Abstract: Subsea apparatus (10) for processing a well stream (2) and a method of processing a well stream subsea is described. In an embodiment, liquid (5) and gas (3) contained in the well stream (2) is separated. The separated gas (3) is cooled and the cooled gas (32) is combined with the separated liquid (5) to form a wet gas (52) for a compressor (90). An active cooling arrangement (30) may be used in one example to enhance the cooling effect provided by the cooler (30). Advantageously, the apparatus (10) can be arranged compactly, and may be provided on a subsea retrievable module.

Abstract: A system for remote control of operation control elements that are arranged in a well to control recovery of gas and/or oil from the well. A first system part is located outside the well and connected to a second system part that is located in the well and operatively connected to the operation control elements. All semiconductor components are housed in the first system part. The second system part houses electromechanical components that actuate the operation control elements upon command from the first system part. A method for remote control of down-hole operation control elements in an oil and/or a gas well completion. A first system part located outside the well is equipped with all semiconductor components that are included in the system. A second down-hole system part is equipped with electromechanical components that are actuated from the first system part for actuation of the operation control elements.

Abstract: Subsea apparatus (10) for processing a well stream (2) and a method of processing a well stream subsea is described. In an embodiment, liquid (5) and gas (3) contained in the well stream (2) is separated. The separated gas (3) is cooled and the cooled gas (32) is combined with the separated liquid (5) to form a wet gas (52) for a compressor (90). An active cooling arrangement (30) may be used in one example to enhance the cooling effect provided by the cooler (30). Advantageously, the apparatus (10) can be arranged compactly, and may be provided on a subsea retrievable module.

Abstract: A sub sea valve actuator system including a piston and cylinder assembly and a return spring arranged in an actuator housing, a hydraulic pump and electric motor assembly associated with the piston and cylinder assembly, and hydraulic flow lines for hydraulic medium driving the piston and cylinder in relative displacement against a force of the return spring. The valve actuator system includes a detector configured to detect an end-of-stroke position of the piston and cylinder assembly. The detector includes at least one of: a motor current monitoring circuit unit, a hydraulic medium pressure sensor unit, a position sensor unit, and a linear variable differential transformer unit. An electromechanical arresting mechanism is arranged to be energized for releasably arresting the return spring in a compressed state in result of the detected end-of-stroke position.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a bearing system for a high speed rotary machine, said bearing system comprising a rotor shaft (51) including a plurality of active magnet or hydrostatic radial bearings (10,11,12,13,14,15) and at least one active magnet or hydrostatic axial bearing (16) for supporting said rotor shaft (51), said axial bearing (16) being arranged at one end of said rotor shaft (51), said bearing system also comprising a permanent magnet (PM) axial bearing arranged at a same end as the at least one active magnet or hydrostatic axial bearing (16), said permanent magnet axial bearing comprising at least one permanent magnet (52) arranged on the rotary shaft (51) and at least one permanent magnet (50) connected to a control system for varying a distance or gap (67) between said permanent magnets (50, 52), thus providing a variable force in said permanent magnet axial bearing in order to counteract at least semi-static axial forces imposed on said rotor shaft (51).

Abstract: A gate valve actuator including a stem that is movable linearly in an actuator housing connectable to the gate valve. The stem acts on the gate valve to shift the gate valve between open and closed positions, respectively. The stem is driven by a motor in a first direction into a steady state operation position. In the position the stem is biased in a second opposite direction towards a shutdown position by a spring member acting on the stem. A trigger mechanism is arranged for holding the spring member in a compressed state. The trigger mechanism includes an electrically controllable trigger that is arranged for release of the spring member in result of de-energizing the electrically controlled trigger. A method for shifting a gate valve between a steady state operation mode and a shutdown mode utilizing the gate valve actuator.

Abstract: A sub sea actuator including an actuator housing. An activating element is movably arranged between activating and deactivating positions, respectively. A return spring is supported in the actuator housing to move the activating element into the deactivating position. The sub sea actuator includes an SMA element supported in the actuator housing and arranged with a temperature elevator configured to control a temperature of the SMA element. The SMA element acts on the activating element to move the activating element into the activating position against the force of the return spring in result of a rise in the temperature of the SMA element.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for establishing a hydrate free regime in a subsea production flowline before discharging into the subsea production flowline a production flow of hydrate prone hydrocarbon product pursuant to a shutdown or at an initial start of production. The hydrate free regime is achieved by injecting into the flowline a heated water volume in advance of discharging the hydrocarbon product from the subsea production system.

Abstract: A sub sea valve actuator system including a piston and cylinder assembly and a return spring arranged in an actuator housing, a hydraulic pump and electric motor assembly associated with the piston and cylinder assembly, and hydraulic flow lines for hydraulic medium driving the piston and cylinder in relative displacement against a force of the return spring. The valve actuator system includes a detector configured to detect an end-of-stroke position of the piston and cylinder assembly. The detector includes at least one of: a motor current monitoring circuit unit, a hydraulic medium pressure sensor unit, a position sensor unit, and a linear variable differential transformer unit. An electromechanical arresting mechanism is arranged to be energized for releasably arresting the return spring in a compressed state in result of the detected end-of-stroke position.

