The present invention relates to a process system and a method of operating a process system, such as a process system for handling fluids in petroleum production plants.

BACKGROUND

Subsea and topside offshore production and processing systems are under continuous development, among other things due to the petroleum industry moving to exploit more remote fields where locating equipment subsea or on a miminum- manned platform is the most cost-efficient or otherwise desirable option. This entails a number of challenges, since such equipment may not be readily accessible for maintenance or repairs, or there may not be permanent operators at site to carry out such maintenance or repairs. There are consequently demanding requirements on such equipment for high reliability and long service life, and the operational procedures seek to ensure that the equipment is operated in the most optimal manner to avoid unexpected disturbances or, for example, a need to retrieve equipment for maintenance or repairs.

Drainage of equipment (such as compressors) and piping in process systems (such as a compression station) is often required prior to start-up or after shut down. This is usually performed either by gravity or by pumps, whereby liquids in the equipment units drains by gravity to a lower location or is pumped out of the equipment.

Publications which may be useful to understand the background include WO

2013/026776; WO 2010/102905; WO 2013/062419; EP 2 799 716; WO

2011/008103; NO 341495; and WO 2016/028158. In view of the above, there is a need for further improved systems and methods in this area. The present disclosure has the objective to provide such systems and methods, or at least alternatives to known technology. SUMMARY

In an embodiment, there is provided a process system comprising a process module, wherein an inlet of the process module is fluidly connected to an upstream pipe via an inlet pipe having an inlet isolation valve and wherein an outlet of the process module is fluidly connected to a downstream pipe via an outlet pipe having a discharge isolation valve. The process system comprises a bypass fluidly connecting the upstream pipe and the downstream pipe via a bypass isolation valve and a drainage line fluidly connecting a drainage outlet of the process module to the downstream pipe via a valve. In other embodiments, methods of draining a process module arranged in a process system are provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics will become clear from the following description of illustrative embodiments, given as non-restrictive examples, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a process system according to an embodiment.

Figure 2 shows the process system in one operational mode. Figure 3 shows the process system in another operational mode.

Figure 4 shows the process system in another operational mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows a process system 100 according to an embodiment. The process system 100 is part of a petroleum production facility and comprises a process module 101 and a drainage system to facilitate draining of the process module 101 , for example prior to start-up or after shut-down. The process system 100 may be a subsea process system or a topside process system. A topside process system according to embodiments of the present disclosure may, for example, be suitable for so-called minimum-manned or unmanned platforms. The process system 101 may be remotely operated. The process module 101 may be, for example, a gas compressor, fluid processing assemblies, vessels, distribution manifolds, or another process system component which may require draining.

The process system 100 is connected to a production pipeline 102,103 which may, for example, carry a flow of multiphase fluids. An upstream part 102 of the production pipeline is connected to an inlet 105 of the process module 101 via an inlet pipe 104. An inlet isolation valve V-2 is operable to selectively close the inlet pipe 104 between the upstream part 102 and the inlet 105.

An outlet pipe 107 is arranged between an outlet 106 of the process module 101 and a downstream part 103 of the production pipeline. A discharge isolation valve V- 3 is arranged in the outlet pipe 107 and operable to selectively close the outlet pipe

107 between the outlet 106 and the downstream part 103. In operation, process fluids flowing through the upstream part 102 may be led to the inlet 105, flow through the process module 101 for processing (e.g., pressure boosting), and flow via the outlet 106 to the downstream part 103 and to, for example, a storage or another plant for further processing of the fluids.

A bypass 108 connects the upstream part 102 and the downstream part 103. The bypass 108 comprises a bypass isolation valve V-1 , arranged downstream the inlet pipe 104 and upstream the outlet pipe 107. When the bypass isolation valve V-1 is open, fluids may flow directly from the upstream part 102 to the downstream part 103 without entering the process module 101. This is the situation illustrated in Fig.

1 , wherein the bypass isolation valve V-1 is open and the inlet isolation valve V-2 and the discharge isolation valve V-3 are closed. The bypass 108 further comprises a flow restriction element DP-1 , the function of which will be described in further detail below. Not all embodiments may have the flow restriction element DP-1 as it may in some embodiments be omitted.

