GB2127881A - Apparatus and method for attaching a template at a subsea production site - Google Patents
Apparatus and method for attaching a template at a subsea production site Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2127881A GB2127881A GB08326502A GB8326502A GB2127881A GB 2127881 A GB2127881 A GB 2127881A GB 08326502 A GB08326502 A GB 08326502A GB 8326502 A GB8326502 A GB 8326502A GB 2127881 A GB2127881 A GB 2127881A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- template
- piling
- latch
- monopile
- support
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 15
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 8
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 description 4
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 4
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- SGTNSNPWRIOYBX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-5-{[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl](methyl)amino}-2-(propan-2-yl)pentanenitrile Chemical compound C1=C(OC)C(OC)=CC=C1CCN(C)CCCC(C#N)(C(C)C)C1=CC=C(OC)C(OC)=C1 SGTNSNPWRIOYBX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004215 Carbon black (E152) Substances 0.000 description 1
- 241000272470 Circus Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000000306 component Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007670 refining Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010561 standard procedure Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003351 stiffener Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011179 visual inspection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B7/00—Special methods or apparatus for drilling
- E21B7/12—Underwater drilling
- E21B7/128—Underwater drilling from floating support with independent underwater anchored guide base
-
- 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
- E21B41/00—Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00
- E21B41/08—Underwater guide bases, e.g. drilling templates; Levelling thereof
-
- 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
- E21B43/017—Production satellite stations, i.e. underwater installations comprising a plurality of satellite well heads connected to a central station
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Conveying And Assembling Of Building Elements In Situ (AREA)
- Earth Drilling (AREA)
- Perforating, Stamping-Out Or Severing By Means Other Than Cutting (AREA)
Abstract
Attachment of a template 40 at a subsea production site is effected through a single support piling (not shown) driven in the ocean floor. The template 40 is rotatably mounted on gimbal 42 which in turn provides a rotatable mounting for a latching arrangement 46 for securing the template 40 to the piling. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Apparatus and method for attaching a template at a subsea production site
The present invention pertains to a subsea production assembly which connects a plurality of hydrocarbon producing wells with flowlines to transport hydrocarbons to storage facilities and more particularly to a method and apparatus for attaching a template at a subsea production site.
Present oil production is being directed to offshore areas located in water of up to 2,500 feet (762 m) deep. Subsea production is more economical if a plurality of wells are drilled from the same area with different slopes to achieve more efficient well production. A manifold structure is then used to combine the output of the plurality of wells in one or two flowlines to transport either liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons to storage facilities or a transfer vessel for further transportation to refining facilities. Typically, the manifold structure is supported on a template which is placed on a plurality of pilings, leveled by adjusting the heights of the respective pilings and securely fastened to each of the pilings.
The manifold structure also comprises several bays, the majority of which are used as connections to wellheads. One or two of the bays are used for connections to flowline bundles which carry the liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons to a remote destination.
The concrete pilings upon which the template is placed are usually prefabricated concrete and may be several hundred feet long.
The pilings are driven into the ocean floor with an underwater hammer. Once the concrete pilings are in place, they must be adjusted so that the template, which is typically 25 feet (7.6 m) in diameter, is level within 3 inches (7.6 cm) across its diameter. To appreciate the magnitude of this problem, it is to be noted that, for a 25 foot (7.6 m) diameter template, a slope of 5 degrees from the horizontal will result in a discrepancy of over 2 feet (0.6 m) from one side of the template to the opposite side.
As the depth increases down to 2,500 feet (762 m), leveling of the template becomes more and more of a problem particularly with the muitiple piling support concept.
Accordingly the invention resides in one aspect in an apparatus for attaching a template at a subsea production site by way of a single support piling comprising gimbal means rotatably mounted to the template and latch means rotatably mounted to the gimbal means for securing the template to the support piling.
In a further aspect, the invention resides in a method for attaching a template at a subsea production site comprising the steps of: driving a single support piling into the ocean floor; and latching the template to the piling so that the piling provides the sole support for the template.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a monopile support.
Figure 2 is a plan view of a leveling wafer.
Figure 3 is a cut away side view of Fig. 2.
Figure 4 is a plan view of a template and a gimbal mounted latch system.
Figure 5 is a side view along lines 4-4 of
Fig. 4.
Figure 6 is a plan view of a slip segment latching system.
Figure 7 is a partially cut away side view of
Fig. 6.
