System and method for separation of hydrocarbons and contaminants using redundant membrane separators

Abstract

A redundant membrane separation system and method for separating hydrocarbons and contaminants. The redundant membrane separation system includes a system and method wherein the flow of the produced hydrocarbons and contaminants from a production string can be diverted to one of at least two tubes while the membrane separation system in another of the tubes is serviced.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A redundant membrane separation system for separating hydrocarbons and contaminants, the system comprising: 
 a production string in at least one wellbore producing a mixture of hydrocarbons and contaminants;    at least two tubes connected to the production string for delivering the produced hydrocarbons from the production string to a hydrocarbon collection tank; and    a membrane separation system for separating hydrocarbons and contaminants located in each of the tubes, wherein the flow of the produced hydrocarbons and contaminants can be diverted to one of the tubes while the membrane separation system in another of the tubes is serviced.    
     
     
         2 . The redundant membrane separation system for separating hydrocarbons and contaminants according to  claim 1 , wherein the flow of hydrocarbons and contaminants can be diverted by at least one valve.  
     
     
         3 . The redundant membrane separation system for separating hydrocarbons and contaminants according to  claim 1 , wherein the flow of hydrocarbons and contaminants can be diverted by a plurality of valves.  
     
     
         4 . The redundant membrane separation system for separating hydrocarbons and contaminants according to  claim 1 , wherein the flow of hydrocarbons and contaminants is monitored by an intelligent automation system.  
     
     
         5 . The redundant membrane separation system for separating hydrocarbons and contaminants according to  claim 4 , wherein the intelligent completion device controls the flow of hydrocarbons and contaminants into the tubes.  
     
     
         6 . The redundant membrane separation system for separating hydrocarbons and contaminants according to  claim 3 , wherein the valves are connected to an intelligent automation system for diverting the flow of the hydrocarbons and contaminants.  
     
     
         7 . The redundant membrane separation system for separating hydrocarbons and contaminants according to  claim 1 , wherein the tubes are flexible.  
     
     
         8 . The redundant membrane separation system for separating hydrocarbons and contaminants according to  claim 1 , wherein a central gathering station is located between the production string and the tubes.  
     
     
         9 . The redundant membrane separation system for separating hydrocarbons and contaminants according to  claim 8 , wherein the central gathering station is connected to the production string in a first of the at least one wellbore and to a second production string in a second wellbore.  
     
     
         10 . The redundant membrane separation system for separating hydrocarbons and contaminants according to  claim 8 , wherein the central gathering station is on the sea floor.  
     
     
         11 . The redundant membrane separation system for separating hydrocarbons and contaminants according to  claim 1 , wherein the membrane separation system removes at least one contaminant from the hydrocarbon with a system including a first preferentially selective material positioned within the tube and a second preferentially selective material positioned within the tube, wherein the first preferentially selective material is permeable to a different material than the second preferentially selective material.  
     
     
         12 . The redundant membrane separation system for separating hydrocarbons and contaminants according to  claim 1 , wherein the contaminants are removed from the tubes.  
     
     
         13 . The redundant membrane separation system for separating hydrocarbons and contaminants according to  claim 1 , wherein the contaminants are delivered to a disposal formation.  
     
     
         14 . The redundant membrane separation system for separating hydrocarbons and contaminants according to  claim 1 , wherein the contaminants are delivered to a disposal string.  
     
     
         15 . A redundant membrane separation method for separating hydrocarbons and contaminants, the method comprising: 
 positioning a production string in at least one wellbore producing a mixture of hydrocarbons and contaminants;    connecting at least two tubes to the production string for delivering the produced hydrocarbons from the production string to a hydrocarbon collection tank;    placing a membrane separation system for separating hydrocarbons and contaminants in each of the tubes; and    diverting the flow of the produced hydrocarbons and contaminants to one of the tubes while the membrane separation system in another of the tubes is serviced.    
     
     
         16 . The redundant membrane separation method for separating hydrocarbons and contaminants according to  claim 15 , further comprising the step of diverting the flow of hydrocarbons and contaminants by at least one valve.  
     
     
         17 . The redundant membrane separation method for separating hydrocarbons and contaminants according to  claim 15 , further comprising the step of monitoring the flow of hydrocarbons and contaminants by an intelligent automation system.  
     
     
         18 . The redundant membrane separation method for separating hydrocarbons and contaminants according to  claim 17 , further comprising the step of controlling the flow of hydrocarbons and contaminants into the tubes using the intelligent automation system.  
     
     
         19 . The redundant membrane separation method for separating hydrocarbons and contaminants according to  claim 15 , wherein the tubes are flexible.  
     
     
         20 . The redundant membrane separation method for separating hydrocarbons and contaminants according to  claim 15 , wherein a central gathering station is located between the production string and the tubes.  
     
     
         21 . The redundant membrane separation method for separating hydrocarbons and contaminants according to  claim 20 , wherein the central gathering station is connected to the production string in a first of the at least one wellbore and to a second production string in a second wellbore.  
     
     
         22 . The redundant membrane separation method for separating hydrocarbons and contaminants according to  claim 20 , wherein the central gathering station is on the sea floor.  
     
     
         23 . The redundant membrane separation method for separating hydrocarbons and contaminants according to  claim 15 , wherein the membrane separation system removes at least one contaminant from the hydrocarbon with a system including a first preferentially selective material positioned within the tube and a second preferentially selective material positioned within the tube, wherein the first preferentially selective material is permeable to a different material than the second preferentially selective material.  
     
     
         24 . The redundant membrane separation method for separating hydrocarbons and contaminants according to  claim 15 , further comprising the step of delivering the contaminants to a disposal formation.  
     
     
         25 . The redundant membrane separation method for separating hydrocarbons and contaminants according to  claim 15 , further comprising the step of delivering the contaminants to a disposal string.  
     
     
         26 . The redundant membrane separation method for separating hydrocarbons and contaminants according to  claim 15 , further comprising the step of removing one of the membrane separation systems for servicing.  
     
     
         27 . The redundant membrane separation method for separating hydrocarbons and contaminants according to  claim 15 , further comprising the step of continuing a flow of hydrocarbons to the hydrocarbon collection tank while one of the membrane separation systems is serviced.  
     
     
         28 . The redundant membrane separation method for separating hydrocarbons and contaminants according to  claim 15 , further comprising the step of removing and replacing a membrane element of the membrane separation systems.  
     
     
         29 . The redundant membrane separation method for separating hydrocarbons and contaminants according to  claim 15 , further comprising the step of servicing the membrane separation system and replacing the membrane separation system in one of the tubes.  
     
     
         30 . The redundant membrane separation method for separating hydrocarbons and contaminants according to  claim 15 , further comprising the step of grasping and removing one of the membrane separation systems with a retrieval tool while the flow of hydrocarbons and contaminants continues to flow through the other membrane separation system.