Subsea salvage operation using lifting magnet
View Patent ↗Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a subsea salvage operation using a lifting magnet. In one embodiment, a method of salvaging a submerged production platform includes deploying a salvage vessel to a wreckage site of the submerged production platform; lowering a lifting magnet from the salvage vessel to the submerged production platform; and activating the lifting magnet, thereby capturing at least a portion of the submerged production platform.
1. A method of salvaging a submerged production platform, comprising:
deploying a salvage vessel to a wreckage site of the submerged production platform;
dispatching a diver or remotely operated vehicle (ROV) from the salvage vessel to the submerged production platform;
cutting the submerged production platform into manageable pieces by the diver or ROV;
lowering a lifting electromagnet from the salvage vessel to the submerged production platform using a crane of the salvage vessel, wherein the lifting electromagnet comprises:
a case having a cavity formed therein,
a winding made from a conductive material and disposed in the cavity,
a bottom made from a non-magnetic material and welded to the case, thereby making the cavity watertight, and
a watertight terminal connector for receiving an electric cable;
activating the lifting electromagnet, thereby capturing one or more of the manageable pieces; and
raising the captured pieces to a surface of the sea using the crane.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising cutting a casing assembly at or near a floor of the sea by the diver or ROV.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
positioning the captured pieces over a scrap vessel using the crane; and
deactivating the lifting electromagnet, thereby releasing the captured pieces on to the scrap vessel.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising deploying a subsea camera from the salvage vessel to the submerged production platform, wherein an operator of the lifting electromagnet is in visual communication with the camera.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising tracking a location of the lifting electromagnet relative to the submerged platform using an acoustic signal.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising repeating the lowering, activating, and raising, steps until the wreckage site is free of magnetic debris.
7. The method of claim 2 , further comprising repeating the lowering, activating, and raising steps for the cut portion of the casing assembly.