Apparatus and method for recovering fluids from a well and/or injecting fluids into a well

• US 8,091,630 B2
• Filed: 04/27/2010
• Issued: 01/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Onesubsea IP UK Limited (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Cameron Systems (Ireland) Limited (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Donald, Ian, Reid, John
• Primary Examiner(s): DANG, HOANG C
• Application Number:
  US12/768,332
• Publication Number:
  US 20100206547A1
• Time in Patent Office: 623 Days
• Field of Search: 166/90.1, 166/91.1, 166/76.1, 166/85.3, 166/368
• US Class Current: 166/90.1
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/03 Well heads; Setting-up thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/0353 Horizontal or spool trees, i.e. without production valves in the vertical main bore
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/0387 Hydraulic stab connectors
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/047 for plural tubing strings
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/068 having provision for introducing objects or fluids into, or removing objects from, wells cementing-heads E21B33/05
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/076 specially adapted for underwater installations
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/025 Chokes or valves in wellheads and sub-sea wellheads for variably regulating fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/04 in underwater well heads
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 41/0007 for underwater installations E21B41/005, E21B41/04, E21B41/06, E21B41/08, E21B41/10 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/01 specially adapted for obtaining from underwater installations
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/12 Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells E21B43/25 takes precedence; valve arrangements E21B34/00
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/16 Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/162 Injecting fluid from longitudinally spaced locations in injection well
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/166 Injecting a gaseous medium; Injecting a gaseous medium and a liquid medium CO2 injection E21B43/164; steam injection E21B43/24
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/36 Underwater separating arrangements E21B43/38 takes precedence

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for diverting fluids either into or from a well are described. Some embodiments include a diverter conduit that is located in a bore of a tree. The invention relates especially but not exclusively to a diverter assembly connected to a wing branch of a tree. Some embodiments allow diversion of fluids out of a tree to a subsea processing apparatus followed by the return of at least some of these fluids to the tree for recovery. Alternative embodiments provide only one flowpath and do not include the return of any fluids to the tree. Some embodiments can be retrofitted to existing trees, which can allow the performance of a new function without having to replacing the tree. Multiple diverter assembly embodiments are also described.

Claims

1. A flow insert for connection to a choke body having a production bore, a flowline bore, and a choke insert bore, the choke insert bore being adapted to receive an insert of a choke to restrict flow through the production bore and flowline bore, the flow insert comprising:

a tubular body receivable by the choke insert bore, the tubular body comprising a flow bore therethrough permitting flow through the tubular body and into the choke body and preventing flow directly between the production bore and the flowline bore through the choke body; and

the tubular body further comprising seals adapted to sealingly engage a wall at an inlet of the flowline bore.

2. The flow insert of claim 1 wherein the tubular body has first, second, and third ports.

3. The flow insert of claim 1 wherein the tubular body is received at least in a part of the flowline bore.

4. The flow insert of claim 1 wherein the tubular body sealingly engages the choke body.

5. The flow insert of claim 1 wherein the flowbore is in communication with a processing apparatus.

6. A flow insert for connection to a choke body comprising a production bore, a flowline bore, and a choke insert bore, the choke insert bore being adapted to receive an insert of a choke to restrict flow through the production bore and flowline bore, the flow insert comprising:

a seal-bearing stinger with an internal bore receivable by the choke insert bore, the seal-bearing stinger permitting flow through the seal-bearing stinger and into the choke body; and

wherein the seal-bearing stinger comprising seals adapted to sealingly engage an outside end of the stinger and an inner wall of the flowline bore below the production bore.

7. The flow insert of claim 6 wherein the seal-bearing stinger extends vertically through the choke body to a level below that of the production bore extending laterally.

8. The flow insert of claim 6 wherein the flow insert allows fluids to flow through the choke insert bore and flowline bore.