WO2014039959A1

WO2014039959A1 - Subsea sampling bottle and system and method of installing same

Info

Publication number: WO2014039959A1
Application number: PCT/US2013/058742
Authority: WO
Inventors: Malcolm Atkinson; Klaus Brinck HANSEN; Bernard E. THERON; John Allan NIGHSWANDER
Original assignee: Schlumberger Technology Coroporation; Schlumberger Canada Limited; Services Petroliers Schlumberger; Schlumberger Holdings Limited; Schlumberger Technology B.V.; Prad Research And Development Limited
Priority date: 2012-09-09
Filing date: 2013-09-09
Publication date: 2014-03-13

Abstract

A subsea sampling bottle is described that includes a sliding connection and seals at one end and fixing means at the other end. A subsea sampling system is also described that includes supports configured to receive a subsea sampling bottle having a sliding connection and seals at one end and fixing means at the other end. A bottle and sampling system are also described wherein the bottle has sliding connectors at both ends and is retained using retaining clamps and supports.

Description

SUBSEA SAMPLING BOTTLE AND SYSTEM AND METHOD OF

INSTALLING SAME

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of: U.S. Prov. Ser. No. 61/698,718 filed September 9, 2012, which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to sampling fluids in the oil and gas

industry. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to bottles and related methods for sampling fluids in a subsea environment.

BACKGROUND

[0003] In the oil and gas industry, fluid samples are collected for analysis in many well applications. For example, in a subsea environment tubing is used to convey well fluid to a desired location. Measurements and samples of the fluid moving through the tubing can provide useful information for improved operation of the well.

[0004] Fluid samples, for example, may be collected for reservoir characterization or to deduce reservoir fluid properties. The analysis generally is done at a land-based or field-deployed pressure/volume/temperature (PVT) laboratory. The information derived is used for periodic reservoir characterization over the life of a well to facilitate the evaluation of reserves, and for production planning and optimization.

[0005] Fluid samples are also collected to enable deposition studies, for example, samples may be collected to carry out asphaltene deposition studies. In subsea applications, problematic deposition of such materials can occur as a result of the temperature and pressure gradients between a subsea wellhead and the surface.

[0006] Various apparatus, methods and systems for sampling and analyzing well fluids have been identified previously, including those used subsea. For subsea applications, fluid sampling systems can be deployed on the seafloor with the aid of remotely operated vehicles (ROV). Features of subsea sampling systems include the provision of bottles or cylinders for containing the fluid samples and transporting the cylinders to the sea surface and to a laboratory for analysis. Such cylinders should designed and certified for transportation of hydrocarbon samples to enable shipping of samples from the support vessel or rig to an onshore laboratory that may be located in a different region or country. During the course of a subsea sampling operation it is likely that multiple sample cylinders will be required to capture all the desired samples. The sample cylinders are typically installed and dismounted from the subsea sampling system on the deck or workshop area of the support vessel or rig. On the deck, changing out or dismounting and re-mounting the sampling cylinders from and to the subsea sampling system is done carefully to decrease the risk of service quality incidents and to improve safety. The dismounting and remounting of the cylinders thus involves a significant amount of operational time.

SUMMARY

According to some embodiments, a subsea sampling bottle is described that is configured to be installed on a subsea-deployable fluid sampling system. The sampling bottle includes: an elongated body defining an inner volume configured to contain a sample fluid produced from a wellbore; and a sliding connector on one end of the body configured to slideably mate with a counter part connector on a sampling system that is configured to be deployed in a subsea location, and to transfer fluid produced from a wellbore into the elongated body. The sliding connector is further configured to when mated with the counter part connector, establishing sealed fluid communication between the sliding connector and the counterpart connector.

According to some embodiments, the sliding connector has a protruding male portion and the counterpart connector has and indented female portion shaped and dimensioned to accept the male portion. According to some embodiments, a second sliding connector is provided on the other end of the bottle body configured to slidably mate and seal with a second counterpart connector on the sampling system. According to some embodiments, the sliding connectors include male members protruding in the same direction, and the counterpart connectors including indented female portions shaped and dimensioned to accept the male members of the sliding connectors, respectively. According to some embodiments, the male members each include one or more flexible sealing elements which can be, for example, field replaceable O-rings. According to some embodiments, the sampling system includes clamping restraints to fixedly restrain the body against the supports.

