Abstract: The invention provides methods for treating a source oil phase consisting of heavy oil, bitumen, a mixture of heavy oil and bitumen, a mixture of solvent and heavy oil or bitumen or both. The method comprises: introducing the source oil phase to a heated lower section of a device to provide an interior source oil phase; heating the interior source oil phase so as to thermally separate a light oil phase component therefrom and provide a vaporized light oil; and condensing the vaporized light oil phase on one or more internal cooling fins housed within the upper section of the device, to provide a condensed light oil phase liquid, wherein the internal cooling fins are angled so as to direct the condensed light oil phase liquid downwardly to a light end collection system.

Abstract: A heavy oil or bitumen or mixtures of heavy oil and bitumen or mixtures of a dilutant and heavy oil or bitumen is treated to separate components of the feed oil and induce reactions that crack the heavy oil or bitumen into light components. A heated inclined dual tube unit arrangement where feed oil enters the arrangement through the inner tube and which opens partway up the outer tube. Vaporized oil continues to flow up within the outer tube whereas the liquid oil product flows down the annular space between the inner and outer tubes. The vaporized oil is condensed beyond the dual tube arrangement to yield liquid oil products. Heat exchange can be done between the products and the inlet feed oil to improve the energy efficiency of the unit.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for treating a source oil phase consisting of heavy oil, bitumen, a mixture of heavy oil and bitumen, a mixture of solvent and heavy oil or bitumen or both. The method comprises: introducing the source oil phase to a lower reservoir section of a device, flowing the source oil phase through an array of vertically extending heated pipes with an inert gas so as to thermally separate a vaporized light oil phase component from a heated liquid source oil phase, and segregating fluid flows by density in an upper fluid separating manifold to provide a light product fluid and a heavy product fluid.

Abstract: The invention provides an access apparatus for accessing a flow system in a subsea oil and gas production installation, a method of installation and a subsea horizontal connection installation. In one aspect, the access apparatus comprises a body, a plurality of connectors configured to connect the apparatus to the flow system and an access interface providing an access point to the flow system. The body defines at least one bore which fluidly connects at least one of the plurality of connectors to the access interface to provide a path between the access interface and the flow system.

Abstract: The invention provides a jumper termination apparatus for a subsea jumper flowline, a flow system incorporating a jumper termination apparatus, and a method of use. The jumper termination apparatus comprises a body, a jumper coupling means configured to couple the body to a jumper flowline, a connector coupling means configured to couple the body to a subsea manifold connector, and an access interface disposed on the body, arranged above the connector coupling means and vertically oriented to enable access from above. The body defines a first flow path from a coupled jumper flowline to a coupled subsea manifold connector, and a second flow path from the access interface to the first flow path or the subsea manifold connector. The access interface is configured to be connected to a termination apparatus of a second jumper flowline in a vertically stacked arrangement.

Abstract: The invention provides a subsea oil and gas production installation, methods of installing the installation and methods of use. The installation comprises a subsea production system comprising a first production pipeline and a second production pipeline, a first subsea manifold in fluid communication with the first production pipeline comprising a fluid access interface and a flowline connector, a removable module fluidly connected to the fluid access interface of the first subsea manifold and configured to receive production fluid from one or more subsea wells and a second subsea manifold in fluid communication with the second production pipeline. The first subsea manifold defines a first flow path between the fluid access interface and the first production pipeline and a second bypass flow path between the fluid access interface and the flowline connector.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for treating a source oil phase consisting of heavy oil, bitumen, a mixture of heavy oil and bitumen, a mixture of solvent and heavy oil or bitumen or both. The method comprises: introducing the source oil phase to a heated lower section of a device to provide an interior source oil phase; heating the interior source oil phase so as to thermally separate a light oil phase component therefrom and provide a vaporized light oil; and condensing the vaporized light oil phase on one or more internal cooling fins housed within the upper section of the device, to provide a condensed light oil phase liquid, wherein the internal cooling fins are angled so as to direct the condensed light oil phase liquid downwardly to a light end collection system.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for treating a source oil phase consisting of heavy oil, bitumen, a mixture of heavy oil and bitumen, a mixture of solvent and heavy oil or bitumen or both. The method comprises: introducing the source oil phase to a lower reservoir section of a device, flowing the source oil phase through an array of vertically extending heated pipes with an inert gas so as to thermally separate a vaporized light oil phase component from a heated liquid source oil phase, and segregating fluid flows by density in an upper fluid separating manifold to provide a light product fluid and a heavy product fluid.

