WO2011158093A1 - Equipment for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons from and underwater well for the extraction of hydrocarbons, under uncontrolled release conditions - Google Patents

Equipment for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons from and underwater well for the extraction of hydrocarbons, under uncontrolled release conditions Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2011158093A1
WO2011158093A1 PCT/IB2011/001326 IB2011001326W WO2011158093A1 WO 2011158093 A1 WO2011158093 A1 WO 2011158093A1 IB 2011001326 W IB2011001326 W IB 2011001326W WO 2011158093 A1 WO2011158093 A1 WO 2011158093A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
conveying
hydrocarbons
recovery
equipment
stream
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/IB2011/001326
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2011158093A8 (en
Inventor
Giambattista De Ghetto
Paolo Andreussi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Eni SpA
Original Assignee
Eni SpA
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
Priority to AU2011266756A priority Critical patent/AU2011266756B2/en
Priority to US13/704,479 priority patent/US9488038B2/en
Priority to NO20130042A priority patent/NO346602B1/en
Priority to AP2012006588A priority patent/AP3187A/en
Priority to MX2012014571A priority patent/MX2012014571A/en
Priority to GB1300282.9A priority patent/GB2494363B/en
Priority to BR112012031825-0A priority patent/BR112012031825B1/en
Priority to CN201180029251.7A priority patent/CN102959180B/en
Application filed by Eni SpA filed Critical Eni SpA
Priority to RU2013101777/03A priority patent/RU2563528C2/en
Publication of WO2011158093A1 publication Critical patent/WO2011158093A1/en
Publication of WO2011158093A8 publication Critical patent/WO2011158093A8/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Priority to DKPA201370016A priority patent/DK178695B1/en
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/01—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells specially adapted for obtaining from underwater installations
    • E21B43/0122—Collecting oil or the like from a submerged leakage
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/34—Arrangements for separating materials produced by the well
    • E21B43/36—Underwater separating arrangements

