DEEPWATER PRODUCTION SYSTEM

摘要

A method and system for oil production in remote deep-water areas, especially in areas where weather or ice conditions may require closing and removal of surface facilities and equipment. Processing of the produced oil from subsea oil wells is partly performed subsea on a subsea oil and gas production unit (10) called Deepwater Production System (DPS), whereas the remaining processing takes part on a vessel (1) that may be disconnected from the DPS if the conditions make it necessary. The method and system take advantage of combining and integrating subsea processing with processing at atmospheric pressure onboard the vessel.

主权项

1. A method for oil production in remote deepwater areas, the method comprising the steps of:
producing hydrocarbons from one of more subsea well(s) and introducing the produced hydrocarbons into one or more separation tank(s) in a subsea oil production unit (DPS) resting at the sea bed, allowing the produced hydrocarbons to separate from associated gas and water in one or more tank(s), to give a gas phase, an oil phase and a produced water phase, conducting at least a part of the produced water separated from the oil in the DPS to subsea injection well(s) through an injection pump, providing a temporary fluid connection between the separation tank(s) and a production and transport vessel for transporting separated oil from the separation tank(s) to the vessel and gas and water from the vessel, conducting separated oil from the storage and separation tank(s) to the vessel, separating the stream of hydrocarbons into stabilized oil, gas and water in a separation system onboard the vessel, introducing the separated oil into storage tank(s) onboard the vessel, returning separated gas and water to the DPS, injecting the returned water and/or gas into water and/or gas injection wells, respectively, disconnecting the vessel from the fluid contact if disconnection is required, continuing hydrocarbon production from the subsea well(s) when the DPS and the vessel are disconnected until the separation tank(s), and/or produced oil storage tank(s), are filled with produced oil.