Abstract: The present embodiments disclose a system and method for generating a predictive model to detect leak in undersea pipes. The system includes an administrator processor and one or more pipe sections. The method proceeds with observing changes in pressure, generating a predictive model configured to determine if a leak has occurred, and closing one or more pipes responsible for the leak.

Abstract: Systems and methods for thermal management of subsea conduits such as jumpers provide the ability to alternate between cooling and heat retention of production fluids within the conduit as needed depending on the phase of operation. Adjustable insulation elements are provided on the conduits so that convective heat transfer between surrounding seawater and the conduit can be allowed or reduced. A control system can activate an alarm indicating the need to adjust the insulation depending on the temperature and/or flow rate of fluids in the conduit. Conventional conduits can be retrofitted by adding adjustable insulation elements to enable thermal management.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for thermal management of subsea interconnecting conduit such as jumpers that provide cooling and heat retention of production fluids within the jumpers. In a jumper circuit, parallel sections of jumper are provided having differing amounts of heat transfer between surrounding seawater and production fluids flowing within. Valving is provided to control fluid flow between the parallel sections of jumper, thus controlling the amount of heat transfer between the surrounding seawater and the jumper circuit. A control system can be used to generate an alarm based on fluid temperature and/or fluid flow rate within the jumper circuit indicating the need to adjust the valving to manage the temperature of fluids within the jumper circuit. Changes may be needed particularly depending on the phase of production, e.g., early life, normal operation, shut down and late life operation.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for thermal management of subsea conduits such as jumpers that provide the ability to alternate between cooling and heat retention of production fluids within the conduit as needed depending on the phase of operation. Adjustable insulation elements are provided on the conduits so that convective heat transfer between surrounding seawater and the conduit can be allowed or reduced. A control system can activate an alarm indicating the need to adjust the insulation depending on the temperature and/or flow rate of fluids in the conduit. Conventional conduits can be retrofitted by adding adjustable insulation elements to enable thermal management.

Abstract: A device (10) for monitoring strain of an elongate member (12) is deployed underwater. The device (10) comprises a first clamp (14) configured to embrace and couple to the elongate member (12) at a first axial location, a second clamp (16) configured to embrace and couple to the elongate member at a second axial location separated from the first axial location, and a sensor which is responsive to an angle between the first clamp and the second clamp.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for thermal management of subsea conduits such as jumpers that provide the ability to alternate between cooling and heat retention of production fluids within the conduit as needed depending on the phase of operation. Adjustable insulation elements are provided on the conduits so that convective heat transfer between surrounding seawater and the conduit can be allowed or reduced. A control system can activate an alarm indicating the need to adjust the insulation depending on the temperature and/or flow rate of fluids in the conduit. Conventional conduits can be retrofitted by adding adjustable insulation elements to enable thermal management.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for thermal management of subsea jumpers that provide the ability to cool and/or retain heat in production fluids within the jumpers. The jumpers are provided with an annular pipe section surrounding the jumper circumferentially. The flow of a liquid cooling medium into an inlet and out an outlet of the annular pipe section can be controlled to provide cooling or heat retention as needed. A control system can be used to generate an alarm based on fluid temperature and/or fluid flow rate within the jumper indicating the need to adjust the flow of the cooling medium to manage the temperature of fluids within the jumper. Changes may be needed particularly depending on the phase of production, e.g., early life, normal operation, shut down and late life operation.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for thermal management of subsea interconnecting conduit such as jumpers that provide cooling and heat retention of production fluids within the jumpers. In a jumper circuit, parallel sections of jumper are provided having differing amounts of heat transfer between surrounding seawater and production fluids flowing within. Valving is provided to control fluid flow between the parallel sections of jumper, thus controlling the amount of heat transfer between the surrounding seawater and the jumper circuit. A control system can be used to generate an alarm based on fluid temperature and/or fluid flow rate within the jumper circuit indicating the need to adjust the valving to manage the temperature of fluids within the jumper circuit. Changes may be needed particularly depending on the phase of production, e.g., early life, normal operation, shut down and late life operation.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for thermal management of subsea conduits. A jumper that carries oil and/or gas produced from a subsea well in a subsea production facility located on a seabed has a first end for connecting to a first subsea component and a second end for connecting to a second subsea component. The jumper includes a jumper segment that is sloped relative to the horizontal, such that gravity assists with drainage of fluid from the second end of the jumper independent from fluid pressure in the jumper. At least a portion of the jumper is uninsulated to allow exchange of heat with seawater surrounding the jumper as produced fluid travels through the jumper. The amount of insulation on the jumper can be varied such that heat transfer from the production fluids to seawater surrounding the jumper circuit is adjusted as desired.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes, devices and systems for preventing overpressurization of subsea production equipment and flowlines in which fluid passes through a high integrity pressure protection system (HIPPS). In embodiments, a container having a piston seal therein can be attached to the piping. In embodiments, a device having a piston seal therein and connected to a fluid receptacle can be attached to the piping. In the event of a pressure surge, fluid can be diverted to the container or the device, thereby lessening the pressure surge. In embodiments, the container or device includes a resetting force to return the piston seal to its original sealed position. The use of the systems disclosed improve the life of the HIPPS valve, protects subsea equipment and flowlines, and enables a length and/or a wall thickness of a fortified pipeline zone downstream of the HIPPS to be reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes, devices and systems for preventing overpressurization of subsea production equipment and flowlines in which fluid passes through a high integrity pressure protection system (HIPPS). In embodiments, a container having a piston seal therein can be attached to the piping. In embodiments, a device having a piston seal therein and connected to a fluid receptacle can be attached to the piping. In the event of a pressure surge, fluid can be diverted to the container or the device, thereby lessening the pressure surge. In embodiments, the container or device includes a resetting force to return the piston seal to its original sealed position. The use of the systems disclosed improve the life of the HIPPS valve, protects subsea equipment and flowlines, and enables a length and/or a wall thickness of a fortified pipeline zone downstream of the HIPPS to be reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and method for supporting a portion of a pipeline for conveying produced fluids in a subsea environment to facilitate movement of the portion of the pipeline over a seabed in response to stresses on the pipeline. The portion of the pipeline is supported on a rigid support structure having rotatable components that rotate about an axle attached to the rigid support structure such that the rigid support structure and the portion of the pipeline can move over the seabed. The apparatus and method eliminate the need for costly mud mats or suction piles to accommodate movement in the subsea pipeline and prevent pipeline walking. By facilitating movement of the portion of the pipeline, lateral deformation and axial displacement of the portion of the pipeline can be reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes and systems for preventing overpressurization of piping transporting fluid produced from a pressure source to a receiving facility in which the fluid passes through a high integrity pressure protection system (HIPPS). A relief device is provided in the piping in fluid communication with the HIPPS. In the event that fluid passing through the HIPPS during the valve closure time period has a property exceeding an activation property, the relief device is activated thereby allowing the fluid passing through the HIPPS during the valve closure time period to flow to a fluid containment volume. The fluid containment volume has sufficient volume such that upon the start of the closure of the valve in response to the pressure surge, a portion of the fluid passing through the HIPPS during the valve closure time period is absorbed by the fluid containment volume thereby lessening pressure increase in the piping.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes and systems for preventing overpressurization of piping transporting fluid produced from a pressure source to a receiving facility in which the fluid passes through a high integrity pressure protection system (HIPPS). A relief device is provided in the piping in fluid communication with the HIPPS. In the event that fluid passing through the HIPPS during the valve closure time period has a property exceeding an activation property, the relief device is activated thereby allowing the fluid passing through the HIPPS during the valve closure time period to flow to a fluid containment volume. The fluid containment volume has sufficient volume such that upon the start of the closure of the valve in response to the pressure surge, a portion of the fluid passing through the HIPPS during the valve closure time period is absorbed by the fluid containment volume thereby lessening pressure increase in the piping.