a position suitable for insertion the subsea modular BOP receiver, the rotator disposed at least partially within the frame;
iii. a rotator mover, slidably mounted in the frame and operatively in communication with the rotator;
iv. a motor operatively connected to the rotator mover and operative to selectively rotate the rotator; and
v. a power connector operatively connected to the rotator and rotator mover and configured to interface with a power source.

2. The retrievable module assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a connector configured to secure the retrievable module assembly to a corresponding subsea structure.

3. The retrievable module assembly of claim 2 , wherein the connector further comprises:
a. a primary lock; and
b. a secondary dock lock configured to aid in securing the retrievable module assembly to the BOP.

4. The retrievable module assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a flotation module disposed at least partially within the frame, the flotation module configured to provide additional buoyancy to the retrievable module assembly.

5. The retrievable module assembly of claim 1 , wherein the ROV mount comprises a towline mount adapted to mate with a corresponding towline connected to an ROV.

6. The retrievable module assembly of claim 1 , wherein the rotator mover further comprises a rail configured to slidably accept the rotator mover, wherein the motor is operatively connected to the rotator mover.

7. The retrievable module assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
a. the modular storage unit comprises a plurality of storage areas configured to removably accept a corresponding plurality of subsea BOP modules; and
b. the rotator is configured to selectively attach to and rotate a predetermined one of the plurality of subsea modules.

8. The retrievable module assembly of claim 1 , wherein the rotator is further configured to selectively store a retrieved subsea module into the storage area.

9. The retrievable module assembly of claim 1 , wherein the subsea BOP module comprises a subsea modular BOP regulator configured to be accepted into a subsea modular BOP regulator receiver subsea.

10. The retrievable module assembly of claim 9 , wherein the subsea modular BOP regulator receiver comprises a standard subsea BOP interface.

11. A system for manipulating a blowout preventer regulator subsea, comprising:
a. a modular subsea blowout preventor (BOP) regulator configured to be accepted into a BOP regulator receiver disposed subsea;
b. a power source;
c. a retrievable module assembly, comprising:
i. a frame configured to house and support a modular BOP regulator; and
ii. a modular storage unit disposed at least partially within the frame, the modular storage unit further comprising:
1. a storage area configured to removably accept the modular BOP regulator;
2. a rotator configured to attach to and rotationally align the modular BOP regulator into a position suitable for insertion the subsea modular BOP regulator receiver, the rotator disposed at least partially within the frame;
3. a rotator mover, slidably mounted in the frame and operatively in communication with the rotator;
4. a motor operatively connected to the rotator mover and operative to selectively rotate the rotator; and
5. a power connector operatively connected to the rotator, the rotator mover, and the power source.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the subsea modular BOP regulator is configured to be received into a standard regulator interface on a subsea BOP.

13. A method of installing a modular BOP regulator subsea, comprising:
a. installing a subsea modular BOP regulator into a retrievable module assembly, the regulator assembly comprising:
i. a frame configured to house and support the subsea modular BOP regulator; and
ii. a modular storage unit disposed at least partially within the frame, the modular storage unit further comprising:
1. a storage area configured to removably accept the subsea modular BOP regulator;
2. a rotator configured to attach to and rotationally align the modular BOP regulator into a position suitable for insertion the subsea modular BOP regulator receiver, the rotator disposed at least partially within the frame;
3. a rotator mover, slidably mounted in the frame and operatively in communication with the rotator;
4. a motor operatively connected to the rotator mover and operative to selectively rotate the rotator; and
5. a power connector operatively connected to the rotator and rotator mover and configured to interface with a power source;

b. maneuvering the retrievable module assembly proximate a subsea blowout preventer (BOP), the BOP comprising a subsea modular BOP regulator receiver;
c. attaching the subsea modular BOP regulator to the rotator;
d. positioning the rotator and attached subsea modular BOP regulator proximate the BOP modular regulator receiver;
e. using the motor to rotate the rotator to rotate the attached subsea modular BOP regulator until it is aligned with and in a position suitable for insertion of the attached subsea modular BOP regulator into the subsea modular BOP regulator receiver;
f. advancing the attached subsea modular BOP regulator into the subsea modular BOP regulator receiver;
g. securing the attached subsea modular BOP regulator in the subsea modular BOP regulator receiver;
h. releasing the attached subsea modular BOP regulator from the rotator;
i. attaching the retrievable module assembly to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV);
j. using the ROV to maneuver the retrievable module assembly subsea to a desired position proximate the BOP;
k. attaching retrievable module assembly to a towline; and
l. using the towline to maneuver the retrievable module assembly subsea.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising using the rotator mover to retrieve the rotator back into the frame after the releasing the attached subsea modular BOP regulator from the rotator.

15. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
a. prior to attaching the subsea modular BOP regulator to the rotator, advancing the rotator towards the subsea modular BOP regulator receiver;
b. attaching the rotator to an existing subsea modular BOP regulator installed in the subsea modular BOP regulator receiver;
c. disengaging the existing subsea modular BOP regulator from the subsea modular BOP regulator receiver;
d. retracting the rotator back into the frame; and
e. storing the extracted existing subsea modular BOP regulator into an empty space in the modular storage unit.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the removal of the existing subsea modular BOP regulator and the installation of the new subsea modular BOP regulator are accomplished in multiple subsea trips.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the removal of the existing subsea modular BOP regulator and the installation of the new subsea modular BOP regulator are accomplished in a single tri

Assignees

• Misuraca Mark L
• Averill William S
• Nockels Simon
• Trinh Nguyen
• Boyle Greg
• Johnigan Robert A
• Lawler Kinton Lowell
• Patel Nikunj M
• Brune Michael Forrest
• Stonebraker Michael S
• Oceaneering Int Inc

Inventors

• Misuraca Mark L
• Averill William S
• Nockels Simon
• Trinh Nguyen
• Boyle Greg
• Johnigan Robert A
• Lawler Kinton Lowell
• Patel Nikunj M
• Brune Michael Forrest
• Stonebraker Michael S

Classifications

• E21B33/0355 Primary

  Control systems, e.g. hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, acoustic, for submerged well heads · CPC title

• E21B41/04

  Manipulators for underwater operations, e.g. temporarily connected to well heads · CPC title

• E21B33/035 Primary

  specially adapted for underwater installations (E21B33/043, E21B33/064, E21B33/076 take precedence) · CPC title

• E21B33/064

  specially adapted for underwater well heads · CPC title