Separator Patents (Class 166/357)
  • Publication number: 20040200620
    Abstract: A subsea system for processing a fluid emanating from one or more subsea wells, comprising a fluid processing circuit and a base module (3) provided with at least one receiver (40) for receiving an insert module (4-8) comprising an appliance that forms part of the fluid processing circuit. The receiver (40) comprises a cavity (30) for accommodating the insert module (4-8). The insert module (4-8) is provided with a flange (31), which is adapted to bear on a corresponding flange (32) of the receiver (40) when the insert module (4-8) is mounted therein, a watertight seal (33) being arranged between said flanges (31, 32) so as to seal the space between the receiver (40) and the part of the insert module (4-8) received therein from the surrounding sea water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventor: Inge Ostergaard
  • Publication number: 20040200621
    Abstract: A subsea system for separating a multiphase fluid emanating from one or more subsea wells, comprising a foundation structure (1) secured to the seabed, a header piping module (2) adapted to be mounted to the foundation structure (1), a separator piping module (3) adapted to be removably mounted to the header piping module (2), and one or several insert modules (4-8), each of which comprising a processing appliance of the subsea system and being adapted to be removably mounted to the separator piping module (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventor: Inge Ostergaard
  • Publication number: 20040149445
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for assisting the flow of production fluid from a hydrocarbon well to a remote location in conditions in which gelling or solidification is a problem. The method involves adding dilution fluid (60) such as water, to production fluid from a wellhead (4) in a first sub-system (8) close to the wellhead (4), conveying the mixture to a second sub-system (14) where the dilution fluid (60) is separated from the mixture in a separator chamber (38) as a consequence of their different specific gravities, recirculating the separated dilution fluid back to the first sub-system (8) and adding it to further production fluid from the wellhead (4). The requirements for pipeline heating, chemical injection and conveying large volumes of dilution fluid to a host facility can be avoided by the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: David Eric Appleford, Brian William Lane
  • Publication number: 20040140099
    Abstract: A method and a system for separating the phases of a multiphase fluid from one or more wells. The system comprises at least one first gravity separator (3-6) and at least one second gravity separator (3-6), and means for conducting the fluid from the well or wells to the first and second gravity separator(s) (3-6). The system comprises means (15-18, 41-44, 50-53, 54-57) for selectively conducting the fluid to the first and second gravity separators (3-6) either in parallel or in subsequent steps depending on the properties of the fluid and process conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Applicant: ABB Offshore Systems AS
    Inventors: Espen Hauge, Oystein Grande
  • Publication number: 20040140124
    Abstract: Subsea wells are drilled and completed with an offshore floating platform in a manner that allows simultaneous work on more than one well. A first well is drilled and casing. Then a tubing hanger is run through a drilling riser and landed in the wellhead housing. Then, with the same floating platform, the drilling riser is disconnected and moved to a second well. While performing operations on the second well, the operator lowers a production tree from the floating platform on a lift line, and connects it to the first wellhead housing. An ROV assisted subsea plug removal tool is used for plug removal and setting operations required through the production tree. Seabed separation is configured upstream of a production choke valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Stephen P. Fenton, Gawain Langford, Francisco Dezen, Lars-Petter Sollie, Jarle Michaelsen, Nils Arne Soelvik
  • Publication number: 20040134661
    Abstract: A device in the riser-tensioning device or a vessel (1), in which a wire (30) is connected to a riser (8) and extends from the riser (8) up to and over pulley wheels (18′, 18″) and on to a wire-tensioning device (22), the two parts of the wire (30) extending in opposite, essentially horizontal directions out from the pulley wheels (18′, 18″).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventor: Christian B. von der Ohe
  • Publication number: 20040134660
    Abstract: A GTL facility for a fixed offshore hydrocarbon production platform which comprises a deck attached to a base that is secured to the sea floor. The GTL facility comprises a syngas reactor for converting natural gas into syngas and a liquids production unit for converting the syngas into a hydrocarbon liquid. Furthermore, at least one of the syngas reactor and the liquids production unit comprises a catalyst which is constructed using PI micro-reactor technology. As a result, the GTL unit is sufficiently small to be located on the deck of the platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Ricky A. Hall, Richard D. Yetman
  • Publication number: 20040112602