[0008] According to some embodiments, a fixing connector on an end of the bottle body is configured to mate with a counterpart fixing connector on the sampling system thereby: (1) establishing sealed fluid communication between the fixing connector and the counterpart fixing connector; and (2) fixedly retaining the elongated bottle body to the sampling system. According to some embodiments, the fixing connector is further configured to accept a retaining bolt having a through-bore flow path and one or more sealing elements such as O-rings.

[0009] According to some embodiments, a subsea sampling system is described for

deployment in a subsea location, such as a seafloor, to transfer fluid produced from a wellbore into a subsea sampling bottle. The sampling system includes: a sliding fluid connector configured to slidably mate with a counterpart connector on a subsea sampling bottle and thereby form a sealed fluid connection; one or more supports configured to support a portion of the subsea sampling bottle; and one or more restraints configured to fixedly restrain the subsea sampling bottle against the supports. According to some embodiments the subsea sampling system is configured for fluid connection with a seafloor production manifold from which production fluid from one or more wellbores is transferred. According to some embodiments, the fluid connection between the sampling system and the seafloor production manifold includes a manifold interface panel. According to some embodiments the subsea sampling system is configured for fluid connection with a subsea Christmas tree that is configured to control flow of the production fluid from a subsea wellbore. According to some embodiments, the system includes a moveable block on which one of the sliding connectors is positioned. The moveable block is moveable in a direction such that the system can accommodate variations in distance between the counterpart connectors.

[0010] According to some embodiments, a method for subsea sampling is described that includes: at a subsea location, such as the seafloor, using a subsea sampling system to transfer a fluid sample collected from a production wellbore into a subsea sampling bottle mounted to the sampling system; transporting the sampling system, such as using an ROV, to a facility located on the sea surface; unmounting the subsea sampling bottle from the sampling system by translatably sliding apart a sliding fluid connection between the first sampling bottle and the sampling system; remounting another subsea sampling bottle to the sampling system, by translatably sliding together a second sliding fluid connection between the second sampling bottle and the sampling system; and transporting the sampling system from the facility to another subsea location for transfer of another fluid sample collected from another production wellbore into the mounted subsea sampling bottle.

[0011] These together with other aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure, along with the various features of novelty, which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. The above aspects and advantages are neither exhaustive nor

individually or jointly critical to the spirit or practice of the disclosure. Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of exemplary embodiments in combination with the accompanying drawings. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] To assist those of ordinary skill in the relevant art in making and using the subject matter hereof, reference is made to the appended drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of sampling equipment for extracting

production fluids in a subsea location, according to some embodiments;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a cross section showing aspects of a sampling bottle for installation on a subsea deployable fluid sampling system, according to some embodiments;

[0015] FIGs. 3-1 and 3-2 are cross sections showing further aspects of a sampling bottle being installed on a subsea deployable fluid sampling system, according to some embodiments;

[0016] FIGs. 4-1 and 4-2 are cross sections showing further aspects of a sampling bottle being installed on a subsea deployable fluid sampling system, according to some embodiments;

[0017] FIGs. 4-3 and 4-4 are cross sections showing aspects of filling a sampling bottle installed on a subsea deployable fluid sampling system, according to some embodiments;

[0018] FIG. 5 is a cross section showing aspects of a sampling bottle for installation on a subsea deployable fluid sampling system, according to some other embodiments;

[0019] FIG. 6 is a cross-section view showing aspects of installing the sampling bottle, according to some embodiments;

[0020] FIG. 7 is a cross-section view showing further aspects of installing the sampling bottle, according to some embodiments;

[0021] FIGs. 8-1 and 8-2 are cross sections showing aspects of filling a sampling bottle installed on a subsea deployable fluid sampling system, according to some embodiments;

[0022] FIGs. 9-10 are cross section views showing aspects of sample bottles and carrier bodies according to some other embodiments; and

[0023] FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing aspects of installing, filling and removing a

sampling bottle, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and within which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments by which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0025] The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the present invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the present invention in more detail than is necessary for the fundamental understanding of the present invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the present invention may be embodied in practice. Further, like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements. Words like cylinder, bottle have been used as synonyms.

