Vessel for well intervention
First Claim
1. A method of intervening in an existing pipeline that transports wellbore fluid flow from an offshore well to a primary location, the method comprising:
- forming a first tap in the existing pipeline;
diverting the wellbore fluid flow through the first tap to a storage tank at a secondary location;
forming a second tap in the existing pipeline while the wellbore fluid flow is diverted to the storage tank via the first tap; and
intervening in the existing pipeline through the second tap while the wellbore fluid flow is diverted to the storage tank via the first tap.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In one aspect, a method and apparatus for intervening in an offshore pipeline while diverting fluid flow to a storage site is provided, so that production through the offshore pipeline may continue while conducting a pipeline intervention operation. An offshore vessel may be used to divert and store fluid flow while intervening in the pipeline. In another aspect, a method and apparatus for drilling a subsea wellbore with an offshore vessel is provided. The method and apparatus involve drilling the wellbore and casing the wellbore with continuous casing lowered from the offshore vessel.
676 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A method of intervening in an existing pipeline that transports wellbore fluid flow from an offshore well to a primary location, the method comprising:
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forming a first tap in the existing pipeline; diverting the wellbore fluid flow through the first tap to a storage tank at a secondary location; forming a second tap in the existing pipeline while the wellbore fluid flow is diverted to the storage tank via the first tap; and intervening in the existing pipeline through the second tap while the wellbore fluid flow is diverted to the storage tank via the first tap. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of intervening in a pipeline that transports fluid from an offshore well to a primary location, the method comprising:
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connecting a first tubular between a floating vessel and the pipeline via a first tap; diverting wellbore fluid through the first tubular to a secondary location comprising a storage tank on the floating vessel; connecting a second tubular between the floating vessel and the pipeline via a second tap; and intervening in the pipeline through the second tubular while wellbore fluid is diverted to the floating vessel via the first tubular. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method of intervening in a pipeline that transports fluid from an offshore well to a primary storage unit, the method comprising:
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establishing a first communication pathway between a secondary storage unit at an offshore location and the pipeline via a first tap; diverting wellbore fluid through the first communication pathway to the secondary storage unit; establishing a second communication pathway between the offshore location and the pipeline via a second tap; and intervening in the pipeline through the second communication pathway while wellbore fluid is diverted to the secondary storage unit. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 36)
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33. A method of removing a blockage in an existing pipeline that transports wellbore fluid flow from an offshore well to a location, the method comprising:
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forming a first tap at a first location along the existing pipeline; diverting the wellbore fluid flow from the existing pipeline through the first tap to a storage tank on an offshore vessel; forming a second tap at a second location along the existing pipeline, wherein the second location is between the first location and the blockage, and wherein forming the second tap is accomplished after establishing a fluid communication path through the first tap to the storage tank on the offshore vessel; and removing the blockage in the existing pipeline by intervening from the offshore vessel through the second tap while wellbore fluid is diverted through the first tap. - View Dependent Claims (34)
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35. A method of intervening in an existing pipeline that transports wellbore fluid flow from a well to a primary storage unit, the method comprising:
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positioning a floating vessel proximate the existing pipeline; connecting a first tubular between a secondary storage unit on the floating vessel and the existing pipeline to form a diversionary flow path via a first tap; connecting a second tubular between the floating vessel and the existing pipeline to form an intervention flow path via a second tap; and intervening in the existing pipeline through the intervention flow path while wellbore fluid flows through the diversionary flow path. - View Dependent Claims (37)
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Specification