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to equipment for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons from an underwater well for the extraction of hydrocarbons under uncontrolled release conditions.
  • hollow containers have been produced, for example, such as that described in patent US 4,318,442 which is essentially equipped with a chimney controlled by a valve, a gas outlet configured so as to maintain a gas stratification in the upper part of the container and a liquid discharge in correspondence with the oil stratification in the lower part of the container.
  • This container is positioned above the well outlet in blowout so as to capture the outgoing stream of hydrocarbons, also called plume, in order to convey its fluid part to the surface in a controlled manner, removing the gaseous part .
  • dome-shaped protection shields such as that proposed in the USA patent US 4,405,258.
  • This patent describes a method for the containment of hydrocarbons inside a dome-shaped shield equipped with safety valves on its upper part which, positioned above an underwater well in blowout, entraps the hydrocarbons in its interior.
  • the dome shape moreover, is not effective in deviating high-rate streams.
  • This equipment comprises a cone containing suitable slits.
  • the apparatus When the apparatus is positioned at the well head, as far as is possible, it drives and directs the fluid through a duct connected to the upper portion of the cone, up to the surface where the hydrocarbons can be separated from the other fluids.
  • the impact of the plume inside the cone can generate turbulent motions which can cause the emission of the jet from the cone with a consequent reduced efficiency in the recovery of hydrocarbons coming out of the well.
  • An objective of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above, and in particular to provide equipment for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons from an underwater well, under uncontrolled release conditions, which allow to carry out an effective and substantially complete recovery of hydrocarbons exiting in an uncontrolled manner.
  • Another objective of the present invention is to provide equipment for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons from an underwater well under uncontrolled release conditions, which is capable of reducing to the minimum the dispersion into the environment of hydrocarbons exiting in an uncontrolled manner.
  • a further objective of the present invention is to provide equipment for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons from an underwater well under uncontrolled release conditions, which allows the hydrocarbons exiting in an uncontrolled manner to be effectively intercepted, contained and conveyed.
  • Yet another objective of the present invention i ⁇ s to provide equipment for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons from an underwater well under uncontrolled release conditions, which is capable of separating the hydrocarbons coming from the well into a heavy phase consisting of water and liquid hydrocarbons and into a light phase mainly consisting of gas and liquid hydrocarbons and conveying said heavy phase to the surface .
  • Figure 1 is a sectional schematic view of the equipment for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons from an underwater well under uncontrolled release conditions, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • this shows equipment for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons from an underwater well under uncontrolled release conditions, indicated as a whole as 10.
  • the equipment 10 for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons comprises a chamber 23 for the separation of the flow of hydrocarbons coming from the well 21 into a heavy phase 23a and a light phase 23b.
  • means 15, 16, 17, 24, 25, 26 for the conveying of the heavy phase 23a and light phase 23b towards the surface are envisaged in connection with the separation chamber 23.
  • the equipment for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons also comprises a directioning body 18 of the hydrocarbon stream, having a substantially cylindrical shape, or as a truncated paraboloid with both ends open, wherein a first end is an inlet of the hydrocarbon stream coming from the well 21, and a second end, distal with respect to the inlet of the hydrocarbon stream 20, is in fluid connection with the separation chamber 23 with the interpositioning of a perforated spherical cap 22.
  • the separation chamber 23 is defined inside a hollow tubular body 11 comprising two hollow cylindrical portions 11a, lib connected by a portion having a tapered conformation 11c.
  • a first cylindrical portion 11a is connected to the tapered portion 11c in correspondence with the enlarged end 11c' of the same 11c.
  • the first cylindrical portion 11a of the hollow body 11 ends with an annular base 12 defining an opening of the hollow tubular body 11 with reduced diameter with respect to the diameter of the first cylindrical portion 11a.
  • a second cylindrical portion lib is connected to the tapered portion 11c in correspondence with the narrower end 11c" of the same 11c.
  • the tapered portion 11c preferably has a truncated- conical shape with the smaller diameter coinciding with the diameter of the portion of the second cylindrical portion lib and the larger diameter coinciding with the diameter of the first cylindrical portion 11a of the tubular body 11.
  • the second cylindrical portion lib ends, in correspondence with its free end, with an upper base 13, so as to define a closed containment space.
  • the separation chamber 23 is delimited in the perimeter and externally by the tubular body 11 and internally and centrally by the perforated cap 22 and by the hollow body 18 for directing the incoming flow so as to have a substantially annular conformation.
  • the directioning body 18 is arranged coaxially with the tubular body 11 and extends internally to the same.
