LUBRICATION SYSTEM FOR SUBSEA COMPRESSOR

Abstract

A compression apparatus including a motor, a lubricant source, an umbilical, a compressor, a separation device, and a lubricant recycling assembly. The lubricant source provides a lubricant. The umbilical is fluidly connected to the lubricant source. The compressor is operatively connected to the motor, fluidly connected to the umbilical, and includes a compressor lubricant outlet and a compressor lubricant inlet that is fluidly connected to the umbilical. The separation device is fluidly connected to the compressor, and the lubricant source, and a well including a process fluid, wherein the separation device separates the process fluid into a liquid portion and a gaseous portion, and a portion of the lubricant mixes with the process fluid. The lubricant recycling assembly includes a dirty side fluidly connected to the compressor lubricant outlet, a clean side fluidly connected to the compressor lubricant inlet, a lubricant filter, and a lubricant pump.

Description

BACKGROUND

In large fluid processing systems, machinery, which may include pumps, compressors, and motors, is used. This machinery has components such as bearings and seals, which may require lubricant. In the fluid processing systems, a portion of the lubricant may leak past the seals in the machinery, and thus it may be necessary to supply additional lubricant. Further, during usage the lubricant may become contaminated with dirt, metal, or other contaminants, and may be heated to levels at which it becomes less effective. The used lubricant is typically drained from the fluid processing system and disposed of or reclaimed; however, this poses difficulties when the fluid processing system is located in a hard to reach area, such as on the ocean floor.

Therefore, what is needed is a lubrication system for fluid processing systems in which the lubricant can be efficiently reclaimed, filtered, and recycled back into the system, thereby attenuating the need for large amounts of nearby replenishing lubricant and reducing the costs associated with recycling the lubricant.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the disclosure may provide an exemplary compression system including a compressor, a process fluid source containing a process fluid, a lubricant source, a process fluid pump, a lubricant inlet line, a separation device, a lubricant recycling line, a lubricant filter, a lubricant pump, and a lubricant cooler. The lubricant inlet line fluidly connects the lubricant source to the compressor and the process fluid pump, and provides a usable lubricant to the compressor and the process fluid pump from the lubricant source. The separation device fluidly connects to the lubricant source, the process fluid source, the compressor, and the process fluid pump, wherein a portion of the usable lubricant mixes with the process fluid, and the process fluid is separated such that a gaseous portion of the process fluid is channeled to the compressor and a liquid portion of the process fluid is channeled to the process fluid pump. The lubricant recycling line is fluidly connected to the lubricant inlet line, the compressor, and the process fluid pump, wherein a used lubricant is discharged from the compressor and the process fluid pump into the lubricant recycling line, and the lubricant recycling line provides a recycled lubricant to the lubricant inlet line. The lubricant filter is fluidly connected to the lubricant recycling line, wherein the lubricant filter filters the used lubricant. The lubricant pump is fluidly connected to the lubricant recycling line, wherein the lubricant pump pumps the used lubricant through the lubricant recycling line. The lubricant cooler is fluidly connected to the lubricant recycling line, wherein the lubricant cooler cools the used lubricant.

Embodiments of the disclosure may further provide an exemplary compression apparatus including a motor, a lubricant source, an umbilical, a compressor, a separation device, and a lubricant recycling assembly. The lubricant source provides a lubricant. The umbilical is fluidly connected to the lubricant source. The compressor is operatively connected to the motor, fluidly connected to the umbilical, and includes a compressor lubricant outlet and a compressor lubricant inlet that is fluidly connected to the umbilical. The separation device is fluidly connected to the compressor, and the lubricant source, and a well including a process fluid, wherein the separation device separates the process fluid into a liquid portion and a gaseous portion, and a portion of the lubricant mixes with the process fluid. The lubricant recycling assembly includes a dirty side fluidly connected to the compressor lubricant outlet, a clean side fluidly connected to the compressor lubricant inlet, a lubricant filter interposed between the clean side and the dirty side, and a lubricant pump interposed between the clean side and the dirty side.

