Fluid sampling and measuring assembly and method

An underwater hydrocarbon production plant comprising:

• an underwater hydrocarbon facility;
• and
• a sampling and measuring assembly configured to couple with the underwater hydrocarbon facility, the sampling and measuring assembly comprising:
• a sampling and measuring module configured to sample and analyse a fluid sample from a sampling station of the underwater hydrocarbon facility,
• a picking module configured to contain the fluid sample, wherein the sampling and measuring module and the picking module are configured to be mechanically and hydraulically coupled to each other and to the sampling station;
• a navigation module configured to navigate in a body of water, wherein the picking module is configured to be coupled to the navigation module to transfer the fluid sample to an analysis laboratory;
• an interface module configured to hydraulically connect the sampling station, the sampling and measuring module and the picking module;
• a first connecting device configured to mechanically connect the interface module and the navigation module, the first connecting device being one of:
• a first releasable connecting device and a first permanent connecting device;
• a second releasable connecting device configured to connect the interface module and one of the sampling and measuring module and the sampling station, the connection being mechanical, hydraulic, electrical and for data exchange;
• and
• a second permanent connecting device configured to connect the interface module and the picking module, the connection being mechanical, hydraulic, electrical and for data exchange.

A method comprising:

• (i) sampling a fluid sample using a sampling and measuring module coupled to a first sampling station of an underwater hydrocarbon facility;
• (ii) preserving the fluid sample using a container in a picking module coupled to the sampling and measuring module;
• (iii) hydraulically connecting the first sampling station, the sampling and measuring module, the picking module and an interface module;
• (iv) transferring, via a first navigation module and at least one of the sampling and measuring module, the picking module and the interface module, the fluid sample to an analysis laboratory;
• (v) uncoupling the sampling and measuring assembly from the first sampling station;
• (vi) coupling the sampling and measuring assembly to a second sampling station;
• and
• (vii) repeating, in sequence, (i) to (vi) at least once.