  • the directioning body 18 preferably has, at least in correspondence of its own inlet end of the hydrocarbon flow, a diameter coinciding with the inner diameter of the annular base 12 and an extension substantially equal to the development of the first cylindrical portion 11a of the tubular body 11.
  • the directioning body 18 is open in correspondence with both its ends, thus allowing, once positioned in correspondence with the outflow of hydrocarbons, the plume 20 coming from the well 21 to be conveyed into its interior 19.
  • the hollow perforated spherical cap 22 is situated, however, in correspondence with the end of the directioning body 18, distal with respect to the inlet of the hydrocarbon flow 20, preferably in a position distant from the directioning body 18.
  • the geometry of the directioning body 18 and perforated cap 22 is such as to attenuate the momentum of the plume of the multiphase stream at the inlet.
  • the separation chamber 23 is in fluid connection with the means 15, 16, 17, 24, 25, 26 for conveying the heavy phase 23a and light phase 23b towards the surface .
  • the lower part of the separation chamber 23a, in which the dense phase 23a is stratified, is in fluid communication with pumping means 16 situated inside the second cylindrical portion lib of the hollow tubular body 11.
  • the fluid connection takes place by means of a plurality of conveying pipes 24, angularly spaced, preferably equispaced, consisting of a first vertical section and subsequently converging into a common collector 25 overlying the perforated cap 22.
  • the collector 25 is arranged centrally with respect to the tubular body 11 and is, in turn, connected with the pumping means 16 through a first section 15a of a conveying duct 15 situated inside the hollow tubular body 11, between the tapered portion 11c and the second cylindrical portion lib of the hollow tubular body 11, coaxially with respect to the same.
  • a third and last section 15c of the conveying duct 15 is inserted on the upper base 13 of the second cylindrical portion lib and puts the multiphase stream produced inside the ejection system 17 in fluid communication with suitable treatment and collection systems situated on the sea surface (not illustrated) .
  • the upper part of the separation chamber 23, in which the light phase is stratified, is in fluid communication with the surface by means of a vent duct 26 intercepted by a regulation valve (not illustrated) in the collection point on the sea surface.
  • a fluid connection duct 27 with the surface is also envisaged, which extends for a first section externally and parallel to the tubular body 11 and is inserted for a subsequent section on the directioning body 18 passing through the wall of the first cylindrical portion 11a of the tubular body 11.
  • Said duct 27 for fluid connection with the surface is suitable for feeding a methanol distribution system (not illustrated), positioned in correspondence with the lower end of the directioning body 18.
  • the functioning of the equipment 10 for conveying and recovering hydrocarbons from an underwater well for extraction is as follows.
  • the plume 20 consisting of a mixture of gas and oil, leaves the well at high pressure 21, thus englobing seawater in its interior.
  • the inlet of seawater inside the equipment for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons 10 favours the formation of the heavy liquid phase 23a.
  • the quantity of seawater entering the equipment for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons 10 can be controlled by varying the height at which the equipment 10 is positioned with respect to the sea bottom, together with the dimensions and rotation rate of the pumping means 16.
  • the multiphase stream at the inlet 20 generally consisting at least of oil, gas and seawater, enters the equipment for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons 10 through the hollow directioning body 18.
  • the geometry of said directioning body 18, together with that of the perforated cap 22, is such as to attenuate the momentum of the ingoing stream 20, preventing a downward reflux of the plume 20 and consequently its outflow.
  • the multiphase stream 20 enters the separation chamber 23.
  • a light phase 23b consisting of a mixture of gas and liquid hydrocarbons
  • a dense phase 23a consisting of a mixture of water and liquid hydrocarbons containing limited quantities of dispersed gas, is formed on the lower part of the separation chamber 23.
  • the dense phase 23a is directed from the separation chamber 23, through the plurality of conveying pipes 24, towards the collector 25, due to the pumping means 16, and is conveyed at high pressure into the ejection system 17.
  • a part of the light phase 23b separated in the separation chamber 23, is sucked at low pressure by the suction doors 17a of the ejection system 17.
  • the multiphase stream produced in the ejection system 17 is then conveyed through the third section 15c of the conveying duct 15 in the direction of the sea surface towards specific conveying and recovery means.
  • the remaining portion of light phase 23b is extracted through the vent duct 16.
  • the distribution between the light phase 23b sucked by the ejection system 17 and that extracted through the vent duct 26, is regulated by the regulation valve situated on the vent duct 26.
  • the regulation valve also has the function of keeping the vent duct 26 full of air, guaranteeing the correct functioning of the system during the initial conveyance and recovery phases of the hydrocarbon mixture .
  • the methanol is also distributed from the surface by means of the fluid connection duct 27 with the surface to the methanol distribution system in correspondence with the inlet of the plume 20 in order to prevent the formation of hydrates.
  • the passage through the perforated cap facilitates an effective separation of the multiphase stream into a light phase and heavy phase, favouring its conveyance towards the surface.