Embodiments of the disclosure may also provide an exemplary method of lubricating a compression system. The exemplary method includes supplying a compressor with a portion of a usable lubricant from a remote source, and separating a process fluid into a gaseous portion and a liquid portion in a separation device. The exemplary method further includes mixing a portion of the usable lubricant with the process fluid in the separation device, and discharging a used lubricant from the compressor. The exemplary method also includes recycling the used lubricant to form a recycled lubricant, wherein recycling the used lubricant comprises filtering the used lubricant, and channeling the recycled lubricant to the compressor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying Figures. It is emphasized that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of the compression system in accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary method of lubricating a compression system in accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that the following disclosure describes several exemplary embodiments for implementing different features, structures, or functions of the invention. Exemplary embodiments of components, arrangements, and configurations are described below to simplify the present disclosure, however, these exemplary embodiments are provided merely as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various exemplary embodiments and across the Figures provided herein. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various exemplary embodiments and/or configurations discussed in the various Figures. Moreover, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows may include embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which additional features may be formed interposing the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. Finally, the exemplary embodiments presented below may be combined in any combination of ways, i.e., any element from one exemplary embodiment may be used in any other exemplary embodiment, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

Additionally, certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, various entities may refer to the same component by different names, and as such, the naming convention for the elements described herein is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, unless otherwise specifically defined herein. Further, the naming convention used herein is not intended to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function. Further, in the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to.” All numerical values in this disclosure may be exact or approximate values unless otherwise specifically stated. Accordingly, various embodiments of the disclosure may deviate from the numbers, values, and ranges disclosed herein without departing from the intended scope.

FIG. 1 illustrates a compression system 10, which may also be referred to herein as a compression apparatus. The compression system 10 generally includes a compressor 12, a motor 13, a lubricant source 14, a lubricant inlet line 16, a process fluid pump 17, and a lubricant recycling assembly 19, which may include a lubricant recycling line 18. The motor 13 may be operatively connected to a shaft 15 that is also operatively connected to the compressor 12, such that the motor 13 thereby drives the compressor 12. In an exemplary embodiment, the compression system 10 further includes a second motor 13b, which is connected to a second shaft 15b. The second shaft 15b may be attached to the process fluid pump 17, such that the second motor 13b is operatively connected to, and thereby drives, the process fluid pump 17. However, in another exemplary embodiment, the second motor 13b may be omitted and the motor 13 may be dual-ended and coupled to both shafts 15, 15b. Further, the compression system 10 may omit the second shaft 15b, with the shaft 15 being connected to the motor 13, the compressor 12, and the process fluid pump 17.

The compression system 10 may further include a separation device 22 that may receive a process fluid F, which may be a hydrocarbon, from a process fluid source 20, which may be a well. The separation device 22 may be a “slug catcher,” as is known in the art, but may be, or may additionally include, any other appropriate separation device, such as, for example, a rotary separator, a filter, or a static separator. In the separation device 22, the process fluid F is separated into a liquid portion F_L and a gaseous portion F_G.

The lubricant source 14 may be fluidly connected to the separation device 22 and may store and provide a usable lubricant L_C to the other components of compression system 10. The usable lubricant L_C may be a hydrate-reducing lubricant, such as monoethylene glycol (MEG), which may be advantageously mixed with the process fluid F in the separation device 22 or may be mixed due to leakage in the compressor 12, the motor(s) 13, 13b and/or the process fluid pump 17, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,547,037, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference to the extent it is not inconsistent with this disclosure. However, the choice of lubricant as MEG is exemplary and not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The lubricant source 14 contains the usable lubricant L_C and may be fluidly connected to the separation device 22, the compressor 12, the motor 13, the second motor 13b, and/or the process fluid pump 17 via the lubricant inlet line 16, also described herein as the umbilical 16.