Abstract: A hybrid process control system including electrical transmission of power to a sub-sea hydraulic power unit, which in turn provides hydraulic power for control of hydraulic actuators. A circulation system using small bore tubing in the umbilical cord in combination with a traditional topside hydraulic power unit provides for active control of hydraulic fluid quality with respect to contamination caused by the sub-sea hydraulic actuators, especially process gas from down hole safety valves. Thus, a more economical power transmission is achieved without reduction of fluid quality, which is essential to system integrity and reliability. Also, a significant enhancement of power transmission without a dramatic increase in the size of hydraulic supply and return lines is achieved. Fluid environmental issues are reduced to a negligible aspect.

Abstract: A gate valve actuator including a stem that is movable linearly in an actuator housing connectable to the gate valve. The stem acts on the gate valve to shift the gate valve between open and closed positions, respectively. The stem is driven by a motor in a first direction into a steady state operation position. In the position the stem is biased in a second opposite direction towards a shutdown position by a spring member acting on the stem. A trigger mechanism is arranged for holding the spring member in a compressed state. The trigger mechanism includes an electrically controllable trigger that is arranged for release of the spring member in result of de-energizing the electrically controlled trigger. A method for shifting a gate valve between a steady state operation mode and a shutdown mode utilizing the gate valve actuator.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a bearing system for a high speed rotary machine, said bearing system comprising a rotor shaft (51) including a plurality of active magnet or hydrostatic radial bearings (10,11,12,13,14,15) and at least one active magnet or hydrostatic axial bearing (16) for supporting said rotor shaft (51), said axial bearing (16) being arranged at one end of said rotor shaft (51), said bearing system also comprising a permanent magnet (PM) axial bearing arranged at a same end as the at least one active magnet or hydrostatic axial bearing (16), said permanent magnet axial bearing comprising at least one permanent magnet (52) arranged on the rotary shaft (51) and at least one permanent magnet (50) connected to a control system for varying a distance or gap (67) between said permanent magnets (50, 52), thus providing a variable force in said permanent magnet axial bearing in order to counteract at least semi-static axial forces imposed on said rotor shaft (51).

Abstract: A sub sea actuator including an actuator housing. An activating element is movably arranged between activating and deactivating positions, respectively. A return spring is supported in the actuator housing to move the activating element into the deactivating position. The sub sea actuator includes an SMA element supported in the actuator housing and arranged with a temperature elevator configured to control a temperature of the SMA element. The SMA element acts on the activating element to move the activating element into the activating position against the force of the return spring in result of a rise in the temperature of the SMA element.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for establishing a hydrate free regime in a subsea production flowline before discharging into the subsea production flowline a production flow of hydrate prone hydrocarbon product pursuant to a shutdown or at an initial start of production. The hydrate free regime is achieved by injecting into the flowline a heated water volume in advance of discharging the hydrocarbon product from the subsea production system.

Abstract: A system for remote control of operation control elements that are arranged in a well to control recovery of gas and/or oil from the well. A first system part is located outside the well and connected to a second system part that is located in the well and operatively connected to the operation control elements. All semiconductor components are housed in the first system part. The second system part houses electromechanical components that actuate the operation control elements upon command from the first system part. A method for remote control of down-hole operation control elements in an oil and/or a gas well completion. A first system part located outside the well is equipped with all semiconductor components that are included in the system. A second down-hole system part is equipped with electromechanical components that are actuated from the first system part for actuation of the operation control elements.

Abstract: A method for generating power at sub sea level. An oxidizing fluid and oxidizer are fed separately for mixing at a sub sea station. The oxidizing fluid and oxidizer are chosen for chemical reaction in situ under the release of energy. The energy so produced is fed to drive means operated by at least one of heat, kinetic energy, pressure and electricity, and operative to drive sub sea processes or/and sub sea production equipment. An apparatus for generating power at sub sea level. The apparatus includes separate supplies of an oxidizing fluid and an oxidizer for mixing at a sub sea station. The oxidizing fluid and oxidizer are chosen for chemical reaction in situ under the release of energy. A feed for feeding the energy so produced to a drive operated by at least one of heat, kinetic energy, pressure and electricity.

Abstract: A hybrid process control system including electrical transmission of power to a sub-sea hydraulic power unit, which in turn provides hydraulic power for control of hydraulic actuators. A circulation system using small bore tubing in the umbilical cord in combination with a traditional topside hydraulic power unit provides for active control of hydraulic fluid quality with respect to contamination caused by the sub-sea hydraulic actuators, especially process gas from down hole safety valves. Thus, a more economical power transmission is achieved without reduction of fluid quality, which is essential to system integrity and reliability. Also, a significant enhancement of power transmission without a dramatic increase in the size of hydraulic supply and return lines is achieved. Fluid environmental issues are reduced to a negligible aspect.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cable for supplying chemicals to, and for the control of, a sub-sea hydrocarbon well comprising an external pressure pipe enclosing a number of smaller pipes, the cable having the special features that the external enclosing pipe forms a channel for the hydration inhibiting agent and in addition forms an element that takes up mechanical tension in the cable, protects the internal pipes against radial forces and forms a nearly corrosion free environment protecting the smaller, internal pipes.