US20160215476A1 - Apparatus and method for deploying an object to a sea floor - Google Patents
Apparatus and method for deploying an object to a sea floor Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20160215476A1 US20160215476A1 US14/916,563 US201414916563A US2016215476A1 US 20160215476 A1 US20160215476 A1 US 20160215476A1 US 201414916563 A US201414916563 A US 201414916563A US 2016215476 A1 US2016215476 A1 US 2016215476A1
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- Prior art keywords
- sea floor
- location
- buoyant
- tank
- transport
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 12
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 14
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000009412 basement excavation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 2
- PEDCQBHIVMGVHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Glycerine Chemical compound OCC(O)CO PEDCQBHIVMGVHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
- E02F9/00—Component parts of dredgers or soil-shifting machines, not restricted to one of the kinds covered by groups E02F3/00 - E02F7/00
- E02F9/003—Devices for transporting the soil-shifting machines or excavators, e.g. by pushing them or by hitching them to a tractor
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63G—OFFENSIVE OR DEFENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS ON VESSELS; MINE-LAYING; MINE-SWEEPING; SUBMARINES; AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
- B63G8/00—Underwater vessels, e.g. submarines; Equipment specially adapted therefor
- B63G8/001—Underwater vessels adapted for special purposes, e.g. unmanned underwater vessels; Equipment specially adapted therefor, e.g. docking stations
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
- E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
- E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
- E02F3/88—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with arrangements acting by a sucking or forcing effect, e.g. suction dredgers
- E02F3/90—Component parts, e.g. arrangement or adaptation of pumps
- E02F3/92—Digging elements, e.g. suction heads
- E02F3/9212—Mechanical digging means, e.g. suction wheels, i.e. wheel with a suction inlet attached behind the wheel
- E02F3/9225—Mechanical digging means, e.g. suction wheels, i.e. wheel with a suction inlet attached behind the wheel with rotating cutting elements
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
- E02F5/00—Dredgers or soil-shifting machines for special purposes
- E02F5/02—Dredgers or soil-shifting machines for special purposes for digging trenches or ditches
- E02F5/10—Dredgers or soil-shifting machines for special purposes for digging trenches or ditches with arrangements for reinforcing trenches or ditches; with arrangements for making or assembling conduits or for laying conduits or cables
- E02F5/104—Dredgers or soil-shifting machines for special purposes for digging trenches or ditches with arrangements for reinforcing trenches or ditches; with arrangements for making or assembling conduits or for laying conduits or cables for burying conduits or cables in trenches under water
- E02F5/109—Dredgers or soil-shifting machines for special purposes for digging trenches or ditches with arrangements for reinforcing trenches or ditches; with arrangements for making or assembling conduits or for laying conduits or cables for burying conduits or cables in trenches under water using rotating digging elements
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B15/00—Supports for the drilling machine, e.g. derricks or masts
- E21B15/02—Supports for the drilling machine, e.g. derricks or masts specially adapted for underwater drilling
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B19/00—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
- E21B19/002—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables specially adapted for underwater drilling
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B41/00—Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00
- E21B41/0007—Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00 for underwater installations
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B41/00—Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00
- E21B41/04—Manipulators for underwater operations, e.g. temporarily connected to well heads
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L1/00—Laying or reclaiming pipes; Repairing or joining pipes on or under water
- F16L1/12—Laying or reclaiming pipes on or under water
- F16L1/16—Laying or reclaiming pipes on or under water on the bottom
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L1/00—Laying or reclaiming pipes; Repairing or joining pipes on or under water
- F16L1/12—Laying or reclaiming pipes on or under water
- F16L1/16—Laying or reclaiming pipes on or under water on the bottom
- F16L1/168—Laying or reclaiming pipes on or under water on the bottom under ice
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
- H02G1/00—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines
- H02G1/06—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines for laying cables, e.g. laying apparatus on vehicle
- H02G1/10—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines for laying cables, e.g. laying apparatus on vehicle in or under water
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B2211/00—Applications
- B63B2211/06—Operation in ice-infested waters
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63G—OFFENSIVE OR DEFENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS ON VESSELS; MINE-LAYING; MINE-SWEEPING; SUBMARINES; AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
- B63G8/00—Underwater vessels, e.g. submarines; Equipment specially adapted therefor
- B63G8/001—Underwater vessels adapted for special purposes, e.g. unmanned underwater vessels; Equipment specially adapted therefor, e.g. docking stations
- B63G2008/002—Underwater vessels adapted for special purposes, e.g. unmanned underwater vessels; Equipment specially adapted therefor, e.g. docking stations unmanned
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for deploying an object to a sea floor, and relates particularly, but not exclusively, to an apparatus and method for deploying an implement or structure to a sea floor from a vessel through sea ice.
- U.S. Pat. No. 3,633,530 discloses a submarine working vehicle having floating tanks which can be filled with air by means of an air supply conduit connected to a surface vessel.
- this arrangement suffers from the drawbacks that it can only work effectively on even or smooth seabed surfaces, and the size of the working vehicle that can be deployed from a given size of surface vessel is severely limited.
- Preferred embodiments of the present invention seek to overcome one or more of the above disadvantages of the prior art.
- an apparatus for deploying an object to a sea floor comprising:—
- attachment means mounted to the body for releasably attaching an object to the apparatus
- thrust generating means mounted to the body for providing thrust to transport the apparatus having an object attached thereto;
- buoyant means mounted to said body and having adjustable buoyancy
- buoyant means comprises at least one tank adapted to be filled with air and/or gas by means of a conduit connected to a vessel located at the sea surface.
- this provides the advantage of enabling the apparatus with an object releasably attached thereto to be transported from a vessel to a first location on the seabed by means of a cable, and then to a second location on the seabed by means of the thrust generating means subsequently to increasing the buoyancy of the combined apparatus and object by increasing the buoyancy of the buoyant means.
- This in turn provides the advantage of enabling objects to be deployed to subsea locations laterally further from the location of a vessel than is presently possible, thereby enabling deployment to a wider range of locations.
