IP Library Granted Patent US 7,363,982
Granted Patent B2
US 7,363,982 · App. 10/940,380 · Granted Apr 29, 2008

Subsea well production flow system

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,363,982
App. No.
10/940,380
Granted
Apr 29, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods and apparatus for flowing a subsea well. The method comprises the steps of: supplying a multi-phase medium from a subsea tree 18 to a removable separator package 10 ; separating the multi-phase flow into one or more phases at the desired pressures, the pressures being controlled by one or more pressure control devices 51, 67, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 on one or more outlets from the separator package 10 ; and analysing each of the one or more phases to determine the amount and quality of products produced by the well.

Claims (32)

1. A method of flowing a subsea well, the method comprising the steps of:

supplying a multi-phase medium from a subsea tree to a removable separator package;

separating the multi-phase flow into one or more phases at desired pressures using a spiral toroidal separator having a plurality of outlets, the desired pressure being controlled by at least one pressure control device on each outlet of the spiral toroidal separator; and

analysing each separated phase to determine the amount and quality of products produced by the well.

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the analysis is carried out subsea.

3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the analysis is carried out at the surface.

4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the pressure of one or more of the constituent phases is reduced to surface or atmospheric pressure.

5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the pressure of one or more phases is reduced to a pressure below the hydrostatic pressure in the bore at the seabed.

6. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of pumping one or more of the constituent phases to the analysis location.

7. A system for use in flowing a sea well, the system comprising:

a subsea tree for, in use, connection to a wellhead;

a spiral toroidal separator package in fluid communication with a fluid take off from the subsea tree, such that, in use, a multi-phase medium can flow through the subsea tree into the separator package for separation into one or more phases;

at least one outlet from the separator package for each separated phase;

a pressure control device on each outlet from the separator package for allowing the system to be operated at different wellhead pressures; and

at least one sensor on each outlet operable to determine the amount and quality of products produced by the well.

8. A system according to claim 7 , wherein the separator package is substantially vertically aligned with the subsea tree.

9. A system according to claim 7 , wherein the separator package is placed adjacent to the subsea tree.

10. A system according to claim 7 , further comprising a pressure containing device for containing the pressure of the fluid from within the tree, whilst permitting wire line, cable or coil tubing access through the tree.

11. A system according to any claim 7 , wherein the pressure control device is either a choke or a pump.

12. A system according to claim 7 , further comprising valves and a ram isolation package to facilitate a reduction in the pressure in the well bore when required.

13. A system according to claim 7 , further comprising an emergency disconnect package.

14. A system according to claim 7 , wherein the one or more outlets from the separator package are connected to flow lines in pre-existing subsea infrastructure.

15. A system according to claim 7 , wherein the one or more outlets from the separator package are connected to individual flow lines to the surface.

16. A system comprising:

a spool body having a bore therethrough;

a first pressure isolating barrier coupled to said spool body and operable to isolate pressure within the bore from pressure below said first pressure isolating barrier;

an second pressure isolating barrier coupled to said spool body and operable to isolate pressure within the bore from pressure above said second pressure isolating barrier;

a fluid take off in fluid communication with the bore between said first pressure isolating barrier and said second pressure isolating barrier;

a spiral toroidal separator disposed circumferentially about said spool body and in fluid communication with said fluid take off

a plurality of outlets disposed on said separator, wherein each of said plurality of outlets has a pressure count device coupled thereto; and

at least one sensor on each said plurality of outlets, wherein said sensors are operable to determine the amount and quality of products produced by the well.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein said spool body is a full bore spool.

Assignments (5)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PATENT NO. 8385005 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 035135 FRAME 0474. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CORRECT PATENT NO. IS 8638005. Recorded Jul 29, 2016
From: ONESUBSEA, LLC
To: ONESUBSEA IP UK LIMITED
Reel/Frame 039505/0298 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE INCORRECT PATENT NO. 8385005 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 035134 FRAME: 0239. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Jul 29, 2016
From: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
To: ONESUBSEA, LLC
Reel/Frame 039515/0224 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 6, 2015
From: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
To: ONESUBSEA, LLC
Reel/Frame 035134/0239 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 6, 2015
From: ONESUBSEA, LLC
To: ONESUBSEA IP UK LIMITED
Reel/Frame 035135/0474 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 23, 2005
From: HOPPER, HANS PAUL
To: COOPER CAMERON CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 015702/0189 →