Method of prevention of hydrates

Abstract

The method of prevention of hydrate formation inside a subsea pipe of a first temperature during an increase in flow within the pipe comprising containing a volume of water outside the pipe, heating the volume of water to a second temperature higher than the first temperature such that the pipe is heated to a temperature high enough to stop the formation of the hydrates, and increasing the flow in the pipe.

1 . The method of prevention of hydrate formation inside a pipe of a first temperature during an increase in flow within said pipe comprising
 containing a volume of water proximate the outer surface of said pipe,   heating said volume of water to a second temperature higher than said first temperature such that said pipe is heated to a temperature higher than said first temperature, and   increasing said flow in said pipe.   
   
   
       2 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said pipe is located subsea. 
   
   
       3 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein said water is seawater. 
   
   
       4 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein said volume of water is contained in a second pipe which is larger than and generally concentric to said pipe. 
   
   
       5 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein said pipe is a pipeline taking flow generally horizontally away from a subsea installation of equipment. 
   
   
       6 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein said pipe is a riser pipe taking flow generally vertically away from a subsea installation of equipment. 
   
   
       7 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein said pipe is a part of a subsea installation of equipment. 
   
   
       8 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein said water is heated by a remotely operated vehicle heating seawater and then pumping said heated seawater into the space of said contained water to displace said contained water with heated water. 
   
   
       9 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein said contained water is heated by electric heating elements within said contained water. 
   
   
       10 . In an environmental condition suitable to the formation of hydrates within a pipe, the method of preventing hydrate formation within said pipe comprising
 heating said pipe and a volume of water contained around said pipe to a temperature high enough to prevent the formation of a hydrate.   
   
   
       11 . The invention of  claim 10 , wherein at least a portion of said pipe is located subsea. 
   
   
       12 . The invention of  claim 10 , wherein said water is seawater. 
   
   
       13 . The invention of  claim 10 , wherein said volume of water is contained in a second pipe which is larger than and generally concentric to said pipe. 
   
   
       14 . The invention of  claim 10 , wherein said pipe is a pipeline taking flow generally horizontally away from a subsea installation of equipment. 
   
   
       15 . The invention of  claim 10 , wherein said pipe is a riser pipe taking flow generally vertically away from a subsea installation of equipment. 
   
   
       16 . The invention of  claim 10 , wherein said pipe is a part of a subsea installation of equipment. 
   
   
       17 . The invention of  claim 10 , wherein said water is heated by a remotely operated vehicle heating seawater and then pumping said heated seawater into the space of said contained water to displace said contained water with heated water. 
   
   
       18 . The invention of  claim 10 , wherein said contained water is heated by electric heating elements within said contained water.