Lightweight flow module
AssigneeFMC Technologies, Inc.
InventorsPaul L. Riley, Ramu Valliappan Manickam, Wei Soung Tan, May-Ling Rachel Ho, Guoxiang Calvin Wu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A flow control module includes an inlet hub coupled to a first flow passage having a first flow bore, a flow meter, and a choke disposed in a second flow passage having a second flow bore, where the second flow passage is coupled to a distal end of the first flow passage. The flow meter is associated with the first flow bore and positioned for top-down fluid flow. The flow control module also includes an outlet hub coupled to a distal end of the second flow passage, where the outlet hub faces in a different direction from the inlet hub.
Claims20
An assembly comprising:
- a flow control module, comprising:
- an inlet hub coupled to a first flow passage having a first flow bore;
- a flow meter associated with the first flow bore and positioned for top-down fluid flow;
- a second flow passage having a second flow bore, the second flow passage coupled to a distal end of the first flow passage and extending in a different orientation from the first flow passage;
- a choke block provided at the coupling between the inlet hub and the first flow passage or at the coupling between the first flow passage and the second flow passage;
- a choke disposed in the choke block;
- and
- an outlet hub coupled to a distal end of the second flow passage, the outlet hub facing in a different direction from the inlet hub;
- wherein there are less than three changes in flow path orientation between the inlet hub and the outlet hub.
A method for using a flow control module, comprising:
- connecting an inlet hub of the flow control module to a flow passage of a subsea tree;
- connecting an outlet hub of the flow control module to a flowline directed away from the subsea tree;
- directing fluid from the flow passage of the subsea tree through the inlet hub of the flow control module;
- directing the fluid through at least one flow passage located in the flow control module to the outlet hub;
- regulating pressure of the fluid in the flow control module with a choke provided along the at least one flow passage in the flow control module;
- directing the fluid from the outlet hub to the connected flowline;
- and
- closing a production isolation valve provided along the at least one flow passage in the flow control module to isolate fluid from flowing through the connected flowline;
- wherein there are less than three changes in flow path orientation between the inlet hub and the outlet hub.
A system comprising:
- a first flow control module comprising:
- an inlet and at least one outlet;
- a main line that is in fluid communication with the inlet;
- and
- a first branch line coupled to the main line and to a first outlet of the at least one outlet;
- a subsea tree connected to the inlet, the subsea tree comprising:
- a tree core assembly comprising a production bore and an annulus bore extending through a valve block to a tubing head;
- wherein the valve block comprises a plurality of valves, at least one of the plurality of valves positioned on a first side of the valve block and remaining valves of the plurality of valves positioned on a second side of the valve block opposite the first side;
- wherein annulus lines and production lines extending from the tree core assembly comprise at least one of the annulus and production lines extending in a first direction from the tree core, and remaining annulus and production lines extend in an opposite direction from the tree core, such that the annulus and production lines extend from the valve block in an in-line configuration;
- and
- an equipment device connected to the first outlet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.