Landscapes

  • Geology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Production Of Liquid Hydrocarbon Mixture For Refining Petroleum (AREA)
  • Organic Low-Molecular-Weight Compounds And Preparation Thereof (AREA)
  • Jet Pumps And Other Pumps (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to equipment for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons from an underwater well for the extraction of hydrocarbons under uncontrolled release conditions, comprising a chamber (23) for the separation of the hydrocarbon stream leaving the well, into a heavy phase (23a) and a light phase (23b), means (15,16,17,24,25,26) being envisaged, in connection with the separation chamber (23), for conveying the heavy phase (23a) and light phase (23b) towards the surface, characterized in that it comprises a directioning body (18) of the hydrocarbon stream, having a substantially cylindrical shape, or as a truncated paraboloid with both ends open, wherein a first end is an inlet of the hydrocarbon stream leaving the well, and a second end, distal with respect to the inlet of the hydrocarbon stream (20), is in fluid connection with the separation chamber (23) with the interpositioning of a perforated spherical cap (22).

Description

EQUIPMENT FOR THE CONVEYING AND RECOVERY OF HYDROCARBONS FROM AN UNDERWATER WELL FOR THE EXTRACTION OF HYDROCARBONS, UNDER UNCONTROLLED RELEASE CONDITIONS The present invention relates to equipment for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons from an underwater well for the extraction of hydrocarbons under uncontrolled release conditions.
The constant increase in the worldwide demand for fluid hydrocarbons has led to a growing activity in the underwater or offshore exploration and production.
Underwater environments, in addition to making production more difficult, create an increased risk of environmental damage in the case of blowout events, i.e. uncontrolled release of hydrocarbons from the extraction wells, and/or other uncontrolled leakages of hydrocarbons into the sea, for example as a consequence of fractures of underwater piping.
These events, even if rare, not only cause a loss in terms of energy, but can also create severe consequences in terms of personnel safety, environmental pollution and well restoration costs.
Various attempts have been made in the past to guarantee an effective recovery of uncontrolled leakages of hydrocarbons in deep water.
In this respect, hollow containers have been produced, for example, such as that described in patent US 4,318,442 which is essentially equipped with a chimney controlled by a valve, a gas outlet configured so as to maintain a gas stratification in the upper part of the container and a liquid discharge in correspondence with the oil stratification in the lower part of the container.
This container is positioned above the well outlet in blowout so as to capture the outgoing stream of hydrocarbons, also called plume, in order to convey its fluid part to the surface in a controlled manner, removing the gaseous part .
Alternatively, the use of dome-shaped protection shields is known, such as that proposed in the USA patent US 4,405,258.
This patent describes a method for the containment of hydrocarbons inside a dome-shaped shield equipped with safety valves on its upper part which, positioned above an underwater well in blowout, entraps the hydrocarbons in its interior.
Structures positioned above the well outlet, however, whether they be hollow or dome-shaped container, have proved to be unsuitable for an effective containment of the blowout phenomenon, in particular of wells from which there is a great outflow of hydrocarbons. The power of these phenomena, in fact, tends to induce the hydrocarbons to exit not from the specific upward ducts but from the base of the structure.
The dome shape, moreover, is not effective in deviating high-rate streams.
Other equipment known for the containment or recovery of hydrocarbons in gaseous and/or liquid form is described in American patent US 4,324,505.
This equipment comprises a cone containing suitable slits. When the apparatus is positioned at the well head, as far as is possible, it drives and directs the fluid through a duct connected to the upper portion of the cone, up to the surface where the hydrocarbons can be separated from the other fluids.
In this equipment, particularly for high-rate blowout streams, the impact of the plume inside the cone can generate turbulent motions which can cause the emission of the jet from the cone with a consequent reduced efficiency in the recovery of hydrocarbons coming out of the well.
The necessity is therefore felt, in the case of offshore blowout events, to efficiently intercept, contain and convey the outgoing hydrocarbons in order to reduce their uncontrolled dispersion in the environment to the minimum.
An objective of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above, and in particular to provide equipment for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons from an underwater well, under uncontrolled release conditions, which allow to carry out an effective and substantially complete recovery of hydrocarbons exiting in an uncontrolled manner.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide equipment for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons from an underwater well under uncontrolled release conditions, which is capable of reducing to the minimum the dispersion into the environment of hydrocarbons exiting in an uncontrolled manner.
A further objective of the present invention is to provide equipment for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons from an underwater well under uncontrolled release conditions, which allows the hydrocarbons exiting in an uncontrolled manner to be effectively intercepted, contained and conveyed.
Yet another objective of the present invention i<s to provide equipment for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons from an underwater well under uncontrolled release conditions, which is capable of separating the hydrocarbons coming from the well into a heavy phase consisting of water and liquid hydrocarbons and into a light phase mainly consisting of gas and liquid hydrocarbons and conveying said heavy phase to the surface .
These and other objectives according to the present invention are achieved by providing equipment for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons from an underwater well under uncontrolled release conditions as explained in the independent claims.
Further characteristics of the equipment for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons from an underwater well under uncontrolled release conditions are object of the dependent claims.
The characteristics and advantages of equipment for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons from an underwater well under uncontrolled release conditions, according to the present invention, will appear more evident from the following illustrative and non- limiting description referring to the enclosed schematic drawings in which Figure 1 is a sectional schematic view of the equipment for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons from an underwater well under uncontrolled release conditions, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
With reference to the figure, this shows equipment for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons from an underwater well under uncontrolled release conditions, indicated as a whole as 10.
The equipment 10 for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons, comprises a chamber 23 for the separation of the flow of hydrocarbons coming from the well 21 into a heavy phase 23a and a light phase 23b.
In particular, means 15, 16, 17, 24, 25, 26 for the conveying of the heavy phase 23a and light phase 23b towards the surface, are envisaged in connection with the separation chamber 23.
According to the present invention, the equipment for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons also comprises a directioning body 18 of the hydrocarbon stream, having a substantially cylindrical shape, or as a truncated paraboloid with both ends open, wherein a first end is an inlet of the hydrocarbon stream coming from the well 21, and a second end, distal with respect to the inlet of the hydrocarbon stream 20, is in fluid connection with the separation chamber 23 with the interpositioning of a perforated spherical cap 22.
In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the separation chamber 23 is defined inside a hollow tubular body 11 comprising two hollow cylindrical portions 11a, lib connected by a portion having a tapered conformation 11c.
