AU2016312179A1 - Steel riser top locking system - Google Patents
Steel riser top locking system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- AU2016312179A1 AU2016312179A1 AU2016312179A AU2016312179A AU2016312179A1 AU 2016312179 A1 AU2016312179 A1 AU 2016312179A1 AU 2016312179 A AU2016312179 A AU 2016312179A AU 2016312179 A AU2016312179 A AU 2016312179A AU 2016312179 A1 AU2016312179 A1 AU 2016312179A1
- Authority
- AU
- Australia
- Prior art keywords
- locking system
- top locking
- tube
- supporting tube
- hinged
- 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
Links
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 title description 2
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 title description 2
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003351 stiffener Substances 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- 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
- E21B19/004—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 supporting a riser from a drilling or production platform
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Earth Drilling (AREA)
- Pivots And Pivotal Connections (AREA)
- Sink And Installation For Waste Water (AREA)
Abstract
A top locking system for a riser tube in a supporting tube is arranged on a floating vessel. The riser tube is inserted in the supporting tube and is mounted in a hang-off support tube. The top locking system is arranged at an upper end of the supporting tube and includes a plurality of hinged wedges arranged at an external peripheral wall of the upper end of the supporting tube. Each hinge wedge of the top locking system is rotatingly moveable from an opened to a closed position around a hinge shaft of a respective support hinge at the peripheral wall. The support hinge includes a pair of parallel brackets provided with eccentric bushes in which the hinge shaft is mounted.
Description
invention
The present invention relates to a top locking system for a riser on a floating vessel.
Summary of the invention
The present invention relates to a top locking system for a riser tube in a supporting tube on a floating unit; the riser tube being inserted in the supporting tube;
the riser tube being mounted in a hang-off support tube;
the top locking system being arranged at an upper end of the supporting tube and comprising a plurality of hinged wedges arranged at an external peripheral wall of the upper end of the supporting tube; each hinge wedge being rotatingly moveable from an opened to a closed position around a hinge shaft of a respective support hinge at said peripheral wall, the support hinge comprising a pair of parallel brackets provided with eccentric bushes in which the hinge shaft is mounted.
According to an aspect, the invention provides a top locking system as described above, wherein in the closed position the hinged wedge is positioned between an external periphery of the hang-off support tube and an internal peripheral wall of the supporting tube.
According to an aspect, the invention provides a top locking system as described above, wherein the supporting tube is supported on a lower riser balcony of the floating vessel.
According to an aspect, the invention provides a top locking system as 25 described above, wherein the riser tube is equipped with the hang-off support tube inserted in the supporting tube, and with a gap compensator structure at a lower end of the supporting tube positioned between the external wall of the hang-off support tube and the internal wall of the supporting tube.
According to an aspect, the invention provides a top locking system as 30 described above, wherein an eccentricity of the eccentric bushes is configured to provide an inward or outward displacement of the hinged wedge towards or from a center of the supporting tube, when the hinged wedge is in or is approximating the closed position.
WO 2017/034409
PCT/NL2016/050598
According to an aspect, the invention provides a top locking system as described above, wherein the floating unit is a floating production storage and offloading, FPSO, vessel.
According to an aspect, the invention provides a top locking system as described above, wherein the top locking system comprises a number of hinged wedges around the periphery of the riser tube.
According to an aspect, the invention provides a top locking system as described above, wherein the number of hinged wedges is at least three, preferably six.
According to an aspect, the invention provides a top locking system as described above, wherein in the closed position the hinged wedge is positioned below a collar of the riser tube.
According to an aspect, the invention provides a top locking system as described above, wherein the hinged wedges are each rotatingly moveable by an actuator, preferably a hydraulic actuator.
According to an aspect, the invention provides a top locking system as described above, wherein each hinge is individually moveable by the actuator. According to an aspect, the invention provides a top locking system as described above, wherein the supporting tube has a lengthwise opening over a portion of its circumference.
Also, the invention relates to an offshore floating unit comprising a top locking system as described above.