    Abstract: A device for keeping liquids separate in a pipe (16), especially for use in a petroleum well, where the device comprises a diaphragm (14), which in its operative position and through use of pretensioned slats (12) is stretched across the cross section of the pipe (16), and where each of the two end portions of the slats (12) is connected to a boss (8) and (10), respectively, in a manner such that each the slats forms an outward bow relative to the common axis of the bosses (8, 10), when in the neutral position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Per Arild Arebrat
  • Publication number: 20040099422
    Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the inventive fluid delivery system comprises a vertical liquid/vapor separator and riser assembly that comprises a multi-phase separator inlet, a vapor outlet and riser, and a liquid outlet port connected to a hydraulically-driven centrifugal pump. By controlling the operational speed of the pump, the level of the separated liquid within the separator can be controlled without the need for control valves. The vertical separator is capable of low pressure operation and large variations in controlled liquid levels within the separator, allowing the relatively slow reaction time pump to control the liquid level from low pressure wells penetrating low pressure reservoirs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: David Lush, Jonathan Eng, Hikmet Ucok, Dave Hopgood, Chris Landeck, Ken Carmon
  • Publication number: 20040069494
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and arrangements for utilising the energy of water that flows out from a high-pressure reservoir. Water and hydrocarbons are separated in a down-hole separator (3) and are brought separately to the seabed. In a first aspect the energy of the water is utilised to inject the water into an underground formation (28) with a lower pressure. In a second aspect the energy is utilised to drive a turbine which in turn is driving a pump (32) for pressurising hydrocarbons. As a part of the invention a method and an arrangement to control the separator (3) by control valves (7, 8) on the well head (6) for each phase is provided. In a further aspect a higher water pressure is provided by gas lift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Geir Inge Olsen, Gunder Homstvedt
  • Patent number: 6672391
    Abstract: A method and system for separating and treating water produced from a subsea well includes separating the water subsea, and then separating the water from residual hydrocarbons on a surface vessel. The water treated at the surface, can be dumped to sea or injected into other subsea wells. The residual hydrocarbons separated on the vessel can be conveyed subsea for transportation to a processing facility along with hydrocarbons from the subsea separator. Also, the residual hydrocarbons from the surface separator can be used to fuel gas powered equipment in order to drive other equipment or to generate electricity for the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: ABB Offshore Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Clay F. Anderson, John Allen
  • Patent number: 6651745
    Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the inventive fluid delivery system comprises a vertical liquid/vapor separator and riser assembly that comprises a multi-phase separator inlet, a vapor outlet and riser, and a liquid outlet port connected to a hydraulically-driven centrifugal pump. By controlling the operational speed of the pump, the level of the separated liquid within the separator can be controlled without the need for control valves. The vertical separator is capable of low pressure operation and large variations in controlled liquid levels within the separator, allowing the relatively slow reaction time pump to control the liquid level from low pressure wells penetrating low pressure reservoirs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: David Lush, Jonathan Eng, Hikmet Ucok, Dave Hopgood, Chris Landeck, Ken Carmon
  • Publication number: 20030205384
    Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the inventive fluid delivery system comprises a vertical liquid/vapor separator and riser assembly that comprises a multi-phase separator inlet, a vapor outlet and riser, and a liquid outlet port connected to a hydraulically-driven centrifugal pump. By controlling the operational speed of the pump, the level of the separated liquid within the separator can be controlled without the need for control valves. The vertical separator is capable of low pressure operation and large variations in controlled liquid levels within the separator, allowing the relatively slow reaction time pump to control the liquid level from low pressure wells penetrating low pressure reservoirs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: David Lush, Jonathan Eng, Hikmet Ucok, Dave Hopgood, Chris Landeck, Ken Carmon
  • Patent number: 6640901
    Abstract: A retrievable fluid separation module (2) for a seabed processing system to which flow lines are connected includes one portion (60) of a multi-ported valve isolation connector (5) and a separator chamber (6) for separating a plurality of fluids from a received fluid mixture. The separator chamber has an inlet flow line (12) for the received fluid mixture and an outlet flow line (15, 16) for each separated fluid. The flow lines are connected to the one portion of the connector (5) which selectively isolates the module from or connects it to the flow lines by means of a second complementary portion (61) of the multi-ported valve isolation connector with which the first portion is adapted to engage. There may be a modulating valve (25) in at least one outlet flow line (16) for controlling flow therethrough and a control actuator (63) for controlling the or each modulating valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Alpha Thames Ltd.