Referring now to Fig. 1, a monopile support assembly is illustrated having monopile 12 with ring girder 14 attached thereto. Superimposed in phantom are monopile 1 2A and ring girder 1 4A depicting distance variations existing whenevenmonopile 1 2 is not installed perfectly vertical. Monopile 1 2 may be of any commonly used support material. However, the preferre embodiment uses steel pipe having an outer diameter of 6 feet (1.8 m) and a thickness of 2 inches (5.1 cm). This single support monopile 12 may be as long as 300 feet (91 m) of which only a few feet extend above the mudline of the ocean floor.
As illustrated in Fig. 1, a five degree deviation from vertical at the top of monopile 1 2 results in a deviation in excess of 2 feet (0.6 m) betweeh corner 16 and opposite corner 18 of the ring girder 14. Ring girder 1 4 may also be of any type currently used to initially support the weight of the template which will rest thereon. Ring girder 14 may be affixed to monopile 1 2 by standard methods such as welding.
Monopile 1 2 and its ring girder 14 are to be installed in 2,500 feet (762 m) of water, by driving with an underwater hammer. A tolerance on the verticality of the pile axis may be zero to five degrees omni-directionally. A ten bay template is preferably landed on the pile and made level to within one-half degree of horizontal to accommodate later operations. A more detailed description of a subsea template may be found in our published British Patent Application No.
2,114,188.
Normally, monopile 1 2 projects approximately 10 feet (3 m) above the ocean floor, and has a ring girder assembly 14 25 feet (7.6 m) in diameter fixed at the mudline. As previously stated, a five degree slope amounts to in excess of 2 feet (0.6 m) deviation across the 25 foot (7.6 m) base of the girder, whereas the template, when set down, must be leveled to + 2.62 inches (6.65 cm) across this same 25 foot (7.6 m) diameter. A significantly sloped surface presents drilling, pump
ing and connection problems which, due to the depth at which the platform is operated, require many man hours and great expense to correct.
A nearly level template surface is a prerequisite for reliable, efficient operation of a subsea production system which contains connections to oil wellheads and production flowlines.
Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3, a template leveling wafer 20 is illustrated as having template orientation slot 22, handling eye 24, slope indicators 26 and lifting pins 38. The wafer 20 is a prefabricated structural compo- nent, which is constructed before the installation phase but is designed to be field adjustable. The wafer centers on the pile only loosely and provides a level top surface since its bottom surface is adjusted on site to compensate for the angle of ring girder plate 14.
The wafer does not need to be precisely centered, but it does require orientation with respect to monopile 12. This can be accomplished with a orientation pin 30 (Fig. 3) on the wafer 20. Precise orientation is not critical, as an orientation error of 180 degrees will produce an error of only 10 degrees from level. Therefore, an orientation error of a few degrees will result in a small leveling error.
A subsea platform is thus required to have no leveling machinery, as the foundation has already been made level. A large bearing area is also achieved. Separate orientation of a subsea platform is possible if done before the weight of the template is set on wafer 20. If compensating wafer 20 is set on ring girder 14 and found to be incorrect, it can be pulled back to the surface much easier and quicker than a large subsea platform base.
In operation, the deviation of monopile 1 2 (see Fig. 1) is measured and the slope of ring girder 14 is computed. Wafer 20 is prefabricated to compensate for the determined slope of ring girder 14. Wafer 20 may be lifted by lift pins 28 and lowered onto ring girder 14 on monopile 1 2 by methods currently used in subsea construction. Wafer 20 has a center slot 32 which defines a funnel from bottom to top. The top of center slot 32 is approximately 6 feet (1.8 m) in diameter and the bottom is approximately 10 feet (3 m) in diameter. This permits wafer 20 to be lowered on monopile 1 2 while misalignment of center slot 32 with respect to the center of monopile 1 2 may be as much as 4 feet (1.2 m).The funnel type arrangement of slot 32 ensures centering on monopile 1 2 and allows alignment with side walls of ring girder 14.
Wafer 20 is constructed to compensate for any deviation from vertical of monopile 1 2 which results in a slope from horizontal of the base of ring girder 14. As illustrated in Fig. 3, wafer 20 may consist of two concentric superimposed, mutually rotatable segments 20A and 20B. Each segment is in the form of a circular wedge, conveniently defining a 2 1/2 degree angle between its upper and lower
surfaces so that, by varying the angular oriel tation of the segments, the angle between the
top and bottom surfaces of the overall wafer
can be adjusted from 0-5 degrees. Each
segment is a steel plate fabrication with circu
lar and radial stiffeners 39 being provided to
give the wafer sufficient strength to transfer
the compressive loads experienced in use.
