CA2722617C - A collection device and method of using same - Google Patents
A collection device and method of using same Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2722617C CA2722617C CA2722617A CA2722617A CA2722617C CA 2722617 C CA2722617 C CA 2722617C CA 2722617 A CA2722617 A CA 2722617A CA 2722617 A CA2722617 A CA 2722617A CA 2722617 C CA2722617 C CA 2722617C
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- fluid
- collection device
- solids
- processing plant
- location
- Prior art date
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- Expired - Fee Related
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 17
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 141
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 90
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 33
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 claims description 14
- 238000004458 analytical method Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000005070 sampling Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000013013 elastic material Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 11
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 10
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 9
- 230000035699 permeability Effects 0.000 description 7
- 239000011230 binding agent Substances 0.000 description 6
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000000151 deposition Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000000470 constituent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000007667 floating Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000001556 precipitation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000004576 sand Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000654 additive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007791 liquid phase Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000014759 maintenance of location Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005065 mining Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000013618 particulate matter Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003208 petroleum Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005096 rolling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003892 spreading Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B21/00—Methods or apparatus for flushing boreholes, e.g. by use of exhaust air from motor
- E21B21/06—Arrangements for treating drilling fluids outside the borehole
- E21B21/063—Arrangements for treating drilling fluids outside the borehole by separating components
- E21B21/065—Separating solids from drilling fluids
- E21B21/066—Separating solids from drilling fluids with further treatment of the solids, e.g. for disposal
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B21/00—Methods or apparatus for flushing boreholes, e.g. by use of exhaust air from motor
- E21B21/001—Methods or apparatus for flushing boreholes, e.g. by use of exhaust air from motor specially adapted for underwater drilling
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
- E02F7/00—Equipment for conveying or separating excavated material
- E02F7/005—Equipment for conveying or separating excavated material conveying material from the underwater bottom
Abstract
The present invention relates to a collection device (1) for solids material and fluid being directed from a first location on a seabed, on an offshore installation, or onshore, and to a second location, wherein the fluid conducts the solids material in through an inlet portion (7) in a solids collection device (1') provided with one or more permeable portions arranged to retain solids material in excess of a predetermined size, wherein the collection device (1) is further provided with a fluid collection device (1") arranged to be able to collect at least a portion of the fluid evacuating out through the solids collection device (1'). The invention also relates to a method for use of the collection device (1).
Description
A COLLECTION DEVICE AND METHOD OF USING SAME
The present invention relates to a collection device and a method for using same. More particularly it concerns a col-lection device for solids and fluid directed from a first lo-cation on a seabed, on an offshore installation or onshore, and to a second location, where the fluid directs the solids material in through an inlet portion in a solids collection device provided with one or more permeable portions arranged to retain solids material exceeding a predetermined size.
lo When excavating or drilling in the ground or on a seabed or onshore, masses, which must be removed from the excavating or drilling area, are released. The released masses may in hand-ling represent a drawback as they may spread to the surround-ing environment.
When drilling a top hole section in a petroleum well on the seabed, there is known from Norwegian Patent NO 320113, which owner is the same as the applicant for the present invention, a method and collection device for removal of water laden drill cuttings being returned from the top section of a bore-hole. The drill cuttings is pumped into a collection device, which thereafter is lifted to the sea surface and onboard a vessel. The collection device is provided with drainage prop-erties such that fluid is drained from the collection device when it is lifted onboard the vessel
The present invention relates to a collection device and a method for using same. More particularly it concerns a col-lection device for solids and fluid directed from a first lo-cation on a seabed, on an offshore installation or onshore, and to a second location, where the fluid directs the solids material in through an inlet portion in a solids collection device provided with one or more permeable portions arranged to retain solids material exceeding a predetermined size.
lo When excavating or drilling in the ground or on a seabed or onshore, masses, which must be removed from the excavating or drilling area, are released. The released masses may in hand-ling represent a drawback as they may spread to the surround-ing environment.
When drilling a top hole section in a petroleum well on the seabed, there is known from Norwegian Patent NO 320113, which owner is the same as the applicant for the present invention, a method and collection device for removal of water laden drill cuttings being returned from the top section of a bore-hole. The drill cuttings is pumped into a collection device, which thereafter is lifted to the sea surface and onboard a vessel. The collection device is provided with drainage prop-erties such that fluid is drained from the collection device when it is lifted onboard the vessel
2 Even though the collection device and the method have proven themselves to function satisfactorily, they have certain drawbacks. One of these drawbacks is that during lifting of the collection device from the seabed and up to the vessel, fines present in the collection device together with the drill cuttings, may be drained from the collection device together with the liquid. The fines and the liquid being drained out may represent a pollution problem. Another draw-back relates to the capacity of the collection device. Due to theLcollection device being lifted onboard a vessel, its size is limited to typically 25 m3. The collection device must thus relatively often be connected to and disconnected from the pumping device and the lifting device bringing the col-lection device up to the surface. Such handling at the seabed is is usually carried out by means of a so-called ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle), which is relatively costly in use. In ad-dition it is costly to transport the drill cuttings to shore for further processing and depositing.