The lubricant inlet line 16 may contain a series of conduits to fluidly connect the lubricant source 14 with the various components. Accordingly, a conduit 16a may connect the lubricant source 14 to the separation device 22, wherein a hydrate-reduction portion L_CH of the lubricant branches off and flows into the separation device 22 where it may mix with the process fluid F. The gaseous and liquid portions of the process fluid F_G and F_L are then channeled out of the separation device 22 for further processing, described in greater detail below.

A conduit 16b may connect the lubricant source 14 to the remaining components of the compression system 10, with a lubrication portion of the lubricant L_P flowing therethrough. A branch conduit 28 stemming from the conduit 16b may be fluidly connected to the motor 13. More particularly, the motor 13 may have a motor lubricant inlet 32 and a motor lubricant outlet 34, with the branch conduit 28 fluidly connected to the motor lubricant inlet 32. The motor lubricant inlet 32 may be configured to allow lubricant to flow into any motor bearings, seals, and/or other parts of the motor 13, as necessary. Once it has been used, the lubricant may have dirt or other undesirable contaminants entrained therein, which may negatively impact the efficacy of the lubricant. Used lubricant L_U may therefore be discharged from the motor 13 through the motor lubricant outlet 34 and into the lubricant recycling line 18.

A branch conduit 30 may also stem from conduit 16b and fluidly connect to the compressor 12, so as to lubricate any of the parts of the compressor 12 that may require lubrication. More particularly, the compressor 12 may have a compressor lubricant inlet 36 and a compressor lubricant outlet 38, with the branch conduit 30 fluidly connected to the compressor lubricant inlet 36. The compressor lubricant inlet 36 may be configured to allow lubricant to flow into any compressor bearings, seals, and/or other parts of the compressor 12, as necessary. The used lubricant L_U may be discharged through the compressor lubricant outlet 38 and into the lubricant recycling line 18.

Similarly, a branch conduit 40 may be fluidly connected to the conduit 16b and the second motor 13b, whereby the branch conduit 40 may transport lubricant to the second motor 13b. The second motor 13b may have a second motor lubricant inlet 42, which is fluidly connected to the branch conduit 40, and may be configured similarly to the motor lubricant inlet 32, as described above. The second motor 13b may also include a second motor lubricant outlet 44 that discharges used lubricant L_U into the lubricant recycling line 18. As described above, in other exemplary embodiments, the second motor 13b may be omitted, with the motor 13 driving the compressor 12 and the process fluid pump 17. As such, the conduit 16b may also be omitted or may be connected to the motor 13 to supplement the provision of lubricant to the motor 13.

The compression system 10 may further include a branch conduit 46, which is fluidly connected to the conduit 16b and the process fluid pump 17, such that lubricant flows through the branch conduit 46 and into the process fluid pump 17. More particularly, the process fluid pump 17 may include a pump lubricant inlet 48 to which the branch conduit 46 is fluidly connected, whereby components of the process fluid pump 17 may be lubricated. The process fluid pump 17 may further include a pump lubricant outlet 50, through which the used lubricant L_U is discharged into the lubricant recycling line 18.

The lubricant recycling line 18 may channel used lubricant L_U from a dirty side 52 that receives the discharged used lubricant L_U, to a clean side 60, where the used lubricant L_U has been converted by the lubricant recycling assembly 19 into a recycled lubricant L_R. The clean side 60 may be fluidly connected to the lubricant inlet line 16, or umbilical, as shown. In other exemplary embodiments, the clean side 60 may be fluidly connected to the lubricant source 14, and/or to the separation device 22. Further, the clean side 60 may be fluidly connected to one or more of the compressor lubricant inlet 36, the motor lubricant inlet 32, the second motor lubricant inlet 42, and the pump lubricant inlet 48, despite there being other components of the compression system 10 interposed between the clean side 60 and the inlets 36, 32, 42, 48.