- Providing at least one tank adapted to be filled with air and/or gas by means of a conduit connected to a vessel located at the sea surface provides the further advantage of enabling a larger upthrust to be generated than is possible for an apparatus having on-board air tanks, thereby enabling larger objects to be manipulated.
- the apparatus may further comprise at least one conduit adapted to be releasably connected to at least one said tank for filling said tank with air and/or gas from a vessel located at the sea surface.
- the apparatus may further comprise release means for releasing at least one said conduit from the corresponding said tank.
- the buoyant means may comprise at least one buoyant member adapted to be moved between a respective first position, for transport from a vessel to said first location, and a second position, for transport from said first location to a second location on the sea floor.
- This provides the advantage of enabling the lateral dimensions of the apparatus to be minimised while passing through an aperture on the vessel, thereby maximising the size and payload of the apparatus that can be used for a given vessel aperture size.
- the advantage is also provided of enabling the buoyant members to be located in respective lower positions before the buoyancy is increased, and at respective higher positions subsequently to the buoyancy being increased, thereby contributing to stability of the apparatus during deployment.
- At least one said buoyant member may be pivotable between said first and second positions.
- an apparatus for deploying an object to a sea floor comprising:—
- attachment means mounted to the body for releasably attaching an object to the apparatus
- thrust generating means mounted to the body for providing thrust to transport the apparatus having an object attached thereto;
- buoyant means mounted to said body and having adjustable buoyancy, wherein the buoyant means comprises at least one buoyant member adapted to be moved between a respective first position, for transport from a vessel to said first location, and a second position, for transport from said first location to a second location on the sea floor.
- this provides the advantage of enabling the lateral dimensions of the apparatus to be minimised while passing through an aperture on the vessel, thereby maximising the size and payload of the apparatus that can be used for a given vessel aperture size.
- the advantage is also provided of enabling the buoyant members to be located in respective lower positions before the buoyancy is increased, and at respective higher positions subsequently to the buoyancy being increased, thereby contributing to stability of the apparatus during deployment.
- At least one said buoyant member may be pivotable between said first and second positions.
- the buoyant means may comprise at least one tank adapted to be filled with air and/or gas.
- At least one said tank may be adapted to be filled with air and/or gas by means of a conduit connected to a vessel located at the sea surface.
- the apparatus may further comprise at least one conduit adapted to be releasably connected to at least one said tank for filling said tank with air and/or gas from a vessel located at the sea surface.
- the apparatus may further comprise release means for releasing at least one said conduit from the corresponding said tank.
- the apparatus may further comprise power supply means for operating at least one implement releasably mountable to said attachment means.
- the power supply means may comprise at least one hydraulic power unit.
- the apparatus may be adapted such that the centre of mass of the vehicle with an implement mounted thereto when suspended in air is at a different location from the centre of buoyancy of the vehicle with an implement mounted thereto when suspended in water.
- This provides the advantage of enabling the apparatus to be used to deploy an implement such as a blow out preventer for sealing an oil or gas well while enabling an umbilical deploying the apparatus to avoid damage from harmful products being emitted from the well.
- This in turn provides the advantage of enabling the apparatus to be used for this purpose in shallow water, while enabling the surface vessel operating the apparatus to be laterally separate from the well.
- the power supply means may be arranged adjacent an edge of the apparatus.
- This provides the advantage of simplifying construction of the apparatus by enabling the weight of the power supply means to be balanced by the weight of the buoyant means.
- the apparatus may further comprise at least one aperture for enabling flowing material to pass therethrough.
- This provides the advantage of assisting operation of the apparatus in deploying a blow out preventer.
- the apparatus may further comprise at least one implement adapted to be releasably attached to said attachment means.
- the implement may comprise sea floor removal means and/or locating means for locating at least one elongate object in a trench.
- the implement may comprise sealing means for sealing an oil and/or gas well.
- a method of deploying an object to a sea floor comprising:—
- the method may further comprise deploying said apparatus and object to said first location through an aperture in a vessel located in sea ice.
- the method may further comprise deploying said object to the sea floor at said second location by generating downward force on the apparatus by means of said thrust generating means.
- This provides the advantage of assisting in locating the object.
- the step of increasing said buoyancy may comprise filling at least part of said buoyant means with air and/or gas.
- an apparatus for displacing material from a sea floor comprising:
- thrust generating means mounted to the body for providing thrust to transport the apparatus
- displacement means for generating a flow of water to the sea floor to displace material therefrom.
- this provides the advantage of enabling a displacement apparatus such as an excavator to be used independently of a surface vessel, thereby enabling access to previously inaccessible locations.
- the thrust generating means may be adapted to provide thrust having a vertical component.
- This provides the advantage of enabling a downward thrust to be generated by the apparatus, to counteract an upward thrust generated by the displacement means, thereby enabling a displacement means of higher power to be used.
- the displacement means may comprise at least one fan.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a known deployment apparatus
- FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a first jetting apparatus in a transport condition thereof for use with the apparatus of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first chain cutting apparatus in a transport condition thereof for use with the apparatus of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 4 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 3 in a deployed condition thereof and mounted to the deployment apparatus of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 5 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 2 in a deployed condition thereof and mounted to the deployment apparatus of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an excavator apparatus of a first embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 7 is a front view of a second chain cutter apparatus mounted to the deployment apparatus of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the chain cutter and deployment apparatus of FIG. 7 ;
- FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a drilling apparatus mounted to the deployment apparatus of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 10 is a side view of the drilling apparatus and deployment apparatus of FIG. 9 ;
- FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a rotary cutter mounted to the deployment apparatus of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a digger head for replacing the rotary cutter of FIG. 11 ;
- FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a drill for replacing the rotary cutter of FIG. 11 ;
- FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a well construction skid mounted to a deployment apparatus embodying the present invention.
- FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a well construction component mounted to the deployment apparatus of FIG. 14 ;
- FIG. 16 is a plan view of a deployment apparatus of a further embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 17 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 16 ;
- FIG. 18 is an end view of the apparatus of FIG. 16 ;
- FIG. 19 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 17 being lowered from a surface vessel.
- FIG. 20 is an end view of the apparatus of FIG. 18 being lowered from a surface vessel.
