EP3172124B1 - Unterwasserfahrzeug und verwendung - Google Patents

Unterwasserfahrzeug und verwendung Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP3172124B1
EP3172124B1 EP15823947.5A EP15823947A EP3172124B1 EP 3172124 B1 EP3172124 B1 EP 3172124B1 EP 15823947 A EP15823947 A EP 15823947A EP 3172124 B1 EP3172124 B1 EP 3172124B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
vessel
subsea
shell
transporter
enclosure
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
EP15823947.5A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3172124A4 (de
EP3172124A1 (de
Inventor
Scott E. COBLITZ
Amal C. PHADKE
Derrick LASKOWSKI
Dan Mueller
Daniel R. Givan
George Z GU
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.)
ConocoPhillips Co
Original Assignee
ConocoPhillips Co
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 ConocoPhillips Co filed Critical ConocoPhillips Co
Priority claimed from PCT/US2015/040758 external-priority patent/WO2016014340A1/en
Publication of EP3172124A1 publication Critical patent/EP3172124A1/de
Publication of EP3172124A4 publication Critical patent/EP3172124A4/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3172124B1 publication Critical patent/EP3172124B1/de
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B5/00—Hulls characterised by their construction of non-metallic material
    • B63B5/14—Hulls characterised by their construction of non-metallic material made predominantly of concrete, e.g. reinforced
    • 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
    • B63B35/003—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for for transporting very large loads, e.g. offshore structure modules
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63G—OFFENSIVE OR DEFENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS ON VESSELS; MINE-LAYING; MINE-SWEEPING; SUBMARINES; AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
    • B63G8/00—Underwater vessels, e.g. submarines; Equipment specially adapted therefor
    • B63G8/001—Underwater vessels adapted for special purposes, e.g. unmanned underwater vessels; Equipment specially adapted therefor, e.g. docking stations
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63G—OFFENSIVE OR DEFENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS ON VESSELS; MINE-LAYING; MINE-SWEEPING; SUBMARINES; AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
    • B63G8/00—Underwater vessels, e.g. submarines; Equipment specially adapted therefor
    • B63G8/04—Superstructure
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63G—OFFENSIVE OR DEFENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS ON VESSELS; MINE-LAYING; MINE-SWEEPING; SUBMARINES; AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
    • B63G8/00—Underwater vessels, e.g. submarines; Equipment specially adapted therefor
    • B63G8/14—Control of attitude or depth
    • B63G8/22—Adjustment of buoyancy by water ballasting; Emptying equipment for ballast tanks
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
    • E02B17/02—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor placed by lowering the supporting construction to the bottom, e.g. with subsequent fixing thereto
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
    • E02B17/02—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor placed by lowering the supporting construction to the bottom, e.g. with subsequent fixing thereto
    • E02B17/021—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor placed by lowering the supporting construction to the bottom, e.g. with subsequent fixing thereto with relative movement between supporting construction and platform
    • 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
    • E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/01—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells specially adapted for obtaining from underwater installations
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B2207/00—Buoyancy or ballast means
    • B63B2207/02—Variable ballast or buoyancy
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B43/00—Improving safety of vessels, e.g. damage control, not otherwise provided for
    • B63B43/02—Improving safety of vessels, e.g. damage control, not otherwise provided for reducing risk of capsizing or sinking
    • B63B43/04—Improving safety of vessels, e.g. damage control, not otherwise provided for reducing risk of capsizing or sinking by improving stability
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63G—OFFENSIVE OR DEFENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS ON VESSELS; MINE-LAYING; MINE-SWEEPING; SUBMARINES; AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
    • B63G8/00—Underwater vessels, e.g. submarines; Equipment specially adapted therefor
    • B63G8/001—Underwater vessels adapted for special purposes, e.g. unmanned underwater vessels; Equipment specially adapted therefor, e.g. docking stations
    • B63G2008/002—Underwater vessels adapted for special purposes, e.g. unmanned underwater vessels; Equipment specially adapted therefor, e.g. docking stations unmanned
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
    • E02B2017/0039—Methods for placing the offshore structure
    • E02B2017/0043—Placing the offshore structure on a pre-installed foundation structure
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
    • E02B2017/0039—Methods for placing the offshore structure
    • E02B2017/0047—Methods for placing the offshore structure using a barge
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
    • E02B2017/0052—Removal or dismantling of offshore structures from their offshore location

