Subsea assembly modularization

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11542677-B2
Application number	US-201716472315-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 22, 2017
Priority date	Dec 23, 2016
Publication date	Jan 3, 2023
Grant date	Jan 3, 2023

Abstract

A foundation for a subsea assembly is provided. The foundation includes connection points. The connection points permit other components to be connected to the foundation and permit loads to transfer from the other components into the foundation. The foundation may be a suction anchor. A method of converting an exploration well using the foundation to a production well is also provided.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A system comprising:
a first subsea foundation and a second subsea foundation of different sizes, lengths and/or geometries,
wherein:
each of the first subsea foundation and the second subsea foundation comprises connection points;
the connection points of the first subsea foundation are configured to permit first components to be connected to the first subsea foundation and permit first loads to transfer from the first components into the first subsea foundation;
the connection points of the second subsea foundation are configured to permit second components to be connected to the second subsea foundation and permit second loads to transfer from the second components into the second subsea foundation;
the connection points of the first subsea foundation and the connection points of the second subsea foundation are located in the same position relative to each other and/or the connection points of the first subsea foundation and the connection points of the second subsea foundation are the same size, such that the connection points in the first subsea foundation and the connection points in the second subsea foundation are standardized;
the first subsea foundation is part of a first subsea well assembly;
the second subsea foundation is part of a second subsea well assembly;
the first components are part of the first subsea well assembly; and
the second components are part of the second subsea well assembly.

2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein:
the connection points of the first subsea foundation are additional parts that protrude from the first subsea foundation to provide an attachment point for the first components; and
the connection points of the second subsea foundation are additional parts that protrude from the second subsea foundation to provide an attachment point for the second components.

3. The system according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the connection points of the first subsea foundation and the connection points of the second subsea foundation has an adjustable height.

4. The system according to claim 1 , wherein each of the connection points of the first subsea foundation and the connection points of the second subsea foundation comprises or is arranged to be connected to a guide device.

5. The system according to claim 1 , wherein:
the connection points of the first subsea foundation are stronger than adjacent parts of the first subsea foundation; and
the connection points of the second subsea foundation are stronger than adjacent parts of the second subsea foundation.

6. The system according to claim 1 , wherein:
at least one of the connection points of the first subsea foundation is at an outer perimeter of the first subsea foundation; and
at least one of the connection points of the second subsea foundation is at an outer perimeter of the second subsea foundation.

7. The system according to claim 1 , wherein:
at least one of the connection points of the first subsea foundation extends beyond a top of the first subsea foundation; and
at least one of the connection points of the second subsea foundation extends beyond a top of the second subsea foundation.

8. The system according to claim 1 , wherein:
the connection points of the first subsea foundation are at equally spaced locations around an outer perimeter of the first subsea foundation; and
the connection points of the second subsea foundation are at equally spaced locations around an outer perimeter of the second subsea foundation.

9. The system according to claim 1 , wherein
the connection points of the first subsea foundation are integral with the first subsea foundation; and
the connection points of the second subsea foundation are integral with the second subsea foundation.

10. The system according to claim 1 , wherein:
at least one of the connection points of the first subsea foundation has a profile configured to permit the first loads to transfer from one of the first components and/or lock the one of the first components; and
at least one of the connection points of the second subsea foundation has a profile configured to permit the second loads to transfer from one of the second components and/or lock the one of the second components.

11. The system according to claim 1 , wherein:
each of the connection points of the first subsea foundation comprises a base portion integral with the first subsea foundation and a connection portion to which one of the first components can be attached; and
each of the connection points of the second subsea foundation comprises a base portion integral with the second subsea foundation and a connection portion to which one of the second components can be attached.

12. A system comprising:
a first subsea foundation and a second subsea foundation of different sizes, lengths and/or geometries,
wherein:
each of the first subsea foundation and the second subsea foundation comprises connection points;
the connection points of the first subsea foundation are configured to permit first components to be connected to the first subsea foundation and permit first loads to transfer from the first components into the first subsea foundation;
the connection points of the second subsea foundation are configured to permit second components to be connected to the second subsea foundation and permit second loads to transfer from the second components into the second subsea foundation;
the connection points of the first subsea foundation and the connection points of the second subsea foundation are located in the same position relative to each other and/or the connection points of the first subsea foundation and the connection points of the second subsea foundation are the same size, such that the connection points in the first subsea foundation and the connection points in the second subsea foundation are standardized;
the first subsea foundation is part of a first subsea assembly; and
the second subsea foundation is part of a second subsea assembly,
wherein the system further comprises:
at least one first guide device for connection to at least one of the connection points of the first subsea foundation such that one of the first components can be attached to the at least one first guide device, the first loads can be to the first subsea foundation through the at least one guide first device, the one of the first components can be guided toward a correct position and orientation on the first subsea foundation by the at least one first guide device, and/or first guide wires can be attached to the at least one first guide device during an installation procedure; and
at least one second guide device for connection to at least one of the connection points of the second subsea foundation such that one of the second components can be attached to the at least one second guide device, the second loads can be to the second subsea foundation through the at least one guide second device, the one of the second components can be guided toward a correct position and orientation on the second subsea foundation by the at least one second guide device, and/or second guide wires can be attached to the at least one second guide device during the installation procedure.

13. The system according to claim 12 , wherein:
the at least one first guide device includes a plurality of first guide devices, and one of the plurality of first guide devices protrudes further from the first subsea foundation than another of the plurality of first guide devices; and
the at least one second guide device includes a plurality of second guide devices, and one of the plurality of second guide devices p

Assignees

• Equinor Energy As

Inventors

• Eide Asle
• Saether Morten
• Nesse Harald Sigurd
• Reinås Lorents
• Ellingsen Kjell Einar
• Eidesen Bjørgulf Haukelidsæter

Classifications

• B63B21/27 Primary

  by suction · CPC title

• E02D27/50

  Anchored foundations · CPC title

• E21B41/0007

  for underwater installations (E21B41/005, E21B41/04, E21B41/06, E21B41/08, E21B41/10 take precedence) · CPC title

• E02B17/02

  placed by lowering the supporting construction to the bottom, e.g. with subsequent fixing thereto · CPC title

• E02D23/08

  Lowering or sinking caissons {(sinking mine shaft E21D1/00)} · CPC title