The lubricant recycling assembly 19 may further include a lubricant cooler 54, which may be interposed between the clean and dirty sides 52, 60. The lubricant cooler 54 may be fluidly connected to the lubricant recycling line 18, and may be configured to reduce the temperature of the used lubricant L_U. The lubricant cooler 54 may be, for example, a dual shell heat exchanger, but may be any other device capable of cooling a fluid flow without substantially contaminating the fluid flow.

The lubricant recycling assembly 19 may further include a lubricant filter 56. The lubricant filter 56 may be fluidly connected to the lubricant recycling line 18, such that the lubricant filter 56 is interposed between the clean and dirty sides 52, 60. Further, the lubricant filter 56 may be configured to remove contaminants from the used lubricant L_U. The lubricant filter 56 may be a passive filtration media, such as a cellulose filter, but may instead, or additionally include, an electromagnetic separator to remove ferrous contaminants, a rotary separator, a static separator, and/or a sedimentation filter.

The lubricant recycling assembly 19 may further include a lubricant pump 58. The lubricant pump 58 may be connected to the lubricant recycling line 18 such that the lubricant pump 58 is interposed between the clean and dirty sides 52, 60. The lubricant pump 58 may be configured to pressurize the used lubricant L_U. Pressurizing the used lubricant L_U may serve to overcome any head losses in the compression system 10, thus allowing the used lubricant L_U to be transported through the lubricant recycling line 18 and back to the lubricant inlet line 16, the lubricant source 14, and/or the separation device 22, as described above.

Further, the lubricant pump 58 may be a driven impeller, which may be integrated with the motor 13, the second motor 13b, the compressor 12, or the process fluid pump 17, such that the lubricant pump 58 shares a common shaft with the other component, and may be close-coupled (i.e., connected and disposed closely proximal) thereto. For example, the lubricant pump 58 may be integrated with the process fluid pump 17. The process fluid pump 17 may have one or more impellers, and when integrated therewith, the lubricant pump 58 may be formed as an additional impeller on the process fluid pump 17. The impeller of the lubricant pump 58 may be larger or smaller in size, and may even be geared, such that it spins at a faster or slower rate than the impeller of the process fluid pump 17. It will be appreciated, as stated, that the lubricant pump 58 may be integrated with any of the process fluid pump 17, the motor 13 (and/or second motor 13b), the compressor 12, and the described exemplary embodiment is not necessarily to be considered limiting. Further, in embodiments where more than one of the components of the compression system 10 are close-coupled, the process fluid pump 17 may be integrated with any or all of the components.

While the lubricant recycling assembly 19 may be continuous so as to form a closed-loop, it will be appreciated that the lubricant recycling assembly 19 may not necessarily be continuous in all embodiments. For example, the lubricant recycling assembly 19 may include discharge points among or between the components of the lubricant recycling assembly 19, which may stall the flow of the used lubricant L_U in the lubricant recycling assembly 19, for example, in a storage tank, and/or remove a portion thereof for additional refinement and/or use in other applications.

A branch conduit 70 may be fluidly connected to the system exit 24, whereby the branch conduit 70 may transport dirty lubricant L_D from the lubricant filter 56 to the system exit 24. The branch conduit 72 may also be fluidly connected to the separation device 22 and a liquid process fluid conduit 74, and may transport dirty lubricant L_D from the lubricant filter 56 to the separation device 22 or the liquid process fluid conduit 74.

The compression system 10 may be advantageously used in subsea applications. In an exemplary embodiment for use beneath the surface of a body of water, the compression system 10 may include a sealed casing (not shown), which may be located beneath the body of water, for example, on an ocean floor near an undersea well 20. The casing may sealingly enclose the compressor 12, the motor(s) 13, 13b, and/or the process fluid pump 17. The lubricant source 14 may be remote from the casing-contained elements, and may be located above the surface of the water, for example, on an oil platform. In such an embodiment, the lubricant inlet line 16, or umbilical, extends from the remote lubricant source 14, down to the ocean floor, and connects to the components of the compression system 10 located there, which may be contained in the casing.

