Hydrostatic Pressure Test Method and Apparatus

Abstract

A method of pressure testing a closed hydraulic system for leaks includes heating or cooling pressure intensification fluid before it enters the closed hydraulic system under pressure. The closed hydraulic system may be for example a blowout preventer for an oil/gas well, a manifold system or tubulars. The intensification fluid is heated or cooled to a temperature at or near the temperature of the fluid within the closed hydraulic system.

1 . A method of pressure testing a closed hydraulic system for leaks comprising:
 a. initiating a flow of intensification fluid under pressure to the closed hydraulic system to establish a first pressure level within the closed hydraulic system,   b. cooling or heating the intensification fluid to a level corresponding to the temperature of the closed hydraulic system,   c. isolating the closed hydraulic system from a pressurized testing fluid, and   d. measuring any pressure changes within the closed hydraulic system, wherein the intensification fluid is pressurized by an intensification pump, and further wherein the intensification fluid is heated inside an electrical heater unit after exiting the intensification pump.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the closed hydraulic system is a blowout preventer positioned on a subsea oil/gas well. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the closed hydraulic system is a blowout preventer for a surface oil/gas well. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the closed hydraulic system is a blowout preventer for an oil/gas well which includes a drill string and the intensification fluid is cooled or heated to be at or near the ambient temperature of the drilling fluid within the drill string and the blowout preventer. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the intensification fluid is introduced into the electrical heater unit through the intensification pump. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the intensification fluid is cooled inside the electrical heater unit after making contact with cooling fluid and prior to entering the drill string and the blowout preventer. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the cooling fluid enters into the electrical heater unit through a fluid intake nozzle. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the cooling fluid is sea water. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein a heat coil within the electrical heater unit can be used to further heat the intensification fluid. 
     
     
         10 . A method of pressure testing a closed hydraulic system for leaks comprising:
 a. initiating a flow of intensification fluid under pressure to the closed hydraulic system to establish a first pressure level within the closed hydraulic system,   b. cooling or heating the intensification fluid to a level corresponding to the temperature of the closed hydraulic system,   c. isolating the closed hydraulic system from the pressurized testing fluid, and   d. measuring any pressure changes within the closed hydraulic system, wherein an electrical heater unit comprises two units.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the closed hydraulic system is a blowout preventer positioned on a subsea oil/gas well. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the closed hydraulic system is the blowout preventer for a surface oil/gas well. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the closed hydraulic system is the blowout preventer for an oil/gas well which includes a drill string and the intensification fluid is cooled or heated to be at or near the ambient temperature of the drilling fluid within the drill string and the blowout preventer. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the intensification fluid is introduced into the electrical heater unit through a fluid intake nozzle. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the intensification fluid is heated or cooled by the electrical heater unit prior to entering the drill string and the blowout preventer. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein cooling fluid enters into the electrical heater unit through a fluid intake nozzle. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the two units of the electrical heater unit may each have heat transfer coils within them to heat the intensification fluid. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein connectors attach the two units to each other. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein one of the connectors is an upper connector, which is located between the two units allowing for the intensification fluid to be cooled. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein one of the connectors is a lower connector located between the two units allowing for the cooling fluid in the cooling coils.