[0026] According to some embodiments, sampling bottles described herein are configured to operate with various previously described subsea sampling systems. For example US Patent No. 6,435,279 describes a method and apparatus for sampling fluids from an undersea wellbore utilizing a self-propelled underwater vehicle, and a collection and storage device. US Patent No. 8,245,572 describes a system and method for analysis of fluid samples. An article entitled "Improved production sampling using the Framo multiphase flow meter" by Framo Engineering AS in October 1999 discusses a multiphase flow meter used in fluid sampling, including subsea with the aid of remotely operated vehicles ( OV). Each of the above references is incorporated by reference herein. An advantage provided according to some embodiments is the sampling and analysis of fluids can be implemented in the subsea environment while keeping the sample fluid at line conditions, as explained in US Patent No. 8,376,050, which is also incorporated by reference herein.

[0027] It has been found that conventional methods of installing sample bottles using rigid threaded pipe connections have a number of drawbacks. To make these connections, the operator must have free access with a spanner to rotate the fittings entering the sample cylinder. Care has to be taken to ensure the threads are aligned before making the connection. The operator often takes time to slacken connections in the pipe manifolds to create sufficient movement in the pipework to allow alignment of each joint before all connections are tightened. Alternatively, some operators may choose to bend pipes to align joints that may lead to inadvertent slackening off of joints and fatigue. Furthermore, it has been found that since many of these types of connections rely on metal-to-metal sealing, the fittings have a finite life as repeat make/breaks leads to wear and damage. This damage is often difficult to observe and can lead to leaks found only during pressure testing.

[0028] According to some embodiments, the sampling apparatus and methods described herein simplify the operation of installing and dismounting the sample cylinders that minimizes the risk of service quality incidents. It has been found that improved safety is provided as well as reduced maintenance time. Importantly, the operation time needed to dismount and remount the several sample bottles from the subsea sampling unit while on the deck or workshop area of the support vessel or rig can be significantly reduced.

[0029] According to some embodiments, a sampling bottle is described that is configured for easy, quick and reliable connection to a subsea sampling system. According to some embodiments, the sampling bottle includes connections made up of a male stabber with sealing elements at one end of the sampling bottle and a retaining bolt with a through-bore flow path and seals at the other end of the sampling bottle. This design has the reduced number of threaded elements that simplifies the connection process. According to some embodiments, a method is described for connecting a sampling bottle to a subsea sampling system. According to some embodiments, a subsea sampling bottle is described that includes connections and seals at one end and fixing means at the other end. According to some embodiments, the connections and seals include a stabber with sealing elements at the one end of the sampling bottle. According to some other embodiments, the fixing means include a retaining bolt with a through-bore flow path and seals. According to some embodiments, a subsea sampling system is described that includes a support structure configured to receive a subsea sampling bottle as described. A method of installing such a subsea sampling bottle is also described.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of sampling equipment for extracting

production fluids in a subsea location, according to some embodiments. The sampling skid 120 is attached to an ROV 122 and deployed from a location on sea surface 104, such as vessel 128. ROV 122 is tethered using main lift umbilical 126 to tether management system 124, which manages the free-swimming tether 127 to ROV 122. The ROV 122 maneuvers the sampling skid 120 into position to connect to manifold interface panel 108, which is part of production manifold 118. ROV 122 may also be used to manipulate valves on the production manifold 118 and/or manifold interface panel 108 in preparation for extracting production fluids through the manifold 108.

[0031] Production manifold 118 serves as a hub for production well 112, having wellhead 110, and well 116, having wellhead 114. The wellheads 110 and 114 are connected to production manifold 118 via flow lines 140 and 142 respectively. It will be appreciated that although two wells are shown in the example of FIG. 1,

embodiments described can operate with other numbers of production wells. At the production manifold 118, production fluids from the production wells are comingled before flowing to a production facility, such as production platform 130 through flow line 132. According to some embodiments, the manifold interface panel 108 allows for the sampling skid 120 to draw production fluids from the individual production wells 112 and 116 before comingling occurs within the production manifold 118. Accordingly, sampling skid 120 is able to retrieve samples of production fluids from each production well, which is not possible from the surface since the production fluids in flow line 132 are comingled. For further details of manifold interface panels and/or sampling skids, according to some embodiments, please see e.g. U.S. Patent No. 8,376,050 that is incorporated by reference herein. According to some other embodiments, the techniques described herein are configured to operate with other configurations of subsea equipment and/or sampling skid deployment methods that may exist. According to some

embodiments, for example, the sampling skid is configured to connect with the subsea xmas tree instead of a production manifold.

