A subsea tree assembly with a flow monitoring and measuring apparatus includes a production wing valve block coupled to a production wing branch, the production wing valve block including a wing block connector, and a fluid processing module including a frame, a module connector including an inlet and an outlet, and a fluid flow loop coupled between the inlet and the outlet, wherein the module connector is fluidicly coupled to the wing block connector. A production fluid flow goes from the production wing valve block and returns to the same block via the wing block connector, the module connector, and the fluid flow loop. A flow monitoring and measuring apparatus for a subsea tree assembly includes a module frame, a module connector connectable to a production wing valve block, the module connector including an inlet and an outlet, and a fluid flow conduit forming a loop from the outlet of the module connector back to the inlet of the module connector.

A subsea tree assembly with a flow monitoring and measuring apparatus includes a production wing valve block coupled to a production wing branch, the production wing valve block including a wing block connector, and a fluid processing module including a frame, a module connector including an inlet and an outlet, and a fluid flow loop coupled between the inlet and the outlet, wherein the module connector is fluidicly coupled to the wing block connector. A production fluid flow goes from the production wing valve block and returns to the same block via the wing block connector, the module connector, and the fluid flow loop. A flow monitoring and measuring apparatus for a subsea tree assembly includes a module frame, a module connector connectable to a production wing valve block, the module connector including an inlet and an outlet, and a fluid flow conduit forming a loop from the outlet of the module connector back to the inlet of the module connector.

A method of assessing fluid flow in a conduit, the fluid comprising hydrocarbons, the method comprising the steps of: (a) measuring optical variances resulting from at least one circumferential mode of vibration of the conduit by directing a monochromatic light source, such as from a vibrometer, onto an external surface of the conduit thereby providing a measured vibration of the conduit as a result of fluid flow in the conduit. The data normally accurately measures velocity of the conduit usually considered to be wideband noise. Accordingly, sample rates are high, such as at least 5,000 times per second. The data is then assessed, for example by using a Fourier Transform, and a pre-trained algorithm to predict fluid flow at that point in the conduit, or upstream or downstream thereof. An associated apparatus is also disclosed. Embodiments of the invention can thus provide a non-invasive method and apparatus for providing information on the nature of flow regimes in pipelines, such as subsea pipelines which can be useful to optimise production and reduce well testing and/or downtime.

A method of assessing fluid flow in a conduit, the fluid comprising hydrocarbons, the method comprising the steps of: (a) measuring optical variances resulting from at least one circumferential mode of vibration of the conduit by directing a monochromatic light source, such as from a vibrometer, onto an external surface of the conduit thereby providing a measured vibration of the conduit as a result of fluid flow in the conduit. The data normally accurately measures velocity of the conduit usually considered to be wideband noise. Accordingly, sample rates are high, such as at least 5,000 times per second. The data is then assessed, for example by using a Fourier Transform, and a pre-trained algorithm to predict fluid flow at that point in the conduit, or upstream or downstream thereof. An associated apparatus is also disclosed. Embodiments of the invention can thus provide a non-invasive method and apparatus for providing information on the nature of flow regimes in pipelines, such as subsea pipelines which can be useful to optimise production and reduce well testing and/or downtime.

A solid-state hydrophone may include a piezoelectric rod positioned between at least two electrodes. The piezoelectric rod may be disposed within a metallic housing to shield the piezoelectric rod and its connections from acoustic and electromagnetic waves. The piezoelectric rod and the electrodes may be potted in the mechanical housing using a potting material that may be positioned adjacent to the piezoelectric rod. At least a layer of the potting material may be positioned between the piezoelectric rod and the metallic housing to physically separate the piezoelectric rod from the metallic housing.

A solid-state hydrophone may include a piezoelectric rod positioned between at least two electrodes. The piezoelectric rod may be disposed within a metallic housing to shield the piezoelectric rod and its connections from acoustic and electromagnetic waves. The piezoelectric rod and the electrodes may be potted in the mechanical housing using a potting material that may be positioned adjacent to the piezoelectric rod. At least a layer of the potting material may be positioned between the piezoelectric rod and the metallic housing to physically separate the piezoelectric rod from the metallic housing.

A well production system comprises a safety instrumented system (SIS) having one or more logic solvers; one or more pressure transmitters disposed along a flowpath and communicatively coupled to the one or more logic solvers; one or more valves disposed along the flowpath and communicatively coupled to the SIS, wherein the SIS is configured to selectively actuate the one or more valves based on feedback from the one or more pressure transmitters; and a spare pressure transmitter disposed along the flowpath, wherein the spare pressure transmitter is configured to be selectively coupled to the one or more logic solvers.

A well production system comprises a safety instrumented system (SIS) having one or more logic solvers; one or more pressure transmitters disposed along a flowpath and communicatively coupled to the one or more logic solvers; one or more valves disposed along the flowpath and communicatively coupled to the SIS, wherein the SIS is configured to selectively actuate the one or more valves based on feedback from the one or more pressure transmitters; and a spare pressure transmitter disposed along the flowpath, wherein the spare pressure transmitter is configured to be selectively coupled to the one or more logic solvers.

A subsea hydrocarbon flowline system (300) is disclosed. The flowline system has a hydrocarbon flowline (302); an electric trace heating system (304) arranged along at least a part-length of the flowline to control the temperature of hydrocarbon fluid flowing in the flowline; and a power input connector (Pin) configured for receiving electrical power from an electrical power providing system for powering the electric trace heating system. The electric trace heating system has a first three-phase trace heating cable (C′) and a second three-phase trace heating cable (C″), each trace heating cable extending between the power input connector and a cable termination (T′; T″) where phase conduits (L1′, L2′, L3′; L1″, L2″, L3″) of the trace heating cable are Y-connected and terminate in a neutral connection point (L.sub.N′; L.sub.N″). Further, the flowline system has a power output connector (Pout) for providing electrical power to a subsea hydrocarbon production system; a first electrical conduit (306′) extending between the neutral connection point of the cable termination of the first trace heating cable and the power output connector; and a second electrical conduit (306″) extending between the neutral connection point of the cable termination of the second trace heating cable and the power output connector, wherein the first and the second electrical conduits are electrically accessible at the power output connector for powering the subsea hydrocarbon production system.

A subsea hydrocarbon flowline system (300) is disclosed. The flowline system has a hydrocarbon flowline (302); an electric trace heating system (304) arranged along at least a part-length of the flowline to control the temperature of hydrocarbon fluid flowing in the flowline; and a power input connector (Pin) configured for receiving electrical power from an electrical power providing system for powering the electric trace heating system. The electric trace heating system has a first three-phase trace heating cable (C′) and a second three-phase trace heating cable (C″), each trace heating cable extending between the power input connector and a cable termination (T′; T″) where phase conduits (L1′, L2′, L3′; L1″, L2″, L3″) of the trace heating cable are Y-connected and terminate in a neutral connection point (L.sub.N′; L.sub.N″). Further, the flowline system has a power output connector (Pout) for providing electrical power to a subsea hydrocarbon production system; a first electrical conduit (306′) extending between the neutral connection point of the cable termination of the first trace heating cable and the power output connector; and a second electrical conduit (306″) extending between the neutral connection point of the cable termination of the second trace heating cable and the power output connector, wherein the first and the second electrical conduits are electrically accessible at the power output connector for powering the subsea hydrocarbon production system.