Advantageous embodiments are further defined by the dependent claims.
Brief description of drawings
Figure 1 shows a semi-cross-section of an assembly of a riser hang-off structure equipped with a top locking system according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the assembly of Figure 1;
Figure 3 shows a top view of the top locking system;
Figure 4 shows a cross-section of the top locking system in a side view;
Figure 5 shows a detail of the top locking system of Figure 4;
Figure 6 shows a top view of a wedge of the top locking system of Figure 5;
WO 2017/034409
PCT/NL2016/050598
Figure 7 shows a side view of the wedge of Figure 6;
Figures 8a, 8b and 8c show details of the wedge of Figures 5-7.
Detailed description of embodiments
The present invention relates to a support system on a floating unit, that floats on a body of water such as the sea and supports riser tubes that are suspended from the floating unit to wellheads on the seafloor. The floating unit may relate to a floating production storage and offloading FPSO structure.
In an embodiment of the invention, the Top Locking System (TLS; or ’’ratchet 10 system”) consists of a number of hinged wedges (per supporting tube) that together form a circular ratchet system to be installed in the top cone of the supporting tube. The number of hinged wedges is at least three. In an embodiment, the number of hinged wedges is six. The supporting tube is mounted on the hull of the vessel, typically on the lower riser balcony of the vessel’s hull.
Other numbers of hinged wedges that define a circular arrangement could be implemented as will be appreciated by the skilled in the art.
The ratchet system is to support a SLWR’s (steel lazy wave riser) Hang Off Structure (HOS) or hang-off support tube that is to be inserted in the supporting tube and to convey loads from the riser tube to supporting tube.
In order to attach each hinged wedge to the floating unit’s supporting tube, two hinged support brackets are designed, to be bolted or welded onto the available stiffeners at the outer diameter of the upper cone of the supporting tube. These hinged support brackets contain an eccentric hinge shaft and 2 eccentric bushes for proper alignment.
In closed position the hinged wedges clamp the riser tube and take on all vertical force acting on the riser tube, while minor adjustment of the wedges is still allowed.
The adjustment of the wedges in case of for example a gap detection (between riser tube and wedge) is achieved by an eccentricity of the bushes and/or hinge shaft.
The eccentricity can be controlled by rotation of bushes and shaft, such that an inward displacement of the wedge, toward the centerline of the supporting tube (or riser tube) is obtained.
WO 2017/034409
PCT/NL2016/050598
Figure 1 shows a semi-cross-section of an assembly of a riser hang-off structure equipped with a top locking system according to an embodiment of the invention.
In the hang-off structure shown, a supporting tube 10 is structurally mounted on a hull of the floating unit, e.g., a FPSO structure or vessel. In an embodiment, it is mounted at the lower riser balcony.
Internal of the supporting tube 10 is a hang-off support tube 20, which is coaxial with the supporting tube 10. The hang-off support tube 20 is connected to the riser tube 35 that is mounted internal of the hang-off support tube. In an embodiment, at a lower end (proximate the sea level) between the supporting tube 10 and the hang-off support tube 20 a gap compensator device (e.g. an annulus) 30 is mounted. At an upper end of the supporting tube 10 (proximate the vessel) the top locking system 40 is mounted.
The top locking system is arranged to lock the riser tube 35 at its position by clamping on the hang-off support tube 20 by means of the hinged wedges 45.
Figure 2 shows a downward perspective view of the assembly of Figure 1. The 15 supporting tube 10 is mounted by structural connection 50 to the floating unit’s hull (not shown). The top locking system 40 is arranged with for example six hinged wedges distributed around the periphery 55 of the supporting tube in the upper end of the supporting tube 10.
The supporting tube has a supporting collar 60 that rests on the hinged wedges 20 when these are in closed position.
In an embodiment, the supporting tube is a tube with a lengthwise opening over a portion of its circumference.
Figure 3 shows a top view of the top locking system 40 with the hinged wedges 45 in closed position.
