Apparatus, systems and method for oil and gas operations

Abstract

The invention provides an apparatus and system for accessing a flow system (such as a subsea tree) in a subsea oil and gas production installation, and method of use. The apparatus comprises a body and a plurality of connectors configured to connect the apparatus to the flow system. A flow access interface is provided on the body for connecting the apparatus to a subsea process apparatus, and the body defines a plurality of flow paths. Each flow path fluidly connects one of the plurality of connectors to the flow access interface to provide an intervention path from a connected subsea process apparatus to the flow system in use. Aspects of the invention have particular application to flow metering, fluid sampling, and well scale squeeze operations.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A flow access apparatus for a flow system in a subsea oil and gas production installation, the flow access apparatus comprising:
 a body;   a plurality of connectors configured to connect the apparatus to the flow system; and   a flow access interface for connecting the apparatus to a subsea process apparatus;   wherein the body defines a plurality of flow paths, and each flow path fluidly connects one of the plurality of connectors to the flow access interface to provide an intervention path from a connected subsea process apparatus to the flow system in use.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the flow access interface provides a single connection point and/or landing point for the subsea process apparatus. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the flow access interface comprises a plurality of flow access openings in a unitary connector, and wherein each of the plurality of flow access openings corresponds to a respective flow path through the apparatus. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the unitary connector comprises a unitary face or plate with the plurality of flow access openings formed therein. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the flow access interface is configured to be connected to a fluid intervention apparatus, the fluid intervention apparatus configured to perform at least one function selected from the group comprising fluid sampling, fluid diversion, fluid recovery, fluid injection, fluid circulation, fluid measurement and/or fluid metering. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the body of the flow access apparatus comprises a pair of flow paths or bores, and the apparatus is a dual bore apparatus. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein one of the flow paths or bores is connected between a production bore of a subsea well and a subsea process apparatus in use and wherein one of the flow paths or bores is connected between the subsea process apparatus and a production flow line. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a first connector of the apparatus is configured to be connected to an external opening on the flow system. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the flow system comprises a subsea tree, and the external opening is downstream of a wing valve of the subsea tree. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the external opening is a flow line connector for a jumper flow line. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a second connector of the flow access apparatus is configured for connecting the apparatus to a downstream jumper flow line. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is disposed between a flow line connector and a jumper flow line, and provides access points for the flow system from the subsea process apparatus and an access point to the jumper flow line from the subsea process apparatus in use. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is disposed on a subsea tree connector. 
     
     
         14 . A subsea oil and gas production installation comprising:
 a subsea well and a subsea flow system in communication with the subsea well;   and a flow access apparatus;   wherein the flow access apparatus comprises:   a body;   a plurality of connectors configured to connect the apparatus to the flow system; and   a flow access interface for connecting the apparatus to a subsea process apparatus;   wherein the body defines a plurality of flow paths, and each flow path fluidly connects one of the plurality of connectors to the flow access interface to provide an intervention path from a connected subsea process apparatus to the flow system in use.   
     
     
         15 . The installation according to  claim 14 , further comprising a subsea process apparatus connected to the flow access interface. 
     
     
         16 . The installation according to  claim 14 , wherein the subsea process apparatus is a fluid intervention apparatus, the fluid intervention apparatus configured to perform at least one function selected from the group comprising fluid sampling, fluid diversion, fluid recovery, fluid injection, fluid circulation, fluid measurement and/or fluid metering. 
     
     
         17 . A method of performing a subsea intervention operation, the method comprising:
 providing a subsea well and a subsea flow system in communication with the well;   providing a flow access apparatus on the subsea flow system, the flow access apparatus comprising;   a body; a plurality of connectors, and a flow access interface for connecting the apparatus to a subsea process apparatus;   wherein the body defines a plurality of flow paths, and each flow path fluidly connects one of the plurality of connectors to the flow access interface;   providing a subsea process apparatus on the flow access interface;   accessing the subsea flow system via an intervention path formed through one of the flow paths defined by the body to one of the first or second connectors.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the method comprises performing at least one of fluid sampling, fluid diversion, fluid recovery, fluid injection, fluid circulation, fluid measurement and/or fluid metering. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 17 , comprising connecting the flow access apparatus to the flow system at a location selected from the group consisting of: a jumper flow line connector; downstream of a jumper flow line or a section of a jumper flow line; a Christmas tree; a tree connector; a subsea collection manifold system; subsea Pipe Line End Manifold (PLEM); a subsea Pipe Line End Termination (PLET); and a subsea Flow Line End Termination (FLET). 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the flow access apparatus is pre-installed on the subsea flow system and left in situ at a subsea location for later performance of a subsea intervention operation.