- a known deployment apparatus 2 forming part of an undersea remotely operated vehicle has a body 4 having an attachment point 6 for a lifting cable 8 , and an attachment part 14 for enabling releasable attachment of an object or implement such as a jetting vehicle 16 ( FIG. 2 ) to the attachment part 14 for enabling releasable attachment of an implement to the deployment apparatus 2 , as well as vertical thrusters 18 and horizontal thrusters 20 arranged at respective corners of the body 4 for moving the apparatus 2 between the first and second locations.
- ROV remotely operated vehicle
- FIGS. 14 and 15 show a deployment apparatus 2 embodying the present invention.
- the deployment apparatus 2 has a body 4 having an attachment point 6 ( FIG. 15 ) for a lifting cable 8 and a pair of buoyant members in the form of inflatable tanks 10 , 12 pivotably attached to the body 4 and moveable between a first position, for transporting the apparatus 2 from a surface vessel (not shown) to a first location on the sea bed, as shown in FIG. 14 , and a second position, for transporting from the first location to a second location on the sea bed, as shown in FIG. 15 .
- the deployment apparatus 2 is also provided with an attachment part 14 for enabling releasable attachment of an object or implement such as a jetting vehicle 16 ( FIG. 2 ) to the attachment part 14 for enabling releasable attachment of an implement to the deployment apparatus 2 , as well as vertical thrusters 18 and horizontal thrusters 20 arranged at respective corners of the body 4 for moving the apparatus 2 between the first and second locations.
- tracked jetting vehicle 16 for releasable attachment to the deployment apparatus 2 of FIG. 1 or 14 has a body 22 having a connector (not shown) for connection to a hydraulic power unit (not shown) provided in the deployment apparatus 2 .
- a jetting device 24 is moveable between a transport position ( FIG. 2 ) and a deployment position ( FIG. 5 ) for removing debris from a trench to enable location of a cable or pipeline (not shown) into the trench, and a pair of tracks 26 for moving the jetting device 24 along the trench.
- a first chain cutting apparatus 28 for locating a cable (not shown) in a trench has a body 30 having an attachment part for removable attachment to the deployment apparatus 2 of FIG. 1 or 14 , and an attachment (not shown) for connection to the hydraulic power unit of the deployment apparatus 2 .
- a chain cutter 32 is mounted to the body 30 and is pivotably moveable between a transport position ( FIG. 3 ) and a cutting position ( FIG. 4 ) for cutting a trench.
- a cable guide 34 is pivotably mounted to the body 30 and is moveable between a transport position ( FIG. 3 ) and a deployment position ( FIG. 4 ) in which it guides a cable into a trench cut by the chain cutter 32 .
- the chain cutter is advanced along the seabed by means of tracks 36 to cut the trench.
- FIG. 6 shows a remotely operable excavator apparatus 39 embodying the present invention.
- the apparatus 39 has a body 40 removably mounted to the deployment apparatus 2 of FIG. 1 or 14 and a mass flow excavation unit 42 for removing debris from a trench cut by the chain cutting apparatus 28 of FIGS. 3 and 4 mounted to the body 40 .
- the body 40 has skids 41 for location on the sides of the trench.
- the excavation unit 42 has a pair of fans 43 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 6 ), each of the fans 43 being arranged in a respective water inlet 45 .
- the fans 43 cause water to be drawn into the inlets 45 and eject a high pressure stream of water from outlet 47 to displace debris from the trench.
- FIGS. 7 and 8 show a second chain cutting apparatus 44 mounted to the deployment apparatus 2 of FIG. 1 or 14 and having a body 46 supporting a pair of trench cutters 48 for cutting a trench on opposite sides of a pipeline 50 which is subsequently laid into the trench.
- the trench cutters 48 are propelled along the trench by means of tracks 52 .
- FIGS. 9 and 10 show a drilling apparatus 54 having a coring drill base 56 to enable core samples to be taken from the seabed.
- the drilling apparatus 54 is mounted to the deployment apparatus 2 of FIG. 1 or 14 and comprises a body 58 supporting the drill base 56 .
- a rotary cutter apparatus 58 has a body 60 removably connectable to the deployment apparatus 2 of FIG. 1 or 14 and a manipulator arm 62 connected to the body 60 .
- Rotary cutter heads 64 are mounted to a distal end of the manipulator arm 62 , and a suction tube 66 is provided for removal of debris produced by the cutter heads 64 .
- the rotary cutter heads 64 can be replaced by an excavator arm 68 cooperating with a suction tube 70 as shown in FIG. 12 or a digger head 72 as shown in FIG. 13 .
- a well construction skid 74 for use in construction of well heads has a body 76 supporting a well connector 78 , the body being 76 removably attachable to the deployment apparatus 2 .
- the well construction skid 74 is attached to the deployment apparatus 2 with the buoyant members 10 , 12 in their respective transport positions.
- the deployment apparatus 2 with the well construction skid 74 mounted thereto is lowered by means of a cable 8 attached to cable attachment point 6 ( FIG. 15 ) through an aperture known as a moon pool in an icebreaking vessel, and lowered to a first location on the seabed.
- the buoyant members 10 , 12 When the apparatus 2 reaches its first location, the buoyant members 10 , 12 are then pivoted about their pivot axes by means of a motor or remotely operated vehicle (not shown) to their working positions ( FIG. 15 ) and an air hose (not shown) is connected by means of the remotely operated vehicle to each buoyant member 10 , 12 to enable the tanks to be filled with air to increase the buoyancy of the apparatus 2 .
- an air hose can be connected to each buoyant member 10 , 12 at the surface, so that the buoyant members 10 , 12 can be filled with air as the apparatus 2 is being lowered to the first location on the sea bed.
- the air hoses can then be released from the buoyant members 10 , 12 by means of release means such as hydraulic cylinders on the apparatus 2 , thereby avoiding the need for a remotely operated vehicle.
- the deployment cable 8 is then disconnected, and the apparatus 2 with the well construction skid 74 is moved to its second location on the seabed.
- the well construction skid 72 is then brought into contact with the seabed by means of the vertical thrusters 18 and the well construction skid 74 is secured to the seabed by means of a remotely operated vehicle.
