CROSSOVER FOR A FLOW PATH FOR A FLUID TO A SUBSEA DEVICE

Abstract

An apparatus method and system are enable sending fluid to a receiver when a main line for the fluid in an umbilical is faulty. The apparatus has: first and second inlet lines and a first outlet line; A first inlet connector connects the main line for the fluid in the umbilical to the first inlet line and a second inlet connector connects a second line to the second inlet line; An outlet connects a receiver to the apparatus and has a first outlet connector connecting the receiver for the fluid; A switch mechanism for switches from a default setting wherein the first inlet line leads to the first outlet connector through the first outlet line to a secondary setting wherein the second inlet line leads to the first outlet connector through the first outlet line for enabling transferring the fluid through the second inlet line to the first outlet connector.

Claims

1. An apparatus for enabling sending a fluid to a receiver for the fluid in a situation where a main line for the fluid in an umbilical is faulty, wherein the apparatus comprises: a first and a second inlet line and a first outlet line in the apparatus; a first inlet connector for connecting the main line for the fluid in the umbilical to the first inlet line in the apparatus and a second inlet connector for connecting a second line to the second inlet line in the apparatus; an outlet for connecting one or more receivers to the apparatus, the outlet comprising a first outlet connector for connecting the receiver for the fluid to the apparatus; a switch mechanism for selectively switching from a default to a secondary setting, wherein in the default setting the first inlet line leads to the first outlet connector through the first outlet line, and wherein in the secondary setting the second inlet line leads to the first outlet connector through the first outlet line for enabling transferring the fluid through the second inlet line to the first outlet connector.

2. An apparatus for providing a crossover for a flow path for a fluid to a subsea device, wherein the apparatus comprises: a plurality of lines for providing flow paths through the apparatus; an inlet for connecting an umbilical to the apparatus, the inlet comprising a plurality of inlet connectors, each one of the inlet connectors being arranged for connecting one of a plurality of lines of the umbilical to one of the plurality of lines of the apparatus, for receiving in the line of the apparatus a fluid from the line of the umbilical; an outlet for connecting a receiver to the apparatus, the outlet comprising a plurality of outlet connectors for connecting one of a plurality of lines of the apparatus to one of a plurality of lines of the receiver, for providing an outlet for the fluid in the line from the apparatus; and at least one switch mechanism for altering to which one of the plurality of lines in the receiver one of the plurality of lines of the umbilical leads.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switch mechanism comprises at least one valve.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switch mechanism comprises a plurality of valves.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one valve of the apparatus is hydraulically operated, and the apparatus comprises an inlet for a hydraulic fluid for operating the switch mechanism.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one valve of the apparatus is electrically operated, and the apparatus comprises an inlet for providing electricity to the apparatus and/or a battery for providing electricity to the apparatus.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a control unit and a means for communicating wirelessly or through a wire, for receiving a control signal and/or information and/or for sending a control signal and/or information to a remote communications unit.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one sensor for detecting a fluid characteristic of a fluid in a line for detecting a problem with a line of the apparatus and/or a line leading to the apparatus.

9. A method of sending a fluid to a receiver for the fluid in a situation where a main line for the fluid in an umbilical is faulty, wherein the method comprises the steps of: connecting the umbilical to the apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention such that the main line for the fluid in the umbilical is connected to the first inlet connector in the apparatus, and connecting a second line to the apparatus such that the second line is connected to the second inlet connector; using the switch mechanism in the apparatus to alter the setting of the apparatus from the default setting to the second setting; sending the fluid through the second line, through the apparatus, to the receiver for the first fluid.

