Abstract: The invention provides a cooler apparatus and a method use. The cooler apparatus has at least one heat exchange conduit passing through a cooling medium. The method comprises flowing a fluid to be cooled through the at least one heat exchange conduit from a first cooler inlet to a first cooler outlet, to cool the fluid from an inflow temperature to an exit temperature by heat exchange with the cooling medium. In an aspect of the invention, the flow of the fluid through the at least one heat exchange conduit and the flow of the cooling medium are controlled to cause a local increase in a temperature in a selected portion of the at least one heat exchange conduit. This causes deposits of solids to be released from an inner surface of the selected portion of the at least one heat exchange conduit into the flowing fluid.

Abstract: The invention provides a cooler system for a hydrocarbon flow system and a method of use. The cooler system comprises a heat exchange conduit comprising a primary inlet for receiving a fluid to be cooled and a primary outlet. A return conduit is fluidly connected to the heat exchange conduit at a return location downstream of the primary inlet, and is configured to direct at least a proportion of fluid in the heat exchange conduit from the return location to a secondary cooler inlet system. The secondary cooler inlet system enables inflow of recycled fluid from the return conduit to the heat exchange conduit at a plurality of inflow positions along the hydrocarbon flow system, upstream of the return location. The method comprises flowing fluid into the hydrocarbon flow system at one or more of the plurality of inflow positions.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of cooling a flowing fluid in a hydrocarbon flow system using a heat exchange cooler apparatus having at least one cooler conduit; and a sensor system. The method comprises flowing the fluid through the cooler conduit from a cooler inlet to a cooler outlet to cool the fluid and operating a cleaning system to deliver energy (e.g. heat) to the cooler conduit to cause solid materials deposited on the interior of the cooler to be released into the flowing fluid. A cooler sensor data set obtained from the sensor system is compared with a reference data set to verify the performance of the cleaning system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pipe assembly comprising: a pipe with an electrically conductive wall with a thermally conductive outer coating; a first electrical connector that is arranged in electrical contact with the wall of the pipe; and a second electrical connector that is arranged in electrical contact with the wall of the pipe; wherein the first and second electrical connectors are arranged to support the flow of an electrical current through the wall of the pipe to thereby heat the wall of the pipe; and in use, the pipe is arranged to allow cooling of the outer surface of the wall of the pipe by the surrounding environment of the pipe when the outer surface of the wall of the pipe is hotter than its surrounding environment. Advantageously, embodiments provide an effective, efficient and less expensive technique for heating the pipe in order to remove deposits for the inner walls of the pipes. Applications include the subsea application of cooling oil well products for cold flow.

Abstract: An underwater manipulator arm robot comprises: a plurality of links that are connected to one another by joint modules for generating a flexural motion of the robot; multiple thrust devices located at different points along the length of the robot for applying thrust to the robot for propulsion and/or guidance; and at least one tool, or at least one connection point for a tool, attached to the robot; wherein the flexural motion and/or thrust devices enable movement of the robot and control of the orientation and/or location of the tool.

Abstract: A fluid flow processing plant for pig-free removal of wax and hydrate deposits in hydrocarbon production flowlines may include at least one cooling flowline. Further, the fluid flow processing plant my include cooling means arranged to cool the fluid in the at least one cooling flowline over a cooling section until the fluid reaches a temperature at or near the cooling flowline's surrounding temperature (Tsea) and at least one vehicle arranged on or near the outer circumference of the cooling flowline. Furthermore, each vehicle may include at least one sleeve configured to at least partly surround an outer circumference of the cooling flowline, deposit removing means being configured to remove deposits situated on an inner wall of the cooling flowline, and a propulsion unit configured to drive the vehicle bi-directionally on the cooling flowline.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pipe assembly comprising: a pipe with an electrically conductive wall with a thermally conductive outer coating; a first electrical connector that is arranged in electrical contact with the wall of the pipe; and a second electrical connector that is arranged in electrical contact with the wall of the pipe; wherein the first and second electrical connectors are arranged to support the flow of an electrical current through the wall of the pipe to thereby heat the wall of the pipe; and in use, the pipe is arranged to allow cooling of the outer surface of the wall of the pipe by the surrounding environment of the pipe when the outer surface of the wall of the pipe is hotter than its surrounding environment. Advantageously, embodiments provide an effective, efficient and less expensive technique for heating the pipe in order to remove deposits for the inner walls of the pipes. Applications include the subsea application of cooling oil well products for cold flow.