- the apparatus 2 is detached from the well construction skid and returned to the vessel for re-use.
- FIG. 15 shows a further well construction component 78 to be secured to the seabed by means of the deployment apparatus 2 and a solid buoyancy member 80 provided on the component 78 .
- the solid buoyancy member 80 assists in manipulation of the component 78 and apparatus 2 to the second location, and is left in place in the component 78 when the component is secured to the second location.
- a deployment apparatus 80 of a second embodiment of the invention has a body 82 having an open framework having an upper part defining a lift point 84 for an umbilical (not shown) for lifting the deployment apparatus 80 with a blow-out preventer (not shown), for sealing an oil or gas well, mounted to an underside thereof.
- the deployment apparatus 80 is lifted from the deck of a surface vessel by means of a hydraulic A-frame 86 supporting the apparatus.
- a hydraulic power unit 88 and other electrical equipment is located adjacent an edge region 90 of the frame, and air tanks 92 , 94 of the apparatus 80 protrude beyond the edge 96 of the frame opposite to the edge 90 at which the hydraulic power unit 88 and electrical equipment is located to compensate for the increased weight on that side of the body.
- the centre of mass 98 of the apparatus 80 with a blow-out preventer (not shown) mounted thereto is at a location to one side of a central aperture 100 defined in the frame, and the centre of buoyancy 102 of the apparatus 80 when submerged is at the centre of the central aperture 100 .
- the blow-out preventer (BOP) is supported at a pair of BOP lift points 104 , 106 on opposite sides of the central aperture 100 so that the centre of buoyancy 102 is generally midway between the two BOP lift points 104 , 106 .
- BOP blow-out preventer
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- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
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- Earth Drilling (AREA)
Abstract
A deployment apparatus for deploying an object to a sea floor is disclosed. The deployment apparatus comprises a body and an attachment part mounted to the body for releasably attaching an object to the apparatus. Thrusters provide thrust to transport the apparatus having an object attached thereto, and inflatable tanks mounted to the body have adjustable buoyancy.
Description
- The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for deploying an object to a sea floor, and relates particularly, but not exclusively, to an apparatus and method for deploying an implement or structure to a sea floor from a vessel through sea ice.
- It is known to deploy structures or implements to the seabed through sea ice, for example in Arctic regions, by connecting guide wires extending from an aperture in a deck of an icebreaker vessel to the seabed, and then guiding the structure or implement into position along the guide wires. However, this arrangement suffers from the drawback that the location of the structure or implement on the seabed can only be within a limited lateral distance of the region of the seabed directly below the vessel. This in turn limits the range of applications in which the structure or implement can be used.
- U.S. Pat. No. 3,633,530 discloses a submarine working vehicle having floating tanks which can be filled with air by means of an air supply conduit connected to a surface vessel. However, this arrangement suffers from the drawbacks that it can only work effectively on even or smooth seabed surfaces, and the size of the working vehicle that can be deployed from a given size of surface vessel is severely limited.
- Preferred embodiments of the present invention seek to overcome one or more of the above disadvantages of the prior art.
- According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for deploying an object to a sea floor, the apparatus comprising:—
- a body;
- attachment means mounted to the body for releasably attaching an object to the apparatus;
- thrust generating means mounted to the body for providing thrust to transport the apparatus having an object attached thereto; and
- buoyant means mounted to said body and having adjustable buoyancy;
- wherein the buoyant means comprises at least one tank adapted to be filled with air and/or gas by means of a conduit connected to a vessel located at the sea surface.
- By providing thrust generating means for providing thrust to transport the apparatus having an object attached thereto, and buoyant means having adjustable buoyancy, this provides the advantage of enabling the apparatus with an object releasably attached thereto to be transported from a vessel to a first location on the seabed by means of a cable, and then to a second location on the seabed by means of the thrust generating means subsequently to increasing the buoyancy of the combined apparatus and object by increasing the buoyancy of the buoyant means. This in turn provides the advantage of enabling objects to be deployed to subsea locations laterally further from the location of a vessel than is presently possible, thereby enabling deployment to a wider range of locations. Providing at least one tank adapted to be filled with air and/or gas by means of a conduit connected to a vessel located at the sea surface provides the further advantage of enabling a larger upthrust to be generated than is possible for an apparatus having on-board air tanks, thereby enabling larger objects to be manipulated.
- The apparatus may further comprise at least one conduit adapted to be releasably connected to at least one said tank for filling said tank with air and/or gas from a vessel located at the sea surface.
- The apparatus may further comprise release means for releasing at least one said conduit from the corresponding said tank.
- This provides the advantage of avoiding the need for a remotely operated vehicle for releasing the conduit.
- The buoyant means may comprise at least one buoyant member adapted to be moved between a respective first position, for transport from a vessel to said first location, and a second position, for transport from said first location to a second location on the sea floor.
- This provides the advantage of enabling the lateral dimensions of the apparatus to be minimised while passing through an aperture on the vessel, thereby maximising the size and payload of the apparatus that can be used for a given vessel aperture size. The advantage is also provided of enabling the buoyant members to be located in respective lower positions before the buoyancy is increased, and at respective higher positions subsequently to the buoyancy being increased, thereby contributing to stability of the apparatus during deployment.
- At least one said buoyant member may be pivotable between said first and second positions.
- According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for deploying an object to a sea floor, the apparatus comprising:—
- a body;
- attachment means mounted to the body for releasably attaching an object to the apparatus;
- thrust generating means mounted to the body for providing thrust to transport the apparatus having an object attached thereto; and
- buoyant means mounted to said body and having adjustable buoyancy, wherein the buoyant means comprises at least one buoyant member adapted to be moved between a respective first position, for transport from a vessel to said first location, and a second position, for transport from said first location to a second location on the sea floor.
- By providing at least one buoyant member adapted to be moved between a respective first position, for transport from a vessel to said first location, and a second position, for transport from said first location to a second location on the sea floor, this provides the advantage of enabling the lateral dimensions of the apparatus to be minimised while passing through an aperture on the vessel, thereby maximising the size and payload of the apparatus that can be used for a given vessel aperture size. The advantage is also provided of enabling the buoyant members to be located in respective lower positions before the buoyancy is increased, and at respective higher positions subsequently to the buoyancy being increased, thereby contributing to stability of the apparatus during deployment.
