Control wellhead buoy
AssigneeKellogg Brown & Root LLC
InventorsRajnikant M. Amin, James F. O'Sullivan, David A. Gray
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a subsea system for the production of hydrocarbon reserves. More specifically, the present invention relates to a control wellhead bouy that is used in deepwater operations for offshore hydrocarbon production. In a preferred embodiment, a bouy for supporting equipment for use in a remote offshore well or pipeline includes a hull having a diameter:height ratio of at least 3:1, a mooring system for maintaining the hull in a desired location, and an umbilical providing fluid communication between the hull and the well or pipeline.
Claims33
A buoy for supporting equipment for use in a remote offshore well or pipeline, comprising:
- a hull having a diameter:height ratio of at least 3:1;
- a mooring system for maintaining the hull in a desired location;
- an umbilical providing fluid communication between said hull and the well or pipeline;
- a telemetry communication system for communication to a host facility;
- and
- said umbilical comprising at least production control communication lines and coiled tubing.
A system for producing hydrocarbons from a subsea well, comprising:
- a floating buoy positioned over the well, said buoy having a hull with a diameter:height ratio of at least 3:1;
- a mooring system maintaining said buoy in position over the well;
- a control umbilical connecting said buoy to the well said umbilical comprising at least production control communication lines and coiled tubing;
- a host facility adapted to receive hydrocarbons produced in the well;
- and
- a production pipeline connecting the well to said host facility.
A system for producing hydrocarbons from a subsea well, comprising:
- a floating buoy positioned over the well, said buoy having a hull with a diameter:height ratio of at least 3:1;
- a mooring system maintaining said buoy in position over the well;
- a control umbilical connecting said buoy to the well;
- a host facility adapted to receive the hydrocarbons produced in the well;
- a production pipeline connecting the well to said host facility;
- and
- a power system comprising methanol fuel cell power generators.
A method for producing hydrocarbons from a subsea well to a host facility;
- comprising:
- positioning a floating buoy with a hull having a diameter:height ratio of at least 3:1 over the well;
- connecting the well to the buoy with a control umbilical;
- connecting the well to said host facility with a production pipeline;
- producing the hydrocarbons from the well through the production pipeline to the host facility;
- and
- controlling the production of hydrocarbons through the control umbilical;
- and
- inserting coiled tubing into the well through the control umbilical.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.