Abstract: Fluid sampling assembly (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) adapted to be installed with fluid communication with a flow of a fluid to be sampled. The assembly comprises a rotating body (23) supported in a chamber (27) of a chamber housing (29). The chamber has a fluid inlet (31). The rotating body (23) comprises a sample compartment (33) with a sample compartment inlet (35). The rotating body (23) is connected to a rotation actuator (17). The sample compartment (33) is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet (31) when the rotating body (23) is in a rotational position where the sample compartment inlet (35) is aligned with the fluid inlet (31). The sample compartment (33) is enclosed by an inner wall (25) of the chamber (27) and inner walls of the sample compartment (33) when the sample compartment inlet (35) is in a position out of alignment with the fluid inlet (31).

Abstract: Embodiments, including apparatuses, systems and methods, for attaching autonomous seismic nodes to a deployment cable. In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a seismic node having a direct attachment mechanism configured to directly attach the seismic node to a deployment line, the direct attachment mechanism being configurable between an open and/or unlocked position and a closed and/or locked position to release and retain the deployment line.

Abstract: An underwater manipulator arm robot comprises: a plurality of links that are connected to one another by joint modules for generating a flexural motion of the robot; multiple thrust devices located at different points along the length of the robot for applying thrust to the robot for propulsion and/or guidance; and at least one tool, or at least one connection point for a tool, attached to the robot; wherein the flexural motion and/or thrust devices enable movement of the robot and control of the orientation and/or location of the tool.

Abstract: A bi-directional pig apparatus for removing wax and hydrate deposits in subsea hydrocarbon production flowlines including a pig arranged for movement inside a pipe, the pig having a tubular body and one or more magnets arranged in a circumferential wall of said body, each of the one or more magnets includes an elongated bar having a succession of teeth and slots, arranged such that the succession of teeth are facing radially outwards. The apparatus having a through-going opening between opposite ends of said tubular body to allow fluids (F) in the pipe to flow through and propulsion means arranged and configured for imparting a motive force to the pig, whereby the pig is movable inside the pipe.

Abstract: Embodiments, including apparatuses, systems and methods, for attaching autonomous seismic nodes to a deployment cable. In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a seismic node having a direct attachment mechanism configured to directly attach the seismic node to a deployment line, the direct attachment mechanism being configurable between an open and/or unlocked position and a closed and/or locked position to release and retain the deployment line.

Abstract: Embodiments, including apparatuses, systems and methods, for attaching autonomous seismic nodes to a deployment cable. In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a seismic node having a direct attachment mechanism configured to directly attach the seismic node to a deployment line, the direct attachment mechanism being configurable between an open and/or unlocked position and a closed and/or locked position to release and retain the deployment line.

Abstract: A fluid flow processing plant for pig-free removal of wax and hydrate deposits in hydrocarbon production flowlines may include at least one cooling flowline. Further, the fluid flow processing plant my include cooling means arranged to cool the fluid in the at least one cooling flowline over a cooling section until the fluid reaches a temperature at or near the cooling flowline's surrounding temperature (Tsea) and at least one vehicle arranged on or near the outer circumference of the cooling flowline. Furthermore, each vehicle may include at least one sleeve configured to at least partly surround an outer circumference of the cooling flowline, deposit removing means being configured to remove deposits situated on an inner wall of the cooling flowline, and a propulsion unit configured to drive the vehicle bi-directionally on the cooling flowline.

Abstract: Fluid sampling assembly (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) adapted to be installed with fluid communication with a flow of a fluid to be sampled. The assembly comprises a rotating body (23) supported in a chamber (27) of a chamber housing (29). The chamber has a fluid inlet (31). The rotating body (23) comprises a sample compartment (33) with a sample compartment inlet (35). The rotating body (23) is connected to a rotation actuator (17). The sample compartment (33) is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet (31) when the rotating body (23) is in a rotational position where the sample compartment inlet (35) is aligned with the fluid inlet (31). The sample compartment (33) is enclosed by an inner wall (25) of the chamber (27) and inner walls of the sample compartment (33) when the sample compartment inlet (35) is in a position out of alignment with the fluid inlet (31).

Abstract: Embodiments, including apparatuses, systems and methods, for attaching autonomous seismic nodes to a deployment cable. In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a seismic node having a direct attachment mechanism configured to directly attach the seismic node to a deployment line, the direct attachment mechanism being configurable between an open and/or unlocked position and a closed and/or locked position to release and retain the deployment line.

Abstract: A bi-directional pig apparatus for removing wax and hydrate deposits in subsea hydrocarbon production flowlines including a pig arranged for movement inside a pipe, the pig having a tubular body and one or more magnets arranged in a circumferential wall of said body, each of the one or more magnets includes an elongated bar having a succession of teeth and slots, arranged such that the succession of teeth are facing radially outwards. The apparatus having a through-going opening between opposite ends of said tubular body to allow fluids (F) in the pipe to flow through and propulsion means arranged and configured for imparting a motive force to the pig, whereby the pig is movable inside the pipe.