Oilfield apparatus and methods of use

Abstract

The invention in one of its aspects provides a connection apparatus for a subsea hydraulic circuit and method of use in a sampling application. The apparatus comprises a longitudinal body configured to be removably docked with a subsea hydraulic circuit receptacle. The body comprises a plurality of radial ports axially displaced along the body, and an axial bore accommodating a spool having at least one fluid barrie. The spool and fluid barrier are actuable to be axially moved in the bore to control axial flow paths along the bore between the plurality of radial ports. The apparatus may be configured as a sampling hot stab in an application to sampling a production fluid from a subsea hydrocarbon production system.

1 . A connection apparatus for a subsea hydraulic circuit, the connection apparatus comprising:
 a longitudinal body configured to be removably docked with a subsea hydraulic circuit receptacle, the longitudinal body comprising a plurality of radial ports axially displaced along the body;   wherein the body comprises an axial bore accommodating a spool having at least one fluid barrier;   and wherein the spool and fluid barrier are actuable to be axially moved in the bore to control axial flow paths along the bore between the plurality of radial ports.   
     
     
         2 . The connection apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the fluid barrier is an annular fluid barrier arranged to seal an annulus between the spool and the bore. 
     
     
         3 . The connection apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises at least three radial ports. 
     
     
         4 . The connection apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the spool and fluid barrier are actuable to be axially moved from a first position in which a flow path between a first port and a second port is open, and a second position in which a flow path between the second port and a third port is open. 
     
     
         5 . The connection apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein in the first position, a flow path from the third port to the first or second ports is closed. 
     
     
         6 . The connection apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein in the second position, a flow path from the first port to the second or third ports is closed. 
     
     
         7 . The connection apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured as a hot stab apparatus. 
     
     
         8 . A method of collecting a sample of fluid from a hydrocarbon production system, comprising using the apparatus of  claim 1  to deliver a sample of fluid from the hydrocarbon production system to a sample collection vessel. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8  comprising flushing the connection apparatus to remove fluid from the apparatus after the delivery of the sample to the sample collection vessel. 
     
     
         10 . A hot stab apparatus for a remotely operated vehicle, the hot stab apparatus comprising:
 a longitudinal body configured to be removably docked with a hot stab receptacle, the longitudinal body comprising a plurality of radial ports axially displaced along the body;   wherein the body comprises an axial bore accommodating a spool having at least one fluid barrier;   and wherein the spool and fluid barrier are actuable to be axially moved in the bore to control axial flow paths along the bore between the plurality of radial ports.   
     
     
         11 . A remotely operated vehicle comprising the connection apparatus according to  claim 10 . 
     
     
         12 . A subsea production fluid sample collection system comprising the connection apparatus of  claim 1 .