Autonomous subsea tieback enabling platform

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12049798-B2
Application number	US-202117458999-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 27, 2021
Priority date	Aug 27, 2020
Publication date	Jul 30, 2024
Grant date	Jul 30, 2024

Abstract

A system for conveying a fluid produced from at least one producing subsea well to an existing host facility via a flowline includes a support structure having at least a deck, a mooring system, and a plurality of topsides modules. The mooring system anchors the support structure to a seabed and passively positions the support structure proximate to the at least one producing subsea well. The support structure elevates the deck above a water's surface and is normally unmanned. The plurality of topsides modules are disposed on the deck. The topsides modules include at least: a power generation module; a switchgear module a flowline heating module; a chemical injection module; a water injection module; a subsea control module; and a control module that communicates with a remote command center.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system for conveying a fluid produced from at least one producing subsea well to an existing host facility within a 100 km distance via a flowline, comprising:
a support structure having at least:
interconnected pontoons supporting two or more columns, the interconnected pontoons comprising one or more ballast tanks configured to submerge at least a portion of the support structure,
a framework connecting a top portion of the two or more columns,
a mooring system anchoring the support structure to a seabed and configured to passively position the support structure proximate to the at least one producing subsea well, and
a deck, the support structure being configured to elevate the deck above a water's surface when in operation; and

a plurality of topsides modules disposed on the deck, the plurality of topsides modules including at least:
a power generation module configured to generate 20 MW of electrical power,
a switchgear module configured to boost fluid flow from at least one fluid mover, at least one flow control device, and at least one thermal unit,
a flowline heating module configured to energize a heating unit associated with the flowline;
a chemical injection module configured to add at least one additive to the fluid produced from the at least one producing subsea well,
a water injection module configured to treat, compress, and inject seawater to one or more injection subsea wells intersecting a reservoir associated with the at least one producing subsea well,
a subsea control module configured to control at least one subsea well device, and
a control module configured to communicate with a remote command center.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of topsides modules further includes an intervention module, the intervention module including at least one moonpool, derrick and equipment providing access and egress to the at least one producing subsea well.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of topsides modules further includes a module configured to clean and treat produced water.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the control module is configured for autonomous operation.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the control module is configured to be operated remotely.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system is configured to be periodically resupplied with at least one of: (i) a fuel for the power generation module, and (ii) the at least one additive for the chemical injection module.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the support structure is configured for access by vessels for periodic inspection.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the subsea control module is configured to control instrumentation and sensors.

9. The system of claim 1 , the support structure comprising a pair of pontoons.

10. The system of claim 1 , the support structure comprising a brace interconnecting the pontoons.

11. The system of claim 1 , the two or more columns comprise four columns.

12. The system of claim 11 , the support structure further comprising a framework connecting a top portion of the four columns.

13. A method for conveying a fluid produced from at least one producing subsea well to an existing host facility within a 100 km distance via a flowline, comprising:
(a) positioning a support structure at a water's surface and proximate to the at least one producing subsea well, the support structure having at least:
interconnected pontoons supporting two or more columns, the interconnected pontoons comprising one or more ballast tanks configured to submerge at least a portion of the support structure,
a framework connecting a top portion of the two or more columns,
a mooring system anchoring the support structure to a seabed and configured to passively position the support structure proximate to the at least one producing subsea well, and
a deck, the support structure being configured to elevate the deck above a water's surface when in operation; and

a plurality of topsides modules disposed on the deck, the plurality of topsides modules including at least:
a power generation module configured to generate 20 MW of electrical power,
a switchgear module configured to boost the flow from at least one fluid mover, at least one flow control device, and at least one thermal unit,
a flowline heating module configured to energize a heating unit associated with the flowline;
a chemical injection module configured to add at least one additive to the fluid produced from the at least one producing subsea well,
a water injection module configured to treat, compress and inject seawater to at least one injection wells to improve ultimate resource recovery from the reservoir,
a subsea control module configured to control at least one subsea well device, and
a control module configured to communicate with a remote command center;

(b) heating the produced fluid in the flowline using at least the power generation module, the flow line heating module, and the switchgear module;
(c) injecting the at least one additive into the at least one subsea well using the chemical injection module;
(d) treating, compressing, and injecting seawater into the at least one injection wells using the water injection module;
(e) controlling at least one subsea well device using the subsea control module;
(f) communicating with the remote command center using the control module; and
(g) conveying the produced fluid to the existing host facility.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising: cleaning and treating produced water using a cleaning and treating module of the plurality of topsides modules.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the support structure and the plurality of topsides modules disposed on the deck are part of a platform and further comprising autonomously operating the platform.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the support structure and the plurality of topsides modules disposed on the deck are part of a platform and further comprising remotely operating the platform.

17. The method of claim 13 , wherein the support structure and the plurality of topsides modules disposed on the deck are part of a platform and further comprising resupplying the platform with at least one of: (i) a fuel for the power generation module, and (ii) the at least one additive for the chemical injection module.

18. The method of claim 13 , further comprising configuring the subsea control module to remotely monitor control instrumentation and sensors.

19. A system for producing a fluid from the at least one producing subsea well, comprising:
(a) an existing host facility configured to process the fluid produced from the at least one producing subsea well;
(b) a subsea tieback connecting the host facility to the at least one producing subsea well;
(c) a support structure having at least:
interconnected pontoons supporting two or more columns, the interconnected pontoons comprising one or more ballast tanks configured to submerge at least a portion of the support structure,
a framework connecting a top portion of the two or more columns,
a mooring system anchoring the support structure to a seabed and configured to position the support structure proximate to the at least one producing subsea well, and
a deck, the support structure being configured to position the deck above a water's surface when in operation; and

(d) a plurality of topsides modules disposed on the deck, the plurality of topsides modules including at least:
a power generation module configured to generate 20

Assignees

• Dsouza Richard B
• Jarrell Brian Curtis
• Anderson David Brian
• Sarwono Bambang Abimanju
• Kellogg Brown & Root Llc

Inventors

• D'Souza Richard B
• Jarrell Brian Curtis
• Anderson David Brian
• Sarwono Bambang Abimanju

Classifications

• B63B21/50

  Anchoring arrangements {or methods} for special vessels, e.g. for floating drilling platforms or dredgers · CPC title

• E21B43/0107 Primary

  Connecting of flow lines to offshore structures (E21B43/013 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B63B21/26

  securing to bed · CPC title

• E21B43/017

  Production satellite stations, i.e. underwater installations comprising a plurality of satellite well heads connected to a central station · CPC title

• B63B3/48

  Decks (planking B63B5/06) · CPC title