Patent ID: 6079498
Filing Date: 2000-06-27
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
Equipment for interconnecting an offshore well-head or well manifold to a gathering center and for allowing periodic passage of a mechanical interface so as to promote flow to the gathering center, the equipment comprising:at least first, second, and third flow lines, said at least first, second and third flow lines being operatively connected together to form first and second U-shaped lengths of pipe, said at least first, second and third flow lines and said U-shaped lengths of pipe formed therefrom being configured to and having an internal size to allow periodic passage of a mechanical interface therethrough;a surge line adapted to be connected at one end thereof to an offshore well-head or well manifold, said surge line being split into first and second further flow lines, said first further flow line being operatively connected in flow communication with said first U-shaped length of pipe, said second further flow line being operatively connected in flow communication with said second U-shaped length of pipe; andfirst and second check valves respectively disposed in said first and second further flow lines;whereby a mechanical interface can be launched into an end of one of said first, second and third flow lines and returned through another of said first, second and third flow lines so as to promote flow, to a gathering center, of material accumulated in said one and said another flow lines.