Patent Application
20210172139
The present disclosed subject matter generally relates to the field of oil and gas well production and, in one particular example, to a universal block platform.
The development of marginal offshore fields is made difficult due to the costs associated with field development. Producers are unlikely to secure internal sanction to allow the development of marginal fields to proceed. Factors that can affect the sanction point can range from basic capital expenditure (CAPEX) efficiency, deployment issues, lifecycle operating and maintenance costs. In some cases, complex production scenarios raise additional issues, such as where the host or tie in point cannot handle the raw product being produced. In such situations, the initial cost estimation for the development can be burdened by increased drilling cost, complex platform and utility design to manage the product, and the installation cost for the platform and flowlines or umbilicals. These costs, coupled with the extended time to build and deliver the complete customized and engineered structure, results in a high CAPEX cost, with high multi-contract and high multi-interface risks. The net effect of these contributing factors leads producers to leave these types of reserves dormant, resulting in marginal stranded reserves.
The present application is directed to a universal block platform that may eliminate or at least minimize some of the problems noted above.
The following presents a simplified summary of the subject matter disclosed herein in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the information set forth herein. This summary is not an exhaustive overview of the disclosed subject matter. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the disclosed subject matter or to delineate the scope of various embodiments disclosed herein. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is discussed later.
An apparatus includes a lower platform block including a first frame, a plurality of docking tubes connected to the first frame, a plurality of first conductor tubes connected to the first frame, and a first plurality of connectors connected to the conductor tubes. A jacket connector block incudes a second frame, a plurality of second conductor tubes connected to the second frame, a second plurality of connectors coupled to first ends of the second conductor tubes to releasably engage the first plurality of connectors to align the second conductor tubes with the first conductor tubes, and a third plurality of connectors coupled to second ends of the second conductor tubes. A platform deck block includes a third frame defining a deck, a plurality of third conductor tubes connected to the third frame, and a fourth plurality of connectors coupled to the third conductor tubes to releasably engage the third plurality of connectors to align the third conductor tubes with the second conductor tubes.
A method includes providing a lower platform block including a first frame, a plurality of docking tubes connected to the first frame, and a plurality of first conductor tubes connected to the first frame. At least a first jacket connector block including a second frame and a plurality of second conductor tubes connected to the second frame is releasably coupled to the lower platform block to align the second conductor tubes with the first conductor tubes. A platform deck block including a third frame defining a deck and a plurality of third conductor tubes connected to the third frame is releasably coupled to the first jacket connector to align the third conductor tubes with the first conductor tubes.
Certain aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are representative and schematic in nature and are not be considered to be limiting in any respect as it relates to the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein:
While the subject matter disclosed herein is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the disclosed subject matter to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosed subject matter as defined by the appended claims.
Various illustrative embodiments of the disclosed subject matter are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
The present subject matter will now be described with reference to the attached figures. Various structures, systems and devices are schematically depicted in the drawings for purposes of explanation only and so as to not obscure the present disclosure with details that are well known to those skilled in the art. Nevertheless, the attached drawings are included to describe and explain illustrative examples of the present disclosure. The words and phrases used herein should be understood and interpreted to have a meaning consistent with the understanding of those words and phrases by those skilled in the relevant art. No special definition of a term or phrase, i.e., a definition that is different from the ordinary and customary meaning as understood by those skilled in the art, is intended to be implied by consistent usage of the term or phrase herein. To the extent that a term or phrase is intended to have a special meaning, i.e., a meaning other than that understood by skilled artisans, such a special definition will be expressly set forth in the specification in a definitional manner that directly and unequivocally provides the special definition for the term or phrase.
One illustrative example of a universal block platform 100 will be described with reference to the attached drawings.
Multiple jacket connector blocks 400 may be employed depending on water depth (e.g., from 10 ft-300 ft). The blocks 200, 300, 400, 500 have interfacing connectors that allow them to be “snapped” together in the field to facilitate the fabrication of the universal block platform 100 without heavy on-site construction equipment. Smaller construction equipment, such as a barge, lift vessel, or drilling rig, may be employed. The universal block platform 100 is capable of handling a wide variety of well fluids (e.g., oil, gas, water) in any combination and in sweet or sour conditions. Due to the “snap” connectors provided for securing the blocks 200, 300, 400, 500, the universal block platform 100 may be fully recovered and redeployed in a different location without the use of heavy lift or construction vessels.
