Patent US3556218A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3556218A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Underwater production satellite
Assignee: Mobil Oil AS
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Filing: 1968-06-27
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Granted: 1971-01-19
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Expires: 1988-06-27
Abstract
Abstract This specification discloses a method and apparatus for the production of subaqueous deposits of fluid minerals through a subsea satellite system. The wells are drilled in a circular pattern through a template on the marine bottom serving also as base upon which the satellite body is installed. The production and control passages of each of the wells are connected to production equipment within the satellite body by separate connector units, independently lowered into place from a surface vessel, to form portions of fluid paths between the passages within the subsea wellheads and the production equipment within the shell of the satellite. Such an installation permits production through the satellite, installed on the template base, after only one of the wells has been drilled and completed. The produced fluids are separated and/or metered within the satellite prior to being transported to storage. Flowline tools are programmed to enter the various subaqueous wells through the connector units. Hydraulic circuitry and controls are provided for pumping the tools and chemicals down through the various wells and for retrieving the tools. Also disclosed is a hot water well utilized in conjunction with the heat exchanger within the satellite for warming the separated-off gases to prevent the formation of hydrates.
Inventors
- 👤 William A Talley Jr
- 👤 James T Dean
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 01:43
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/01; E21B43/017; E21B43/0175; E21B33/00; E21B33/02; E21B33/03; E21B33/035; E21B41/00; E21B41/08; E21B43/34; E21B43/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A system for maintaining a plurality of submerged wells from a central station comprising: a central station comprising a submergible, watertight shell and having a first manifold therewithin; first conduit means providing separate fluid connections between production passages of each of said plurality of wells and said first manifold, each of said first conduit means having parallel fluid flow paths including a first flow path for production flow and a second flow path for inserting well maintenance tools into a respective production passage of the respective well; a first shutoff valve in said first flow path; means within said shell for inserting a tool into said respective production passage being connected in series in said second flow path; and a second shutoff valve in said second flow path, said second shutoff valve being located between said toolinserting means and said first manifold.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
142 words
A system for maintaining a plurality of submerged wells from a central station comprising: a central station comprising a submergible, watertight shell and having a first manifold therewithin; first conduit means providing separate fluid connections between production passages of each of said plurality of wells and said first manifold, each of said first conduit means having parallel fluid flow paths including a first flow path for production flow and a second flow path for inserting well maintenance tools into a respective production passage of the respective well; a first shutoff valve in said first flow path; means within said shell for inserting a tool into said respective production passage being connected in series in said second flow path; and a second shutoff valve in said second flow path, said second shutoff valve being located between said toolinserting means and said first manifold.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
A system for maintaining a plurality of wells from a central station, as recited in claim 1, comprising: a source of fluid under pressure for pumping a well maintenance tool froM said tool-inserting means into said respective production passage against well pressure; and second conduit means fluidly connecting said source of fluid under pressure with said second flow path between said tool-inserting means and said second shutoff valve.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
195 words
A system for maintaining a plurality of wells from a central station comprising: a central station having a first manifold therewithin; first conduit means providing separate fluid connections between production passages of each of said plurality of wells and said first manifold, each of said first conduit means having parallel fluid flow paths including a first flow path for production flow and a second flow path for inserting well maintenance tools into a respective production passage of the respective well; a first shutoff valve in said first flow path; means for inserting a tool into said respective production passage being connected in series in said second flow path; a second shutoff valve in said second flow path, said second shutoff valve being located between said tool-inserting means and said first manifold; a source of fluid under pressure for pumping a well maintenance tool from said tool-inserting means into said respective production passage against well pressure; second conduit means fluidly connecting said source of fluid under pressure with said second flow path between said tool-inserting means and said second shutoff valve; and a pressure-reducing means located in each first conduit just upstream of said first manifold.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
195 words
A system for maintaining a plurality of wells from a central station comprising: a central station having a first manifold therewithin; first conduit means providing separate fluid connections between production passages of each of said plurality of wells and said first manifold, each of said first conduit means having parallel fluid flow paths including a first flow path for production flow and a second flow path for inserting well maintenance tools into a respective production passage of the respective well; a first shutoff valve in said first flow path; means for inserting a tool into said respective production passage being connected in series in said second flow path; a second shutoff valve in said second flow path, said second shutoff valve being located between said tool-inserting means and said first manifold; a source of fluid under pressure for pumping a well maintenance tool from said tool-inserting means into said respective production passage against well pressure; second conduit means fluidly connecting said source of fluid under pressure with said second flow path between said tool-inserting means and said second shutoff valve; and a pressure-reducing means located in each first conduit just upstream of said first manifold.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
