Abstract: It is described a method for detecting and identifying obstructions in a pipeline network for transporting fluids, wherein the network is composed of a plurality of pipeline sections (P) and a plurality of junctions (N). The method comprising the following phases: acquiring the geometrical data of a predefined number of pipeline sections (P) for which the presence of obstructions has to be evaluated; measuring the actual flow-rate values (Q1) of the fluid in one or more pipeline sections (P) and of the actual pressure values (h1) of the fluid at one or more junctions (N) of the network; comparison between the values of the nominal diameters (D1) of said pipeline sections (P) and the corresponding equivalent diameters (Dieq) of said pipeline sections (P); calculating, by means of a specific numerical model, the theoretic flow-rate values (QiT) and pressure values (hiT) of the fluid for said equivalent diameters (Dieq).

Abstract: Simulation method (100) for simulating the thermo-fluid dynamic behavior of multiphase fluids in a hydrocarbons production and transport system, said method comprising the following steps: outlining (110) the hydrocarbons production and transport system as a plurality of interconnected component blocks, thus creating a schematic representation; modeling (120) each component block with a simplified analytical mathematical model selected from the group of models comprising at least one conduit model, a valve model, a reservoir model and a separator model, each simplified analytical mathematical model comprising a plurality of constitutive equations adapted to describe the thermo-fluid dynamic behavior of the corresponding component block; generating (130) an oriented graph on the basis of the schematic representation; determining (140) a plurality of topological equations on the basis of the oriented graph; determining (150) a plurality of output variables adapted to describe the thermo-fluid dynamic behavior o

Abstract: Method for hindering the non-authorized withdrawal of a liquid from at least one offtake conduit connected to a main conduit for the transport of the aforementioned liquid, in particular a mixture of hydrocarbons and water, the main conduit having an inlet port and at least one outlet port between which the liquid flows, the method comprising the step of: introducing a plurality of solid objects into the main conduit through the at least one inlet port, the plurality of introduced solid objects having weight, dimensions and density such as to be transportable towards the at least one outlet port by the main flow of the liquid and such as to be able to be possibly captured by the offtake flow of the liquid directed towards the offtake conduit, and such as to be able to possibly at least partially obstruct such an offtake conduit.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus (100) for monitoring the structural integrity of a pipeline (101) comprising a central electromagnetic device (102) suitable for generating a magnetic field (106); a pair of magnetic conveyors (103?, 103?) connected to the central electromagnetic device (102) suitable for conveying the magnetic field (106) to the wall of the pipeline (101); a system of sensors (104) for revealing the magnetic field (106) conveyed on the pipeline (101); electric means (105) for feeding the inspection apparatus (100) and acquiring and storing data relating to the magnetic field (106) revealed; wherein said central electromagnetic device (102) is divided into various ferromagnetic elements (107) held together by a casing (109) made of polymeric material suitable for degrading after prolonged contact with a mixture of hydrocarbons. Method wherein an inspection apparatus according to the present invention is used for monitoring the structural integrity of a pipeline (101).

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the conditions of a pipeline and for the analysis of the fluid contained therein comprising: a central body having a substantially cylindrical form perforated for the whole length and comprising at least a salinity sensor and at least a pH measurement sensor; a first crown of petals connected to the central body, wherein each petal extends from the central body until it touches the internal wall of the pipeline and wherein each petal comprises at least one deformation sensor and at least one roughness sensor; a sliding device integrally connected to the central body in a more advanced position with respect to the first crown of petals, wherein the sliding device can be a second crown of petals identical to the first crown of petals or a foam pig suitably perforated. A method is for determining the conditions of a pipeline and for the analysis of the fluid contained therein, which uses the apparatus.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus (100) for monitoring the structural integrity of a pipeline (101) comprising a superconducting electromagnet (102) suitable for generating a magnetic field (106); a cryostat (103) suitable for containing and preserving said superconducting electromagnet (102) at a low temperature; at least two magnetic conveyors (104?, 104?) connected at opposite ends of the cryostat (103) suitable for conveying the magnetic field (106) generated by the superconducting electromagnet (102) to the wall of the pipeline (101) and facilitating the closing of a magnetic circuit; at least one sensor system (105) for revealing the intensity of the magnetic field (106). A method for monitoring the structural integrity of a pipeline (101) using an inspection apparatus (100) according to the present invention.

Abstract: Method for hindering the non-authorised withdrawal of a liquid from at least one offtake conduit connected to a main conduit for the transport of the aforementioned liquid, in particular a mixture of hydrocarbons and water, the main conduit having an inlet port and at least one outlet port between which the liquid flows, the method comprising the step of: introducing a plurality of solid objects into the main conduit through the at least one inlet port, the plurality of introduced solid objects having weight, dimensions and density such as to be transportable towards the at least one outlet port by the main flow of the liquid and such as to be able to be possibly captured by the offtake flow of the liquid directed towards the offtake conduit, and such as to be able to possibly at least partially obstruct such an offtake conduit.