    Inventors: David Eric Appleford, Brian William Lane
  • Publication number: 20030188873
    Abstract: A method and system for separating and treating water produced from a subsea well includes separating the water subsea, and then separating the water from residual hydrocarbons on a surface vessel. The water treated at the surface, can be dumped to sea or injected into other subsea wells. The residual hydrocarbons separated on the vessel can be conveyed subsea for transportation to a processing facility along with hydrocarbons from the subsea separator. Also, the residual hydrocarbons from the surface separator can be used to fuel gas powered equipment in order to drive other equipment or to generate electricity for the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventors: Clay F. Anderson, John Allen
  • Publication number: 20030178195
    Abstract: A method and system for the recovery and conversion of subsurface gas hydrates is provided. This is accomplished by accessing a subsurface hydrate formation and treating the formation with a treating system so that gas is released from the hydrate formation. The released gas is then delivered and collected by means of a gas recovery system at a surface location. The gas is converted to liquid hydrocarbons in a conversion system utilizing a synthesis gas unit for producing synthesis gas from the hydrate gas, and a synthesis unit for converting the synthesis gas into liquid hydrocarbons. In at least one embodiment, the synthesis unit utilizes a Fischer-Tropsch reactor. Excess energy produced during the conversion of the hydrate gas can be utilized in the treating and recovery of the hydrate gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Mark A. Agee, Kenneth Ray Roberts
  • Publication number: 20030106713
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for removing proppant from fluid used in an oil and gas well for reuse in future operations. The proppant is separated from the well fluid and transported to a materials collection tank. A crane then transports the materials collection tank onto a processing boat. On the processing boat, the proppant is vacuumed from the materials collection tank to a hopper. The proppant is then discharged from the hopper into a holding tank for treatment and reuse. In a first alternative embodiment, two hoppers are positioned above each other so that the proppant can be added to the upper hopper and then fed by gravity to the lower hopper. A valving arrangement maintains vacuum within the interior of at least one hopper at all times to provide a continuous vacuum operation. A conduit discharges from the lower hopper into the holding tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Applicant: M - I L. L. C.
    Inventors: Martin Slater, Daniel Perez, Nicholas Hilbig, Gary Dietzen, Brian Campbell
  • Patent number: 6547005
    Abstract: An oil well system for extracting oil extracted from a reservoir via a well, includes a separator device adapted to separate oil and water from a mixture extracted from a reservoir. The separator device has a non-vertical first flow path for the mixture and being arranged along a non-vertical portion of the well, a second flow path, separate from the first flow path, for receiving water or a water enriched phase that has been separated from the mixture by the separator device, and a plurality of drain openings along a section of the first flow path. The first and second flow paths are arranged such that water or the water enriched phase in the first flow path can flow by gravity to the second flow path via the drain openings. An opening area of the drain openings, per unit area of the first flow path, decreases in a flow direction of the mixture along the first flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventor: Svein Audun Haheim
  • Patent number: 6527054
    Abstract: This invention provides apparatus and methods for controlling the particle size of the solid mass present in the circulating drilling fluid returning from an underwater wellhead during the drilling of a subsea wellbore. The system may include a separator at the sea floor adjacent the wellhead, which separates solids above a predetermined size from the wellstream. The wellstream then enters one or more underwater pumps, which pump the wellstream to the surface. A crusher, as a separate unit, integrated in the separator or in the pump, receives the separated solids and reduces them to relatively small-sized particles. The small particles are then pumped or moved to the surface by the pumps utilized for pumping the wellstream to the surface or by a separate underwater pump. Alternatively, the separated solids are collected from the separator into a container, which container is then transported to the surface by a suitable method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Deep Vision LLC
    Inventors: Roger W. Fincher, Peter Fontana
  • Patent number: 6502635
    Abstract: A system and method for recovery of hydrocarbon gas and liquids from a sub-sea environment utilizing a sub-sea membrane separation system. The system includes a production string located in a sub-sea wellbore for removing hydrocarbons and contaminants from a sub-sea formation. At least one membrane separator for separating contaminants from hydrocarbons removed from the sub-sea formation is located underwater between the production string and a hydrocarbon collection tank such that a predetermined temperature of the hydrocarbons is obtained by the location of the membrane. In another embodiment, a tube is connected to a sub-sea production string for removing hydrocarbons and contaminants from a sub-sea wellbore. At least one membrane separator for separating contaminants from hydrocarbons in the tube is positioned between the production string and a hydrocarbon collection tank wherein the temperature of the hydrocarbons and contaminants is controlled by the location of the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Underdown, John R. Hampton