A first cylindrical portion 11a is connected to the tapered portion 11c in correspondence with the enlarged end 11c' of the same 11c.
The first cylindrical portion 11a of the hollow body 11 ends with an annular base 12 defining an opening of the hollow tubular body 11 with reduced diameter with respect to the diameter of the first cylindrical portion 11a.
A second cylindrical portion lib is connected to the tapered portion 11c in correspondence with the narrower end 11c" of the same 11c.
The tapered portion 11c preferably has a truncated- conical shape with the smaller diameter coinciding with the diameter of the portion of the second cylindrical portion lib and the larger diameter coinciding with the diameter of the first cylindrical portion 11a of the tubular body 11.
The second cylindrical portion lib ends, in correspondence with its free end, with an upper base 13, so as to define a closed containment space.
The separation chamber 23 is delimited in the perimeter and externally by the tubular body 11 and internally and centrally by the perforated cap 22 and by the hollow body 18 for directing the incoming flow so as to have a substantially annular conformation.
For this purpose, the directioning body 18 is arranged coaxially with the tubular body 11 and extends internally to the same.
The directioning body 18 preferably has, at least in correspondence of its own inlet end of the hydrocarbon flow, a diameter coinciding with the inner diameter of the annular base 12 and an extension substantially equal to the development of the first cylindrical portion 11a of the tubular body 11.
The directioning body 18 is open in correspondence with both its ends, thus allowing, once positioned in correspondence with the outflow of hydrocarbons, the plume 20 coming from the well 21 to be conveyed into its interior 19.
The hollow perforated spherical cap 22 is situated, however, in correspondence with the end of the directioning body 18, distal with respect to the inlet of the hydrocarbon flow 20, preferably in a position distant from the directioning body 18.
The geometry of the directioning body 18 and perforated cap 22 is such as to attenuate the momentum of the plume of the multiphase stream at the inlet.
The gravitational separation of the incoming mixture into dense or heavy phase 23a and light 23b phase takes place inside the separation chamber 23.
The separation chamber 23 is in fluid connection with the means 15, 16, 17, 24, 25, 26 for conveying the heavy phase 23a and light phase 23b towards the surface .
In particular, the lower part of the separation chamber 23a, in which the dense phase 23a is stratified, is in fluid communication with pumping means 16 situated inside the second cylindrical portion lib of the hollow tubular body 11.
The fluid connection takes place by means of a plurality of conveying pipes 24, angularly spaced, preferably equispaced, consisting of a first vertical section and subsequently converging into a common collector 25 overlying the perforated cap 22.
The collector 25 is arranged centrally with respect to the tubular body 11 and is, in turn, connected with the pumping means 16 through a first section 15a of a conveying duct 15 situated inside the hollow tubular body 11, between the tapered portion 11c and the second cylindrical portion lib of the hollow tubular body 11, coaxially with respect to the same.
A second section 15b of the conveying duct 15, again situated inside and coaxially to the second cylindrical portion lib, puts the pumping means 16 in fluid communication with an ejection system 17, inside the second cylindrical portion lib, also equipped with suction doors 17a for the suction of the light phase 23b.
A third and last section 15c of the conveying duct 15 is inserted on the upper base 13 of the second cylindrical portion lib and puts the multiphase stream produced inside the ejection system 17 in fluid communication with suitable treatment and collection systems situated on the sea surface (not illustrated) .
The upper part of the separation chamber 23, in which the light phase is stratified, is in fluid communication with the surface by means of a vent duct 26 intercepted by a regulation valve (not illustrated) in the collection point on the sea surface.
A fluid connection duct 27 with the surface is also envisaged, which extends for a first section externally and parallel to the tubular body 11 and is inserted for a subsequent section on the directioning body 18 passing through the wall of the first cylindrical portion 11a of the tubular body 11.
Said duct 27 for fluid connection with the surface is suitable for feeding a methanol distribution system (not illustrated), positioned in correspondence with the lower end of the directioning body 18.
The functioning of the equipment 10 for conveying and recovering hydrocarbons from an underwater well for extraction is as follows.
In operative condition, the plume 20, consisting of a mixture of gas and oil, leaves the well at high pressure 21, thus englobing seawater in its interior.
The inlet of seawater inside the equipment for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons 10 favours the formation of the heavy liquid phase 23a. The quantity of seawater entering the equipment for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons 10 can be controlled by varying the height at which the equipment 10 is positioned with respect to the sea bottom, together with the dimensions and rotation rate of the pumping means 16.
The multiphase stream at the inlet 20, generally consisting at least of oil, gas and seawater, enters the equipment for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons 10 through the hollow directioning body 18.
The geometry of said directioning body 18, together with that of the perforated cap 22, is such as to attenuate the momentum of the ingoing stream 20, preventing a downward reflux of the plume 20 and consequently its outflow.
Passing through the holes of the perforated cap 22, the multiphase stream 20 enters the separation chamber 23.
In its interior, the oil-gas-water mixture tends to separate and become stratified into two phases: a light phase 23b, consisting of a mixture of gas and liquid hydrocarbons, is formed on the upper part of the separation chamber 23, and a dense phase 23a, consisting of a mixture of water and liquid hydrocarbons containing limited quantities of dispersed gas, is formed on the lower part of the separation chamber 23.
The dense phase 23a is directed from the separation chamber 23, through the plurality of conveying pipes 24, towards the collector 25, due to the pumping means 16, and is conveyed at high pressure into the ejection system 17.
A part of the light phase 23b separated in the separation chamber 23, is sucked at low pressure by the suction doors 17a of the ejection system 17.
The multiphase stream produced in the ejection system 17 is then conveyed through the third section 15c of the conveying duct 15 in the direction of the sea surface towards specific conveying and recovery means.
The remaining portion of light phase 23b is extracted through the vent duct 16.
The distribution between the light phase 23b sucked by the ejection system 17 and that extracted through the vent duct 26, is regulated by the regulation valve situated on the vent duct 26.
The regulation valve also has the function of keeping the vent duct 26 full of air, guaranteeing the correct functioning of the system during the initial conveyance and recovery phases of the hydrocarbon mixture .
During the recovery of the hydrocarbons, the methanol is also distributed from the surface by means of the fluid connection duct 27 with the surface to the methanol distribution system in correspondence with the inlet of the plume 20 in order to prevent the formation of hydrates.
The characteristics of the equipment for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons from an underwater well for extraction, object of the present invention, as also the relative advantages, are evident from the above description.
The particular conformation of the directioning body of the flow, in addition to the perforated spherical cap at its end, allows the momentum of the multiphase stream at the inlet to be attenuated, thus preventing a downward reflux of the same and consequently its outflow.
Furthermore, the passage through the perforated cap facilitates an effective separation of the multiphase stream into a light phase and heavy phase, favouring its conveyance towards the surface.
Finally, the equipment thus conceived can obviously undergo numerous modification and variants, all included in the invention; all the details, moreover, can be substituted by technically equivalent elements. In practice the materials used, as also the dimensions, can vary according to technical requirements.