- At least one said buoyant member may be pivotable between said first and second positions.
- The buoyant means may comprise at least one tank adapted to be filled with air and/or gas.
- At least one said tank may be adapted to be filled with air and/or gas by means of a conduit connected to a vessel located at the sea surface.
- The apparatus may further comprise at least one conduit adapted to be releasably connected to at least one said tank for filling said tank with air and/or gas from a vessel located at the sea surface.
- The apparatus may further comprise release means for releasing at least one said conduit from the corresponding said tank.
- The apparatus may further comprise power supply means for operating at least one implement releasably mountable to said attachment means.
- The power supply means may comprise at least one hydraulic power unit.
- The apparatus may be adapted such that the centre of mass of the vehicle with an implement mounted thereto when suspended in air is at a different location from the centre of buoyancy of the vehicle with an implement mounted thereto when suspended in water.
- This provides the advantage of enabling the apparatus to be used to deploy an implement such as a blow out preventer for sealing an oil or gas well while enabling an umbilical deploying the apparatus to avoid damage from harmful products being emitted from the well. This in turn provides the advantage of enabling the apparatus to be used for this purpose in shallow water, while enabling the surface vessel operating the apparatus to be laterally separate from the well.
- The power supply means may be arranged adjacent an edge of the apparatus.
- This provides the advantage of simplifying construction of the apparatus by enabling the weight of the power supply means to be balanced by the weight of the buoyant means.
- The apparatus may further comprise at least one aperture for enabling flowing material to pass therethrough.
- This provides the advantage of assisting operation of the apparatus in deploying a blow out preventer.
- The apparatus may further comprise at least one implement adapted to be releasably attached to said attachment means.
- The implement may comprise sea floor removal means and/or locating means for locating at least one elongate object in a trench.
- The implement may comprise sealing means for sealing an oil and/or gas well.
- According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of deploying an object to a sea floor, the method comprising:—
- attaching an object to attachment means of an apparatus as defined above;
- deploying the apparatus and object by means of a cable from a vessel to a first location on a sea floor;
- increasing buoyancy of said buoyant means; and
- moving the object to a second location on the sea floor by means of said thrust generating means.
- The method may further comprise deploying said apparatus and object to said first location through an aperture in a vessel located in sea ice.
- The method may further comprise deploying said object to the sea floor at said second location by generating downward force on the apparatus by means of said thrust generating means.
- This provides the advantage of assisting in locating the object.
- The step of increasing said buoyancy may comprise filling at least part of said buoyant means with air and/or gas.
- According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for displacing material from a sea floor, the apparatus comprising:
- a body:
- thrust generating means mounted to the body for providing thrust to transport the apparatus; and
- displacement means for generating a flow of water to the sea floor to displace material therefrom.
- By providing thrust generating means mounted to the body for providing thrust to transport the apparatus, this provides the advantage of enabling a displacement apparatus such as an excavator to be used independently of a surface vessel, thereby enabling access to previously inaccessible locations.
- The thrust generating means may be adapted to provide thrust having a vertical component.
- This provides the advantage of enabling a downward thrust to be generated by the apparatus, to counteract an upward thrust generated by the displacement means, thereby enabling a displacement means of higher power to be used.
- The displacement means may comprise at least one fan.
- Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, and not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:—
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a known deployment apparatus; -
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a first jetting apparatus in a transport condition thereof for use with the apparatus ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first chain cutting apparatus in a transport condition thereof for use with the apparatus ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 4 is a side view of the apparatus ofFIG. 3 in a deployed condition thereof and mounted to the deployment apparatus ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 5 is a side view of the apparatus ofFIG. 2 in a deployed condition thereof and mounted to the deployment apparatus ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an excavator apparatus of a first embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 7 is a front view of a second chain cutter apparatus mounted to the deployment apparatus ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the chain cutter and deployment apparatus ofFIG. 7 ; -
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a drilling apparatus mounted to the deployment apparatus ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 10 is a side view of the drilling apparatus and deployment apparatus ofFIG. 9 ; -
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a rotary cutter mounted to the deployment apparatus ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a digger head for replacing the rotary cutter ofFIG. 11 ; -
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a drill for replacing the rotary cutter ofFIG. 11 ; -
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a well construction skid mounted to a deployment apparatus embodying the present invention; -
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a well construction component mounted to the deployment apparatus ofFIG. 14 ; -
FIG. 16 is a plan view of a deployment apparatus of a further embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 17 is a side view of the apparatus ofFIG. 16 ; -
FIG. 18 is an end view of the apparatus ofFIG. 16 ; -
FIG. 19 is a side view of the apparatus ofFIG. 17 being lowered from a surface vessel; and -
FIG. 20 is an end view of the apparatus ofFIG. 18 being lowered from a surface vessel. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , a knowndeployment apparatus 2 forming part of an undersea remotely operated vehicle (ROV) has abody 4 having anattachment point 6 for a liftingcable 8, and anattachment part 14 for enabling releasable attachment of an object or implement such as a jetting vehicle 16 (FIG. 2 ) to theattachment part 14 for enabling releasable attachment of an implement to thedeployment apparatus 2, as well asvertical thrusters 18 andhorizontal thrusters 20 arranged at respective corners of thebody 4 for moving theapparatus 2 between the first and second locations. -
FIGS. 14 and 15 show adeployment apparatus 2 embodying the present invention. Thedeployment apparatus 2 has abody 4 having an attachment point 6 (FIG. 15 ) for a liftingcable 8 and a pair of buoyant members in the form ofinflatable tanks body 4 and moveable between a first position, for transporting theapparatus 2 from a surface vessel (not shown) to a first location on the sea bed, as shown inFIG. 14 , and a second position, for transporting from the first location to a second location on the sea bed, as shown inFIG. 15 . Thedeployment apparatus 2 is also provided with anattachment part 14 for enabling releasable attachment of an object or implement such as a jetting vehicle 16 (FIG. 2 ) to theattachment part 14 for enabling releasable attachment of an implement to thedeployment apparatus 2, as well asvertical thrusters 18 andhorizontal thrusters 20 arranged at respective corners of thebody 4 for moving theapparatus 2 between the first and second locations. - Referring to
