Patent · US Active

Apparatus for wellhead high integrity protection system

US8327874B2 · kind B2 · utility

8Cited by
9References
23Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateNov 15, 2010
Grant dateDec 11, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 7, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/87877
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A high integrity protection system (HIPS) for protection of a pipe downstream of a wellhead includes: an inlet connected to the wellhead; outlet connected to the downstream pipe; two sets of two series-connected surface safety valves (SSVs) in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet, the two sets being in parallel fluid flow relation to each other, either one or both of the sets of SSVs operable as a flowpath for fluids entering the inlet and passing through the outlet to the downstream pipe; two vent control valves (VCVs), each connected to piping intermediate one set of series-connected SSVs, the VCVs being in fluid communication with a vent line, whereby, upon opening of a VCV, process pressure between the two SSVs is vented; a signal-generating safety logic solver, in accordance with preprogrammed safety and operational protocols; and pressure sensing transmitters attached to piping upstream of the HIPS outlet.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.