GB2471091A

GB2471091A - Umbilical connection arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2471091A
Application number: GB0910340A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Neil Douglas
Original assignee: Viper Subsea Ltd
Current assignee: Viper Subsea Ltd
Priority date: 2009-06-16
Filing date: 2009-06-16
Publication date: 2010-12-22
Anticipated expiration: 2029-06-16
Also published as: GB0910340D0; GB2471091B

Abstract

A connection arrangement comprises a first umbilical 50 provided with a first umbilical termination assembly 56, a second umbilical 58 provided with a second umbilical termination assembly 60, wherein the first and second umbilical termination assemblies are adapted to permit connection thereof to one another without the use of jumpers therebetween, to connect at least some of the cables, hoses and/or fibres of the first and second umbilicals 50, 58 to one another. A connection point 64 for a jumper may be included on one of the termination assemblies. A connection module incorporating a connection point may be located between the fist and second termination assemblies.

Description

Connection Arrangement This invention relates to a connection arrangement, and in particular to a connection arrangement for use with umbilicals whereby electrical power or signals, hydraulic services, chemicals and/or optical services or the like are transmitted or supplied between an operator station and a subsea location.

It is commonplace in the oil and gas extraction industry for equipment to be positioned in subsea locations. The equipment is typically powered and/or controlled from a remote operator station. For example, the operator station may be located on-shore or on an off-shore platform. The manner in which power and/or control signals are transmitted between the operator station and the subsea location typically involves the use of an umbilical comprising a series of cables, pipes and/or optical fibres whereby electrical power and/or signals, hydraulic power, chemicals and/or optical signals are transmitted.

The umbilical is usually connected to a distribution unit positioned at the subsea location, the distribution unit serving to connect a number of different consumers or devices to the various parts of the umbilical to permit the transmission of power and/or chemicals and/or signals thereto. The consumers or devices may take a range of forms and may comprise individual devices or modules or could comprise subsea trees. For convenience, the term consumer' is used herein to refer to any such device. So-called Jumpers' are used to provide the required connections between the distribution unit and the various consumers.

Where the various consumers are located relatively close to one another, such an architecture performs satisfactorily. For example, consumers located within a range of up to approximately a couple of hundred meters can readily be connected to a single distribution unit. However, where the consumers are more widely spread or distributed, for example as a result of the layout, nature and geology of the hydrocarbon reservoir with which the consumers are being used, it is sometimes preferable to connect some of the various consumers together in a series or daisy-chain' configuration.

There are two techniques in common use for connecting a series of consumers to an umbilical in a daisy-chain fashion. The first technique, as shown in Figure 1, involves using a first, main umbilical 10 to provide a connection between an operator station 12 and a first consumer 14 via a jumper 22 (see below). The first umbilical 10 is connected to a second consumer 16 by a second, infield umbilical 18. A jumper 20 is used to connect the first and second umbilicals 10, 18 to one another.

Further infield umbilicals and consumers may be connected in a similar manner. It will be appreciated that, in this manner, a number of consumers can all be connected to the operator station 12. Each infield umbilical is terminated at both ends thereof in an associated umbilical termination assembly (UTA) 24, and each consumer location is arranged to accommodate both an incoming' UTA and an outgoing' UTA. As mentioned above, each consumer location is provided with a first jumper 20 providing the necessary connections between the incoming and outgoing UTAs 24, and a second jumper 22 splitting out and providing a connection between the incoming UTA 24 and the devices associated with the consumer.

The number of underwater connections in such an arrangement is a concern as each connection point is a potential source of failure. As a result, the number of consumers which can be connected to one another in a daisy-chain fashion before the risk of failure becomes excessive is relatively low.

The second technique, as shown in Figure 2, reduces the number of underwater connections, and thus correspondingly reduces the risk of failure and so allows a greater number of consumers to be connected in a daisy-chain fashion. This is achieved by providing an umbilical 30 with a series of in-line connection points 32 at intervals along its length to which jumpers 34 can be connected to provide connections between the umbilical 30 and subsea consumers 36. Although such an arrangement is advantageous in that the number of underwater connections, and hence the risk of failure, is reduced, it carries the significant disadvantage that the locations of the in-line connection points 32 along the umbilical 30 have to be determined before the umbilical is manufactured. The entire umbilical 30 has to be installed at the time of installation of the first consumer 36 to be connected thereto, and there is little or no flexibility of the locations of subsequent consumers. There is thus a significant loss of flexibility, and modifications to the layout or the introduction of additional consumers is limited.

It is an object of the invention to provide a connection arrangement in which at least some of the disadvantages associated with the arrangements outlined hereinbefore are overcome or are of reduced effect.