Before the wafer 20 is lowered into place
on monopile 12 and ring girder 14, the
angular orientation of the segments 2OA, 20B
is adjusted to compensate for slope existing in
ring girder 14. After the wafer has been
installed, the accuracy of this adjustment can be confirmed by visual inspection of the slope
indicators 26.
Using the monopile 12 as the sole support
for the template presents an additional prob
lem in latching the template to the monopile
12. Thus the template must be securely fas
tened to the monopile 12 even when mono
pile 12 deviates from vertical. However, the
wafer 20 allows the template to assume a
level position, so that the center axis of tem
plate 40 is always substantially vertical, but
will be at an angle with the center line of
monopile 12 when it deviates from vertical.
Referring now to Figs. 4 to 7, template 40
is illustrated as being connected to gimbaled
ring 42 through universal connection 44 and
having hydraulically operated slip latch 46
attached to gimbaled ring 42 through univer
sal connection 48. Hydraulically operated slip
ring latch 46 fits around monopile 12 and
may rotate to compensate for any deviation
from vertical in monopile 12. However, com
pensation for deviation from the vertical by
hydraulically operated slip latch 46 can only
compensate for deviations within the 90 de
gree arc of universal joint 48, that is + 45
degrees from center line axis 50 of universal
joint 48.
Universal joint 44 connecting gimbaled ring
42 and template 40 is spaced 90 degrees
from the center line 50 of universal joint 48
having a center line axis 52 perpendicular to
axis 50. Universal joint 44 will compensate
for deviations from the vertical in monopile 1 2 which are + 45 degrees from center line 52.
Thus, template 40 may be lowered upon
wafer 20 and latched to monopile 12 despite
its deviation from vertical.
Fig. 5 illustrates universal connection 44 to
gimbaled ring 42 and universal connection 48
to hydraulically operated slip ring latch 46. As
Illustrated, template 40 may be set on wafer
20 while hydraulically operated latch 46
slides down monopile 12. Template 40 will
rest on wafer 20 while hydraulically operated
latch 46 is configured to extend to a level
slightly above wafer 20.
As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, hydraulically
operated slip latch 46 includes slip segments
50, 50A having wedges 52, 52A located
therein. Slip latch 46 also includes hydraulic cylinders 56 connected to wedges 52 and 52A in juxtaposition with slip segments 50 and 50A, respectively. Slip segments 50 and wedge 52 depict the elements in unlocked position and slip segment 50A and wedge 52A depict the elements in locked position.
Hydraulically operated slip latch 46 must be capable of being operated remotely and be capable of latching positively to monopile 1 2 despite any forces exerted on template 40 or monopile 1 2. This means that hydraulically operated slip latch 46 must not be susceptible to working itself loose when operational forces are applied. The combination of wedges 52 and slip segments provide a secure connection as required.
In operation, hydraulically operated slip latch 46 is lowered onto monopile 12, with the wedges and slip segments in their unlocked position. When the latch is in place, hydraulic cylinders 56 are actuated to force piston arm 58 against wedge 52A forcing it to slide slip segment against monopile 12.
Once in position, any radial or transverse forces exerted on either template 20 or monopile 1 2 will be translated into radial forces. By arranging that the angle of inclination of wedge 52 with respect to slip segment 50 is small, radial forces will be almost perpendicular to surfaces 60 and 60A of wedges 52 and 52A. As such, wedges 52 and 52A will maintain their position forcing slip segments 50 and 50A to remain tight against monopile 12.
Hydraulically operated slip latch 46 makes positive solid contact with monopile 1 2 and acts through universal connection 48, gimbaled ring 42 and universal connection 44 to provide secure mounting for template 40 to monopile 1 2.
Claims (5)
1. Apparatus for attaching a template at a subsea production site by way of a single support piling comprising:
gimbal means rotatably mounted to the
template; and
latch means rotatably mounted to the
gimbal means for securing the template to
the support piling.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the latch means includes means for gripping the support piling, wedge means slidably mounted in contact with the gripping means for urging the gripping means against the support piling and a hydraulically operated actuator connected to the wedge means for moving the wedge means to a position urging the gripping means against the support piling.
3. A method for attaching a template at a subsea production site comprising the steps of:
driving a single support piling into the
ocean floor; and
latching the template to the piling so that
the piling provides the sole support for the
template.
