• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    A system and method of exploiting an offshore oil and gas reservoir, comprising installing a drilling structure in a body of water, drilling a plurality of wells from the drilling structure; and providing a plurality of buoyant, flexible structures adjacent to the well.
    公开号:DK201270774A
    申请号:DKP201270774
    申请日:2012-12-10
    公开日:2012-12-10
    发明作者:Ward John Michael
    申请人:Shell Int Research；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    SUBSEA NOISE MITIGATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS
    Background of Invention Field of the Invention
    The present invention is directed to mitigating the underwater noise caused by subsea operations, for example noise caused by a subsea oil and gas operation.
    Background Art PCT Patent Publication Number WO 2008/074886 discloses a swell limiting device onboard a floating structure to facilitate the transloading between the structure and a transfer ship, characterized in that it comprises at least one of its sides (port, starboard) a pneumatic breakwater comprising a perforated duct supplied with a gas from a pressurized gas source, said duct being adapted to be submerged and for producing, when submerged, a gas bubble curtain creating a stream against the swell for limiting the amplitude thereof on the protected side, thus permitting the secured docking and transloading of passengers, equipment and goods between said floating structure and the transfer ship. PCT Patent Publication Number WO 2008/074886 is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2008/0006478 discloses a sound attenuation sleeve for use on a piling during underwater construction and a method of using such a sleeve for attenuating underwater transmission of sound and / or shock waves during underwater pile driving operations. U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2008/0006478 is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. U.S. Patent Number 6,567,341 discloses methods of attenuating underwater transmission of sound or shock waves as well as boom systems designed for such use. The boom system is characterized by a material (eg, curtain or combination curtain and skirt) which extends substantially the entire water column when placed in a body of water, thereby defining a perimeter and a gas injection system which includes a plurality of outlets which are positioned between the perimeter and the site of underwater activity. In use, the boom system is installed such that it surrounds the site of underwater activity and then gas is injected into the water through the plurality of outlets to form a gas curtain during performance of an underwater activity capable of generating sound or shock waves. U.S. Patent Number 6,567,341 is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
    There is a need for art for one or more of the following:
    An improved system and method of decreasing noise pollution in a subsea environment;
    An improved system and method of operating in a subsea environment while reducing the impact on marine life.
    Summary of Invention
    In one aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a method of exploiting an offshore oil and gas reservoir, comprising installing a drilling structure in a body of water; drilling a plurality of wells from the drilling structure; and providing a plurality of buoyant, flexible structures adjacent to the well.
    In another aspect of the invention, an offshore system is disclosed in a body of water, comprising a drilling structure at a surface of the body of water; a drill bit in a well below the bottom of the body of water; an environmentally sensitive area offset a distance from the well; and a plurality of buoyant, flexible structures arranged between the well and the environmentally sensitive area.
    Advantages of the invention may include one or more of the following:
    An improved system and method of decreasing noise pollution in a subsea environment;
    An improved system and method of operating in a subsea environment while reducing the impact on marine life.
    Brief Description of Drawings
    Figure 1 shows a prior art drilling structure.
    Figures 2A, and 2B show a drilling structure with a noise mitigation system.
    Figure 3 shows a noise mitigation system.
    Figure 4 shows a noise mitigation system.
    Figure 5 shows a noise mitigation system.
    Detailed Description
    Figure 1:
    Referring to Figure 1, prior art system 100 is shown. System 100 includes a floating structure 102 connected to the sea floor by multiple mooring or anchor lines 112. Floating structure 102 includes drilling rig 110 to drill wells 122 in the sea floor 108 with a drill bit 124 on drill string 121. Floating structure 102 is connected to a wellhead 106 by riser 104. Drill string 121 may be located within riser 104.
    In general, floating structure 102 may be temporarily or permanently moored on location. System 100 produces significant noise from the drilling operations. The noise is represented in the drawings as sound waves 150 originating from floating structure 102 and riser 104. The propagation of sound waves 150 is generally undesirable as they may travel to environmentally sensitive areas 160 and may disturb marine wildlife 162.