Claims

1. Equipment (10) for the conveying and recovery of a stream of hydrocarbons from an underwater well under uncontrolled release conditions, comprising a chamber (23) for the separation of said hydrocarbon stream leaving said well, into a heavy phase (23a) and a light phase (23b), means (15,16,17,24,25,26) being envisaged, in connection with said separation chamber (23) , for conveying said heavy phase (23a) and said light phase (23b) , towards the surface, characterized in that it comprises a directioning body (18) of said hydrocarbon stream, having a substantially cylindrical shape, or as a truncated paraboloid with both ends open, wherein a first end is an inlet of said hydrocarbon stream leaving said well, and a second end, distal with respect to the inlet of said hydrocarbon stream (20) , is in fluid connection with said separation chamber (23) with the interpositioning of a perforated spherical cap (22) .
2. The equipment (10) for the conveying and recovery of a stream of hydrocarbons from an underwater well under uncontrolled release conditions according to claim 1, characterized in that said perforated spherical cap (22) is positioned at a distance with respect to said distal end of said directioning body (18) .
3. The equipment (10) for the conveying and recovery of a stream of hydrocarbons from an underwater well under uncontrolled release conditions according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said separation chamber (23) is defined inside a hollow tubular body (11), said separation chamber (23) being perimetrically and externally delimited by said tubular body (11) , and internally and centrally by said perforated cap (22) and said directioning body (18) so as to have a substantially annular configuration.
4. The equipment (10) for the conveying and recovery of a stream of hydrocarbons from an underwater well under uncontrolled release conditions according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that said hollow tubular body (11) comprises a first (11a) and a second (lib) cylindrical portion interlinked by means of a portion having a tapered conformation (11c) , said first cylindrical portion (11a) being connected to said tapered portion (11c) in correspondence with an enlarged end (11c') of the same (11c) and said second cylindrical portion (lib) being connected to said tapered portion (11c) in correspondence with a narrowed end (11c") of the same (11c), the lower part of said first cylindrical section (11a) ending with an annular base (12) defining an opening of said hollow tubular body (11) having a reduced diameter with respect to the diameter of said first cylindrical portion (11a) and the upper part of said second cylindrical portion (lib) ending with an upper base (13) .
5. The equipment (10) for the conveying and recovery of a stream of hydrocarbons from an underwater well under uncontrolled release conditions according to claim 4, characterized in that said directioning body (18) is coaxially arranged with respect to said tubular body (11) and extends inside the same, said directioning body (18) having a diameter coinciding with the inner diameter of said annular base (12) at least in correspondence with said first end, is an inlet, and an extension substantially the same as the expansion of said first cylindrical section (11a) of said tubular body (11) .
6. The equipment (10) for the conveying and recovery of a stream of hydrocarbons from an underwater well under uncontrolled release conditions according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that a lower part of said separation chamber (23) , in which said heavy phase (23a) is stratified, is in fluid communication with pumping means (16) by means of a plurality of conveying pipes (24) angularly spaced and interlinked in a collector (25) overlying said perforated cap (22) , said collector (25) being connected to said pumping means (16) through a first section (15a) of a conveying duct (15) towards the surface .
7. The equipment (10) for the conveying and recovery of a stream of hydrocarbons from an underwater well under uncontrolled release conditions according to claim 6, characterized in that said pumping means (16) are situated in fluid communication with an ejection system (17) by means of a second section (15b) of said conveying duct (15) towards the surface.
8. The equipment (10) for the conveying and recovery of a stream of hydrocarbons from an underwater well under uncontrolled release conditions according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that an upper portion of said separation chamber (23) , in which said light phase (23b) is stratified, is in fluid communication with the surface by means of a vent duct (26) .
9. The equipment (10) for the conveying and recovery of a stream of hydrocarbons from an underwater well under uncontrolled release conditions according to any of the previous claims from 6 to 8 , characterized in that said pumping means (16) and said ejector (17) are positioned inside said second cylindrical portion (lib) of said hollow tubular body (11) , said conveying duct (15) towards the surface passing coaxially through said second cylindrical portion (lib) .
10. The equipment (10) for the conveying and recovery of a stream of hydrocarbons from an underwater well under uncontrolled release conditions according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that it comprises a duct (27) for fluid connection with the surface, and extends for a first section externally and parallel to said tubular body (11) and for a subsequent section is inserted on said directioning body (18) , passing through the wall of said first cylindrical section (11a) of said tubular body (11) .
PCT/IB2011/001326 2010-06-17 2011-06-10 Equipment for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons from and underwater well for the extraction of hydrocarbons, under uncontrolled release conditions Ceased WO2011158093A1 (en)

Priority Applications (10)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
BR112012031825-0A BR112012031825B1 (en) 2010-06-17 2011-06-10 EQUIPMENT FOR THE TRANSPORT AND RECOVERY OF HYDROCARBONS FROM A SUBMARINE WELL
NO20130042A NO346602B1 (en) 2010-06-17 2011-06-10 EQUIPMENT FOR THE TRANSPORTATION AND RECOVERY OF HYDROCARBONS FROM A SUBSEA WELL FOR THE RECOVERY OF HYDROCARBONS UNDER UNCONTROLLED RELEASE CONDITIONS
AP2012006588A AP3187A (en) 2010-06-17 2011-06-10 Equipment for the coneying and recovery of hydrocarbons from an underwater well for the extraction of hydrocarbons, under uncontrolled release conditions
MX2012014571A MX2012014571A (en) 2010-06-17 2011-06-10 Equipment for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons from an underwater well for the extraction of hydrocarbons, under uncontrolled release conditions.
GB1300282.9A GB2494363B (en) 2010-06-17 2011-06-10 Equipment for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons from an underwater well for the extraction of hydrocarbons, under uncontrolled release conditions
AU2011266756A AU2011266756B2 (en) 2010-06-17 2011-06-10 Equipment for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons from an underwater well for the extraction of hydrocarbons, under uncontrolled release conditions
US13/704,479 US9488038B2 (en) 2010-06-17 2011-06-10 Equipment for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons from an underwater well for the extraction of hydrocarbons, under uncontrolled release conditions
CN201180029251.7A CN102959180B (en) 2010-06-17 2011-06-10 Underwater well conveying never under controlled release condition reclaims hydrocarbon to extract the equipment of hydrocarbon
RU2013101777/03A RU2563528C2 (en) 2010-06-17 2011-06-10 Equipment for hydrocarbons transportation and extraction from underwater well for production in uncontrolled output conditions
DKPA201370016A DK178695B1 (en) 2010-06-17 2013-01-11 Equipment for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons from an underwater well for the extraction of hydrocarbons, under uncontrolled release conditions

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITMI2010A001101A IT1401465B1 (en) 2010-06-17 2010-06-17 EQUIPMENT FOR CONVEYANCE AND RECOVERY OF HYDROCARBONS FROM A SUBMARINE WELL FOR THE EXTRACTION OF HYDROCARBONS IN UNCONTROLLED RELEASE CONDITION
ITMI2010A001101 2010-06-17

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2011158093A1 true WO2011158093A1 (en) 2011-12-22
WO2011158093A8 WO2011158093A8 (en) 2012-02-16

