In-riser power generation

• US 10,246,972 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2016
• Issued: 04/02/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Flight, Kirk W., Niemeyer, Matthew, Spencer, Ronald James, Yarnold, John, Marabella, Jeffrey, Rytlewski, Gary
• Primary Examiner(s): Buck, Matthew R
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wood, Douglas S
• Application Number:
  US15/225,497
• Publication Number:
  US 20160341014A1
• Time in Patent Office: 974 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/01 Risers
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/0355 Control systems, e.g. hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, acoustic, for submerged well heads
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/063 for shearing drill pipes cutting of wireline E21B29/04
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/064 specially adapted for underwater well heads
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/04 in underwater well heads
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 4/02 Fluid rotary type drives
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 41/0085 Adaptations of electric power generating means for use in boreholes
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 3/04 with substantially axial flow throughout rotors, e.g. propeller turbines rotors per se F03B3/126
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 3/126 Rotors for essentially axial flow, e.g. for propeller turbines with adjustable blades F03B3/14
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 3/18 Stator blades; Guide conduits or vanes, e.g. adjustable conduits in dams or the like F03B13/08; arrangement of valves F03B11/004

Abstract

In-riser power generation devices and methods are utilized to generate power subsea to operate subsea devices of a subsea well system. A turbine power generator is located in fluid communication with a subsea fluid flow path of a subsea well system and the turbine power generator is operationally connected to a subsea power device.

Claims

1. A method of generating power in a subsea well system, comprising:

closing at least a pair of rams of a blowout preventer stack to form a sealed annular region between the pair of rams;

positioning at least one turbine power generator above the sealed annular region;

connecting the sealed annular region to the at least one turbine power generator by a conduit across the closed pair of rams;

directing fluid into the sealed annular region and across the at least one turbine power generator; and

generating power in response to the fluid flow across the turbine power generator.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising directing the generated power to a subsea hydraulic control unit.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the fluid acts upon a first turbine power generator during fluid communication from the conduit past the first turbine power generator.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein fluid is directed into the sealed annular region by a blowout preventer access line.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the blowout preventer access line is a kill line.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one turbine power generator comprises an impeller.