FIG. 2 is a cross section showing aspects of a sampling bottle for installation on a subsea deploy able fluid sampling system, according to some embodiments. As used here in the terms "sample bottle" and "sample cylinder" are used interchangeably to refer to sample fluid containers of either cylindrical or non-cylindrical shape. The sample cylinder 200 includes an elongated body 210 that has an outer wall that defines an inner chamber 212. The chamber has a piston 214 that allows the effective volume of chamber 212 to be altered depending on the horizontal position of the piston 214. Note that although a simple piston 214 is shown, according to some embodiments, bottle 200 may have more complex internal components to provide functions such as sample pressure maintenance. The cylinder 200 has two ported connections on either end of an elongated body 210. One "stabber" connection port 220 is on one end of body 210 and one cross-over-bolt connection port 230 is on the other end. The ports 220 and 230 are in fluid communication with chamber 212 via internal flow conduits 222 and 232 respectively. In particular, the protruding stabber connection port 220 is connected via the conduit 222 to part of chamber 212 on the right side of the piston 214, while cross-over-bolt connection port 232 is connected via conduit 232 to part of chamber 212 on the left side of piston 214. The stabber port 220 also includes replaceable O-ring seals 240 and 242 located in grooves on the outer surface of port 220 as shown. Note that although O- ring seals are shown in many of the embodiments described herein, according to other embodiments, one or more other types of seals can be used such as elastomer or plastic seals having a different shape that serve a similar function (e.g. T seals). Apart from the seals and grooves for the seals, the outer surface of stabber port 220 is smooth so as to allow sliding engagement with the body of sampling sled 120. Note that as shown FIG. 2, the stabber port 220 is configured as the inlet port (i.e. for flowing the sampled fluid into the bottle 200) and port 230 is configured to be the outlet port, which is used for example to allow fluid in chamber 212 to exit the bottle, as is described infra. However, according to some embodiments the bottle 200 can be easily configured such that port 220 is the outlet port and port 230 is the inlet port.

[0033] The sampling sled 120 has a slot 270 for accepting the cylinder 200. Note that the sampling sled 120 typically has a number of slots for simultaneously accepting a number of sampling bottles. According to some embodiments, sled 120 is configured to accept two or more sampling bottles. According to some

embodiments the number of bottles accepted by sled 120 is 4, 8 or 12. The sampling sled 120 has a female sliding connection port 250 that is smooth and dimensioned to accept the stabber connection port 220. The inner conduit 252 connects the port 250 with an internal port 254 for connection to other components within sampling sled 120. On the other end of slot 270 is a cross-over-bolt port 260 that is connected to an internal port 264 via internal conduit 262. Note that according to some embodiments, the ports 260, 264 and 254 are threaded to accept threaded fittings for secure fluid communication, while port 250 is smooth so as to slidably accept a fluid port (such as port 220 on bottle 200).

[0034] FIGs. 3-1 and 3-2 are cross sections showing further aspects of a sampling bottle being installed on a subsea deployable fluid sampling system, according to some embodiments. In FIG. 3-1, the bottle 200 is shown positioned in slot 270 of the carrier of sled 120. The operator aligns the stabber connection point 220 with the port 250 as shown. In FIG. 3-2, the bottle 200 is slid to the right (as indicated by arrow 310) such that the tip of stabber port 220 slides into port 250 and seals 240 and 242 are fully engaged on the bore of port 250 so as to form a fluid-tight seal. The sliding action proceeds until the port 230 on bottle 200 is aligned with port 260 on sled 120, as shown in FIG. 3-2.

[0035] FIGs. 4-1 and 4-2 are cross sections showing further aspects of a sampling bottle being installed on a subsea deployable fluid sampling system, according to some embodiments. In FIG. 4-1 the crossover bolt 410 is shown which has an internal fluid channel 412 and several o-ring type seals as shown. The tip 414 of bolt 410 is threaded to match threads on the lower portion of port 260 on the carrier of sled 120. FIG. 4-2 shows the x-over bolt 410 is then passed through the sampling cylinder 200 into the carrier of sled 120 and secured in place via the threaded connection between the tip 414 of bolt 410 and the threads on port 260. The cross-over bolt 410 has seals to isolate the process fluid from the environment which are fully engaged with the inner bore of port 230 on bottle 200, and port 260 of sled 120. A sealed fluid connection is formed from chamber 212, through the bolt 410 and into the sled 120 thereby providing a second hydraulic flow path between the cylinder and the carrier. Further, the bolt 410 also provides the mechanical connection to hold the cylinder 200 on the carrier of sled 120.