128 words
A system for maintaining a plurality of wells from a central station, as recited in claim 3, comprising: a source of fluid under pressure for pumping a tool from said tool-inserting means into said respective production passage against well pressure; second conduit means for connecting said source of fluid under pressure with said second flow path between said tool-inserting means and said second shutoff valve; said source of fluid under pressure being a turbine-pump; a third conduit connected into said first conduit upstream of said pressure-reducing means in at least one of said second flow for supplying gas under pressure from said at least one second flow path to the turbine portion of said turbine-pump; and means for exhausting waste gas from said turbine portion of said turbine-pump.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
124 words
A system for maintaining a plurality of wells from a central station, as recited in claim 4, wherein there is means for disposing of waste gas that has been used to drive said turbine portion of said turbine-pump; said waste gas disposal means including a fourth conduit fluidly connecting the outlet of said turbine portion of said turbine-pump with a gas manifold downstream of said pressure-reducing means downstream of said first manifold, inlets of a plurality of separators connected in parallel to outlets of said first manifold; gas outlets of said plurality of separators connected in parallel to said gas manifold; and a gas outlet line connected to an outlet of said gas manifold for directing the separated-out produced gas from said central station.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
89 words
A system for maintaining a plurality of wells from a central station, as recited in claim 4, wherein said third conduit means includes first and second fluid lines and an auxiliary separator, an inlet of said auxiliary separator being operatively fluidly connected to an outlet of said first fluid line of said third conduit means; and said second fluid line of said third conduit means being connected between a gas outlet of said auxiliary separator and an inlet to said turbine portion of said turbine portion of said turbine-pump.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
83 words
A system for maintaining a plurality of wells from a central station, as recited in claim 6, wherein said inlet of said auxiliary separator is fluidly connected to an outlet of a third manifold by a third fluid line of said third conduit means; and a first portion of said second fluid line of said third conduit means is fluidly connected to each of said second flow paths of said plurality of wells of said central station to inlets of said second manifold.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
82 words
A system for maintaining a plurality of wells from a central station, as recited in claim 3, comprising: a power-driven pump for supplying fluid under pressure for pumping a tool from said tool-inserting means into said respective production passage against well pressure; and second conduit means for operatively connecting an outlet of said pump with said second flow path between said tool-inserting means and said second shutoff valve, said pressure-reducing means being located between said second shutoff valve and said first manifold.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system for maintaining a plurality of wells from a central station, as recited in claim 8, wherein a means for driving said power-driven pump is an electric motor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system for maintaining a plurality of wells from a central station, as recited in claim 8, wherein there is means for selectively connecting the inlet of said power-driven pump to either a source of well treating fluid or a source of substantially clean, dead oil.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
79 words
A system for maintaining a plurality of wells from a central station, as recited in claim 8, wherein there is a three-way two-position valve, the outlet port of said three-way two-position valve being connected to the inlet of said power-driven pump; a first inlet port of said three-way two-position valve being connected to a source of well treating fluid; and a second inlet port of said three-way two-position valve being connected to a source of substantially clean, dead oil.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
85 words
A system for maintaining a plurality of wells from a central station, as recited in claim 8, wherein said second conduit means comprises: first and second fluid lines and a second manifold; said first fluid line of said second conduit means being connected between the outlet of said power-driven pump and an inlet of said second manifold, a plurality of second fluid lines of said second conduit means being connected between outlets of said second manifold and each of said plurality of second flow paths.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system for maintaining a plurality of wells from a central station, as recited in claim 12 , wherein there is a shutoff valve in each of said second fluid lines of said second conduit means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system for maintaining a plurality of wells from a central station, as recited in claim 8, wherein there is a source of substantially clean, dead oil; fifth conduit means for fluidly connecting said source of substantially clean, dead oil to an inlet of said power-driven pump.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
93 words
A system for maintaining a plurality of wells from a central station, as recited in claim 14, wherein said source of substantially clean, dead oil is at least one separator means for fluidly connecting an inlet of said at least one separator with an outlet of said first manifold, said separator comprising: a first outlet for separated-out gas; a second outlet, at the lower end of said separator, for a separated-out mixture of fluids and solids in suspension therein; and a third outlet, above said second outlet, for separated-out substantially clean, dead oil.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
