LIGHTWEIGHT AND COMPACT SUBSEA INTERVENTION PACKAGE AND METHOD

摘要

The present invention discloses apparatus and methods for a lightweight subsea intervention package (10) that may be installed using vessels with a smaller lifting capacity than semi-submersible platforms so that the subsea intervention package (10) can be transported, installed, and removed from a subsea well in less time and with less cost. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a lower riser package (14) for controlling the subsea well which utilizes two hydraulically activated gate valves (36) (38). An emergency disconnect package (12) is secured to the lower riser package (14) utilizing a disconnect mechanism. The emergency disconnect package (12) is operable to seal the bottom of a riser if the disconnect mechanism is activated to thereby minimize environmental leakage of fluid from the riser.