Family

ID=43433516

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2011/001326 Ceased WO2011158093A1 (en) 2010-06-17 2011-06-10 Equipment for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons from and underwater well for the extraction of hydrocarbons, under uncontrolled release conditions

Country Status (12)

Country Link
US (1) US9488038B2 (en)
CN (1) CN102959180B (en)
AP (1) AP3187A (en)
AU (1) AU2011266756B2 (en)
BR (1) BR112012031825B1 (en)
DK (1) DK178695B1 (en)
GB (1) GB2494363B (en)
IT (1) IT1401465B1 (en)
MX (1) MX2012014571A (en)
NO (1) NO346602B1 (en)
RU (1) RU2563528C2 (en)
WO (1) WO2011158093A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2014053199A1 (en) * 2012-10-05 2014-04-10 Total Sa A containment system and a method for using said containment system
ITMI20121747A1 (en) * 2012-10-16 2014-04-17 Eni Spa APPARATUS AND PROCEDURE FOR CONVEYANCE AND RECOVERY OF HYDROCARBONS FROM A SUBMARINE WELL OR FROM A SUBMARINE CONDUCT IN UNCONTROLLED RELEASE CONDITION (BLOWOUT)

Families Citing this family (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9016981B2 (en) * 2010-05-10 2015-04-28 Thomas J. Kryzak Aquatic recovery and repair system
FR2995932B1 (en) * 2012-09-21 2014-10-31 Nymphea Environnement METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COLLECTING A LIGHT SUBMARINE FLUID SUCH AS FRESHWATER OR HYDROCARBONS
US8794333B1 (en) * 2013-07-02 2014-08-05 Milanovich Investments, L.L.C. Combination blowout preventer and recovery device
US8651189B1 (en) * 2013-07-02 2014-02-18 Milanovich Investments, L.L.C. Blowout recovery valve
US20160160614A1 (en) * 2013-07-24 2016-06-09 Shell Oil Company Subsea containment separator
US20160265317A1 (en) * 2013-10-21 2016-09-15 Total Sa A containment system and a method for using said containment system
CN105899732B (en) * 2014-01-13 2018-05-15 国际壳牌研究有限公司 The method that gas hydrate synthesis is prevented in open water catching apparatus
CN105840147B (en) * 2016-03-24 2019-01-01 西南石油大学 Suspend the sea-bottom natural gas collection device and method of the heating of buoyancy tank helical pipe
US9822605B2 (en) * 2016-04-14 2017-11-21 Karan Jerath Method and apparatus for capping a subsea wellhead
CN111776167A (en) * 2019-04-03 2020-10-16 交通运输部水运科学研究所 An underwater wreck hole pumping unit base with plugging function
US12246800B2 (en) 2021-06-22 2025-03-11 Jackson State University Releasable float assembly and method of operating
US12065908B2 (en) * 2022-03-14 2024-08-20 Marine Well Containment Company Advanced extended flowback system
WO2026073926A1 (en) * 2024-10-01 2026-04-09 TechnipFMC Norge AS Systems, a dispersion unit and methods for underwater dispersion of hydrogen

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA1107661A (en) * 1976-10-18 1981-08-25 Torstein K. Fannelop Collection and separation of uncontrolled blow out material from bore holes in the ocean floor
GB2071020A (en) * 1979-12-20 1981-09-16 Chicago Bridge & Iron Co Apparatus for capturing subsea leakage of oil and gas
US4318442A (en) 1979-09-27 1982-03-09 Ocean Resources Engineering, Inc. Method and apparatus for controlling an underwater well blowout
US4324505A (en) 1979-09-07 1982-04-13 Hammett Dillard S Subsea blowout containment method and apparatus
US4405258A (en) 1977-10-24 1983-09-20 Dome Petroleum Limited Method for containing oil and/or gas within a blow-out cover dome

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SU943393A1 (en) * 1979-09-20 1982-07-15 За витель Method of recovery of oil and gas from underwater emergency gushing well
NO153938C (en) * 1979-11-02 1986-06-18 Ostlund As PROCEDURE FOR THE COLLECTION AND SEPARATION OF OIL, WATER AND GAS FROM AN OIL WELL AND AN EQUAL COLUMN FOR EXECUTION OF THE PROCEDURE.
SU1498908A1 (en) * 1987-08-17 1989-08-07 Государственный научно-исследовательский и проектный институт по освоению месторождений нефти и газа "Гипроморнефтегаз" Arrangement for collecting oil and gas from gryphons on sea bottom
SU1687770A1 (en) * 1988-12-28 1991-10-30 Государственный научно-исследовательский и проектный институт по освоению месторождений нефти и газа "Гипроморнефтегаз" Device for collecting oil and gas from sea floor griffons
US5213444A (en) * 1992-04-17 1993-05-25 The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy Oil/gas collector/separator for underwater oil leaks
UA34802A (en) * 1999-07-08 2001-03-15 Український Державний Морський Технічний Університет Appliance for collection of oil and gas from gryphons on sea bottom
EP1779911A1 (en) * 2005-10-28 2007-05-02 M-I Epcon As A separator tank
CN201391264Y (en) * 2009-04-29 2010-01-27 陈忠林 Wellhead anti-theft and anti-blowout device
GB201011445D0 (en) * 2010-07-07 2010-08-25 Kirkby Alan D Underwater oil and gas collection system