116 words
A system for maintaining a plurality of wells from a central station, as recited in claim 3, wherein there are a plurality of separators fluidly connected in parallel with said first manifold; a fourth manifold for collecting produced gas; means for fluidly connecting gas outlets of said plurality of separators in parallel with said fourth manifold; a gas outlet line for directing produced gas from said fourth manifold and out of said central station; a fifth manifold for collecting produced liquids; means for fluidly connecting liquids outlets of said plurality of separators in parallel with said fifth manifold; and a liquids outlet line for direction produced liquids from said fifth manifold and out of central station.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
73 words
A system for maintaining a plurality of wells from a central station, as recited in claim 16, wherein there is a sixth manifold for collection clean, dead oil; means for fluidly connecting clean, dead oil outlets of said plurality of separators, above said liquids outlets of said respective separators, in parallel with said sixth manifold for supplying clean, dead oil for pumping well maintenance tools into the production passages of said respective wells.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system for maintaining a plurality of wells from a central station, as recited in claim 16, wherein said gas outlet line, downstream of said fourth manifold, is in fluid connection with a means for injecting gas into at least one underground formation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system for maintaining a plurality of wells from a central station, as recited in claim 18, wherein said at least one underground formation is an underground formation from which fluids are being produced through at least one of said wells whereby said underground formation can be repressurized.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system for maintaining a plurality of wells from a central station, as recited in claim 18, wherein said at least one underground formation is a shallow, low pressure porous formation, not being produced, whereby waste gas can be disposed of.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
68 words
A system for maintaining a plurality of wells from a central station, as recited in claim 3, wherein each of said pressure-reducing means is a choke whereby the produced fluid is expanded downstream of each of said chokes; and means for heating the expanded fluid just downstream of said chokes to hinder the formation of hydrates and emulsions and to prevent the deposition of paraffin in the equipment.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system for maintaining a plurality of wells from a central station, as recited in claim 21, wherein the source of heat for said heating means is outside of said produced fluid.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
117 words
A system for maintaining a plurality of wells from a central station, as recited in claim 22, wherein said heating means is an indirect heat exchanger unit; a first fluid line portion of each of said first conduit means, upstream of said chokes, for directing the produced fluid, under pressure, in a first pass through said indirect heat exchanger unit; and a second fluid line portion of each of said first conduit means, between the respective choke, and said first manifold, for directing the produced fluid, now expanded, in a second pass through said heat exchanger unit whereby heat is exchanged between said first and said second passes to warm the expanded fluids downstream of said chokes.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system for maintaining a plurality of wells from a central station, as recited in claim 23, wherein there is a third pass through said heat exchanger unit fluidly connected at the upstream end to the single outlet of said first manifold.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
54 words
A system for maintaining a plurality of wells from a central station, as recited in claim 24, wherein the downstream end of said third pass through said heat exchanger is in fluid connection with a seventh manifold; and means for fluidly connecting each of a plurality of separators in parallel with said seventh manifold.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
337 words
A method for maintaining a well in conjunction with a well maintenance tool that can be pumped into a production passage of said well, said production passage of said well being a fluid connection with equipment in a distant production facility through a first conduit means; said first conduit means having parallel fluid paths including a first path connected to a first manifold for production flow and a second path for inserting said well maintenance tool into a respective production passage of a respective well; a first shutoff valve in said first flow path; a tool storage means being connected in series in said second flow path; a second shutoff valve in said second flow path, said second shutoff valve being located between said tool storage means and said first manifold; a source of clean, dead oil for pumping said well maintenance tool down said respective well production passage against well pressure; a source of well treating fluid; and means for selectively fluidly connecting a second conduit means between said source of clean, dead oil and said second flow path between said tool storage means and said second shutoff valve, said selective connecting means is operable to selectively alternately connect said second conduit to said source of clean, dead oil or to said source of well treating fluid, including the following steps: a. shutting said first shutoff valve while leaving said second shutoff valve closed as it is positioned during production of fluid from said respective production passage; b. selectively fluidly connecting said source of well treating fluid with said second conduit means; c. pumping a prescribed amount of well treating fluid behind said well maintenance tool; d. selectively fluidly connecting said source of clean, dead oil with said second flow path through said second conduit means; and e. pumping clean, dead oil from said source through said second conduit means whereby a well maintenance tool in said storage means is pumped out of said storage means and down through said production passage of said respective well.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
