WO2008056252A2 - Sub-cooled hydrocarbon production system and method comprising a powered runner - Google Patents

Sub-cooled hydrocarbon production system and method comprising a powered runner Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2008056252A2
WO2008056252A2 PCT/IB2007/003439 IB2007003439W WO2008056252A2 WO 2008056252 A2 WO2008056252 A2 WO 2008056252A2 IB 2007003439 W IB2007003439 W IB 2007003439W WO 2008056252 A2 WO2008056252 A2 WO 2008056252A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
lumen
production fluid
runner
cooling
wall
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2007/003439
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2008056252A3 (en
Inventor
John Daniel Friedemann
Eric Smedstad
Kunal Dutta-Roy
Original Assignee
Vetco Gray Scandinavia As
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Vetco Gray Scandinavia As filed Critical Vetco Gray Scandinavia As
Priority to BRPI0718663-0A priority Critical patent/BRPI0718663A2/en
Publication of WO2008056252A2 publication Critical patent/WO2008056252A2/en
Publication of WO2008056252A3 publication Critical patent/WO2008056252A3/en
Priority to GB0908291A priority patent/GB2456953A/en
Priority to NO20092220A priority patent/NO20092220L/en

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17D—PIPE-LINE SYSTEMS; PIPE-LINES
    • F17D1/00—Pipe-line systems
    • F17D1/08—Pipe-line systems for liquids or viscous products
    • F17D1/16—Facilitating the conveyance of liquids or effecting the conveyance of viscous products by modification of their viscosity

