Subsea fluid delivery system and method

Abstract

A system for delivering fluids to a subsea device comprises a first fluid pressurizer for pressurizing fluid at a first pressure in communication with a fluid pressure intensifier located subsea that is capable of increasing the fluid pressure of the fluid. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope of meaning of the claims.

1 . A method of providing fluid under pressure for subsea use, comprising: 
 a. pumping a fluid at a first fluid pressure from a first location to a fluid pressure intensifier located subsea;    b. increasing the first fluid pressure to a higher fluid pressure at the fluid pressure intensifier located subsea; and    c. providing the higher fluid pressure fluid to a device for use subsea.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid is pumped at a first fluid pressure from at least one of (i) a pump located at a surface location or (ii) a pump located subsea but not located proximate the fluid pressure intensifier.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 a. the device is a component of a subsea installation workover control system; and    b. the fluid is adapted to be used with the device for a subsea installation workover control system function.    
   
   
       4 . A system for providing fluid under pressure for subsea use, comprising: 
 a. a fluid source located distally from a seabed and adapted to provide a fluid suitable for use with a subsea device;    b. a fluid pressurizer in fluid communication with the fluid source, the fluid pressurizer adapted to pressurize the fluid to a first pressure;    c. a fluid pressure intensifier located subsea, the fluid pressure intensifier further adapted to receive the fluid at the first fluid pressure and output the fluid at a fluid pressure higher than the first fluid pressure; and    d. a fluid conduit in fluid communication in between the fluid pressurizer and the fluid pressure intensifier.    
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the subsea device is adapted to provide a predetermined installation workover function.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the fluid is at least one of (i) a control fluid or (ii) a tree chemical fluid.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the fluid pressurizer is adapted to provide fluid at a fluid pressure substantially lower than the delivery pressure required for injection of fluid to a subsea device.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the fluid pressurizer is located at least (i) proximate the surface or (ii) subsea distally from the fluid pressure intensifier.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the fluid pressure intensifier is adapted to provide a pressure substantially higher than 10,000 PSI.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 4 , further comprising a surface control panel operatively in communication with at least one of (i) the fluid pressurizer or (ii) the fluid pressure intensifier.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the fluid conduit is an umbilical.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the umbilical further comprises at least one of (i) a fluid conduit, (ii) an electrical power conduit, and (iii) a data conduit.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 4  the fluid pressure intensifier comprises a plurality of fluid pressure intensifiers.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein a first of the plurality of fluid pressure intensifiers is fluidly connected to at least one other of the plurality of fluid pressure intensifiers.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of fluid pressure intensifiers are fluidly interconnected in at least one of a series or parallel fluid connection.  
   
   
       16 . A system for providing an installation workover control system, comprising: 
 a. a fluid source located distally from a seabed and adapted to provide a fluid suitable for use with a subsea installation workover function;    b. a fluid pressurizer in fluid communication with the fluid source, the fluid pressurizer adapted to pressurize the fluid to a first pressure;    c. a fluid pressure intensifier located at a surface location, the fluid pressure intensifier further adapted to receive fluid at a first fluid pressure and output the fluid at a fluid pressure higher than the first fluid pressure; and    d. a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the fluid pressurizer and the fluid pressure intensifier.    
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the fluid pressure intensifier is adapted to be driven hydraulically from the surface.