[0036] FIGs. 4-3 and 4-4 are cross sections showing aspects of filling a sampling bottle installed on a subsea deployable fluid sampling system, according to some embodiments. In FIG. 4-3 the bottle 200 is being filled with sampled production fluid 420 which is pumped from port 254 (as indicated by arrow 450) though conduit 252, port 250, inlet stabber port 220, conduit 222 and into chamber 212 on the right side of piston 214. As the fluid 420 enters the chamber 212 of bottle 200, the piston 214 moves to the left as shown in FIG. 4.4. According to some embodiments, the bottle 200, prior to deployment to the subsea location, is filled with a liquid such as water and/or monoethylene glycol. The fluid in chamber 212 (e.g. methanol) exits through conduit 232, through bolt 410 into port 260, through conduit 262 and out of port 264 as shown by arrow 452. According to some embodiments, the bottle 200 is not completely filled, such as shown in FIG. 4-4 so as to allow movement of piston 214. [0037] FIG. 5 is a cross section showing aspects of a sampling bottle for installation on a subsea deployable fluid sampling system, according to some other embodiments. The sample bottle 500 includes an elongated body 510 that has an outer wall that defines an inner chamber 512. The chamber has a piston 514 that allows the effective volume of chamber 512 to be altered depending on the horizontal position of the piston 514. According to some embodiments, the bottle 500 is identical or similar to bottle 200 described supra, except that the two fluid connection ports 520 and 530 are configured differently than ports 220 and 230 of bottle 200. In particular, both the inlet port 520 and outlet port 530 have smooth protruding "stabber" members that are aligned in the same direction (i.e. the downward direction in FIG. 5). As shown, the inlet port 520 is fluidly connected to chamber 512 on right side of piston 514 via a conduit 522 and the outlet port 530 is fluidly connected the chamber 512 on the left side of piston 514 via a conduit 532.

Additionally port 520 includes replaceable o-ring seals 540 and 542 located in grooves on the outer surface of port 520 as shown. Similarly, port 530 includes replaceable o-ring seals 550 and 552 located in grooves on the outer surface of port 530 as shown. Apart from the seals and grooves for the seals, the outer surface of ports 520 and 530 are smooth so as to allow sliding engagement with the carrier body of sampling sled 120 (not shown).

[0038] According to some embodiments, the body 510 of bottle 500 is machined from a solid block of material. However, according to some other embodiments, the body 510 is formed of two separate pieces rigidly mounted to each other via a threaded connection (not shown). In such cases the sample bottle 500 can be adjusted so that the desired entry ports 520 and 530 are aligned on the same plane. In aligning the ports, it may be necessary to unscrew the threaded connection by a fraction of a turn until the ports 520 and 530 align. The angle of rotation required may vary from one bottle to another, depending for example on manufacturing variations. The bottle 500 should therefore be designed so as to have more thread engagement than might be required to meet the specified safety factors, and a locking screw to hold the parts in the desired orientation. Since the amount of rotation required to align the ports will vary from one bottle to the next, there will be a variance in the distance between the sample ports 520 and 530 once aligned. The distance could vary by about one pitch of the thread (e.g. 0.125"). [0039] According to some embodiments, the stabber portions of ports 520 and 530 are formed separately from the body 510 of bottle 500, and are screwed into the body 510 via threaded connections. In such cases the stabber fittings of ports 520 and 530 each have one end with a threaded pressure connection to match the bottle body 510 and the other end with a dual seal arrangement. In cases where the body 510 is formed of two threaded pieces, once the ports are in line, then stabber fittings for ports 520 and 530 are installed resulting in the configuration shown in FIG. 5.

