Retrievable flow module unit
AssigneeCameron International Corporation
InventorsEdmund McHugh, Finbarr Evans, Tobias Voelkel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A retrievable flow module (RFM) apparatus is provided. In one embodiment, the RFM apparatus is a standalone assembly configured to mate with a subsea device, such as a production tree. The RFM apparatus may include a frame within which various flow control and monitoring elements are disposed. The frame may have an alignment system that enables the RFM apparatus to horizontally mate with the tree. Because the RFM apparatus provides for the collocation of flow control and monitoring elements within a standalone assembly, deployment or retrieval of the flow control and monitoring elements may be accomplished in single operation. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.
Claims17
An apparatus comprising:
- an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path extending between the inlet and the outlet;
- a flow meter configured to determine a flow rate of a fluid through the flow path;
- a choke configured to vary the flow rate of the fluid through the flow path;
- a frame having an alignment system having a horizontal deployment configuration, wherein the alignment system is configured to facilitate alignment of the apparatus with a separate subsea device to enable the apparatus to horizontally mate with the separate subsea device during a mating process, the alignment system comprises at least one sliding member configured to permit movement of the apparatus when aligning the apparatus with the separate subsea device during the mating process, the sliding member comprises an alignment member configured to engage a corresponding alignment slot on the separate subsea device, and the frame comprises a recess configured to receive a removable running tool;
- and
- the removable running tool, wherein the removable running tool comprises a hydraulic cylinder, a first flange configured to be received by a receiving block disposed in the recess, a piston rod extending from the first flange, and a second flange disposed at the distal end of the piston rod and being configured to be received by another receiving block located on the separate subsea device, and wherein the retraction of the piston rod into the hydraulic cylinder of the running tool facilitates movement of the apparatus towards the separate subsea device during the mating process;
- wherein the flow path, flow meter, and choke are generally disposed within a region enclosed by the frame, and wherein the frame enables the apparatus to be deployed to or retrieved from a subsea location in a single operation.
A method for mating a retrievable flow module (RFM) unit to a subsea tree comprising:
- lowering the RFM unit onto a platform of the subsea tree, wherein the RFM unit comprises an inlet, an outlet, and a plurality of flow control and monitoring devices collocated within a frame, the plurality of flow control and monitoring devices comprising a flow meter and a choke;
- moving the RFM unit horizontally toward the subsea tree, wherein moving the RFM unit horizontally includes actuating a running tool removably installed on the RFM unit to cause a piston rod having a flange engaged by a receiving block on the subsea tree to retract into a hydraulic cylinder of the running tool;
- and
- securing the inlet and the outlet to respective lines of the subsea tree.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.