    Although a floating structure 102 is shown in the figure, other structures may be used for subsea oil and gas operations or other types of subsea operations as are known in the art. Additionally, the art described herein may be used to reduce underwater noise from other moored floating structures such as boats, ships, and barges.
    Figures 2a & 2b:
    Referring to Figure 2A, a drilling system 200 is shown in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The drilling system 200 includes drilling structure 202, such as a drill ship, semi-submersible drilling unit or barge, which may be floating or may stand on the seafloor 208.
    Drilling structure 202 may be connected to sea floor 208 by multiple mooring or anchor lines 212. Floating structure 202 is connected to a subsea structure such as wellhead 206 by riser 204.
    Floating structure 202 includes drilling rig 210 to drill wells 222 in the sea floor 208 with a drill bit 224 on drill string 221. Drill string 221 may be located within riser 204.
    The subsea drilling operation with drill bit 224 drilling wells 222 creates noise and / or vibrations represented by sound waves 250. The propagation of sound waves 250 is generally undesirable as they may travel to environmentally sensitive areas 260 and may disturb marine wildlife 262.
    Anchor block 270 is provided and is connected to a plurality of buoyant flexible tubes 272a and 272b. As illustrated, tubes 272a and 272b are hollow and may be injected at the bottom of tubes 272a and 272b with a volume of gas from supply line 280 to inflate the tubes. Small openings 276 may be provided at the top of tubes which allow gas bubbles up 274 to escape.
    In some embodiments, tubes 272a and 272b may be a solid, flexible buoyant material, such as rubber, plastic, or plant material, which may be connected to anchor block 270.
    In some embodiments, there may be no tubes, and gas bubbles may flow from openings in anchor block 270.
    In some embodiments, tubes 272a and 272b may be a hollow, flexible buoyant material, such as rubber or plastic, which may be inflated, and connected to anchor block 270, but which are not provided with openings 276.
    In the embodiments where tubes 272a and 272b are filled with a gas, gas supply hose 280 may be connected from floating structure 202 to anchor block 270 which is in turn connected to tubes 272a and 272b.
    In one embodiment tubes 272a and 272b are flat hoses, similar to fire hoses, that can be shipped and deployed in the un-inflated rolled up condition. Once deployed they can be inflated, unrolling them to their upright position In operation, tubes 272a and 272b may be used as a buffer for the sound waves 250 between the drilling operations at the wellhead 206 and the environmentally sensitive areas 260.
    As shown in Figure 2B, tubes 272a and 272b may be arranged in a line on anchor block 270 to separate the drilling operations at wellhead 206 and the environmentally sensitive areas 260. Tubes 272a may be offset from tubes 272b to allow marine life and water currents to flow through the line, while blocking at least a portion of sound waves 250.
    Although two lines of tubes are shown, in some embodiments, only 1 line of tubes may be provided, while in other embodiments from 2-10 lines, for example from 3-6 lines of tubes may be used.
    Figure 3:
    In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 3, tubes 372a and 372b may be arranged in a circle on anchor block 370 to surround the drilling operations at the wellhead 306 and to keep the sound waves 350 from reaching environmentally sensitive areas 360. Tubes 372a may be offset from tubes 372b to allow marine life and water currents to flow through the circle, while blocking at least a portion of waves 350.
    Figure 4:
    In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 4, tubes 472 may be attached to anchor block 470 to keep sound waves (not shown) from reaching environmentally sensitive areas (not shown). Tubes 472 may be an inflatable, flexible material which is filled with a gas from anchor block 470 and provided with small openings 476 at the top of tubes 472 to allow gas bubbles 474 to escape from the top of tubes 472.