In an exemplary embodiment, the lubricant recycling assembly 19 may also be at least partially located on the ocean floor, and may be located in the casing. Accordingly, one or more of the lubricant pump 58, the lubricant filter 56, and the lubricant cooler 54 may be disposed near the compressor 12, and the lubricant pump 58 may be close-coupled and/or integrated with the compressor 12 or another component of the compression system 10, as described above. In other embodiments, one or more of the lubricant filter 56, the lubricant cooler 54 and the lubricant pump 58 may be located above the surface of the water, for easy access and maintenance.

In exemplary operation, the process fluid F flows from the process fluid source 20, into the separation device 22. The usable lubricant L_C flows through the lubricant inlet line 16, wherein a hydrate-reduction portion of the lubricant L_CH may flow through the conduit 16a into the separation device 22, and mix with the process fluid F, to reduce the formation of hydrates. Contaminants, such as dirt, rocks, water, and/or the like, may be removed from the process fluid F in the separation device 22. The gaseous portion F_G may then be channeled to the compressor 12, which compresses the gaseous portion F_G, and is then channeled to a system exit 26. Similarly, the liquid portion F_L is channeled into the process fluid pump 17 via the liquid process fluid conduit 74, is pressurized, and may then exit the compression system 10 via the system exit 24. Upon exit, the liquid portion F_L and the gaseous portion F_G may be recombined. In other embodiments, the liquid and gaseous portions F_L and F_G may be recombined before exiting the compression system 10 or may not be recombined at all, according to the desired use of the process fluid F.

The lubricant source 14 may also be fluidly connected to the motor(s) 13, 13b, the compressor 12, and the process fluid pump 17, which may discharge the used lubricant L_U as described above. The lubricant recycling line 18, which may be part of the lubrication recycling assembly 19, may channel the used lubricant L_U to one or more other components of the lubrication recycling assembly 19, such as the lubricant pump 58 for pressurization, the lubricant filter 56 for filtration of contaminants, and/or the lubricant cooler 54 for reducing the temperature of the used lubricant L_U. Lubricant filter 56 may produce dirty lubricant L_D. The dirty lubricant L_D may be channeled to the system exit 24 by the branch conduit 70. The dirty lubricant L_D may also be channeled to the separation device 22 or the liquid process fluid conduit 74 by the branch conduit 72. Processing the used lubricant L_U by one or more of the lubricant cooler, filter, and/or pump 54, 56, 58, may convert the used lubricant L_U into recycled lubricant L_R, which is ready to be reclaimed and reused in the compression system 10. Accordingly, the recycled lubricant L_R may exit the lubricant recycling line 18 via the clean side 60, which may be connected to the lubricant source 14 and/or the lubricant inlet line 16, wherein the recycled lubricant L_R may combine with the usable lubricant L_C; alternatively, the recycled lubricant L_R may flow directly into the separation device 22 to augment the hydrate-reducing portion L_CH of the lubricant that mixes with the process fluid F. In another exemplary embodiment, the clean side 60 may be connected to two or more of the lubricant source 14, the lubricant inlet line 16, the separation device 22, and/or directly to the compressor 12, the process fluid pump 17, and/or the motor(s) 13, 13b.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary method of recycling a lubricant in a compression system. The method may include compressing a process fluid using a compressor, shown at 101, and lubricating the compressor using a lubricant from a remote source, shown at 102. The lubricant may also be used for lubricating a motor and a process fluid pump, as described with reference to FIG. 1.

Once used, the lubricant becomes a used lubricant that may be discharged from the compressor, as shown at 103. As described above, used lubricant may contain contaminants that limit the efficacy of the lubricant, and may otherwise be unsuitable for continued use. The used lubricant may be discharged from the compressor primarily through a compressor lubricant outlet, as described above, but a portion may additionally leak out of the compressor and into the process fluid. As such, the remote source may continuously supply the usable lubricant to the compression system, to account for the leakage experienced during operation of the compression system.

