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

• US 8,220,535 B2
• Filed: 04/27/2010
• Issued: 07/17/2012
• 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:
  US12/768,324
• Publication Number:
  US 20100206546A1
• Time in Patent Office: 812 Days
• Field of Search: 166/368, 166/75.12, 166/91.1
• US Class Current: 166/91.1
• 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 retro-fitted 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 choke body disposed on a tree and adapted for diverting flow between a tree production bore and a flowline, comprising:

a tubular body comprising;

a first bore in fluid communication with the flowline;

a second bore in fluid communication with the tree production bore;

a third bore comprising a standard interface capable of receiving a choke insert; and

a flow insert received by the third bore preventing direct flow between the second bore and the first bore through the tubular body and the flow insert having a flow bore therethrough communicating with the second bore.

2. A choke body disposed on a tree and adapted for diverting flow between a tree production bore and a flowline, comprising:

a tubular body comprising;

a first bore in fluid communication with the flowline;

a second bore in fluid communication with the tree production bore; and

a third bore comprising a standard interface capable of receiving either one of a choke insert and a flow insert, the flow insert preventing direct flow between the second bore and the first bore through the tubular body;

wherein the flow insert is in fluid communication with a subsea processor for flowing processed fluids through the choke body.

3. A choke body disposed on a tree and adapted for diverting flow between a tree production bore and a flowline, comprising:

a tubular body comprising;

a first bore in fluid communication with the flowline;

a second bore in fluid communication with the tree production bore; and

a third bore comprising a standard interface capable of receiving a choke insert; and

a dual flow insert received by the third bore and having a first flowpath communicating with the first bore and a second flowpath communicating with the second bore.

4. A choke body disposed on a tree and adapted for diverting flow between a tree production bore and a flowline, comprising:

a tubular body comprising;

a first bore in fluid communication with the flowline;

a second bore in fluid communication with the tree production bore; and

a third bore comprising a standard interface capable of receiving either one of a choke insert and a dual flow insert;

wherein the dual flow insert includes a first flowpath from the production bore to an external apparatus and a second flowpath returning fluids from the external apparatus to the flowline.