Back to results
US 12,392,444 B2Granted
Stabilization of flow by moveable choke
AssigneeConocoPhillips Company
InventorsThomas J. Danielson, Brian P. Dyer, Probjot Singh
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method to reduce slugging in a pipeline, including flowing a fluid flow through a pipeline having a fluid flow path extending therethrough and determining a presence of a slug within the fluid flow path of the pipeline. Launching a chokeable pig into the fluid flow path, anchoring the chokeable pig at a predetermined location within the fluid flow path, and adjusting the pressure drop through the pipeline.
Claims20
A method to stabilize flow in a pipeline, the method comprising:
- flowing a fluid flow through the pipeline, the pipeline defining a fluid flow path therethrough;
- analyzing the fluid flow to detect a non-optimal flow pattern;
- determining a location within the fluid flow path to anchor a chokeable pig based on the non-optimal flow pattern;
- launching the chokeable pig into the fluid flow path after detection of the non-optimal flow pattern and determining of the location;
- anchoring the chokeable pig at the location;
- and
- adjusting the fluid flow through the pipeline.
4 more elements
A pipeline intervention chokeable pig system, the system comprising:
- a pipeline defining a fluid flow path operable to receive a fluid flow therein;
- a launcher fluidly coupled with the pipeline, the launcher including an access pipe and an access hatch coupled with a distal end of the access pipe;
- a pig device operable to be anchored at one or more predetermined locations within the fluid flow path of the pipeline, the one or more predetermined locations determined based on detection of a non-optimal flow pattern, the pig device operable to be introduced into the fluid flow via the launcher to traverse along the pipeline to the one or more predetermined locations after detection of the non-optimal flow pattern and determining of the one or more predetermined locations, the pig device operable to receive the fluid flow therethrough;
- and
- a choke coupled with the pig device and disposed within the fluid flow.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.