FIGS. 2 and 5 , tracked jettingvehicle 16 for releasable attachment to thedeployment apparatus 2 ofFIG. 1 or 14 has abody 22 having a connector (not shown) for connection to a hydraulic power unit (not shown) provided in thedeployment apparatus 2. A jettingdevice 24 is moveable between a transport position (FIG. 2 ) and a deployment position (FIG. 5 ) for removing debris from a trench to enable location of a cable or pipeline (not shown) into the trench, and a pair oftracks 26 for moving the jettingdevice 24 along the trench. - Referring now to
FIGS. 3 and 4 , a firstchain cutting apparatus 28 for locating a cable (not shown) in a trench has abody 30 having an attachment part for removable attachment to thedeployment apparatus 2 ofFIG. 1 or 14 , and an attachment (not shown) for connection to the hydraulic power unit of thedeployment apparatus 2. Achain cutter 32 is mounted to thebody 30 and is pivotably moveable between a transport position (FIG. 3 ) and a cutting position (FIG. 4 ) for cutting a trench. Acable guide 34 is pivotably mounted to thebody 30 and is moveable between a transport position (FIG. 3 ) and a deployment position (FIG. 4 ) in which it guides a cable into a trench cut by thechain cutter 32. The chain cutter is advanced along the seabed by means oftracks 36 to cut the trench. -
FIG. 6 shows a remotelyoperable excavator apparatus 39 embodying the present invention. Theapparatus 39 has abody 40 removably mounted to thedeployment apparatus 2 ofFIG. 1 or 14 and a massflow excavation unit 42 for removing debris from a trench cut by thechain cutting apparatus 28 ofFIGS. 3 and 4 mounted to thebody 40. Thebody 40 hasskids 41 for location on the sides of the trench. Theexcavation unit 42 has a pair of fans 43 (only one of which is shown inFIG. 6 ), each of thefans 43 being arranged in arespective water inlet 45. Thefans 43 cause water to be drawn into theinlets 45 and eject a high pressure stream of water fromoutlet 47 to displace debris from the trench. -
FIGS. 7 and 8 show a secondchain cutting apparatus 44 mounted to thedeployment apparatus 2 ofFIG. 1 or 14 and having abody 46 supporting a pair oftrench cutters 48 for cutting a trench on opposite sides of apipeline 50 which is subsequently laid into the trench. Thetrench cutters 48 are propelled along the trench by means oftracks 52. -
FIGS. 9 and 10 show adrilling apparatus 54 having acoring drill base 56 to enable core samples to be taken from the seabed. Thedrilling apparatus 54 is mounted to thedeployment apparatus 2 ofFIG. 1 or 14 and comprises abody 58 supporting thedrill base 56. - Referring to
FIG. 11 arotary cutter apparatus 58 has abody 60 removably connectable to thedeployment apparatus 2 ofFIG. 1 or 14 and amanipulator arm 62 connected to thebody 60. Rotary cutter heads 64 are mounted to a distal end of themanipulator arm 62, and asuction tube 66 is provided for removal of debris produced by the cutter heads 64. The rotary cutter heads 64 can be replaced by anexcavator arm 68 cooperating with asuction tube 70 as shown inFIG. 12 or adigger head 72 as shown inFIG. 13 . - Referring to
FIG. 14 , awell construction skid 74 for use in construction of well heads has abody 76 supporting awell connector 78, the body being 76 removably attachable to thedeployment apparatus 2. In order to mount thewell construction skid 74 to the seabed, thewell construction skid 74 is attached to thedeployment apparatus 2 with thebuoyant members deployment apparatus 2 with thewell construction skid 74 mounted thereto is lowered by means of acable 8 attached to cable attachment point 6 (FIG. 15 ) through an aperture known as a moon pool in an icebreaking vessel, and lowered to a first location on the seabed. When theapparatus 2 reaches its first location, thebuoyant members FIG. 15 ) and an air hose (not shown) is connected by means of the remotely operated vehicle to eachbuoyant member apparatus 2. Alternatively, an air hose can be connected to eachbuoyant member buoyant members apparatus 2 is being lowered to the first location on the sea bed. The air hoses can then be released from thebuoyant members apparatus 2, thereby avoiding the need for a remotely operated vehicle. Thedeployment cable 8 is then disconnected, and theapparatus 2 with thewell construction skid 74 is moved to its second location on the seabed. Thewell construction skid 72 is then brought into contact with the seabed by means of thevertical thrusters 18 and thewell construction skid 74 is secured to the seabed by means of a remotely operated vehicle. After thewell construction skid 74 has been secured to the seabed, theapparatus 2 is detached from the well construction skid and returned to the vessel for re-use. -
FIG. 15 shows a furtherwell construction component 78 to be secured to the seabed by means of thedeployment apparatus 2 and asolid buoyancy member 80 provided on thecomponent 78. Thesolid buoyancy member 80 assists in manipulation of thecomponent 78 andapparatus 2 to the second location, and is left in place in thecomponent 78 when the component is secured to the second location. - Referring to
FIGS. 16 to 20 , adeployment apparatus 80 of a second embodiment of the invention has abody 82 having an open framework having an upper part defining alift point 84 for an umbilical (not shown) for lifting thedeployment apparatus 80 with a blow-out preventer (not shown), for sealing an oil or gas well, mounted to an underside thereof. Thedeployment apparatus 80 is lifted from the deck of a surface vessel by means of a hydraulic A-frame 86 supporting the apparatus. Ahydraulic power unit 88 and other electrical equipment is located adjacent anedge region 90 of the frame, andair tanks apparatus 80 protrude beyond theedge 96 of the frame opposite to theedge 90 at which thehydraulic power unit 88 and electrical equipment is located to compensate for the increased weight on that side of the body. In this way, the centre ofmass 98 of theapparatus 80 with a blow-out preventer (not shown) mounted thereto is at a location to one side of acentral aperture 100 defined in the frame, and the centre ofbuoyancy 102 of theapparatus 80 when submerged is at the centre of thecentral aperture 100. The blow-out preventer (BOP) is supported at a pair of BOP lift points 104, 106 on opposite sides of thecentral aperture 100 so that the centre ofbuoyancy 102 is generally midway between the two BOP lift points 104, 106. In this way, when theapparatus 80 is maneuvering the blow-out preventer towards an oil or gas well by means ofhorizontal thrusters 108 and/orvertical thrusters 110, harmful material being ejected from the well passes through thecentral aperture 100 and thereby does not cause damage to the umbilical mounted to thevehicle lift point 84, which is located above the centre of mass in air. - It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the above embodiments have been described by way of example only, and not in any limitative sense, and that various alterations and modifications are possible without departure from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims (26)
1. An apparatus for deploying an object to a sea floor, the apparatus comprising:
a body;
at least one attachment device mounted to the body for releasably attaching an object to the apparatus;
at least one thrust generating device mounted to the body for providing thrust to transport the apparatus having an object attached thereto; and
at least one buoyant device mounted to said body and having adjustable buoyancy, wherein at least one said buoyant device comprises at least one tank adapted to be filled with air and/or gas by means of a conduit connected to a vessel located at the sea floor.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one conduit adapted to be releasably connected to at least one said tank for filling said tank with air and/or gas from a vessel located at the sea floor.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising at least one release device for releasing at least one said conduit from the corresponding said tank.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at least one said buoyant device comprises at least one buoyant member adapted to be moved between a respective first position, for transport from a vessel to said first location, and a second position, for transport from said first location to a second location on the sea floor.