Each hinged wedge comprises a wedge block 70 that is connected to a pair of rotating arms 75, a pair of brackets 80 mounted on the periphery 55 of the supporting tube 10, and a hinge shaft 85.
Each bracket 80 comprises an eccentric bush 90 in which the hinge shaft 85 is encompassed. The pair of rotating arms are rotatingly connected with the hinge shaft 85 that provides an axis of rotation for these arms 75.
By rotating the arms 75 around the hinge shaft 85, the wedge block can be moved between an opened (Pl) and closed position (P2) in the top locking system as shown in figure 4.
WO 2017/034409
PCT/NL2016/050598
Figure 4 shows a cross-section of the top locking system 40 in a side view. In the closed position P2, the wedge blocks 70 of each hinged wedge are clamped against a collar 95 of the hang-off support tube 20 in a manner that prevents a downward (seaward) motion Sl of the hang-off support tube 20 and the riser tube 35. Only if the hinged wedges are opened (position Pl), the hang-off support tube can be moved in downward and upward axial direction. In position P2, only upward movement of the hang-off support tube is possible.
Figure 5 shows a detail of the top locking system of Figure 4.
In the closed position P2, the wedge blocks 70 of each hinged wedge are clamped against a collar 95 of the hang-off support tube 20.
Figure 6 shows a top view of a wedge of the top locking system of Figure 5. Figure 7 shows a side view of the wedge of Figure 6.
Figures 8a, 8b and 8c show details of the wedge of Figures 5-7.
Figure 8a shows a cross-section of the hinge shaft 85 as mounted with the eccentric bushes 90 and the rotating arms 75.
Figure 8b shows schematically the mounting of the wedge block 70 on the rotating arms 75. The mounting position on the hinge shaft 85 is schematically indicated.
Figure 8c shows schematically the mounting brackets on the periphery of the supporting tube 10 on which the hinge shaft of the hinged wedge is to be mounted. In an embodiment, the brackets extend radially from the periphery 55. Within the openings 81 in the brackets 80, the eccentric bushes 90 on the hinge shaft are to be mounted.
The invention has been described with reference to some embodiments.
Obvious modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims.
WO 2017/034409
PCT/NL2016/050598
Claims (13)
- Claims1. Top locking system for a riser tube in a supporting tube on a floating unit; the riser tube being inserted in the supporting tube; the riser tube being mounted in a hang-off support tube;the top locking system being arranged at an upper end of the supporting tube and comprising a plurality of hinged wedges arranged at an external peripheral wall of the upper end of the supporting tube; each hinge wedge being rotatingly moveable from an opened to a closed position around a hinge shaft of a respective support hinge at said peripheral wall, the support hinge comprising a pair of parallel brackets provided with eccentric bushes in which the hinge shaft is mounted.
- 2. Top locking system according to claim 1, wherein in the closed position the hinged wedge is positioned between an external periphery of the hang-off support tube and an internal peripheral wall of the supporting tube.
- 3. Top locking system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the supporting tube is supported on a lower riser balcony of the floating vessel.
- 4. Top locking system according to claim 1 - claim 3, wherein the riser tube is equipped with the hang-off support tube inserted in the supporting tube, and with a gap compensator structure at a lower end of the supporting tube positioned between the external wall of the hang-off support tube and the internal wall of the supporting tube.
- 5. Top locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an eccentricity of the eccentric bushes is configured to provide an inward or outward displacement of the hinged wedge towards or from a center of the supporting tube, when the hinged wedge is in or is approximating the closed position.WO 2017/034409PCT/NL2016/050598
- 6. Top locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the floating unit is a floating production storage and offloading, FPSO, vessel.
- 7. Top locking system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the top locking system comprises a number of hinged wedges around the periphery of the riser tube.
- 8. Top locking system according to claim 7, wherein the number of hinged wedges is at least three, preferably six.
- 9. Top locking system according to claim 1-8 wherein in the closed position the hinged wedge is positioned below a collar of the riser tube.
- 10. Top locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hinged wedges are each rotatingly moveable by an actuator, preferably a hydraulic actuator.