  • Publication number: 20020195250
    Abstract: A redundant membrane separation system and method for separating hydrocarbons and contaminants. The redundant membrane separation system includes a system and method wherein the flow of the produced hydrocarbons and contaminants from a production string can be diverted to one of at least two tubes while the membrane separation system in another of the tubes is serviced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventors: David R. Underdown, John R. Hampton
  • Patent number: 6296060
    Abstract: Methods of placing off-shore wells on production comprising the steps of separating a gas from oil or oil and water produced by the well, introducing the gas into the seawater surrounding the well at a depth where the temperature and pressure of the seawater are such that solid gas hydrates are formed when the gas is mixed with the seawater, mixing the gas with the seawater whereby the gas is converted to solid gas hydrates and depositing the solid gas hydrates on the sea floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Kerr-McGee Corporation
    Inventor: Kurt P. McCaslin
  • Patent number: 6277286
    Abstract: A method and device for separating a fluid from a formation into several fluid components in a well is disclosed. The method and device include feeding the fluid into a mainly horizontal section of pipe located in a down-hole, mainly horizontal section of the well, such that the fluid is set to flow at a speed through a length of the mainly horizontal section of pipe such that the fluid components are separated and a boundary layer is formed between the fluid components. The fluid components with a lower density are formed in a top part of the mainly horizontal section of pipe and fluid components with a higher density are formed in a bottom part of the mainly horizontal section of pipe. The fluid components with the lower density and the fluid components with the higher density are removed through separate outlets of the mainly horizontal section of pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Norsk Hydro ASA
    Inventors: Terje Søntvedt, Per Eivind Gramme, Hielke Kamps, Per Magne Almdahl
  • Patent number: 6276455
    Abstract: A subsea gas separation system use in drilling an offshore well includes a subsea blowout preventor connected to the well and a gas separator connected to the blowout preventor near the seafloor. Gas released into the well bore during a well control event is removed at the separator and not returned with the drilling mud recirculated to the surface. A method offshore drilling includes a mud circulation circuit established leading down the drill string, through the drill bit, up the borehole, through a subsea pump, and to the surface through a return riser. The subsea pump is protected during critical well control events by removing gas released into the mud at a gas separator located upstream of the subsea pump and in communication with the blowout preventor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Shell Offshore Inc.
    Inventor: Romulo Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 6267182
    Abstract: A subsea primary separating vessel (2,22) is installed close to the wellhead (1,31) of an oil producing well to effect primary separation of the liquid and gas phases of the fluids produced. A line (3,23) connected to the top of the separating vessel allows separated gas to flow to a gathering vessel (8,28) located at any gathering center. At least one flow line (4,5,24) connects the lower part of the separating vessel to a vessel (9,29) located at any gathering center. When the volume of liquid phase which separates out within the at least one flow line begins to exert a back pressure which adversely affects production from the well, pressurized gas can be injected into the flow line(s) for a specific period of time in order to promote the flow of liquid gas to the vessel (9,29). If it is desired that flow efficiency should be increased a mechanical interface driven by the pressurized gas may be used to encourage flow of the liquid phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Petroleo Brasileiro S. A. - Petrobras
    Inventor: Paulo C. R. Lima
  • Patent number: 6263970
    Abstract: A wellhead device for the isolation of solid particles carried by production fluid includes a closed housing to be integrated with a wellhead element, a lining tightly fixed on the inner wall of the body producing the fluid upstream of the side outlet(s) provided with the valves, and a cylindrical partition arranged inside the housing around the lining, from which it is separated by a second ring-shaped space. First openings are provided in the upper portion of the partition above the lining, second openings are provided in the lower portion of the partition, and a filter is arranged inside the housing at the periphery of the partition lower portion, opposite the second openings. The filter is arranged such that all the fluid entering through the first partition openings into the volume separating this partition from the housing outer portion passes through the filter before entering the second ring-shaped volume through the partition second openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Total Fina S.A.
    Inventor: Charles Blanchet
  • Patent number: 6230809
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for off-shore production of oil. Special shuttle tankers with high-pressure cargo tanks capable of containing the produced live crude oil at a pressure close to that of the ambient pressure inside a subterranean oil field, and without any processing of the live crude oil prior to transportation are used. The produced live crude oil from the subterranean oil field is pumped directly into the high-pressure cargo tanks aboard the shuttle tanker. Lighter fractions of the live crude oil stored in the shuttle tanker may be used as a fuel to power the propulsion machinery and the auxiliary machinery aboard the shuttle tanker. The pressures in the tanks are ordinarily above 70 kPa gauge pressure, may be higher than 1.8 MPa gauge, and may range as high as 35 MPa gauge or even higher. The tanker vessel transports the produced live crude oil to an onshore processing plant for separation into gas, water, solids, and stabilized crude oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventor: Jens Korsgaard
  • Patent number: 6230810
    Abstract: A technique is described for producing fluids from a series of wells. Production fluids from production wells are raised from the wells and deposited in a collection well. The production fluids may include both liquid and gas phase components. The collection well may serve to permit separation of the gas and liquid phase components under the forces of gravity. The fluids deposited in the collection well are separately displaced to a further collection and processing location. The head requirements for the pumping systems of the production wells is reduced by the need only to transmit the production fluids to the collection well. A pumping system in the collection well then produces some or all of the deposited fluids. Where the fluids include significant quantities of gas, the collection well pumping system may only produce the liquid-phase components, reducing the capacity requirements for the collection well pumping system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Camco International, Inc.
    Inventor: Olegario S. Rivas
  • Patent number: 6216799
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for offshore drilling in which a bit is driven at a far end of a drill string, drilling fluid is injected into the drill string from surface drilling facilities, and drilling fluid passes through the far end of the drill string and flushes the borehole at the bit and entrains cuttings into the drilling fluid which circulates up the casing/drill string annulus. The drilling fluid drawn off near the mudline and is treated through a subsea primary processing stage to removing the cuttings from the drilling fluid. The treated drilling fluid is then returned to the surface with a subsea return pump system and passes to surface drilling facilities for injection and recirculation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Shell Offshore Inc.
    Inventor: Romulo Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 6197095
    Abstract: A subsea multiphase fluid separation system and method are disclosed which provide for efficient and reliable remote separation operation at deep and ultra deep water depths including depths of ten thousand feet or more. The system is preferably of modular construction wherein the modules are secured in a single frame to be lowered as a unit to the seabed. The system utilizes reliable cyclonic operation. The sequence of process steps is designed to make the system more efficient as compared to surface separating systems and thereby permit a more compact size as is desirable for subsea operation. The method of operation includes up to five basic process steps with the initial step in one embodiment including cyclonically separating solids. In a presently preferred embodiment, the cyclonic solids separator is sized to eliminate solids greater than fifty microns. A second stage is directed to cyclonically removing bulk gas from the liquid in either a cyclone or auger separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventors: John C. Ditria, David A. Hadfield
  • Patent number: 6129150
    Abstract: A subsea primary separating vessel (2) is installed close to the wellhead (1) of an oil producing well to effect primary separation of the liquid and gas phases of the produced fluids. A line (3) connected to the top of the separating vessel allows the separated gases to flow to a collecting vessel (7) located at any gathering station. The liquid phase flows to the gathering center through a flow line (21) which distributes the fluids into a U-shaped pipe length (13), each end of which is connected to a flow line (4 or 5) along which the liquid phase flows to a surge tank (8). When the volume of liquid phase which has settled out within the flow lines begins to exert a back pressure which has a prejudicial effect on well production, high pressure gas can be injected into the flow lines for a specific period of time to promote flow of the liquid phase to the surge tank (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras
    Inventor: Paulo Cesar Ribeiro Lima
  • Patent number: 6062313
    Abstract: A system for separating particulate material from drilling fluid for underwater wells of the type which comprise an above-water drilling platform, a string of drill pipe extending from the platform to the subsea floor for drilling the well and an annulus extending into an earth formation beneath the subsea floor. The drill pipe runs through the annulus into the formation for drilling a well in the formation. Also included is a system for circulating a drilling fluid downwardly through the string of drill pipe and upwardly through the annulus for removing particulate material generated from drilling the well. The system further including a return conduit and pump for returning the drilling fluid to the water surface. The system comprises an expandable tank positioned on the subsea floor and connected between the annulus and the return conduit so that the drilling fluid flows through the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Inventor: Boyd B. Moore