5. The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein at least one said buoyant member is pivotable between said first and second positions.
6. An apparatus for deploying an object to a sea floor, the apparatus comprising:
a body;
at least one attachment device mounted to the body for releasably attaching an object to the apparatus;
at least one thrust generating device mounted to the body for providing thrust to transport the apparatus having an object attached thereto; and
at least one buoyant device mounted to said body and having adjustable buoyancy, wherein at least one said buoyant device comprises at least one buoyant member adapted to be moved between a respective first position, for transport from a vessel to said first location, and a second position, for transport from said first location to a second location on the sea floor.
7. The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein at least one said buoyant member is pivotable between said first and second positions.
8. The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein at least one said buoyant device comprises at least one tank adapted to be filled with air and/or gas.
9. The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein at least one said tank is adapted to be filled with air and/or gas by means of a conduit connected to a vessel located at the sea surface.
10. The apparatus according to claim 9 , further comprising at least one conduit adapted to be releasably connected to said at least one said tank for filling said tank with air and/or gas from a vessel located at the sea floor.
11. The apparatus according to claim 10 , further comprising at least one release device for releasing at least one said conduit from the corresponding said tank.
12. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one power supply for operating at least one implement releasably mountable to at least one said attachment device.
13. The apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein at least one said power supply comprises at least one hydraulic power unit.
14. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is adapted such that the centre of mass of the apparatus with an implement mounted thereto when suspended in air is at a different location from the centre of buoyancy of the apparatus with an implement mounted thereto when suspended in water.
15. The apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein at least one power supply is arranged adjacent an edge of the apparatus.
16. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one aperture for enabling flowing material to pass therethrough.
17. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one implement adapted to be releasably attached to at least one said attachment device.
18. The apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the implement comprises at least one sea floor removal device and/or at least one locating device for locating at least one elongate object in a trench.
19. The apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the implement comprises at least one sealing device for sealing an oil and/or gas well.
20. A method of deploying an object to a sea floor, the method comprising:—
attaching an object to at least one attachment device of an apparatus according to claim 1 ;
deploying the apparatus and object by means of a cable from a vessel to a first location on a sea floor;
increasing buoyancy of at least one said buoyant device; and
moving the object to a second location on the sea floor by means of at least one said thrust generating device.
21. The method according to claim 20 , further comprising deploying said apparatus and object to said first location through an aperture in a vessel located in sea ice.
22. The method according to claim 20 , further comprising deploying said object to the sea floor at said second location by generating downward force on the apparatus by means of at least one said thrust generating device.
23. The method according to claim 20 , wherein the step of increasing said buoyancy comprises filling at least part of at least one said buoyant device with air and/or gas.
24. An apparatus for displacing material from a sea floor, the apparatus comprising:
a body:
at least one thrust generating device mounted to the body for providing thrust to transport the apparatus; and
at least one displacement device for generating a flow of water to the sea floor to displace material therefrom.
25. The apparatus according to claim 24 , wherein at least one said thrust generating device is adapted to provide thrust having a vertical component.
