Apparatus and methods for establishing and/or maintaining controlled flow of hydrocarbons during subsea operations

Abstract

A device for capturing hydrocarbons discharged from a subsea flow passage comprises an elongate tubular structure having a central axis, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end. The second end is open and in fluid communication with the first end. The tubular structure includes a rigid stabbing member extending axially from the second end and configured to he inserted into the flow passage. In addition, the device comprises an annular flexible skirt disposed about the stabbing member. The skirt is secured to the stabbing member and extends radially outward from the stabbing member. The skirt is configured to flex from an unflexed position to a flexed position upon insertion of the stabbing member into the flow passage. The skirt is biased to the unflexed position and has an outer diameter in the unflexed position that is greater than the inner diameter of the flow passage.

1 . A device for capturing hydrocarbons discharged from a subsea flow passage having an inner diameter, the device comprising:
 an elongate tubular structure having a central axis, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the second end is open and in fluid communication with the first end;   wherein the tubular structure includes a rigid stabbing member extending axially from the second end and configured to be inserted into the flow passage; and   an annular flexible skirt disposed about the stabbing member, wherein the skirt is secured to the stabbing member and extends radially outward from the stabbing member;   wherein the skirt is configured to flex from an unflexed position to a flexed position upon insertion of the stabbing member into the flow passage, wherein the skirt is biased to the unflexed position and has an outer diameter in the unflexed position that is greater than the inner diameter of the flow passage.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the skirt is configured to slidingly engage an inner surface defining the flow passage upon insertion of the stabbing member into the flow passage and at least partially block the flow of hydrocarbons from the flow passage. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the tubular structure further comprises a crossover member coupled to the stabbing member configured to rotate about the central axis relative to the stabbing member. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the tubular structure further comprises an adapter member extending from the first end to the crossover member, wherein the adapter member includes a J-slot connector configured to releasably engage the tie-back conduit. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the second end comprises a tapered mule-shoe. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of axially spaced annular skirts disposed about the stabbing member, wherein each skirt is secured to the stabbing member and extends radially outward from the stabbing member;
 wherein each skirt is configured to flex from an unflexed position to a flexed position upon insertion of the stabbing member into the flow passage, wherein each skirt is biased to the unflexed position and has an outer diameter in the unflexed position that is greater than the inner diameter of the flow passage.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein at least one skirt includes a pair of axially adjacent annular discs secured to the stabbing member, wherein each disc comprises a plurality of circumferentially adjacent flaps defined by a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial slits. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the radial slits in each disc are circumferentially misaligned. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 2 , and wherein the first end is configured to be coupled to a lower end of a tie-back conduit extending subsea. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the tie-back conduit is a riser or pipe string extending from the surface. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising an ROV control panel coupled to the tubular structure, and a plurality of flow lines extending from the ROV control panel to the stabbing member;
 wherein the flow lines are configured to inject a fluid into the tubular structure.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the tubular structure further comprises:
 a connector member coupled to the stabbing member with a first elbow; and   a recovery member coupled to the connector member with a second elbow;   wherein the connector member is oriented at a first angle α relative to the stabbing member and the recovery member is oriented at a second angle β relative to the connector member, wherein angle α is between 30° and 90° and angle β is between 45° and 180°.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the recovery member is oriented perpendicular to the stabbing member. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 12 , further comprising a stop plate extending between the stabbing member and the connector member, wherein the stop plate is configured to prevent impingement of the tubular structure upon insertion of the stabbing member into the flow passage. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 12 , further comprising a support arm coupled to the connector, member, wherein the support arm is oriented parallel to the recovery member and is configured to support vertical loads upon insertion of the stabbing member into the flow passage. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the support arm is pivotally coupled to the connector member. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 12 , further comprising a clamp coupled to the connector member and disposed about the stabbing member. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising a landing plate disposed about the stabbing member, wherein the landing plate is secured to the stabbing member and extends radially outward from the stabbing member;
 wherein the skirt is axially positioned between the landing plate and the second end, and wherein the landing plate has an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the skirt in the flexed position.   
     
     
         19 . A method for capturing hydrocarbons discharged from a subsea flow passage, the method comprising
 (a) lowering a hydrocarbon collection tool subsea, the collection tool comprising a tubular structure having a central axis, a first end, a second end, and a stabbing member extending axially from the second end, wherein the second end is open and in fluid communication with the first end;   (b) coupling a tie-back conduit to the first end of the collection tool;   (c) inserting the stabbing member into the subsea flow passage;   (d) flowing the hydrocarbons into the collection tool at the second end; and   (e) flowing the hydrocarbons through the collection tool and the tie-back conduit to the surface.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 at least partially blocking the flow of the hydrocarbons through the flow passage during (d).   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the collection tool includes a plurality of annular flexible skirts disposed about the stabbing member, wherein each skirt is secured to the stabbing member and extends radially outward from the stabbing member;
 wherein (c) further comprises slidingly engaging an inner surface defining the flow passage with the skirts.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the skirts at least partially block the flow of hydrocarbons through the flow passage during (d), 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 injecting a fluid into the hydrocarbons flowing through the collection tool.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the injected fluid is a hydrate inhibitor, a wax inhibitor, an asphaltene inhibitor, a scale inhibitors, a corrosion inhibitors, or an antideposition agent. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein (a) comprises lowering the collection tool subsea from a surface vessel with the tie-back conduit. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 lowering the collection tool subsea outside of a plume formed by the discharged hydrocarbons;   aligning the collection tool with the flow passage;   moving the collection tool in a first direction beyond an outlet of the flow passage; and   moving the collection tool in a second direction opposite the first direction to insert the stabbing member into the flow passage.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the flow of the hydrocarbons through the flow passage during (d) is at least partially blocked by an annular packer disposed about the stabbing member. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising:
 radially expanding the annular packer into engagement with an inner surface defining the flow passage after (c).   
     
     
         29 . A device for capturing hydrocarbons discharged from a subsea flow passage having an inner diameter, the device comprising:
 an elongate tubular structure having a central axis, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the second end is open and in fluid communication with the first end;   wherein the tubular structure includes a rigid stabbing member extending axially from the second end and configured to be inserted into the flow passage; and   an annular packer disposed about the stabbing member, wherein the packer is secured to the stabbing member and extends radially outward from the stabbing member;   wherein the packer is configured to radially expand from a retracted position to an expanded position upon insertion of the stabbing member into the flow passage, wherein the packer has an outer diameter in the retracted position that is less than the inner diameter of the flow passage.   
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein the packer is configured to sealingly engage an inner surface defining the flow passage and at least partially block the flow of hydrocarbons from the flow passage. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 30 , wherein the tubular structure further comprises a crossover member coupled to the stabbing member and configured to rotate about the central axis relative to the stabbing member. 
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 31 , wherein the tubular structure further comprises an adapter member extending from the first end to the crossover member, wherein the adapter member includes a J-slot connector configured to releasably engage the tie-back conduit. 
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 30 , wherein the second end comprises a tapered mule-shoe. 
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 30 , and wherein the first end is configured to be coupled to a lower end of a tie-back conduit extending subsea. 
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 30 , wherein the tie-back conduit is a riser or pipe string extending from the surface. 
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 30 , further comprising an ROV control panel coupled to the tubular structure, and a plurality of flow lines extending from the ROV control panel to the stabbing member;
 wherein the flow lines are configured to inject a fluid into the tubular structure.   
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 30 , further comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced ribs coupled to the stabbing member, wherein the ribs are axially positioned between the second end and the packer, and wherein the ribs extend radially outward from the stabbing member to an outer diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the packer in the retracted position and less than the inner diameter of the flow passage.