  • Patent number: 6035933
    Abstract: A process for the thermo-hydraulic control of gas hydrates in subsea production and injection wells as well as pipelines which transport liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons is described, the process making use of a Nitrogen Generating System foamed or in solution. The control may signify the prevention of the formation of the gas hydrates or the dissolution of the gas hydrate plug already formed. Under conditions of use designed for the prevention of the formation of gas hydrates the SGN fluid prevents the thermal conditions leading to the gas hydrate plugs. Under conditions of use designed to dissolve the already formed gas hydrate plugs, the SGN fluid alters the thermo-hydraulic conditions which favor the gas hydrate plugs, so that they are dissolved and return to the water+gas phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.-Petrobras
    Inventors: Carlos Nagib Khalil, Nelson De Oliveira Rocha, Lucia Cristina Ferreira Leite
  • Patent number: 6019174
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for off-shore production of oil. Special shuttle tankers with high-pressure cargo tanks capable of containing the produced live crude oil at a pressure close to that of the ambient pressure inside a subterranean oil field, and without any processing of the live crude oil prior to transportation are used. The produced live crude oil from the subterranean oil field is pumped directly into the high-pressure cargo tanks aboard the shuttle tanker. Lighter fractions of the live crude oil stored in the shuttle tanker may be used as a fuel to power the propulsion machinery and the auxiliary machinery aboard the shuttle tanker. The pressures in the tanks are ordinarily above 70 kPa gauge pressure, may be higher than 1.8 MPa gauge, and may range as high as 35 MPa gauge or even higher. The tanker vessel transports the produced live crude oil to an onshore processing plant for separation into gas, water, solids, and stabilized crude oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Inventor: Jens Korsgaard
  • Patent number: 6003603
    Abstract: A method and a system for offshore production of liquefied natural gas, wherein natural gas is supplied from an underground source to a field installation for gas treatment. The gas is transferred in compressed form from the field installation to an LNG tanker. The transfer takes place via a pipeline surrounded by sea water. The compressed gas is supplied to a conversion plant which is provided on the LNG tanker and is arranged to convert at least a part of the gas to liquefied form, and the liquified gas is transferred to storage tanks on board the tanker. When the storage tanks on the LNG tanker are filled up, the pipeline is disconnected from the LNG tanker and connected to another, similar tanker. The pipeline is permanently connected to a submerged buoy which is arranged for introduction and releasable securement in a submerged downwardly open receiving space in the tanker, and which is provided with a swivel unit for transfer of gas under a high pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Den Norske Stats Ol jesel skap A.S.
    Inventors: Kare Breivik, Arne Olav Fredheim, Pentti Paurola
  • Patent number: 5988283
    Abstract: A Vertical Combined Production Facility, or gas-well production system, in which the separation of each phase (hydrocarbon gas, hydrocarbon liquids, and produced water), dehydration of natural gas, removal of minute traces of water from the hydrocarbon liquids, and polishing of produced water, are performed in a single pressure vessel. Additionally, the pressure vessel is installed in a vertical configuration such that the pressure vessel shell also serves as the structural support for a small deck and helideck. Additionally, the inlet heating of the well flow-stream is accomplished by a heat exchanger installed in the dehydration/regeneration heater (reboiler).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Union Pacific Resources Company
    Inventor: Don Mike Gann
  • Patent number: 5950732
    Abstract: A system for recovering liquid hydrocarbons from hydrates on an ocean floor includes a vessel, a positioning subsystem coupled to the vessel for holding the vessel in a desired location over a hydrate formation, a hydrate recovery subsystem coupled to the vessel for delivering hydrates from an ocean floor to the vessel and separating gas from hydrates removed from an ocean floor, a gas conversion subsystem coupled to the hydrate recovery subsystem for converting gas to liquids, and a storage and removal subsystem. Excess energy from the gas conversion subsystem is used elsewhere in the system. A method of recovering hydrates from an ocean floor is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Agee, Larry J. Weick, Kenneth L. Agee
  • Patent number: 5878814
    Abstract: A method and a system for offshore production of liquefied natural gas, wherein natural gas is supplied from an underground source (4) to a subsea production plant (1). The gas is transferred under a high pressure directly from the production plant (1) to an LNG tanker (6), the transfer taking place through a pipeline (5) surrounded by sea water and causing the temperature of the high pressure gas to be lowered to a desired low temperature. This gas is supplied to a conversion plant (12) provided on the LNG tanker (16) and arranged for converting at least a part of the gas to liquid form, and the liquefied gas is transferred to storage tanks (17) on board the vessel (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Den Norske Stats Oljeselskap A.S.
