Subsea boosting cap system

Abstract

A subsea boosting cap system is disclosed. The system comprises an anchor assembly capable of attaching to the sea floor. The anchor assembly comprises a pump cavity capable of receiving a removable pump assembly. A valve system is attached to the anchor assembly. The valve system comprises an inlet flow path and an outlet flow path. A boosting cap covers the pump cavity. The boosting cap comprises a first flow path configured to provide fluid communication between the inlet flow path and the removable pump assembly. A second flow path provides fluid communication between the removable pump assembly and the outlet. A crossover flow path provides fluid communication between the inlet flow path and the outlet flow path, the crossover flow path bypassing the pump cavity.

1 . An offshore fluid production system, comprising:
 a subsea wellbore at a first position on an ocean floor;   a subsea boosting cap system positioned in a second position on the ocean floor that is different from the first position, the subsea boosting cap system comprising:
 an anchor assembly capable of attaching to the sea floor, the anchor assembly comprising a pump cavity capable of receiving a removable pump assembly; 
 a valve system attached to the anchor assembly, the valve system comprising an inlet flow path and an outlet flow path, the inlet flow path being in fluid communication with the subsea wellbore; 
 a boosting cap covering the pump cavity, the boosting cap comprising a first flow path configured to provide fluid communication between an inlet flow path and the removable pump assembly when the removable pump assembly is positioned in the pump cavity, and a second flow path providing fluid communication between the removable pump assembly and the outlet flow path when the removable pump assembly is positioned in the pump cavity; and 
 a crossover flow path providing fluid communication between the inlet flow path and the outlet flow path, the crossover flow path bypassing the pump cavity, the valve system being capable of directing fluid flow to the first flow path and the crossover flow path; and 
   a downflow production line in fluid communication with the outlet.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising the removable pump assembly engaging the pump cavity, the boosting cap being positioned over the removable pump assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the pump assembly comprises a spool adapter and one or more pumps supported by the spool adapter. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the pump assembly further comprises a lower cavity for collecting contaminants, the lower cavity being in fluid communication with the one or more pumps. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein a third flow path provides fluid communication from the first flow path of the boosting cap to the lower cavity and a fourth flow path provides fluid communication from the lower cavity to the second flow path of the boosting cap. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a pressure cap sealing the pump cavity, the boosting cap being positioned over the pump cavity and attached to the pressure cap, wherein the pump cavity does not contain the removable pump assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the crossover flow path allows fluid communication between the inlet flow path and the outlet flow path when the boosting cap is removed from the pump cavity. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid communication between the inlet flow path and the subsea wellbore is provided by a conduit attached to the inlet flow path with a guide and hinge over connecting device. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the downflow production line is attached to the outlet flow path with a guide and hinge over connecting device. 
     
     
         10 . A subsea boosting cap system, comprising:
 an anchor assembly capable of attaching to the sea floor, the anchor assembly comprising a pump cavity capable of receiving a removable pump assembly;   a valve system attached to the anchor assembly, the valve system comprising an inlet flow path and an outlet flow path, the inlet flow path being capable of fluidly communicating with a subsea wellbore;   a boosting cap covering the pump cavity, the boosting cap comprising a first flow path configured to provide fluid communication between the inlet flow path and the removable pump assembly when the removable pump assembly is positioned in the pump cavity, and a second flow path providing fluid communication between the removable pump assembly and the outlet when the removable pump assembly is positioned in the pump cavity; and   a crossover flow path providing fluid communication between the inlet flow path and the outlet flow path, the crossover flow path bypassing the pump cavity, the valve system being capable of directing fluid flow to the first flow path and to the crossover flow path.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the cross over flow path allows fluid communication between the inlet flow path and the outlet flow path when the boosting cap is removed from the pump assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising the removable pump assembly engaging the pump cavity, the boosting cap being positioned over the removable pump assembly. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the pump assembly comprises a spool adapter and one or more pumps supported by the spool adapter. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the pump assembly further comprises a lower cavity for collecting contaminants, the lower cavity being in fluid communication with the one or more pumps. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein a third flow path provides fluid communication from the first flow path of the boosting cap to the lower cavity and a fourth flow path provides fluid communication from the lower cavity to the second flow path of the boosting cap. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising a pressure cap sealing the pump cavity, the boosting cap being positioned over the pump cavity and attached to the pressure cap, wherein the pump cavity does not contain the removable pump assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the valve system comprises a directional gate valve capable of directing fluid flow to the first flow path and to the crossover flow path, the directional gate valve comprising a slab gate capable of stopping fluid flow through one of the crossover flow path and the first flow path while simultaneously opening one of the first flow path and crossover flow path. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the boosting cap is attached to a boosting cap flowbore connector, the boosting cap flowbore connector providing fluid communication between the boosting cap and the valve system. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the boosting cap flowbore connector comprises a portion of the valve system. 
     
     
         20 . A method for removing a pump assembly positioned in a pump cavity of a subsea boosting cap system having a crossover flow path that bypasses the pump cavity, the method comprising:
 flowing a production fluid through a boosting cap flow path to a pump assembly;   stopping the flow of fluid through the pump assembly;   removing the boosting cap positioned over the pump assembly;   removing the pump assembly from the pump cavity;   replacing the boosting cap over the pump cavity; and   flowing the fluid through the crossover flow path while the pump assembly is removed from the pump cavity.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising directing the flow of fluid through the crossover flow path while the boosting cap is removed. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising positioning a pressure cap over the pump cavity, in addition to replacing the boosting cap, after the pump assembly is removed. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising engaging a second pump assembly in the pump cavity after the first pump assembly is removed. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising diverting the flow of fluid through the second pump assembly after engaging the second pump assembly, the fluid in the pump assembly flowing down into a settling cavity for removing contaminants and then flowing back up through the second pump assembly and into the boosting cap. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the removing the pump assembly and the removing the boosting cap occur simultaneously.