Methods for retrieval and replacement of subsea production and processing equipment

摘要

Generally, the present disclosure is directed to systems that may be used to facilitate the retrieval and/or replacement of production and/or processing equipment that may be used for subsea oil and gas operations. In one illustrative embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes, among other things, removing at least a portion of trapped production fluid (101a, 101b) from subsea equipment (100) while the subsea equipment (100) is connected to a subsea equipment installation (185) in a subsea environment (180), and storing at least the removed portion of the trapped production fluid (101a, 101b) in a subsea containment structure (120, 120a, 120b, 132) that is positioned in the subsea environment (180). Additionally, the disclosed method also includes disconnecting the subsea equipment (100) from the subsea equipment installation (185) and retrieving the subsea equipment (100) from the subsea environment (180).

主权项

1. A method, comprising:
removing at least a portion of trapped production fluid from subsea equipment while said subsea equipment is operatively connected to a subsea equipment installation in a subsea environment; storing said at least said removed portion of said trapped production fluid in a subsea containment structure that is positioned in said subsea environment, said subsea containment structure comprising an adjustable-volume subsea containment structure, wherein removing said at least said portion of said trapped production fluid and storing said at least said removed portion of said trapped production fluid comprises using an internal pressure of said subsea equipment to generate a flow of said trapped production fluid into said adjustable-volume subsea containment structure; disconnecting said subsea equipment from said subsea equipment installation; and retrieving said subsea equipment from said subsea environment.