    Inventors: Kare Breivik, Arne Olav Fredheim, Pentti Paurola
  • Patent number: 5698014
    Abstract: A spiral or auger type gas-liquid separator, particularly for well production fluid flow, includes a vertically oriented conduit section having a spiral separator element disposed therein and around a central gas discharge conduit. The inlet to the gas discharge conduit is disposed adjacent the discharge end of the separator element and includes a liquid carryover control mechanism comprising a closure member which is operable to shut off fluid flow into the gas discharge conduit when high liquid flow rates or liquid slug flow passes through the separator. The shutoff closure member is connected to a float actuator responsive to liquid accumulation to actuate the closure member to move to a closed position. A coil spring biases the closure member toward a valve open condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: Richard A. Cadle, Richard L. Payne
  • Patent number: 5570744
    Abstract: Hydrocarbon fluid production wells and similar process flowstreams have a spiral baffle-type separator interposed in a surface flowline for separating fluids of different densities, such as gas from oil or gas from oil and from water, for example. Particulate solids may also be separated from the fluid flowstream. The separator includes a spiral baffle of single or multiple diameters interposed in an elongated cylindrical casing connected at its opposite ends to suitable fittings whereby the separator may be connected to conventional fluid flowlines on the surface just downstream of a wellhead or otherwise in a process flowstream. Multiple spiral baffle separators may be connected in series to provide multiple stages for separation of fluids of different densities. The separator is particularly compact, mechanically uncomplicated and may be easily adapted to be interposed in well production fluid flowlines or conduits for process flowstreams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: Jean S. Weingarten, Miroslav M. Kolpak, Scott A. Mattison, Ronald G. Oba, M. Jane Williamson
  • Patent number: 5477924
    Abstract: A system is provided for disposal of gaseous hydrocarbons produced from an undersea well, which minimizes the gas disposal cost. The system includes a polymerization station (80) mounted on an anchored floating vessel arrangement (12), which converts the gas to a liquid hydrocarbon that is stored and then transported by a shuttle tanker (52) to a refinery. The liquified gas can be mixed with liquid hydrocarbons originally obtained from the undersea well, both in the shuttle tanker and in storage tanks on the anchored vessel arrangement. Sea water can be used to create steam for the polymerization process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Imodco, Inc.
    Inventor: Jack Pollack
  • Patent number: 5474601
    Abstract: A VASPS (vertical annular separation and pumping system) is integral with a floating production vessel such as a TLP. The head section of the VASPS is located at the deck level of the vessel. The tail section is located at or near the bottom of the body of water. The head and tail sections are in fluid communication by a riser having at least two fluid passageways (conductors). The invention constitutes an improvement on the VASPS unit described and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,900,433.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: Michael S. Choi
  • Patent number: 5460227
    Abstract: An undersea integrated repressurization system includes a first undersea separator (1) on the sea bottom (2) at which output from one or more wells (A, B, C and D) is collected with gas flowing through a low pressure gas line (3) to production platform (4) and oil flowing to a repressurization well (5). A power gas line (6) extends from compressor (7) on production platform (4) for injection of gas into the lower end of a pipe adjacent the bottom of the repressurization well (5), through an opening (8) whereby the oil and gas rise through the pipe to a second undersea separator (9) on the sea bottom (2). The separated oil then enters oil pipeline (10) along which the oil flows and the separated gas enters a high pressure gas pipeline (11) which carries the gas, both leading to a production platform (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.
