EP0945587A1 - Système tendeur de tuyaux de montée - Google Patents

Système tendeur de tuyaux de montée Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0945587A1
EP0945587A1 EP98200984A EP98200984A EP0945587A1 EP 0945587 A1 EP0945587 A1 EP 0945587A1 EP 98200984 A EP98200984 A EP 98200984A EP 98200984 A EP98200984 A EP 98200984A EP 0945587 A1 EP0945587 A1 EP 0945587A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
vessel
riser
vessel according
weight
tensioning
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP98200984A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Jack Pollack
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Single Buoy Moorings Inc
Original Assignee
Single Buoy Moorings Inc
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Single Buoy Moorings Inc filed Critical Single Buoy Moorings Inc
Priority to EP98200984A priority Critical patent/EP0945587A1/fr
Priority to AU34180/99A priority patent/AU742012B2/en
Priority to DE69902762T priority patent/DE69902762T2/de
Priority to PCT/EP1999/002049 priority patent/WO1999050527A1/fr
Priority to BR9909176-3A priority patent/BR9909176A/pt
Priority to DE69923189T priority patent/DE69923189D1/de
Priority to IDW20001934A priority patent/ID28208A/id
Priority to EP99915708A priority patent/EP1064450B1/fr
Priority to OA1200000264A priority patent/OA11535A/en
Priority to JP2000541400A priority patent/JP2002510003A/ja
Priority to EP01201104A priority patent/EP1106779B1/fr
Priority to US09/647,149 priority patent/US6517291B1/en
Publication of EP0945587A1 publication Critical patent/EP0945587A1/fr
Priority to NO20004850A priority patent/NO20004850L/no
Priority to US10/335,882 priority patent/US6789981B2/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
    • B63B35/44—Floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, or workshops, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
    • B63B35/4413—Floating drilling platforms, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
    • 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
    • E21B19/006—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 including heave compensators
    • 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
    • E21B7/00—Special methods or apparatus for drilling
    • E21B7/12—Underwater drilling
    • E21B7/128—Underwater drilling from floating support with independent underwater anchored guide base

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a vessel comprising a riser tensioning construction having a support frame attached to the vessel, a tensioning member movably carried by the frame, the tensioning member being with a first end attached to an upper end of a riser extending from a subsea structure to the tensioning member and being with a second end attached to a weight for exerting a tensioning force on the riser.
  • a mooring system for a floating production vessel is known using a riser which is tensioned by a weight type motion compensating system.
  • the tensioning construction comprises a pivotable frame at the bow of the vessel which at one end is provided with a large counter weight near deck level.
  • the known system has as a disadvantage that it takes up a lot of space and that during roll, pitch or heave movements of the vessel the large mass of the tensioning construction can give rise to an unbalance and exerts large forces on the supporting frame structure.
  • a riser tensioning system is known wherein a riser, such as a drilling riser, is at its upper end provided with a tension ring which is connected via cables to sheaves on the drilling vessel.
  • the sheaves are mounted on the free ends of piston rods of hydraulic cylinders, the second end of the cables being attached to the vessel.
  • the tensional forces on the riser are maintained generally constant by movement of the piston rods against the hydraulic pressure in the cylinders.
  • This system has as a disadvantage that the tensional forces exerted on the riser will vary with the buoyancy of the vessel.
  • the cylinders In order to obtain a relatively large stroke of the cylinders the cylinders should be relatively long and therefore take up a lot of space, which in view of the moving nature of the cylinders cannot be effectively used.
  • the hydraulic system is relatively complex.
  • the riser tensioning construction according to the present invention is characterised in that the second end of the tensioning member extends outside the hull of the vessel or through a well in the vessel such as to be located below water level.
  • the counterweight By placing the counterweight below water level, the forces exerted by the counterweight on the vessel upon movement thereof are reduced and the motion of the counterweight is damped.
  • location below water level of the counterweight provides for an easy way of varying the tensional force exerted thereby, not only by varying the mass thereof but also by varying its buoyancy for instance by use of compressed air. Placing the counterweight below water level allows additional use of the space needed for drilling and/or production equipment on the vessel.
  • the tensioning member may be a rigid arm but is preferably formed by a cable.
  • the tensioning member according to the present invention can be placed alongside the hull, through a well in the hull or can be located below keel level of the vessel.
  • the support frame comprises at least two spaced apart mounting arms each carrying a cable guide means and a respective cable, a connector being supported by the first ends of the cables, at least one riser being attached to the connector.
  • the motions of the vessel are completely decoupled from the riser.
  • a substantially constant tensional force is exerted on the riser upon heave, pitch or roll of the vessel.
  • the mounting arms according to the present invention remain stationary, they do not form an obstruction for the drilling and production equipment on the vessel.
  • the connector can be formed for instance by a transverse support arm extending between the mounting arms.
  • the transverse support arm preferably supporting multiple risers, is lowered or raised a small amount that is determined by the elasticity of the risers, at the respective side at which the tension in the riser increases or decreases by lifting or lowering of the counterweights.
  • the tensional forces on the risers remain substantially constant and are substantially independent of the movements of the vessel.
  • the transverse support arm can be effectively used as a stable deck structure for supporting drilling or production equipment, as it will be maintained in a substantially horizontal position by the tensional forces of the risers acting thereon.
  • the riser tensioning construction according to the present invention may be mounted on a turret structure of a vessel around which the vessel can weathervane, at deck level or at keel level thereof. It is also possible to use the present riser tensioning construction in a vessel wherein the cables and counterweights extend in a central well, for instance through the turret.
  • a weight guiding element on the vessel, for instance near keel level or near the seabed. It is also possible to guide the tensioning weights along the risers, in case a rigid steel casing is used.
  • the tensioning member comprises a relatively elastic cable which is at it second side attached to the seabed, which in this case forms the tensioning weight.
  • the tensioning member can be a rope such a polyester line which is held under a certain pretension and which therefore acts as a spring to tension the risers.
  • FIG. 1 shows vessel 1, such as for instance a floating storage and production vessel which is moored to the seabed via catenary anchor lines 2.
  • vessel is intended to mean any floating construction such as semi-submersibles, floating production vessels, tension leg platforms, barges etc.
  • the vessel can be anchored to the seabed via anchor lines or ropes or via tendons or tethers.
  • vessels are comprised which are connected to the seabed only via one or more risers for the supply of hydrocarbons from the subsea structure to the vessel.
  • two hard casing steel risers 3,4 extend up to above water level 5 and are supported by the buoyancy of the vessel 1.
  • the upper ends 7,8 of the risers 3,4 are attached to a tensioning member 9 comprising two cables 12,13 being on one side attached to a transverse support arm or a support deck 15 and being on their other ends connected to a respective clump weight 16,17.
  • the cables 12,13 are guided over fixed position sheaves 19,20 which are supported on vertical mounting arms 21,22.
  • the arms 21,22 are located near the sides of the hull 23 of the vessel 1 such that the cables 12,13 extend alongside the vessel to below water level 5.
  • the weight tensioned risers 12,13 Upon rolling of the vessel, the weight tensioned risers 12,13 will cause the respective weights 16,17 to be lifted or lowered. In this way the tensional forces on the risers remain substantially equalised.
  • the length of the cables 12,13 may for instance be between 50 and 2000 metres.
  • the weight of each weight 16,17 may for instance be about 100 tonnes.
  • the transverse support arm 15 is part of a support deck, for which at least three mounting arms, including the arms 21,22 and a further mounting arm, which is not shown in the drawing, are provided.
  • the length of each mounting arm 21, 22 is high enough to space the sheaves 19, 20 and the deck 15 far enough from deck level 24 to avoid contact upon relative movements of the support deck 15 and the hull 23.
  • This relative movement would mainly be a combination of: hull response to waves, transverse support arm set down due to horizontal drifting of vessel and/or draft changes of hull 23 due to different loading conditions.
  • drilling or production equipment 26 is mounted on the support deck 15.
  • Flow and communication lines needed to pass from the hull 23 to the support deck 15 will be formed by piping or cabling capable of handling the relative movements between the hull 23 and the support deck 15. Manned access between hull 23 and support deck 15 will be provided with the flexibility to cope with the relative motions between the deck 15 and hull 23.
  • FIG 2 an embodiment of a vessel 1 is shown which is attached to the seabed via tethers or tendons 2'.
  • the risers 3, 4 and tendons 2' extend through a central well or moon pool 28 in the vessel to be pivotably connected to the supporting deck structure 15.
  • On the deck structure 15 the production trees 37 at the end of the risers are supported.
  • Supported on the deck structure 15 are piping and manifolds 15', the drilling area 15'' being located centrally over the trees 37.
  • the parts 23' of the hull 23 located on both sides of the moon pool 28 can be used for oil or gas storage.
  • the decks areas 24' and 24'' located below the sheaves 19, 20 can be used for accommodation and processing equipment respectively.
  • Weights 16,17 when hanging without guides from cables 13,14 can swing due to dynamic excitation. A reduction in this swinging can be achieved by interconnections 55,56,57 of the weights and cables with one another. Guiding of the weight can also effectively control this dynamic swinging action.
  • FIG 2 an embodiment of a vessel 1 is shown which is attached to the seabed via tethers or tendons 2'.
  • the system shown in figure 2 can also have a lateral mooring system 2 of the kind that is shown in figure 1 for controlling horizontal motions.
  • the tethers or tendons 2' are primarily used to fix the deck structure 15 at its horizontal position above the hull 23. In this way the deck structure can be initially supported without any riser being attached.
  • FIG 3 shows an other embodiment according to the present invention wherein the mounting arms 21,22 carrying the sheaves 19,20 are placed near a central well 28 extending through the hull of the vessel 1.
  • the mounting arms 21,22 may be mounted on a bearing structure 30 of a turret 33 that will allow the vessel to weathervane or rotate with respect to the mounting arms.
  • the cables 12,13 extend through the well 28 to below keel level of the vessel.
  • the cables 12,13 moving over sheaves 19,20 may after a certain period require replacement.
  • multiple cables 12,13 and/or weights 16,17 giving redundant stability to deck 15 would be used in a way that temporary removal of one weight for cable maintenance/replacement does not greatly affect the stability or tension of the riser system.
  • Multiple cables can also be connected to the same weight so cable replacement/failure does not affect the tensioning of deck 15. This also assures the unexpected failure of one or more cables 12,13 does not cause a failure of the riser system.
  • Figure 4 shows an embodiment wherein the riser tensioning construction 32 is mounted on a turret 33 of a vessel 34. Near keel level 35 the turret 33 carries a chain table 36 and is attached to the seabed 29 via anchor lines 38,39.
  • a sheave 40 is suspended from a mounting arm 41 and carries a cable 42 on one end connected to a weight 43 and on the other end being connected to the upper end of a riser 44.
  • the upper end of the riser 44 is connected to a swivel 45 on the vessel via a flexible riser 46 allowing for heave of the vessel 34 with respect to the riser 44.
  • FIG 5 shows an embodiment wherein the cables 12,13 extend to close to the seabed 29.
  • Two weight guiding elements 47,48 such as for instance piles, are placed in the seabed and extend through holes in the weights 16,17 such that these can vertically slide along the piles 47,48. Hereby lateral movement of the weights 16,17 is prevented such that they can not contact the risers 3,4.
  • Figure 6 shows an embodiment wherein the weight guiding elements are formed by shafts or cages 49,50 connected to the vessel 1 near keel level 29. The weights 16 and 17 can slide up and down in the shafts or cages 49,50.
  • Figure 7 shows an embodiment wherein the weights 16 and 17 are provided with a throughbore and are placed around the risers 3,4 to prevent lateral movement of the weights.
  • FIG 8 shows an embodiment wherein the riser tensioning construction comprises two flexible lines, such as polyester lines 52,53 which are attached to the seabed 29 for instance via weights 54,55.
  • the polyester cables 52,53 Upon rolling of the vessel 1, the polyester cables 52,53 will act as springs keeping the support deck 15 in a horizontal position and maintaining a substantially equal tension force in both risers 3,4.
  • the weights at the end of cables 12,13 are clump weights, it is also envisaged that these weight may be formed by other means, such as for instance chain parts which may be 500 metres long, or other types of weights.
  • the cables 12, 13 may be formed by steel cables, wire rope cables, polyester lines, chains or combinations thereof.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Earth Drilling (AREA)
EP98200984A 1908-09-09 1998-03-27 Système tendeur de tuyaux de montée Withdrawn EP0945587A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (14)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP98200984A EP0945587A1 (fr) 1998-03-27 1998-03-27 Système tendeur de tuyaux de montée
EP99915708A EP1064450B1 (fr) 1998-03-27 1999-03-23 Structure de tension a colonnes montantes
OA1200000264A OA11535A (en) 1998-03-27 1999-03-23 Riser tensioning construction.
PCT/EP1999/002049 WO1999050527A1 (fr) 1998-03-27 1999-03-23 Sacs a structure d'ouverture facile
BR9909176-3A BR9909176A (pt) 1998-03-27 1999-03-23 Navio
DE69923189T DE69923189D1 (de) 1998-03-27 1999-03-23 Vorrichtung zum Spannen von Risern
IDW20001934A ID28208A (id) 1998-03-27 1999-03-23 Konstruksi penegang pengapung
AU34180/99A AU742012B2 (en) 1998-03-27 1999-03-23 Riser tensioning construction
DE69902762T DE69902762T2 (de) 1998-03-27 1999-03-23 Riser-spannanordnung
JP2000541400A JP2002510003A (ja) 1998-03-27 1999-03-23 ライザー引張り構造
EP01201104A EP1106779B1 (fr) 1998-03-27 1999-03-23 Dispositif pour tendre des colonnes montantes
US09/647,149 US6517291B1 (en) 1998-03-27 1999-03-23 Riser tensioning construction
NO20004850A NO20004850L (no) 1998-03-27 2000-09-27 Strekkinnretning for stigerör
US10/335,882 US6789981B2 (en) 1908-09-09 2003-01-03 Riser tensioning construction

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP98200984A EP0945587A1 (fr) 1998-03-27 1998-03-27 Système tendeur de tuyaux de montée

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0945587A1 true EP0945587A1 (fr) 1999-09-29

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98200984A Withdrawn EP0945587A1 (fr) 1908-09-09 1998-03-27 Système tendeur de tuyaux de montée

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EP (1) EP0945587A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001031164A1 (fr) * 1999-10-27 2001-05-03 Single Buoy Moorings Inc. Batiment de forage flottante et de reconditionnement pourvue d'un train de tiges de forage s'etendant au moins a travers une tete d'injection
CN108049835A (zh) * 2017-12-11 2018-05-18 中国海洋石油集团有限公司 一种海洋钻井平台立体交叉钢丝作业系统

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3421581A (en) * 1965-10-19 1969-01-14 Shell Oil Co Method and apparatus for carrying out operations on a well under water
US3681928A (en) * 1970-09-15 1972-08-08 Leonardus M J Vincken Method and apparatus for carrying out underwater well operations
US3760875A (en) * 1970-06-29 1973-09-25 Shell Oil Co Floating structure with rotatable templet for connecting guide lines thereto
US3917006A (en) * 1972-09-29 1975-11-04 Smith International Floorlevel motion compensator
US4272059A (en) 1978-06-16 1981-06-09 Exxon Production Research Company Riser tensioner system
US4432420A (en) * 1981-08-06 1984-02-21 Exxon Production Research Co. Riser tensioner safety system
US4567842A (en) 1984-05-02 1986-02-04 Novacorp International Consulting Ltd. Weight type motion compensation system for a riser moored tanker

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3421581A (en) * 1965-10-19 1969-01-14 Shell Oil Co Method and apparatus for carrying out operations on a well under water
US3760875A (en) * 1970-06-29 1973-09-25 Shell Oil Co Floating structure with rotatable templet for connecting guide lines thereto
US3681928A (en) * 1970-09-15 1972-08-08 Leonardus M J Vincken Method and apparatus for carrying out underwater well operations
US3917006A (en) * 1972-09-29 1975-11-04 Smith International Floorlevel motion compensator
US4272059A (en) 1978-06-16 1981-06-09 Exxon Production Research Company Riser tensioner system
US4432420A (en) * 1981-08-06 1984-02-21 Exxon Production Research Co. Riser tensioner safety system
US4567842A (en) 1984-05-02 1986-02-04 Novacorp International Consulting Ltd. Weight type motion compensation system for a riser moored tanker

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001031164A1 (fr) * 1999-10-27 2001-05-03 Single Buoy Moorings Inc. Batiment de forage flottante et de reconditionnement pourvue d'un train de tiges de forage s'etendant au moins a travers une tete d'injection
US6968899B1 (en) 1999-10-27 2005-11-29 Single Buoy Moorings Inc. Drilling-workover vessel having a drill string extending through at least one swivel
CN108049835A (zh) * 2017-12-11 2018-05-18 中国海洋石油集团有限公司 一种海洋钻井平台立体交叉钢丝作业系统
CN108049835B (zh) * 2017-12-11 2020-01-24 中国海洋石油集团有限公司 一种海洋钻井平台立体交叉钢丝作业系统

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