    Figure 5:
    In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 5, tubes 572 may be attached to a gas line and support cable 578 by connectors 580. At various points throughout its length, support cable 578 is attached to anchor blocks 570 by connectors 582. Tubes 572 act to keep sound waves (not shown) from reaching environmentally sensitive areas (not shown). Tubes 572 may be an inflatable, flexible material filled with a gas from gas line and support cable 578, and may be provided with small openings 576 at the top of tubes 572 to allow gas bubbles 574 to escape from the top of tubes 572nd
    Illustrative Embodiments:
    In one embodiment, an offshore system is disclosed in a body of water, comprising a drilling structure at a surface of the body of water; a drill bit in a well below the bottom of the body of water; an environmentally sensitive area offset a distance from the well; and a plurality of buoyant, flexible structures arranged between the well and the environmentally sensitive area. In some embodiments, the drilling structure is floating in the body of water. In some embodiments, the buoyant, flexible structures are filled with a gas. In some embodiments, the buoyant, flexible structures are filled with air. In some embodiments, the system also comprises at least one anchor block at the bottom of the body of water, at least one of the buoyant, flexible structures being attached to the anchor block. In some embodiments, the drilling structure comprises a source of gas to fill the buoyant, flexible structures. In some embodiments, the buoyant, flexible structures are filled with air, and the buoyant, flexible structures comprising at least one opening at a top of the structure to allow a portion of the air to escape. In some embodiments, the buoyant, flexible structures completely surround the well. In some embodiments, the system also comprises at least two lines of buoyant, flexible structures, the lines being offset from one another. In some embodiments, the buoyant, flexible structures are filled with air, while the drilling structure comprises a source of air connected to the buoyant, flexible structures.
    In one embodiment, there is disclosed a method of exploiting an offshore oil and gas reservoir, comprising installing a drilling structure in a body of water; drilling a plurality of wells from the drilling structure; and providing a plurality of buoyant, flexible structures adjacent to the well. In some embodiments, the method also involves inflating the buoyant, flexible structures with air. In some embodiments, the method also comprises inflating the buoyant, flexible structures with air by pumping air from the drilling structure.
    While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having the benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the attached claims.
    权利要求:
    Claims (13)
    [1] 1. An offshore system in a body of water, comprising: a drilling structure at a surface of the body of water; a drill bit in a well beneath a bottom of the body of water; an environmentally sensitive area offset a distance from the well; and a plurality of buoyant, flexible structures arrayed between the well and the environmentally sensitive area.
    [2] 2. The offshore system of claim 1, wherein the drilling structure is floating in the body of water.
    [3] 3. The floating offshore system of one or more of claims 1-2, wherein the buoyant, flexible structures are filled with a gas.
    [4] 4. The floating offshore system of one or more of claims 1-3, wherein the buoyant, flexible structures are filled with air.
    [5] 5. The floating offshore system of one or more of claims 1-4, further comprising at least one anchor block at the bottom of the body of water, wherein at least one of the buoyant, flexible structures are attached to the anchor block.
    [6] 6. The floating offshore system of claim 5, wherein the drilling structure comprises a source of gas to fill the buoyant, flexible structures.
    [7] 7. The floating offshore system of one or more of claims 1-6, wherein the buoyant, flexible structures are filled with air, and wherein the buoyant, flexible structures comprising least one opening at a top of the structure to allow a portion of the air to escape.
    [8] 8. The floating offshore system of one or more of claims 1-7, wherein the buoyant, flexible structures completely surround the well.
    [9] 9. The floating offshore system of one or more of claims 1-8, further comprising at least two lines of buoyant, flexible structures, wherein the lines are offset from one another.
    [10] 10. The floating offshore system of one or more of claims 1-9, wherein the buoyant, flexible structures are filled with air, wherein the drilling structure comprises a source of air connected to the buoyant, flexible structures.
    [11] 11. A method of exploiting an offshore oil and gas reservoir, comprising: installing a drilling structure in a body of water; drilling a plurality of wells from the drilling structure; and providing a plurality of buoyant, flexible structures adjacent to the well.
    [12] 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising inflating the buoyant, flexible structures with air.
    [13] 13. The method of one or more of claims 11-12, further comprising inflating the buoyant, flexible structures with air by pumping air from the drilling structure.
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    同族专利:
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    US20130056270A1|2013-03-07|
    CA2798391A1|2011-11-17|
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    法律状态:
    2020-12-14| PBP| Patent lapsed|Effective date: 20200509 |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US33339210P| true| 2010-05-11|2010-05-11|
    US33339210|2010-05-11|
    US2011035707|2011-05-09|
    PCT/US2011/035707|WO2011143092A1|2010-05-11|2011-05-09|Subsea noise mitigation systems and methods|
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