    Inventor: Fernando Antonio C. Sidrim
  • Patent number: 5431228
    Abstract: A downhole gas-liquid separator for multiphase fluid producing wells includes a tubular member with a spiral baffle disposed therein and a duct including an inlet disposed adjacent the discharge end of the spiral baffle. Fluid flow into the separator undergoes substantial gas and liquid separation by centrifugal forces imposed on the liquid as it progresses through the spiral flowpath. Gas is drawn off at the discharge end of the spiral baffle and discharged into the wellbore annulus while liquid and a small amount of gas pass on through the separator and the production tubing to the surface. The spiral baffle may be disposed in the wellbore between the distal end of the production tubing string and the point of entry of gas and liquid into the wellbore. The separator may include a retrievable tubular body inserted in a ported nipple interposed in the tubing string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: Jean S. Weingarten, M. Jane Williamson, Miroslav M. Kolpak, Richard L. Payne
  • Patent number: 5398762
    Abstract: In a subsea station for transporting a well stream, comprising a compressor (12, 13) with a motor (8) in a common drive atmosphere within a pressure shell (21), and provided with a lube oil circuit comprising a lube oil sump (25) open to the drive atmosphere in the pressure shell, a lube oil pump (27), bearings (19, 20, 14, 15, 16) in the motor (8) and compressor (11, 12, 13), and a lube oil flow line (29) to the bearings, said lube oil circuit is connected with a lube oil supply on the shore/platform. The lube oil circuit may be integrated in a lube oil flow line (28, 33) from the onshore/platform-based lube oil supply and back to the onshore/platform-based lube oil supply, or the lube oil circuit may be connected with a lube oil line (28) from the onshore/platform-based lube oil supply, and in the lube oil sump may be connected with the gas chamber through an overflow pipe (30) from the lube oil sump (25) and to the gas chamber ( 4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Kvaerner Rosenberg a.s. Kvaerner Kvaerner Subsea Contracting
    Inventor: Kjell O. Stinessen
  • Patent number: 5232475
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for substantially eliminating slug flow and for separating the liquid phase of a liquid/gas mixture from the gas phase thereof is provided. A deceleration table contained within a housing decelerates liquid slugs and causes entrained gas to separate therefrom. The decelerated liquid passes through orifices in the deceleration table and is subsequently discharged from the housing while the separated gas rises above the deceleration table and is separately discharged from the housing. The liquid and gas phases can be recombined or permanently separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignees: Ohio University, University of Illinois
    Inventor: William P. Jepson
  • Patent number: 5161619
    Abstract: Environmentally-safe work-over operations are carried out on a well of an offshore platform by transporting an auxiliary oil-and-water separator together with well work-over equipment and installing it temporarily on the platform. The large volumes of oil- or chemical-contaminated fluids generated during a well work-over operation are collected and run through the high-capacity auxiliary oil-and-water separator before being disposed of and without upsetting the performance of the regular platform separator handling the flow of production fluids from other wells on the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: Shell Offshore Inc.
    Inventor: Joel L. Bollich
  • Patent number: 5154741
    Abstract: A deep-water oil and gas production and transportation system including a wet Christmas tree, a 2-phase oil/gas vertical separator, a gas cooler, a vertical tubular scrubber and a motor-pump, and a platform which includes a velocity variator for the motor-pump, a pressure-relief valve for simultaneous control of a gas pipeline, the scrubber and the 2-phase separator, and, a programmable logical controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras
    Inventor: Fernando H. da Costa Filho
  • Patent number: 5117908
    Abstract: Pressurized petroleum flows from a well into a turbine. The petroleum undergoes a pressure reduction in the turbine and then enters a separation chamber where it is separated into liquid and gaseous phases. The liquid phase is sent to a pump which serves to transfer the liquid phase to a station remote from the well. Similarly, the gaseous phase is directed to a compressor which functions to transfer the gaseous phase to a station remote from the well. The pump and the compressor are coupled to the turbine which uses the energy liberated by the petroleum during pressure reduction to drive the pump and the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Assignee: KSB Aktiengsellschaft
    Inventor: Heinrich Hofmann
  • Patent number: 5044440
    Abstract: The invention relates to an underwater station for pumping a well flow, comprising a separator for separating the well flow into liquid (oil/water) and gas, a pump assembly comprising a pump with a motor, and a compressor assembly comprising a compressor with a motor, as well as fluid carrying conduits between the separator and pump, and compressor, respectively. Separator, pump assembly, and compressor assembly are assembled into a compact unit with said three components arranged in a column structure, with pump assembly placed downmost, then separator, and with compressor assembly provided uppermost. The fluid carrying conduits are designed for connection (interface) in the bottom of said column structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Kvaerner Subsea Contracting
    Inventors: Kjell O. Stinessen, John L. Cotton, Jan S. Christensen