At such as dredging of such as a seabed, there is sometimes no need for, or there may be a requirement for the masses to be removed from the seabed. It is however in the nature of the case that the mass need to be moved from a first area and to a second area on the seabed. It is known to carry out this transfer of mass by pumping the mass away from the area wherefrom the mass is being removed. An essential drawback with this type of dredging operation is that large areas downstream of the dredging operation are covered by the mass.
This mass may harm the seabed fauna. In some locations there are therefore requirements that dredged mass or mass having to be removed in other ways, to be pumped to shore for possi-ble cleaning and depositing in special approved landfills.
This is a very costly operation.
At such as dredging of such as a seabed, there is sometimes no need for, or there may be a requirement for the masses to be removed from the seabed. It is however in the nature of the case that the mass need to be moved from a first area and to a second area on the seabed. It is known to carry out this transfer of mass by pumping the mass away from the area wherefrom the mass is being removed. An essential drawback with this type of dredging operation is that large areas downstream of the dredging operation are covered by the mass.
This mass may harm the seabed fauna. In some locations there are therefore requirements that dredged mass or mass having to be removed in other ways, to be pumped to shore for possi-ble cleaning and depositing in special approved landfills.
This is a very costly operation.
3 When depositing residual waste from the mining or process in-dustry, it is known to place this in open disposal sites on land or in the sea. In those cases where such residual waste includes fines, it turns out to be problematic to avoid spreading of the residual waste to surrounding areas. The problem is particularly great during transfer of the mass.
From Norwegian Patent Application NO 20076546 appurtenant to the present applicant, and which is wholly incorporated in the present application, there is known a collection device lo for solids material which by means of a fluid is transferred from a first location on a seabed, on an offshore installa-tion or onshore and to a second location, and where the fluid directs the solids material in through an inlet portion to the collection device, and where the collection device is provided with one or more permeable portions provided to hold back solids material exceeding a predetermined particle size.
The collection device according to N020076546 has shown it-Self to function very satisfactorily regarding collecting of solids material and solves to a great extent the problems zo pointed out in prior art represented by said Norwegian Patent NO 320113.
The applicant has however experienced that in some cases there is a need or a desire to be able to clean at least a portion of the fluid being used to direct the solids parti-cles into the collection devices according to the above prior art, before it is released to the surroundings. The need for cleaning may for example be due to the fluid itself contain-ing chemical additives or other components added to the fluid as this directs the solids particles into the collection de-vice and/or the need for cleaning may for example be due to the fluid in itself having added components believed to be
From Norwegian Patent Application NO 20076546 appurtenant to the present applicant, and which is wholly incorporated in the present application, there is known a collection device lo for solids material which by means of a fluid is transferred from a first location on a seabed, on an offshore installa-tion or onshore and to a second location, and where the fluid directs the solids material in through an inlet portion to the collection device, and where the collection device is provided with one or more permeable portions provided to hold back solids material exceeding a predetermined particle size.
The collection device according to N020076546 has shown it-Self to function very satisfactorily regarding collecting of solids material and solves to a great extent the problems zo pointed out in prior art represented by said Norwegian Patent NO 320113.
The applicant has however experienced that in some cases there is a need or a desire to be able to clean at least a portion of the fluid being used to direct the solids parti-cles into the collection devices according to the above prior art, before it is released to the surroundings. The need for cleaning may for example be due to the fluid itself contain-ing chemical additives or other components added to the fluid as this directs the solids particles into the collection de-vice and/or the need for cleaning may for example be due to the fluid in itself having added components believed to be
4 pollutive or that it is being polluted by matter being re-leased to the fluid from the solids.
From the publication NO 173521 is known a subsea storage con-struction for handling and storage of drill cuttings from drilling operations in a seabed. The structure includes a generally closed tank adapted to be placed on the seabed near the drilling site. The tank is provided with an upper inlet for supply of drill cuttings, and an outlet to the surround-ing sea for water displaced during supply of drill cuttings.
lo The tank contains means for cleaning of the drill cuttings, and for storage of accumulated separated oil, fluids and other constituents separated out from the drill cuttings. The structure further includes means for carrying off accumulated oil, fluids and other constituents that are lighter than wa-ter and that will gradually be released from the deposited drill cuttings.
The object of the invention is to remedy or reduce at least one of the prior art drawbacks.
The object is achieved by features stated in the below de-scription an in the following Claims.
In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a collection device for solids material and fluid directed from a first location on a seabed, on an offshore installa-tion or onshore, and to a second location, where the fluid directs the solids material in through an inlet portion in a solids collection device provided with one or more permeable portions arranged to hold back solids material particles in excess of a predetermined size, characterised in that the collection device is further provided with a fluid collection device provided to be able to collect at least a portion of the fluid flowing out through the solids collection device, and that the fluid collection device is connected to a fluid processing plant.
