CN105899760B

CN105899760B - Oil gas riser chuck and method employing low frequency antenna apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN105899760B
Application number: CN201480073079.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: P.麦肯兹; J.A.古佐; L.A.德罗斯; B.S.古德
Original assignee: Vetco Gray LLC
Current assignee: Wetcogrey LLC; Hydril USA Distribution LLC
Priority date: 2013-11-13
Filing date: 2014-10-27
Publication date: 2020-10-09
Anticipated expiration: 2034-10-27
Also published as: NO20160782A1; WO2015073193A2; BR112016010252A2; WO2015073193A3; CN105899760A

Abstract

An apparatus and method for tracking a plurality of marine riser assets is provided. Part of a riser lifecycle monitoring system, the apparatus can include an oil and gas riser spider to connect a plurality of riser pipe sections during assembly of a riser pipe string. The riser spider forms an annulus around and supports a first section of the plurality of riser pipe sections during connection with a second section. The apparatus can also include a reader including an antenna arrangement to read a plurality of radio frequency identification tags, e.g., directional 125kHz RFID tags, attached to or embedded within an outer surface portion of each of the plurality of riser pipe sections.

Description

Oil gas riser chuck and method employing low frequency antenna apparatus

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of the following patent applications and claims priority and benefit from the following patent applications: U.S. patent application No.13/919573 entitled "Oil and Gas Riser Spider with Low-Frequency Antenna Apparatus and Method", which is a continuation of U.S. patent application 12/710707 entitled "Oil and Gas Riser Spider with Low-Frequency Antenna Apparatus and Method", and claims priority and benefits thereof; and U.S. patent application No.13/707121 entitled "rice life cycle Management System, Computer Readable Medium and Program Code," which claims priority and benefits of U.S. application 13/300155 entitled "rice life cycle Management System, Program Product, and Related Methods," which claims priority and benefits of U.S. patent application No.12/029376 entitled "rice life cycle Management System, Program Product, and Related Methods," filed 11.2008 and now U.S. patent No.8074720, and which is Related to commonly owned U.S. patent application No. 7328741B 2 entitled "System for Sensing ring Motion," filed 12.2008, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the oil and gas industry. More particularly, the present invention relates to an oil and gas spider device and related method employing a built-in antenna arrangement for use in a riser management system that monitors and manages a plurality of marine riser assets having identification tags through the use of spider devices.

Description of the Related Art

In the oil and gas industry, a riser is a string of pipe between the sea floor and a vessel or drilling rig. A device known as a "spider" is used to assemble an oil and gas riser string. The chuck feeds (feed) and connects each section of riser pipe in the column. The chuck can have different configurations. Some chucks are made of a solid ring of riser feedthroughs (feed through); some chucks are made of two parts (pieces) that enclose and then feed through the riser pipe. For each configuration type of the spider, the riser pipes are all fed in the spider in the same orientation.

During typical field installation at sea, marine riser assemblies are individually lifted from the deck of the vessel, connected to each other at a riser spider, and stalled (run down). Riser joints containing the main length of the riser string are made in lengths ranging from 50 'to 90'. During the run-up sequence, a portion of the fully constructed riser string is dropped onto the riser spider. The next riser joint is then picked up and placed slightly above the spider, immediately above the suspended riser string. The two riser sections are then joined by means of a mechanical connector.

Riser Lifecycle Management Systems (RLMS) are described, for example, in commonly owned U.S. patent No. 8074720. Such a riser lifecycle management system can, for example, provide an asset manager with a list of all riser assets allocated to a particular vessel, and provide a further breakdown (breakdown) of those currently deployed, those located on deck, or those seeking maintenance, along with an expected return date; a list of upcoming scheduled maintenance events; an estimate of an amount of operational life extended by a particular riser asset; and an estimate of the total amount of operational life used by a particular riser asset, along with details of most disruptive events (i.e., a certain hurricane event). Such a riser lifecycle management system can include, for example, a central database that can be used by field maintenance personnel to maintain and communicate critical riser information, and that can enhance routine maintenance scheduling and identify the need for unscheduled maintenance events.

Conventional fixed readers associated with the riser spider can interfere with the proper operation of the spider. For example, known designs can require contact between the antenna and the tag. Other conventional designs may require the reader to be positioned too far from the tag to be read without significant loss in tag signal or data collision with other adjacent tags (if the tag does not include provisions for anti-collision). Currently, in a manual process, directional 125kHz RFID tags are embedded in a drill pipe and read using a handheld reader.

Conventionally, in a manual process, an oriented 125kHz RFID tag is embedded in a drill pipe and read using a handheld reader.

