Patent ID: 6129150
Filing Date: 2000-10-10
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
An apparatus for offshore oil production, comprising:a subsea primary separator receiving a production from an offshore oil well delivered from a wellhead through a flow line;a separated gas flow line connecting an upper part of said primary separator to a collecting vessel located at a gathering center;a flow line fitted with a check valve and connecting a lower part of said subsea primary separator to a means for conveying said production from an offshore well to a gathering center; whereinsaid means for conveying said production of an offshore well comprises a gathering length of pipe with a U-shape having its ends connected to a pair of flow lines, each flow line of said pair of flow lines having its other end connected to a surge tank located at said gathering center, each flow line of said pair of flow lines having shut-off valves located close to a surge tank in said gathering center; anda pair of high pressure gas injection lines, each of said high pressure gas injection lines being connected at one end to a compressed gas supply system and at the other end to a respective flow line of said pair of flow lines at a point close to said surge tank, each of said high pressure gas injection lines being provided with a shut-off valve.