By offshore installation is in this document meant a fixed or floating installation such as a rig or a floating vessel such
From the publication NO 173521 is known a subsea storage con-struction for handling and storage of drill cuttings from drilling operations in a seabed. The structure includes a generally closed tank adapted to be placed on the seabed near the drilling site. The tank is provided with an upper inlet for supply of drill cuttings, and an outlet to the surround-ing sea for water displaced during supply of drill cuttings.
lo The tank contains means for cleaning of the drill cuttings, and for storage of accumulated separated oil, fluids and other constituents separated out from the drill cuttings. The structure further includes means for carrying off accumulated oil, fluids and other constituents that are lighter than wa-ter and that will gradually be released from the deposited drill cuttings.
The object of the invention is to remedy or reduce at least one of the prior art drawbacks.
The object is achieved by features stated in the below de-scription an in the following Claims.
In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a collection device for solids material and fluid directed from a first location on a seabed, on an offshore installa-tion or onshore, and to a second location, where the fluid directs the solids material in through an inlet portion in a solids collection device provided with one or more permeable portions arranged to hold back solids material particles in excess of a predetermined size, characterised in that the collection device is further provided with a fluid collection device provided to be able to collect at least a portion of the fluid flowing out through the solids collection device, and that the fluid collection device is connected to a fluid processing plant.
By offshore installation is in this document meant a fixed or floating installation such as a rig or a floating vessel such
5 as a ship or a barge.
The fluid processing plant may, for example, but not limited to, consist of one of or a combination of a fluid sampling and analysis plant, a cleaning plant or a storage plant. By sampling the fluid contained in the fluid collection device, lo it may be decided if the fluid is clean enough to be returned to the surroundings, which may be such as the sea, or if the fluid must be directed to a cleaning plant to undergo clean-ing before perhaps being returned to the surroundings. It may be relevant, in cases where for example the fluid is polluted to a particularly high degree, to lead the fluid into storage containers, which in turn may be brought to suitable cleaning plants.
The fluid processing plant, or at least a part of it, is in one embodiment positioned adjacent to the collection device.
In one embodiment the whole or parts of the fluid processing plant is positioned a distance apart from the collection de-vice. The fluid, in the latter embodiment, is lead between the collection device and the fluid processing plant by means of a conduit.
The fluid collection device is in one embodiment made of an elastic material so that the fluid collection device will be able to undergo a volume change as fluid flows into it.
Advantageously, the fluid collection device is made from a decomposable material.
The fluid processing plant may, for example, but not limited to, consist of one of or a combination of a fluid sampling and analysis plant, a cleaning plant or a storage plant. By sampling the fluid contained in the fluid collection device, lo it may be decided if the fluid is clean enough to be returned to the surroundings, which may be such as the sea, or if the fluid must be directed to a cleaning plant to undergo clean-ing before perhaps being returned to the surroundings. It may be relevant, in cases where for example the fluid is polluted to a particularly high degree, to lead the fluid into storage containers, which in turn may be brought to suitable cleaning plants.
The fluid processing plant, or at least a part of it, is in one embodiment positioned adjacent to the collection device.
In one embodiment the whole or parts of the fluid processing plant is positioned a distance apart from the collection de-vice. The fluid, in the latter embodiment, is lead between the collection device and the fluid processing plant by means of a conduit.
The fluid collection device is in one embodiment made of an elastic material so that the fluid collection device will be able to undergo a volume change as fluid flows into it.
Advantageously, the fluid collection device is made from a decomposable material.
6 The fluid collection device is preferably made of a material which is fluid tight, even if it for some uses may be accept-able if some of the fluid may seep through the fluid collec-tion device. Use of the fluid collection device in areas where there is a desire or a requirement for so-called "zero discharge", such as for the oil exploitation industry off-shore in particularly vulnerable areas, a fluid tight collec-tion device might be necessary.
The solids collection device may be any device suitable for lo retaining solids being supplied, but is preferably of a sort as shown in said Norwegian Patent Publication N0320113 and preferably of the sort described in said Norwegian Patent Ap-plication NO 20076546.
In a preferred embodiment, the solids collection device is a container. The container is preferably closed, at least at start, in the sense that it provides at least one compartment arranged to be able to retain solids material above a prede-termined size from the surroundings outside the container.
In one embodiment, the at least one permeable portion of the solids collection device has an increasing degree of perme-ability in a direction from the inlet portion and toward one or more portions spaced from the inlet portion of the collec-tion device.
The increasing degree of permeability is in one embodiment provided by means of changing the size of openings in the wall portion of the collection device. As an alternative or in addition to said changed sizes, increasing the size of the permeable wall portions may provide the increasing degree of permeability.
In one embodiment, the at least one permeable portion of the solids collection device is provided with openings having a
The solids collection device may be any device suitable for lo retaining solids being supplied, but is preferably of a sort as shown in said Norwegian Patent Publication N0320113 and preferably of the sort described in said Norwegian Patent Ap-plication NO 20076546.
In a preferred embodiment, the solids collection device is a container. The container is preferably closed, at least at start, in the sense that it provides at least one compartment arranged to be able to retain solids material above a prede-termined size from the surroundings outside the container.
In one embodiment, the at least one permeable portion of the solids collection device has an increasing degree of perme-ability in a direction from the inlet portion and toward one or more portions spaced from the inlet portion of the collec-tion device.
