Choke assembly
AssigneeCameron International Corporation
InventorsDerek Meek, Hans Paul Hopper
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A choke assembly comprises an inlet (48) for a multiphase fluid stream, the stream comprising a first relatively heavy fluid phase and a second relatively light fluid phase; a first fluid outlet (116); a choke element (22) disposed between the inlet and the first fluid outlet operable to control the flow of fluid between the inlet and the first fluid outlet; a separation chamber (40, 114) disposed to provide separation of phases in the fluid stream upstream of the choke element; and a second outlet (118) for removing fluid from the separation cavity. The choke assembly is of particular use in the control of fluid streams produced from a subterranean well, in particular oil and gas produced from a subsea well.
Claims52
A choke assembly comprising:
- an inlet for a multiphase fluid stream, the stream comprising a first relatively heavy fluid phase and a second relatively light fluid phase;
- a first fluid outlet;
- a choke element disposed between the inlet and the first fluid outlet operable to control the flow of fluid between the inlet and the first fluid outlet;
- a separation chamber disposed to provide separation of phases in the fluid stream upstream of the choke element;
- and
- a second outlet for removing fluid from the separation chamber.
A method of controlling and separating the flow of a multiphase fluid stream, the method comprising:
- introducing the multiphase fluid stream into a separation zone;
- allowing separation of the fluid phases in the fluid stream to occur in the separation zone;
- causing a first portion of the fluid stream to flow through a choke element to a first outlet;
- controlling the flow of fluid through the choke element by adjusting the choke element;
- and
- causing a second portion of the fluid stream to flow to a second outlet.
A choke assembly comprising:
- an inlet for a multiphase fluid stream;
- a choke element arranged to induce a rotational pattern in fluid passing through the choke element;
- a separation chamber located downstream of the choke element to receive fluid passing through the choke element;
- a first outlet in the separation chamber for a first fluid stream;
- and
- a second outlet in the separation chamber for a second fluid stream.
A choke assembly comprising:
- a choke element comprising a moveable choke component;
- a stem connected to the moveable choke component;
- wherein the stem has a bore therethrough to provide an outlet for fluid from within the choke element.
A method for controlling and separating a multiphase fluid stream, the method comprising:
- passing the fluid stream through a choke element and controlling the flow of fluid using the choke element;
- introducing the fluid stream into a separation zone, flowing the fluid stream in a rotational flow pattern in the separation zone, and causing phases of the fluid stream to separate;
- removing a lighter fluid phase from the separation zone through a first outlet;
- and
- removing a heavier fluid phase from the separation zone through a second outlet.
A choke assembly comprising a choke element comprising:
- a cage having a plurality of openings therethrough for the passage of fluid;
- and
- a plug moveable with respect to the cage to open and close the openings in the cage;
- wherein the openings in the cage extend tangentially to the cage.
A method of controlling the flow of a fluid, the method comprising:
- introducing the fluid into a flow control zone having a general downstream direction in which the fluid is required to flow, the fluid being introduced into the flow control zone through a plurality of openings;
- wherein fluid introduced through a first group of openings, downstream of a second group of openings, establishes a generally toroidal flow pattern within the flow control zone, whereby the effective cross-sectional area available for the flow of fluid introduced through the second group of openings in the downstream direction is reduced.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.