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus, systems and methods for maintaining desired thermal properties of a flowing hydrocarbon fluid in a subsea pipeline. An insulating layer including a plurality of elongated hollow elements containing an insulation material can surround the pipeline. The apparatus can be located on a seabed and connected to a source of hydrocarbon fluid at one end and to a facility for processing hydrocarbon fluid at another end. One method includes spirally winding an elongated hollow element containing an insulation material around the subsea pipeline. One method includes wrapping the subsea pipeline with a connecting layer which includes surface protrusions protruding radially outwards. An insulating layer having surface features reversibly engageable with the surface protrusions of the connecting layer can be reversibly attached to the connecting layer by engaging the surface features of the at least one elongated hollow element with the surface protrusions of the connecting layer.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus, systems and methods for maintaining desired thermal properties of a flowing hydrocarbon fluid in a subsea pipeline. An insulating layer including a plurality of elongated hollow elements containing an insulation material can surround the pipeline. The apparatus can be located on a seabed and connected to a source of hydrocarbon fluid at one end and to a facility for processing hydrocarbon fluid at another end. One method includes spirally winding an elongated hollow element containing an insulation material around the subsea pipeline. One method includes wrapping the subsea pipeline with a connecting layer which includes surface protrusions protruding radially outwards. An insulating layer having surface features reversibly engageable with the surface protrusions of the connecting layer can be reversibly attached to the connecting layer by engaging the surface features of the at least one elongated hollow element with the surface protrusions of the connecting layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pig assembly for maintaining a multi-diameter functional line with a large range of diameter variation for conveying fluid. The pig assembly includes a central shaft having a first shaft end and a second shaft end and at least one cylindrical pig body coaxially mounted on the central shaft. Attached to the at least one pig body are a plurality of arms capable of moving between an extended position radiating from the at least one pig body and a retracted position within the at least one pig body. Each of the pluralities of arms includes a spring to enable each arm of the plurality of arms to move into the extended position and to store potential energy when the arm is in the retracted position, and a roller to enable rolling contact between the pig assembly and an interior of a functional line during movement of the pig assembly within the functional line.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are provided for monitoring a subsea flow device such as a subsea flowline. The apparatus generally includes a thermoelectric device that is adapted to generate electric power from a thermal potential between the subsea flow device and the surrounding seawater. A sensor that is powered by the thermoelectric device is adapted to monitor one or more characteristics of the flow device, such as temperature or strain, and provide a communication that is indicative of the characteristic. The communication may be a radiation output or an acoustic output.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pipe-in-pipe apparatus comprising an inner pipe disposed within an outer pipe wherein the inner pipe is an engineered pipe or umbilical. The outer pipe will shield the inner pipe. As a result, the design of the inner pipe only needs to address the functions required for the engineered pipe-in-pipe apparatus. The end fittings of the system are designed for enabling maximum operation and intervention flexibility. The engineered pipe-in-pipe apparatus will allow longer sections of the inner pipe to be used which will reduce the amount of field fabrication and streamline the installation process. The apparatus may be used for both new piping systems as well as the updating or retrofitting of an existing onshore or offshore piping system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pig assembly for maintaining a multi-diameter functional line with a large range of diameter variation for conveying fluid. The pig assembly includes a central shaft having a first shaft end and a second shaft end and at least one cylindrical pig body coaxially mounted on the central shaft. Attached to the at least one pig body are a plurality of arms capable of moving between an extended position radiating from the at least one pig body and a retracted position within the at least one pig body. Each of the pluralities of arms includes a spring to enable each arm of the plurality of arms to move into the extended position and to store potential energy when the arm is in the retracted position, and a roller to enable rolling contact between the pig assembly and an interior of a functional line during movement of the pig assembly within the functional line.