Apparatus for Subsea Intervention

• US 20080314597A1
• Filed: 06/19/2007
• Published: 12/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Andrea Sbordone, Rene Schuurman
• Original Assignee: Andrea Sbordone, Rene Schuurman
• Inventors: Sbordone, Andrea, Schuurman, Rene
• Granted Patent: US 7,926,579 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/335
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/015 Non-vertical risers, e.g. articulated or catenary-type
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/076 specially adapted for underwater installations

Abstract

A technique for monitoring and evaluating parameters related to the use of a compliant guide system in intervention operations. A compliant guide enables movement of a conveyance within its interior and is coupled between a subsea installation and a surface vessel. A sensor system is provided with sensors deployed in subsea locations to detect operational parameters related to operation of the compliant guide. A control system is coupled to the sensor system to receive data output from the sensor system.

Claims

1. A method to facilitate use of a spoolable compliant guide in a subsea intervention, comprising:

deploying a spoolable compliant guide between a subsea well installation and a surface position;

positioning a plurality of sensors at subsea positions to measure parameters related to operation of the spoolable compliant guide; and

monitoring the parameters to detect the occurrence of an excess parameter deviation with respect to the spoolable compliant guide.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein deploying comprises deploying the spoolable compliant guide between the subsea well installation and a surface vessel.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein positioning comprises positioning sensors along the spoolable compliant guide and subsea well installation.

4. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein monitoring comprises monitoring stress along the spoolable compliant guide.

5. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein monitoring comprises monitoring pressure along the spoolable compliant guide.

6. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein monitoring comprises monitoring the shape of the spoolable compliant guide.

7. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein monitoring comprises monitoring the integrity of the spoolable compliant guide.

8. The method as recited in claim 2, further comprising adjusting the shape of the spoolable compliant guide based on the monitored parameters.

9. The method as recited in claim 2, further comprising monitoring a selected parameter of an umbilical utilized in the subsea intervention.

10. The method as recited in claim 2, further comprising shaping the spoolable compliant guide with a buoyancy system.

11. The method as recited in claim 2, further comprising shaping the spoolable compliant guide with the cable tensioning system.

12. A system for use in a subsea intervention, comprising:

a spoolable compliant guide coupled between a subsea well installation and a surface vessel, the spoolable compliant guide being configured for movement of a conveyance therein;

a sensor system having sensors deployed in subsea locations to detect operational parameters related to operation of the spoolable compliant guide; and

a control system to receive data output from the sensor system, the control system outputting an indicator when the operational parameters are outside of a desired range.

13. The system as recited in claim 12, further comprising a shape control system to control the shape of the spoolable compliant guide.

14. The system as recited in claim 13, wherein the shape control system comprises a buoyancy element positioned to shape the spoolable compliant guide in a desired curvilinear shape.

15. The system as recited in claim 13, wherein the shape control system comprises a cable tensioning system to shape the spoolable compliant guide in a desired curvilinear shape.

16. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein the cable tensioning system comprises an elastic element attached to bias the spoolable compliant guide into the desired curvilinear shape.

17. The system as recited in claim 12, were in the sensor system monitors the integrity of the spoolable compliant guide.

18. The system as recited in claim 12, further comprising a plurality of umbilicals coupled to the subsea well installation, wherein the sensor system further comprises umbilical sensors.

19. A method of subsea intervention, comprising:

positioning a plurality of sensors at subsea locations to measure parameters related to a compliant guide coupled between a subsea well installation and a surface vessel;

monitoring output from the plurality of sensors with a control system; and

adjusting the configuration of the compliant guide based on evaluation of the parameters by the control system.

20. The method as recited in claim 19, further comprising deploying a conveyance through the compliant guide.

21. The method as recited in claim 20, further comprising monitoring conveyance parameters with the control system.

22. The method as recited in claim 21, wherein adjusting comprises moving the surface vessel.

23. The method as recited in claim 19, further comprising utilizing the control system to determine leaks in the compliant guide.

24. The method as recited in claim 19, further comprising utilizing the control system to monitor the shape of the compliant guide.

25. A system for use with the compliant guide, comprising:

a shape control system having at least one attachment feature by which the shape control system may be coupled to the compliant guide, the shape control system comprising a biasing element positioned to bias the compliant guide into a curvilinear shape when the shape control system is appropriately coupled to the compliant guide.

26. The system as recited in claim 25, wherein the biasing element comprises a buoyancy member.

27. The system as recited in claim 25, wherein the biasing element comprises a tensioned cable that may be coupled to the compliant guide at a plurality of locations.

28. The system as recited in claim 27, wherein the tensioned cable comprises an elastic cable.

29. The system as recited in claim 27, wherein the tensioned cable comprises a spring-loaded tensioning system.