Modular subsea control system
A modular control system for a mineral extraction system includes a first control module positioned at a first location within a riser of the mineral extraction system and a second control module positioned at a second location within the riser closer to a wellhead of the mineral extraction system than the first location. The first control module includes a first electronics module configured to output and receive control signals, an energy storage unit, and a hydraulics system configured to generate a flow of pressurized fluid. The second control module includes a second electronics module communicatively coupled to the first electronics module and configured to output and receive additional control signals, and valves communicatively coupled to the second electronics module, fluidly coupled to the hydraulics system, and configured to adjust operations of the mineral extraction system.
1 . A modular control system for a mineral extraction system, comprising:
a first control module configured to be positioned at a first location within a riser of the mineral extraction system, wherein the first control module comprises a first electronics module configured to output and receive control signals, an energy storage unit, and a hydraulics system configured to generate a flow of pressurized fluid, and wherein the first electronics module is configured to charge the energy storage unit by controlling a flow of power from a power supply configured to mount to a host structure associated with the mineral extraction system; and
a second control module configured to be positioned at a second location within the riser, wherein the second location is closer to a wellhead of the mineral extraction system than the first location, and wherein the second control module comprises:
a second electronics module configured to output and receive additional control signals, wherein the second electronics module is communicatively coupled to the first electronics module; and
a plurality of valves configured to adjust operations of the mineral extraction system, wherein the plurality of valves is communicatively coupled to the second electronics module, the plurality of valves is fluidly coupled to the hydraulics system, and the plurality of valves is configured to control the flow of the pressurized fluid to adjust operations of the mineral extraction system.
2 . The modular control system of claim 1 , wherein the first electronics module and the second electronics module are communicatively coupled to one another via one or more electric cables, and the hydraulics system is fluidly coupled to the plurality of valves via one or more hydraulic lines.
3 . The modular control system of claim 2 , comprising a slick joint disposed between the first control module and the second control module, wherein the one or more electric cables and the one or more hydraulic lines extend through one or more longitudinal passages within the slick joint.
4 . The modular control system of claim 1 , wherein the first location is above an annular sealing device of a blowout preventer, and the second location is below the annular sealing device.
5 . The modular control system of claim 1 , wherein the first location is below an annular sealing device of a blowout preventer, and the second location is in a space between a first set of rams of the blowout preventer and a second set of rams of the blowout preventer.
6 . The modular control system of claim 1 , wherein the first electronics module is configured to power the second electronics module by controlling an additional flow of power from the power supply or from the energy storage unit to the second electronics module.
7 . The modular control system of claim 1 , wherein the hydraulics system comprises one or more reservoirs, one or more hydraulic pump units, one or more accumulators, one or more intensifiers, or a combination thereof.
8 . The modular control system of claim 1 , wherein adjusting operations of the mineral extraction system comprises adjusting operations of a tubing hanger running tool, a test tree, completion equipment, or a combination thereof.
9 . The modular control system of claim 1 , comprising one or more monitoring devices configured to measure one or more flow parameters, wherein the one or more monitoring devices are communicatively coupled to the first electronics module or the second electronics module.
10 . A mineral extraction system, comprising:
a riser configured to extend between an offshore vessel and a wellhead coupled to a mineral deposit, wherein the riser comprises a blowout preventer comprising an annular sealing device configured to block a flow of fluid exiting the wellhead; and
a modular subsea control system, comprising:
a first control module positioned within the riser and above the annular sealing device of the blowout preventer, wherein the first control module comprises a first electronics module configured to output and receive one or more control signals, an energy storage unit, and a hydraulics system configured to generate a flow of pressurized fluid; and
a second control module positioned within the riser and below the annular sealing device of the blowout preventer, wherein the second control module comprises:
a second electronics module configured to output and receive additional control signals, wherein the second electronics module is communicatively coupled to the first electronics module, and wherein the first electronics module is configured to power the second electronics module by controlling a flow of power from the energy storage unit to the second electronics module; and
a plurality of valves configured to adjust operations of the mineral extraction system, wherein the plurality of valves is communicatively coupled to the second electronics module, the plurality of valves is fluidly coupled to the hydraulics system, and the plurality of valves is configured to control the flow of the pressurized fluid to adjust operations of the mineral extraction system.
11 . The mineral extraction system of claim 10 , comprising a topside control system, wherein the topside control system is configured to electrically and communicatively couple to the modular control system via a subsea network.
12 . The mineral extraction system of claim 11 , wherein the topside control system comprises a controller configured to control an additional flow of power from a power source to the modular control system via one or more electrical cables of the subsea network.
13 . The mineral extraction system of claim 12 , wherein the modular subsea control system comprises one or more monitoring devices configured to measure one or more flow parameters, the one or more monitoring devices are communicatively coupled to the first electronics module or the second electronics module, and the controller of the topside control system is configured to:
receive, via the subsea network, data indicative of measured values of the one or more flow parameters from the modular control system; and
output, via the subsea network, one or more commands to adjust the operations of the mineral extraction system based on the data.
14 . The mineral extraction system of claim 13 , wherein the one or more monitoring devices comprise one or more flow meters, one or more temperature gauges, one or more pressure gauges, or a combination thereof.
15 . The mineral extraction system of claim 10 , wherein the hydraulics system comprises one or more reservoirs, one or more hydraulic pump units, one or more accumulators, one or more intensifiers, or a combination thereof.