US 11,674,355 B2
System and method for forced circulation of fluids through the annulus of a flexible pipe
Marcos Carpigiani De Almeida, Rio de Janeiro (BR); George Carneiro Campello, Rio de Janeiro (BR); Jonatas Ribeiro, Rio de Janeiro (BR); Rafael Guimarães De Mello Sobreira, Rio de Janeiro (BR); Walter Carrara Loureiro Junior, Rio de Janeiro (BR); and Marcelo Torres Piza Paes, Rio de Janeiro (BR)
Assigned to PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S.A.—PETROBRAS, Rio de Janeiro (BR)
Appl. No. 16/618,731
Filed by PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S.A.-PETROBRAS, Rio de Janeiro (BR)
PCT Filed May 30, 2018, PCT No. PCT/GB2018/051463
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Dec. 2, 2019,
PCT Pub. No. WO2018/220361, PCT Pub. Date Dec. 6, 2018.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2017 011384-1 (BR), filed on May 30, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2020/0165878 A1, May 28, 2020
Int. Cl. E21B 17/01 (2006.01); E21B 43/01 (2006.01); E21B 19/00 (2006.01); F16L 1/24 (2006.01); F16L 11/08 (2006.01); F16L 11/12 (2006.01)
CPC E21B 17/015 (2013.01) [E21B 43/01 (2013.01); E21B 17/012 (2013.01); E21B 19/004 (2013.01); F16L 1/24 (2013.01); F16L 11/083 (2013.01); F16L 11/12 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
15. A method of detecting a leak in an annulus between an inner barrier and an outer cover of a pipe, the pipe being subdivided into at least two segments joined together by means of at least one connector, wherein the method detects the segment of the pipe in which the leak is present, and wherein each segment is provided with injector and return pipes for forced circulation of a circulating fluid through the annulus of the segment, the method comprising the steps of:
for each segment, changing the pressure within the annulus utilizing the injector and return pipes by adjusting a flow of the circulating fluid, the circulating fluid being a fluid different from a fluid flowing within the inner barrier of the pipe; and
monitoring the response to the pressure change in each segment and determining if the response is indicative of a leak.