[0040] FIG. 6 is a cross-section view showing aspects of installing the sampling bottle, according to some embodiments. In this case the sampling sled 120 includes a bottle carrier 600 for supporting and making fluid connections to the sampling bottle 500. According to some embodiments the carrier 600 is a rack orientated on a flat plane and configured to support and make connections to multiple sample bottles. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the bottle 500 can be loaded onto the cylinder carrier frame 600 of a sampling sled 120 as shown by arrow 602. As discussed infra the distance between the stabber ports 520 and 530 on the bottle 500 may vary. And according to some embodiments, the carrier 600 is designed to accommodate a corresponding variation in the distance between receiving ports 650 and 660. The FIG. 6 shows one embodiment, in which one port, port 660 is machined into a floating block 610. This block 610 is secured to the frame via a movement joint that allows the necessary travel in the direction indicated by arrow 612. The movement joint incorporates a sliding hydraulic connection that includes a connection piece 616 having an internal conduit and replaceable o-ring seals, as shown. The receiving port 660 is connected to an internal conduit 662 that leads to the piece 616 and to internal fluid port 664. The movement of block 610 allows for variations in distance between the ports of a bottle being mounted. According to some embodiments, the movement of 610 can also be used to accommodate bottles having different volumes and/or shapes. Similarly, the receiving port 650 is connected to an internal conduit 652 to internal fluid port 654. Note that the inner surfaces of receiving ports 650 and 660 are smooth so as to allow sliding engagement with ports 520 and 530 of bottle 500. The carrier 600 also includes two supports 670 and 670 that are shaped to accept the outer shape of bottle 500 (e.g. such as by having concave cut-outs matching the exterior of body 510). [0041] FIG. 7 is a cross-section view showing further aspects of installing the sampling bottle, according to some embodiments. FIG. 7 shows the sampling bottle 500 installed on carrier rack 600. The stabber ports 520 and 530 with seals 540, 542, 550 and 552 are fully engaged to as to provide an adequate fluid seal with the receiving ports 650 and 660. Note that retaining fittings 770 and 772 and retaining straps 710 and 772 are configured to hold the cylinder 500 in place as shown on FIG. 7. The fittings 770 and 772 are shaped to match the exterior shape of body 510 of bottle 500. According to some embodiments, the straps 770 and 772 are configured to provide both quick clamping and un-clamping, as well as to provide adequate clamping force so as to withstand the separation forces applied to the stabbers by the maximum internal pressure of the sample bottle 500. Further, the clamp design can be configured so as to rigidly fix the floating receptacle block 610 in the desired location as shown in FIG. 7. According to some embodiments, the clamping mechanism is designed to prevent the pressure in the hydraulic movement joint from exerting side loads and/or bending loads on the cylinder stabber.

According to some embodiments the clamping straps 710 and 712 are configured to allow clamping and unclamping without the use of tools, such as by using integrated ratchet and/or cam actuated mechanisms. According to some embodiments, a pair of clamps is configured to span more than one bottle so the time and labor used in unmounting and re-mounting bottles to carrier 600 is further reduced. According to some embodiments, a bleed down capability is provided to remove pressure from the connections before clamps are removed or connections are broken.

[0042] FIGs. 8-1 and 8-2 are cross sections showing aspects of filling a sampling bottle installed on a subsea deployable fluid sampling system, according to some embodiments. In FIG. 8-1 the bottle 500 is being filled with sampled production fluid 420 which is pumped from port 654 (as indicated by arrow 850) through conduit 652, port 650, inlet stabber port 520, conduit 522 and into chamber 512 on the right side of piston 514. As the fluid 420 enters the chamber 512 of bottle 500, the piston 514 moves to the left as shown in FIG. 8-2. According to some embodiments, the bottle 500, prior to deployment to the subsea location, is filled with a liquid such as a mixture of water and monoethylene glycol (MEG).

According to some other embodiments, the bottle can be filled with othe liquids, such as water or methanol. The fluid in chamber 512 (e.g. water-MEG mixture) exits through conduit 532, through outlet port 530, receiver port 660, through conduit 662, connection piece 616 and out of port 664 as shown by arrow 852. According to some embodiments, the bottle 500 is not completely filled, such as shown in FIG. 8-2 so as to allow movement of piston 514, for reasons described with respect to FIG. 4-4, supra.

[0043] FIGs. 9-10 are cross sections views showing aspects of sample bottles and carrier bodies according to some other embodiments. In particular, FIG. 9 shows a bottle 900 configured with a female receiving inlet port 920 that is shaped to accept a male stabber port 950 formed on carrier 902 of sampling sled 120. The outlet ports 230 and 260 and crossover bolt 410 are the same as described with respect to FIGS. 4-1 and 4-2, supra. FIG. 10 shows a bottle 1000 configured with dual female receiving ports 1020 and 1030 that are shaped to accept male stabber ports 1050 and 1060 on carrier 1002 of sled 120. As in the case of the stabber ports described supra, the stabber ports 950, 1050 and 1060 and corresponding receiver ports 920, 1020 and 1030 are smooth and allow for sliding engagement and use replaceable sealing elements, such as O-rings. According to some other embodiments, other configurations of male and female ports are used. For example, according to one embodiment (not shown) bottle 1000 and carrier 1002 are each configured with one male and one female port.

