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

• US 8,469,086 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2011
• Issued: 06/25/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: OneSubsea IP UK Limited (SLB)
• Original Assignee: Cameron Systems (Ireland) Limited (SLB)
• Inventors: Donald, Ian, Reid, John
• Primary Examiner(s): WRIGHT, GIOVANNA COLLINS
• Application Number:
  US13/164,291
• Publication Number:
  US 20110253380A1
• Time in Patent Office: 736 Days
• Field of Search: 166/91.1, 166/95.1, 166/368
• 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 replace the tree. Multiple diverter assembly embodiments are also described.

Claims

1. A diverter assembly for a subsea production tree having a subsea tree body with a production bore and a lateral production port extending from the production bore, the subsea tree body being mounted on a wellhead, comprising:

a wing branch extending from the subsea tree and comprising a horizontal bore aligned with the lateral production port and a vertical bore extending from the horizontal bore;

the wing branch comprising a production wing valve that is located between the tree body and the vertical bore;

a processing apparatus communicating with the vertical bore, the processing apparatus being selected from the group consisting of at least one of a pump, process fluid turbine, gas injection apparatus, steam injection apparatus, chemical injection apparatus, gas separation apparatus, water separation apparatus, sand/debris separation apparatus, hydrocarbon separation apparatus, chemical treatment apparatus, pressure boosting apparatus, and water electrolysis apparatus; and

a choke disposed on an end of the wing branch.

2. A diverter assembly for a production tree having a tree body with a bore and a lateral production port extending from the bore, comprising:

a wing branch extending from the tree and comprising a horizontal bore aligned with the lateral production port and a vertical bore extending from the horizontal bore;

the wing branch comprising a production wing valve that is located between the tree body and the vertical bore;

a choke disposed on an end of the wing branch; and

a conduit received by the vertical bore and forming an internal passage.

3. The diverter assembly of claim 2 wherein the conduit has seals to seal in use with the wing branch.

4. The diverter assembly of claim 2 wherein an end of the conduit is received within a recess in the wing branch.

5. The diverter assembly claim 2 wherein the conduit has seals around one end.

6. The diverter assembly of claim 2 wherein the conduit directs flow to the processing apparatus and the internal passage permits flow to the choke.

7. The diverter assembly of claim 6 wherein the conduit comprises seals that sealingly engage an outside end of the conduit and the wing branch.

8. The diverter assembly of claim 2, wherein the conduit is in fluid communication with the processing apparatus for flowing fluids.

9. A diverter assembly for a subsea production tree having a subsea tree body with a production bore and a lateral production port extending from the production bore, the subsea tree being mounted on a wellhead, comprising:

a wing branch extending from the subsea tree and comprising a horizontal bore aligned with the lateral production port and a vertical bore extending from the horizontal bore;

the wing branch comprising a production wing valve that is located between the tree body and the vertical bore;

a processing apparatus communicating with the vertical bore and selected from the group consisting of at least one of fluid measurement apparatus, temperature measurement apparatus, flow rate measurement apparatus, constitution measurement apparatus, and consistency measurement apparatus; and

a choke disposed on an end of the wing branch.

10. A diverter assembly for a subsea production tree having a subsea tree body with a production bore and a lateral production port extending from the production bore, the subsea tree being mounted on a wellhead, comprising:

a wing branch extending from the subsea tree and comprising a horizontal bore aligned with the lateral production port and a vertical bore extending from the horizontal bore;

the wing branch comprising a production wing valve that is located between the tree body and the vertical bore;

a materials injection apparatus communicating with the vertical bore, the materials not being provided from the subsea production tree; and

a choke disposed on an end of the wing branch.

11. A diverter assembly for a subsea production tree having a subsea tree body with a production bore and a lateral production port extending from the production bore, the subsea tree being mounted on a wellhead, comprising:

a wing branch extending from the subsea tree and comprising a horizontal bore aligned with the lateral production port and a vertical bore extending from the horizontal bore;

the wing branch comprising a production wing valve that is located between the tree body and the vertical bore;

a processing apparatus connectable into and detachable from the vertical bore while subsea; and

a choke disposed on an end of the wing branch.

12. A diverter assembly for a production tree having a lateral production port extending from the bore, comprising:

a wing branch including a horizontal bore aligned with the lateral production port;

the wing branch including a production wing valve;

a choke disposed on an end of the wing branch; and

a fluids injection apparatus disposed either on a portion of the wing branch between the production wing valve and the choke to inject fluids into the portion or on the choke to injet fluids through the choke, the fluids not being provided from the production tree.