Abstract: A method for operating a pump includes establishing a pump limit characteristics diagram by mapping a first system parameter (P1) as a function of a second system parameter (P2) to identify a permissible operating region of the pump; for each first system parameter value (P10), identifying a minimum allowable second system parameter value (P20); monitoring the first system parameter (P1) and identifying a minimum allowable second system parameter value (P20) corresponding to the monitored first system parameter value (P1m); monitoring the second system parameter (P2) and comparing the monitored second system parameter value (P2m) with the identified minimum allowable second system parameter value (P20); and regulating a control valve that controls fluid flow through a return line connecting the suction and discharge sides of the pump so that the monitored second system parameter value (P2m) does not fall below the minimum allowable second system parameter value (P20).

Abstract: The invention provides a subsea pump system, comprising a subsea centrifugal pump with a motor compartment and a process compartment, wherein the motor compartment is separate from the process compartment and comprises an electric motor or stator driving a motor shaft, wherein the process compartment comprises a pump arranged on a pump rotor, an inlet for fluid and an outlet for pressure boosted fluid, and wherein the motor shaft via a coupling preferably drives the pump rotor.

Abstract: A method of operating a system (16) for pumping a fluid, which system comprises: a pump (17) for pumping the fluid; and a variable speed motor (20) for driving the pump (17). The method comprises the steps of: identifying a first system parameter (PI); identifying a second system parameter (P2) which is a function of the torque of the pump; setting a target value (P10) for a first system parameter; monitoring the first system parameter (PI); establishing a target value (P20) for the second system parameter based on the difference between the target value and the measured value of the first system parameter; monitoring the second system parameter; and regulating the rotational speed of the pump such that the difference between the monitored value and the target value of the second system parameter is minimized. A system for implementing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system (16) for pumping a fluid, comprising: a pump (17) comprising a suction side (18) and a discharge side (19); a motor (20) for driving the pump, which motor is drivingly connected to the pump via a shaft (21); a return line (23) providing a feed-back conduit for the fluid from the discharge side to the suction side; a control valve (24) controlling the flow of the fluid through the return line; and a first sensor device (27) for monitoring a first system parameter which is a function of the differential pressure across the pump.

Abstract: A method of operating a system (16) for pumping a fluid, which system comprises: a pump (17) for pumping the fluid; and a variable speed motor (20) for driving the pump (17). The method comprises the steps of: identifying a first system parameter (PI); identifying a second system parameter (P2) which is a function of the torque of the pump; setting a target value (P10) for a first system parameter; monitoring the first system parameter (PI); establishing a target value (P2o) for the second system parameter based on the difference between the target value and the measured value of the first system parameter; monitoring the second system parameter; and regulating the rotational speed of the pump such that the difference between the monitored value and the target value of the second system parameter is minimised. A system for implementing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention regards a subsea sand handling system for limiting abrasion of specific subsea equipment (5), comprising an inlet (10) connectable to a sand separation system (2) upstream of the specific equipment (5) and an outlet (18, 22) connectable to a pipeline (6) downstream of the specific equipment (5), wherein it comprises at least two collection vessels (11,14) and means for flushing (16,17,19,21) the sand out of at least one of the collection vessels (11,14), and the vessels (11,14) and the means for flushing (16,17,19,21) the sand out of said vessels (11,14) are configured such that sand is flushed from one vessel (11,14) while sand is collected in the other vessel (14,11). The present invention also regards a method for limiting abrasion of subsea rotating equipment.

Abstract: A flow-conditioning system includes a pump, process tubing coupling the pump to a source of multiple component process fluid, and an in-line flow-mixing device positioned in the process tubing upstream of the pump. A system includes a well disposed below a body of water and providing a source of multiple component fluid, a pump disposed in and exposed to the water, process tubing coupling the pump to the well, and an in-line flow-mixing device positioned in the process tubing upstream of the pump.

Abstract: The present invention provides subsea seawater filtration and treatment system, comprising a filtration assembly (1,3) for filtering out particles and detritus from the seawater; a first pump (5) comprising an inlet in fluid communication with the filtration assembly (1,3) and an outlet; a sulphate removal unit (6) comprising an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the first pump (5), a first fraction outlet for sulphate depleted seawater and a second fraction outlet for sulphate enriched seawater; at least one second pump (7) comprising an inlet in fluid communication with the first fraction outlet, and an outlet for the sulphate depleted seawater; wherein the second fraction outlet is in fluid communication with the filtration assembly (1,3), such that the sulphate enriched seawater may be used for backwashing at least a part of the filtration assembly during use.

