Method and apparatus for monitoring fluids

Abstract

A method and apparatus for monitoring a fluid that is to be transported through a fluid conduit within a hydrocarbon exploration and production installation is described. A monitoring zone is established upstream of the fluid conduit configured such the fluid supply to the fluid conduit is introduced via the monitoring zone. The fluid supply within the monitoring zone is monitored for the occurrence of events detrimental to the flow of the fluid supply through the fluid conduit. Monitoring the fluid supply prior to entering the fluid conduit allows for the early detection of an event detrimental to the flow of the fluid supply e.g. a chemical reaction indicative of corrosion of the fluid conduit or the formation of a potential blockage within the fluid conduit. In this way the risk of costly blockages or structural failure occurring within the fluid conduit is reduced.

Description

[0001]The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for use in the hydrocarbon exploration and production industry and in particular to a method and apparatus for monitoring a fluid that is to be transported through a fluid conduit. The monitoring of a fluid to be transported through a fluid conduit provides a dynamic indication of the occurrence of detrimental effects for the fluid flow within the conduit. The described method and apparatus have particular application for preventing blockages within fluid umbilicals, although the methods and apparatus may also be adapted for monitoring fluids for the occurrence of detrimental effects within pipelines, wellbores and risers.[0002]During the production and transportation of hydrocarbons, it is common for the interiors of fluid conduits, including pipelines, wellbores, risers and umbilicals, to become fouled. This fouling can lead to the build up of layers of debris or particulate matter on the inside of conduits, which reduc...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0002]During the production and transportation of hydrocarbons, it is common for the interiors of fluid conduits, including pipelines, wellbores, risers and umbilicals, to become fouled. This fouling can lead to the build up of layers of debris or particulate matter on the inside of conduits, which reduces the effective inner diameter (ID) of the conduit and thus reduces the flow rate. Fouling can also produce blockages in the fluid conduits which completely prevent fluid flow.

[0016]It is therefore an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for monitoring a fluid that is to be transported through a fluid conduit so as to provide a dynamic indication of the occurrence of detrimental effects for the fluid flow within the conduit.

[0024]It is advantageous to monitor the fluid supply prior to entering the fluid conduit as this allows for the early detection of an event detrimental to the flow of the fluid supply e.g. a chemical reaction indicative of corrosion of the fluid conduit or the formation of a potential blockage within the fluid conduit. In this way the risk of costly blockages or structural failure occurring within the fluid conduit is significantly reduced.

[0026]Preferably the method further comprises the step of shutting off the fluid supply to the fluid conduit when solidification is detected. Shutting off the fluid supply to the fluid conduit allows an operator to check the installation to see if a non-compatible chemical supply has been introduced to the fluid supply.

[0029]Most preferably the step of monitoring the pressure differential across the filter further comprises the step of correlating the monitored pressure differential with a temperature of the fluid supply. By correlating the pressure differential across the filter with the temperature of the fluid supply reduces the risk of erroneous contamination events being detected.

[0045]By having the monitoring zone configured to provide upstream fluid cooperation with an entrance to the fluid conduit allows the fluid monitoring unit to dynamically monitor the fluid supply prior to entering the fluid conduit. This allows for the early detection of potential blockage forming scenarios and so significantly reduces the risk of costly blockages occurring within the fluid conduit.

Problems solved by technology

During the production and transportation of hydrocarbons, it is common for the interiors of fluid conduits, including pipelines, wellbores, risers and umbilicals, to become fouled.

This fouling can lead to the build up of layers of debris or particulate matter on the inside of conduits, which reduces the effective inner diameter (ID) of the conduit and thus reduces the flow rate.

Fouling can also produce blockages in the fluid conduits which completely prevent fluid flow.

The relatively small diameters of the internal tubes within the subsea umbilical, in combination with the fact that their helical path arrangement significantly increases the frictional drag experienced by objects inserted into the internal tubes, means that umbilicals are particularly prone to blockages.

Such blockages completely prevent fluid transmission through the umbilical and so can cause considerable disruption to production activities.

If a blockage cannot be removed then this results in obvious time and cost implications for the operator.

It is estimated that the costs incurred in replacing a typical subsea fluid umbilical run into several millions of pounds.

However, in practice it is found that the major contributing factor to the formation of blockages within a fluid umbilical is human error, either through the poor design of the chemical bunkering systems, unsuitable methodologies being employed in offshore environments or even faulty chemical compatibility testing being carried out.

For example, if an operator accidentally allows incompatible fluids to be transmitted down the same internal tube then coagulation or flocculation may take place so resulting in blockages within the umbilical.

A further detrimental effect that occurs within fluid conduits is the onset of corrosion.

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