RU2574427C2 - Systems and methods for underwater noise reduction - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: oil and gas industry.

SUBSTANCE: group of inventions is referred to marine systems and methods for development of offshore oil and gas fields. The marine system in the basin comprises a drill unit at the basin surface, a drilling bit in a well at the basin bottom, the area with sensitive environment at distance from the well, and multitude of floating flexible constructions deployed between the well and the area with sensitive environment, at that the floating flexible constructions are flat hoses mounted in uninflated rolled position and further they are inflated and erected into vertical position. The method for development of offshore oil and gas field includes mounting of a drill unit in basin, drilling multitude of wells by the above drill unit and placing multitude of the floating flexible constructions close to the well, at that the floating flexible constructions are flat hoses mounted in uninflated rolled position and further they are inflated and erected into vertical position.

EFFECT: reduced noise pollution of underwater environment and reduced impact on marine flora and fauna.

25 cl, 5 dwg

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the suppression of underwater noise generated during underwater operations, for example, noise generated during underwater operations for oil and gas production.

State of the art

WO 2008/074886 discloses a swell restraint device on board a floating structure designed to simplify transshipment operations between a structure and a transshipment vessel, characterized in that it comprises at least one of its sides (port or starboard) pneumatic a breakwater containing a perforated duct through which gas is supplied from a source of compressed gas, said duct is configured to be immersed in water and, after immersion, create a curtain of gas bubbles, ormiruyuschih flow to prevent swell and reduces its amplitude with a protected side, thus allowing to carry out the safe berthing and passenger transportation, equipment and goods between the floating structure and the transit vessel. Document WO 2008/074886 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

US 2008/0006478 discloses a noise reduction nozzle for use in a pile mount for underwater construction work, as well as a method for using such a nozzle to suppress the propagation of underwater noise and / or shock waves during underwater pile driving operations. US 2008/0006478 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

US 6,567,341 discloses methods for suppressing the propagation of underwater noise or waves, as well as boom systems used for these purposes. The boom system is characterized by the presence of material (for example, a curtain or a combination of a curtain and an apron), which extends essentially throughout the water column after it is placed in the water area, thereby forming a perimeter, as well as a gas injection system, which includes many outlet openings located between the perimeter and the site of underwater work. During its operation, the boom system is installed so that it surrounds the site of underwater operations, after which, through many outlets, gas is pumped into the water, forming a veil of gas bubbles during underwater operations, during which sound and percussion can be created the waves. Document US 6567341 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Thus, there is a need for one or more of the following systems:

an improved system and method for reducing noise pollution of the underwater environment;

an improved system and method for carrying out work in the underwater environment, reducing the impact on the marine flora and fauna.

Disclosure of invention

One object of the invention is a method for developing an offshore oil and gas field, comprising: installing a drilling structure in the water; drilling multiple wells from a rig; and locating a plurality of floating flexible structures near the well.

Another object of the invention is a marine system located in the water area and containing a drilling rig located on the surface of the water area; a drill bit located in the well under the bottom of the water area; area with vulnerable environment at some distance from the well; and many floating flexible structures located between the well and the area with a vulnerable natural environment.

Advantages of the invention can be achieved by using one or more of the following systems:

an improved system and method for reducing noise pollution of the underwater environment;

an improved system and method for carrying out work in the underwater environment, reducing the impact on the marine flora and fauna.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows a known drilling rig;

on figa and 2B - drilling rig with a noise reduction system;

figure 3 - noise reduction system;

figure 4 - noise reduction system;

figure 5 - noise reduction system.

The implementation of the invention

1 shows a known system 100. System 100 includes a floating structure 102 connected to the seabed by a plurality of tie-downs or anchor braces 112. The floating structure 102 includes a derrick 110 for drilling wells 122 in the seabed 108 using a drill bit 124 mounted on the drill 121. The floating structure 102 is connected to the wellhead 106 by means of a riser 104. The drill 121 may be located inside the riser 104.

In general, the floating structure 102 may be temporarily or permanently anchored in the object. During drilling, system 100 generates significant noise. The noise is illustrated in the drawings in the form of sound waves 150 emanating from the floating structure 102 and the riser 104.

Although the floating structure 102 is shown in the figure, other structures may be used for underwater oil and gas production or other types of underwater operations known in the art. In addition, the prior art discussed herein can be used to reduce underwater noise from other anchored craft, such as boats, ships and barges.