The increasing degree of permeability is in one embodiment provided by means of changing the size of openings in the wall portion of the collection device. As an alternative or in addition to said changed sizes, increasing the size of the permeable wall portions may provide the increasing degree of permeability.
In one embodiment, the at least one permeable portion of the solids collection device is provided with openings having a
7 first size, where at a distance from the inlet portion is provided at least one outlet opening having an opening of a second size, the first size being smaller than the second size. In one embodiment, an open portion arranged to be able to evacuate or flow substantially the same rate of fluid that is being pumped into the solids collection device constitutes the outlet opening. The fluid flowing out through the solids collection device, through the outlet opening and/or the per-meable portions, flows into the fluid collection device.
lo In one embodiment, at least one of the at least one permeable portions is provided with openings 100 pm or less, preferably 50 pm or less.
The above mentioned increasing degree of permeability and/or increase in outlet opening size(s), has the effect that the fluid carrying the solids material in through the inlet por-tion of the solids collection device, will encounter less and less resistance to evacuation or flow out of the solids col-lection device, the further away from the inlet portion the fluid is. Thus, the fluid carrying the solids particles into the solids collection device, may flow a furthest possible distance inside the solids collection device before being evacuated. Therefore, also substantially all of the fines may settle out in the solids collection device before the fluid flows out of it and into the fluid collection device.
Another important consequence of providing the above men-tioned increasing degree of permeability and/or outlet openings, is that the collection device might be placed packed together, such as folded or rolled up at the location where it shall receive the solids material. Such a rolling up presupposes that the solids collection device is made from such as a fabric like material or is designed such that it
lo In one embodiment, at least one of the at least one permeable portions is provided with openings 100 pm or less, preferably 50 pm or less.
The above mentioned increasing degree of permeability and/or increase in outlet opening size(s), has the effect that the fluid carrying the solids material in through the inlet por-tion of the solids collection device, will encounter less and less resistance to evacuation or flow out of the solids col-lection device, the further away from the inlet portion the fluid is. Thus, the fluid carrying the solids particles into the solids collection device, may flow a furthest possible distance inside the solids collection device before being evacuated. Therefore, also substantially all of the fines may settle out in the solids collection device before the fluid flows out of it and into the fluid collection device.
Another important consequence of providing the above men-tioned increasing degree of permeability and/or outlet openings, is that the collection device might be placed packed together, such as folded or rolled up at the location where it shall receive the solids material. Such a rolling up presupposes that the solids collection device is made from such as a fabric like material or is designed such that it
8 may be unfolded from a rolled up condition and to a fully raised condition.
The fluid being directed into the above-mentioned solids col-lection device made from such as a fabric like material will initially flow out through the one or more permeable portions being closest to the inlet portion. Some of the solids parti-cles being retained by the permeable portion will gradually clog the openings therein. Consequently the fluid will move further away from the closest but now clogged portions. The lo result is that the fluid causes an inflation or extension of the collection device as fluid and solids particles are lead in through the inlet portion.
In one embodiment the solids collection device is provided with at least one internal flow restrictive device. The at least one internal flow restrictive device contributes among other things to reduce the flow rate inside the solids col-lection device and contributes thereby to an increased degree of settling out of the solids particles in the fluid. The at least one flow restrictive device may also contribute to in-crease the stability of shape and the mechanical strength of the solids collection device.
In one embodiment at least portions of the material of the solids collection device, which also the material of the fluid collection container may be, are made of a biologically decomposable material. This has the effect that the mass lead into the solids collection device will after some time be laid bare, and a natural fauna may develop on a seabed or on-shore.
In a second aspect of the present invention a method is pro-vided for collection of solids material and fluid being di-rected from a first location on a seabed or onshore to a sec-
The fluid being directed into the above-mentioned solids col-lection device made from such as a fabric like material will initially flow out through the one or more permeable portions being closest to the inlet portion. Some of the solids parti-cles being retained by the permeable portion will gradually clog the openings therein. Consequently the fluid will move further away from the closest but now clogged portions. The lo result is that the fluid causes an inflation or extension of the collection device as fluid and solids particles are lead in through the inlet portion.
In one embodiment the solids collection device is provided with at least one internal flow restrictive device. The at least one internal flow restrictive device contributes among other things to reduce the flow rate inside the solids col-lection device and contributes thereby to an increased degree of settling out of the solids particles in the fluid. The at least one flow restrictive device may also contribute to in-crease the stability of shape and the mechanical strength of the solids collection device.
In one embodiment at least portions of the material of the solids collection device, which also the material of the fluid collection container may be, are made of a biologically decomposable material. This has the effect that the mass lead into the solids collection device will after some time be laid bare, and a natural fauna may develop on a seabed or on-shore.
In a second aspect of the present invention a method is pro-vided for collection of solids material and fluid being di-rected from a first location on a seabed or onshore to a sec-
9 ond location, the method including placing a collection de-vice that includes a solids collection device and a fluid collection device in said second location, where the solids collection device is provided with one or more permeable par-s tions arranged to retain solids material larger than a prede-termined size, and where the fluid collection device is ar-ranged to collect at least a fraction of the fluid flowing out through the solids collection device, and where the fluid collected in the fluid collection device is lead to a fluid lo processing plant.