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and to a system for conversion of a subsea hydrocarbon production fluid from above a solids formation temperature to below the said temperature for further transport through a flowline in the form of slurry.
  • the solids may be hydrates which are formed as a mixture of gas and water is cooled under pressure, or wax, asphaltenes, organic and inorganic salts which are dissolved in the production fluid at production temperature and which precipitate below that temperature or pressure. Obviously, uncontrolled agglomeration and deposition of solids on the tubing interior successively result in reduced flow.
  • a third technology is to accept the heat and pressure loss and to control the process.
  • This solution can generally be referred to as "cold or sub-cooled flow technology".
  • cold flow solutions method and apparatus are provided by which the production fluid is cooled to a solids formation temperature at an upstream location, from where the production fluid is further transported as slurry at the lower temperature.
  • An object of the invention is therefore to provide a method and a system that improve the cold-flow technology through simplified installation, reduced installation costs, and enhanced and steady operation of a slurry formation system and method.
  • the object is achieved by a method for cooling a subsea production fluid of hydrocarbon product from above a solids formation temperature for further transport below the said temperature as slurry, wherein the production fluid is passed through a lumen by which heat is transferred through the lumen wall to an ambient cooling medium, such as sea water, whereby material that is dissolved in the production fluid at the higher temperatures precipitate as solid matter entrained in the fluid at the reduced temperature.
  • a magnetisable runner for dislodging any attaching solid matter from the lumen wall is actively mobilized in its passage through the lumen.
  • the object is also achieved by a subsea hydrocarbon production fluid cooling system, in which the production fluid is advanced through a hydrate and /or wax formation temperature transition zone by means of a pump comprising a ferrous and flexible runner which is driven by means of induction coils surrounding the production fluid in a slurry formation device.
  • the runner preferably comprises a flexible structure containing a ferrous material.
  • the system comprises a lumen defined by a tubing structure shaped into a loop having an inlet and an outlet for the production fluid, wherein inductions coils are stationary supported on the loop-shaped tubing and preferably distributed in the entire length thereof.
  • the induction coils may be supported at equidistant spacing along the length of the loop.
  • the system may be encased in a housing containing a cooling medium.
  • a subsea booster pump is integrated in the system.
  • the system may use a driven runner to maintain or increase pressure during the cooling process and thus avoid the formation of additional solids as a result of pressure losses.
  • reference number 1 indicates a cut out portion of a flowline 1 through which a produced hydrocarbon fluid is transported in a flow direction F from a production site located upstream, i.e. at the left hand side of the drawing, towards a sea-based or land-based host plant located downstream, at the right hand side of the drawing.
  • Incorporated in the flowline 1 is a cooling loop generally identified through reference numeral 2.
  • Cooling loop 2 has a lumen 3 connecting an upstream inlet 4 from the flowline 1 with a downstream outlet 5 from the cooling loop.
  • an ambient cooling medium such as sea water
  • the cooling loop 2 is illustrated to comprise a circular lumen 3.
  • a helical loop 2 and lumen 3 may be foreseen.
  • a movable element 8 in the field often referred to as a pig or runner 8 is arranged to run through the lumen together with the production fluid.
  • the runner operates for dislodging solid matter that may have attached to the lumen wall in result of the temperature in the production fluid reaching a solids formation temperature. Ports through the lumen wall for entrance and exit of the runner are known in the art, and omitted from the drawing.
  • the runner 8 is actively driven in its passage through the lumen.
  • the runner 8 contains magnetisable material.
  • the magnetic runner is acted upon from induction coils 9 which are supported stationary about the lumen wall.
  • the induction coils 9 thus urges the runner 8 for circulation in the flow direction C of fluid through the lumen, as electrical power is supplied for activation of the induction coils.
  • the driven, magnetisable runner can thus be seen as a ferrous pump rotor in an electric subsea pump through which the production fluid is circulated for cooling purposes.
  • the induction coils 9 may be equidistantly spaced along the entire length of the cooling loop.
  • the necessary wiring and connectors for power supply and control can be composed of proven sub-sea equipment known to the skilled person.
  • a pig or runner can be designed flexible as is known in the art, comprising radial flanges providing a scraping of the lumen wall upon passage.
  • the runner 8, which is magnetisable, preferably includes ferrous material elements in a flexible runner structure.
  • the ferrous elements may form a radially inner part of the flanges, or form part of a stem connecting the scraper flanges, or else be separate elements supported on the stem part.
  • the powered and actively driven runner 8 provides improved operability and reduces the likelihood of the runner being stucked in deposits of solid precipitates on the lumen wall.
  • the powered runner 8 can be operated to provide mechanical impact on deposited solid hydrate or wax to ensure that it is sufficiently pulverized to permit effective flow downstream. Cooling process and speed can further be controlled by means of the powered runner 8.
  • the disclosed induction coil drive device can be used both to boost fluid flow and to grind produced solids for further transport to a surface receiving facility, and can be based on a subsea booster pump.
  • An integrated booster pump implementation provides several benefits, such as
  • the cold flow process can mechanically impact solidified hydrate and/ or wax to ensure it is sufficiently pulverized as to flow effectively;
  • an ESP style pump can also be used making retrieval of components easier while also mechanically macerating the flowstream: • the booster pump implementation improves economics (abandonment pressure) with a further improvement of economics over conventional cold flow technology.
  • cooling loops should be designed according to methods appropriate to marine applications.
  • Surface coatings when applied should be chosen to ensure optimal heat transfer and simultaneous control of surface accumulations and corrosion by-products.
  • a preferred embodiment would typically include use of corrosion resistant materials in the construction of recycle/ cooling loops as an alternative to the use of corrosion resistant coatings.
  • the cooling system is preferably designed to be self-draining, and may preferably also include features for chemical injection and inhibition of the system during shut-in periods of the field operation.
  • the cold flow device discussed above may be encased in a housing containing a cooling medium. Permanently mounted devices may further be arranged to provide external circulation of cooling medium surrounding the lumen/ lumens.
  • the system may further be configured to allow access such as for cleaning purposes and for removal from accumulations to the piping surface.
  • Such removal can be performed using permanently mounted pumping devices designed to provide sufficient circulation of external water to remove marine growth or sediments from the piping. When used continuously, these circulation devices can also increase the cooling capacity of the cooling loops.
  • Such a system can be installed in several modified embodiments of the present invention. The illustrated embodiment also allows for cleaning using remotely or robotically operated devices or by direct access via divers or other human operated submarine devices.
  • the piping comprised in the system may further advantageously be coated in view of increasing heat transfer to the ambient and to reduce accumulation of fouling material from the surrounding environment.
  • Solids formation may be further enhanced by pressure loss.
  • the flow related pressure loss in the device can be controlled in such a manner that the combined pressure and temperature losses are controlled to minimize the rate of formation of the formed solids.
  • tubing and flow-paths may advantageously be designed to control both the pressure and temperature loss in order to control the formation of solids formed by pressure/temperature reduction.