10. The method of providing a crossover for a flow path for a fluid to a subsea device, the method comprising the steps of: providing an apparatus, wherein the apparatus comprises: a first and a second inlet line and a first outlet line in the apparatus; a first inlet connector for connecting the main line for the fluid in the umbilical to the first inlet line in the apparatus and a second inlet connector for connecting a second line to the second inlet line in the apparatus; an outlet for connecting one or more receivers to the apparatus, the outlet comprising a first outlet connector for connecting the receiver for the fluid to the apparatus; a switch mechanism for selectively switching from a default to a secondary setting, wherein in the default setting the first inlet line leads to the first outlet connector through the first outlet line, and wherein in the secondary setting the second inlet line leads to the first outlet connector through the first outlet line for enabling transferring the fluid through the second inlet line to the first outlet connector; a plurality of lines for providing flow paths through the apparatus; an inlet for connecting an umbilical to the apparatus, the inlet comprising a plurality of inlet connectors, each one of the inlet connectors being arranged for connecting one of a plurality of lines of the umbilical to one of the plurality of lines of the apparatus, for receiving in the line of the apparatus a fluid from the line of the umbilical; an outlet for connecting a receiver to the apparatus, the outlet comprising a plurality of outlet connectors for connecting one of a plurality of lines of the apparatus to one of a plurality of lines of the receiver, for providing an outlet for the fluid in the line from the apparatus; and at least one switch mechanism for altering to which one of the plurality of lines in the receiver one of the plurality of lines of the umbilical leads; and using the switch mechanism of the apparatus to alter to which one of the plurality of lines in the receiver one of the plurality of lines of the umbilical leads.

11. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of: using a means for communication to communicate from and/or to the apparatus.

12. The method according to claim 9, the method further comprising the step of: using a sensor of the apparatus to obtain a fluid characteristic to detect whether there is a problem related to a line in the apparatus and/or a line leading to and/or from the apparatus.

13. The method according to claim 9, the method further comprising the step of: altering to which outlet connector each one of a multiple of inlet connectors lead by use of one or more switching mechanisms.

14. The method according to claim 9, the method further comprising the step of: communicating to the means for communication of the apparatus from a sender at a topsides or onshore facility, to open and/or close one or more valves to open and/or close one or more flow paths within the apparatus.

15. The method according to claim 9, the method further comprising the step of: closing a flow path within the apparatus to close a flow path from an umbilical to a subsea device and opening a flow path within the apparatus to connect a subsea reservoir or subsea hydraulic power unit to the subsea device instead.

16. A system for providing a crossover for a flow path for a fluid to a subsea device, the system comprising an umbilical, an apparatus, and a receiver, wherein the apparatus comprises: a first and a second inlet line and a first outlet line in the apparatus; a first inlet connector for connecting the main line for the fluid in the umbilical to the first inlet line in the apparatus and a second inlet connector for connecting a second line to the second inlet line in the apparatus; an outlet for connecting one or more receivers to the apparatus, the outlet comprising a first outlet connector for connecting the receiver for the fluid to the apparatus; a switch mechanism for selectively switching from a default to a secondary setting, wherein in the default setting the first inlet line leads to the first outlet connector through the first outlet line, and wherein in the secondary setting the second inlet line leads to the first outlet connector through the first outlet line for enabling transferring the fluid through the second inlet line to the first outlet connector; a plurality of lines for providing flow paths through the apparatus; an inlet for connecting an umbilical to the apparatus, the inlet comprising a plurality of inlet connectors, each one of the inlet connectors being arranged for connecting one of a plurality of lines of the umbilical to one of the plurality of lines of the apparatus, for receiving in the line of the apparatus a fluid from the line of the umbilical; an outlet for connecting a receiver to the apparatus, the outlet comprising a plurality of outlet connectors for connecting one of a plurality of lines of the apparatus to one of a plurality of lines of the receiver, for providing an outlet for the fluid in the line from the apparatus; and at least one switch mechanism for altering to which one of the plurality of lines in the receiver one of the plurality of lines of the umbilical leads; and wherein a first end of the umbilical is connected to a topsides or onshore facility and a second end of the umbilical is connected to an inlet of the apparatus, and wherein the receiver is connected to an outlet of the apparatus.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the system comprises a plurality of apparatuses, placed at a distance from each other, the apparatuses being connected by use of one or more cables, hoses, umbilicals or similar.