The process module 101 has a drainage outlet 110. The drainage outlet 110 is arranged to drain accumulated liquids from the process module 110, and may be connected to for example a drainage sump within the process module 110. A drainage line 111 leads from the drainage outlet 110 and is fluidly connected to the upstream part 102 via a drain-to-inlet valve V-5. In this embodiment, the drainage line 111 is connected to the inlet pipe 104 upstream of the inlet isolation valve V-2, however the drainage line 111 may also be connected directly to the upstream part 102 or to the bypass upstream the bypass isolation valve V-1.

The drainage line 111 is also fluidly connected to the downstream part 103 via a drain-to-discharge valve V-6. In this embodiment, the drainage line 111 is connected to the outlet pipe 107 downstream the discharge isolation valve V-3, however the drainage line 111 may also be connected directly to the downstream part 103 or to the bypass downstream the bypass isolation valve V-1.

In this embodiment, the drainage line 111 is T-shaped, as can be seen in Fig. 1 , and connects to both the upstream and downstream parts 102,103 via the respective valves, however two separate drainage lines may alternatively be used. A system drain valve V-4 is arranged upstream of the drain-to-inlet valve V-5 and drain-to- discharge valve V-6, however this is optional.

Certain embodiments, including that shown in Fig. 1 , may further include a pressurization conduit 115 having a pressurization-from-discharge valve V-7 arranged therein. In this embodiment, the pressurization conduit 115 extends from the outlet pipe 107 downstream the discharge isolation valve V-3 to the inlet pipe 104 downstream the inlet isolation valve V-2, however the pressurization conduit

115 may also extend from the bypass 108 downstream the bypass isolation valve V- 1 or from the downstream part, and may also extend directly to the inlet 105. The function of the pressurization conduit 115 is to provide selective fluid communication between the downstream part 103 and the inlet 105 as will be described in further detail below.

In Fig. 1 , the bypass isolation valve V-1 is in the open position, as is illustrated in the conventional manner with white fill color in the schematic valve symbol, while all the other valves are closed, as illustrated by a black fill color. In this operational setting, fluids from the upstream part 102 will flow through the (open) bypass isolation valve V-1 , through the flow restriction element DP-1 (if used), and out through the downstream part 103. The fluids will in this configuration not be processed by the process module 101. It may, for example, be that the process module 101 has recently been shut down or is about to be started up, and that draining of liquids from the process module 101 is required.

Fig. 2 illustrates one method of operating the process system 100 to achieve this. In Fig. 2, the pipeline 102,103 is producing a multiphase flow through the bypass isolation valve V-1. The flow restriction element DP-1 is configured to provide a design pressure drop across the flow restriction element DP-1 , such that the fluid pressure in the downstream part 103 is lower than the fluid pressure in the upstream part 102. The flow restriction element DP-1 may, for example, be a throttle element or another element operable to partially restrict fluid flow through the bypass 108. The restriction element DP-1 may be a passive restriction (such as a flow orifice) or an actively controllable element such as a control valve or controllable throttle.

Inlet isolation valve V-2 is open such as to pressurize the process module 101 with fluid from the upstream part 102 via the inlet 105. This fluid may be predominantly gas. The system drain valve V-4 and the drain valve V-6 are open. Due to the pressure differential, liquids in the process module 101 drain via the drainage line 111 to the downstream part 103 downstream the flow restriction element DP-1 , and drained liquid is removed. Consequently, the arrangement according to this embodiment achieves a flow pressure drop assisted draining of the process module 101.

