Apparatus and Methods for Clearing a Subsea Tubular

Abstract

An embodiment of a tool for clearing a deposit within a fluid flowline, including a body having a central axis, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a radially outer surface extending axially from the first end of the second end. In addition, the tool includes a first energy element coupled to the first end, and an electrode extending radially from the radially outer surface of the body. The first energy element and the electrodes are each configured to emit energy to dissipate the deposit in the fluid flowline.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tool for clearing a deposit within a fluid flowline, the tool comprising:
 a body having a central axis, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a radially outer surface extending axially from the first end to the second end;   a first energy element coupled to the first end; and   an electrode extending radially from the radially outer surface of the body;   wherein the first energy element and the electrode are each configured to emit energy to dissipate the deposit in the fluid flowline.   
     
     
         2 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first energy element comprises a thermal coil configured to emit thermal energy. 
     
     
         3 . The tool of  claim 2 , further comprising an umbilical coupled to the second end of the body, wherein the umbilical includes a wireline and a conductor for transferring electrical power or control signals to the tool. 
     
     
         4 . The tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a deployable scraper having a first end pivotally coupled to the body and a second end opposite the first end;
 wherein the deployable scraper has a first position with the second end distal an inner surface of the flowline and a second position with the second end proximal the inner surface.   
     
     
         5 . The tool of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an umbilical coupled to the second end of the body;   a plurality of second energy elements disposed along the umbilical, wherein each of the plurality of second energy elements is configured to emit energy.   
     
     
         6 . The tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a centralizer assembly extending radially outward from the radially outer surface of the body and configured to radially centralize the tool in the flowline. 
     
     
         7 . The tool of  claim 6 , wherein the centralizer assembly comprises:
 a connecting member having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the first end is at least partially disposed within a recess in the radially outer surface of the body;   a roller rotatable coupled to the second end of the connecting member,   a biasing member disposed within the recess and configured to bias the roller into engagement with an inner surface of the flowline.   
     
     
         8 . The tool of  claim 6 , wherein the centralizer assembly comprises a fin having a first end and a second opposite the first end;
 wherein the first end is coupled to the radially outer surface of the body and the second end slidingly engages an inner surface of the flowline.   
     
     
         9 . The tool of  claim 6 , wherein the centralizer assembly comprises:
 a plurality of circumferentially spaced fins extending radially outward from the body, wherein each fin has a first end coupled to the body and a second end opposite the first end;   a compliant ring further comprising a plurality of compliant ring sections, each extending circumferentially between adjacent fins, and each of the compliant ring sections including a radially outer engagement surface to engage an inner surface of the flowline.   
     
     
         10 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the radially outer surface body includes a plurality of flow channels. 
     
     
         11 . The tool of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an umbilical coupled to the second end of the body; and   a module coupled to the umbilical and spaced apart from the body, wherein the module includes one or more of a power generation device, a control system, a sensor, and a fluid storage tank.   
     
     
         12 . The tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a protecting cover disposed about the first energy element. 
     
     
         13 . A tool for clearing a deposit from a fluid flowline, the tool comprising:
 a body having a central axis, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a radially outer surface extending axially from the first end to the second end, and a first throughbore extending axially from the first end to the second end;   a first energy element coupled to the first end of the body, wherein the first energy element is configured to emit energy to dissipate the deposit in the flowline; and   a first pumping assembly disposed in the first throughbore and configured to pump fluid through the first throughbore.   
     
     
         14 . The tool of  claim 13 , wherein the first energy element comprises a thermal coil configured to emit thermal energy. 
     
     
         15 . The tool of  claim 14 , further comprising an umbilical coupled to the second end of the body, wherein the umbilical includes a wireline and a wire for communicating with the tool. 
     
     
         16 . The tool of  claim 13 , wherein the first pumping assembly includes an impeller and a motor coupled to the impeller, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the impeller to move fluids through the first throughbore. 
     
     
         17 . The tool of  claim 16 , wherein the motor of the first pumping assembly is configured to rotate the impeller in a first direction to move fluids through the first throughbore from the first end of the body to the second end of the body and to rotate the impeller in a second direction to move fluids through the first throughbore from the second end of the body to the first end. 
     
     
         18 . The tool of  claim 13 , further comprising a second energy element disposed within the first throughbore and configured to thermal emit energy therefrom. 
     
