Subsea template architecture

Abstract

A subsea template manifold and method, of which the subsea template manifold includes a first suction compartment configured to be at least partially embedded in a sea floor, a second suction compartment configured to be at least partially embedded in the sea floor, and a bridging element extending between and connected to the first and second suction compartments. The bridging element is configured to be at least partially embedded in the sea floor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A subsea template manifold, comprising:
 a first suction compartment configured to be at least partially embedded in a sea floor;   a second suction compartment configured to be at least partially embedded in the sea floor; and   a bridging element extending between and connected to the first and second suction compartments, wherein the bridging element is configured to be at least partially embedded in the sea floor.   
     
     
         2 . The subsea template manifold of  claim 1 , wherein the bridging element comprises one or more vertically-oriented plates extending laterally between the first and second suction compartments and being fixed thereto. 
     
     
         3 . The subsea template manifold of  claim 1 , wherein the bridging element comprises a first plate and a second plate, the first and second plates each being coupled to the first and second suction compartments and extending generally parallel to one another, the subsea template manifold being configured to connect to a well between the first and second plates. 
     
     
         4 . The subsea template manifold of  claim 1 , wherein the bridging element comprises a first section and a second section, the first section being connected to the first suction compartment, and the second section being connected to the second suction compartment, the subsea template manifold further comprising a washout sleeve connected to the first and second sections, such that the first and second sections are connected to one another via the washout sleeve. 
     
     
         5 . The subsea template manifold of  claim 1 , further comprising a well-support bracket and a washout sleeve positioned between the first and second suction compartments and coupled to the bridging element, wherein the well-support bracket is coupled to the washout sleeve, and the first suction compartment, the bridging element, or both, and wherein the well-support bracket is configured to be at least partially embedded below the sea floor. 
     
     
         6 . The subsea template manifold of  claim 1 , further comprising a top plate coupled to the first suction compartment, the second suction compartment, and the support bracket, wherein the top plate is configured to be above or on the sea floor and to support one more seafloor devices. 
     
     
         7 . The subsea template manifold of  claim 1 , wherein the bridging element comprises a first bridging element, the subsea template manifold further comprising:
 a third suction compartment configured to be at least partially embedded beneath the sea floor;   a fourth suction compartment configured to be at least partially embedded beneath the sea floor;   a second bridging element extending between and connected to the second and third suction compartments;   a third bridging element extending between and connected to the third and fourth suction compartments;   a fourth bridging element extending between and connected to the first and fourth suction compartments;   a plurality of washout sleeves, wherein a respective one of the plurality of washout sleeves connected to each of the first, second, third, and fourth bridging elements.   
     
     
         8 . The subsea template manifold of  claim 7 , further comprising a first Christmas tree, a second Christmas tree, a third Christmas tree, and a fourth Christmas tree, each facing in a different direction and each being coupled to one of the plurality of washout sleeves. 
     
     
         9 . A method for supporting a subsea manifold at a sea floor, comprising:
 embedding at least a portion of a suction compartment of a subsea template manifold into a seabed; and   embedding at least a portion a bridging element of the subsea template into the seabed, wherein the bridging element extends between and is connected to the first and second suction compartments.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein embedding the at least a portion of the suction compartment and the embedding at least a portion of the bridging element occur at least partially at the same time. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the bridging element comprises one or more vertically-oriented plates extending laterally between the first and second suction compartments and being fixed thereto, wherein embedding the at least a portion of the bridging element comprises embedding at least a portion of the plates into the seabed. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising positioning a first Christmas tree, a second Christmas tree, a third Christmas tree, and a fourth Christmas tree, on the subsea template and in communication with the wells, wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth Christmas trees faces in a different direction. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first, second, third, and fourth Christmas trees face in four different directions, 90 degrees offset from one another. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for supporting a subsea well system, comprising:
 a first suction anchor configured to be at least partially embedded in a sea floor;   a second suction anchor configured to be at least partially embedded in the sea floor; and   a bridging element extending between and connected to the first and second suction anchors, wherein the bridging element is configured to be at least partially embedded in the sea floor.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the bridging element comprises one or more vertically-oriented plates extending laterally between the first and second suction anchors and being fixed thereto. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the bridging element comprises a first plate and a second plate, the first and second plates each being coupled to the first and second suction anchors and extending generally parallel to one another, the subsea template manifold being configured to connect to a well between the first and second plates. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising a top plate coupled to the first suction anchor, the second suction anchor, and the support bracket, wherein the top plate is configured to be above or on the sea floor and to support one more subsea devices. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the bridging element comprises a first bridging element, the subsea template manifold further comprising:
 a third suction anchor configured to be at least partially embedded beneath the sea floor;   a fourth suction anchor configured to be at least partially embedded beneath the sea floor;   a second bridging element extending between and connected to the second and third suction anchors;   a third bridging element extending between and connected to the third and fourth suction anchors;   a fourth bridging element extending between and connected to the first and fourth suction anchors;   a plurality of wellheads, wherein a respective one of the plurality of wellheads is connected to each of the first, second, third, and fourth bridging elements.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , further comprising a first Christmas tree, a second Christmas tree, a third Christmas tree, and a fourth Christmas tree, each facing in a different direction and each being coupled to one of the plurality of wellheads.