System for fluid transfer

Abstract

A fluid transfer system includes a valve tree, the valve tree having a master valve having a flow axis and a header. The fluid transfer system further includes a coupler disposed between, connected to, and in fluid communication with, the valve tree and the header. The coupler has a fixed length and includes a coupler multi-path flow connector in fluid communication with the valve tree. The coupler also includes a flow control valve having a flow axis, the flow control valve directly coupled to the coupler multi-path flow connector and in fluid communication with the header.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A fluid transfer system comprising:
 a valve tree, the valve tree having a master valve having a flow axis;   a header; and   a coupler disposed between, connected to, and in fluid communication with, the valve tree and the header, the coupler having a fixed length, the coupler including a coupler multi-path flow connector in fluid communication with the valve tree and a flow control valve having a flow axis, the flow control valve directly coupled to the coupler multi-path flow connector and in fluid communication with the header.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a connection between the header and the coupler or the coupler and the valve tree is a flanged connector, studded connector, threaded connector, clamp, or quick connect coupler. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the quick connect connector includes a male tubular member matingly and releasably received within a female tubular member. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the quick connect connector includes two male tubular members matingly and releasably received within a pipe section or clamp. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the quick connect connector includes two female tubular members matingly and releasably receiving a pipe section or clamp. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the connection between the coupler and the valve tree is disposed below the coupler multi-path flow connector. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the connection between the coupler and the header is disposed between the header and the flow control valve. 
     
     
         8 . The valve tree system of  claim 1 , wherein the coupler multi-path flow connector has three fluid connection ports. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the header includes a conduit connected to an inlet through a header multi-path flow connector, and an isolation valve. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the coupler multi-path flow connector is disposed vertically above the master valve, the flow axis of the flow control valve is substantially perpendicular to the flow axis of the master valve. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the coupler further comprises a swab valve disposed above coupler multi-path flow connector, the swab valve in fluid communication with the coupler multi-path flow connector and the master valve. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the swab valve is integral with the coupler or connected to the coupler by a swab valve connector disposed below the swab valve, wherein the swab valve connector is a flanged connector, studded connector, threaded connector or quick connect coupler. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the header further comprises an expansion spool. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising an elevating skid, the elevating skid positioned beneath the header. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising an isolation valve, wherein the isolation valve is positioned so as to isolate a section of the header. 
     
     
         16 . A method comprising:
 providing a header;   providing a coupler, the coupler having a fixed length, the coupler including a coupler multi-path flow connector and a flow control valve, the flow control valve directly coupled to the coupler multi-path flow connector; and   connecting the coupler between the header and a valve tree, the valve tree in fluid communication with a wellhead, the valve tree having a master valve.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  16 , wherein the header further comprises an expansion spool, the method further comprising extending or retracting the expansion spool. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising:
 positioning an elevating skid beneath the header; and 
 adjusting the height of the header using the elevating skid. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising connecting a swab valve to the coupler such that the swab valve is directly above the valve tree and in fluid communication with the coupler multi-path flow connector. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the swab valve is integral to the coupler. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the step of connecting the coupler between the header and the valve tree comprises:
 connecting the coupler to the valve tree;   connecting the coupler to the header; and   connecting the swab valve to the coupler.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the step of connecting the coupler between the header and the valve tree includes connecting the coupler to the header and the coupler to the valve tree. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the connection between the header and the coupler, between the header and the valve tree, or both is a quick connect connector, the method further comprising adjusting the position of the coupler with respect to the header, the valve tree, or both using the quick connect connector. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the header further comprises an isolation valve, the method further comprising operating the isolation valve. 
     
     
         25 . A fluid transfer system comprising:
 a valve tree, the valve tree having a master valve having a flow axis;   an inlet, the inlet connected to a multi-path flow connector; and   a coupler disposed between, connected to, and in fluid communication with, the valve tree and the multi-path flow connector, the coupler having a fixed length, the coupler further including a flow control valve having a flow axis.   
     
     
         26 . The fluid transfer system of  claim 25 , wherein the fluid transfer system includes only one valve tree and one coupler.