In-Riser Power Generation

• US 20160341014A1
• Filed: 08/01/2016
• Published: 11/24/2016
• 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
• Granted Patent: US 10,246,972 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 subsea well system, comprising:

a subsea fluid flow path comprising a hydraulic conduit connecting at least one hydraulic power device and a hydraulically actuated device; and

at least one turbine power generator in fluid communication with the subsea fluid flow path.

2. The subsea well system of claim 1 wherein the at least one turbine power generator comprises an impeller.

3. The subsea well system of claim 2 wherein fluid is communicated along the hydraulic conduit from a first hydraulic power device to the hydraulically actuated device.

4. The subsea well system of claim 3 wherein the fluid acts upon the impeller of a first turbine power generator during fluid communication from the first hydraulic power device to the hydraulically actuated device.

5. The subsea well system of claim 2 wherein fluid is communicated along the hydraulic conduit from the hydraulically actuated device to a second hydraulic power device.

6. The subsea well system of claim 5 wherein the fluid acts upon the impeller of a second turbine power generator during fluid communication from the hydraulically actuated device to the second hydraulic power device.

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

directing fluid flow across at least one turbine power generator located in fluid communication with a hydraulic conduit connecting at least one hydraulic power device and a hydraulically actuated device; and

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

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising directing fluid along the hydraulic conduit from a first hydraulic power device to the hydraulically actuated device.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the fluid acts upon a first turbine power generator during fluid communication from the first hydraulic power device to the hydraulically actuated device.

10. The method of claim 7 further comprising directing fluid along the hydraulic conduit from the hydraulically actuated device to a second hydraulic power device.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the fluid acts upon a second turbine power generator during fluid communication from the hydraulically actuated device to the second hydraulic power device.

12. The method of claim 7 wherein the at least one turbine power generator comprises an impeller.

13. An in-riser power generation device, the device comprising:

a sub member for connecting in a landing string to form a bore between a vessel located at a surface of a water and a blowout preventer stack located at a seafloor;

a pathway formed through the sub member to communicate fluid flow when the sub member is connected in the landing string, wherein the pathway connects at least one hydraulic power device and a hydraulically actuated device; and

at least one turbine power generator positioned in the pathway.

14. The device of claim 13 further comprising a power generation device located within the sub member.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein the power generation device comprises a first and a second hydraulic power device.

16. The device of claim 14 wherein the power generation device comprises a first and a second turbine power generator.

17. The device of claim 14 wherein the power generation device comprises a first and a second hydraulic power device and a first and a second turbine power generator.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein the first turbine power generation device generates power as a result of fluid being directed from the first hydraulic power device to the hydraulically actuated device.

19. The device of claim 17 wherein the second turbine power generation device generates power as a result of fluid being directed from the hydraulically actuated device to the second hydraulic power device.

20. The device of claim 14 wherein the power generation device is regenerated when the hydraulically actuated device is operated.