Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing device for a swivel, an improved attachment device and a method for improving a seal in a swivel, where a sealing medium is composed according to the viscosity and chemical composition of the application concerned and has a viscosity substantially over 500 cst and where the sealing medium is pressurised by a pressure transmission unit.

Abstract: Means for transferring electric power and/or signals comprises an electrical power slip-ring system (EPSR) (3) comprising a housing (4) containing an electrical slip-rings, the housing (4) being connected to a support structure (6) of a vessel (7) and a brush carrier unit (8) that is in slidable contact with the electrical conductor means, the brush carrier (8) being fixed to a turret (2). A swivel unit (10) extends thorough the centre of the housing (4). The turret (2) and support structure (6) may be disposed on the vessel in various configurations such as an internal turret configuration, a submerged turret configuration or an external turret configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring hydrocarbons from a subsea source to a vessel, wherein the risers are suspended from a rotating body and communicate with a swivel unit including a number of swivel rings having outlets connected to a pipe system on the vessel. The apparatus includes a block arranged between the risers and the swivel unit and provided with interior ducts for connection of the risers with respective swivel rings, and a device for selective closing of the ducts are arranged between the risers and the swivel unit. The device is integrated in the block. In an advantageous embodiment, the block is also provided with a device for selective interconnection of two or more of the ducts in the block.

Abstract: A method and system for sea-based handling/treatment of fluid hydrocarbons (oil) with associated gas include a first separation step in a high-pressure separator (18) installed on the sea bed, from which is output an oil flow containing an essentially predefined percentage of residual gas. The oil containing residual gas is carried through a riser (22) up to a surface vessel/production ship (12), where it is subjected to a second separation step in a second separator (24) incorporated in a low-pressure surface plant on board the vessel (12), this separated residual gas being used as fuel for direct/indirect generation of electric power for the operation of the underwater and above-water sections of the system. Water and gas produced in the first separation step is returned to a suitable reservoir by the use of a multiphase pump.

Abstract: A method and a regulating valve for maintaining a fluid pressure within a defined volume (3), and simultaneous registering of discharge of fluid from the volume as a result of leakage or consumption. The fluid is supplied from a pressure regulating valve (20) provided with a means (5-7, 22-26) which opens for the supply of fluid to the volume (3) when the pressure therein has sunk below a first value (P1), and which shuts off the fluid supply when the pressure in the volume (3) has achieved a preset second value (P2) which is substantially higher than the first value (P1). Thus, after each opening of the regulating valve (20) there occurs a distinct pressure increase at the valve outlet. This pressure increase is registered as a pressure pulse, and the frequency of delivered pressure pulses is monitored and utilised as a measure of occurring leakage and/or consumption of the supplied fluid.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for measuring the relative proportions of oil and water in a flowing multiphase fluid includes allowing the gas, oil and water phases of the multiphase fluid at least partially to separate, diverting at least some of the separated gas phase from the flowing fluid, into a bypass conduit, through a separating module, such as the tank of a homogenizing unit, where the gas phase tends to separate and collect above a pool of fluid, and measuring the relative proportions of oil and water in the undiverted fluid. A valve is located in the bypass conduit which has an inlet leading from the upper section of the tank (where gas collects) and an outlet joining the outlet pipe leading from the homogenizing unit downstream of metering apparatus.

Abstract: A swivel apparatus for the transfer of at least one pressurized process fluid, comprising a central stem (2) on which there are placed a number of ring elements (3-6) comprising at least one outlet ring (3) having a number of outlets (10) communicating through an annulus (14) with an associated course (12 resp. 13) in the stem (2), and a number of supporting rings (5, 6) which are stationarily arranged on the stem (2). Between the stem (2) and the outlet ring (3) there is arranged a distance ring (4) which is stationary relative to the stem, and on each side of the outlet ring there is arranged a supporting ring (5 resp. 6) which is stationary relative to the stem and which is axially supported both by the distance ring (4) and an axial bearing (17) arranged at a radial distance therefrom between the supporting ring (5 resp. 6) and the outlet ring (3). A dynamic sealing means (21) between the outlet ring (3) and each supporting ring (5 resp.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating water from an oil mixture extracted from a well that is adapted to be positioned downhole and that includes a hydrocyclone (6), an electrostatic coalescence unit (8), a centrifugal device (10), and a re-injection pump.