[0044] Thus, according to several embodiments described herein, subsea sampling bottle, system and method of installation are provided that use significantly fewer threaded connections per bottle compared to the existing subsea sampling devices. Further, according to many described embodiments, easier access to threaded connections is provided. For example, the cross over bolt 410 in FIGs. 4-1 and 4-2 has accessible socket head screws rather than pipe fitting with limited access as known in the art. Further, according to many described embodiments, replaceable seal elements are used. According to some embodiments, one or more of the O-ring seals can be replaced easily resulting in new or nearly new seals being used on each job. The use of dual seals can be incorporated into the design for specific subsea applications. Finally, the system and sampling bottle according to many of the described embodiments enable a shortened installation and removal time while improving safety due to all the above benefits (e.g. easy access, improved sealing reliability and less working time near pressure equipment).

[0045] FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing aspects of installing, filling and removing a

sampling bottle, according to some embodiments. In block 1110, an ROV or other suitable equipment is used to retrieve the fluid sampling skid from the subsea location where the fluid samples are taken to the deck or other location on the ship. In block 1111 the bottle valves are closed and trapped pressure is bleed from the fluid connections. In block 1112, the first sample bottle is released or undamped. This can be, for example, loosening and removing the cross-over bolt such as bolt 410 for bottles such as bottle 200, or releasing straps 710 and 712 and fittings 770 and 772 for bottles such as bottle 500. In block 1114, the fluid connections using sliding male/female connectors are disconnected by sliding the male and female connections apart. The used bottle (i.e. the one containing a fluid sample) is then removed from the carrier rack and stored in block 1116. In block 1118, the new bottle (not yet filled with sample fluid) is positioned for installation on the carrier rack. The male and female connectors are aligned. In block 1120, the sliding connections are made by sliding the male and female connectors towards each other. The replaceable o-ring seals are engaged so as to create a fluid-tight seal. In block 1122, the bottle is clamped or otherwise secured (e.g. using a cross over bolt for bottles such as bottle 200, or releasing straps 710 and 712 and fittings 770 and 772 for bottles such as bottle 500). In block 1124, the unmounting and remounting process is repeated for other bottles if desired. Note that according to some embodiments more than one used bottle may be simultaneously unmounted, and more than one unused bottle simultaneously remounted. In block 1126 the sampling skid with the unused (not yet filled with sampling fluid) bottles is redeployed to a subsea location for further fluid sample collection.

[0046] Whereas many alterations and modifications of the present invention will no doubt become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art after having read the foregoing description, it is to be understood that the particular embodiments shown and described by way of illustration are in no way intended to be considered limiting.

[0047] It is noted that the foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present invention. While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the words, which have been used herein, are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made, within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention in its aspects. Although the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the present invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

A subsea sampling bottle configured to be installed on a subsea-deployable fluid sampling system, the sampling bottle comprising:

an elongated body defining an inner volume configured to contain a sample fluid produced from a wellbore, the body having a first end and a second end; and a first sliding connector on the first end of the body configured to slideably mate with a first counterpart connector on a sampling system configured to be deployed in a subsea location and to transfer fluid produced from a wellbore into the elongated body, the first sliding connector further configured to when mated with the first counterpart connector establish sealed fluid communication between said first sliding connector and said first counterpart connector.

A subsea sampling bottle according to claim 1 wherein said first sliding connector has a protruding male portion and said first counterpart connector has and indented female portion shaped and dimensioned to accept said male portion.

A subsea sampling bottle according to claim 1 further comprising a second sliding connector on the second end of the body configured to slidably mate and seal with a second counterpart connector on said sampling system.

A subsea sampling bottle according to claim 3 wherein said first and second sliding connectors include male members protruding in the same direction, and said first and second counterpart connectors including indented female portions shaped and dimensioned to accept the male members of said first and second sliding connectors, respectively.

A subsea sampling bottle according to claim 3 wherein the said male members each include one or more flexible sealing elements.

A subsea sampling bottle according to claim 5 wherein said one or more flexible sealing elements are O-rings.

A subsea sampling bottle according to claim 5 wherein said one or more flexible sealing elements are configured to be field replaceable.

A subsea sampling bottle according to claim 1 wherein said sampling system includes one or more supports and clamping restraints to fixedly restrain said body against said one or more supports.

