Apparatus and method for processing fluids from a well

• US 8,104,541 B2
• Filed: 11/15/2007
• Issued: 01/31/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: OneSubsea IP UK Limited (SLB)
• Original Assignee: Cameron International Corporation (SLB)
• Inventors: Donald, Ian, Reid, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Bates, Zakiya W
• Application Number:
  US12/515,534
• Publication Number:
  US 20100044038A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,538 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 166/342
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/035 specially adapted for underwater installations E21B33/043, E21B33/064, E21B33/076 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/038 Connectors used on well heads, e.g. for connecting blow-out preventer and riser
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/35 specially adapted for separating solids down-hole drilling fluid separation systems E21B21/002; separating solids from drilling fluids E21B21/065
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/36 Underwater separating arrangements E21B43/38 takes precedence

Abstract

A system, including a first module (35b) configured to process fluid from a well, wherein the first module (35b) includes a processing device coupleable to a manifold (5), a first access tunnel (4b) extending through the processing device, wherein the access tunnel (4b) is configured to provide access to the manifold (5), a processing input (18a), and a processing output (19a). Further provided is a method of assembling a manifold, including coupling a processing module (35b) to a manifold (5), wherein the processing module comprises an access tunnel (4b) through the processing module (35b) that enables access to the manifold (5) while the processing module (35b) is coupled to the manifold (5).

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a first module configured to process fluid from a well, wherein the first module comprises;

a processing device coupleable to a tree manifold;

a first access tunnel extending through the processing device, wherein the access tunnel is configured to receive a tool inside the first access tunnel and provide access for the tool to mate with the tree manifold;

a processing input; and

a processing output.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first access tunnel is configured to align with a mandrel of the manifold and the tool has a common diameter bore with the mandrel.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first access tunnel is configured to provide access to a bore of the manifold and tool has a common diameter bore with the tree manifold bore.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first access tunnel is defined by a region void of the processing device.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first access tunnel is configured to enable the tool to be passed through the first module, and into the bore of the manifold.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing device comprises a pump, a process fluid turbine, an injection apparatus for injecting gas or steam, a chemical injection apparatus, a chemical reaction vessel, a pressure regulation apparatus, a fluid riser, a measurement apparatus, a temperature measurement apparatus, a flow rate measurement apparatus, a constitution measurement apparatus, a consistency measurement apparatus, a gas separation apparatus, a water separation apparatus, a solids separation apparatus, a hydrocarbon separation apparatus, or a combination thereof.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing input comprises a first processing conduit forming a first flowpath extending between a production bore of the manifold and the processing device, and wherein the processing output comprises a second processing conduit forming a second flowpath extending between the processing device and a first choke aperture on the tree manifold.

8. The system of claim 7, comprising:

a diverter for diverting flow from a well, comprising;

a first flow path, comprising;

a first input coupleable to the production bore of the tree manifold; and

a first output coupleable to a first processing aperture of the processing device, wherein the processing device is configured to process fluids from a well; and

a return flowpath, comprising;

a second input coupleable to a second choke aperture of the processing device; and

a second output coupleable to a choke body on the tree manifold.

9. The system of claim 8, comprising a second processing device coupleable to the first processing device.

10. The system of claim 8, comprising the tree manifold and the processing device.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the first module is configured to couple to a second module configured to process fluid from a well, and wherein the first access tunnel extending through the processing device of the first module is configured to align with a second access tunnel extending through a second processing device of the second module.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the second module is coupled in series with the first module.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the first module comprises:

a rigid structure, comprising;

an first upper interface; and

a first lower interface coupleable to the manifold; and

wherein the processing device is contained between the first upper interface and the first lower interface, and wherein the first access tunnel extends through the rigid structure.

14. The system of claim 13, comprising:

a second module, comprising;

a second rigid structure, comprising;

a second upper interface;

a second lower interface coupleable to the first upper interface; and

a second processing device contained between the second upper interface and the second lower interface; and

a second access tunnel extending through the second rigid structure and the second processing device, wherein the second access tunnel is configured to align with the first access tunnel.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein first module and the second module are configured to be stacked on top of one another.