Definitions

  • Embodiments of the invention relate to subsea vessels, which may be utilized for buoyancy or to otherwise hold fluids for operations subsea involving subsea platform transporters.
  • Offshore oil and natural gas exploration and production utilize above-sea platforms to support drilling and/or processing equipment for extracting resources from subsea wells.
  • the above-sea platforms mount to a system of fluid transfer and mooring lines extending from the platforms to the sea floor.
  • the platforms may include drilling systems, transport systems, support equipment, such as electrical power generation, and crew accommodations.
  • many offshore operations include subsea platforms to support various systems at or near the sea floor.
  • Subsea platforms may include sub-systems, which are transported to a particular site, submerged, integrated to form one or more subsea systems, and tested.
  • Current technology limits transport and positioning of each sub-system to be less than 500 metric tons (MT). Therefore, installation of the subsea platform may be a lengthy process depending upon size, weight, and number of sub-systems. More specifically, a subsea system may require multiple support ships to transport and position each sub-system as well as a lengthy construction and testing phase prior to being ready for operation.
  • FR2261925A1 describes a method of using a subsea vessel for buoyancy, comprising: floating the vessel in water wherein the vessel includes a shell arranged around an inner enclosure containing gas, with concrete material filling the space between the shell and the enclosure, and submerging the vessel until supported by the sea bed.
  • a method of using a subsea vessel for buoyancy includes floating the vessel in water.
  • the vessel includes a shell arranged around at least one inner enclosure containing gas with concrete material poured to fill between the shell and the enclosure.
  • the method further includes submerging the vessel until supported by a seabed.
  • a subsea platform transporter comprising: four vessels, each comprising a column member having one or more internal cavities filled with buoyant material; a plurality of thrusters; at least four pontoon members forming a rectangular shape; a subsea platform and a platform release mechanism; and a controller; and the method further comprises: towing the subsea platform transporter by boat to a position above a support structure comprising supports on the seabed; releasing the subsea platform transporter from the boat; using the controller to control the buoyancy of the column members by filling the column members with sea water to facilitate a gradual descent of the subsea platform transporter; activating the thrusters to achieve a desired alignment for resting on the supports; and using the release mechanism to disengage the subsea platform transporter from the subsea platform such that the transporter ascends to the surface.
  • Embodiments of the disclosure relate to subsea vessels for applications such as buoyancy and tanks to hold fluids for operations subsea.
  • the vessels may store chemicals for injection into a wellbore or facilitate separation of phases in produced fluids.
  • any method or structures in which a subsea tank or buoyancy is desired may employ suitable versions of the subsea vessels described herein.
  • the vessel includes a shell surrounding a filler to provide the vessel with a density for floatation.
  • the filler includes concrete and may include thermoplastic materials, which may be formed to create internal void spaces.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary subsea platform transporter (SPT) 2 being towed by a boat and including subsea vessels, such as a first column member 20, a second column member 21, a third column member 22 and a fourth column member 23 for buoyancy as described further herein.
  • Each column member 20-23 includes one or more internal cavities filled with a buoyant material and together provide primary buoyancy for the SPT 2.
  • the SPT 2 further includes a plurality of thrusters 63, 64, 65, 66 to maneuver the SPT 2 into a desired position along with a first pontoon member 71, a second pontoon member 72 and additional pontoons not visible to form a rectangular shape.
  • Figure 2 shows the SPT 2 submerging toward a support structure 140 having a plurality of support members 142, 143, 144, 145 on the seabed.
  • the boat shown in Figure 1 transports the SPT 2 to a desired position above the support structure 140.
  • the boat then releases the SPT 2 to enable submergence with a controller providing a support vessel based operator with functionality to control buoyancy of the column members 20-23 and/or auxiliary buoyancy members, a platform release mechanism and/or the thrusters 63-66.
