Method and apparatus for monitoring fluids

Abstract

A method and apparatus for monitoring a fluid that is to be transported through a fluid conduit within a hydrocarbon exploration and production installation is described. A monitoring zone is established upstream of the fluid conduit configured such the fluid supply to the fluid conduit is introduced via the monitoring zone. The fluid supply within the monitoring zone is monitored for the occurrence of events detrimental to the flow of the fluid supply through the fluid conduit. Monitoring the fluid supply prior to entering the fluid conduit allows for the early detection of an event detrimental to the flow of the fluid supply e.g. a chemical reaction indicative of corrosion of the fluid conduit or the formation of a potential blockage within the fluid conduit. In this way the risk of costly blockages or structural failure occurring within the fluid conduit is reduced.

1 . A method for monitoring a fluid supply to be transported through a fluid conduit located within a hydrocarbon exploration and production installation, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a monitoring zone upstream of the fluid conduit;   introducing the fluid supply to the fluid conduit via the monitoring zone; and   monitoring the fluid supply within the monitoring zone so as to detect the occurrence of one or more events detrimental to the flow of the fluid supply through the fluid conduit.   
     
     
         2 . A method for monitoring a fluid supply as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the step of monitoring the fluid supply within the monitoring zone comprises the step of detecting solids or solidification within the fluid supply. 
     
     
         3 . A method for monitoring a fluid supply as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the method further comprises the step of shutting off the fluid supply to the fluid conduit when solidification is detected. 
     
     
         4 . A method for monitoring a fluid supply as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the step of detecting solids or solidification within the fluid supply comprises monitoring a pressure differential across a filter located within the monitoring zone. 
     
     
         5 . A method for monitoring a fluid supply as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the step of shutting off the fluid supply to the fluid conduit occurs when the pressure differential across the filter is outside of a predetermined tolerance value for the fluid supply. 
     
     
         6 . A method for monitoring a fluid supply as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the step of monitoring the pressure differential across the filter further comprises the step of correlating the monitored pressure differential with a temperature of the fluid supply. 
     
     
         7 . A method for monitoring a fluid supply as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the step of detecting solids or solidification within the fluid supply comprises the step of monitoring the water content of the fluid supply. 
     
     
         8 . A method for monitoring a fluid supply as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the step of shutting off the fluid supply to the fluid conduit occurs when the water content of the fluid supply is outside a predetermined tolerance value for the fluid supply. 
     
     
         9 . A method for monitoring a fluid supply as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the step of detecting solids or solidification within the fluid supply comprises the step of monitoring a particulate or debris content of the fluid supply. 
     
     
         10 . A method for monitoring a fluid supply as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the step of shutting off the fluid supply to the fluid conduit occurs when a density or mass of the particulate or debris content within the fluid supply is outside a predetermined tolerance value for the fluid supply. 
     
     
         11 . A method for monitoring a fluid supply as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the method further comprises the step of activating an alarm to notify an operator that the fluid supply to the fluid conduit has been shut down. 
     
     
         12 . A method for monitoring a fluid supply as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the method further comprises the step of sending an electronic notification to a preselected person notifying them that the fluid supply to the fluid conduit has been shut down. 
     
     
         13 . A method for monitoring a fluid supply as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the step of monitoring the fluid supply within the monitoring zone further comprises the step of analysing the quality or purity of the chemical composition of the fluid supply. 
     
     
         14 . A method for monitoring a fluid supply as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the method further comprises the step of notifying an operator of the risk of a blockage occurring within the fluid conduit when the quality or purity of the chemical composition of the fluid supply is outside a predetermined tolerance value. 
     
     
         15 . A method for monitoring a fluid supply as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the step of monitoring the fluid supply within the monitoring zone further comprises the step of monitoring the rate of flow of the fluid supply. 
     
     
         16 . A method for monitoring a fluid supply as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the method further comprises the step of recording information relating to one or more of the monitored parameters. 
     