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA1107661A (en) * 1976-10-18 1981-08-25 Torstein K. Fannelop Collection and separation of uncontrolled blow out material from bore holes in the ocean floor
US4405258A (en) 1977-10-24 1983-09-20 Dome Petroleum Limited Method for containing oil and/or gas within a blow-out cover dome
US4324505A (en) 1979-09-07 1982-04-13 Hammett Dillard S Subsea blowout containment method and apparatus
US4318442A (en) 1979-09-27 1982-03-09 Ocean Resources Engineering, Inc. Method and apparatus for controlling an underwater well blowout
GB2071020A (en) * 1979-12-20 1981-09-16 Chicago Bridge & Iron Co Apparatus for capturing subsea leakage of oil and gas

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2014053199A1 (en) * 2012-10-05 2014-04-10 Total Sa A containment system and a method for using said containment system
US9587467B2 (en) 2012-10-05 2017-03-07 Total Sa Containment system and a method for using said containment system
ITMI20121747A1 (en) * 2012-10-16 2014-04-17 Eni Spa APPARATUS AND PROCEDURE FOR CONVEYANCE AND RECOVERY OF HYDROCARBONS FROM A SUBMARINE WELL OR FROM A SUBMARINE CONDUCT IN UNCONTROLLED RELEASE CONDITION (BLOWOUT)
WO2014060917A1 (en) 2012-10-16 2014-04-24 Eni S.P.A. Apparatus and process for conveying and recovering hydrocarbons' from an underwater well or from an underwater pipeline in uncontrolled release (blowout) conditions

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2011266756A1 (en) 2013-01-24
BR112012031825B1 (en) 2020-03-10
MX2012014571A (en) 2013-04-22
CN102959180B (en) 2015-08-26
AP2012006588A0 (en) 2012-12-31
ITMI20101101A1 (en) 2011-12-18
AU2011266756B2 (en) 2015-12-03
RU2013101777A (en) 2014-07-27
CN102959180A (en) 2013-03-06
WO2011158093A8 (en) 2012-02-16
NO20130042A1 (en) 2013-01-09
AP3187A (en) 2015-03-31
RU2563528C2 (en) 2015-09-20
DK178695B1 (en) 2016-11-21
BR112012031825A2 (en) 2016-11-08
US20130206421A1 (en) 2013-08-15
GB2494363B (en) 2016-02-17
IT1401465B1 (en) 2013-07-26
NO346602B1 (en) 2022-10-24
GB201300282D0 (en) 2013-02-20
US9488038B2 (en) 2016-11-08
DK201370016A (en) 2013-01-11
GB2494363A (en) 2013-03-06

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US9488038B2 (en) Equipment for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons from an underwater well for the extraction of hydrocarbons, under uncontrolled release conditions
DK177930B1 (en) Separation and capture of liquids in a multiphase flow
EP2442881B1 (en) A separator tank for separating oil and gas from water
CN107537701B (en) A kind of cyclonic separator
EA013254B1 (en) A well fluid separator tank for separation of fluid comprising water, oil and gas, use of such a tank, and a method for separating said well fluid
NO329564B1 (en) Process for removing condensate from a natural gas stream, device used in the process, and wellhead unit comprising the device
JP6345791B2 (en) Modular plant and process for liquid / gas separation, especially for liquid and gas phase of crude oil
CN102574029A (en) A separator tank for separating oil and gas from water
CN102574028B (en) A separator tank for separating oil and gas from water
WO2015188850A1 (en) Subsea separator
US20220339557A1 (en) A separation apparatus with insert
CN121222167A (en) An environmentally friendly blowout device suitable for high-salinity gas wells
CN102900459B (en) Self-balancing water-seal-type anti-explosion device
OA21986A (en) Equipment for the conveying and recovery of hydorcarbons from an underwater well for the extraction of hydrocarbons under uncontrolled release conditions.
US20150300147A1 (en) Apparatus and process for conveying and recovering hydrocarbons from an underwater well or from an underwater pipeline in uncontrolled release (blowout) conditions
CN117298659B (en) A pipe-in-pipe gas-liquid pre-separation device for treating oilfield gas-containing produced liquid
NO149641B (en) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AA COLLECT A FLUID RADIATION
CN205277395U (en) Submarine pipeline gas -liquid section plug flow entrapment separator
CN112774259B (en) Oil-gas mixture&#39;s separator
KR101652375B1 (en) Separator for oil well fluid
SU1107888A1 (en) Separator
RU2820368C1 (en) Water flow damper
SU996789A1 (en) Air separator
GB1600281A (en) Containment of pressurized fluid jets
CN113491923A (en) Automatic flowing back degritting separator

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 201180029251.7

Country of ref document: CN

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 11745820

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: MX/A/2012/014571

Country of ref document: MX

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 1300282

Country of ref document: GB

Kind code of ref document: A

Free format text: PCT FILING DATE = 20110610

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 1300282.9

Country of ref document: GB

ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 2013101777

Country of ref document: RU

Kind code of ref document: A

ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 2011266756

Country of ref document: AU

Date of ref document: 20110610

Kind code of ref document: A

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 13704479

Country of ref document: US

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 11745820

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: BR

Ref legal event code: B01A

Ref document number: 112012031825

Country of ref document: BR

ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 112012031825

Country of ref document: BR

Kind code of ref document: A2

Effective date: 20121213