26. The apparatus according to claim 24 , wherein at least one said displacement device comprises at least one fan.
Applications Claiming Priority (7)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP20130183324 EP2845793A1 (en) | 2013-09-06 | 2013-09-06 | Apparatus and method for deploying an object to a sea floor |
EP13183324.6 | 2013-09-06 | ||
GB1408386.9 | 2014-05-12 | ||
GB201408386A GB201408386D0 (en) | 2013-09-06 | 2014-05-12 | Apparatus and method for deploying an object to a sea floor |
GB1411426.8 | 2014-06-26 | ||
GB201411426A GB201411426D0 (en) | 2013-09-06 | 2014-06-26 | Apparatus and method for deploying an object to a sea floor |
PCT/EP2014/068553 WO2015032730A1 (en) | 2013-09-06 | 2014-09-02 | Apparatus and method for deploying an object to a sea floor |
Publications (1)
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US20160215476A1 true US20160215476A1 (en) | 2016-07-28 |
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US14/916,563 Abandoned US20160215476A1 (en) | 2013-09-06 | 2014-09-02 | Apparatus and method for deploying an object to a sea floor |
Country Status (5)
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US (1) | US20160215476A1 (en) |
EP (2) | EP2845793A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN105555656A (en) |
GB (2) | GB201408386D0 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2015032730A1 (en) |
Cited By (6)
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US9902477B1 (en) * | 2016-11-04 | 2018-02-27 | Aqua Products, Inc. | Drive module for submersible autonomous vehicle |
WO2019020611A1 (en) * | 2017-07-27 | 2019-01-31 | Ihc Engineering Business Limited | Trench cutting apparatus and method |
US10301837B2 (en) | 2016-11-04 | 2019-05-28 | Aqua Products, Inc. | Drive module for submersible autonomous vehicle |
CN110029696A (en) * | 2019-04-08 | 2019-07-19 | 国网浙江省电力有限公司舟山供电公司 | A kind of double work pattern submarine cable ditchers |
US20210172151A1 (en) * | 2019-12-05 | 2021-06-10 | Soil Machine Dynamics Limited | Apparatus for Locating Elongate Object in a Trench in a Floor of a Body of Water |
US20220412046A1 (en) * | 2021-06-28 | 2022-12-29 | Soil Machine Dynamics Limited | Apparatus for Inserting an Elongate Object Into a Trench |
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KR20190013705A (en) | 2016-03-21 | 2019-02-11 | 케펠 오프쇼어 앤드 마린 테크놀로지 센터 피티이 엘티디. | Submarine Remote Acting Vehicle (ROV) Hub |
CN107985939B (en) * | 2016-10-26 | 2021-09-10 | 上海船厂船舶有限公司 | Underwater marine riser assembly trolley and underwater marine riser assembly pressure test system comprising same |
CN108397148B (en) * | 2018-02-07 | 2020-05-01 | 中国海洋石油集团有限公司 | Multi-degree-of-freedom adjustable flexible hoisting bolting structure |
CA3142485A1 (en) * | 2019-06-12 | 2020-12-17 | Oceana Energy Company | Systems and methods for deploying hydroelectric energy systems |
EP3800297A1 (en) * | 2019-10-02 | 2021-04-07 | Soil Machine Dynamics Limited | Method and apparatus for inserting an elongate object into a trench in a sea floor |
GB2609225A (en) * | 2021-07-23 | 2023-02-01 | Equinor Energy As | Offshore surveying method |
CN115214862A (en) * | 2022-07-19 | 2022-10-21 | 广州大学 | Modularized underwater robot and control method thereof |
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US6443087B1 (en) * | 2000-07-21 | 2002-09-03 | David W. Stecker, Sr. | Underwater dive vehicle |
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US3633530A (en) * | 1969-07-21 | 1972-01-11 | Hitachi Ltd | Floating device for submarine working vehicles |
JPS63251394A (en) * | 1987-04-08 | 1988-10-18 | Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd | Sinking and floating method of underwater apparatus |
US6167831B1 (en) * | 1999-09-20 | 2001-01-02 | Coflexip S.A. | Underwater vehicle |
AUPQ707500A0 (en) * | 2000-04-26 | 2000-05-18 | Total Marine Technology Pty Ltd | A remotely operated underwater vehicle |
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EP2196622A1 (en) * | 2008-12-12 | 2010-06-16 | Welltec A/S | Subsea well intervention module |
-
2013
- 2013-09-06 EP EP20130183324 patent/EP2845793A1/en not_active Ceased
-
2014
- 2014-05-12 GB GB201408386A patent/GB201408386D0/en not_active Ceased
- 2014-06-26 GB GB201411426A patent/GB201411426D0/en not_active Ceased
- 2014-09-02 CN CN201480048489.8A patent/CN105555656A/en active Pending
- 2014-09-02 US US14/916,563 patent/US20160215476A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2014-09-02 WO PCT/EP2014/068553 patent/WO2015032730A1/en active Application Filing
- 2014-09-02 EP EP14758856.0A patent/EP3063062A1/en not_active Withdrawn
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US6443087B1 (en) * | 2000-07-21 | 2002-09-03 | David W. Stecker, Sr. | Underwater dive vehicle |
Cited By (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US9902477B1 (en) * | 2016-11-04 | 2018-02-27 | Aqua Products, Inc. | Drive module for submersible autonomous vehicle |
US10301837B2 (en) | 2016-11-04 | 2019-05-28 | Aqua Products, Inc. | Drive module for submersible autonomous vehicle |
US10851557B2 (en) | 2016-11-04 | 2020-12-01 | Zodiac Pool Systems Llc | Drive module for submersible autonomous vehicle |
WO2019020611A1 (en) * | 2017-07-27 | 2019-01-31 | Ihc Engineering Business Limited | Trench cutting apparatus and method |
NL2019360B1 (en) * | 2017-07-27 | 2019-02-19 | Ihc Engineering Business Ltd | Trench cutting apparatus and method |
US11384506B2 (en) | 2017-07-27 | 2022-07-12 | Royal Ihc Limited | Trench cutting apparatus and method |
US10947695B2 (en) * | 2018-04-08 | 2021-03-16 | Zhoushan Electric Power Supply Company Of State Grid Zhejiang Electric Power Company | Submarine cable trencher |
CN110029696A (en) * | 2019-04-08 | 2019-07-19 | 国网浙江省电力有限公司舟山供电公司 | A kind of double work pattern submarine cable ditchers |
US20210172151A1 (en) * | 2019-12-05 | 2021-06-10 | Soil Machine Dynamics Limited | Apparatus for Locating Elongate Object in a Trench in a Floor of a Body of Water |
US11613870B2 (en) * | 2019-12-05 | 2023-03-28 | Soil Machine Dynamics Limited | Apparatus for locating elongate object in a trench in a floor of a body of water |
US20220412046A1 (en) * | 2021-06-28 | 2022-12-29 | Soil Machine Dynamics Limited | Apparatus for Inserting an Elongate Object Into a Trench |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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EP2845793A1 (en) | 2015-03-11 |
GB201408386D0 (en) | 2014-06-25 |
EP3063062A1 (en) | 2016-09-07 |
WO2015032730A1 (en) | 2015-03-12 |
CN105555656A (en) | 2016-05-04 |
GB201411426D0 (en) | 2014-08-13 |
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Owner name: SOIL MACHINE DYNAMICS LIMITED, UNITED KINGDOM Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:WALKER, JOHN GRAEME;REEL/FRAME:038220/0988 Effective date: 20160229 |
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