337 words
A method for maintaining a well in conjunction with a well maintenance tool that can be pumped into a production passage of said well, said production passage of said well being a fluid connection with equipment in a distant production facility through a first conduit means; said first conduit means having parallel fluid paths including a first path connected to a first manifold for production flow and a second path for inserting said well maintenance tool into a respective production passage of a respective well; a first shutoff valve in said first flow path; a tool storage means being connected in series in said second flow path; a second shutoff valve in said second flow path, said second shutoff valve being located between said tool storage means and said first manifold; a source of clean, dead oil for pumping said well maintenance tool down said respective well production passage against well pressure; a source of well treating fluid; and means for selectively fluidly connecting a second conduit means between said source of clean, dead oil and said second flow path between said tool storage means and said second shutoff valve, said selective connecting means is operable to selectively alternately connect said second conduit to said source of clean, dead oil or to said source of well treating fluid, including the following steps: a. shutting said first shutoff valve while leaving said second shutoff valve closed as it is positioned during production of fluid from said respective production passage; b. selectively fluidly connecting said source of well treating fluid with said second conduit means; c. pumping a prescribed amount of well treating fluid behind said well maintenance tool; d. selectively fluidly connecting said source of clean, dead oil with said second flow path through said second conduit means; and e. pumping clean, dead oil from said source through said second conduit means whereby a well maintenance tool in said storage means is pumped out of said storage means and down through said production passage of said respective well.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method for maintaining a well in conjunction with a well maintenance tool that can be pumped into a production passage of a well, as recited in claim 26, wherein said well treating fluid is a paraffin dissolving agent and said well maintenance tool is a paraffin scraping tool.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
152 words
A method for maintaining a well in conjunction with a well maintenance tool that can be pumped into a production passage of a well, as recited in claim 26, including the following additional steps to be performed for the retrieval of said well maintenance tool from said production passage by the pressure of fluids being produced through said well: f. shutting off the supply of fluid under pressure through said second conduit; g. opening said second shutoff valve so that well fluids are produced through said second flow path; h. closing said second shutoff valve when said well maintenance tool has been driven up said production passage and into said storage means by the produced fluids; and i. opening said first shutoff valve after said well maintenance tool is again within said storage means whereby well production continues thereafter through said first flow path of said first conduit into said production facility.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
92 words
A method for maintaining a well in conjunction with a well maintenance tool that can be pumped into a production passage of a well, as recited in claim 26, including the following additional steps: j. separating the produced fluids into liquid and gaseous components; k. drawing off clean, dead oil from the upper portion of said liquid component which could include oil, water, and/or solids; and l. directing said clean, dead oil to the inlet of a power-driven pump, the outlet of said power-driven pump being connected to said second conduit means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
88 words
A method for maintaining a well in conjunction with a well maintenance tool that can be pumped into a production passage of a well, as recited in claim 26, wherein the means for pumping said oil is a gas-driven turbine-pump, including the following additional steps: m. separating the produced fluid into liquid and gaseous components; n. drawing off at least a portion of the gaseous component; and o. directing said gaseous component, drawn off, into the inlet of the turbine portion of said turbine-pump to drive the turbine.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
73 words
A method for maintaining a well in conjunction with a well maintenance tool that can be pumped into a production passage of a well, as recited in claim 26, wherein there are a plurality of wells spaced from said production facility, said production facility being a satellite station located in the field being exploited, including the following additional step: p. collecting the produced fluids from said plurality of wells in a first manifold.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
71 words
A method for maintaining a well in conjunction with a well maintenance tool that can be pumped into production passage of a well, as recited in claim 31, iNcluding the following additional step: q. choking the flow of produced fluid in the first conduit means just prior to the collecting of said produced fluids in said first manifold whereby the pressure in said produced fluids is reduced in said first manifold.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method for maintaining a well in conjunction with a well maintenance tool that can be pumped into a production passage of a well, as recited in claim 32, including the following additional step: r. heating said produced fluids subsequent to reducing the pressure thereof by choking the flow of said produced fluids.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-18 | 1974-07-20 | 1975-01-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-18 | 1978-07-20 | 1979-01-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-18 | 1982-07-20 | 1983-01-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |