Apparatus and method for controlling a fluid flowing through a pipeline

1 A slug control apparatus for controlling the passage of a fluid through a pipeline, the fluid including gas and liquid, the apparatus comprising:

• a first tubular passage defining an inlet and an outlet;
• a valve fluidly positioned between the inlet and the outlet and configured to control the flow of fluid through the first tubular passage;
• and
• a second tubular passage extending from a first position upstream of the valve to a second position downstream of the valve such that the second tubular passage is configured to receive fluid from the first tubular passage upstream of the valve and deliver the fluid to the first tubular passage downstream of the valve, the second tubular passage defining an accumulation volume therein configured to be positioned lower than the first tubular passage such that liquid in the fluid accumulates in the accumulation volume,
• wherein the valve is configured to be selectively controlled to an open configuration to allow gas in the fluid to flow through the first tubular passage while liquid accumulates in the second tubular passage and a closed configuration to direct gas in the fluid to flow through the second tubular passage and thereby deliver liquid accumulated in the accumulation volume as a slug through the outlet of the first tubular passage.