Description

[0083] In the following is described examples of preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0084] FIG. 1 shows the apparatus installed on a seabed, and a platform being connected to a subsea wellhead through an umbilical extending to the wellhead via the apparatus;

[0085] FIG. 2 shows a schematic of a simple embodiment of the apparatus;

[0086] FIG. 3 shows a schematic of a more complex embodiment of the apparatus;

[0087] FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of the apparatus being attached directly to a wellhead; and

[0088] FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the apparatus wherein the apparatus has a plurality of inlets and three-way valves.

[0089] Note that the Figures show examples of the apparatus and configurations of the apparatus in use, and that the Figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0090] FIG. 1 shows the apparatus 1 placed on a seabed 7 near a subsea device 8 in the form of a subsea wellhead 8. The apparatus 1 is connected to the subsea wellhead 8 by a receiver 6 in the form of a cable 6, and to a topsides or onshore facility 9 in the form of a platform 9 by an umbilical 5. The umbilical 5 and the cable 6 both have a number of lines (not shown) for providing flow paths for fluids to be transferred from the platform 9 to the subsea wellhead 8.

[0091] Each line in the umbilical 5 initially, upon installation, leads to a corresponding line in the cable 6, through the apparatus 1. However, the apparatus 1 comprises a switch mechanism in the form of valves (not shown in FIG. 1) that can be opened or closed to facilitate switching to which line in the cable 6 a line in the umbilical 5 leads.

[0092] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of such an apparatus 1. The apparatus 1 has an inlet 11 and an outlet 19. An umbilical 5 from a platform 9 (not shown in FIG. 2) is connected to the inlet 11 through inlet connectors 14, and a cable 6 leading to a wellhead 8 (not shown in FIG. 2) is connected to the outlet 19 through outlet connectors 15.

[0093] The apparatus 1, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 has eight inlet connectors 14A-H, each connecting a line in the umbilical 5 to a line 13 in the apparatus 1. The apparatus 1 further has eight outlet connectors 15A-H, each connecting a line 13 in the apparatus 1 to a line in the cable 6. The cable 6 and the umbilical 5 both have eight lines (not shown). The lines 13 in the apparatus 1 are all connected to their corresponding lines A-H in the umbilical 5, each through an inlet connector 14 of the apparatus 1. Six of the lines 13A and D-H lead directly through the apparatus 1, whereas the remaining two, lines 13B and C in the apparatus 1 are branched. Both lines 13B and C have a branched inlet line, each branch of the inlet lines leading to a valve 12. From each valve, an outlet line leads to an outlet connector. Each of the two lines 13B and C pass have two possible paths through the apparatus 1, one leading to its corresponding line in the cable 6, and the other leading to the other line in the cable 6. Thus, line B from the umbilical 5 can, through the apparatus 1, lead to either line B or line C of the cable 6, and line C from the umbilical 5 can, through the apparatus 1, lead to either line B or line C of the cable 6. Each of the branches of lines 13B and C has a switch mechanism 12 in the form of a valve 12 that can be selectively opened or closed to open or close a flow path through the apparatus 1. By opening or closing one or more of the valves 12, a switch can be performed in the apparatus 1. Line B in the cable 6 can be connected to a receiver for a second fluid, and Line C in the cable 6 can be connected to a receiver for the first fluid. Line B in the umbilical may be a backup line for the second fluid, and line C may be the main line for a first fluid. Line B can be used to send a second fluid through to outlet connector 19B and to the receiver for receiving the second fluid, or, by use of the switch mechanism (the valves), line B can be used to send a first fluid through to outlet connector 19C and the receiver for the first fluid. The apparatus can have a first/default setting where the valves are set such that outlet connector 19B is connected to inlet connector 11B and outlet connector 19C is connected to inlet connector 11 and a second setting where the valves are set such that outlet connector 19C is connected to inlet connector 11B, and a third setting where the valves are set such that outlet connector 19B is connected to inlet connector 11C, and a fourth setting where outlet connector 19B is connected to inlet connector 11C and outlet connector 19C is connected to inlet connector 11B.

[0094] FIG. 3 shows a more advanced embodiment of the apparatus 1. The apparatus 1 has a cable 6 connected to its outlet 19 and an umbilical 5 connected to its inlet 11. The apparatus 1 has seven lines 13, lines A-G, as does the umbilical 5 and the cable 6. Only line 13G goes straight through the apparatus 1 without going through a valve. Lines 13A, C and E pass through one valve each, that may open or close said lines 13. Lines 13B, D and F has four branches each, each branch going through a valve 12 to open or close the branch. One branch of each of lines 13B, D and F: [0095] leads to line A in the outlet 19; [0096] leads to line C in the outlet 19; [0097] leads to line E in the outlet 19; [0098] leads to its corresponding line in the outlet 19 (line B in the outlet 19 for line B, line D in the outlet 19 for line D, line F in the outlet 19 for line F).

[0099] The embodiment of the apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 3 can lead any one of lines A-G in the inlet 11 to its corresponding line in the outlet 19 and it can lead any one of lines B, D or F in the inlet 11 to any one of lines A, C or E in the outlet 19, thus offering a plurality of options for crossovers to facilitate for delivery of fluid through a faulty umbilical 5.

[0100] FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the apparatus 1. In this embodiment, the apparatus 1 is configured for being attached directly to an inlet (not shown) for an umbilical 5 on a subsea wellhead 8. The apparatus 1, being connected to the inlet (not shown) on the wellhead 8, receives an umbilical 5 from a platform 9.

[0101] FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the apparatus 1, in which the apparatus 1 has a plurality of inlets. In addition to the main inlet 11, for an umbilical 5, the apparatus 1 has two further inlets 111, 112, the further inlets 111, 112 in this embodiment being inlets 111, 112 for one-line pipes 51, 52. The embodiment of the apparatus shown in FIG. 5, is a simplified example with a low number of lines 13. The umbilical 5 shown in FIG. 5 only has two lines. Each of the two lines of the umbilical 5 are connected to one of two three-way valves 121, 122 through a line A, B in the apparatus 1. Each of the pipes 51, 52 only have one line leading into the apparatus 1, each of the lines leading to one of the aforementioned three-way valves 121, 122 through lines A1 and B1 of the apparatus 1. Each line 13 in the apparatus, leading to the three-way valves 13, is connected to a pressure transmitter 17 for monitoring the pressure in the lines 13 to detect if a line 13 in the apparatus 1, a line in one of the pipes 51, 52 or umbilical 5 leading to the apparatus 1 is faulty. Each of the two three-way valves 121, 122 leads to an outlet connector 19 and to a line in a cable 6.

[0102] It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

[0103] Examples of further possible embodiments of the apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, that are not illustrated, includes: [0104] an apparatus comprising multiple outlets, wherein one line from an umbilical leading to the apparatus may be branched so as to lead to each one of the multiple outlets; [0105] an apparatus wherein each one of a plurality of lines leading to the apparatus through an umbilical may be connected to any one of a number of lines leading from the apparatus; [0106] an apparatus where any one of a plurality of lines leading to the apparatus may be crossovered to any one or more of a plurality of lines leading from the apparatus; [0107] an apparatus having a pressure transmitter, and a pH sensor and a temperature transmitter in fluid communication with a plurality of lines in the apparatus; and [0108] an apparatus having a combination of the features of the above mentioned embodiments.

[0109] Note that the figures show simplified versions of the apparatuses. They do not illustrate or mention parts of the apparatus that may be present in embodiments of the apparatus, such as e.g. a battery for providing electrical power to the apparatus, a power cable connected to an inlet of the apparatus for providing electrical power to the apparatus, a control unit, a communications unit, a cable for providing hydraulics for operating one or more valves of the apparatus connected to a hydraulics inlet of the apparatus, and more.

[0110] In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb “comprise” and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.

[0111] The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.