  • controlling the buoyancy involve filling the column members 20-23 and/or the auxiliary buoyancy members with sea water to facilitate gradual descent of the SPT 2.
  • the thrusters 60-67 activate to achieve a desired alignment for resting upon the support members 142-145.
  • the platform release mechanism then disengages the SPT 2 for recovery of the SPT 2.
  • Figure 3 illustrates the SPT 2 after the platform release mechanism has disengaged the SPT 2 from a subsea platform 100 and the SPT 2 begins to ascend toward the sea surface due to weight of the platform 100 being decoupled from the SPT 2. Once at the sea surface, the boat tows the SPT 2 back to dock.
  • the SPT 2 employing the column members 20-23 described below in more detail thus provides efficient delivery of the subsea platform 100.
  • FIG 4 shows an exemplary subsea vessel 400, which may be used to provide each of the column members 20-23 depicted in Figure 1 .
  • the vessel 400 includes an outer shell 402 forming a closed shape, such as a rectangular block or cylinder.
  • a steel material may provide the shell 402 and acts as a sealant to prevent water contact with filler, such as concrete 404, and/or provides tensile strength for structural integrity to the vessel 400.
  • Other coating options may be painted directly onto the concrete to provide the shell 402 and avoid the use of steel.
  • the concrete 404 pours into an annulus between the shell 402 and an inner enclosure 406, which may also be formed of steel, and fills in to surround the enclosure 406.
  • the enclosure 406 also forms a closed shape, such as a rectangular block or cylinder, and may be horizontally/vertically concentric with the shell 402.
  • An interior of the enclosure 406 thereby defines a void space 408 within the vessel 400.
  • Gas, such as air, filling the void space 408 contributes to buoyancy of the vessel 400 with increase in size of the void space 408 providing more buoyancy. Fixing or otherwise maintaining the enclosure 406 relative to the shell 402 while pouring the concrete 404 ensures the enclosure is arranged and oriented as desired.
  • the concrete 404 density ranges from 700 kilograms per cubic meter to 1000 kilograms per cubic meter, is less than water density or is less than 1025 kilograms per cubic meter.
  • the concrete 404 may include a mixture of cement and particles less dense than the cement such as hollow gas filled glass microspheres, i.e., glass bubbles, to provide the desired density achievable given structural requirements.
  • the concrete 404 may change density from one end of the vessel 400 to the opposite end for generating an inherent submerged stabile orientation of the vessel 400. For example, the density of the concrete 404 toward a top of the vessel 400 may be less than 900 kilograms per cubic meter while the concrete 404 lower in the vessel 400 may be greater than 900 kilograms per cubic meter.
  • a lower percentage of glass bubbles in the concrete 404 at a base of the vessel 400 relative to percentage of glass bubbles in the concrete 404 toward a top of the vessel 400 may provide such a density profile.
  • Some embodiments may create the density profile by placement of the void space 408 within the vessel 400. Placement of the concrete 404 with relative higher density toward the base also helps provide additional strength and structural support at locations often experiencing highest loading.
  • the vessel 400 further includes a water intake conduit 410 with intake valve 412 and an air outlet conduit 414 with check valve 416.
  • the intake conduit 410 and the outlet conduit 414 provide fluid communication pathways between an exterior of the vessel 400 and the void space 408. Control of the intake valve 412 enables flooding the void space 408 with water to add weight to the vessel 400, which is utilized to facilitate submergence, such as shown in Figure 2 .
  • an operator In operation, an operator, by remote command or manually by a remotely operated vehicle, opens the inlet valve 412 to start filling of the void space 408 with the water as the check valve 416 releases air compressed by the water.
  • the weight of the vessel 400 increases enough to cause sinking of the vessel 400 and components coupled thereto at a certain depth, even though the vessel 400 may remain buoyant at other depths and may thus facilitate the ascent shown in Figure 3 when such components are released from the vessel 400.
  • a hemispherical dome or sloped top to the enclosure 406 along with location of the outlet conduit 414 at the apex for venting ensures all the air escapes avoiding contained high pressures within the vessel 400.