In the following an example of a preferred embodiment illus-trated in the accompanying drawing is described.
Fig. 1 shows a dredging operation taking place on a seabed, where the mud mass is pumped via a conduit from a dredging 15 machine and into a collection device, where the collection device comprises a solids collection device enclosed by a fluid collection device.
In the figure the reference number 1 indicates a collection device according to the present invention where the collec-20 tion device 1 is made up of a solids collection device 1' be-ing enclosed by a fluid collection device 1". The fluid col-lection device 1" encloses the whole of the solids collection device 1'. It shall however be understood that the fluid collection device 1" in alternative embodiments only 25 encloses portions of the solids collection device 1'. The fluid collection device 1" need not for example, but may readily, enclose possible closed portions of the solids col-lection device or portions bearing against the ground.
A line 3 extends between an inlet portion 7 positioned on an 30 upper portion of the solids collection device 1', and a dredging machine 5 known per se. The line 3 extends in the , embodiment shown through the wall portion of the fluid col-lection device 1" and down to the inlet portion 7.
The dredging machine 5 is provided with a suction line 5' sucking mud mass and water, where the mud mass and the water 5 is pumped via the line 3 and into the solids collection de-ice 1' of the collection device 1. A person skilled in the art will recognise that one or more pumping units (not shown) may be connected to the line 3.
The solids collection device 1' shown is of a sort shown in lo said patent application NO 20076546 by the applicant, which is fully incorporated in this document, and will therefore not be discussed in any greater detail in this embodiment ex-ample.
When the fluid from the dredging machine 5 is supplied to the collection device 1, the water driving the mud mass may evacuate or flow out through the permeable wall portions of the solids collection device 1' and into the fluid collection device 1".
In the embodiment shown the solids collection device 1' is in an end portion distal or spaced from the inlet portion 7 pro-vided with an outlet opening 11 as shown in an embodiment where a portion of the wall of the solids collection device 1' is provided with a hole. In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the outlet opening may be provided by one or more por-tions having higher permeability than the whole or parts of the rest of the solids collection device 1'.
A collection device 1 of the invention may, according to needs, material strength and any statutory limitations such as limitations in height for so-called overtrawlability, be produced in very many different sizes. In seabed operations tests have shown that a collection device 1 having a length of 30 - 50 m, and a width or diameter of 10 - 20 m has turned out to be suitable.
As a person skilled in the art will recognise, the coarsest material settles out under or close to the inlet portion 7 in the solids collection device 1', while the material carried inside the solids collection device 1', will become finer and finer in the direction toward the outlet opening 11.
The fluid flowing out through the outlet opening 11 and/or through the permeable wall portions of the solids collection lo device 1', will flow into the surrounding fluid collection device 1".
From an outlet 18 in the fluid collection device 1" a line 19, 20 extends up to a surface. The line 19, 20 is arranged to be able to lead fluid to a not shown fluid processing plant. The fluid processing plant may for example be one of or a combination of a fluid sampling and analysis plant, a cleaning plant, or a storage plant. One or more transport containers may for example constitute the storage plant.
Samples of the fluid present in the fluid collection device 1" may thus, by means known per se be lead to the fluid processing plant for analysis.
The fluid processing plant, or parts of it, may in an alter-native embodiment (not shown) be located at the collection device 1. In such an embodiment the results from the analysis may in ways known per se be communicated to such as a control room on an offshore installation, wherefrom further handling of the fluid present in the fluid collection device 1", is controlled.
If the analyses show that the fluid present in the fluid col-lection device 1" is sufficiently clean to be drained out into the water outside the collection device 1, such drainage is done through an outlet line 22 placed in connection with the fluid collection device 1".
If the analyses of the samples show that the fluid is not sufficiently clean to be drained out into the water, e.g. be-cause the fluid contains too much fines, or that other condi-tions requires that the fluid can not be drained out into the water, the fluid may be re-circulated by means of a pumping device 20' from the outlet portion 18 of the fluid collection lo device 1" via line 19, 24 and 3 and back to the solids col-lection device 1' so that a further portion of the fines may be settled out in the solids collection device 1'.
It is to be understood that the fluid flow to the lines 19, 20, 22, 24 is controlled by valves known per se which are not shown in the figure for clarity.
To increase the precipitation of fines, there may be added to the fluid a binding agent or precipitation agent contributing to particulate matter appearing dispersed in the liquid phase to flocculate so that the particles are gathered to larger and heavier particles thereby causing a quicker and more ef-ficient separation and settling of the solids. The binding agent is preferably an environmentally friendly chemical of a sort known per se. Most preferably is the binding agent an organic binding agent.
The binding agent is injected via a line 17 into the supply line 3 upstream of the inlet opening 7. A person skilled in the art will recognise that the binding agent may also be in-jected in the line 24.