Abstract

The invention refers to a method and a system for cooling a subsea production fluid of hydrocarbon product from above a solids formation temperature for further transport below the said temperature as slurry, comprising the steps of feeding the production fluid through a lumen by which heat is transferred through the lumen wall to an ambient cooling medium, such as sea water, for precipitation of material dissolved in the production fluid, as well as the step of dislodging any attaching solid matter from the lumen wall by means of a runner passing with the production fluid flow through the lumen. The method is characterized in that the runner for dislodging the solid matter from the lumen wall is magnetisable and actively driven in its passage through the lumen. The method may be carried out in a system incorporating a magnetizable runner which is driven through the lumen by means of induction coils arranged about the lumen.

Description

SUB-COOLED HYDROCARBON PRODUCTION SYSTEM AND METHOD COMPRISING A POWERED RUNNER
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and to a system for conversion of a subsea hydrocarbon production fluid from above a solids formation temperature to below the said temperature for further transport through a flowline in the form of slurry.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART
In long distance subsea production and flowline transport of hydrocarbon products, one of the most challenging issues is related to the problem of cooling of production fluids to within regions of behaviour which are characterized by solids formation and crystallization on the production tubing. The solids may be hydrates which are formed as a mixture of gas and water is cooled under pressure, or wax, asphaltenes, organic and inorganic salts which are dissolved in the production fluid at production temperature and which precipitate below that temperature or pressure. Obviously, uncontrolled agglomeration and deposition of solids on the tubing interior successively result in reduced flow.
Several technologies have been developed to either heat the flow system or to insulate the flow system, and by this way keeping the combination of temperature and pressure in the production fluid to a region at which said solids formation is either avoided or kept to a minimal level.
A third technology is to accept the heat and pressure loss and to control the process. This solution can generally be referred to as "cold or sub-cooled flow technology". In cold flow solutions, method and apparatus are provided by which the production fluid is cooled to a solids formation temperature at an upstream location, from where the production fluid is further transported as slurry at the lower temperature.
Prior art contains several examples on this approach to the problem. Relevant background art may be found in US 6,070,417, e.g., which discloses a method that is carried out by means of an apparatus defining a continuous lumen. The lumen has a thermally conductive wall from which heat is extracted from outside, as the production fluid flows through the lumen, resulting in formation of solid material attaching on the inner surface of the lumen wall. A flexible runner circulates with the production fluid in the lumen and dislodges material deposited on the inner surface of the lumen wall. The material is then carried as solids in slurry out from the lumen, together with the production fluid. The lumen is contained in a heat exchanger containment through which a coolant medium is circulated in order to lower the temperature of the production fluid to a solids formation temperature.
Drawbacks in prior art solutions are complex installation and unstable or unsatisfactory operation. None of the prior art solutions have paid significant attention to installation ability and operability of a sub-sea system. The cold flow technology essentially protects a flowline downstream of a cold flow device. Flow upstream of the cold flow device is still susceptible of flow assurance issues such as wax and hydrates. For this reason, the flowlines upstream of the cold flow device must be insulated and/ or treated, as is usual practise today.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is therefore to provide a method and a system that improve the cold-flow technology through simplified installation, reduced installation costs, and enhanced and steady operation of a slurry formation system and method.
The object is achieved by a method for cooling a subsea production fluid of hydrocarbon product from above a solids formation temperature for further transport below the said temperature as slurry, wherein the production fluid is passed through a lumen by which heat is transferred through the lumen wall to an ambient cooling medium, such as sea water, whereby material that is dissolved in the production fluid at the higher temperatures precipitate as solid matter entrained in the fluid at the reduced temperature. According to the invention, a magnetisable runner for dislodging any attaching solid matter from the lumen wall is actively mobilized in its passage through the lumen.
The object is also achieved by a subsea hydrocarbon production fluid cooling system, in which the production fluid is advanced through a hydrate and /or wax formation temperature transition zone by means of a pump comprising a ferrous and flexible runner which is driven by means of induction coils surrounding the production fluid in a slurry formation device.
The runner preferably comprises a flexible structure containing a ferrous material.
In a preferred embodiment, the system comprises a lumen defined by a tubing structure shaped into a loop having an inlet and an outlet for the production fluid, wherein inductions coils are stationary supported on the loop-shaped tubing and preferably distributed in the entire length thereof. Advantageously, the induction coils may be supported at equidistant spacing along the length of the loop.
The system may be encased in a housing containing a cooling medium. One embodiment foresees that a subsea booster pump is integrated in the system.
The system may use a driven runner to maintain or increase pressure during the cooling process and thus avoid the formation of additional solids as a result of pressure losses.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A realization of the invention will be further explained below with reference made to the schematic drawing. In the drawing, reference number 1 indicates a cut out portion of a flowline 1 through which a produced hydrocarbon fluid is transported in a flow direction F from a production site located upstream, i.e. at the left hand side of the drawing, towards a sea-based or land-based host plant located downstream, at the right hand side of the drawing. Incorporated in the flowline 1 is a cooling loop generally identified through reference numeral 2. Cooling loop 2 has a lumen 3 connecting an upstream inlet 4 from the flowline 1 with a downstream outlet 5 from the cooling loop. During passage through the lumen 3, heat is transferred from the production fluid to an ambient cooling medium, such as sea water, via a tubular wall 6 defining the lumen. The transfer of heat is illustrated by arrow 7.
In the schematic drawing, the cooling loop 2 is illustrated to comprise a circular lumen 3. In the alternative, a helical loop 2 and lumen 3 may be foreseen.
A movable element 8, in the field often referred to as a pig or runner 8, is arranged to run through the lumen together with the production fluid. The runner operates for dislodging solid matter that may have attached to the lumen wall in result of the temperature in the production fluid reaching a solids formation temperature. Ports through the lumen wall for entrance and exit of the runner are known in the art, and omitted from the drawing.
According to the invention, the runner 8 is actively driven in its passage through the lumen. To this purpose, the runner 8 contains magnetisable material. The magnetic runner is acted upon from induction coils 9 which are supported stationary about the lumen wall. The induction coils 9 thus urges the runner 8 for circulation in the flow direction C of fluid through the lumen, as electrical power is supplied for activation of the induction coils. The driven, magnetisable runner can thus be seen as a ferrous pump rotor in an electric subsea pump through which the production fluid is circulated for cooling purposes. The induction coils 9 may be equidistantly spaced along the entire length of the cooling loop. The necessary wiring and connectors for power supply and control can be composed of proven sub-sea equipment known to the skilled person.
A pig or runner can be designed flexible as is known in the art, comprising radial flanges providing a scraping of the lumen wall upon passage. The runner 8, which is magnetisable, preferably includes ferrous material elements in a flexible runner structure. The ferrous elements may form a radially inner part of the flanges, or form part of a stem connecting the scraper flanges, or else be separate elements supported on the stem part.
The powered and actively driven runner 8 provides improved operability and reduces the likelihood of the runner being stucked in deposits of solid precipitates on the lumen wall. The powered runner 8 can be operated to provide mechanical impact on deposited solid hydrate or wax to ensure that it is sufficiently pulverized to permit effective flow downstream. Cooling process and speed can further be controlled by means of the powered runner 8. The disclosed induction coil drive device can be used both to boost fluid flow and to grind produced solids for further transport to a surface receiving facility, and can be based on a subsea booster pump. An integrated booster pump implementation provides several benefits, such as
• through the use of the pump, cooling process and speed can be controlled;
• footprint on the seafloor is minimized, as are the number of system components;
• pigs/runners are actively moved, thereby significantly reducing the likelihood of sticking the pig/ runner;
• the cold flow process can mechanically impact solidified hydrate and/ or wax to ensure it is sufficiently pulverized as to flow effectively;
• an ESP style pump can also be used making retrieval of components easier while also mechanically macerating the flowstream: • the booster pump implementation improves economics (abandonment pressure) with a further improvement of economics over conventional cold flow technology.