Abstract: Method for stopping or at least reducing the uncontrolled release of hydrocarbons, blowout, from a well for the extraction of hydrocarbons, which comprises introducing high-density solids at the bottom of the well, through a suitable line, having a polyhedral, spheroidal, ellipsoidal or paraboloidal form, regular or irregular, possibly coated with swelling polymeric material in contact with the fluids leaving the well, the smallest dimension of said solids being greater than 1 mm and the largest dimension less than 100 mm, so that said solids introduced accumulate by random packing at the bottom of the well, forming a column which totally, or at least partially, blocks the uncontrolled release of said hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Monitoring and analysis method of the conditions of a pipeline, comprising: providing an inspection device (1) in expanded polymeric or elastomeric material comprising at least one measurement instrument (2, 3), said measurement instrument including at least one casing and at least one sensor; introducing said inspection device into the pipeline (5); recovering said inspection device; wherein said casing is made of polymeric or elastomeric material, having a density, measured according to the regulation ASTM D3574, higher than or equal to 30 kg/m3, preferably ranging from 700 to 2,000 kg/m3. Said method allows the continuous registration and storage of useful parameters for revealing defects and/or anomalies inside the pipeline (5) that transports gas and/or liquids, as well as possible variations in the internal diameter of the same.

Abstract: It is described a method for detecting and identifying obstructions in a pipeline network for transporting fluids, wherein the network is composed of a plurality of pipeline sections (P) and a plurality of junctions (N). The method comprising the following phases: acquiring the geometrical data of a predefined number of pipeline sections (P) for which the presence of obstructions has to be evaluated; measuring the actual flow-rate values (Q1) of the fluid in one or more pipeline sections (P) and of the actual pressure values (h1) of the fluid at one or more junctions (N) of the network; comparison between the values of the nominal diameters (D1) of said pipeline sections (P) and the corresponding equivalent diameters (Dieq) of said pipeline sections (P); calculating, by means of a specific numerical model, the theoretic flow-rate values (QiT) and pressure values (hiT) of the fluid for said equivalent diameters (Dieq).

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for determining the conditions of a pipeline (201) and for the analysis of the fluid contained therein comprising: a central body (101) having a substantially cylindrical form perforated for the whole length and comprising at least a salinity sensor and at least a pH measurement sensor; a first crown of petals (102) connected to the central body, wherein each petal extends from the central body (101) until it touches the internal wall of the pipeline (201) and wherein each petal comprises at least one deformation sensor and at least one roughness sensor; a sliding device integrally connected to the central body (101) in a more advanced position with respect to the first crown of petals (102), wherein said sliding device can be a second crown of petals (103) identical to the first crown of petals or a foam pig (104) suitably perforated.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus (100) for monitoring the structural integrity of a pipeline (101) comprising a central electromagnetic device (102) suitable for generating a magnetic field (106); a pair of magnetic conveyors (103?, 103?) connected to the central electromagnetic device (102) suitable for conveying the magnetic field (106) to the wall of the pipeline (101); a system of sensors (104) for revealing the magnetic field (106) conveyed on the pipeline (101); electric means (105) for feeding the inspection apparatus (100) and acquiring and storing data relating to the magnetic field (106) revealed; wherein said central electromagnetic device (102) is divided into various ferromagnetic elements (107) held together by a casing (109) made of polymeric material suitable for degrading after prolonged contact with a mixture of hydrocarbons. Method wherein an inspection apparatus according to the present invention is used for monitoring the structural integrity of a pipeline (101).

Abstract: An inspection apparatus (100) for monitoring the structural integrity of a pipeline (101) comprising a superconducting electromagnet (102) suitable for generating a magnetic field (106); a cryostat (103) suitable for containing and preserving said superconducting electromagnet (102) at a low temperature; at least two magnetic conveyors (104?, 104?) connected at opposite ends of the cryostat (103) suitable for conveying the magnetic field (106) generated by the superconducting electromagnet (102) to the wall of the pipeline (101) and facilitating the closing of a magnetic circuit; at least one sensor system (105) for revealing the intensity of the magnetic field (106). A method for monitoring the structural integrity of a pipeline (101) using an inspection apparatus (100) according to the present invention.

Abstract: Method for stopping or at least reducing the uncontrolled release of hydrocarbons, blowout, from a well for the extraction of hydrocarbons, which comprises introducing high-density solids at the bottom of the well, through a suitable line, having a polyhedral, spheroidal, ellipsoidal or paraboloidal form, regular or irregular, possibly coated with swelling polymeric material in contact with the fluids leaving the well, the smallest dimension of said solids being greater than 1 mm and the largest dimension less than 100 mm, so that said solids introduced accumulate by random packing at the bottom of the well, forming a column which totally, or at least partially, blocks the uncontrolled release of said hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Monitoring and analysis method of the conditions of a pipeline, comprising: providing an inspection device (1) in expanded polymeric or elastomeric material comprising at least one measurement instrument (2, 3), said measurement instrument including at least one casing and at least one sensor; introducing said inspection device into the pipeline (5); recovering said inspection device; wherein said casing is made of polymeric or elastomeric material, having a density, measured according to the regulation ASTM D3574, higher than or equal to 30 kg/m3, preferably ranging from 700 to 2,000 kg/m3. Said method allows the continuous registration and storage of useful parameters for revealing defects and/or anomalies inside the pipeline (5) that transports gas and/or liquids, as well as possible variations in the internal diameter of the same.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a wellhead valve system for adjusting the flow, for example, of hydrocarbon, comprising a hydraulic control valve (10) for opening the wellhead made up of a valve body (11) provided with a pipe (14,15) for the passage of a flow (F) of fluids, having an inlet opening (12) and an outlet opening (13), interposed between the inlet opening (12) and the outlet opening (13) being an adjustable orifice (16); an actuator (24) adapted to command the valve (10) to close and open, in which the actuator (24) operates on opening and closing means (20) of the adjustable orifice (16); and a position gauge (17) adapted to determine the degree of opening of the adjustable orifice (16), and is characterized in that the position gauge (17) is integral with the opening and closing means (20) of the adjustable orifice (16).