If the analyses of the samples show that the fluid is not sufficiently clean to be drained out into the water, e.g. due to a content of an unacceptable level of environmentally un-friendly matter, the fluid may be lead in the lines 19, 20 by means of the pump 20' to a not shown cleaning plant located for example on an offshore installation. After cleaning on an offshore installation, the fluid may be returned to the sea.
It may also be considered that the fluid is lead from the fluid collection device 1" to containers (not shown) wherein the fluid is brought to a fluid processing plant onshore.
Samples of the fluid in the fluid collection device 1", may for example be collected continuously or at predetermined intervals.
When the solids collection device 1' is sufficiently filled, the lines 3 and 19 are removed, for example by means of an ROV, from the inlet portion 7 and the outlet portion 18 re-spectively, and possibly be connected to a new collection de-vice in the way this is described in said Norwegian Patent Application N020076546.
In the figure is shown an embodiment of a solids collection device 1' where two transverse walls 13, 13', are provided internally in the collection device 1 and transverse of its longitudinal direction between the inlet portion 7 and the outlet opening 11. The transverse wall 13 which is nearest the inlet portion 7, extends from the bottom portion of the solids collection device 1' and about half way up toward the top portion. The transverse wall 13' nearest the outlet open-ing 11 covers the whole of the internal cross-section of the = solids collection device 1'.
It shall be understood that any number of transverse walls 13, 13' may be installed internally in the solids collection device 1', even if two are shown in Figure 1. It shall fur-ther be understood that the transverse walls 13, 13' may be located in any desired angle relative to said longitudinal direction.
The transverse walls 13, 13' have two objectives. Firstly, the transverse walls 13, 13' will act as bracing elements re-inforing the wall portions of the solids collection device 1'. Secondly the transverse walls 13, 13' may, depending on their permeability, act as a flow restriction and thereby de-fine chambers in the solids collection device 1'. The cham-bers may simplify inflation of the collection device 1 and at lo the same time cause a reduced fluid throughput rate. A re-duced fluid throughput rate will result in further increased retention time for the fluid in the solids collection device 1' and thereby settling of fines closer to the inlet opening 7 as compared to a collection device 1 without transverse walls 13, 13'.
It is to be understood that the transverse walls 13, 13' may cover all or only portions of a cross-sectional area of the solids collection device 1'.
It is to be understood that the collection device 1 may be connected to already existing systems (not shown) provided to separate sand from well production, a so-called "Sub sea sand separator".
The present invention thus provides a collection device 1 ar-ranged both to filter solids particles from a fluid, at the same time as the fluid is collected and before it is released to the surrounding environment, possibly after a cleaning process.
In the following an example of a preferred embodiment illus-trated in the accompanying drawing is described.
Fig. 1 shows a dredging operation taking place on a seabed, where the mud mass is pumped via a conduit from a dredging 15 machine and into a collection device, where the collection device comprises a solids collection device enclosed by a fluid collection device.
In the figure the reference number 1 indicates a collection device according to the present invention where the collec-20 tion device 1 is made up of a solids collection device 1' be-ing enclosed by a fluid collection device 1". The fluid col-lection device 1" encloses the whole of the solids collection device 1'. It shall however be understood that the fluid collection device 1" in alternative embodiments only 25 encloses portions of the solids collection device 1'. The fluid collection device 1" need not for example, but may readily, enclose possible closed portions of the solids col-lection device or portions bearing against the ground.
A line 3 extends between an inlet portion 7 positioned on an 30 upper portion of the solids collection device 1', and a dredging machine 5 known per se. The line 3 extends in the , embodiment shown through the wall portion of the fluid col-lection device 1" and down to the inlet portion 7.
The dredging machine 5 is provided with a suction line 5' sucking mud mass and water, where the mud mass and the water 5 is pumped via the line 3 and into the solids collection de-ice 1' of the collection device 1. A person skilled in the art will recognise that one or more pumping units (not shown) may be connected to the line 3.
The solids collection device 1' shown is of a sort shown in lo said patent application NO 20076546 by the applicant, which is fully incorporated in this document, and will therefore not be discussed in any greater detail in this embodiment ex-ample.
When the fluid from the dredging machine 5 is supplied to the collection device 1, the water driving the mud mass may evacuate or flow out through the permeable wall portions of the solids collection device 1' and into the fluid collection device 1".
In the embodiment shown the solids collection device 1' is in an end portion distal or spaced from the inlet portion 7 pro-vided with an outlet opening 11 as shown in an embodiment where a portion of the wall of the solids collection device 1' is provided with a hole. In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the outlet opening may be provided by one or more por-tions having higher permeability than the whole or parts of the rest of the solids collection device 1'.
A collection device 1 of the invention may, according to needs, material strength and any statutory limitations such as limitations in height for so-called overtrawlability, be produced in very many different sizes. In seabed operations tests have shown that a collection device 1 having a length of 30 - 50 m, and a width or diameter of 10 - 20 m has turned out to be suitable.
As a person skilled in the art will recognise, the coarsest material settles out under or close to the inlet portion 7 in the solids collection device 1', while the material carried inside the solids collection device 1', will become finer and finer in the direction toward the outlet opening 11.