- 11. Top locking system according to claim 10, wherein each hinge is individually moveable by the actuator.
- 12. Top locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the supporting tube has a lengthwise opening over a portion of its circumference.
- 13. An offshore floating unit comprising a top locking system according to any one of the preceding claims 1 - 12.WO 2017/034409PCT/NL2016/0505981/7WO 2017/034409PCT/NL2016/0505982/7Fig. 220,35WO 2017/034409PCT/NL2016/0505983/7Fig. 3WO 2017/034409PCT/NL2016/0505984/7Fig. 4WO 2017/034409PCT/NL2016/0505985/7P2Fig. 6WO 2017/034409PCT/NL2016/0505986/7WO 2017/034409PCT/NL2016/0505987/7Fig. 8b
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP15182810 | 2015-08-27 | ||
EP15182810.0 | 2015-08-27 | ||
PCT/NL2016/050598 WO2017034409A1 (en) | 2015-08-27 | 2016-08-29 | Steel riser top locking system |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
AU2016312179A1 true AU2016312179A1 (en) | 2018-03-15 |
Family
ID=54011662
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
AU2016312179A Abandoned AU2016312179A1 (en) | 2015-08-27 | 2016-08-29 | Steel riser top locking system |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20180313172A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2016312179A1 (en) |
BR (1) | BR112018003688A2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2017034409A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11773661B2 (en) | 2019-09-09 | 2023-10-03 | Saipem S.P.A. | Off shore riser fixation system and method |
BR102020010231A2 (en) | 2020-05-21 | 2021-11-30 | Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras | SUPPORT FOR RISERS AND COUPLING AND UNCOUPLING METHOD |
BR102021017344A2 (en) | 2021-08-31 | 2023-03-14 | Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras | DIVERLESS UNIFIED SUPPORT TUBE |
BR102021017361A2 (en) | 2021-09-01 | 2023-03-14 | Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras | SUPPORT AUTOMATION FOR RIGID RISER |
Family Cites Families (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4199847A (en) * | 1979-01-29 | 1980-04-29 | Armco Inc. | Well riser support having elastomeric bearings |
US4616707A (en) * | 1985-04-08 | 1986-10-14 | Shell Oil Company | Riser braking clamp apparatus |
US5148871A (en) * | 1991-05-09 | 1992-09-22 | Cooper Industries, Inc. | Tension adapter assembly for completion riser |
US5551803A (en) * | 1994-10-05 | 1996-09-03 | Abb Vetco Gray, Inc. | Riser tensioning mechanism for floating platforms |
BR9605669C1 (en) * | 1996-11-22 | 2000-03-21 | Petroleo Brasileiro Sa | submarine to a structure located on the surface. |
FR2780763B1 (en) * | 1998-07-02 | 2000-08-11 | Coflexip | DEVICE FOR BUILT-IN OF A STRAINER SLEEVE OF OIL DUCT ON A CARRIER STRUCTURE |
FR2807814B1 (en) * | 2000-04-17 | 2002-07-12 | Techlam | DEVICE FOR CONNECTING A SUBMERSIBLE FLUID TRANSPORT LINE |
US8021081B2 (en) * | 2007-06-11 | 2011-09-20 | Technip France | Pull-style tensioner system for a top-tensioned riser |
US8944723B2 (en) * | 2012-12-13 | 2015-02-03 | Vetco Gray Inc. | Tensioner latch with pivoting segmented base |
-
2016
- 2016-08-29 AU AU2016312179A patent/AU2016312179A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2016-08-29 BR BR112018003688A patent/BR112018003688A2/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2016-08-29 WO PCT/NL2016/050598 patent/WO2017034409A1/en active Application Filing
- 2016-08-29 US US15/755,723 patent/US20180313172A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
BR112018003688A2 (en) | 2018-09-25 |
WO2017034409A1 (en) | 2017-03-02 |
US20180313172A1 (en) | 2018-11-01 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
MK1 | Application lapsed section 142(2)(a) - no request for examination in relevant period |