System for dewatering a flowline including a multiphase pump connected at a lower end of the flowline
US12098796B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 12, 2022 |
| Grant date | Sep 24, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 24, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF04D13/086
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system for dewatering a subsea gas pipeline includes a pig launcher at the pipeline's upper end, which may be at or near the sea surface, and a pig receiver at the pipeline's lower end, which may be at or near the sea floor. A multiphase pump unit is deployed at the pipeline lower end and is configured to provide sea water suction to aid in a pig train being forced downwards through pipeline. The multiphase pump is configured to handle some amount of gas leaking around the pig train. A choke system may allow sea water to enter the flowline, thereby lowering the gas volume fraction (GVF) and preventing the GVF from exceeding the ability of the multiphase pump. For deeper water applications, a second pump may be provided in series that may be a single pump if positioned downstream of the multiphase pump.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.