The fluid flowing out through the outlet opening 11 and/or through the permeable wall portions of the solids collection lo device 1', will flow into the surrounding fluid collection device 1".
From an outlet 18 in the fluid collection device 1" a line 19, 20 extends up to a surface. The line 19, 20 is arranged to be able to lead fluid to a not shown fluid processing plant. The fluid processing plant may for example be one of or a combination of a fluid sampling and analysis plant, a cleaning plant, or a storage plant. One or more transport containers may for example constitute the storage plant.
Samples of the fluid present in the fluid collection device 1" may thus, by means known per se be lead to the fluid processing plant for analysis.
The fluid processing plant, or parts of it, may in an alter-native embodiment (not shown) be located at the collection device 1. In such an embodiment the results from the analysis may in ways known per se be communicated to such as a control room on an offshore installation, wherefrom further handling of the fluid present in the fluid collection device 1", is controlled.
If the analyses show that the fluid present in the fluid col-lection device 1" is sufficiently clean to be drained out into the water outside the collection device 1, such drainage is done through an outlet line 22 placed in connection with the fluid collection device 1".
If the analyses of the samples show that the fluid is not sufficiently clean to be drained out into the water, e.g. be-cause the fluid contains too much fines, or that other condi-tions requires that the fluid can not be drained out into the water, the fluid may be re-circulated by means of a pumping device 20' from the outlet portion 18 of the fluid collection lo device 1" via line 19, 24 and 3 and back to the solids col-lection device 1' so that a further portion of the fines may be settled out in the solids collection device 1'.
It is to be understood that the fluid flow to the lines 19, 20, 22, 24 is controlled by valves known per se which are not shown in the figure for clarity.
To increase the precipitation of fines, there may be added to the fluid a binding agent or precipitation agent contributing to particulate matter appearing dispersed in the liquid phase to flocculate so that the particles are gathered to larger and heavier particles thereby causing a quicker and more ef-ficient separation and settling of the solids. The binding agent is preferably an environmentally friendly chemical of a sort known per se. Most preferably is the binding agent an organic binding agent.
The binding agent is injected via a line 17 into the supply line 3 upstream of the inlet opening 7. A person skilled in the art will recognise that the binding agent may also be in-jected in the line 24.
If the analyses of the samples show that the fluid is not sufficiently clean to be drained out into the water, e.g. due to a content of an unacceptable level of environmentally un-friendly matter, the fluid may be lead in the lines 19, 20 by means of the pump 20' to a not shown cleaning plant located for example on an offshore installation. After cleaning on an offshore installation, the fluid may be returned to the sea.
It may also be considered that the fluid is lead from the fluid collection device 1" to containers (not shown) wherein the fluid is brought to a fluid processing plant onshore.
Samples of the fluid in the fluid collection device 1", may for example be collected continuously or at predetermined intervals.
When the solids collection device 1' is sufficiently filled, the lines 3 and 19 are removed, for example by means of an ROV, from the inlet portion 7 and the outlet portion 18 re-spectively, and possibly be connected to a new collection de-vice in the way this is described in said Norwegian Patent Application N020076546.
In the figure is shown an embodiment of a solids collection device 1' where two transverse walls 13, 13', are provided internally in the collection device 1 and transverse of its longitudinal direction between the inlet portion 7 and the outlet opening 11. The transverse wall 13 which is nearest the inlet portion 7, extends from the bottom portion of the solids collection device 1' and about half way up toward the top portion. The transverse wall 13' nearest the outlet open-ing 11 covers the whole of the internal cross-section of the = solids collection device 1'.
It shall be understood that any number of transverse walls 13, 13' may be installed internally in the solids collection device 1', even if two are shown in Figure 1. It shall fur-ther be understood that the transverse walls 13, 13' may be located in any desired angle relative to said longitudinal direction.
The transverse walls 13, 13' have two objectives. Firstly, the transverse walls 13, 13' will act as bracing elements re-inforing the wall portions of the solids collection device 1'. Secondly the transverse walls 13, 13' may, depending on their permeability, act as a flow restriction and thereby de-fine chambers in the solids collection device 1'. The cham-bers may simplify inflation of the collection device 1 and at lo the same time cause a reduced fluid throughput rate. A re-duced fluid throughput rate will result in further increased retention time for the fluid in the solids collection device 1' and thereby settling of fines closer to the inlet opening 7 as compared to a collection device 1 without transverse walls 13, 13'.
It is to be understood that the transverse walls 13, 13' may cover all or only portions of a cross-sectional area of the solids collection device 1'.
It is to be understood that the collection device 1 may be connected to already existing systems (not shown) provided to separate sand from well production, a so-called "Sub sea sand separator".
The present invention thus provides a collection device 1 ar-ranged both to filter solids particles from a fluid, at the same time as the fluid is collected and before it is released to the surrounding environment, possibly after a cleaning process.
