Patent ID: 6092603
Filing Date: 2000-07-25
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
An apparatus for gathering offshore oil production, with primary gas separation, from a well head/manifold to a gathering center, comprising:a primary separating vessel operatively coupled to said wellhead/manifold for receiving an output of hydrocarbon mixture from said wellhead/manifold;a first, U-shaped length of pipe disposed in said primary separating vessel, said first length of pipe having a curved part and two arms;a second, short length of pipe having a first check valve at a lower end thereof connected to said curved part of said first length of pipe;the two arms of said first, U-shaped length of pipe being connected to first and second flow lines which extend from said primary separating vessel to a gathering center;a gas discharge line connected to an upper part of said primary separating vessel and extending to said gathering center;wherein a primary separation of gas contained in said hydrocarbon mixture takes place within said primary separating vessel whereby said gas is segregated out into the upper part of said primary separating vessel and is discharged through said gas discharge line to said gathering center and wherein said first and second flow lines and said first, U-shaped pipe length are constructed and arranged for a mechanical interface to periodically pass therethrough, so as to promote a flow of said hydrocarbon mixture accumulated in said first and second flow lines to said gathering center.