Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the supply of barrier gas to a compressor module includes a pressure housing containing an electric motor which via a shaft is drivably connected to a compressor. The shaft is supported by magnetic bearings and at least one axial seal around the shaft which divides the pressure housing into first and second compartments including the motor and compressor, respectively. The second compartment has fluid inlet and outlet. A line is fluid-connected to the first compartment for barrier gas from a reservoir, with a flow restriction element between the reservoir and first compartment. The apparatus facilitates a method for controlling the supply of barrier gas based on gas velocity through the seal and pressure in the second compartment. An overpressure can be set in the reservoir. A controlled supply of barrier gas to at least the first compartment is effected via flow restriction in the feed pipe.

Abstract: In a subsea station for transporting a well stream, comprising a compressor (12, 13) with a motor (8) in a common drive atmosphere within a pressure shell (21), and provided with a lube oil circuit comprising a lube oil sump (25) open to the drive atmosphere in the pressure shell, a lube oil pump (27), bearings (19, 20, 14, 15, 16) in the motor (8) and compressor (11, 12, 13), and a lube oil flow line (29) to the bearings, said lube oil circuit is connected with a lube oil supply on the shore/platform. The lube oil circuit may be integrated in a lube oil flow line (28, 33) from the onshore/platform-based lube oil supply and back to the onshore/platform-based lube oil supply, or the lube oil circuit may be connected with a lube oil line (28) from the onshore/platform-based lube oil supply, and in the lube oil sump may be connected with the gas chamber through an overflow pipe (30) from the lube oil sump (25) and to the gas chamber ( 4).

Abstract: In the operation of a compressor system in a subsea station for transporting a well stream, separated well stream gas is supplied to a compressor (12, 13) which is arranged with its motor (8) in a common drive atmosphere within a pressure shell (21). As the drive atmosphere there is used a suitable, continually supplied dry extraneous gas, which is supplied to the well stream. There may be used a suitable dry extraneous gas which is stored in liquid form in an insulated container. There is also described a compressor system wherein there may be used as the drive atmosphere a continuously supplied, suitable dry extraneous gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to an underwater station for pumping a well flow, comprising a separator for separating the well flow into liquid (oil/water) and gas, a pump assembly comprising a pump with a motor, and a compressor assembly comprising a compressor with a motor, as well as fluid carrying conduits between the separator and pump, and compressor, respectively. Separator, pump assembly, and compressor assembly are assembled into a compact unit with said three components arranged in a column structure, with pump assembly placed downmost, then separator, and with compressor assembly provided uppermost. The fluid carrying conduits are designed for connection (interface) in the bottom of said column structure.