Patent ID: 7210530
Filing Date: 2007-05-01
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for recovering fluids from a well located in the floor of a body of water, said apparatus comprising: (a) a substantially vertical fluid separator having (1) a nominal vertical dimension larger than a nominal horizontal dimension and (2) a multiphase fluid inlet located in its upper portion, said fluid separator located below the surface and entirely above the floor of said body of water; (b) a rigid riser assembly extending substantially vertically from the top portion of said fluid separator to a location near the surface of said body of water; (c) a gas outlet located in the upper portion of said fluid separator and fluidly connected to said riser assembly; (d) a liquid outlet located in the lower portion of said fluid separator; and (e) a pump fluidly connected to said liquid outlet and located outside of said fluid separator; wherein said pump is capable of regulating the gas/liquid interface level in said fluid separator.