Figure 3 illustrates another operational configuration. In this scenario, the process system 100 is shut down and there is no flow through the bypass isolation valve V-1. The fluid pressure in the upstream part 102, i.e. upstream of bypass isolation valve V-1 , is higher than in the downstream part 103. According to this embodiment, the pressure differential is utilized to assist draining of the process module 101 to the downstream part 103. Inlet isolation valve V-2 is open such as to provide fluid communication between the upstream side 102 and the inlet 105. The drain valve V- 4 and the drain-to-discharge valve V-6 are open. Fluid from the upstream part 102 may thereby displace drain liquids from the process module 101 , which drain to the downstream part 103. Such“suction pressure assisted” draining may thus be used in a scenario where the process system 100 is shut down and there is a pressure differential with a higher pressure on the upstream side than on the downstream side. Figure 4 illustrates another scenario, which is similar to the scenario illustrated in Fig. 3 but in this case with a pressure differential during a shut down state in which the pressure on the downstream side is higher than on the upstream side. This may be the case in practice due to external influence or because of the state of other elements in the overall installation and production facility.

In this scenario, the process system is shut down as in Fig. 3, and there is no flowing production through the bypass isolation valve V-1. The fluid pressure downstream the bypass isolation valve V-1 , i.e. on the downstream part 103, is higher than that in the upstream part 102. This pressure difference is utilized to drain the process module 101 to the upstream part 102. Pressurization-from-discharge valve V-7 is open such as to pressurize the inlet 105 of the process module 101 with fluid, preferably substantially pure gas, from the downstream part 103. The drain valve V-4 and the drain-to-inlet valve V-5 are open. Fluid from the downstream part 103 may thereby displace drain liquids from the process module 101 , which drain to the upstream part 102. Such“discharge pressure assisted” draining may thus be used in a scenario where the process system 100 is shut down and there is a pressure differential with a higher pressure on the downstream side than on the upstream side.

According to embodiments described herein, draining of process modules can be carried out without the aid from a pump or gravitational requirements, or to assist a pump or gravitational drainage system such as to obtain, for example, increased reliability or reduced design requirements for such pump or gravitational systems.

For example, by relaxing elevation requirements or drainage pump requirements, one may enable significant savings in weight and cost of the overall process system 100.

All operational methods may comprise first establishing that a pressure in one part of the system is higher than in another part of the system before carrying out the steps for draining the process module 101. (For example, in the embodiment described in relation to Fig. 4, establishing that the pressure in the downstream pipe 103 is higher than that in the upstream pipe 102.)

In any of the embodiments, the fluid provided to the inlet 105 may be substantially pure gas, a wet gas, or a multiphase fluid comprising liquids and gas. The fluid drained through drainage outlet 110 will normally be predominantly a liquid, but can be a liquid with gas fractions and/or a multiphase fluid. The fluid provided to the inlet 105 for driving the drainage process may be obtained from the production pipeline 102,103 in various ways, depending on the circumstances and operational conditions. If the production pipeline 102,103 handles mainly gas, a gas or gas-rich fluid for this purpose can be retrieved directly from the pipeline 102,103. If the production pipeline 102,103 handles multiphase fluids, a gas or a gas-rich fluid may be obtained e.g. by elevated placement of the take-off point in the pipeline 102,103. If necessary, a separator unit may be arranged in relation to this fluid to ensure a high gas fraction of the fluid used for draining. Alternatively, if the process system 100 and/or the process module 101 is being prepared for a period of non-use (for example, for maintenance or where the module

101 or system 100 is periodically not required to operate), the fluid provided may be an inert gas, such as nitrogen. The inert gas may be provided via the upstream part

102 or the downstream pipe 103. In this way, purging or flushing of the process module 101 may be carried out with an inert gas suppled from a downstream side of the production pipeline 102,103 (cf. Fig. 4 and the associated description above) or with an inert gas supplied from an upstream side of the production pipeline 102,103 (cf. Fig. 3).

The different operational configurations and the elements described in relation to Figs 1-4 may be applied individually, if the operating requirements so dictate. For example, if pressure drop assisted draining is not necessary (or not practicable) in a given application, the flow restriction element DP-1 may be omitted. Similarly, if discharge pressure assisted draining is not required, the pressurization conduit 115 may be omitted. An implementation of embodiments according to the invention may therefore not necessarily comprise all the features or elements shown in the figures to achieve the desired technical effects. The invention is consequently not limited by the embodiments described above; reference should be had to the appended claims.