The used lubricant discharged through the compressor lubricant outlet may be recycled for reclamation, shown at 104. In an exemplary embodiment, the used lubricant may also be discharged from the process fluid pump and/or the motor, and may also be recycled for reclamation. Recycling the lubricant may, for example, include filtering contaminants out of the used lubricant, as shown at 105. The filtering may be accomplished using a filter, which may be any type of passive filter, and/or a rotary separator or another type of separator, as described above.

Recycling the used lubricant may include further processing of the used lubricant. For example, the used lubricant may be at an elevated temperature, which may negatively impact the viscosity of the lubricant, and may make the lubricant more difficult to handle. To avoid these drawbacks, the method may further include reducing the temperature (i.e., cooling) of the used lubricant with a lubricant cooler, shown at 106. The lubricant cooler may be any type of fluid cooling device, such as a dual shell heat exchanger, or the like, as described above.

In recycling the used lubricant, the used lubricant may also need to be pumped through the compression system to overcome any pressure differentials or head loss therein. Therefore, the method may include pumping the used lubricant, as shown at 107. The pump may be any sort of pump suitable for pumping lubricant in the quantities and to the pressure needed.

Recycling the used lubricant may further include reintroduction of the used lubricant into the compressor. This may be accomplished by mixing the used lubricant with the lubricant from the remote source to form a mixed lubricant, as shown at 108. In other exemplary embodiments, the used lubricant may remain separate from the lubricant from the remote source, and may be injected directly into the compressor, and/or into a separation device for mixing with the process fluid, as described above with reference to FIG. 1. Once mixed, the mixed lubricant may be transported back to the compressor, as shown at 109. It will be appreciated that different orders for the processes involved in the method, including exemplary embodiments in which one or more of the described steps are omitted, are contemplated in this disclosure, and the order presented herein is not necessarily to be considered limiting. For example, mixing the used lubricant may take place before filtering the used lubricant, as in such an exemplary embodiment, the used lubricant would be filtered along with the lubricant from the source, in the mixed lubricant.

Exemplary embodiments of this method may be suitable for subsea application. In one such exemplary embodiment, the method includes positioning the remote lubricant source on an oil platform over a body of water, such as the ocean. The method may also include positioning the compressor under a surface of the body of water, such as on the bottom of the ocean proximate to an undersea source of oil, natural gas, or other fluid. The method may further include transporting the lubricant from the remote source through an umbilical to the compressor. The umbilical may be a long line or tube from the oil platform to the compressor. Further, the umbilical may require a pump to move the lubricant down to the compressor. The pump may be any pump suitable for pumping the necessary quantities of lubricant over the incident pressure differential.

The foregoing has outlined features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description that follows. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A compression system, comprising:

a compressor;

a process fluid source containing a process fluid;

a lubricant source;

a process fluid pump;

a lubricant inlet line fluidly connecting the lubricant source to the compressor and the process fluid pump, wherein the lubricant inlet line provides a usable lubricant to the compressor and the process fluid pump from the lubricant source;

a separation device fluidly connected with the lubricant source, the process fluid source, the compressor, and the process fluid pump, wherein a portion of the usable lubricant mixes with the process fluid, and the process fluid is separated such that a gaseous portion of the process fluid is channeled to the compressor and a liquid portion of the process fluid is channeled to the process fluid pump;

a lubricant recycling line fluidly connected to the lubricant inlet line, the compressor, and the process fluid pump, wherein a used lubricant is discharged from the compressor and the process fluid pump into the lubricant recycling line, and the lubricant recycling line provides a recycled lubricant to the lubricant inlet line;

a lubricant filter fluidly connected to the lubricant recycling line, wherein the lubricant filter filters the used lubricant;

a lubricant pump fluidly connected to the lubricant recycling line, wherein the lubricant pump pumps the used lubricant through the lubricant recycling line; and

a lubricant cooler fluidly connected to the lubricant recycling line, wherein the lubricant cooler cools the used lubricant.

