Patent · US Active

Wellhead hips with automatic testing and self-diagnostics

US8725434B2 · kind B2 · utility

12Cited by
14References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJan 19, 2011
Grant dateMay 13, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 14, 2032

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/7761
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A method for diagnostics of a high integrity protection system (HIPS) for protection of a pipeline downstream of a wellhead includes: monitoring for initiation of an automatic trip or manual safety shutdown or full shut-off test; determining the process safety time (PST) that elapses between the time at which the upstream pressure reached the trip setpoint and the time at which the upstream pressure reaches the maximum allowable piping pressure (MAPP) of the downstream pipeline; and verifying that the safety critical isolation valves stroked to the fully closed position within ½ PST and that the downstream pressure did not exceed the MAPP. If the verification shows that either of those parameters are not met, then the HIPS signals an alarm to operators, and in the case of a manual safety shutdown or full shut-off test, resets the pressure trip setpoint to a lower level.

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