Crossover for a flow path for a fluid to a subsea device

Abstract

An apparatus method and system are enable sending fluid to a receiver when a main line for the fluid in an umbilical is faulty. The apparatus has: first and second inlet lines and a first outlet line; A first inlet connector connects the main line for the fluid in the umbilical to the first inlet line and a second inlet connector connects a second line to the second inlet line; An outlet connects a receiver to the apparatus and has a first outlet connector connecting the receiver for the fluid; A switch mechanism for switches from a default setting wherein the first inlet line leads to the first outlet connector through the first outlet line to a secondary setting wherein the second inlet line leads to the first outlet connector through the first outlet line for enabling transferring the fluid through the second inlet line to the first outlet connector.

1 . An apparatus for enabling sending a fluid to a receiver for the fluid in a situation where a main line for the fluid in an umbilical is faulty, wherein the apparatus comprises:
 a first and a second inlet line and a first outlet line in the apparatus;   a first inlet connector for connecting the main line for the fluid in the umbilical to the first inlet line in the apparatus and a second inlet connector for connecting a second line to the second inlet line in the apparatus;   an outlet for connecting one or more receivers to the apparatus, the outlet comprising a first outlet connector for connecting the receiver for the fluid to the apparatus;   a switch mechanism for selectively switching from a default to a secondary setting, wherein in the default setting the first inlet line leads to the first outlet connector through the first outlet line, and wherein in the secondary setting the second inlet line leads to the first outlet connector through the first outlet line for enabling transferring the fluid through the second inlet line to the first outlet connector.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus for providing a crossover for a flow path for a fluid to a subsea device, wherein the apparatus comprises:
 a plurality of lines for providing flow paths through the apparatus;   an inlet for connecting an umbilical to the apparatus, the inlet comprising a plurality of inlet connectors, each one of the inlet connectors being arranged for connecting one of a plurality of lines of the umbilical to one of the plurality of lines of the apparatus, for receiving in the line of the apparatus a fluid from the line of the umbilical;   an outlet for connecting a receiver to the apparatus, the outlet comprising a plurality of outlet connectors for connecting one of a plurality of lines of the apparatus to one of a plurality of lines of the receiver, for providing an outlet for the fluid in the line from the apparatus; and   at least one switch mechanism for altering to which one of the plurality of lines in the receiver one of the plurality of lines of the umbilical leads.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the switch mechanism comprises at least one valve. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the switch mechanism comprises a plurality of valves. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one valve of the apparatus is hydraulically operated, and the apparatus comprises an inlet for a hydraulic fluid for operating the switch mechanism. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one valve of the apparatus is electrically operated, and the apparatus comprises an inlet for providing electricity to the apparatus and/or a battery for providing electricity to the apparatus. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising a control unit and a means for communicating wirelessly or through a wire, for receiving a control signal and/or information and/or for sending a control signal and/or information to a remote communications unit. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises at least one sensor for detecting a fluid characteristic of a fluid in a line for detecting a problem with a line of the apparatus and/or a line leading to the apparatus. 
     
     
         9 . A method of sending a fluid to a receiver for the fluid in a situation where a main line for the fluid in an umbilical is faulty, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
 connecting the umbilical to the apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention such that the main line for the fluid in the umbilical is connected to the first inlet connector in the apparatus, and connecting a second line to the apparatus such that the second line is connected to the second inlet connector;   using the switch mechanism in the apparatus to alter the setting of the apparatus from the default setting to the second setting;   sending the fluid through the second line, through the apparatus, to the receiver for the first fluid.   
     