2. The compression system of claim 1, further comprising a motor operatively connected to the compressor and fluidly connected to the lubricant recycling line and the separation device, wherein the used lubricant is also discharged from the motor into the lubricant recycling line, and the lubricant inlet line provides the usable lubricant to the motor.

3. The compression system of claim 2, wherein the lubricant pump is integrated with the motor.

4. The compression system of claim 1, wherein the lubricant pump is integrated with the process fluid pump.

5. The compression system of claim 1, wherein the lubricant pump is integrated with the compressor.

6. The compression system of claim 1, wherein the process fluid source is located beneath a surface of a body of water, and at least one of the compressor, process fluid pump, lubricant filter, lubricant pump, and lubricant cooler is located beneath the surface of the body of water, proximal the process fluid source.

7. A compression apparatus, comprising:

a motor;

a lubricant source providing a lubricant;

an umbilical fluidly connected to the lubricant source;

a compressor operatively connected to the motor, fluidly connected to the umbilical, and including a compressor lubricant outlet and a compressor lubricant inlet that is fluidly connected to the umbilical;

a separation device fluidly connected to the compressor, the lubricant source, and a well including a process fluid, wherein the separation device separates the process fluid into a liquid portion and a gaseous portion, and a portion of the lubricant mixes with the process fluid; and

a lubricant recycling assembly comprising: a dirty side fluidly connected to the compressor lubricant outlet; a clean side fluidly connected to the compressor lubricant inlet; a lubricant filter interposed between the clean side and the dirty side; and a lubricant pump interposed between the clean side and the dirty side.

8. The compression apparatus of claim 7, wherein the lubricant recycling assembly further comprises a lubricant cooler interposed between the clean side and the dirty side.

9. The compression apparatus of claim 8, wherein the motor further comprises:

a motor lubricant inlet fluidly connected to the umbilical; and

a motor lubricant outlet fluidly connected to the dirty side of the lubricant recycling assembly.

10. The compression apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a process fluid pump fluidly connected to the separation device and comprising:

a pump lubricant inlet fluidly connected to the umbilical; and

a pump lubricant outlet connected to the dirty side of the lubricant recycling assembly.

11. The compression apparatus of claim 10, wherein the lubricant pump is integrated with the compressor, the process fluid pump, or the motor.

12. The compression apparatus of claim 10, wherein the well is located beneath a surface of a body of water, and at least one of the motor, the compressor, process fluid pump, lubricant filter, lubricant pump, and lubricant cooler is located beneath the surface of the body of water, proximal the well.

13. A method of lubricating a compression system, comprising:

supplying a compressor with a usable lubricant from a remote source;

mixing at least a portion of the usable lubricant with a process fluid in a separation device to form a mixture;

separating the mixture into a gaseous portion and a liquid portion in the separation device;

channeling the gaseous portion to the compressor;

channeling the liquid portion to a process fluid pump;

discharging a used lubricant from the compressor and the process fluid pump;

recycling the used lubricant to form a recycled lubricant, wherein recycling the used lubricant comprises filtering the used lubricant; and

channeling the recycled lubricant to the compressor.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein recycling the used lubricant further comprises:

cooling the used lubricant with a lubricant cooler; and

pumping the used lubricant with a lubricant pump.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising integrating the lubricant pump with the compressor.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising mixing the recycled lubricant with the usable lubricant to form a mixed lubricant.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

supplying the separation device with the mixed lubricant; and

mixing the mixed lubricant with the process fluid.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein:

the remote source is located on an oil platform on a body of water;

the compressor is located under a surface of the body of water; and

the usable lubricant is continuously supplied from the remote source through an umbilical to the compressor during operation of the compression system.