  • a hemispherical dome may be used at the top and the bottom of the enclosure 406 to assist with the structural design.
  • the concrete 404 provides compressive strength to the vessel 400.
  • the vessel 400 may include reinforcing steel bar or rebar 418 as required by structural designs. While the rebar 418 visible is a single longitudinal piece in the annulus, the vessel 400 may have multiple parallel ones of the rebar 418 dispersed around the annulus and/or reinforcing steel rings disposed in the annulus perpendicular to the rebar 418.
  • Figure 5 illustrates a compartmentalized subsea vessel formed, similar to Figure 4 , by a shell 502 surrounding concrete 504.
  • a first enclosure 506, a second enclosure 556 and a third enclosure 566 within the concrete 504 provide a first void space 508, a second void space 558 and a third void space 568, respectively. While not visible, additional enclosures to a front and back may form a radial pattern in combination with the second enclosure 556 and the third enclosure 566.
  • the first enclosure 506 occupies a center upper area within the concrete 504 and is misaligned in both horizontal and vertical directions with both the second enclosure 556 and the third enclosure 566, which are located in a relative lower area of the concrete 504.
  • size and configuration of the void spaces 508, 558, 568 may differ from one another to provide desired structural and buoyancy properties.
  • the enclosures 506, 556, 566 may include a flat top plate since sealed from an external environment to provide a fixed amount of buoyancy without being utilized for changing buoyancy. Without need for external fluid communication, the concrete 504 may provide complete encapsulation of the enclosures 506, 556, 566.
  • the enclosures 506, 556, 566 contain pressurized gas at, for example, at least 6,500 kilopascals (kPa) and within a maximum structural containment limit while on surface and exposed to atmospheric pressure or less than a maximum external pressure anticipated.
  • This pressurization facilitates the concrete 504 resisting crush due to external pressure at water depths, such as 3000 meters, where intended for use.
  • the pressurization of the enclosures 506, 556, 566 limits a pressure differential and resulting force since the external pressure may be at least 31,000 kPa, for example.
  • Figure 6 shows another subsea vessel with a shell 602 at least partially filled with a thermoplastic 604 having a density less than 900 kilograms per cubic meter.
  • exemplary shapes for the thermoplastic 604 include spheres, cylindrical pellets, discs or blocks.
  • some embodiments utilize the spherical or cylindrical pellets, which also enable efficient packing of the thermoplastic 604 within the shell 602.
  • openings such as lower aperture 610 and upper aperture 614 through the shell 602, permit fluid communication between inside and outside the shell 602. Water passes through the apertures 610, 614 and fills an interstitial space between the objects of the thermoplastic 604. Thus, submerging avoids issues of crushing the shell 602 since there is no pressure containment by the shell 602.
  • Figure 7 illustrates a mixed media subsea vessel with a shell 702 and showing an exemplary combination of features including concrete 704, an enclosure 706 creating a void space 708, and thermoplastic filler 764, such as described with respect to Figure 6 .
  • the shell 702 separates the concrete 704 with the enclosure 706 from the thermoplastic filler 764.
  • the thermoplastic filler 764 may be lighter than the concrete 704, which may be heavier than water, to create a desired density and/or density profile.
  • Figure 8 illustrates another mixed media subsea vessel with a shell 802 and showing an exemplary combination of features including concrete 804, an enclosure 806 creating a void space 808, a thermoplastic first disc 858 and a thermoplastic second disc 868. While a couple mixed media are depicted and not all combinations of the features described with respect to the Figures 4-8 are shown for conciseness, various other attributes described may be combined as desired.
  • the enclosure 806 and discs 858, 868 embedded in the concrete 804 within the shell 802 have a stacked orientation with the enclosure 806 disposed above the first disc 858, which is disposed above the second disc 868.
  • size and configuration of the discs 858, 868 may differ from one another to provide desired structural and buoyancy properties.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Revetment (AREA)
  • Bridges Or Land Bridges (AREA)