Abstract: The invention provides a subsea manifold for a subsea production system comprising at least one removable module, and methods of installation and use. The at least one removable is configured to perform a function selected from the group comprising: fluid control, fluid sampling, fluid diversion, fluid recovery, fluid injection, fluid circulation, fluid measurement and/or fluid metering.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for accessing a flow system (such as a subsea tree) in a subsea oil and gas production system, and method of use. The apparatus comprises a body defining a conduit therethrough and a first connector for connecting the body to the flow system. A second connector is configured for connecting the body to an intervention apparatus, such as an injection or sampling equipment. In use, the conduit provides an intervention path from the intervention apparatus to the flow system. Aspects of the invention relate to combined injection and sampling units, and have particular application to well scale squeeze operations.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for introducing a fluid into a subsea production flow system, a system and a method of use. The apparatus comprises a first flow path through the apparatus for fluidly coupling a subsea well to a subsea production flow system and an inlet for receiving a fluid. A second flow path fluidly connects the inlet and the subsea production flow system. A valve is operable to control the flow of the fluid through the inlet to the subsea production flow system. In one embodiment, the invention provides an apparatus for preventing or reducing flow of a first treatment chemical into a subsea production flow system, a system, and a method of use. In an alternative embodiment, the invention provides an apparatus for injecting a gas into a subsea production flow system, a system, and a method of use.

Abstract: The invention provides a subsea in-line tee arrangement for a subsea production system comprising at least one removable module. The removable module is configured to be assembled with a jumper flowline and provide flow access between a jumper flowline and the subsea in-line tee. At least one retrievable process apparatus can be connected to the retrievable module. The at least one retrievable process apparatus is configured to perform a function selected from the group comprising: fluid control, fluid sampling, fluid diversion, fluid recovery, fluid injection, fluid circulation, fluid measurement and/or fluid metering.

Abstract: The invention provides a subsea manifold for a subsea production system comprising at least one removable module, and methods of installation and use. The at least one removable is configured to perform a function selected from the group comprising: fluid control, fluid sampling, fluid diversion, fluid recovery, fluid injection, fluid circulation, fluid measurement and/or fluid metering.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and system for accessing a flow system (such as a subsea tree) in a subsea oil and gas production installation, and method of use. The apparatus comprises a body and a plurality of connectors configured to connect the apparatus to the flow system. A flow access interface is provided on the body for connecting the apparatus to a subsea process apparatus, and the body defines a plurality of flow paths. Each flow path fluidly connects one of the plurality of connectors to the flow access interface to provide an intervention path from a connected subsea process apparatus to the flow system in use. Aspects of the invention have particular application to flow metering, fluid sampling, and well scale squeeze operations.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for pelletizing bituminous liquids by inducing endogenous asphaltenes in the liquid to form a resilient external membrane on an aliquot of the bituminous liquid, optionally with simultaneous collection of light components that result from the process of inducing endogenous asphaltene formation.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and system for accessing a flow system (such as a subsea tree) in a subsea oil and gas production installation, and method of use. The apparatus comprises a body and a plurality of connectors configured to connect the apparatus to the flow system. A flow access interface is provided on the body for connecting the apparatus to a subsea process apparatus, and the body defines a plurality of flow paths. Each flow path fluidly connects one of the plurality of connectors to the flow access interface to provide an intervention path from a connected subsea process apparatus to the flow system in use. Aspects of the invention have particular application to flow metering, fluid sampling, and well scale squeeze operations.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for pelletizing bituminous liquids by inducing endogenous asphaltenes in the liquid to form a resilient external membrane on an aliquot of the bituminous liquid, optionally with simultaneous collection of light components that result from the process of inducing endogenous asphaltene formation.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for introducing a fluid into a subsea production flow system, a system and a method of use. The apparatus comprises a first flow path through the apparatus for fluidly coupling a subsea well to a subsea production flow system and an inlet for receiving a fluid. A second flow path fluidly connects the inlet and the subsea production flow system. A valve is operable to control the flow of the fluid through the inlet to the subsea production flow system. In one embodiment, the invention provides an apparatus for preventing or reducing flow of a first treatment chemical into a subsea production flow system, a system, and a method of use. In an alternative embodiment, the invention provides an apparatus for injecting a gas into a subsea production flow system, a system, and a method of use.

Abstract: A valve apparatus (400) for a flow system in a subsea oil and gas production installation and a method of use. The valve apparatus comprises an inlet for production flow from the subsea oil and gas production installation, an outlet for production flow, and a flow control valve (420) disposed between the inlet and the outlet. A first flow line (361) in communication with a sampling circuit is disposed between the inlet and the flow control valve, and a second flow line (362) in communication with a sampling circuit is disposed between the outlet and the flow control valve. The flow control valve is operable to be partially closed to create a pressure differential between the first and second flow lines, and thereby drive a production fluid into the sampling circuit.

Abstract: The invention provides a jumper termination apparatus for a subsea jumper flowline, a flow system for a subsea hydrocarbon production or injection installation incorporating such a jumper termination apparatus, and a method of use. The jumper termination apparatus comprises a body, a jumper coupling means configured to couple the body to a jumper flowline, and a connector coupling means configured to couple the body to a subsea manifold connector. An access interface is disposed on the body. The body defines a first flow path from a coupled jumper flowline to a coupled subsea manifold connector, and a second flow path from the access interface to the first flow path or the subsea manifold connector. The access interface is configured to be connected to a second jumper flowline.