Systems And Methods For Pressure Boosting Of Liquids Of A Hydrocarbon Gas-Liquid Separator Using One Or More Pumps On Seabed

Abstract

Systems and methods are described that allow for pressure boosting of liquids in a hydrocarbon gas-liquid separator disposed at seabed. The separator can include an upper section and a lower section, which are fluidly coupled via at least one conduit. A first pump can be coupled to the separator that is configured to boost the pressure level of liquid in the lower section while the separator is disposed at seabed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system configured to allow pressure boosting of liquids in a hydrocarbon gas-liquid separator disposed at seabed, comprising:
 a separator having upper and lower sections that are fluidly coupled by at least one conduit extending from the lower section to the upper section; and   a first pump coupled to the separator and configured to boost a pressure level of liquid in the lower section while the separator is disposed at the seabed.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first pump comprises an electrical submersible pump (ESP). 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first pump is embedded within the lower section of the separator. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the separator is coupled to the seabed. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the upper and lower sections are each disposed generally horizontal with respect to the seabed. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a top assembly coupled to the separator, and configured to couple a liquid discharge conduit disposed outside of the separator with at least one of (a) a second liquid discharge conduit disposed inside of the separator and (b) the first pump. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the top assembly is further configured to provide an electrical connection to the first pump. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the top assembly is removably coupled to the separator such that the separator can be raised to a water surface while the top assembly remains at the seabed. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the separator is sized and dimensioned such that a gas volume fraction of the liquid at an inlet to the first pump is between 40%-70%. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the separator is disposed generally horizontal with respect to the seabed, and wherein the upper and lower sections comprise upper and lower cylinders, and wherein the upper and lower cylinders each have a slope between 5-15 degrees with respect to the seabed. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the upper cylinder is disposed approximately parallel to the lower cylinder. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the upper cylinder comprises a well inlet conduit an a gas outlet conduit. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first pump is removably coupled to a first end of the lower section. 
     
     
         14 . A method for increasing a pressure of liquids in a hydrocarbon gas-liquid separator disposed at seabed, comprising:
 providing a separator having upper and lower sections that are fluidly coupled by at least one conduit;   receiving a well output fluid in the upper section;   wherein the separator is configured to separate a gas portion of the well output fluid from a liquid portion; and   increasing a pressure of the liquid portion using a first pump to produce a pressurized output fluid.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first pump comprises an ESP. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first pump is embedded within the lower section of the separator. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the separator is disposed generally horizontal with respect to the seabed, and wherein the upper and lower sections comprise upper and lower cylinders, and wherein the upper and lower cylinders are slightly inclined with respect to the seabed. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the upper cylinder is disposed approximately parallel to the lower cylinder. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the upper and lower sections are each disposed generally horizontal with respect to the seabed. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the separator is sized and dimensioned such that a gas volume fraction of the liquid at an inlet to the first pump is between 40%-70%.