     
         17 . A fluid monitoring unit for monitoring a fluid supply to a fluid conduit, the fluid monitoring unit comprising a monitoring zone and a sensor, the sensor providing a means for detecting the occurrence of one or more events within the monitoring zone detrimental to the flow of the fluid supply through the fluid conduit, wherein the monitoring zone is configured to provide upstream fluid cooperation with an entrance of the fluid conduit. 
     
     
         18 . A fluid monitoring unit as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the sensor comprises a filter located within the monitoring zone and a pressure detector arranged to monitor the pressure differential of the fluid supply across the filter. 
     
     
         19 . A fluid monitoring unit as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the sensor further comprises a thermometer arranged to provide a means monitoring a temperature of the fluid supply. 
     
     
         20 . A fluid monitoring unit as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the sensor comprises a hygrometer arranged to monitor the water content of the fluid supply. 
     
     
         21 . A fluid monitoring unit as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the sensor comprises a particulate sensor arranged to monitor the fluid supply transmitted through the monitoring zone for the presence of particulate or debris. 
     
     
         22 . A fluid monitoring unit as claimed in  claim 21  wherein the particulate sensor comprises an optical particulate sensor. 
     
     
         23 . A fluid monitoring unit as claimed in  claim 21  wherein the particulate sensor comprises a passive-induction particulate sensor. 
     
     
         24 . A fluid monitoring unit as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the sensor comprises a UV spectrometer arranged to monitor the chemical composition of the fluid supply transmitted through the monitoring zone. 
     
     
         25 . A fluid monitoring unit as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the sensor comprises a flow meter arranged to monitor the rate of flow of the fluid supply. 
     
     
         26 . A fluid monitoring unit as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the fluid monitoring unit further comprises a computer processing unit that provides a means for controlling the sensor. 
     
     
         27 . A fluid monitoring unit as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the computer processing unit provides a means for the fluid monitoring unit to transmit and receive data. 
     
     
         28 . A fluid monitoring unit as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the computer processing unit generates an output signal if the pressure differential of the fluid supply across the filter is outside of a predetermined tolerance value. 
     
     
         29 . A fluid monitoring unit as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the computer processing unit generates an output signal if the water content within the fluid supply is outside of a predetermined tolerance value. 
     
     
         30 . A fluid monitoring unit as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the computer processing unit generates an output signal if a density or mass of the particulate or debris content within the fluid supply is outside a predetermined tolerance value. 
     
     
         31 . A fluid monitoring unit as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the computer processing unit generates an output signal if the quality or purity of the chemical composition of the fluid supply is outside a predetermined tolerance value. 
     
     
         32 . A hydrocarbon exploration and production installation, the installation comprising at least one supply conduit that provides a means for fluid communication between a fluid source and a fluid conduit, and a fluid monitoring as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the fluid monitoring unit is located within the supply conduit upstream of the fluid conduit. 
     
     
         33 . A hydrocarbon exploration and production installation as claimed in  claim 32  wherein the installation further comprises a pump located between the fluid source and the fluid monitoring unit. 
     
     
         34 . A hydrocarbon exploration and production installation as claimed in  claim 32  wherein the installation further comprises a shut off valve located between the fluid monitoring unit and the fluid conduit. 
     
     
         35 . A hydrocarbon exploration and production installation as claimed in  claim 32  wherein an output signal from the fluid monitoring unit is employed as a feedback signal to activate a shut down of the pump. 
     
     
         36 . A hydrocarbon exploration and production installation as claimed in  claim 34  wherein an output signal from the fluid monitoring is employed as a feedback signal to activate closure of the shut off valve. 
     
     
         37 . A hydrocarbon exploration and production installation as claimed in  claim 32  wherein the installation further comprises an operations control module connected to the fluid monitoring unit so as to provide a means for monitoring and recording output data from the fluid monitoring unit.