The lower platform block 300 includes docking assemblies 305 and conductor tubes 310 supported by a frame 315. The frame 315 also supports a center conductor guide 320 and outer conductor guides 325 that guide the conductors 330 (shown in phantom) as they are inserted. In some embodiments, the conductor guides 320, 325 may have an upwardly-extending funnel shape to account for misalignment with the conductors 330 during insertion, the conductor guides 320, 325 are positioned to comply with the allotted well bay slots in the platform deck block 500. The conductor guides 320, 325 provide a secure method for the drilling team to run and cement the well conductors 330. In some embodiments, the conductor guides 320, 325 are configured to support the running and landing of a mud line suspension system (MLS) to facilitate the development of the offshore fields when the platform is not in position. In some embodiments, the conductor guides 320, 325 are set in a predetermined pattern to preserve the well slot position, enabling the jacket connectors 400 and platform deck block 500 to be directly interfaced with the lower platform block 300 and the wells.
The docking assemblies 305 each includes a piling tube 332 and a frame tube 335 connected to the piling tube 332 by a web 340. The web 340 allows for separation (i.e., for recovery) of the lower platform block 300 from the foundation block 200 when utilized, or a driven structural support pile if used. In some embodiments, a cutting tool may be used to cut the web 340 to allow retrieval of the lower platform block. Note that the web 340 has an interior window that reduces the amount of material needed to be cut to separate the lower platform block 300 from the foundation block 200. In some embodiments, the piling tube 332 interfaces with a pile 215 of the foundation block 200. The sacrificial nature of the docking assemblies 305, which form the structural link between the lower platform block 300 and the foundation block 200 or structural supporting pile, allow the lower platform block 300 to be cut away for to improve decommissioning and reduce the refurbish time for re-deployment. The docking assemblies 305 provide full structural support for the platform during its operational life, while retaining the ability to be quickly cut away and recovered. The lower foundation block 300 includes connectors 342.
In some embodiments, the lower platform block 300 allows a “keel” joint of conductor pipe to be passed through the center conductor guide 320 to provide initial stabilization during installation and to provide a support for the pile driving process. The “keel” joint can be run and retrieved, or permanently set if required to secure the vertical orientation of the lower platform block 300. The lower platform block 300 employs a fixed drill guide, enabling significant reduction in setup and drilling time, where the overall mobilization and location set up can be compressed by providing a fixed well location. The application and use of the lower platform block 300 allows pre-drilling of the wells using a mud line suspension system (MLS). This advantage further adjust the project's capital expenditure and provides a low-cost exploration solution for early development wells or fields.
The lower platform block 300 provides the main anchor point for any infield flowlines or pipelines required for product export or injection, and in some embodiments, an anchor point for control and/or power umbilical lines. These connections are located at set points and elevations to enable both flow/pipeline and the umbilical connections to be integrated into the lower platform block 300, and tied into the jacket connector 400 and platform deck block 500, allowing easy installation and recovery for reuse. The ability to incorporate these functions within a single structure enables the decoupling of the drilling and installation process. The lower platform block 300 and flow/pipelines along with any umbilical requirements can be deployed and set off the project's critical path, further decoupling the linear nature of these offshore projects. This arrangement allows for a vessel of opportunity to be utilized for the installation of the lower platform block 300, foundation block 200, and flow/pipeline installation, further reducing the capital expenditure of the development. The design of the foundation block 200 and the lower platform block 300 enables a drilling rig to install these blocks 200, 300 if required, supported by a lay vessel or barge. The drilling rig can use the main draw works to pick the foundation block 200 and/or the lower platform block 300 off the transport vessel and install them on the sea bed. The drilling rig can additionally pick up and install the flow/pipeline and umbilical connections. In some embodiments, the foundation block 200 and lower platform block 300 are deployed in a similar manner from a deck barge using a crawler crane, or a dedicated vessel, where the installation process follows the same processes.
The foundation block 200 and the lower platform block 300 are re-deployable, where the platform blocks 200, 300 can be disconnected from each other or removed as a single unit. Once the platform structure has been recovered the flow/pipelines and umbilical's can be left in place or recovered.
After mating of the jacket connector blocks 400, a lifting force is applied by the sling 480 to retrieve the removable guides 430A, 430B. The sling 480 causes the cam member 465 to rotate away from the wall of the body portion 435 and the wall of the conductor tube 405 to disengage the tab 470 from the shoulder 450 and allow retrieval of the removable guides 430A, 430B through the conductor tube 405.
Referring to
The lower platform block 750 includes docking or pile tubes 755 and conductor tubes 760 supported by a frame 765. The frame 765 also supports conductor guides 770 that guide the conductors 220 (see
The receptacles 800A-800C provide configurability of the deck 525 arrangement to account for the initial production requirements, and, as the field matures, to allow the adding or subtracting of production capability by adding or removing production blocks 600A-600I. The various production blocks 600A-600I may be provided on a rental basis to the owner of the universal block platform 100 to reduce fixed capital costs.
The production block 600x includes a female connector 935 that mates with and locks to the tapered post 925 of the node 915 (e.g., using a twist lock mechanism, such as a quarter turn cam lock). All utility connections are routed via the docking receptacle 900 to the production block 600X via tie-in points at fixed locations for instrument air and process gas, electrical power, instrument connections, drain connections, etc.
The production block 600x provides the base structure in the fixed envelope to suit the interface points 920 of the docking receptacle 900. This fixed envelope allows the production block 600X to be built within a set of known dimensions and fixed interface points for connection to the docking receptacle 900. The production block 600X houses the various production or separation components as required, along with all the necessary interconnections between the integral components to allow them to work as a single unit. The ability to pre-fabricate the production block 600X allows them to be fully tested and calibrated prior to installation.
In some embodiments, the universal block platform 100 is employed to support functionalities other than wells. The modules 600 provided on the deck 525 depend on the function. The deck 525 may be configured to support a water and gas injection module, a process hub module with no drilled wells on the platform, a gas or oil gathering hub module with fiscal metering, an accommodation modules (e.g., housing, office space, etc.), a wind power module, a power transmission module, a helicopter landing pad, etc. In some embodiments, multiple universal block platforms 100 are connected in a hub and spoke configuration. One platform 100 may support well operations, one platform 100 may support a gathering hub, one platform 100 may support accommodations, one platform 100 may serve as a helicopter landing pad, etc. In such embodiments without well functionality, the conductor tubes 310, 405, 505 of the blocks 300, 400, 500, respectively, do not serve as conduits for routing conductors, but rather serve as structural tubes for supporting the universal block platform 100.
The universal block platform 100 provides a pre-engineered, flexible, low cost, light weight platform design that allows platform blocks to be built and stocked to reduce cycle times and provide flexibility in field development. The universal block platform 100 allows the development of a portfolio field in a hub and spoke network arrangement, facilitating the development of the fields in an incremental fashion to facilitate the sanction point. During the entire life cycle of the universal block platform 100, components may be swapped or added to suit the production economics. The universal block platform 100 fundamentally reduces the internal sanction point for development of a marginal field by increasing the capital deployment efficiency. The universal platform block 100 eliminates the need for site-specific engineering, thus allowing the full range of production requirements to be managed off the critical path, where production and process capabilities can be added or removed without the need for structural or design changes throughout the service life.
The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the disclosed subject matter may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. For example, the process steps set forth above may be performed in a different order. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the claimed subject matter. Note that the use of terms, such as “first,” “second,” “third” or “fourth” to describe various processes or structures in this specification and in the attached claims is only used as a shorthand reference to such steps/structures and does not necessarily imply that such steps/structures are performed/formed in that ordered sequence. Of course, depending upon the exact claim language, an ordered sequence of such processes may or may not be required. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the claims below.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US18/64291 | 12/6/2018 | WO | 00 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62595369 | Dec 2017 | US |
