Method of insulating a subsea structure
US7745379B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 3, 2004 |
| Grant date | Jun 29, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 27, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/01
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A method of insulating pipeline bundles used in recovering hydrocarbons from wells is disclosed. A polymeric substance, such as an orthophosphate ester, is injected into the annulus between a carrier pipe and the hydrocarbon conveying tubulars. A ferric salt, such as ferric sulphate, may be added as a gelling agent. The mixture results in a gel having a dynamic viscosity of greater than (1000) PaS. The gel insulates the inner hydrocarbon-conveying tubulars from the surrounding seawater thus helping to maintain the relatively high temperature therewithin. This in turn reduces the likelihood for chemicals, such as hydrates, to be precipitated out of the oil phase.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.