Subsea flow enhancer
AssigneeParagon Engineering Services Incorporated
InventorKenneth E. Arnold
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention is for a subsea hydrocarbon recovery device comprising a means for separating a composite hydrocarbon stream into a gas and liquid stream and independent means for recovering each stream. The device is comprised of a separator, a gas recovery pipeline and a liquid recovery system. The separator separates a composite hydrocarbon stream from a well into vapor and liquid phases. The liquid hydrocarbon recovery system is comprised of a circulating loop into which the liquid hydrocarbon stream is introduced for recovery. The liquid steam flows through a pressure increasing device into a circulating loop which brings the recovered hydrocarbon to the surface. Physical parameters of the circulating liquid can be controlled to prevent or eliminate paraffin accumulations.
Claims13
A device for recovering vapor and liquid hydrocarbons from a composite stream, comprising:
- a separator for receiving the composite hydrocarbon stream from a well and separating the received composite hydrocarbon stream into a liquid stream and vapor stream;
- a vapor flowline for conducting said vapor stream away from the separator, said vapor flowline being operably connected to said separator;
- a circulating loop comprising a recycle flowline and a liquid flowline;
- an introducing means for introducing said liquid hydrocarbon stream into said circulating loop;
- means for removing liquid from said circulating loop;
- and
- a pipe for conducting said liquid stream from said separator to said introducing means, said pipe being operably connected to said separator and to said introducing means.
A method of recovering hydrocarbons from a well, comprising the steps of:
- receiving a composite hydrocarbon stream from a well into a separator and
- separating the received composite stream into a vapor stream and liquid stream,
- flowing the vapor stream from the separator through a vapor flowline;
- circulating a recycle liquid through a circulating loop comprising a recycle
- flowline and a liquid flowline;
- flowing said liquid stream from said separator to an introducing means for introducing said liquid stream into said circulating loop.
A hydrocarbon recovery device comprising an apparatus through which recovered liquid hydrocarbons flow from a wellhead to an eductor operably attached to a circulating loop, wherein liquid from said circulating loop flows through said eductor and reduces pressure on the well.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.