Obviously, in a subsea cooling system the cooling loops should be designed according to methods appropriate to marine applications. Surface coatings when applied should be chosen to ensure optimal heat transfer and simultaneous control of surface accumulations and corrosion by-products. A preferred embodiment would typically include use of corrosion resistant materials in the construction of recycle/ cooling loops as an alternative to the use of corrosion resistant coatings. Another preferred embodiment foresees the use of thin coatings applied externally to protect the piping from marine growth.
The cooling system is preferably designed to be self-draining, and may preferably also include features for chemical injection and inhibition of the system during shut-in periods of the field operation.
If appropriate, the cold flow device discussed above may be encased in a housing containing a cooling medium. Permanently mounted devices may further be arranged to provide external circulation of cooling medium surrounding the lumen/ lumens.
The system may further be configured to allow access such as for cleaning purposes and for removal from accumulations to the piping surface. Such removal can be performed using permanently mounted pumping devices designed to provide sufficient circulation of external water to remove marine growth or sediments from the piping. When used continuously, these circulation devices can also increase the cooling capacity of the cooling loops. Such a system can be installed in several modified embodiments of the present invention. The illustrated embodiment also allows for cleaning using remotely or robotically operated devices or by direct access via divers or other human operated submarine devices. The piping comprised in the system may further advantageously be coated in view of increasing heat transfer to the ambient and to reduce accumulation of fouling material from the surrounding environment.
Solids formation may be further enhanced by pressure loss. The flow related pressure loss in the device can be controlled in such a manner that the combined pressure and temperature losses are controlled to minimize the rate of formation of the formed solids. To this purpose, tubing and flow-paths may advantageously be designed to control both the pressure and temperature loss in order to control the formation of solids formed by pressure/temperature reduction.
The invention is of course not in any way restricted to the embodiments described above. On the contrary, many possibilities to modifications thereof will be apparent to a person skilled in the art without departing from the basic idea of the invention such as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for cooling a subsea production fluid of hydrocarbon product from above a solids formation temperature for further transport below the said temperature as slurry, comprising the steps of feeding the production fluid through a lumen (3) by which heat is transferred through the lumen wall (6) to an ambient cooling medium, such as sea water, for precipitation of material dissolved in the production fluid, as well as the step of dislodging any attaching solid matter from the lumen wall by means of a runner passing with the production fluid flow through the lumen, characterized in that the runner (8) for dislodging the solid matter from the lumen wall is magnetisable and actively driven in its passage through the lumen (3).
2. A subsea hydrocarbon production fluid cooling system comprising a lumen (3) by which heat is transferred from the production fluid through the lumen wall (6) to an ambient medium for precipitation of solids dissolved in the production fluid on the inner surface of said wall of the lumen, and a runner passing with the production fluid flow through the lumen while dislodging solid matter attaching to the lumen wall, characterized in that the runner (8) is magnetisable and driven through the lumen by means of induction coils (9) arranged about the lumen.
3. The system of claim 2, characterized in that the runner (8) comprises ferrous material contained in a flexible runner structure.
4. The system of claim 3, further comprising a lumen defined by a tubing (6) that is shaped into a loop having an inlet (4) and an outlet (5) for the production fluid, characterized by stationary inductions coils (9) supported on the loop-shaped tubing along the length of the loop.
5. The system of claim 4, characterized in that the induction coils are supported at equidistant spacing along the length of the cooling loop.
6. The system of any previous claim, characterized in that the same is encased in a housing containing a cooling medium.
7. The system of any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the same is based on a subsea booster pump.
8. The system of any previous claim, characterized in that a driven runner is used to maintain or increase pressure during the cooling process and thus avoid the formation of additional solids as a result of pressure losses.
PCT/IB2007/003439 2006-11-09 2007-11-09 Sub-cooled hydrocarbon production system and method comprising a powered runner WO2008056252A2 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
BRPI0718663-0A BRPI0718663A2 (en) 2006-11-09 2007-11-09 SUB-COOLED HYDROCARBON PRODUCTION SYSTEM AND METHOD UNDERSTANDING AN ENERGIZED RUNNER.
GB0908291A GB2456953A (en) 2006-11-09 2009-05-14 Sub-colled hydrocarbon production system and method comprising a powered runner
NO20092220A NO20092220L (en) 2006-11-09 2009-06-09 System and method for subcooled hydrocarbon production comprising a powered runner

