Deepwater intervention system

Details Deepwater intervention system Deepwater intervention system

2002-11-05

2003-12-09

Pezzuto, Robert E. (Department: 3671)

Wells

Submerged well

Connection or disconnection of submerged members remotely...

C365S075000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06659180

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to the field of drilling, completion, and repair operations on wells in an underwater environment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Well interventions in subsea deepwater wells generally cost in excess of $200,000 per day (typically on the order of $10,000,000 per intervention) with operations usually being conducted by a floating deepwater drilling rig. Many operators are investigating the feasibility of utilizing purpose built well intervention vessels, but with anticipated operating costs in excess of $100,000 per day ($5,000,000 per intervention), Costs are still too high for many reservoir management options to be economic. Reducing the cost of intervention would allow greater optimization of reservoir management with respect to both rate and ultimate recovery.
Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus and operating procedure, which will allow reduction of costs associated with drilling, completion, and repair operations on wells in an underwater environment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The subject invention provides an apparatus and a method for introducing tools into a subsea well or pipeline from a subsea location. The apparatus is an intervention system for servicing subsea wells or pipelines from a subsea location, comprising a tool delivery device, a reel to hold the tool delivery device, an injector head, a carousel tool caddy, a blow-out-preventer assembly, a power pack, a control pod, a test pump, and an open space frame. The system may be disconnected into two sections, allowing removal of the tool caddy, for replacement of tools at a remote location.
The subject invention also includes an improved method for introducing a tool into a subsea well or pipeline from a subsea location, comprising (for a well): (a) connecting a well intervention system to a subsea tree, wherein the well intervention system includes a reeled tool delivery device and a carousel tool caddy capable of holding one or more tools; (b) rotating the carousel tool caddy so that a selected tool is located over the well; (c) connecting a tool delivery device to the selected tool; and (d) introducing the selected tool into the well. The tools are used to conduct various intervention activities.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2713909 (1955-07-01), Baker
patent: 3313346 (1967-04-01), Cross
patent: 3517736 (1970-06-01), Waldron
patent: 3545474 (1970-12-01), Brown
patent: 3568767 (1971-03-01), Weiss
patent: 3602300 (1971-08-01), Jaffe
patent: 3674123 (1972-07-01), Lewis et al.
patent: 4068729 (1978-01-01), Peevey
patent: 4095649 (1978-06-01), Chateau et al.
patent: 4291724 (1981-09-01), Miller
patent: 4407361 (1983-10-01), Van Winkle
patent: 4444275 (1984-04-01), Beynet et al.
patent: 4553600 (1985-11-01), Vigouroux et al.
patent: 4696207 (1987-09-01), Boyadjieff
patent: 4709766 (1987-12-01), Boyadjieff
patent: 4725179 (1988-02-01), Woolslayer et al.
patent: 4765401 (1988-08-01), Boyadjieff
patent: 4784527 (1988-11-01), Hunter et al.
patent: 4785880 (1988-11-01), Ashton
patent: 4825953 (1989-05-01), Wong et al.
patent: 4899823 (1990-02-01), Cobb et al.
patent: 4940095 (1990-07-01), Newman
patent: 4993492 (1991-02-01), Cressey et al.
patent: 5025865 (1991-06-01), Caldwell et al.
patent: 5188178 (1993-02-01), Noyes
patent: 5244046 (1993-09-01), Council et al.
patent: 5413170 (1995-05-01), Moore
patent: 5425420 (1995-06-01), Pringle
patent: 5671811 (1997-09-01), Head
patent: 5813455 (1998-09-01), Pratt et al.
patent: 5848646 (1998-12-01), Huber et al.
patent: 6039122 (2000-03-01), Gonzalez
patent: 6044905 (2000-04-01), Harrison
patent: RE36723 (2000-06-01), Moore et al.
patent: 6167831 (2001-01-01), Watt et al.
patent: 6182765 (2001-02-01), Kilgore
patent: 6223825 (2001-05-01), Ingebrigtsen et al.
patent: 6227300 (2001-05-01), Cunningham et al.
patent: 6269875 (2001-08-01), Harrison, III et al.
patent: 6336238 (2002-01-01), Tarlton
patent: 6386290 (2002-05-01), Headworth
patent: 6408947 (2002-06-01), Cunningham et al.
patent: 6446718 (2002-09-01), Barrett et al.
patent: 6454011 (2002-09-01), Schempf et al.
patent: 6513605 (2003-02-01), Lödden
patent: 6554075 (2003-04-01), Fikes et al.
patent: 2002/0040782 (2002-04-01), Rytlewski et al.
patent: 2002/0040783 (2002-04-01), Zimmerman et al.
patent: 2002/0066556 (2002-06-01), Goode et al.
patent: 2002/0074125 (2002-06-01), Fikes et al.
patent: 2002/0074135 (2002-06-01), Headworth
patent: 2002/0079108 (2002-06-01), Headworth
patent: 2002/0139535 (2002-10-01), Nice et al.
patent: 2002/0185276 (2002-12-01), Muller et al.
patent: 2003/0019636 (2003-01-01), Robichaux
patent: 2003/0029618 (2003-02-01), Schempf et al.
patent: 2003/0075361 (2003-04-01), Terry et al.
patent: WO 92/14029 (1992-08-01), None
patent: WO 97/08424 (1997-03-01), None
patent: WO 98/14686 (1998-04-01), None
patent: WO 00/01915 (2000-01-01), None
patent: WO 01/21480 (2001-03-01), None
patent: WO 01/25593 (2001-04-01), None
patent: WO 01/61145 (2001-08-01), None
patent: WO 02/20938 (2002-03-01), None
patent: WO 01/48352 (2002-07-01), None
patent: WO 02/079607 (2002-10-01), None
Winchester, D. “DIODe—Drilling Independent Of Depth, A Seabed Exploration Drilling System”, Offshore International, Jan. 1999, pp. 103-107.
The Centre for Marine & Petroleum Technology, “DIODe—Drilling Independent Of Depth, The DIODe Project”, 1999, pp. 1-8.
Albright, J. N. et al. “Microhole Drilling And Instrumentation”, 4th Int. HDR Forum, Stasbourg, Sep. 28-30, 1998.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Deepwater intervention system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Deepwater intervention system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Deepwater intervention system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3132720