摘要 |
Method for protecting subsea installations against cooling which leads to hydrate formation, in particular during production halts. This is achieved by thermally isolating portions of the installation ( 1 ) against the surrounding water ( 2 ), and particularly by completely encompassing the subsea installation ( 1 ) by means of a cap ( 3 ) which seals against the surrounding water ( 2 ). The cap ( 3 ) comprises several elements of which each separately can be exposed to cooling and internal hydrate formation. The invention also comprises a thermally isolating apparatus, adapted for protecting subsea installations ( 1 ) against cooling, which involves a risk for hydrate formation. An apparatus ( 3, 9 ) for implementing the method comprises a relatively tight-fitting cap ( 3 ) which encompasses at least two of the elements to be protected from cooling. Thus, the water inside the cap ( 3 ) is kept separately from the surrounding water ( 2 ) and evenly distribute the heat energy present under the cap ( 3 ) to all the elements encompassed by the cap. |