Apparatus for hydrocarbon operations and method of use

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus for performing an operation in a fluid conduit of a hydrocarbon exploration or production installation and methods of use. The apparatus comprises a body configured to be received in a fluid conduit, which is coupled to a tool fluid conduit defining a flow bore. An imaging device is carried by the body and a flow direction arrangement provides a fluid circulation path between an annulus located between an interior wall of the fluid conduit and the body and the flow bore in use. The flow direction arrangement is configured to provide a deployment thrust on the body when fluid is circulated between the annulus and the flow bore through the fluid circulation path. Applications to the inspection of flexible risers and applications to the placement of a fluid or material a treatment operation are described.

1 . An apparatus for performing an operation in a fluid conduit of a hydrocarbon exploration or production installation, the apparatus comprising:
 a body configured to be received in the fluid conduit and coupled to a tool fluid conduit defining a flow bore;   an imaging device carried by the body; and   a flow direction arrangement configured to provide a fluid circulation path between an annulus located between an interior wall of the fluid conduit and the body and the flow bore in use;   wherein the flow direction arrangement is configured to provide a deployment thrust on the body when fluid is circulated between the annulus and the flow bore through the fluid circulation path.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the body is configured to be coupled to a flexible umbilical. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the imaging device comprises an optical camera. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the flow direction arrangement comprises a convoluted fluid path for fluid passing between the annulus and the flow bore of the tool fluid conduit. 
     
     
         5 . A system for performing an operation in a fluid conduit of a hydrocarbon exploration or production installation, the system comprising:
 the apparatus according to  claim 1 ; and   a tool fluid conduit defining a flow bore.   
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 5  wherein the tool fluid conduit comprises a flexible umbilical. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 6  wherein the flexible umbilical has an inner diameter and the minimum bend radius of the umbilical is less than forty times the inner diameter. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 5  comprising a cable for the transmission of data from the imaging device of the apparatus. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 5  further comprising pressure control equipment which seals against an exterior surface of the tool fluid conduit. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 5  further comprising a drive mechanism for pushing and/or pulling the tool fluid conduit into and out of the fluid conduit through the pressure control equipment. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 5  further comprising a blowout preventer. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 11  wherein the blowout preventer comprises a shear and seal blowout preventer. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 5  wherein in use, the system defines a fluid circulation path between an annulus defined between the tool fluid conduit and the fluid conduit of the hydrocarbon exploration or production installation; the flow direction arrangement, and the flow bore defined by the tool fluid conduit. 
     
     
         14 . A method of inspecting the interior of a fluid conduit in a hydrocarbon exploration or production installation, the method comprising:
 providing an inspection apparatus in the fluid conduit to be inspected, the apparatus comprising:
 a body coupled to a tool fluid conduit defining a flow bore; 
 an imaging device carried by the body; and 
 a flow direction arrangement disposed between an exterior of the body and the flow bore; 
   circulating fluid between an annulus between an interior wail of the fluid conduit and the tool fluid conduit and the flow bore, through a fluid circulation path defined by the flow direction arrangement;   deploying the apparatus along the fluid conduit by a thrust on the apparatus resulting from the circulation of fluid between the annulus and the flow bore through the fluid circulation path; and   imaging the fluid conduit using the imaging device to acquire imaging data.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14  further comprising at least one of storing, analysing or displaying the imaging data. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14  wherein at least one of deploying the apparatus or imaging the fluid conduit are performed in the presence of production fluids in the fluid conduit. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 14  wherein at least one of deploying the apparatus and/or imaging the fluid conduit are performed while the hydrocarbon exploration or production installation is producing fluids. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 14  wherein the fluid conduit comprises a flexible riser. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18  comprising inspecting the interior of a flexible riser to a location at which it is coupled to a subsea isolation valve. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 14  comprising inspecting the riser side of a subsea isolation valve. 
     
     
         21 . A method of placing a treatment material at an interior of a fluid conduit in a hydrocarbon exploration or production installation, the method comprising:
 providing a material placement apparatus in the fluid conduit, the apparatus comprising:
 a body coupled to a tool fluid conduit defining a flow bore; 
 an imaging device carried by the body; and 
 a flow direction arrangement disposed between an exterior of the body and the flow bore; 
   circulating fluid between an annulus between an interior wall of the fluid conduit and the tool fluid conduit and the flow bore, through a fluid circulation path defined by the flow direction arrangement;   deploying the apparatus along the fluid conduit to a location displaced from the entry point to the fluid conduit, by a thrust on the apparatus resulting from the circulation of fluid between the annulus and the flow bore through the fluid circulation path;   placing a treatment material at the displaced location; and   imaging the interior of the fluid conduit using the imaging device to acquire imaging data.   
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21  further comprising at least one of storing, analysing or displaying the imaging data. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein the displaced location is the location of a blockage, and the treatment fluid comprises a blockage removal treatment fluid. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 23  further comprising monitoring the effect of the treatment fluid on the blockage using the imaging device to acquire imaging data. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 23  further comprising advancing the apparatus towards the blockage for further fluid treatment. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein the displaced location is the location of a hydrate deposit in the fluid conduit, and the method comprises removing at least a part of the hydrate deposit. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 26 , further comprising advancing the apparatus towards the hydrate deposit for further fluid treatment. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein the displaced location is the location of a leak in the fluid conduit, and the method comprises placing a sealant at the displaced location. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 28  further comprising monitoring the effect of the sealant on the leak using the imaging device to acquire imaging data.