Abstract: A flow-conditioning system includes a pump, process tubing coupling the pump to a source of multiple component process fluid, and an in-line flow-mixing device positioned in the process tubing upstream of the pump. A system includes a well disposed below a body of water and providing a source of multiple component fluid, a pump disposed in and exposed to the water, process tubing coupling the pump to the well, and an in-line flow-mixing device positioned in the process tubing upstream of the pump.

Abstract: The present invention regards a subsea sand handling system for limiting abrasion of specific subsea equipment (5), comprising an inlet (10) connectable to a sand separation system (2) upstream of the specific equipment (5) and an outlet (18, 22) connectable to a pipeline (6) downstream of the specific equipment (5), wherein it comprises at least two collection vessels (11,14) and means for flushing (16,17,19, 21) the sand out of at least one of the collection vessels (11,14), and the vessels (11,14) and the means for flushing (16,17,19, 21) the sand out of said vessels (11,14) are configured such that sand is flushed from one vessel (11,14) while sand is collected in the other vessel (14,11). The present invention also regards a method for limiting abrasion of sub-sea rotating equipment.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a pump, a motor operatively coupled to the pump, and a flushing system. The motor includes a stator and a rotor disposed in a rotor cavity isolated from the stator. The flushing system is operable to provide a flushing medium to the rotor cavity.

Abstract: The present invention regards a subsea cooling unit having an inlet for a hot fluid and an outlet for cooled fluid, the cooling unit comprising a number of coils exposed to seawater, and means for generating a flow of seawater past the coils, where the means for generating the flow of seawater comprises a propeller and a rotatable actuator and that the cooler is enclosed in a duct.

Abstract: A pump unit includes a motor, a pump, a shaft spanning the motor and the pump, and at least a first magnetic bearing supporting the shaft. A hydrocarbon production system includes an underwater well and a pump unit exposed to an underwater environment. The pump unit is operable to pump a production fluid from the well and includes a motor, a pump, a shaft spanning the motor and the pump, and at least a first magnetic bearing supporting the shaft.

Abstract: A rotating apparatus includes a housing, a shaft at least partially disposed within a first pressure environment defined by the housing, a first magnetic bearing supporting the shaft and being at least partially disposed within the first pressure environment, a sensor operable to sense a position of the shaft relative to the first magnetic bearing, a controller disposed in a second pressure environment independent of the first pressure environment and operable to communicate with the sensor and to generate a control signal for the first magnetic bearing based on the sensed position, and a communication device operable to communicate the control signal between the controller and the first magnetic bearing and to communicate the sensed position between the sensor and the controller without penetrating a pressure boundary defined between the first and second pressure environments.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a pump, a motor operatively coupled to the pump, and a flushing system. The motor includes a stator and a rotor disposed in a rotor cavity isolated from the stator. The flushing system is operable to provide a flushing medium to the rotor cavity.

Abstract: A flow-conditioning system includes a pump, process tubing coupling the pump to a source of multiple component process fluid, and an in-line flow-mixing device positioned in the process tubing upstream of the pump. A system includes a well disposed below a body of water and providing a source of multiple component fluid, a pump disposed in and exposed to the water, process tubing coupling the pump to the well, and an in-line flow-mixing device positioned in the process tubing upstream of the pump.

Abstract: A rotating apparatus includes a housing, a shaft at least partially disposed within a first pressure environment defined by the housing, a first magnetic bearing supporting the shaft and being at least partially disposed within the first pressure environment, a sensor operable to sense a position of the shaft relative to the first magnetic bearing, a controller disposed in a second pressure environment independent of the first pressure environment and operable to communicate with the sensor and to generate a control signal for the first magnetic bearing based on the sensed position, and a communication device operable to communicate the control signal between the controller and the first magnetic bearing and to communicate the sensed position between the sensor and the controller without penetrating a pressure boundary defined between the first and second pressure environments.

Abstract: A pump unit includes a motor, a pump, a shaft spanning the motor and the pump, and at least a first magnetic bearing supporting the shaft. A hydrocarbon production system includes an underwater well and a pump unit exposed to an underwater environment. The pump unit is operable to pump a production fluid from the well and includes a motor, a pump, a shaft spanning the motor and the pump, and at least a first magnetic bearing supporting the shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a motor. The motor includes a rotor, a stator disposed around the rotor, and a first high pressure rated can separating the stator from the rotor. The first high pressure rated can at least partially defines a rotor cavity encompassing at least a portion of the rotor and a first pressure environment independent of a second pressure environment of the stator. The second pressure environment of the stator is substantially pressure balanced with respect to the ambient environment.

Abstract: The present invention regards a subsea cooling unit having an inlet for a hot fluid and an outlet for cooled fluid, the cooling unit comprising a number of coils exposed to seawater, and means for generating a flow of seawater past the coils, where the means for generating the flow of seawater comprises a propeller and a rotatable actuator and that the cooler is enclosed in a duct.