Method and equipment for the flow of offshore oil production

摘要

PCT No. PCT/GB97/00250 Sec. 371 Date Jul. 28, 1998 Sec. 102(e) Date Jul. 28, 1998 PCT Filed Jan. 29, 1997 PCT Pub. No. WO97/28350 PCT Pub. Date Aug. 1, 1997This invention relates to a method and equipment to assist the flow of offshore oil production. At least three production flow lines are used, which are interconnected close to offshore well-heads or manifolds forming two U-shaped lengths of pipe acting as circuits for passage of the hydrocarbon mixture produced. A mechanical interface is periodically inserted into one flow line of the U-shaped branches of pipe and, driven by a volume of pressurized gas, travels along the one from among the two U-shaped pipe length to return to a gathering center. In its passage it pushes along the volume of hydrocarbon mixture which has accumulated in the flow lines.