Improved Pressure Barrier System

Abstract

A production apparatus ( 120 ) configured to be connected to an emergency disconnect package (EDP) ( 135 ), comprises a housing ( 190 ) defining a wellbore ( 161 ); a first wellbore valve member ( 361 ) for closing the wellbore, the first wellbore valve member provided within the housing, the first wellbore valve member being capable, in use, of shearing an object located in the wellbore; and a second wellbore valve member ( 162 ) for closing the wellbore, the second wellbore valve member provided within the housing, the second wellbore valve member being capable, in use, of shearing an object located in the wellbore. The provision of a production apparatus with wellbore valve members and being directly connectable to the EDP, obviates the need for a lower riser package (LRP) which would normally provide the required emergency shearing/cutting and sealing functionalities.

1 . A production apparatus configured to be connected to an emergency disconnect package (EDP), the production apparatus comprising:
 a housing defining a wellbore;   a first wellbore valve member for closing the wellbore, the first wellbore valve member provided within the housing, the first wellbore valve member being capable, in use, of shearing an object located in the wellbore; and   a second wellbore valve member for closing the wellbore, the second wellbore valve member provided within the housing, the second wellbore valve member being capable, in use, of shearing an object located in the wellbore.   
     
     
         2 . A production apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein in an open configuration, the first wellbore valve member and the second wellbore valve member allow flow of fluid through the wellbore, and wherein in a closed configuration, the first wellbore valve member and the second wellbore valve member prevent flow of fluid through the wellbore. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A production apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first wellbore valve member comprises a first gate, and wherein the second wellbore valve member comprises a second gate, wherein the first gate and the second gate are moveable in different directions transverse to the wellbore between a wellbore open position and a wellbore closed position. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A production apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first wellbore valve member is coupled to and/or associated with a first actuator, and wherein the second wellbore valve member is coupled to and/or associated with a second actuator. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A production apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are operable automatically and independently of each other. 
     
     
         12 . A production apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein each of the first actuator and the second actuator comprises two separate actuation mechanisms. 
     
     
         13 . A production apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein each of the first actuator and the second actuator comprises a first, electric, actuation mechanism and a second, mechanical, actuation mechanism. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A production apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the production apparatus further comprises a gripping mechanism configured for gripping and/or catching an object within the wellbore. 
     
     
         16 . A production apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the gripping mechanism is located below the first wellbore valve member and the second wellbore valve member. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A production apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the gripping mechanism actuator is automatically operable and/or activated via a command signal. 
     
     
         19 . A production apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the production apparatus comprises an emergency disconnect package (EDP) connector for connecting to the EDP. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A production apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising a disconnect actuator capable of causing disconnection between the EDP and the production apparatus. 
     
     
         23 . A production apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the disconnect actuator is automatically operable and/or activated. 
     
     
         24 . A production apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising an intervention isolation device axially spaced and located above the first wellbore valve member and/or second wellbore valve member. 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A production apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the production apparatus comprises and/or is associated with a pressure control device capable of controlling and/or regulating pressure within a portion of the production apparatus and/or downstream of the production apparatus. 
     
     
         27 . A production apparatus according to  claim 26 , wherein the pressure control device comprises a production line configured for allowing flow of fluid to and/or from the wellbore, the production line being connected to the wellbore at a location between the intervention isolation device and the first wellbore valve member and/or second wellbore valve member. 
     
     
         28 . A production apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the production apparatus comprises and/or is associated with a control system for automatically controlling actuation and/or operation of the first wellbore valve member and of the second wellbore valve member. 
     
     
         29 . A production apparatus according to  claim 28 , wherein the control system is configured for automatically operating the first actuator and the second actuator. 
     
     
         30 . A production apparatus according to  claim 28 , wherein the control system is further configured for automatically controlling actuation of the gripping mechanism. 
     
     
         31 . A production apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein the control system comprises and/or is provided with a work-over mode, wherein when in work-over mode, the gripping mechanism actuator can be activated and/or operated by the control system, and wherein, when not in work-over mode, the gripping mechanism actuator is not activated and/or operated. 
     
     
         32 . A production apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein the control system comprises and/or is provided with a production mode, wherein when in production mode, the gripping mechanism actuator is not activated and/or operated by the control system, and wherein when not in production mode, the gripping mechanism actuator can be activated and/or operated. 
     
     
         33 . A production apparatus according to  claim 28 , wherein the control system comprises one or more sensors configured to monitor and/or measure one or more predetermined parameters, the one or more sensors being located in the wellbore and/or in one or more conduits associated with and/or in fluid communication with the wellbore. 
     
     
         34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . A production apparatus according to  claim 33 , wherein the control system comprises three or more sensors configured to monitor and/or measure pressure. 
     
     
         37 . A production apparatus according to  claim 33 , wherein the control system comprises one or more control modules in communication with one or more sensors. 
     
     
         38 . A production apparatus according to  claim 33 , wherein the one or more sensors are located downstream of the pressure control device, first wellbore valve member and/or second wellbore valve member. 
     
     
         39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . A production apparatus according to  claim 37 , wherein the control module(s) initiates actuation of one of more actuators when pressure above a predetermined threshold has been detected by a predetermined number of the sensors. 
     
     
         42 . (canceled) 
     
     
         43 . A production apparatus, the production apparatus comprising:
 a housing defining a wellbore;   a first wellbore valve member for closing the wellbore, the first wellbore valve member provided within the housing, the first wellbore valve member being coupled to a first actuator;   a second wellbore valve member for closing the wellbore, the second wellbore valve member provided within the housing, the second wellbore valve member being coupled to a second actuator,   wherein the first wellbore actuator and the second wellbore actuator each have at least two separate actuation mechanisms.   
     
     
         44 . A production apparatus, the production apparatus comprising:
 a housing defining a wellbore;   a first wellbore valve member for closing the wellbore, the first wellbore valve member provided within the housing, the first wellbore valve member being capable, in use, of shearing an object located in the wellbore; and   a second wellbore valve member for closing the wellbore, the second wellbore valve member provided within the housing, the second wellbore valve member being capable, in use, of shearing an object located in the wellbore; and   a gripping mechanism disposed within the housing and configured for gripping and/or catching the object within the wellbore.   
     
     
         45 . A subsea assembly comprising a production apparatus according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         46 . A method for closing a wellbore in a production apparatus, the method comprising:
 providing a production apparatus configured to be connected to an emergency disconnect package (EDP), the production apparatus comprising a housing defining a wellbore; a first wellbore valve member for closing the wellbore, the first wellbore valve member provided within the housing, the first wellbore valve member being capable, in use, of shearing an object located in the wellbore; and a second wellbore valve member for closing the wellbore, the second wellbore valve member provided within the housing, the second wellbore valve member being capable, in use, of shearing an object located in the wellbore; and   actuating and/or operating the first wellbore valve member and the second wellbore valve member.   
     
     
         47 . A method for resuming production following a safety event, the method comprising, in sequence:
 closing the/a pressure control device;   opening a first wellbore valve member and a second wellbore valve member, the first wellbore valve member and the second wellbore valve member being configured for closing a wellbore and being capable, in use, of shearing an object located in the wellbore, the first wellbore valve member and the second wellbore being provided within a housing of a production apparatus connectable to an emergency disconnect package (EDP).