On figa shows the drilling system 200 according to the present invention. The drilling system 200 includes a drilling rig 202, such as a drilling vessel, semi-submersible drilling device or barge, which may be in a floating state or stand on the seabed 208.

The drilling rig 202 may be connected to the seabed 208 using a variety of mooring or anchor braces 212. The floating structure 202 is connected to an underwater structure, such as a wellhead 206, using a riser 204.

The floating structure 202 includes a derrick 210 for drilling boreholes 222 in the seabed 208 using a drill bit 224 mounted on the drill 221. The drill 221 may be located inside the riser 204.

When conducting underwater drilling using a drill bit 224 for drilling boreholes 222, noise and / or vibrations are shown as sound waves 250. The propagation of sound waves 250 is generally undesirable since they can penetrate areas 260 with a vulnerable natural environment and may be harmful to marine life 262.

There is also an anchor unit 270 connected to a plurality of floating flexible tubes 272a and 272b. As you can see, the tubes 272a and 272b are hollow, therefore, from below the tubes 272a and 272b from the supply duct 280, gas can be pumped into them to inflate the tubes. Small openings 276 may be made on top of the tubes to release upward gas bubbles 274.

In certain embodiments, tubes 272a and 272b may be made of a continuous, flexible, floating material, such as rubber, plastic, or plant material, and may be coupled to anchor block 270.

In certain embodiments, the tubes may not be used, and gas bubbles may pass through the openings in the anchor block 270.

In certain embodiments, tubes 272a and 272b may be made of a hollow, flexible, floating material, such as rubber or plastic, that can be inflated and connected to anchor block 270 but which does not have openings 276. According to embodiments of the invention, where the tubes 272a and 272b are filled with gas, the gas supply hose 280 may extend from the floating structure 202 to the anchor block 270, which, in turn, is connected to the tubes 272a and 272b.

In one embodiment, the tubes 272a and 272b are flat hoses, like fire hoses, and can be transported and installed in an inflated, rolled up position. After deployment, they can be inflated, as a result of which they are rolled upright. During use, the tubes 272a and 272b can act as a buffer to prevent the propagation of sound waves 250 from the drilling site at the wellhead 206 to areas 260 with a vulnerable natural environment.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the tubes 272a and 272b may be arranged in a row on the anchor block 270 to enclose the drilling site at the wellhead 206 from areas 260 with a vulnerable environment. The tubes 272a can be offset relative to the tubes 272b so that marine life and currents can pass through a series of tubes, while stopping at least part of the sound waves 250.

Although two rows of tubes are shown, in certain embodiments only 1 row of tubes can be used, while in other embodiments from 2 to 10, for example from 3 to 6 rows of tubes.

In certain embodiments of the invention, as shown in FIG. 3, the tubes 372a and 372b may be arranged in a circular form on the anchor unit 370 to surround the drilling site at the wellhead 306, preventing sound waves 350 from reaching areas of 360 vulnerable natural Wednesday. The tubes 372a can be offset from the tubes 372b so that marine life and currents can pass through a circle of tubes, stopping at least part of the sound waves 350.

In individual embodiments of the invention, as shown in FIG. 4, tubes 472 may be attached to anchor unit 470 so that sound waves (not shown) do not reach areas (not shown) with a vulnerable natural environment. The tubes 472 can be made of inflatable, flexible material and filled with gas coming from the anchor unit 470, small openings can be made on top of the tubes 472 for the exit of gas bubbles 474 through the top of the tubes 472.

In certain embodiments of the invention, as shown in FIG. 5, tubes 572 can be attached to a gas pipeline and support cable 578 using connectors 580. At different points along their length, support cable 578 is attached to anchor blocks 570 using connectors 582. Tubes 572 are not allow sound waves (not shown) to reach areas (not shown) with a vulnerable natural environment. Tubes 572 can be made of inflatable, flexible material and filled with gas coming from the gas pipeline and support cable 578, and small openings 576 can be made on top of the tubes 572 to allow gas bubbles 574 through the top of the tubes 572.