     
         19 . The tool of  claim 13 , further comprising a deployable brake assembly coupled to the body, wherein the deployable brake assembly is configured to releasably engage an inner surface of the flowline and restrict movement of the tool through the flowline. 
     
     
         20 . The tool of  claim 19 , wherein the deployable brake assembly comprises:
 a braking member at least partially disposed within a recess in the radially outer surface of the body;   a biasing member disposed within the recess and coupled to the braking member, and   an electromagnet disposed within the recess and configured to bias the braking member radially outward from the recess when energized;   wherein the deployable brake assembly has a first position with the electromagnets energized and the braking member in contact with the inner surface of the flowline and a second position with the electromagnets de-energized and the braking member withdrawn from the inner surface of the flowline.   
     
     
         21 . The tool of  claim 19 , wherein the deployable brake assembly comprises:
 a braking member at least partially disposed within a recess in the radially outer surface of the body, wherein the braking member includes a first section having an engagement surface and a second section at least partially received within a hydraulic chamber disposed within the recess; and   a biasing member disposed within the recess and coupled to the first section;   wherein the deployable brake assembly has a first position with hydraulic pressure supplied to the hydraulic chamber and the engagement surface is in contact with the inner surface of the flowline and a second position with hydraulic pressure relieved from the hydraulic chamber and the engagement surface withdrawn from the inner surface of the flowline.   
     
     
         22 . The tool of  claim 19 , wherein the deployable brake assembly comprises:
 a braking member at least partially disposed within a recess in the radially outer surface of the body, wherein the braking member includes a first section with an engagement surface and a second section including a rack;   a motor disposed within the recess and including a driveshaft; and   a drive gear coupled to the shaft, wherein the drive gear has a first position matingly engaging the rack and a second position disengaged from the rack;   wherein the braking member an engaged position with the engagement surface in contact with an inner surface of the flowline and a disengaged position with the engagement surface withdrawn from the inner surface;   wherein the drive gear is configured to transition the braking member between the engaged position and the disengaged position by rotating in the first position.   
     
     
         23 . The tool of  claim 22 , wherein the drive gear is biased to the second position and the braking member is biased to the disengaged position. 
     
     
         24 . The tool of  claim 22 , further comprising a clutch coupled to the driver gear and configured to transition the drive gear between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         25 . The tool of  claim 13 , further comprising a plurality of second energy elements disposed along the umbilical, wherein each of the plurality of second energy elements is configured to emit thermal energy. 
     
     
         26 . The tool of  claim 13 , further comprising a centralizer assembly extending radially outward from the body and configured to centralize the tool within the flowline. 
     
     
         27 . The tool of  claim 13 , wherein the radially outer surface of the body includes a plurality circumferentially-spaced of flow channels. 
     
     
         28 . The tool of  claim 13 , further comprising a module coupled to the umbilical proximal the body, wherein the module includes one or more of a power generation device, a control system, a sensor, and a fluid storage tank. 
     
     
         29 . The tool of  claim 13 , further comprising
 a propulsion module coupled to the umbilical proximal the body, wherein the propulsion module has a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a throughbore extending from the first end to the second end;   a second pumping assembly disposed within the throughbore of the propulsion module and configured to move fluid through the throughbore of the propulsion module.   
     
     
         30 . A method for clearing a deposit from a flowline, the method comprising:
 (a) moving a flowline clearance tool through the flowline toward the deposit, wherein the tool comprising:
 a body having a central axis, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a radially outer surface extending axially from the first end to the second end, and a first throughbore extending axially from the first end to the second end; and 
 a first energy element coupled to the first end of the body; 
   (b) positioning the first energy element proximal the deposit;   (c) directing energy emitted from the first energy element at the deposit;   (d) jetting the deposit with fluid pumped through the throughbore of the body during (c); and   (e) dissipating the deposit during (c) and (d).   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising maintaining the position of the body relative to the flowline during (d). 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein (d) comprises pumping fluid through the throughbore from the second end to the first end with a pumping assembly disposed within the throughbore. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein (c) comprises emitting thermal energy from the first energy element and transferring the thermal energy to the deposit. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein (a) comprises moving fluid through the throughbore from the first end to the second end with a pumping assembly disposed in the throughbore. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising emitting a hydrate inhibitor from the tool into the inner passage of the flowline. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising emitting energy from a plurality of second energy elements disposed along the umbilical to curtail the formation of deposits uphole of the tool.