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US85777506P 2006-11-09 2006-11-09
US60/857,775 2006-11-09

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WO2008056252A2 true WO2008056252A2 (en) 2008-05-15
WO2008056252A3 WO2008056252A3 (en) 2008-07-31

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PCT/IB2007/003439 WO2008056252A2 (en) 2006-11-09 2007-11-09 Sub-cooled hydrocarbon production system and method comprising a powered runner
PCT/IB2007/003437 WO2008056250A2 (en) 2006-11-09 2007-11-09 Sub-cooled hydrocarbon production method and system including maceration of precipitates
PCT/IB2007/003433 WO2008056248A2 (en) 2006-11-09 2007-11-09 A method and a system for hydrocarbon production cooling

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PCT/IB2007/003437 WO2008056250A2 (en) 2006-11-09 2007-11-09 Sub-cooled hydrocarbon production method and system including maceration of precipitates
PCT/IB2007/003433 WO2008056248A2 (en) 2006-11-09 2007-11-09 A method and a system for hydrocarbon production cooling

Country Status (5)

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BR (2) BRPI0718664A2 (en)
GB (3) GB2456954A (en)
NO (3) NO20092219L (en)
RU (3) RU2009120141A (en)
WO (3) WO2008056252A2 (en)

Cited By (3)

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US7703535B2 (en) 2005-07-29 2010-04-27 Benson Robert A Undersea well product transport
US8256519B2 (en) 2008-07-17 2012-09-04 John Daniel Friedemann System and method for sub-cooling hydrocarbon production fluid for transport
US8334141B2 (en) 2008-01-03 2012-12-18 Baker Hughes Incorporated Hydrate inhibition test loop

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US9068451B2 (en) 2010-03-11 2015-06-30 Sinvent As Treatment of produced hydrocarbon fluid containing water
US10578128B2 (en) 2014-09-18 2020-03-03 General Electric Company Fluid processing system

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GB2274898A (en) * 1993-02-03 1994-08-10 Century Associates Limited Controlling an object in a pipeline
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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7703535B2 (en) 2005-07-29 2010-04-27 Benson Robert A Undersea well product transport
US8033336B2 (en) 2005-07-29 2011-10-11 Benson Robert A Undersea well product transport
US8334141B2 (en) 2008-01-03 2012-12-18 Baker Hughes Incorporated Hydrate inhibition test loop
US8256519B2 (en) 2008-07-17 2012-09-04 John Daniel Friedemann System and method for sub-cooling hydrocarbon production fluid for transport

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NO20092218L (en) 2009-06-09
RU2009120140A (en) 2010-12-20
NO20092219L (en) 2009-06-09
RU2009120141A (en) 2010-12-20
RU2009120139A (en) 2010-12-20
GB2456954A (en) 2009-08-05
BRPI0718664A2 (en) 2013-11-26
WO2008056248A3 (en) 2008-07-24
BRPI0718663A2 (en) 2013-11-26
GB2456953A (en) 2009-08-05
WO2008056250A3 (en) 2008-07-03
WO2008056252A3 (en) 2008-07-31
WO2008056248A2 (en) 2008-05-15
GB0908292D0 (en) 2009-06-24
GB0908290D0 (en) 2009-06-24
WO2008056250A2 (en) 2008-05-15
GB0908291D0 (en) 2009-06-24
GB2456952A (en) 2009-08-05
NO20092220L (en) 2009-06-09

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