Claims (11)

  1. Verfahren zur Verwendung eines Unterwasserfahrzeugs für Auftrieb, umfassend:
    Schwimmen des Fahrzeugs in Wasser, wobei das Fahrzeug ein Gehäuse aufweist, das um zumindest eine innere Einhausung, die Gas enthält, herum angeordnet ist, mit Betonmaterial eingegossen zum Füllen zwischen dem Gehäuse und der Einhausung;
    Untertauchen des Fahrzeugs bis es durch einen Meeresboden gestützt wird; dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein Unterwasserplattformtransporter bereitgestellt wird, wobei der Transporter umfasst:
    vier dieser Fahrzeuge, die jeweils ein Säulenelement (20-23) mit einem oder mehreren Innenhohlräumen, die mit Auftriebmaterial gefüllt sind, umfassen;
    eine Vielzahl von Strahlrudern (63-66);
    zumindest vier Pontonelemente (71, 72), die eine rechteckige Form bilden;
    eine Unterwasserplattform (100) und einen Plattformentriegelungsmechanismus;
    eine Steuerung;
    wobei das Verfahren weiter umfasst:
    Schleppen des Unterwasserplattformtransporters per Schiff in eine Position oberhalb einer Stützstruktur (140), die Stützen (142-145) umfasst, auf dem Meeresboden;
    Entriegeln des Unterwasserplattformtransporters von dem Schiff;
    Verwenden der Steuerung zum Steuern des Auftriebs der Säulenelemente (20-23) durch Füllen der Säulenelemente mit Meereswasser, um eine allmähliche Absenkung des Unterwasserplattformtransporters zu ermöglichen;
    Aktivieren der Strahlruder (63-66), um eine gewünschte Ausrichtung zum Aufliegen auf den Stützen (142-145) zu erreichen;
    Verwenden des Entriegelungsmechanismus, um den Unterwasserplattformtransporter von der Unterwasserplattform (100) zu lösen, so dass der Transporter zu der Oberfläche aufsteigt.
  2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei Untertauchen Erhöhen des Gewichts des Fahrzeugs durch Einleiten von Wasser in die innere Einhausung durch ein Ventil aufweist.
  3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei Stahl das Gehäuse und die innere Einhausung bildet, wobei das Gehäuse und die innere Einhausung optional konzentrische Zylinder sind.
  4. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei die innere Einhausung eine kuppelförmige Oberseite mit einer Leitung an einer Spitze der Oberseite aufweist, die eine Fluidverbindung durch ein Sperrventil mit einer Außenseite des Fahrzeugs bereitstellt, um das Gas bei Überflutung der Einhausung für das Untertauchen zu entlüften.
  5. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei die zumindest eine innere Einhausung eine Vielzahl von in dem Gehäuse angeordneten Einhausungen aufweist.
  6. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Gas bis zumindest 6500 Kilopascal unter Druck steht.
  7. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Fahrzeug weiter ein thermoplastisches Material, das zu dem Auftrieb beiträgt, aufweist.
  8. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei sich die Dichte des Fahrzeugs in Richtung einer Unterseite des Fahrzeugs erhöht.
  9. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Betonmaterial ein Dichteprofil aufweist, das sich in Richtung einer Unterseite des Fahrzeugs erhöht.
  10. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Betonmaterial Glasblasen aufweist, optional mit einer höheren Konzentration der Blasen in Richtung einer Oberseite des Fahrzeugs als einer Unterseite des Fahrzeugs, um ein Dichteprofil zu erschaffen, das sich in Richtung der Unterseite des Fahrzeugs erhöht.
  11. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Betonmaterial eine Dichte geringer als das Wasser aufweist.
EP15823947.5A 2014-07-22 2015-07-16 Unterwasserfahrzeug und verwendung Active EP3172124B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201462027611P 2014-07-22 2014-07-22
PCT/US2015/040758 WO2016014340A1 (en) 2014-07-22 2015-07-16 Subsea vessel and use

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3172124A1 EP3172124A1 (de) 2017-05-31
EP3172124A4 EP3172124A4 (de) 2017-07-12
EP3172124B1 true EP3172124B1 (de) 2018-06-20

Family

ID=58633122

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP15823947.5A Active EP3172124B1 (de) 2014-07-22 2015-07-16 Unterwasserfahrzeug und verwendung

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3172124B1 (de)

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NO750611L (de) * 1974-02-25 1975-08-26 Harold Wilfred Bradbury
US4004429A (en) * 1974-05-01 1977-01-25 Mouton Jr William J Deep underwater sphere
US4657810A (en) * 1985-10-15 1987-04-14 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Fired hollow ceramic spheroids
GB9512258D0 (en) * 1995-06-16 1995-08-16 Derby Stanley Hollow concrete-walled structure for marine use
US6994048B1 (en) * 2004-05-03 2006-02-07 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Floating low density concrete barrier
GB2470887B (en) * 2008-03-26 2012-09-05 Zhirong Wu A liquid storage, loading and offloading system and its applications for offshore drilling and production facilities

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3172124A4 (de) 2017-07-12
EP3172124A1 (de) 2017-05-31

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US7882794B2 (en) Buoyancy device and method for stabilizing and controlling lowering or raising of a structure between the surface and the sea floor
US6575665B2 (en) Precast modular marine structure & method of construction
US9878761B2 (en) Large subsea package deployment methods and devices
EP2326552B1 (de) Verfahren zum installieren einer unterwasserstruktur
US20150246770A1 (en) Large scale subsea storage tank and method for constructing and installing the same
US3589133A (en) Method of and means for mounting equipment at a subsea location
US10232919B2 (en) Multi-vessel process to install and recover subsea equipment packages
EP0170698B1 (de) Öllager- und umladeanlage
AU2003208405A1 (en) Floating semi-submersible oil production and storage arrangement
NO340272B1 (no) Undervannstanksystem
AU2015294369B2 (en) Subsea vessel and use
EP3172124B1 (de) Unterwasserfahrzeug und verwendung
KR101346174B1 (ko) 분리 유동이 가능한 추진 장치를 구비한 선박
EP2903916B1 (de) Tank
AU2013101613A4 (en) Tank
JPS5891998A (ja) 液化ガスの着底型水中貯蔵装置

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE

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

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

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20170217

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

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

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

Free format text: STATUS: EXAMINATION IS IN PROGRESS

A4 Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched

Effective date: 20170613

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: B63B 21/56 20060101AFI20170607BHEP

Ipc: B63B 5/14 20060101ALI20170607BHEP

Ipc: B63B 43/04 20060101ALI20170607BHEP

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20170707

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: 20180309

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

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 1010395

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20180715

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602015012610

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NO

Ref legal event code: T2

Effective date: 20180620

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20180620

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: 20180920

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: 20180620

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: 20180620

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: 20180620

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: 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: 20180620

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: 20180620

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: 20180921

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: 20180620

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 1010395

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20180620

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

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: 20180620

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

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: 20180620

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: 20180620

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: 20180620

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: 20181020

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: 20180620

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: 20180620

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: 20180620

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 602015012610

Country of ref document: DE

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

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: 20180620

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: 20180620

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: 20180620

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: 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: 20180620

Ref country code: LU

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

Effective date: 20180716

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20180731

RAP2 Party data changed (patent owner data changed or rights of a patent transferred)

Owner name: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

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

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

Ref country code: IE

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

Effective date: 20180716

Ref country code: LI

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

Effective date: 20180731

Ref country code: DE

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

Effective date: 20190201

Ref country code: CH

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

Effective date: 20180731

VS25 Lapsed in a validation state [announced via postgrant information from nat. office to epo]

Ref country code: MA

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

Effective date: 20150716

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20190321

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

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: 20180620

Ref country code: BE

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

Effective date: 20180731

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: 20180620

Ref country code: FR

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

Effective date: 20180820

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

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: 20180620

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

Ref country code: MT

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

Effective date: 20180716

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: 20180620

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

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: 20180620

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

Ref country code: HU

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

Effective date: 20150716

Ref country code: MK

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

Effective date: 20180620

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: 20180620

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

Ref country code: NO

Payment date: 20230622

Year of fee payment: 9

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

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20230620

Year of fee payment: 9

P01 Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered

Effective date: 20231207