Claims (8)
1. A collection device for solids material and fluid directed from a first location on a seabed, on an offshore installation or onshore to a second location where the fluid directs the solids material in through an inlet portion in a solids collection device provided with one or more permeable wall portions arranged to retain solids material exceeding a predetermined size, characterised in that the collection device is further provided with a fluid collection device made from an elastic material and arranged to be able to collect all of the fluid flowing out through the solids collection device, and that the fluid collection device is provided with one outlet for connection to a fluid processing plant in such a way that the fluid is lead from the fluid collection device to the fluid processing plant.
2. A collection device according to claim 1, wherein the fluid processing plant is constituted by one or a combination of a fluid sampling and analysis plant, a cleaning plant or a storage plant.
3. A collection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fluid processing plant is located at a distance from the collection device, and that the fluid is directed between the collection device and the fluid processing plant by a conduit.
4. A collection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fluid collection device is made from a decomposable material.
5. A method for collection of solids material and fluid being directed from a first location on a seabed or onshore, to a second location, characterised in that the method including placing at said second location a collection device that includes a solids collection device and a fluid collection device made from an elastic material, wherein the solids collection device is provided with an inlet portion and with one or more permeable wall portions arranged to retain solids material exceeding a certain size, and wherein the fluid collection device is arranged for collecting all of the fluid flowing out through the solids collection device, and wherein the fluid collected in the fluid collection device is directed through one opening in the fluid collection device to a fluid processing plant in such a way that the fluid is lead from the fluid collection device to the fluid processing plant.
6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the fluid in the fluid processing plant undergoes a cleaning.
7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the method further comprises to lead the cleaned fluid back to the surroundings.
8. A method according to claim 5, wherein the method further comprises to re-circulate the fluid back to the fluid collection device.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| NO20081530A NO329529B1 (en) | 2008-03-28 | 2008-03-28 | Collection device and method using the same |
| NO20081530 | 2008-03-28 | ||
| PCT/NO2009/000109 WO2009120090A2 (en) | 2008-03-28 | 2009-03-25 | A collection device and method of using same |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2722617A1 CA2722617A1 (en) | 2009-10-01 |
| CA2722617C true CA2722617C (en) | 2016-02-09 |
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Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2722617A Expired - Fee Related CA2722617C (en) | 2008-03-28 | 2009-03-25 | A collection device and method of using same |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP2268889B1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2722617C (en) |
| DK (1) | DK2268889T3 (en) |
| NO (1) | NO329529B1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2009120090A2 (en) |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NO331478B1 (en) * | 2010-12-21 | 2012-01-16 | Seabox As | Technical system, method and applications for dosing at least one liquid treatment agent in injection water to an injection well |
| WO2012171074A1 (en) * | 2011-06-17 | 2012-12-20 | Nautilus Minerals Pacific Pty Ltd | System and method for seafloor stockpiling |
| AU2012269738A1 (en) * | 2011-06-17 | 2013-11-14 | Eda Kopa (Solwara) Limited | Apparatus and method for seafloor stockpiling |
| CN112457968B (en) * | 2020-12-10 | 2023-10-03 | 浙江师范大学 | Water microorganism sampling device |
Family Cites Families (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4480569A (en) * | 1983-01-12 | 1984-11-06 | Veen Abraham V D | Container for ground material removed by a ground working device from the bottom of a watercourse |
| US4555201A (en) * | 1983-11-14 | 1985-11-26 | Paoluccio John A | Sediment dike apparatus and methods |
| US5004051A (en) * | 1989-09-12 | 1991-04-02 | Norwegian Contracts A/S | Method and means for cleansing and storing drill cuttings from drilling operations in the sea bottom |
| US5232475A (en) * | 1992-08-24 | 1993-08-03 | Ohio University | Slug flow eliminator and separator |
| US6062313A (en) * | 1998-03-09 | 2000-05-16 | Moore; Boyd B. | Expandable tank for separating particulate material from drilling fluid and storing production fluids, and method |
| NO320113B1 (en) | 2003-12-03 | 2005-10-24 | Incoronato Arne | Apparatus and method for collecting aqueous cuttings from a well |
| US7086472B1 (en) * | 2005-04-08 | 2006-08-08 | Arne Incoronato | Device and method of collecting solids from a well |
| NO327759B1 (en) | 2007-12-19 | 2009-09-21 | Onsite Treat Technologies As | Collection device and method using the same |
-
2008
- 2008-03-28 NO NO20081530A patent/NO329529B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2009
- 2009-03-25 WO PCT/NO2009/000109 patent/WO2009120090A2/en active Application Filing
- 2009-03-25 CA CA2722617A patent/CA2722617C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2009-03-25 EP EP09725394.2A patent/EP2268889B1/en not_active Not-in-force
- 2009-03-25 DK DK09725394.2T patent/DK2268889T3/en active
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP2268889A2 (en) | 2011-01-05 |
| NO329529B1 (en) | 2010-11-08 |
| NO20081530L (en) | 2009-09-29 |
| WO2009120090A3 (en) | 2010-05-06 |
| EP2268889B1 (en) | 2014-04-16 |
| DK2268889T3 (en) | 2014-07-21 |
| CA2722617A1 (en) | 2009-10-01 |
| WO2009120090A2 (en) | 2009-10-01 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request |
Effective date: 20140124 |
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| MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20170327 |