Apparatus and Method for Processing Fluids from a Well

• US 20120312541A1
• Filed: 08/22/2012
• Published: 12/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Onesubsea IP UK Limited (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Cameron International Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Donald, Ian, Reid, John
• Granted Patent: US 8,776,893 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/347
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/038 Connectors used on well heads, e.g. for connecting blow-out preventer and riser
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/076 specially adapted for underwater installations
• 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

Provided is a system, including a first module (35b) configured to process fluid from a well, wherein the first module (35b) has an extension conduit (5b), having a connection that is coupleable to a central mandrel of a manifold (5), a processing device arranged in a region surrounding the extension conduit (5b), a processing input (18a), and a processing output (19a). Further provided is a method of processing well fluids, including diverting fluids from a bore of a manifold (1) to a processing module (35b), wherein the processing module (35b) is coupled to a mandrel of the manifold (5), processing the fluids in the processing module (35b), and returning the fluids to a flowpath (19a) for recovery.

Claims

1-25. -25. (canceled)

26. A subsea tree assembly mountable adjacent to a subsea production flowline, comprising:

a subsea tree with a production line therein;

a module comprising a production line connector and a production flowline connector operable for connection and fluid communication with said subsea tree and with said production flow line, respectfully, said module defining a fluid flow passageway therein, whereby said subsea tree is in fluid communication with said production flowline only through said module and only after said module is connected to said subsea tree and said production flowline.

27. The subsea tree assembly of claim 26, wherein the module includes an access operable for connection to another module.

28. The subsea tree assembly of claim 27, wherein the another module includes a chemical injection device.

29. The subsea tree assembly of claim 26 further including a choke for controlling fluids flowing through said fluid passageway.

30. The subsea tree assembly of claim 26 wherein said module includes a processing apparatus.

31. The subsea tree assembly of claim 30 wherein said processing device includes a flow measuring device.

32. The subsea tree assembly of claim 30 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.

33. A module to provide the only fluid communication between a subsea installation comprising a subsea tree and a production flowline, said module comprising a first connector for connecting to said subsea installation and a second connector for connecting to said production flowline, said module, when installed, forming a fluid flow passageway which connects between said subsea tree and said production flowline.

34. The module of claim 33 further comprising an access operable for connection to another module.

35. The module of claim 34 wherein the another module includes a chemical dosing device.

36. The module of claim 33 wherein a choke controls fluids flowing within said fluid flow passageway.

37. The module of claim 33 wherein said module includes a processing apparatus.

38. The module of claim 37 wherein said processing apparatus includes a flow measuring device.

39. The module of claim 37 wherein the processing device includes at least one of the group consisting of 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.

40. A module for fluidly connecting between a production line in a subsea tree and a production flowline, said module comprising at least two connectors for connecting to said production line in said subsea tree and a top of said production flowline, said module, when installed, defining a fluid flow passageway which connects between said production line and said production flowline, and a choke to control fluid flow through said fluid flow passageway.

41. The module of claim 40 wherein the module accesses another module.

42. The module of claim 40 wherein the processing device includes at least one of the group consisting of 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.

43. The module of claim 40 wherein the subsea tree and flowline have hubs for connecting to said two connectors.