4. The method according to claim 3 wherein the latching step includes the steps of:
providing a gimbaled latch generally cen
trally of the template;
rotating the latch to compensate for any
vertical deviation of the single support pil
ing; and
removably securing the template to the
single support piling by way of the latch.
5. The method according to claim 4 wherein the step of removably securing includes the steps of providing slip segments slidably mounted in conjunction with wedge members operated by hydraulic actuators and actuating the hydraulic actuators to urge the wedge members against the slip segments and thereby urge the slip segments against the single support piling.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US43288382A | 1982-10-05 | 1982-10-05 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB8326502D0 GB8326502D0 (en) | 1983-11-02 |
GB2127881A true GB2127881A (en) | 1984-04-18 |
Family
ID=23717964
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB08326502A Withdrawn GB2127881A (en) | 1982-10-05 | 1983-10-04 | Apparatus and method for attaching a template at a subsea production site |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
JP (1) | JPS5988522A (en) |
AU (1) | AU1973683A (en) |
CA (1) | CA1201973A (en) |
FR (1) | FR2533954A1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2127881A (en) |
NO (1) | NO833607L (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2138472A (en) * | 1983-04-18 | 1984-10-24 | Tecnomare Spa | Undersea template for the drilling of wells for the exploitation of hydrocarbon pools under the sea |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
BR8806661A (en) * | 1988-12-16 | 1990-07-31 | Petroleo Brasileiro Sa | PRODUCTION SYSTEM FOR SUBMARINE PETROLEUM WELLS |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB819757A (en) * | 1956-08-06 | 1959-09-09 | Christiani And Nielsen | Foundation at great depths of water |
FR2128120B1 (en) * | 1971-03-05 | 1974-02-15 | Erap Elf Entr Rech Activ Petro |
-
1983
- 1983-09-29 AU AU19736/83A patent/AU1973683A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1983-10-04 CA CA000438318A patent/CA1201973A/en not_active Expired
- 1983-10-04 NO NO833607A patent/NO833607L/en unknown
- 1983-10-04 FR FR8315779A patent/FR2533954A1/en active Pending
- 1983-10-04 GB GB08326502A patent/GB2127881A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1983-10-05 JP JP58186656A patent/JPS5988522A/en active Pending
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2138472A (en) * | 1983-04-18 | 1984-10-24 | Tecnomare Spa | Undersea template for the drilling of wells for the exploitation of hydrocarbon pools under the sea |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JPS5988522A (en) | 1984-05-22 |
NO833607L (en) | 1984-04-06 |
AU1973683A (en) | 1984-04-12 |
CA1201973A (en) | 1986-03-18 |
GB8326502D0 (en) | 1983-11-02 |
FR2533954A1 (en) | 1984-04-06 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US3504740A (en) | Subsea satellite foundation unit and method for installing a satellite body within said foundation unit | |
US3881549A (en) | Production and flare caisson system | |
US3852970A (en) | Building raising and underpinning system | |
US4740107A (en) | Method and apparatus for protecting a shallow-water well | |
FI92234C (en) | Production system for oil wells drilled in the bottom of the water area | |
US3716994A (en) | Assembly system for a detachably connected offshore marine structure | |
GB2211526A (en) | Subsea template | |
US6299385B1 (en) | Mini-jacket and method for installation using caisson | |
US4435108A (en) | Method of installing sub-sea templates | |
US4211281A (en) | Articulated plural well deep water production system | |
US5988949A (en) | Offshore jacket installation | |
GB2130623A (en) | System for drilling from a water surface which is insensitive to the swell | |
US4907657A (en) | Method for protecting a shallow water well | |
US5012875A (en) | Method and apparatus for protecting a shallow-water well | |
US4260291A (en) | Installation of an offshore structure | |
US4711601A (en) | Method of installing offshore constructions | |
US4830542A (en) | Subsea template leveling wafer and leveling method | |
CA1201973A (en) | Apparatus and method for attaching a template at a subsea production site | |
CA1213741A (en) | Method for providing a horizontal support area at a subsea production site | |
US4580926A (en) | Foundation level and orientation tool | |
US11795649B2 (en) | Apparatus and method for subsea wall insertion | |
CA1194856A (en) | Method of installing subsea templates | |
WO2024008337A1 (en) | Lifting tool | |
Arnold et al. | The Methods and Equipment Used for the Offshore Installation of Ocean Outfalls Diffuser Assemblies from a Semisubmersible | |
GB2278871A (en) | Foundation for an offshore platform |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |