EP2576333B1 - Système de canalisation flexible - Google Patents

Système de canalisation flexible Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP2576333B1
EP2576333B1 EP11789284.4A EP11789284A EP2576333B1 EP 2576333 B1 EP2576333 B1 EP 2576333B1 EP 11789284 A EP11789284 A EP 11789284A EP 2576333 B1 EP2576333 B1 EP 2576333B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
transporting unit
flexible
sea surface
seabed
flexible transporting
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.)
Active
Application number
EP11789284.4A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP2576333A1 (fr
EP2576333A4 (fr
Inventor
Tommy Pedersen
Claus Dencker Christensen
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.)
National Oilwell Varco Denmark IS
Original Assignee
National Oilwell Varco Denmark IS
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 National Oilwell Varco Denmark IS filed Critical National Oilwell Varco Denmark IS
Publication of EP2576333A1 publication Critical patent/EP2576333A1/fr
Publication of EP2576333A4 publication Critical patent/EP2576333A4/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2576333B1 publication Critical patent/EP2576333B1/fr
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

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
    • E21B17/00—Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
    • E21B17/01—Risers
    • E21B17/015—Non-vertical risers, e.g. articulated or catenary-type
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B27/00—Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers
    • B63B27/24—Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers of pipe-lines
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B27/00—Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers
    • B63B27/30—Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for transfer at sea between ships or between ships and off-shore structures

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a flexible pipe system for transferring fluid between a seabed installation and a sea surface installation.
  • the flexible pipe system of the invention is for example useful for transferring hydrocarbon containing fluids from a seabed installation such as a well and to a sea surface installation such as a floating platform or a vessel.
  • Flexible pipe systems of the above type are well known in the art and are generally used for transporting fluids, electricity, electromagnetic waves and other media which are transferred to or from a sea surface installation, in particular a floating sea surface installation, such as a floating platform and a vessel.
  • the hoses extend in a catenary between the sea surface installation and an intermediate positive buoyancy element capable of imparting to the hose, over a portion of its length, a curved configuration of concavity turned toward the seabed.
  • the prior art shallow water systems usually are structured to arrange the flexible pipes to have a wave configuration, such as an 'S' configuration or similar wave configuration e.g. as described in US 4,793,737 .
  • the flexible pipes are supported by a supporting unit, such as a seabed structure, for example a mid water arch or a mid water jacket, at a distance from the seabed.
  • a supporting unit such as a seabed structure, for example a mid water arch or a mid water jacket
  • US 6,857,822 comprising a tensioning mechanism that prevents excess slack.
  • the system of US 6,857,822 comprises a base located on a seabed comprising a rigid arm which can pivot in first and second, opposite directions away from an equilibrium position.
  • the rigid arm comprises a tension-applying element.
  • the flexible pipe arranged to transport a fluid from a seabed installation to a vessel is clamped to the arm such that the arm will pivot in response to tension in the riser for example caused by a movement of the vessel.
  • the object of the invention is to provide a flexible pipe system comprising a flexible transporting unit for transferring fluid between a seabed installation where the flexible transporting unit can accommodate to forces applied to it due to weather conditions as well as due to movement of the sea surface installation and/or the seabed installation, while simultaneously providing a high degree of stability and control over movements of the flexible transporting unit such that the risk of damaging the flexible transporting unit is reduced.
  • An additional object is to provide a flexible pipe system which is simple to produce and install.
  • the flexible pipe system of the invention is specifically adapted for transferring fluid between a seabed installation and a sea surface installation.
  • the flexible pipe system comprises a fixed subsea structure with a support section and a flexible transporting unit with an axis along its length, a sea surface end and a seabed end arranged with a horizontal distance and a vertical distance.
  • the sea surface end is connected to the sea surface installation.
  • the seabed end is the touchdown point of the flexible transporting unit or the point along the flexible transporting unit where it is connected to the seabed installation which ever has the shorter horizontal distance to the sea surface end.
  • the touchdown point of the flexible transporting unit is the point along the touchdown point of the flexible transporting unit where it meets the seabed.
  • the flexible transporting unit is supported by the support section of the fixed subsea structure at a flexible pipe supporting area defining a flexible transporting unit sea surface length, which is the length of the flexible transporting unit which extends from its sea surface end to the flexible pipe supporting area. At least a section of the flexible transporting unit is movably along its axis with respect to the support section of the fixed subsea structure such that the flexible transporting unit sea surface length can vary between a minimum flexible transporting unit sea surface length and a maximum flexible transporting unit sea surface length.
  • the flexible pipe system may comprise two or more flexible transporting units, but is in the following described mainly with one flexible transporting unit.
  • the flexible pipe system of the invention thereby provides a wave configuration of the flexible transporting unit which in the following is referred to as a "sliding-S", which sliding-S configuration provides the flexible transporting unit with a surplus of length while simultaneously ensuring that the risk of damaging the flexible pipe system due to this surplus of length is reduced compared to prior art systems.
  • the sea surface installation may in practice be any type of installation arranged at or near the sea surface, where the term "near" is used to mean closer to the sea surface than to the seabed, preferably up to about 20 m below the sea surface.
  • Examples of sea surface installations include platforms and vessels.
  • the sea surface installation is a floating installation, preferably selected from a vessel and a floating platform.
  • the sea surface installation is a moored floating installation.
  • the flexible pipe system is most beneficial in situations where the sea surface installation is a vessel, such as a weathervaning vessel or a spread-moored vessel.
  • Weathervaning vessels are often used in shallow waters.
  • An example of a shallow water system comprising a weathervaning vessel which may in one embodiment be used in combination with the present invention is described in co-pending application DK PA 2009 01333 .
  • a hang-off system as described in co-pending application DK PA 2009 01376 comprising a weathervaning vessel is used in combination with the present invention.
  • any weathervaning vessel as well as any spread-moored vessel in practice can be applied as a sea surface installation in the present invention.
  • a 'floating weathervaning vessel' or merely a 'weathervaning vessel' is a vessel from which one or more flexible transporting units are leading to a subsea structure.
  • Such weathervaning vessels as well as spread-moored vessels are known to the skilled person and usually comprise an external turret system or an internal turret system.
  • the internal turret system leads the flexible transporting units through the hull bottom whereas the external turret system leads the flexible transporting unit from a topside hang-off structure extending beyond the hull and the rail of the vessel.
  • a weathervaning vessel is usually moored to the seabed but may also in certain situations be moored by line to one or more fixed structures, and is usually moored while still having a large freedom to move to adapt to forces applied to the weathervaning vessel e.g. by wind, water current and waves.
  • 'seabed' is generally used to denote the subsea floor and the seabed installation is an installation in or in contact with the seabed.
  • the seabed installation may for example be a fixed installation, such as a well, an anchoring installation and/or a secondary fixed subsea structure.
  • a fixed installation such as a well, an anchoring installation and/or a secondary fixed subsea structure.
  • the skilled person will understand that the type of seabed installation is not important for the present invention in general and accordingly any seabed installation can be applied in the present invention.
  • the seabed end is the touchdown point of the flexible transporting unit.
  • the seabed end will be the point along the flexible transporting unit where it is connected to the seabed installation, namely in the situations where the flexible transporting unit is connected to the seabed installation without having any touch down point between the subsea structure and the seabed installation.
  • the flexible pipe system may comprise one or more flexible transporting units.
  • the flexible transporting unit(s) may be any kind of flexible transporting units which are used in offshore applications.
  • the one or more flexible transporting units comprise at least one unbonded flexible offshore pipe.
  • the one or more flexible transporting units comprise at least one bonded flexible offshore pipe.
  • the flexible transporting unit may for example be a flexible riser or an umbilical.
  • the shallow water system comprises a plurality of flexible transporting units e.g. comprising a plurality of rises, such as a plurality of risers and optionally at least one umbilical.
  • Flexible transporting units - sometimes also called jumpers - such as risers and umbilicals are well known in the art.
  • Risers are usually applied for transportation of petrochemical products from the seabed to a sea surface installation such as a weathervaning vessel.
  • Umbilicals are often used for transporting fluids, electricity, signals and other to and/or from installations at or beyond the seabed.
  • the flexible transporting unit comprises at least one flexible pipe. In one embodiment the flexible transporting unit comprises at least one umbilical. In one embodiment the flexible transporting unit comprises at least one flexible riser pipe, such as a jumper.
  • the flexible transporting unit comprises two or more pipes connected to each other and in fluidic connection with each other. It is well known to the skilled person how to connect pipes to each other to obtain a fluidic connection.
  • the two or more connected pipes may be of similar types or of different types, provided that at least one of the pipes is a flexible pipe.
  • the flexible transporting unit comprises a rigid pipe section, which rigid pipe section is substantially rigid, e.g. provided by a substantially rigid cover layer applied to a section of a flexible pipe of the flexible transporting unit.
  • the flexible transporting unit comprises a rigid pipe and a flexible pipe connected to each other and in fluidic connection with each other.
  • the flexible pipe system comprises two or more flexible transporting units, preferably arranged in substantially side by side relation to each other.
  • the flexible transporting units may be of similar types or of different types, of similar size or of different sizes.
  • the sea surface end is the position of the flexible transporting unit where it is connected to the sea surface installation.
  • the connection may provide a fluidic communication or merely be a fixation depending on the type and arrangement of sea surface installation.
  • the sea surface end is fluidically connected to the sea surface installation.
  • the seabed end is the touchdown point of the flexible transporting unit.
  • the horizontal distance between the sea surface end and the seabed end can vary from a minimum horizontal distance to a maximum horizontal distance. Due to the structure provided by the present invention, the risk of dragging the flexible transport unit over the seabed at the touchdown point is however highly reduced.
  • the difference between the minimum horizontal distance and the maximum horizontal distance is preferably about 50 m or less, such as about 40 m or less, such as about 30 m or less, such as about 25 m or less, such as about 20 m or less, such as about 15 m or less, such as about 10 m or less.
  • the area along the pipe at and near the touchdown point may be covered with an extra external reinforcement such as it is generally known in the art.
  • the vertical distance between the sea surface end and the seabed end is be a substantially stationary distance. In this situation this substantially stationary distance is also referred to as the vertical minimum distance.
  • the vertical distance varies from a minimum vertical distance to a maximum vertical distance, where the difference between the minimum vertical distance and the maximum vertical distance preferably is about 10 m or less, such as about 5 m or less.
  • the seabed end is the point along the flexible transporting unit where it is connected to the seabed installation.
  • the connection may provide a fluidic communication or merely be a fixation depending on the type and arrangement of the seabed installation.
  • the seabed end is fluidically connected to the seabed installation.
  • the horizontal distance between the sea surface end and the seabed end is a substantially stationary distance. In this situation it is also referred to as the horizontal minimum distance.
  • the vertical distance between the sea surface end and the seabed end is a substantially stationary distance and in this situation it is also referred to as the vertical minimum distance.
  • the subsea structure is preferably a substantially rigid structure fixed to the seabed in a relatively rigid fixation.
  • the subsea structure may be fixed to the seabed by any method, e.g. by being held to the seabed with a heavy anchoring element (a dead weight), by being partly embedded in the seabed or by being provided with one or more piles which are driven into the seabed e.g. in a substantially vertical direction.
  • a heavy anchoring element a dead weight
  • the subsea structure is fixed to the seabed in a position which is substantially below the sea surface installation in at least one position of the sea surface installation.
  • the minimum horizontal distance between the sea surface end and the seabed end is relatively short, such as about 30 m or less, such as about 20 m or less, such as about 15 m or less, such as about 10 m or less. If the minimum horizontal distance between the sea surface end and the seabed end is too short, the risk of over bending of the flexible transporting unit may be increased. In such situations the flexible transporting unit may be arranged in a structure to extend in a detour to and from a minimum horizontal distance to the sea surface installation and the seabed installation which is longer than the minimum horizontal distance between the sea surface end and the seabed end.
  • the sea surface installation is a weathervaning vessel with a hull
  • the subsea structure is arranged at the seabed such that it at least in one position of the weathervaning vessel will be under the hull of the weathervaning vessel.
  • the subsea structure is fixed to the seabed in a position having a minimum distance to a flexible pipe vertical plane through the sea surface end and the seabed end of the flexible transporting unit which is up to about 100 %, such as up to about 75 %, such as 50 %, such as up to about 40 %, such as up to about 30 %, such as up to about 20 %, such as up to about 10 %, such as up to about 5 % of the minimum horizontal distance between the sea surface end and the seabed end of the flexible transporting unit, preferably the subsea structure is fixed to the seabed in a position substantially lying in the flexible pipe vertical plane.
  • the minimum distance from the subsea structure to the flexible pipe vertical plane is determined substantially perpendicular to the flexible pipe vertical plane.
  • the flexible pipe vertical plane is an imaginary plane used merely for describing the positions of elements of the flexible pipe system in relation to each other.
  • the flexible transporting unit can be applied with a substantially straight minimum horizontal direction between the sea surface end and the seabed end.
  • the subsea structure is a pile structure, comprising one or more piles, such as a mono pile.
  • Monopiles are preferred because they are simple and cost effective to install.
  • Multipile structures may however be stronger and more stable, and may in certain applications be the preferred choice.
  • the subsea structure is a dead weight structure, comprising a deadweight which is substantially large to fix the subsea structure to the seabed.
  • the support section of the fixed subsea structure is the part of the subsea structure adapted to support the flexible transporting unit in a sliding fashion. In most situations the support section is the uppermost part of the subsea structure since such an arrangement provides the simplest installation of the flexible transporting unit onto the support section. However, it should be observed that the support section need not be the uppermost part of the subsea structure and that parts of the subsea structure may protrude vertically above the support section.
  • the support section of the subsea structure is arranged at a distance D-sea surface from the sea surface and at a distance D-seabed from the seabed, preferably D-sea surface is substantially larger than D-seabed.
  • the minimum horizontal distance between the sea surface end and the seabed end of the flexible transporting unit is determined as the minimal distance possible without damaging the flexible pipe system and with intact mooring of the sea surface installation, if any.
  • the minimum vertical distance between the sea surface end and the seabed end of the flexible transporting unit is determined at still water at flood tide.
  • D-seabed is at least about 1 m, such as at least about 2 m, such as at least about 3 m, such as at least about 4 m, such as at least about 5 m, such as at least about 6 m, such as at least about 7 m, such as at least about 8 m, such as at least 10 m, such as at least 25 m, such as at least 50 m, such as at least 50 m, such as at least 100 m.
  • D-seabed is at least about 0.1 %, such as at least about 1 %, such as at least about 2 %, such as at least about 3 %, such as at least about 4 %, such as at least about 5 %, such as at least about 10 % m, such as at least about 15 %, such as at least about 20 %, such as at least 30 %, such as at least 40 %, such as at least 50 %, such as at least 60 %, such as at least 70 %, such as up to about 100 %, such as up to about 90 %, such as up to about 80 % of the distance between the sea surface and the seabed.
  • the flexible pipe system of the present invention is highly beneficial to apply at shallow waters, such as at water depths up to about 200 m, such as preferably with a depth of up to about 100 m, such as with a depth of up to about 80 m, such as with a depth of up to about 80 m, such as with a depth of up to about 70 m, such as with a depth of up to about 60 m, such as with a depth of up to about 55 m, such as with a depth of up to about 50 m, such as with a depth of up to about 45 m, such as with a depth of up to about 40 m, such as with a depth of up to about 35 m, such as with a depth of up to about 30 m, such as with a depth of up to about 25 m, such as with a depth of up to about 20 m, such as with a depth of up to about 15 m, such as with a depth of up to about 10 m.
  • a depth of up to about 100 m
  • the support section of the subsea structure should preferably be shaped to provide a good sliding surface for allowing the flexible transporting unit to slide relative to it.
  • the support section of the subsea structure comprises a curved surface, preferably comprising an arch shape for supporting the flexible transporting unit.
  • the subsea structure has a width and a length perpendicular to the width.
  • the width may preferably be substantially parallel to the flexible pipe vertical plane defined above.
  • the support section may preferably have an arched shape which is substantially uniform along at least a part of its length.
  • the length of the support section should preferably be at least as long as the outer diameter of at least a sliding section of the flexible transporting unit where the sliding section is the length section of the flexible transporting unit which comprises a flexible pipe supporting area as the flexible transporting unit slides relative to the support section from a position where the flexible transporting unit sea surface length is at a maximum to a position where it is at a minimum.
  • the length of the support section is sufficiently long to support two or more flexible transporting units in a side by side relation.
  • a separating fence may be arranged between the flexible transporting units.
  • the support section of the subsea structure has a gutter structure, preferably comprising a channel with a channel bottom support surface and a pair of side fences, the flexible transporting unit is supported in the channel.
  • the gutter structure may be a multi channel gutter structure comprising a channel for each flexible transporting unit.
  • the side fences may have equal or different sizes and shape.
  • the fences have, independently of each other, a height - preferably a minimum height - from the channel bottom support surface which is at least about 10 %, such as at least about 20 %, such as at least about 30 %, such as at least about 40 %, such as at least about 50 %, such as at least about 60 %, such as at least about 75 %, such as at least about 100%, such as at least about 500 %, such up to about 1000 % of the outer diameter of the flexible transporting unit at its flexible pipe supporting area.
  • the length of the channel is not important provided that it is sufficiently long to provide a stable support.
  • the channel has a length, and the channel bottom support surface is arch curved along the channel length and the distance of the fences is substantially constant along the channel length.
  • the channel has a length
  • the channel bottom support surface is arch curved along the channel length
  • the distance of the fences is substantially larger at a first and a third channel sections closer to one of the sea surface end and the seabed end than along a second channel section between the first and third channel sections.
  • the support section of the subsea structure comprises a coating of a low friction material, having a sufficiently low friction to provide that the friction between the support section and the supporting area of the flexible transporting unit is lower than it would have been without the low friction coating.
  • the low friction material may be any low friction material with a sufficient strength and a sufficient durability in sea water.
  • the low friction material is selected from polymers, e.g. a flour polymer such as PTFE (poly tetra fluro ethylene), ceramic coatings e.g. comprising chrome oxide and/or alumina oxide, tungsten carbide coating, metal coatings e.g. comprising zinc, aluminium, stainless steel and/or nickel.
  • PTFE poly tetra fluro ethylene
  • ceramic coatings e.g. comprising chrome oxide and/or alumina oxide
  • tungsten carbide coating e.g. comprising zinc, aluminium, stainless steel and/or nickel.
  • the skilled person will understand that other low friction coatings may be applied as
  • the support section may comprise a mechanical anti friction structure optionally comprising elements which will move or rotate as a result of the relative movement between the support section and the flexible transporting unit.
  • the support section of the subsea structure comprises one or more rotatable bars for reducing friction between the flexible pipe supporting area of the flexible transporting unit and the support section of the subsea structure.
  • the support section of the subsea structure comprises a rotatable wheel or a rotatable muff for reducing friction between the flexible pipe supporting area of the flexible transporting unit and the support section of the subsea structure.
  • the flexible pipe system may be applied both at shallow waters as well as at deep waters.
  • the minimum horizontal distance between the sea surface end and the seabed end of the flexible transporting unit is at least about 2 m, such as at least about 4 m, such as at least about 6 m, such as at least about 8 m, such as at least about 10 m, such as at least about 15 m, such as at least about 20 m, such as at least about 30 m, such as at least about 40 m, such as at least about 50 m, such as at least about 75 m, such as at least about 100 m, such as at least about 200 m, such as at least about 500 m, such as up to about 3000 m, such as up to about 2000 m, such as up to about 1000 m.
  • the minimum vertical distance between the sea surface end and the seabed end of the flexible transporting unit is about 3000 m or less, such as about 2000 m or less, such as 1000 m or less, such as about 500 m or less, such as about 400 m or less, such as about 300 m or less, such as about 200 m or less, such as about 100 m or less, such as about 60 m or less, such as about 50 m or less, such as about 40 m or less, such as about 30 m or less, such as about 20 m or less, such as about 10 m or less.
  • the sliding section of the flexible transporting unit may in principle have any length provided that sufficient arrangement is provided to prevent the flexible transporting unit from coming into undesired contact with the seabed.
  • the sliding section of the flexible transporting unit is as defined above.
  • one or more buoyancy elements may be arranged along the flexible transporting unit sea surface length to provide a w-waved configuration of the flexible transporting unit whereby the risk of undesired contact between the flexible transporting unit and the seabed can be reduced or eliminated.
  • the sliding section of the flexible transporting unit is at least about 1 m, such as at least about 2 m, such as at least about 3 m, such as at least about 4 m, such as at least about 5 m, such as at least about 6 m, such as at least about 7 m, such as at least about 8 m, such as at least about 9 m, such as at least about 10 m, such as at least about 11 m, such as at least about 12 m, such as at least about 13 m, such as at least about 14 m, such as at least about 15 m, such as up to about 50 m, such as up to about 40 m, such as up to about 35 m, such as up to about 30 m, such as up to about 25 m, such as up to about 20 m.
  • the maximum flexible transporting unit sea surface length is up to about twice the sum of the minimum horizontal and the minimum vertical distance between the sea surface end and the seabed end of the flexible transporting unit, preferably from about the sum of the minimum horizontal distance plus 10% of the minimum vertical distance to about the minimum horizontal distance plus 300% of the minimum vertical distance, such as from about the sum of the minimum horizontal distance plus 20% of the minimum vertical distance to about the minimum horizontal distance plus 200% of the minimum vertical distance, such as from about the sum of the minimum horizontal distance plus 50% of the minimum vertical distance to about the minimum horizontal distance plus 150% of the minimum vertical distance, such as from about the sum of the minimum horizontal distance plus 75% of the minimum vertical distance to about the minimum horizontal distance plus 100% of the minimum vertical distance.
  • the minimum flexible transporting unit sea surface length is up to about X m shorter than the maximum flexible transporting unit sea surface length, wherein X is at least about 0.5 m, such as at least about 1 m, such as at least about 2 m, such as at least about 3 m, such as at least about 4 m, such as at least about 5 m, such as at least about 6 m, such as at least about 8 m, such as at least about 10 m, such as at least about 15 m, such as at least about 20 m, such as at least about 25 m, such as at least about 30 m, such as at least about 40 m, such as at least about 50 m, such as at least about 60 m, such as up to about 100 m.
  • X is at least about 0.5 m, such as at least about 1 m, such as at least about 2 m, such as at least about 3 m, such as at least about 4 m, such as at least about 5 m, such as at least about 6 m, such
  • the minimum flexible transporting unit sea surface length is at least about the straight line distance between the sea surface end and the seabed end of the flexible transporting unit, such as at least about the sum of the minimum horizontal and the minimum vertical distance between the sea surface end and the seabed end of the flexible transporting unit, such as from about the sum of the minimum horizontal distance plus 50% of the minimum vertical distance to about the minimum horizontal distance plus 400% of the minimum vertical distance, such as from about the sum of the minimum horizontal distance plus 125% of the minimum vertical distance to about the minimum horizontal distance plus 200% of the minimum vertical distance.
  • the flexible transporting unit is not clamped to the support section of the fixed subsea structure in such a way that it cannot slide.
  • the flexible transporting unit is not clamped to the support section of the fixed subsea structure.
  • the flexible transporting unit can slide relative to the support section of the fixed subsea structure to thereby provide change of the flexible transporting unit sea surface length so that the flexible transporting unit can accommodate to variations in forces applied to it as well as to optional movements of the sea surface installation.
  • the flexible transporting unit upon an increase in tension in the flexible transporting unit from the sea surface installation beyond a maximum acceptable tension point, is arranged to slide in relation to the support section of the fixed subsea structure to lengthen the flexible transporting unit sea surface length to a position when there is substantially no tension beyond the maximum acceptable tension point in flexible transporting unit from the sea surface installation.
  • the maximum acceptable tension point is preferably a tension point which is sufficiently low to ensure that neither the flexible transporting unit, nor the subsea structure is damaged due to such tension.
  • the flexible pipe system may comprise one or more ballasts attached directly or indirectly to the flexible transporting unit at the flexible transporting unit sea surface length and/or at the flexible transporting unit subsea length to increase control of the sliding of the flexible transporting unit relative to the support section.
  • the flexible transporting unit comprises one or more ballasts to provide a pulling force to slide the flexible transporting unit relative to the support section of the fixed subsea structure to shorten the flexible transporting unit sea surface length to a position when there is substantially no tension beyond the maximum acceptable tension point in the flexible transporting unit from the sea surface installation.
  • the resulting force of the one or more ballast(s) may preferably be arranged and selected such that they provide substantially no resulting pulling force to the flexible transporting unit when the flexible transporting unit has reached its minimum flexible transporting unit sea surface length position.
  • the flexible transporting unit and/or the subsea structure with sliding stop e.g. in the form of physical blocking barrier.
  • the flexible transporting unit comprises a sliding stop arranged to stop the flexible transporting unit from sliding beyond the slide stop, the slide stop preferably being provided by a physical barrier.
  • the sliding stop may for example be provided by a clamp attached to the flexible transporting unit and arranged to slide in a clamp house fixed in relation to the subsea structure, the clamp house preferably has a sliding length of at least about 1 m, such as at least about 2 m, such as at least about 3 m, such as at least about 4 m, such as at least about 5 m, such as at least about 6 m, such as at least about 8 m, such as at least about 10 m, such as at least about 15 m, such as at least about 20 m, such as at least about 25 m, such as at least about 30 m, such as at least about 40 m, such as up to about 50 m.
  • a sliding length of at least about 1 m, such as at least about 2 m, such as at least about 3 m, such as at least about 4 m, such as at least about 5 m, such as at least about 6 m, such as at least about 8 m, such as at least about 10 m, such as
  • the subsea installation is a secondary fixed subsea structure, the seabed end is clamped to the secondary fixed subsea structure, and is in fluidic communication with a flexible pipe arranged as an extension of the flexible transporting unit.
  • the secondary fixed subsea structure preferably has a height from seabed which is at least about 0.1 %, such as at least about 1 %, such as at least about 2 %, such as at least about 3 %, such as at least about 4 %, such as at least about 5 %, such as at least about 10 % m, such as at least about 15 %, such as at least about 20 %, such as at least 30 %, such as at least 40 %, such as at least 50 %, such as at least 60 %, such as at least 70 %, such as up to about 100 %, such as up to about 90 %, such as up to about 80 % of the distance between the sea surface and the seabed.
  • the secondary fixed subsea structure may have a similar or different height than the subsea structure. In most situations it is desired that the secondary fixed subsea structure has a height which is at least 50 % of the height of the support section position of the subsea structure.
  • the secondary fixed subsea structure may preferably have a height and be arranged such that the section of the flexible transporting unit between the subsea structure and the secondary fixed subsea structure is substantially longer than the distance between the subsea structure and the secondary fixed subsea structure when the flexible transporting unit sea surface length has its maximum flexible transporting unit sea surface length, and is sufficiently short not to have a touchdown point between the subsea structure and the secondary fixed subsea structure and thereby it will not lie on the seabed when the flexible transporting unit sea surface length has its minimum flexible transporting unit sea surface length.
  • the flexible pipe system may comprise one or more buoyancy elements arranged to support the flexible transporting unit.
  • buoyancy elements are well known in the art, and the skilled person will be able to select a suitable size and shape of a buoyancy element in dependence of which type and weight of pipe it should be adapted to support.
  • the flexible pipe system comprises at least one buoyancy element arranged to support the flexible transporting unit at its flexible transporting unit sea surface length. As indicated above such buoyancy elements may be used to decrease or eliminate any risk of the flexible transporting unit coming into damaging contact with the seabed.
  • the flexible transporting unit extends in a catenary configuration, preferably selected from a last-s lazy-s configuration and a steep-s configuration.
  • a flexible pipe system wherein the flexible transporting unit is arranged to slide relative to the support section of the subsea structure such that the flexible transporting unit sea surface length of the flexible transporting unit at any time is sufficiently long to avoid damage due to pull from the weathervaning vessel and simultaneously is sufficiently short to not come into contact with the seabed.
  • a flexible pipe system wherein the flexible transporting unit is arranged to slide relative to the support section of the subsea structure as a function of the minimum horizontal and minimum vertical distance between the sea surface end and the seabed end of the flexible transporting unit.
  • One or more parts of the flexible pipe system may be coated with an anti fouling coating to prevent or reduce marine growth; such anti fouling coating optionally comprises an epoxy or an anti fouling paint.
  • anti fouling coatings are well known.
  • the flexible pipe system shown in FIG. 1 and FIG 1a comprises a fixed subsea structure 2 with a support section 3 and a flexible transporting unit 1 with a sea surface end 4 and a seabed end 5 arranged with a horizontal distance HD and a vertical distance VD.
  • the sea surface end 4 is connected to a sea surface installation 6, here a hang-off turret system 6a of a vessel which preferably is a spread-moored vessel or a weathervaning vessel.
  • the seabed end 5 is the touchdown point of the flexible transporting unit 1, i.e. the point along the flexible transporting unit 1 that touches down to the seabed.
  • this touchdown point 5 is the seabed end of the flexible transporting unit 1
  • the flexible transporting units 1 exceed beyond the seabed end 5 in a flexible transport section 5a which is connected to a seabed installation 7, e.g. a well installation.
  • the flexible transporting unit 1 is supported by the support section 3 of the fixed subsea structure 2 at a flexible pipe supporting area 1a, which defines a flexible transporting unit sea surface length 1b extending along the flexible transporting unit from its sea surface end 4 to the flexible pipe supporting area 1a.
  • At least a section of the flexible transporting unit is movable along its axis with respect to the support section 3 of the fixed subsea structure 2 such that the flexible transporting unit sea surface length 1b can vary between a minimum flexible transporting unit sea surface length and a maximum flexible transporting unit sea surface length.
  • the sea surface installation 6 may provide an increase in tension in the flexible transporting unit 1 beyond a maximum acceptable tensioning point, which results in that the subsea section 1c of the flexible transporting unit between the seabed end 5 and the flexible pipe supporting area 1a is drawn partly upon the support section 3 to a position where there is substantially no tension in the flexible transporting unit 1 from the sea surface installation 6 beyond the maximum acceptable tensioning point, such that the length of the subsea section 1c is decreasing, whereas the length of the flexible transporting unit sea surface length 1b is increasing.
  • the line 8 indicates the sea surface line.
  • the support section 3 has a curved shape provided by having a shape with a substantially circular cross-section.
  • the support section 3 may for example comprises one or more rotatable bars arranged in the part of it where it is in contact with the flexible pipe supporting area 1a of the flexible transporting unit 1.
  • the support section 3 of the subsea structure 2 may be in the form of a rotatable wheel or it may be provided with a rotatable muff for reducing friction between the flexible pipe supporting area 1a of the flexible transporting unit 1 and the support section 3 of the subsea structure.
  • the flexible pipe system shown in FIG. 2 comprises a fixed subsea structure 12 with a support section 13 and a flexible transporting unit 11 with a sea surface end 14 connected to a sea surface installation 16 and a seabed end 15, which is the touchdown point of the flexible transporting unit 11, i.e. the point along the flexible transporting unit 11 that touch down to the seabed.
  • the flexible transporting units 11 exceed slightly beyond the seabed end 15 in a flexible transport section which is connected to a seabed installation 17.
  • the flexible transporting unit 11 has flexible transporting unit sea surface length 11b and a subsea section 11c.
  • the flexible transporting unit 11 comprises a sliding stop 19, for example provided by a clamp or similar mounted to the flexible transporting unit 11 to ensure that the flexible transporting unit 11 does not slide over the support section 13 beyond a desired point of the pipe.
  • the flexible transporting unit 11 can slide over the support section 13 with a length SL, so that the flexible transporting unit sea surface length 11b can vary between a minimum flexible transporting unit sea surface length and a maximum flexible transporting unit sea surface length.
  • the touchdown point 15 of the flexible transporting unit 11 is closer to the sea surface end 14 of the flexible support unit 11 than in any other position and the horizontal distance between the sea surface end 14 and the seabed end 15 of the flexible transporting 11 is the minimum horizontal distance between the sea surface end 14 and the seabed end 15 of the flexible transporting unit 11.
  • the flexible pipe system shown in FIG. 3 comprises a fixed subsea structure 22 with a support section 23 and a flexible transporting unit 21 with a sea surface end 24 connected to a sea surface installation 26 and a seabed end 25 connected to a seabed installation 27 which here is a secondary fixed subsea structure.
  • the seabed end 25 is clamped to the secondary fixed subsea structure 27, and is in fluidic communication with a flexible pipe 21d which may be an extension of the flexible transporting unit 21.
  • the secondary fixed subsea structure 27 has a height which is substantially similar to the height of the subsea structure 22.
  • the flexible transporting unit 21 has flexible transporting unit sea surface length 21b and a subsea section 21c.
  • the subsea section 21c is provided with ballast 29 to ensure that the sliding of the flexible transporting unit 21 does not result in that the flexible transporting unit sea surface length 21b becomes too long.
  • the flexible transporting unit 21 can slide over the support section 23, so that the flexible transporting unit sea surface length 21b can vary between a minimum flexible transporting unit sea surface length and a maximum flexible transporting unit sea surface length.
  • the secondary fixed subsea structure 27 ensure that the subsea section 21c can have sufficient length for the sliding of the flexible transporting unit 21 to occur without undesired tension is provided in the subsea section 21c. Simultaneously the secondary fixed subsea structure 27 ensures that the subsea section 21c does not come into contact with the seabed.
  • the line 28 indicates the sea surface line.
  • the flexible pipe system shown in FIGs. 4-7 comprises a fixed subsea structure 32 with a support section 33 and a flexible transporting unit 31 with a sea surface end 34 connected to a sea surface installation 36 and a seabed end 35, which is the touchdown point of the flexible transporting unit 31..
  • the flexible transporting unit 31 exceed beyond the seabed end 35 in a flexible transport section 39 which is connected to a not shown seabed installation.
  • the sea surface installation 36 is here a hang-off turret system of a vessel which preferably is a spread-moored vessel or a weathervaning vessel.
  • the flexible transporting unit 31 has flexible transporting unit sea surface length 31b and a subsea section 31c.
  • the subsea section 31c is provided with ballast 39a, in the form of weight modules to control that the sliding of the flexible transporting unit 31 keeps the flexible transporting unit sea surface length 31b on a desired level.
  • the subsea section 31c of the flexible transporting unit 31 is provided with a sliding stop provided by a clamp 41 attached to the subsea section 31c of the flexible transporting unit and arranged to slide in a clamp house 42, 43, 44 provided by a lower clamp stopper 42, an upper clamp stopper 43 and a rigid connecting member 44 providing the distance where the clamp 41 can travel from the lower clamp stopper 42 to the upper clamp stopper 43.
  • the clamp house 42, 43, 44 is connected to the subsea structure 32 so that it extend from the support section 33 to a secondary support element 45 connected to the subsea structure 32 via a rigid sidebar 46. Both the support section 33 and the support element 45 are provided with a not shown gutter structure for providing a good support of the flexible transporting unit 31.
  • the clamp 41 is in its low position and the flexible transporting unit 31 is in a position such that the flexible transporting unit sea surface length 31b has a minimum length and in FIG. 6 the clamp 41 is in its high position and the flexible transporting unit 31 is in a position such that the flexible transporting unit sea surface length 31b has a maximum.
  • the weight modules 39a are lying on the seabed.
  • the flexible transporting unit 31 will start sliding over the support section 33.
  • the weight modules 39a are lifted from the seabed, thereby moving the touchdown point of the flexible transporting unit 31 away from the subsea structure 32.
  • the weight modules 39a will result in a sliding back force until a point where the tension provided from the sea surface installation 36 increases the tension provided by the weight modules 39 or until the weight modules 39a again are lying on the seabed.
  • the touchdown point 35 of the flexible transporting unit 31 is closer to the sea surface end 34 of the flexible support unit 31 than in any other position and the horizontal distance between the sea surface end 34 and the seabed end 35 of the flexible transporting 31 is the minimum horizontal distance between the sea surface end 34 and the seabed end 35 of the flexible transporting unit 31.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Laying Of Electric Cables Or Lines Outside (AREA)
  • Rigid Pipes And Flexible Pipes (AREA)
  • Earth Drilling (AREA)

Claims (14)

  1. Système de tuyau flexible pour transférer un fluide entre une installation de fond marin et une installation de surface marine, de préférence l'installation de surface marine (6) est une installation flottante, de préférence sélectionnée parmi un navire et une plateforme, le système de tuyau flexible comprend une structure sous-marine fixe (2, 12, 22, 32) avec une section de support (3, 13, 23, 33) et une unité de transport flexible (1, 11, 21, 31) avec un axe le long d'une longueur de celle-ci, une extrémité de surface marine (4, 14, 24, 34) et une extrémité de fond marin (5, 15, 25, 25) agencées avec une distance horizontale et une distance verticale, l'extrémité de surface marine (4, 14, 24, 34) est raccordée à l'installation de surface marine (6, 16, 26, 36) et l'extrémité de fond marin (5, 15, 25, 25) est le point de contact de l'unité de transport flexible (1, 11, 21, 31) ou le point le long de l'unité de transport flexible (1, 11, 21, 31) où elle est raccordée à l'installation de fond marin (7), quel que soit celui qui a la distance horizontale la plus courte jusqu'à l'extrémité de surface marine (4, 14, 24, 34), l'unité de transport flexible (1, 11, 21, 31) est supportée par la section de support (3, 13, 23, 33) de la structure sous-marine fixe (2, 12, 22, 32) au niveau d'une zone de support de tuyau flexible (1a) définissant une longueur de surface marine d'unité de transport flexible s'étendant le long de l'unité de transport flexible (1, 11, 21, 31), depuis son extrémité de surface marine jusqu'à la zone de support de tuyau flexible (la), caractérisé en ce qu'au moins une section de l'unité de transport flexible est adaptée pour se déplacer le long de l'axe par rapport à la section de support (3, 13, 23, 33) de la structure sous-marine fixe (2, 12, 22, 32) et dans lequel l'unité de transport flexible (1) est adaptée pour coulisser le long de son axe, relativement à la section de support (3, 13, 23, 33) de la structure sous-marine fixe (2, 12, 22, 32), pour ainsi fournir un changement de la longueur de surface marine d'unité de transport flexible, de telle sorte que la longueur de surface marine d'unité de transport flexible puisse varier entre une longueur minimum de surface marine d'unité de transport flexible et une longueur maximum de surface marine d'unité de transport flexible.
  2. Système de tuyau flexible selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'unité de transport flexible (1, 11, 21, 31) comprend un raccord ombilical ou un tuyau montant flexible, tel qu'une bretelle, de préférence l'unité de transport flexible (1, 11, 21, 31) comprend deux, ou plusieurs, tuyaux raccordés l'un à l'autre et en raccordement fluidique l'un avec l'autre et/ou le système de tuyau flexible comprend deux, ou plusieurs, unités de transport flexibles (1, 11, 21, 31), de préférence agencées en relation sensiblement côte à côte l'une de l'autre.
  3. Système de tuyau flexible selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
    dans lequel la structure sous-marine (2, 12, 22, 32) est une structure sensiblement rigide fixée au fond marin en une fixation relativement rigide, de préférence la structure sous-marine (2, 12, 22, 32) est une structure de pile, comprenant une ou plusieurs piles, telle qu'une mono-pile ou la structure sous-marine est une structure de poids mort, comprenant un poids mort qui est sensiblement grand pour fixer la structure sous-marine (2, 12, 22, 32) au fond marin.
  4. Système de tuyau flexible selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la structure sous-marine (2, 12, 22, 32) est fixée au fond marin dans une position ayant une distance minimum jusqu'à un plan vertical de tuyau flexible à travers l'extrémité de surface marine (4, 14, 24, 34) et l'extrémité de fond marin (5, 15, 25, 25) de l'unité de transport flexible (1, 11, 21, 31) qui s'élève jusqu'à environ 100 %, telle que jusqu'à environ 75 %, telle que 50 %, telle que jusqu'à environ 40 %, telle que jusqu'à environ 30 %, telle que jusqu'à environ 20 %, telle que jusqu'à environ 10 %, telle que jusqu'à environ 5 % de la distance minimum horizontale entre l'extrémité de surface marine (4, 14, 24, 34) et l'extrémité de fond marin (5, 15, 25, 25) de l'unité de transport flexible, de préférence la structure sous-marine est fixée au fond marin dans une position se trouvant sensiblement dans le plan vertical de tuyau flexible.
  5. Système de tuyau flexible selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la section de support (3, 13, 23, 33) de la structure sous-marine (2, 12, 22, 32) comprend une surface courbée, de préférence comprenant une forme d'arche pour supporter l'unité de transport flexible, de façon davantage préférée la section de support (3, 13, 23, 33) de la structure sous-marine (2, 12, 22, 32) a une structure de gouttière, de préférence comprenant un canal avec une surface de support de fond de canal et une paire de parois latérales, l'unité de transport flexible (1, 11, 21, 31) est supportée dans le canal.
  6. Système de tuyau flexible selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la distance minimum horizontale entre l'extrémité de surface marine (4, 14, 24, 34) et l'extrémité de fond marin (5, 15, 25, 25) de l'unité de transport flexible (1, 11, 21, 31) est au moins environ 2 m, telle qu'au moins environ 4 m, telle qu'au moins environ 6 m, telle qu'au moins environ 8 m, telle qu'au moins environ 10 m, telle qu'au moins environ 15 m, telle qu'au moins environ 20 m, telle qu'au moins environ 30 m, telle qu'au moins environ 40 m, telle qu'au moins environ 50 m, telle qu'au moins environ 75 m, telle qu'au moins environ 100 m, telle qu'au moins environ 200 m, telle qu'au moins environ 500 m, telle que jusqu'à environ 3000 m, telle que jusqu'à environ 2000 m, telle que jusqu'à environ 1000 m.
  7. Système de tuyau flexible selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la distance minimum verticale entre l'extrémité de surface marine (4, 14, 24, 34) et l'extrémité de fond marin (5, 15, 25, 25) de l'unité de transport flexible (1, 11, 21, 31) est environ 3000 m ou moins, telle qu'environ 2000 m ou moins, telle que 1000 m ou moins, telle qu'environ 500 m ou moins, telle qu'environ 400 m ou moins, telle qu'environ 300 m ou moins, telle qu'environ 200 m ou moins, telle qu'environ 100 m ou moins, telle qu'environ 60 m ou moins, telle qu'environ 50 m ou moins, telle qu'environ 40 m ou moins, telle qu'environ 30 m ou moins, telle qu'environ 20 m ou moins, telle qu'environ 10 m ou moins.
  8. Système de tuyau flexible selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
    dans lequel la longueur maximum de surface marine d'unité de transport flexible s'élève jusqu'à environ deux fois la somme de la distance minimum horizontale et la distance minimum verticale entre l'extrémité de surface marine (4, 14, 24, 34) et l'extrémité de fond marin (5, 15, 25, 25) de l'unité de transport flexible (1, 11, 21, 31), de préférence d'environ la somme de la distance minimum horizontale plus 10 % de la distance minimum verticale à environ la distance minimum horizontale plus 300 % de la distance minimum verticale, telle que d'environ la somme de la distance minimum horizontale plus 20 % de la distance minimum verticale à environ la distance minimum horizontale plus 200 % de la distance minimum verticale, telle que d'environ la somme de la distance minimum horizontale plus 50 % de la distance minimum verticale à environ la distance minimum horizontale plus 150 % de la distance minimum verticale, telle que d'environ la somme de la distance minimum horizontale plus 75 % de la distance minimum verticale à environ la distance minimum horizontale plus 100 % de la distance minimum verticale.
  9. Système de tuyau flexible selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
    dans lequel la longueur minimum de surface marine d'unité de transport flexible est au moins environ la distance minimum en ligne droite entre l'extrémité de surface marine (4, 14, 24, 34) et l'extrémité de fond marin (5, 15, 25, 25) de l'unité de transport flexible (1, 11, 21, 31), telle qu'au moins environ la somme de la distance minimum horizontale et la distance minimum verticale entre l'extrémité de surface marine (4, 14, 24, 34) et l'extrémité de fond marin (5, 15, 25, 25) de l'unité de transport flexible, telle que d'environ la somme de la distance minimum horizontale plus 50 % de la distance minimum verticale à environ la distance minimum horizontale plus 400 % de la distance minimum verticale, telle que d'environ la somme de la distance minimum horizontale plus 125 % de la distance minimum verticale à environ la distance minimum horizontale plus 200 % de la distance minimum verticale.
  10. Système de tuyau flexible selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
    dans lequel l'unité de transport flexible (1, 11, 21, 31), lors d'une augmentation de tension dans l'unité de transport flexible (1, 11, 21, 31) à partir de l'installation de surface marine au-delà d'un point de tension acceptable maximum, est agencée pour coulisser relativement à la section de support (3, 13, 23, 33) de la structure sous-marine fixe pour allonger la longueur de surface marine d'unité de transport flexible jusqu'à une position lorsqu'il n'y a sensiblement aucune tension au-delà du point de tension acceptable maximum dans l'unité de transport flexible (1, 11, 21, 31) à partir de l'installation de surface marine.
  11. Système de tuyau flexible selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'unité de transport flexible (1, 11, 21, 31) comprend une butée de coulissement agencée pour arrêter (19) l'unité de transport flexible (1, 11, 21, 31) de coulisser au-delà de la butée de coulissement, la butée de coulissement (19) étant de préférence fournie par une barrière physique, de préférence la butée de coulissement (19) est fournie par un dispositif de serrage attaché à l'unité de transport flexible (1, 11, 21, 31) et agencé pour coulisser dans un logement de dispositif de serrage fixé en relation à la structure sous-marine, le logement de dispositif de serrage a de préférence une longueur de coulissement d'au moins environ 1 m, telle qu'au moins environ 2 m, telle qu'au moins environ 3 m, telle qu'au moins environ 4 m, telle qu'au moins environ 5 m, telle qu'au moins environ 6 m, telle qu'au moins environ 8 m, telle qu'au moins environ 10 m, telle qu'au moins environ 15 m, telle qu'au moins environ 20 m, telle qu'au moins environ 25 m, telle qu'au moins environ 30 m, telle qu'au moins environ 40 m, telle que jusqu'à environ 50 m.
  12. Système de tuyau flexible selon la revendication 11, dans lequel la butée de coulissement (19) est fournie par un dispositif de serrage avec une attache, le dispositif de serrage est agencé pour empêcher l'unité de transport flexible (1, 11, 21, 31) de coulisser dans sa direction axiale relativement à la section de support (3, 13, 23, 33) de la structure sous-marine fixe (2, 12, 22, 32) au-delà d'un point sélectionné le long de l'unité de transport flexible (1, 11, 21, 31).
  13. Système de tuyau flexible selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'installation de fond marin est une structure de fond marin fixe secondaire, l'extrémité de fond marin est serrée sur la structure sous-marine fixe secondaire, et est en communication fluidique avec un tuyau flexible agencé sous forme d'extension de l'unité de transport flexible (1, 11, 21, 31), la structure sous-marine fixe secondaire a de préférence une hauteur, à partir du fond marin, qui est au moins environ 0,1 %, telle qu'au moins environ 1 %, telle qu'au moins environ 2 %, telle qu'au moins environ 3 %, telle qu'au moins environ 4 %, telle qu'au moins environ 5 %, telle qu'au moins environ 10 %, telle qu'au moins environ 15 %, telle qu'au moins environ 20 %, telle qu'au moins 30 %, telle qu'au moins 40 %, telle qu'au moins 50 %, telle qu'au moins 60 %, telle qu'au moins 70 %, telle que jusqu'à environ 100 %, telle que jusqu'à environ 90 %, telle que jusqu'à environ 80 % de la distance entre la surface marine et le fond marin.
  14. Système de tuyau flexible selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'unité de transport flexible (1, 11, 21, 31) est agencée pour coulisser relativement à la section de support (3, 13, 23, 33) de la structure sous-marine (2, 12, 22, 32) en fonction de la distance minimum horizontale et de la distance minimum verticale entre l'extrémité de surface marine et l'extrémité de fond marin de l'unité de transport flexible (1, 11, 21, 31).
EP11789284.4A 2010-06-04 2011-06-06 Système de canalisation flexible Active EP2576333B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DKPA201000478 2010-06-04
PCT/DK2011/050198 WO2011150945A1 (fr) 2010-06-04 2011-06-06 Système de canalisation flexible

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2576333A1 EP2576333A1 (fr) 2013-04-10
EP2576333A4 EP2576333A4 (fr) 2017-05-03
EP2576333B1 true EP2576333B1 (fr) 2019-08-07

Family

ID=45066195

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP11789284.4A Active EP2576333B1 (fr) 2010-06-04 2011-06-06 Système de canalisation flexible

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2576333B1 (fr)
CN (1) CN103052562B (fr)
AU (1) AU2011260714B2 (fr)
BR (1) BR112012030701B1 (fr)
MY (1) MY163286A (fr)
WO (1) WO2011150945A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US12030421B2 (en) 2023-05-08 2024-07-09 Trinity Bay Equipment Holdings, LLC Installation trailer for coiled flexible pipe and method of utilizing same

Families Citing this family (21)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BRPI0914973B1 (pt) 2008-06-09 2022-04-26 Flexsteel Pipeline Technologies, Inc Equipamento para fixação de tubo flexível a tubo flexível adicional em configuração de extremidade a extremidade
CN103988008A (zh) 2011-10-04 2014-08-13 弗莱克斯蒂尔管道技术股份有限公司 具有改进的排出性的管道端部配件
SG11201702590SA (en) 2014-09-30 2017-04-27 Flexsteel Pipeline Technologies Inc Connector for pipes
WO2017078670A1 (fr) 2015-11-02 2017-05-11 Flexsteel Pipeline Technologies, Inc. Surveillance d'intégrité en temps réel de canalisations à terre
US10981765B2 (en) 2016-06-28 2021-04-20 Trinity Bay Equipment Holdings, LLC Half-moon lifting device
US11208257B2 (en) 2016-06-29 2021-12-28 Trinity Bay Equipment Holdings, LLC Pipe coil skid with side rails and method of use
WO2018071299A1 (fr) 2016-10-10 2018-04-19 Trinity Bay Equipment Holdings, LLC Ensemble tambour extensible servant à déployer un tuyau enroulé et procédé d'utilisation associé
CA3040109A1 (fr) 2016-10-10 2018-04-19 Trinity Bay Equipment Holdings, LLC Remorque d'installation pour tuyau flexible enroule et son procede d'utilisation
US10526164B2 (en) 2017-08-21 2020-01-07 Trinity Bay Equipment Holdings, LLC System and method for a flexible pipe containment sled
EA202091085A1 (ru) 2017-11-01 2020-08-28 Тринити Бэй Эквипмент Холдингс, Ллк Система и способ обращения с барабаном трубы
EA202091764A1 (ru) 2018-02-01 2020-12-01 Тринити Бэй Эквипмент Холдингс, Ллк Поддон с боковыми направляющими, предназначенный для бухты труб, и способ применения
AR114640A1 (es) 2018-02-22 2020-09-30 Trinity Bay Equipment Holdings Llc Sistema y método para desplegar bobinas de tubo enrollable
US11066002B2 (en) 2018-10-12 2021-07-20 Trinity Bay Equipment Holdings, LLC Installation trailer for coiled flexible pipe and method of utilizing same
AR118122A1 (es) 2019-02-15 2021-09-22 Trinity Bay Equipment Holdings Llc Sistema de manejo de tubo flexible y método para usar el mismo
US10753512B1 (en) 2019-03-28 2020-08-25 Trinity Bay Equipment Holdings, LLC System and method for securing fittings to flexible pipe
US10926972B1 (en) 2019-11-01 2021-02-23 Trinity Bay Equipment Holdings, LLC Mobile cradle frame for pipe reel
CN114981581A (zh) 2019-11-22 2022-08-30 圣三一海湾设备控股有限公司 罐封管配件系统和方法
WO2021102318A1 (fr) 2019-11-22 2021-05-27 Trinity Bay Equipment Holdings, LLC Systèmes et procédés de raccord de tuyau réutilisable
AU2020388644A1 (en) 2019-11-22 2022-06-09 Trinity Bay Equipment Holdings, LLC Swaged pipe fitting systems and methods
US10822194B1 (en) 2019-12-19 2020-11-03 Trinity Bay Equipment Holdings, LLC Expandable coil deployment system for drum assembly and method of using same
US10844976B1 (en) 2020-02-17 2020-11-24 Trinity Bay Equipment Holdings, LLC Methods and apparatus for pulling flexible pipe

Family Cites Families (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NO160914C (no) * 1986-03-24 1989-06-14 Svensen Niels Alf Boeyelastningssystem for offshore petroleumsproduksjon.
EP0251488B1 (fr) 1986-06-05 1991-11-06 Bechtel Limited Dispositif de colonnes montantes souples et son procédé d'utilisation
FR2627542A1 (fr) * 1988-02-24 1989-08-25 Coflexip Dispositif de transfert de fluide entre le fond sous-marin et la surface
NO313794B1 (no) * 1997-01-07 2002-12-02 Lund Mohr & Gi Ver Enger Marin Anordning ved bore- og produksjonsskip
NO312358B1 (no) * 2000-07-20 2002-04-29 Navion Asa Offshore laste- eller produksjonssystem for et dynamisk posisjonert skip
WO2005009842A1 (fr) * 2002-01-30 2005-02-03 Single Buoy Moorings, Inc. Support de colonne montante en eau peu profonde
US7434624B2 (en) * 2002-10-03 2008-10-14 Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company Hybrid tension-leg riser
WO2007045850A1 (fr) * 2005-10-18 2007-04-26 Foster Wheeler Energy Limited Support flottant amarre et procede pour son installation
AU2009235934A1 (en) * 2008-04-09 2009-10-15 Amog Pty Ltd Riser support
MY171043A (en) * 2008-09-09 2019-09-23 Misc Berhad A offshore seabed to surface conduit transfer system
US7669660B1 (en) * 2008-11-26 2010-03-02 Floatec, Llc Riser disconnect and support mechanism
AU2009243413A1 (en) * 2009-03-27 2010-10-14 Berhad, Bumi Armada Riser Support System

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US12030421B2 (en) 2023-05-08 2024-07-09 Trinity Bay Equipment Holdings, LLC Installation trailer for coiled flexible pipe and method of utilizing same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BR112012030701B1 (pt) 2021-05-25
CN103052562B (zh) 2016-03-09
EP2576333A1 (fr) 2013-04-10
BR112012030701A2 (pt) 2016-09-13
EP2576333A4 (fr) 2017-05-03
MY163286A (en) 2017-08-30
AU2011260714A1 (en) 2012-12-20
CN103052562A (zh) 2013-04-17
WO2011150945A1 (fr) 2011-12-08
AU2011260714B2 (en) 2014-08-14

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP2576333B1 (fr) Système de canalisation flexible
EP2156004B1 (fr) Système de colonne montante-ancrage déconnectable
US6595725B1 (en) Tethered buoyant support for risers to a floating production vessel
US7819608B2 (en) Distributed buoyancy pipeline installation method
CA2637832C (fr) Systeme de chargement immerge
US20070081862A1 (en) Pipeline assembly comprising an anchoring device and method for installing a pipeline assembly comprising an anchoring device
IE58914B1 (en) Offshore production station
US9896888B2 (en) Riser support
US9315245B2 (en) Offshore system
WO2006006852A1 (fr) Procede et dispositif permettant de relier une colonne montante a une structure cible
US20070022934A1 (en) Shallow water mooring system using synthetic mooring lines
AU2010101544A4 (en) External Turret With Above Water Connection Point
EP2149669B1 (fr) Agencement de guide pour une colonne montante sous-marine
WO2007045047A1 (fr) Stabilisation de structures sous-marines allongees
US8596913B2 (en) Free standing steel catenary risers
WO2003064804A2 (fr) Systeme de colonne de montee en eaux peu profondes
AU2006303827A1 (en) Stabilising of submarine elongate structures

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20121203

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: EXAMINATION IS IN PROGRESS

RA4 Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched (corrected)

Effective date: 20170330

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: E21B 17/01 20060101ALI20170325BHEP

Ipc: B63B 27/24 20060101ALI20170325BHEP

Ipc: B63B 27/34 20060101AFI20170325BHEP

Ipc: B63B 27/30 20060101ALI20170325BHEP

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20170418

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20190108

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: PEDERSEN, TOMMY

Inventor name: CHRISTENSEN, CLAUS DENCKER

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 1163439

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20190815

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602011061087

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NO

Ref legal event code: T2

Effective date: 20190807

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20190807

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG4D

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191107

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191209

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190807

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190807

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190807

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190807

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190807

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 1163439

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20190807

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190807

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191108

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190807

Ref country code: AL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190807

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190807

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191207

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190807

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190807

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190807

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190807

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190807

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190807

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190807

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190807

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190807

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200224

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190807

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602011061087

Country of ref document: DE

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

PG2D Information on lapse in contracting state deleted

Ref country code: IS

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NO

Payment date: 20200609

Year of fee payment: 10

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20200603

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190807

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 602011061087

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190807

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200606

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20200630

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200630

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200606

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200630

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200630

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210101

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20210513

Year of fee payment: 11

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20210512

Year of fee payment: 11

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NO

Ref legal event code: MMEP

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210630

Ref country code: MT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190807

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190807

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190807

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20220606

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20220630

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20220606