     
         10 . The method of providing a crossover for a flow path for a fluid to a subsea device, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing an apparatus, wherein the apparatus comprises:   a first and a second inlet line and a first outlet line in the apparatus;   a first inlet connector for connecting the main line for the fluid in the umbilical to the first inlet line in the apparatus and a second inlet connector for connecting a second line to the second inlet line in the apparatus;   an outlet for connecting one or more receivers to the apparatus, the outlet comprising a first outlet connector for connecting the receiver for the fluid to the apparatus;   a switch mechanism for selectively switching from a default to a secondary setting, wherein in the default setting the first inlet line leads to the first outlet connector through the first outlet line, and wherein in the secondary setting the second inlet line leads to the first outlet connector through the first outlet line for enabling transferring the fluid through the second inlet line to the first outlet connector;   a plurality of lines for providing flow paths through the apparatus;   an inlet for connecting an umbilical to the apparatus, the inlet comprising a plurality of inlet connectors, each one of the inlet connectors being arranged for connecting one of a plurality of lines of the umbilical to one of the plurality of lines of the apparatus, for receiving in the line of the apparatus a fluid from the line of the umbilical;   an outlet for connecting a receiver to the apparatus, the outlet comprising a plurality of outlet connectors for connecting one of a plurality of lines of the apparatus to one of a plurality of lines of the receiver, for providing an outlet for the fluid in the line from the apparatus; and   at least one switch mechanism for altering to which one of the plurality of lines in the receiver one of the plurality of lines of the umbilical leads; and   using the switch mechanism of the apparatus to alter to which one of the plurality of lines in the receiver one of the plurality of lines of the umbilical leads.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising the step of:
 using a means for communication to communicate from and/or to the apparatus.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 9 , the method further comprising the step of:
 using a sensor of the apparatus to obtain a fluid characteristic to detect whether there is a problem related to a line in the apparatus and/or a line leading to and/or from the apparatus.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 9 , the method further comprising the step of:
 altering to which outlet connector each one of a multiple of inlet connectors lead by use of one or more switching mechanisms.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 9 , the method further comprising the step of:
 communicating to the means for communication of the apparatus from a sender at a topsides or onshore facility, to open and/or close one or more valves to open and/or close one or more flow paths within the apparatus.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 9 , the method further comprising the step of:
 closing a flow path within the apparatus to close a flow path from an umbilical to a subsea device and opening a flow path within the apparatus to connect a subsea reservoir or subsea hydraulic power unit to the subsea device instead.   
     
     
         16 . A system for providing a crossover for a flow path for a fluid to a subsea device, the system comprising an umbilical, an apparatus, and a receiver, wherein the apparatus comprises:
 a first and a second inlet line and a first outlet line in the apparatus;   a first inlet connector for connecting the main line for the fluid in the umbilical to the first inlet line in the apparatus and a second inlet connector for connecting a second line to the second inlet line in the apparatus;   an outlet for connecting one or more receivers to the apparatus, the outlet comprising a first outlet connector for connecting the receiver for the fluid to the apparatus;   a switch mechanism for selectively switching from a default to a secondary setting, wherein in the default setting the first inlet line leads to the first outlet connector through the first outlet line, and wherein in the secondary setting the second inlet line leads to the first outlet connector through the first outlet line for enabling transferring the fluid through the second inlet line to the first outlet connector;   a plurality of lines for providing flow paths through the apparatus;   an inlet for connecting an umbilical to the apparatus, the inlet comprising a plurality of inlet connectors, each one of the inlet connectors being arranged for connecting one of a plurality of lines of the umbilical to one of the plurality of lines of the apparatus, for receiving in the line of the apparatus a fluid from the line of the umbilical;   an outlet for connecting a receiver to the apparatus, the outlet comprising a plurality of outlet connectors for connecting one of a plurality of lines of the apparatus to one of a plurality of lines of the receiver, for providing an outlet for the fluid in the line from the apparatus; and   at least one switch mechanism for altering to which one of the plurality of lines in the receiver one of the plurality of lines of the umbilical leads; and   wherein a first end of the umbilical is connected to a topsides or onshore facility and a second end of the umbilical is connected to an inlet of the apparatus, and wherein the receiver is connected to an outlet of the apparatus.   
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 16 , wherein the system comprises a plurality of apparatuses, placed at a distance from each other, the apparatuses being connected by use of one or more cables, hoses, umbilicals or similar.