One object of the invention is a marine system located in the water area and containing a drilling rig located on the surface of the water area; a drill bit located in the well under the bottom of the water area; An area with a vulnerable natural environment, located at some distance from the well; as well as many floating flexible structures deployed between the well and the area with a vulnerable natural environment. In certain embodiments, the drilling rig in the water area is in a floating state. In certain embodiments, the flexible floating structures are filled with gas. In certain embodiments, the flexible floating structures are filled with air. In certain embodiments, the system also comprises at least one anchor block located at the bottom of the water area, with at least one of the floating flexible structures attached to the anchor block. In certain embodiments, the rig has a gas source for filling floating flexible structures. In certain embodiments, the flexible floating structures are filled with air, while the flexible floating structures have at least one opening on top of the structure to release part of the air. In certain embodiments, floating flexible structures completely surround the well. In certain embodiments, the system also comprises at least two rows of floating flexible structures, the rows being offset relative to each other. In certain embodiments, the floating flexible structures are filled with air, and there is an air source on the drilling structure connected to the floating, flexible structures.

Another object of the invention is a method for developing an offshore oil and gas field, comprising installing a drilling rig in the water area; drilling multiple wells from a rig; as well as the placement of many floating flexible structures close to the well. In certain embodiments, the method also includes inflating floating flexible structures with air. In certain embodiments, the method also includes inflating the floating flexible structures with air pumped from the rig.

Although the invention has been examined by way of a limited number of embodiments of the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art, after reading the present disclosure, that other embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed herein. Therefore, the scope of the invention is limited only by the attached claims.

Claims (25)

1. The marine system located in the water area and containing the drilling rig located on the surface of the water area; a drill bit located in the well at the bottom of the water area; An area with a vulnerable natural environment, located at a distance from the well; and a plurality of floating flexible structures deployed between the well and the area with a vulnerable environment, the floating flexible structures being flat hoses that are installed in an inflated rolled-up position and then inflated with a vertical position. 2. The system according to claim 1, in which the drilling structure in the water area is in a floating state. 3. The system according to claim 1, in which the floating flexible structures are filled with gas. 4. The system of claim 2, wherein the floating flexible structures are filled with gas. 5. The system according to claim 3, in which the floating flexible structures are filled with air. 6. The system according to claim 4, in which the floating flexible structures are filled with air. 7. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising at least one anchor block located at the bottom of the water area, with at least one of the floating flexible structures attached to the anchor block. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the drilling rig has a gas source for filling floating flexible structures. 9. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, 8, in which the floating flexible structures are filled with air, and the flexible floating structures have at least one hole on top of the structure to release part of the air. 10. The system according to claim 7, in which the floating flexible structures are filled with air, and flexible floating structures have at least one hole on top of the structure to release part of the air. 11. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, 8, 10, in which floating flexible structures completely surround the well. 12. The system according to claim 7, in which floating flexible structures completely surround the well. 13. The system of claim 9, wherein the floating flexible structures completely surround the well. 14. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, further comprising at least two rows of floating flexible structures, the rows being offset relative to each other. 15. The system according to claim 7, further comprising at least two rows of floating flexible structures, the rows being offset relative to each other. 16. The system according to claim 9, further comprising at least two rows of floating flexible structures, the rows being offset relative to each other. 17. The system according to claim 11, further comprising at least two rows of floating flexible structures, the rows being offset relative to each other. 18. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15-17, in which the floating flexible structures are filled with air, and on the drilling structure there is an air source connected to the flexible floating structures. 19. The system according to claim 7, in which the floating flexible structures are filled with air, and on the drilling structure there is an air source connected to the flexible floating structures. 20. The system according to claim 9, in which the floating flexible structures are filled with air, and on the drilling structure there is an air source connected to the flexible floating structures. 21. The system according to claim 11, in which the floating flexible structures are filled with air, and on the drilling structure there is an air source connected to the flexible floating structures. 22. The system according to 14, in which the floating flexible structures are filled with air, and on the drilling structure there is an air source connected to the flexible floating structures. 23. A method of developing an offshore oil and gas field, including:
installation of a drilling rig in the water area;
drilling multiple wells from a rig, and
placing a plurality of floating flexible structures near the well, the floating flexible structures being flat hoses that are installed in an inflated rolled-up position and then inflated with a vertical position. 24. The method according to item 23, further comprising inflating floating flexible structures with air. 25. The method according to any one of paragraphs.23 or 24, further comprising inflating the floating flexible structures with air pumped from the rig.

Images