A subsea sampling bottle according to claim 1 further comprising a fixing connector on the second end of the body configured to mate with a counterpart fixing connector on said sampling system thereby: (1) establishing sealed fluid communication between said fixing connector and said counterpart fixing connector; and (2) fixedly retaining the elongated bottle body to said sampling system.

A subsea sampling bottle according to claim 9 wherein said fixing connector is further configured to accept a retaining bolt having a through-bore flow path and one or more sealing elements.

A subsea sampling bottle according to claim 10 wherein said first connector has a male member protruding in a direction parallel to a main longitudinal axis of the elongated body.

A subsea sampling bottle according to claim 1 wherein the subsea location is on or near a seafloor.

A subsea sampling system for deployment in a subsea location to transfer fluid produced from a wellbore into a subsea sampling bottle, the sampling system comprising:

a first sliding fluid connector configured to slidably mate with a first counterpart connector on a subsea sampling bottle and thereby form a sealed fluid connection;

one or more supports configured to support at least a portion of the subsea sampling bottle; and one or more restraints configured to fixedly restrain the subsea sampling bottle against said one or more supports.

14. A subsea sampling system according to claim 13 wherein the subsea sampling system is configured for fluid connection with a seafloor production manifold from which production fluid from one or more wellbores is transferred into said subsea sampling bottle.

15. A subsea sampling system according to claim 13 wherein said fluid connection

between said sampling system and said seafloor production manifold includes a sampling interface panel.

16. A subsea sampling system according to claim 13 wherein the subsea sampling system is configured for fluid connection with a subsea tree that is configured to control flow of production fluid from a subsea wellbore.

17. A subsea sampling system according to claim 13 further comprising a second sliding connector configured to slidably mate and seal with a second counterpart connector on said sampling bottle, wherein said first and second counterpart connectors include male members protruding in the same direction, and said first and second connectors including indented female portions shaped and dimensioned to accept the male members of said first and second counterpart connectors, respectively.

18. A subsea sampling system according to claim 17 further comprising a moveable block on which said second sliding connector is positioned the moveable block being moveable in a direction such that the system can accommodate variations in distance between said first and second counterpart connectors.

19. A subsea sampling system according to claim 13 wherein said first counterpart

connector has a protruding male portion and said first sliding connector has and indented female portion shaped and dimensioned to accept said male portion.

20. A subsea sampling system according to claim 19 further comprising a fixing connector configured to mate with a counterpart fixing connector on said sampling bottle thereby: (1) establishing sealed fluid communication between said fixing connector and said counterpart fixing connector; and (2) fixedly retaining said sample bottle to said sampling system.

21. A subsea sampling system according to claim 20 wherein said fixing connector is further configured to accept a retaining bolt having a through-bore flow path and one or more sealing elements.

22. A method for subsea sampling comprising:

at a subsea location using a subsea sampling system to transfer a fluid sample

collected from a production wellbore into a first subsea sampling bottle mounted to the sampling system;

transporting the sampling system to a facility located on the sea surface;

unmounting said first subsea sampling bottle from the sampling system, the

unmounting comprising translatably sliding apart a sliding fluid connection between said first sampling bottle and said sampling system; remounting a second subsea sampling bottle to the sampling system, the mounting comprising translatably sliding together a second sliding fluid connection between the second sampling bottle and said sampling system; and transporting the sampling system from said facility to a second subsea location for transfer of a second fluid sample collected from a second production wellbore into the second subsea sampling bottle.

23. A method according to claim 22 wherein said subsea and second subsea locations are on or near a seafloor.

24. A method according to claim 22 wherein said transporting uses a remotely operated vehicle (ROV).

25. A method according to claim 22 wherein said mounting includes installing a retaining bolt having a through-bore flow path and one or more sealing elements thereby: (1) establishing sealed fluid communication between said fixing connector on said sampling system and a counterpart fixing connector on the second sampling bottle; and (2) fixedly retaining the second bottle to said sampling system.

26. A method according to claim 22 wherein said sampling system includes one or more supports configured to support at least a portion of the first and second subsea sampling bottles; and one or more restraints configured to fixedly restrain the first and second subsea sampling bottle against said one or more supports.

27. A method according to claim 22 wherein said unmounting and mounting further comprise translatably sliding apart and together, respectively, a second sliding fluid connection, wherein said sliding connectors include male members protruding in the same direction.

28. A method according to claim 22 wherein said fluid connection includes a protruding male member having mounted thereon one or more flexible sealing elements.

29. A method according to claim 28 wherein said one or more flexible sealing elements are O-rings.