Abstract:
A mixture of fluids is conveyed from a hydrocarbon reservoir and comprises gas and slugs of liquid. The mixture is passed through a slug catcher vessel (12) which temporarily retains the slugs of liquid. The gas is passed through a gas compressor (18) and the resulting pressurised gas is then conveyed to a remote location. When a liquid slug is detected in the slug catcher vessel (12), liquid is drawn from the vessel by an injector device (24) and entrained into the flow of gas downstream of the gas compressor (18) until the level of the interface between the gas and liquid in the vessel reaches a sufficiently low level. The system may alternatively be configured to accommodate a flow of liquid containing slugs of gas.
Abstract:
Method and apparatus for assisting the flow of production fluid from a hydrocarbon wellbore (4) to a remote host facility (16) including a separation facility (6) situated close to the wellbore (4). Jetting fluid is supplied initially from the host facility (16) to a downhole jet pump (14) via the separation facility (6) for assisting the flow of production fluid from the wellbore (4) to the separation facility (6) where the resulting mixture enters one of two parallel gravity separation chambers (32). Separated jetting fluid (60) is recirculated to the jet pump (14) via a pump (38) and production fluid is routed to the host facility via a production pipeline (18). A jetting fluid supply pipe (20) can be of relatively small diameter and the production pipeline (18) does not have to be enlarged to accommodate jetting fluid returned to the host facility (16).
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an apparatus for wrapping fibre optic cable around an overhead line, comprising a carriage (1) which sits on the overhead line (A) and is moveable along the overhead line (A), a supply of fibre optic cable (B) located on one side of the carriage (1) and a counterbalance (3) for the cable supply located on the other side of the carriage (1). Gear means (4) are arranged to cause rotation of the carriage (1) around the overhead line (A) when the carriage (1) moves along the overhead line (A) thereby wrapping the fibre optic cable (B) around the overhead line (1). Tensioning means (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) are provided which apply a substantially constant tension to the fibre optic cable (B) during all modes of operation of the apparatus.
Abstract:
A valve actuator comprises a stem (5) extending through the actuator body (1) for coupling to a valve such that axial movement of the stem opens and closes the valve. An outer shaft (6) is arranged coaxially around, and in threaded engagement with the stem (5) and is coupled to an electric motor for conveying rotational drive to the shaft (6) and thus axial movement of the shaft relative to the stem against a spring bias (13). The shaft (6) is releasably retained in a predetermined position by a solenoid-actuated latching mechanism (16) with the spring (13) in a compressed state, such that further rotation of the shaft causes axial movement of the stem (5) relative to the shaft to actuate the valve. De-actuation of the mechanism (16) releases the shaft (6) to allow axial movement of both the shaft (6) and the stem (5), under action of the spring (13) in order to close the valve.
Abstract:
A frame (4) for an opening (2) for a door or window in a wall (1) has first and second frame portions (5,6). Each frame portion (5,6) has an annular flange (7,8) with a sleeve (13,14) extending from it. The first frame portion (5) has a plurality of over- centre camlock mechanisms (21) and the second frame portion (6) has a corresponding number of pins. Each frame portion (5,6) is placed against an opposite side of the wall (1) so the frame portion sleeve (13,14) fits partially within the opening (2) and the frame portion flange (7,8) engages a wall portion adjacent to the opening (2). Each over-centre camlock mechanism (21) of the first frame portion (5) is rotated by a tool so that it latchingly engages with its corresponding pin in the second frame portion (6) to urge the frame (4) against the wall (1).
Abstract:
A control system of modular seabed processing unit (100) using one of a process module as a test separator comprising a system-module (110) to which external lines are connected, the system-module (110) includes a first portion (31) of the system-module isolating and connecting means (30), for acting on received fluid. At least one inlet flow line (21) and at least one outlet flow line (81) being connected to the first portion (31) of the system-module isolating and connecting means (30) for selective isolation of system-module from, or connection of the system-module to the external flow lines by means of a second complementary portion (32) of a manifold (130). The connecting means (30) with which the first portion (31) of the system- module isolating and connecting means (30) is adapted to engage. The system-module includes control means (60) for controlling operation of the system-module characterized in that the system-module (110) includes at least one actuating means (121) connected to a control means (60) wherein the actuating means (121) of the system-module (110) associated with diverter valve (131) situated at a manifold (130). The diverter valve (131) is connectable and disconnectable to fluid carrying conduits from production well (160, 170) and is enabled to control the direction of fluid flow into the system-module. The control means (60) is in communication with a master control station (150). The temperature and/ or pressure measuring means (61, 62, 63, 64) and valves (36, 37) connected to control means (60) by control line (65) which is adapted to transmit process values to a host platform (140) and to receive the control signals from the host platform (140) via umbilical (80) through a power connector (70). Sensing means to measure pressure, temperature and flow parameter; and the um means 54 to boost the fluid to host 81 via outlet flow line (23).
Abstract:
A single well development system has a base structure (8) through which the well is drilled and completed by means of a wellhead (6). A retrievable Christmas tree module (10) containing a Christmas tree (12) connected to a wellhead connector (14) is mounted on the base structure (8) by the wellhead connector (14) so as to receive well fluid from the wellhead. The module (10) contains two fluid processing separators (16) for processing fluid received from the well via the wellhead (6) and the Christmas tree (12). In a modification, additional modules are mounted on the base structure and each additional module has a fluid processing separator (16), and the Christmas tree module routes production fluid to the separators via the base structure (8).
Abstract:
A pressure protection system (32) has a docking manifold (44) to which an upstream portion (36) and a downstream portion (38) of a pipeline (34) are connected. Also connected to the docking manifold (44) is a retrievable module (64) which has a conduit circuit (66) that connects the upstream and downstream portions of the pipeline (34) enabling fluid to flow between the two portions (36, 38). The conduit circuit contains two fail-safe valves (72) which are controlled by a control module (80) within the retrievable module, and two pressure transmitters (76) co-operable with the control module (80). When wither pressure transmitter (76) senses fluid pressure in the conduit circuit (66) to be above a threshold value then it causes the control module (80) to effect closure of the valves (72) preventing the pressure rise from reaching the downstream portion (38) of the pipeline (34).
Abstract:
Gas is supplied from a host facility (2) to an underwater gas compressor (10) via a connecting pipeline (6) and the gas compressor is connected to a plurality of gas injection wells (7) for a hydrocarbon reservoir via well supply flowlines (8). The gas compressor (10) compresses the supplied gas to a higher pressure, and drives the gas into the reservoir via the flowlines (8) and gas injection wells (7) at a pressure at least as high as the pressure of the production fluid in the reservoir. This raises the overall pressure in the reservoir to drive production fluid there to the host facility (2). The compressed gas may alternatively be injected into production fluid in a production well to provide a gas lift effect.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an apparatus for unwrapping fibre optic cable (B) from an overhead line (A). The apparatus comprises a carriage (1) which sits on the overhead line (A) and is moveable along the overhead line (A) and a guide arm (2) mounted for rotation about the carriage (1). The guide arm (2) performs the unwrapping action of the fibre optic cable (B) from the overhead line (A). There is also a drum (3) and drum drive means (5), the drum (3) gathering the fibre optic cable (B) which has been unwrapped from the overhead line (A). There are also means (6) for varying the speed of rotation of the guide arm (2) with respect to the forward speed of the carriage (1).