Abstract: A device for measuring fluid flow rates has a body defining a conduit for the fluid, the body having selectable first and second configurations, in the first configuration the body presents a first constriction in the conduit for measuring a first range of fluid flow rates, and in a second configuration the body presents a second construction in the conduit for measuring a second range of fluid flow rates, the second constriction being narrower than the first constriction, the body being arranged for operative connection to parts for determining the pressure difference between each constriction.

Abstract: A method of calculating the salt content of water in a multiphase flow which comprises irradiating a body of the multiphase flow with radiation of three distinct energy levels; measuring the intensity of the transmitted radiation at each of the energy levels, and using the measurements of transmitted radiation as obtained from calibration and radiation mass attenuation coefficients for hydrocarbons for each of the energy levels, to calculate a unique function for representing the salt content of the water. The three energy levels can as an example be provided by the radioactive isotope Barium 133 and the radiation mass attenuation coefficients for hydrocarbons can be calculated theoretically or derived from static calibration measurements. The invention is particularly suited for the measurement of water salinity in a stream comprising a mixture of oil, water, and gas, i.e., a multiphase flow, without separating the phases.

Abstract: A dynamic sealing arrangement for connectors carrying high pressure fluids such as are used in the oil and gas industry for transferring production fluids from drilling installations to transport vessels. The sealing arrangement comprises a primary and a secondary U-shaped hydraulically operated sealing ring with open sides facing away from the junction of the connectors in the direction of the fluid leakage path. Barrier fluid under a pressure higher than that of the production fluid is supplied to the chamber between the sealing rings and independently to the open side of the secondary seal. The primary seal thus experiences a pressure differential and is activated. The secondary seal experiences a pressure differential and is activated only if the primary seal fails. Thus the secondary seal does not wear under normal usage of the connectors and is brought into operation automatically, efficiently and without delay when the primary seal is damaged. Substantial cost savings are achieved.

Abstract: A monitoring system for a fluid flow connector such as for oil or gas production flow is able to maintain the integrity of the seal at a junction between fluid conduits and generate a warning signal or activate a secondary seal in the event of main seal failure.The monitoring system of the invention is used with a hydraulic seal to which barrier fluid is supplied under pressure. The pressure of the barrier fluid is sensed at the seal and compared to the applied pressure. A drop in pressure indicates a leaking seal and a warning signal may be generated and/or a secondary seal brought into operation.The system is particularly useful when a plurality of junctions of conduits are present in a connector. Independent supplies of barrier fluid to the seals at each junction are provided so that identification of a leaking seal is accurate and timely.

Abstract: A connector arranged for high pressure fluid carrying conduits comprises a central core having at least one fluid passage such as an integral bore, formed therein and an outer member surrounding the central core and being moveable relative thereto. The outer member comprising at least one segment having a fluid flow conduit and sealing means for the connector junction comprising an intermediate member, at least one static seal for non-moveable surfaces and at least one dynamic seal for relatively moveable surface.A plurality of segments may be stacked on top of each other and held together by the application of a compression force on shoulders of the segments.A relative rotational capability is preserved for the parts of the connector yet a more reliable and versatile connector is achieved in which the modular construction allows a variety of sizes to be offered more easily and cheaply and engineering tolerances can be more easily be met than with a single piece construction.

Abstract: A piston reciprocally movable within a cylinder is sealed to the cylinder wall by fluid at a pressure greater than those of the fluids on the opposed sides of the piston supplied to the space (18) between two seals (19, 20) operative between the piston and cylinder wall, an accumulator or auxiliary intensifier chamber (67) being provided from which overpressure fluid is supplied to the space between the two seals to regulate the pressure between them. The two seals between the piston and the cylinder wall can be constituted respectively by first (19A-19C) and second (20A-20C) groups or pluralities of separate seal rings selected as regards material and dimensions so as to perform specific functions.

Abstract: An evaporative cooling system externally mounted around an air cooled condenser to increase the rate of heat transfer. Spray cooling takes place in stages around succeeding portions of the condenser as determined by thermostats which respond to increasing condenser air discharge temperature.

Abstract: Two joint components in a pipe conduit are secured together in seal-tight fashion by means of rotatably mounted dogs in one of the joint components which are rotated via individual slides into an active locking position. The slides are, in turn, activated from a common pressure source. In addition, a wedge is positioned in the joint component under a housing in which a dog is rotatably mounted so as to be slid radially inward by a slide after the dog has been rotated into a locking position. In one embodiment, a double acting piston and cylinder arrangement is used for actuating the respective slides.