Geometric universal pump platform
The present invention is directed to a Geometric Universal Pumping Platform (GUPP) that comprises a platform containing an electric motor that drives a hydraulic pump for producing high pressure hydraulic fluid and one or more pumps powered by the hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump. The pump is selected for the desired commissioning method to be carried out, such as flooding, chemical treating, pigging, hydrostatic testing or dewatering the pipeline. The GUPP is suspended from a vessel by an umbilical that provides the electric current for the electric motor supported by the GUPP.
1. A commissioning system for deep water pipelines comprising:
a non-buoyant geometric platform suspended from a first umbilical configured to support the entire weight of the platform, wherein the platform comprises:
a frame;
an electric motor mounted on the frame and configured to drive a hydraulic pump for pressurizing hydraulic fluid; and
a pump disposed on the platform, wherein the pump is
configured to be powered by a hydraulic motor powered by said hydraulic fluid;
a remotely operated vehicle independent of the platform and attached to a second umbilical, wherein the remotely operated vehicle is configured to operate a valve of the pump:
wherein said pump is configured to perform a commissioning method selected from filling, chemical treating, pigging, hydrostatic testing and dewatering on a subsea pipeline:
wherein the platform comprises a plurality of layers coupled together one above the other.
2. A commissioning system according to claim 1 wherein said metal is aluminum.
3. A commissioning system according to claim 1 wherein said pump is a high pressure triplex reciprocating pump.
4. A commissioning system according to claim 1 wherein each level is octagonal.
5. A commissioning system according to claim 4 wherein each level is stacked and adjacent levels are bolted together.
6. A commissioning system according to claim 1 further comprising:
a manifold disposed on the sea floor and coupled to the subsea pipeline;
a conduit connecting the pump to the manifold.
7. A commissioning system according to claim 6 wherein the remotely operated vehicle is configured to stab an end of the conduit into the manifold.
8. A commissioning system according to claim 1 wherein the first umbilical is configured to transmit data between the platform and a vessel.
9. A commissioning system according to claim 6 wherein the conduit comprises a break-away device configured to disconnect the conduit from the manifold.