Chevron U.s.a. Inc.

Advanced Innergy Ltd.

Antonio Critsinelis

Sid A Mebarkia

Baha Tulu Tanju

Brady Lee Kirchof

Austin Harbison

Lauren E Reiners

Will Twelvetrees

Yiannis Constantinides

Kale Z Lundeen

Marliee R Myres

Meirong Huang

Steven Louis Johnson

A device () for monitoring strain of an elongate member () is deployed underwater. The device () comprises a first clamp () configured to embrace and couple to the elongate member () at a first axial location, a second clamp () configured to embrace and couple to the elongate member at a second axial location separated from the first axial location, and a sensor which is responsive to an angle between the first clamp and the second clamp.

Device for monitoring strain of an elongate underwater member

Disclosed are processes, devices and systems for preventing overpressurization of subsea production equipment and flowlines in which fluid passes through a high integrity pressure protection system (HIPPS). In embodiments, a container having a piston seal therein can be attached to the piping. In embodiments, a device having a piston seal therein and connected to a fluid receptacle can be attached to the piping. In the event of a pressure surge, fluid can be diverted to the container or the device, thereby lessening the pressure surge. In embodiments, the container or device includes a resetting force to return the piston seal to its original sealed position. The use of the systems disclosed improve the life of the HIPPS valve, protects subsea equipment and flowlines, and enables a length and/or a wall thickness of a fortified pipeline zone downstream of the HIPPS to be reduced.

Systems, devices and methods for preventing overpressurization of subsea equipment and flowlines

Disclosed are an apparatus and method for supporting a portion of a pipeline for conveying produced fluids in a subsea environment to facilitate movement of the portion of the pipeline over a seabed in response to stresses on the pipeline. The portion of the pipeline is supported on a rigid support structure having rotatable components that rotate about an axle attached to the rigid support structure such that the rigid support structure and the portion of the pipeline can move over the seabed. The apparatus and method eliminate the need for costly mud mats or suction piles to accommodate movement in the subsea pipeline and prevent pipeline walking. By facilitating movement of the portion of the pipeline, lateral deformation and axial displacement of the portion of the pipeline can be reduced or eliminated.

Apparatus and method for reducing impact of stresses on a subsea pipeline

Disclosed are processes and systems for preventing overpressurization of piping transporting fluid produced from a pressure source to a receiving facility in which the fluid passes through a high integrity pressure protection system (HIPPS). A relief device is provided in the piping in fluid communication with the HIPPS. In the event that fluid passing through the HIPPS during the valve closure time period has a property exceeding an activation property, the relief device is activated thereby allowing the fluid passing through the HIPPS during the valve closure time period to flow to a fluid containment volume. The fluid containment volume has sufficient volume such that upon the start of the closure of the valve in response to the pressure surge, a portion of the fluid passing through the HIPPS during the valve closure time period is absorbed by the fluid containment volume thereby lessening pressure increase in the piping.

Subsea flowline pressure surge relief system

Disclosed are apparatus, systems and methods for maintaining desired thermal properties of a flowing hydrocarbon fluid in a subsea pipeline. An insulating layer including a plurality of elongated hollow elements containing an insulation material can surround the pipeline. The apparatus can be located on a seabed and connected to a source of hydrocarbon fluid at one end and to a facility for processing hydrocarbon fluid at another end. One method includes spirally winding an elongated hollow element containing an insulation material around the subsea pipeline. One method includes wrapping the subsea pipeline with a connecting layer which includes surface protrusions protruding radially outwards. An insulating layer having surface features reversibly engageable with the surface protrusions of the connecting layer can be reversibly attached to the connecting layer by engaging the surface features of the at least one elongated hollow element with the surface protrusions of the connecting layer.

Growing community of inventors

Kingwood, TX, United States of America

Antonio Critsinelis