Summary of The Invention

In view of the foregoing, applicants recognized that the manual process for reading the riser pipe is error prone and expensive. Further, applicants have recognized a need for an apparatus and associated method for automatically reading riser pipes without requiring a handheld reader, manual process, or impediment to normal operation. In particular, applicants recognized that a Low Frequency (LF) fixed reader antenna assembly built into the spider would allow riser pipes to be automatically read when the pipes are loaded. Further, applicants have recognized the advantages of antenna configurations of various chuck designs, including both ring chucks and two-part chucks. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide an oil and gas chuck apparatus employing a built-in antenna assembly and associated methods. Various embodiments can, for example, enhance a riser management system that monitors and manages a plurality of riser assets, for example, marine riser assets such as, for example, other tubulars, riser pipes, or well bores that can be installed through the spider apparatus.

Various embodiments of the invention include, for example, an apparatus. The apparatus can include a riser spider to connect the plurality of riser pipe sections during assembly of the riser pipe string. The riser spider is positionable to form an annulus around and support a first section of the plurality of riser pipe sections during connection with a second section of the plurality of riser pipe sections. The apparatus can include an antenna to read a plurality of radio frequency identification tags attached to or embedded within an outer surface portion of the plurality of riser pipe sections. The antenna can be a single antenna or part of an antenna assembly. According to a configuration, the antenna comprises an oblong loop attached to and spanning substantially about half of an inner surface of the riser spider such that the antenna follows a contour (contour) of the riser spider. In this configuration, the riser typically carries at least two identification tags (e.g., RFID tags) that are radially separated from each other by at least about 90 °. According to another configuration, a second similar hemispherical extended loop is on the second section of the split (split) section riser chuck.

According to another configuration, the antenna comprises an oblong loop spanning substantially the entire inner circumference of a portion of the riser chuck. According to yet another configuration, a plurality of loop antennas are positioned along an inner circumference of a single component spider or split section riser spider to form an antenna arrangement. According to further configurations, the antenna design can have various geometries configured to provide reciprocal coverage along the longitudinal axis of the riser spider such that a marine tubular having a single identification tag attached to or embedded within its surface and passing through the riser spider will pass along one of the antennas and be read by an associated reader. That is, the antenna arrangement configuration can provide 360 ° coverage, allowing the tubular to pass with its identification tag in any radial location (orientation) and still read with high confidence.

Various embodiments of the invention can include, for example, a method of tracking a marine riser pipe section. The method can include, for example, providing a plurality of radio frequency identification tags attached to an outside of and associated with a plurality of riser pipe sections. The method can include connecting a plurality of riser pipe sections or connecting drilling pipes during assembly of the riser pipe string, for example, using a riser spider, to form a drilling string. The riser spider is configured to form an annulus around and support a first section of the plurality of riser pipe sections during connection with a second section of the plurality of riser pipe sections. The method can include reading each of a plurality of, for example, radio frequency identification tags, using the antenna or antenna arrangement described above, for example, during feeding of an associated riser pipe section through a riser spider. The antenna or antenna arrangement can be such that the plurality of identification tags are read regardless of their radial positioning relative to the riser spider when operatively deployed.

Various embodiments of the invention can further include methods of tracking a plurality of riser pipe sections, for example. The method can include receiving, for each of the plurality of riser pipe sections, riser pipe section identification data from a radio frequency identification tag attached to or embedded within an outside surface of the riser pipe section and associated with the riser pipe section utilizing a single antenna or antenna assembly to individually identify each of the plurality of riser pipe sections from each individual section of the plurality of riser pipe sections, such as during feeding the riser pipe section through a riser spider during assembly of the riser pipe string. The antenna or antenna arrangement can be such that the plurality of identification tags are read regardless of their radial positioning relative to the riser spider when operatively deployed. The method can include, for example, determining a relative deployed positioning position of each of a plurality of riser pipe sections to form a riser pipe string.

Other existing solutions require a handheld reader or a fixed reader that alters or prevents the normal operation of the riser string. Various embodiments of the present invention negate the need for a handheld reader and, advantageously, do not interfere with the deployment of a riser pipe or drilling string or the normal operation of a riser spider. Additionally, embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide solutions for various riser spider configurations that include a spider made of two pieces enclosing a riser pipe.

Drawings

So that the manner in which the features and advantages of the invention, as well as others which will become apparent, are attained and can be understood in more detail, more particular description of the invention briefly summarized above may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings, which form a part of this specification. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only various embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for it may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an orientation field (directional field) and reader antenna of a 125kHz RFID tag according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a riser and spider arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of antenna placement according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3B-3F are schematic diagrams of antenna loops having different geometries that provide overlapping coverage between adjacent antenna loops for enhanced read reliability, according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a method of tracking marine riser pipe sections in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a method of tracking a plurality of marine riser pipe sections, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is an environmental diagram of a system for monitoring and managing a plurality of marine riser assets according to an embodiment of the invention;

7A-7B are environmental diagrams of a portion of a system for monitoring and managing a plurality of marine riser assets according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a riser joint carrying communication and identification hardware according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

fig. 9 is a top view of a schematic block diagram of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the illustrated embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

The applicant has realised that the manual process for reading the riser pipe is error prone and expensive. Further, applicants have recognized a need for an apparatus and associated method for automatically reading riser pipes without a handheld reader, manual process, or impediment to normal operation. In particular, applicants recognized that a Low Frequency (LF) fixed reader antenna built into the riser spider would allow riser pipe to be automatically read as the pipe is fed through the riser spider. Further, applicants have recognized the advantages of antennas of various chuck designs, including both ring chucks and two-part chucks. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide an oil and gas chuck apparatus employing an internal antenna and associated methods. One or more embodiments can, for example, enhance a riser management system that monitors and manages a plurality of riser assets, e.g., marine riser assets, well tubing assets, and the like.

One or more embodiments of the invention include, for example, an RFID tag, such as a 125kHz RFID tag. As illustrated in fig. 1, an exemplary 125kHz RFID tag 71 can be directional and can be read on only one side, defining a read field 151. As further illustrated in FIG. 1, the reader antenna 153 faces the 125kHz RFID tag 71 such that its read field 155 is directed toward the antenna 153. Thus, such an embodiment or such embodiments can include one or more directional RFID tags 71, as illustrated in fig. 2, the directional RFID tags 71 being positioned on a deployable tubular, such as riser pipe 29, such that the read field 151 of the tag points outward. Applicants have recognized that in various circumstances, read field 151 will point inward toward pipe 29 and away from any reader comprising, for example, an antenna arrangement built into chuck 32. When the spider 32 is added to the column, the spider 32 (which feeds and connects each section of riser pipe in the column) encircles or envelops each riser pipe such that the interior surface 157 of the spider 32 faces the outwardly directed directional RFID tag 71 positioned on the riser pipe 29. As further illustrated in fig. 2, some chucks 32 are made of two

parts

32A, 32B, which two

parts

32A, 32B enclose the riser pipe 29 and then feed through the riser pipe. It is noted that while described primarily with respect to riser pipe 29, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that riser spider 32 can also pass through other tubulars, such as, for example, a drill pipe (not shown, but represented by riser pipe 29), which typically has a smaller diameter than the diameter of riser pipe 29. Thus, if configured with compatible identification tags as will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the riser spider is likewise capable of being used to read and track those tubulars.

As illustrated in fig. 3A-3F, various embodiments of the invention can include an antenna arrangement, for example, one or

more antennas

161, 162, 163, 164, 165, and/or 166 included on a portion of chucks 32A and/or 32B or an interior surface 157 of chuck 32 or embedded within a portion of chucks 32A and/or 32B or an interior surface 157 of chuck 32.

As shown in fig. 3A, an embodiment or arrangement of the antenna can include, for example, an oblong loop 161, the oblong loop 161 following a portion of the chuck 32A or a contour of the chuck 32, e.g., the oblong loop 161 is attached to the interior surface 157 of the chuck 32 and spans substantially about half of the interior surface 157 of the riser chuck 32 or about 180 degrees of a ring defined by the chuck. As illustrated in fig. 2, one part 32A of the two-part spider 32 can include an embodiment or arrangement of an antenna having an oblong loop 161, the oblong loop 161 following the profile of the riser spider, to thereby provide maximum readability. In various other configurations, the oblong loop 161 need not provide 180 ° of coverage, however, one would expect less confidence that each tag 71 passing by will be read. Thus, more than one tag 71 can be utilized, and/or a user can ensure that a tubular passing through the riser spider 32 is in the rotational position required by the tag 71 to pass within the read field 155 of the reader antenna 153.

In a typical arrangement, the distance between the antennas needs to be such that the antennas are not coupled as will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. However, in order to provide 360 ° coverage with 100% reliability when multiple antennas are used, the antenna design requires that there is no vertical line separation between the antenna loops. Such separation or gap can result in missed readings of the tag 71 of an associated tubular (e.g., riser, drill pipe) attached to the tag 71 as the tag 71 passes through the chuck 32. Thus, an ideal antenna design would include no vertical gap between the antenna loops.

3B-3F illustrate that the antenna designs can have various geometries configured to provide reciprocal coverage along the longitudinal axis of the riser spider 32 such that a tubular (e.g., riser pipe 39) having a single identification tag 71 (or additional tags if desired) attached to or embedded within the surface of the tubular and passing through the riser spider will pass along one of the antennas and be read by an associated reader via the reader antenna 153. That is, the antenna arrangement configuration can provide 360 ° coverage, allowing a tube to pass with its identification tag 71 in any radial location (orientation), and still read with high confidence.

For example, fig. 3B illustrates an antenna arrangement that orients a plurality of parallelogram-shaped antennas 162 such that gap 171 does not provide a vertical path through which tag 71 may pass without being read. Dashed line 172 represents a vertical line illustrating that this particular antenna arrangement does not have any vertical path created by gap 171. In this particular example, the tag would have to pass through field 155 for at least one and possibly two of antennas 162 in the arrangement. Note that during tuning at installation time, the distance between the antennas forming the gap 171 can be optimized.

Fig. 3C illustrates a design of an antenna 163 having a more rectangular design, but with a overhang 173 and a base 174 to overlap an adjacent antenna 163. Fig. 3D illustrates a design of antenna 164 having a shape that substantially takes the form of a chevron to allow for overlapping positioning with adjacent antennas 164. Fig. 3E illustrates a design of an antenna 165 having a triangular shape with alternating upper and lower vertices to overlap adjacent antennas 165.

Fig. 3F provides an example of an antenna design 166, which antenna design 166 can have multiple antenna loops 181-183 configured to cover one cartridge half 32A. The upper loop 181 can take the form of a triangle. The

transverse loops

182, 183 can be triangular or frustoconical. However, other combinations are within the scope of embodiments of the invention. Because on the cartridge halves, the label 71 can be missed in the space between the two

cartridge halves

32A, 32B due to the vertical gap between adjacent

transverse loops

182, 183 for the

respective cartridge halves

32A, 32B. To illustrate this, two or more tags 71 can be mounted on the riser pipe 29 or other tubular, the tags 71 separated by at least the width of the gap to ensure read reliability. Additionally, if the antenna design 166 is used on only one of the cartridge halves 32A, 32B, as with either of the other antenna designs 161-165, two or more tags 71 (where at least two of the tags 71 are spaced more than 90 apart, but less than 270 apart) can be installed to ensure read reliability.

Fig. 3F also illustrates an example of an antenna tuning plate 184 used in both this antenna design 166 and in the previously described antenna designs 161-165. Antenna designs 161-166 will typically include one tuning plate per antenna or one tuning plate per two antennas, although other configurations are within the scope of the present invention.

It is noted that in the two-section riser spider 32 configuration, vertical line separation can occur along the separation point, resulting in a reduction in the reliability of reading a tubular with a single identification tag 71 to about 96% when the rotational orientation is substantially random. Alternatively, in accordance with one or more embodiments, portions of the antenna loop can be connected across the split between the

sections

32A, 32B by using an antenna bridge as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Embodiments of the invention also include, for example, an apparatus. The apparatus can include, for example, a riser spider 32 to connect multiple tubular sections, such as riser pipe sections 29, during, for example, assembly of a riser pipe string. The riser spider 32 is configured to form an annulus around and support a first section of the plurality of riser pipe sections during connection with a second section of the plurality of riser pipe sections. The apparatus can include, for example, an antenna arrangement including one or more of

antennas

161, 162, 163, 164, 165, and/or 166 to read a plurality of radio frequency identification tags 71 attached to or embedded within outer surface portions of the plurality of riser pipe sections 29. The antenna design can include an oblong loop 161 attached to and spanning substantially about half of the inner surface of the riser spider section 32A such that the antenna follows the profile of the riser spider and/or a similar antenna design on the other riser spider section 32B. One or more of other antenna arrangements utilizing

multiple antenna designs

162 and 165 or one antenna design 166 or an opposing pair of antenna designs 166 can be used as well or alternatively.

The device can also include an adhesive 231 (see, e.g., fig. 9) that attaches the antenna or antenna loop to the inner surface of the chuck and a protective agent 230 (see, e.g., fig. 9) that protects the antenna from the marine environment. The protective agent 230 can seal the antenna or antennas to the interior facing surface of the chuck or otherwise protect any exposed antenna or antenna assembly surfaces. Exemplary embodiments can include the use of commercially available Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) or rimmed epoxy for subsea applications. In other embodiments, the antenna can be attached to the chuck by clamps, wiring, and other means, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. The device can also include a low frequency, substantially stationary passive reader 73 of the radio frequency identification tag 71. (see, e.g., fig. 7B.) the reader 73 can be operatively connected with an antenna arrangement of the reader.

In an exemplary embodiment of the apparatus, the riser spider 32 can include two

portions

32A, 32B that together enclose a first section of the plurality of riser pipe sections 29 to form a ring, wherein each portion comprises a half circumference of the ring. The riser spider 32 can also include two portions connected by a hinge 232 (see, e.g., FIG. 9).

Placing the

antennas

161, 162, 163, 164, 165, and/or 166 on the interior surface 157 of the spider 32 allows the tag 71 on the riser pipe 29 to be read automatically as the tag 71 moves through the spider 32, and without having to manually bring a reader to the riser pipe 29 or to bring the riser pipe 29 to a reader, for example. In addition, since no direct contact between the riser pipe 29 and the reader's antenna 201 is necessary, the exemplary embodiments of the present invention advantageously do not interfere with the normal operation of the riser pipe string.

Other existing solutions require a handheld reader or a fixed reader and necessarily alter or prevent normal operation of the riser string. Additionally, embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide solutions for various riser spider configurations that include both a single-part spider and a spider made of two parts that enclose the riser pipe.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, an embodiment of the invention includes a method 210 of tracking a marine riser pipe section 29, for example. The method 210 can include, for example, providing a plurality of radio frequency identification tags 71 (211) attached to an outside of and associated with a plurality of riser pipe sections. The method 210 can include connecting the plurality of riser pipe sections 29 (212) with the riser spider 32, for example, during assembly of the riser pipe string. The riser spider is configured to form an annulus around and support a first section of the plurality of riser pipe sections during connection with a second section of the plurality of riser pipe sections. The method 210 can include reading each of the plurality of radio frequency identification tags 71 with an antenna (213), for example, during the feeding of the associated riser pipe section through the riser spider 32.

The antenna arrangement can include any of the previously described antenna/antenna designs 161-166, the antenna/antenna designs 161-166 being attached to or embedded within the entire internally facing surface of a single or multi-segment riser cartridge (if each segment includes a joint dual connector connecting any antenna loops, traversing the split between the

riser segments

32A, 32B) and spanning substantially along the entire surface; approximately half of either or both of the inwardly facing surface sections of the riser spider 32 defined by the split between the

riser sections

32A, 32B, such that the respective antenna or antennas follows the contour of the respective portion of the riser spider 32.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, an embodiment of the invention includes a method 220 of tracking a plurality of riser pipe sections 29, for example. The method 220 can include, for each of the plurality of riser pipe sections 29, utilizing an antenna to receive riser pipe section identification data from a radio frequency identification tag 71 attached to an outside of and associated with the riser pipe section during, for example, feeding the riser pipe section through a riser spider during assembly of the riser pipe string to individually identify each of the plurality of riser pipe sections from each individual section of the plurality of riser pipe sections (221). The antenna arrangement can include any of the previously described antenna/antenna designs 161-166, with the antenna/antenna designs 161-166 arranged such that the antenna or antennas follow the contour of the interior facing surface or surfaces of the riser spider. For example, the method 220 can include determining a relative deployed positioning position of each of the plurality of riser pipe sections 29 to form a riser pipe string (222).

1-9 illustrate various partial and optional configurations of an exemplary embodiment of a Riser Lifecycle Monitoring System (RLMS) 30, the system 30 providing an integrated tool designed to improve the lifecycle performance of marine risers by applying remote diagnostics, online asset management, and readily accessible riser asset maintenance history, and to permit remote management of riser assets, with particular emphasis on riser joints. The riser lifecycle management system comprises integrated hardware and software/program product components that can be integrated in a central database, preferably located onshore. The database can store asset information about the risers of each equipment riser lifecycle management system in the world. It is also possible to permit transfer of riser assets from one vessel to another while preserving all historical data. In turn, the vessel computer can retrieve data from sensors placed on, for example, each riser asset. The riser lifecycle management system advantageously provides for the collection of riser load history data. Such acquisition can include collecting sensor data, multiplexing that data, and communicating the data up the water column to the vessel while allowing an acceptable level of fault tolerance. The data collected depends on the type of sensor used on the riser asset. Such data provided by embodiments of the system can also allow scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, and control of the associated riser tensioning system.

More specifically, as illustrated in fig. 6, 7A, 7B, and 8, the riser lifecycle management system 30 includes a portion on shore and a portion at each of the vessel locations. As illustrated in fig. 6, the portion of the riser lifecycle management system 30 located at the onshore or other centralized location or locations can include at least one computer to remotely manage riser assets defining a plurality of separate vessel locations of a riser lifecycle management server 51, where the riser lifecycle management server 51 is positioned in communication with an onshore local area communication network 53. The riser lifecycle management server 51 can include a processor 55 and a memory 57 coupled with the processor 55. The memory 57 can include, for example, a program product 120. The riser lifecycle management system 30 can also include a data store 63, the data store 63 being capable of storing relevant data regarding each component of a riser assembly equipping the riser lifecycle management system anywhere in the world. The data warehouse 63 is accessible to the processor 55 of the administrative lifecycle management server 51 and can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The data warehouse 63 can include at least one centralized database 65 configured to store asset information for other riser assets of interest and a plurality of riser pipe sections 29, i.e., riser joints, deployed at a plurality of separate vessel locations. Asset information can include, for example, part numbers, serial numbers, associated manufacturing records, operating procedures, and all maintenance records (including detailed information about the nature of the maintenance), to name a few. At the time of manufacture or maintenance, this information is typically entered into the riser lifecycle management system 30. The database 65 can also hold deployment and load history information that can be automatically collected from the onboard computer 41 located on each riser lifecycle management system equipped vessel 27. See also, for example, fig. 7A.

The riser lifecycle management system 30 can also include a riser pipe section gauge module 91 and an underground communication medium 95 as described herein.

The riser lifecycle management system 30 can also include a receiver/transmitter 54 in communication with the onshore communication network 53, the receiver/transmitter 54 providing, for example, satellite-based communication to a plurality of vessels/drilling/production facilities each having a receiver/transmitter 44. The riser lifecycle management system 30 can also include, for example, a global communication network 61, the global communication network 61 providing a communication path between the on-board computer 41 of each respective vessel 27 and the riser lifecycle management server 51 to permit transfer of riser asset information between the on-board computer 41 and the riser lifecycle management server 51.

As illustrated in fig. 7A and 7B, the portion of the riser lifecycle management system 30 located at each of the locations of the vessel 27 can include, for example, an onboard computer 41 in communication with a local onboard communication network 43, such as a LAN or local area network. The on-board computer 41 can include a processor 45 and a memory 47 coupled to the processor 45. The memory 47 can comprise, for example, a program product 120. At least one database 49 is also provided accessible to the processor 45 of the on-board computer 41, the database 49 being operable to store asset information for each of the plurality of riser joints deployed from the vessel 27. Such asset information can include riser joint identification data, riser joint deployment and location data, and riser joint load history data. Also in communication with the on-board communication network 43 is a receiver/transmitter 44 which provides, for example, satellite-based communication to onshore facilities.

As illustrated in fig. 7B, the riser lifecycle management system 30 can include an offshore drilling and/or production system 21, the system 21 including deployed riser pipes or conductors defining a riser string 23, the riser string 23 extending between a subsea wellhead system 25 and a floating vessel 27, such as, for example, a dynamically positionable vessel. The riser string 23 includes a plurality of riser sections or joints 29 connected together, such as by bolted flanges or other components known to those skilled in the art. The vessel 27 includes a well bay 31 extending through the floor of the vessel 27 and typically includes a riser spider 32, the riser spider 32 being positioned on an operating platform 33 in the well bay 31 to support the riser string 23 during operation or recovery of the riser string 23 when a riser joint connection is made or broken. Embodiments of the present invention apply to both drilling risers and production risers. The vessel 27 further comprises a tensioning system 35 on the operating platform 33, the tensioning system 35 providing both lateral load resistance and vertical tension, preferably applied to a sliding or tensioning ring 37 attached to the top of the riser string 23.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, riser identification and deployment data for each riser joint 29 (or other riser asset of interest) is communicated to, for example, the on-board computer 41 by means of a tag, such as an RFID chip or tag 71 (see, e.g., FIG. 8) located on each riser joint 29, and a suitable reader 73, where the reader 73 is, for example, mounted on deck or otherwise connected with the vessel 27 at or adjacent the sea surface and is operatively coupled to the on-board computer 41 or otherwise in communication with the on-board computer 41 through the local on-board communication network 43.

Further, the system 30 can further include: riser joint gauge modules 91, each positioned to sense a load imposed on an individual riser joint in the riser joints 29 forming the riser string 23, the load being represented by strain, riser pipe bending, accelerometer data, or the like; a riser joint load data receiver 93 mounted or otherwise connected to the vessel 27 at or adjacent the sea surface and operatively coupled with the local onboard communication network 43 to receive load data for each of the deployed riser joints 29 from the riser joint survey instrument module 91; and a subsurface communication medium 95, illustrated as being provided via a series of replaceable wireless data telemetry stations that provide a communication pathway between each of the joint gauge modules 91 and the riser joint load data receiver 93 through the water column associated with the riser string 23.

The gauge module 91 is capable of determining the magnitude of the load imposed on the riser string 23 to calculate the magnitude of stress at various locations on the riser joint 29 or other riser asset. Examples can include excessive stress, deflection, acceleration, and high frequency alternating stress in cross-flow motion due to vortex induced vibrations, for example, caused by vortices VX. There are many ways under which riser stress can be measured. In one embodiment, riser pipe strain is read at the sensor 103, as the conversion of strain data to stress is fairly straightforward and can be done via a relatively simple computer program element. Alternatively, riser dynamics can be obtained via an accelerometer, which may require a more complex set of operations for conversion to material stresses, from which operational (e.g., fatigue) lifetimes can then be calculated. The load data sent to the riser lifecycle management server 51 can be in raw data, or converted by the on-board computer 41 to local stresses, or to some intermediate form if some processing is done by the instrumentation module 91. According to an embodiment of the invention, the sensor 103 is carried by a thin clamped-on composite mat (not shown), the sensor 103 can be used to accurately determine the deflection in the riser joint 29.

Embodiments of the riser lifecycle management system 30 can also include various methods related to monitoring and management of a plurality of marine riser assets. For example, the onboard computer 41 can compare the ID data to a list of recently recorded tags. If a duplicate asset is reported, the duplicate asset is ignored. That is, the same riser asset may be scanned multiple times while it is being landed on the chuck 32, or during normal processing, while utilizing the automatic reading sensor. Thus, a preferred processing procedure can include ignoring repeated recordings or repeated readings over a preselected period of time.

In the context of the riser lifecycle management system 30, embodiments of an apparatus and associated method according to the invention provide several advantages and enhancements. For example, embodiments provide for (provide for) automatically reading an identification tag on a riser pipe without requiring a handheld reader, manual process, or hindrance to normal operation. That is, embodiments provide a Low Frequency (LF) fixed reader antenna built into the riser spider that allows riser pipe to be automatically read as the pipe is fed through the riser spider.

In conjunction with the riser lifecycle management system 30, embodiments of the present invention are able to track marine riser pipe sections to thereby enable the system to automatically notify operators of both routine and unscheduled maintenance events. Routine maintenance events are events that are scheduled at a time in advance but can be aided by load history information in the database. Unscheduled maintenance events are events associated with unexpected contingent events. For example, one or more riser joints in a column that is struck by a hurricane may reach a preset fatigue life trigger level, requiring minimal inspection of the riser joints. In this scenario, the operator will have a high confidence as follows: the remaining riser assets are suitable for marine deployment, thereby reducing downtime associated with inspection of the entire riser string.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed typical preferred embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. The invention has been described in considerable detail with particular reference to these illustrated embodiments. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes can be made thereto within the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the foregoing description.

Claims

1. An offshore drilling rig, comprising:

a riser spider for supporting a plurality of riser pipe sections during assembly of a riser pipe string, the riser spider forming an annulus around a first riser pipe section of the plurality of riser pipe sections deployed therethrough during connection with a second riser pipe section of the plurality of riser pipe sections and supporting the first riser pipe section, each riser pipe section having an identification tag attached to or embedded within an outwardly facing surface of the respective riser pipe section;

an antenna arrangement including an antenna attached to or embedded within a portion of an interior facing surface of the riser spider and configured such that the antenna follows a contour of the portion of the interior facing surface of the riser spider, wherein the antenna arrangement includes a plurality of antenna loops arranged circumferentially along the interior facing surface of the riser spider and configured to provide overlapping coverage along a longitudinal axis of the riser spider; and

a reader operably connected to the antenna arrangement for reading a plurality of radio frequency identification tags attached to respective externally facing surfaces of the plurality of riser pipe sections.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the antenna arrangement is configured to provide for reading the identification tag of each of the plurality of riser pipe sections with a reliability of at least 96%, wherein each of the plurality of riser pipe sections is deployed through the riser spider with any rotational orientation of the respective riser pipe section relative to a rotational orientation of the riser spider.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of riser pipe sections comprises two or more circumferentially offset identification tags, wherein at least two of the two or more circumferentially offset identification tags are separated by at least a width of a vertical gap between two adjacent transverse antenna loops of the plurality of antenna loops, and wherein the antenna arrangement is configured to provide for reading at least one of the identification tags of each of the plurality of riser pipe sections with 100% reliability, wherein each of the plurality of riser pipe sections is deployed through the riser spider in any rotational orientation of that respective riser pipe section relative to a rotational orientation of the riser spider.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of antenna loops have a minimum gap spacing to prevent undesired coupling and corresponding interconnect geometry between adjacent antenna loops resulting in no vertical line separation between the adjacent antenna loops along a longitudinal axis of the riser spider.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein,

wherein the riser spider comprises two portions that together enclose the outwardly facing surface of each respective riser pipe section deployed through the riser spider; and

wherein the antenna comprises one or more antenna loops that completely span circumferentially along the inwardly facing surface of a first of the two portions of the riser spider.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the antenna arrangement further comprises:

a second antenna including one or more antenna loops that completely span circumferentially along the inwardly facing surface of a second of the two portions of the riser spider.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the antenna comprises a plurality of antenna loops that completely span 360 ° circumferentially along the interior facing surface of the riser spider.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

the plurality of riser pipe sections;

wherein the riser spider comprises two portions that together enclose the outwardly facing surface of each respective riser pipe section deployed through the riser spider;

wherein the antenna arrangement is employed on only a first of the two portions of the riser spider;

wherein the antenna comprises one or more antenna loops that completely span circumferentially along the inwardly facing surface of a first of the two portions of the riser spider; and

wherein each of the riser pipe sections carries at least two identification tags circumferentially spaced apart by more than 90 ° but less than 270 ° to ensure read reliability.

9. An offshore drilling rig, comprising:

a riser spider for supporting a plurality of tubulars during assembly of a tubular string, the riser spider forming an annulus around a first tubular of the plurality of tubulars deployed therethrough during connection with a second tubular of the plurality of tubulars and supporting the first tubular, each tubular having an identification tag attached to or embedded within an outwardly facing surface of the respective tubular; and

an antenna arrangement including an antenna attached to or embedded within a portion of an interior facing surface of the riser spider and configured such that the antenna follows a contour of the portion of the interior facing surface of the riser spider, wherein the antenna arrangement includes a plurality of antenna loops arranged circumferentially along the interior facing surface of the riser spider and configured to provide overlapping coverage along a longitudinal axis of the riser spider.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:

a reader operably connected to the antenna arrangement for reading a plurality of radio frequency identification tags attached to respective outwardly facing surfaces of the plurality of tubes; and

a computer configured to determine a relative deployed positioning location of said each of said plurality of tubulars forming a tubular string.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the antenna arrangement is configured to provide for reading the identification tag of each of the plurality of tubulars with a reliability of at least 96%, wherein each of the plurality of tubulars is deployed through the riser spider at any rotational orientation of the respective riser pipe section relative to the rotational orientation of the riser spider.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of tubulars comprises two or more circumferentially offset identification tags, wherein at least two of the two or more circumferentially offset identification tags are separated by at least a width of a vertical gap between two adjacent transverse antenna loops of the plurality of antenna loops, and wherein the antenna arrangement is configured to read at least one of the identification tags of each tubular of the plurality of tubulars with 100% reliability, wherein each tubular of the plurality of tubulars is deployed through the riser spider at any rotational orientation of the respective riser pipe section relative to the rotational orientation of the riser spider.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the plurality of antenna loops have a minimum gap spacing to prevent undesired coupling and corresponding interconnect geometry between adjacent antenna loops resulting in no vertical line separation between the adjacent antenna loops along a longitudinal axis of the riser spider.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the antenna comprises a plurality of antenna loops that completely span 360 ° circumferentially along the interior facing surface of the riser spider.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:

the plurality of riser pipe sections;

wherein each of the riser pipe sections carries at least two identification tags circumferentially spaced greater than 90 ° but less than 270 ° apart to enhance read reliability.

16. A method of tracking a marine riser pipe section, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of radio frequency identification tags attached to or embedded within an outwardly facing surface of a plurality of riser pipe sections, wherein each of the plurality of riser pipe sections carries one or more of the plurality of radio frequency identification tags;

attaching or embedding an antenna arrangement to or within a portion of an inwardly facing surface of a riser spider, the antenna arrangement containing an antenna configured such that the antenna follows a contour of the portion of the inwardly facing surface of the riser spider, wherein the antenna arrangement comprises a plurality of antenna loops arranged circumferentially along the inwardly facing surface of the riser spider and configured to provide overlapping coverage along a longitudinal axis of the riser spider;

during assembly of a riser pipe string, connecting the plurality of riser pipe sections with the riser spider to include lowering a first riser pipe section of the plurality of riser pipe sections into the riser spider, supporting the first riser pipe section with the riser spider, and connecting a second riser pipe section of the plurality of riser pipe sections with the first riser pipe section, and repeating to form the riser pipe string; and

reading at least one of the one or more of the plurality of radio frequency identification tags by utilizing the antenna during feeding of the associated riser pipe section through the riser spider.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of selecting the target,

wherein the plurality of antenna loops have a minimum gap spacing to prevent undesired coupling and corresponding interconnect geometry between adjacent antenna loops resulting in no vertical line separation between the adjacent antenna loops along the longitudinal axis of the riser spider.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of selecting the target,

wherein each of the plurality of riser pipe sections comprises two or more circumferentially offset identification tags, wherein at least two of the two or more circumferentially offset identification tags are separated by at least a width of a vertical gap between two adjacent transverse antenna loops of the plurality of antenna loops; and

wherein the antenna arrangement is configured to read at least one of the identification tags of each of the plurality of riser pipe sections with 100% reliability, wherein each of the plurality of riser pipe sections is deployed through the riser spider in any rotational orientation of the respective riser pipe section relative to the rotational orientation of the riser spider.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of selecting the target,

wherein the riser spider comprises two portions that together enclose the outwardly facing surface of each respective riser pipe section deployed adjacent the antenna through the riser spider;

wherein the antenna arrangement includes one or more antenna loops that completely span circumferentially along the inwardly facing surface of a first of the two portions of the riser spider; and