According to the present invention there is provided a connection arrangement comprising a first umbilical provided, at an end thereof, with a first umbilical termination assembly, a second umbilical provided, at an end thereof, with a second umbilical termination assembly, wherein the first and second umbilical termination assemblies are adapted to permit connection thereof to one another, without the use of jumpers therebetween, to connect at least some of the cables, hoses and/or fibres of the first and second umbilicals to one another.

Preferably at least one of the first and second umbilical termination assemblies includes a connection point whereby a jumper can be connected to permit connection of a consumer thereof. Both the first and second umbilical termination assemblies may be provided with such a connection point.

The first and second umbilical termination assemblies are preferably provided with interengageable locking features to permit securing thereof to one another.

It will be appreciated that such an arrangement is advantageous in that, compared to the first daisy-chain connection technique outlined hereinbefore, the number of underwater connections is relatively low by avoiding the necessity to provide jumpers to interconnect the UTAs. Compared to the second daisy-chain connection technique outlined hereinbefore, the connection arrangement of the invention is advantageous in that it is of enhanced flexibility, allowing adaptation of the umbilical to accommodate changes in the layout of consumers.

In some arrangements, the first and second umbilical termination assemblies may conveniently be substantially identical to one another.

If desired, a connection module may be connected between the first and second umbilical termination assemblies, the connection module incorporating at least one connection point to permit the connection of jumpers and associated consumers thereto.

The second umbilical is preferably provided with a further umbilical termination assembly at the free end thereof to permit a further, similar umbilical to be connected thereto.

It will be appreciated that, with such an arrangement there is the possibility that the further umbilical will include an umbilical termination assembly that is not required to be connected to another umbilical. A cover arrangement is preferably provided, in such circumstances, to protect the umbilical termination assembly and prevent the escape of materials therefrom and/or the ingress of water into the umbilical.

The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 and 2 are diagrammatic illustrations of two known daisy-chain connection arrangements whereby a series of consumers are connection to an umbilical in a daisy-chain fashion; Figure 3 illustrates a connection arrangement in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and Figures 4 to 7 illustrate a range of modifications and alterations to the arrangement of Figure 3.

As described hereinbefore, Figures 1 and 2 illustrate two known connection arrangements whereby a series of consumers can be connected, in a daisy-chain fashion, to an umbilical whereby power, control signals, chemicals, etc, can be passed between an operator station and the consumers. The arrangement shown in Figure 1 has the disadvantage, as outlined hereinbefore, that it requires the use of a relatively large number of underwater connections. As each underwater connection presents a risk of failure, for example as a result of water ingress, it is desirable to reduce the number of such connections. The arrangement of Figure 2 achieves a reduction in underwater connections, but achieves this by using an umbilical that is designed and manufactured for the specific site in which it is to be used, leading to difficulties if modifications to the layout of the site, and associated number or positioning of the consumers, is required.

The connection arrangement of Figure 3 permits a reduction in the number of underwater connections, thus leading to a reduction in the risk of failure, whilst maintaining a considerable level of flexibility, thus permitting changes in the layout or configuration of the consumers to be made without requiring the manufacture and installation of a different umbilical.

The connection arrangement shown in Figure 3 comprises a first, main umbilical 50 extending, at one end, to an operator station 52. The operator station 52 may be located at an on-shore location or, alternatively, may be upon an off-shore platform.

In either case it will be appreciated that the operator station 52 is typically located remotely from the consumers 54 controlled or served thereby. As usual, the first umbilical 50 is made up of one or more of electrical cables whereby electrical power and/or signals can be transmitted between the operator station 52 and the consumers 54, hydraulic hoses whereby hydraulic power and/or control signals can be transmitted between the operator station 52 and the consumers 54, optical fibres whereby signals can be transmitted, hoses whereby chemicals can be delivered to the consumers, etc. The end of the first umbilical 50 remote from the operator station 52 is terminated at a first umbilical termination assembly (UTA) 56 which includes a series of connectors 57, for example in the form of electrical connectors, hydraulic/chemical connectors, optical fibre connectors, etc connected to respective ones of the cables, hoses and/or fibres of the first umbilical 50. The first UTA 56 further includes a connection point 64, connected to associated ones of the cables, hoses and/or fibres of the first umbilical 50, to permit a jumper 66 to be connected thereto, the jumper 66 serving to connect one of the consumers 54 to the first UTA 56.

The connection arrangement further comprises a second, infield umbilical 58 terminated, at one end thereof with a second UTA 60. The second umbilical 58 is of form similar to the first umbilical 50, and the second UTA 60 includes connectors 61 connected to respective ones of the cables, hoses, fibres, etc of the second umbilical 58. The designs of the first and second UTAs 56, 60 is such that the connectors 57, 61 thereof can mate with one another to provide robust connections between at least some of the cables, hoses, fibres, etc of the first umbilical 50 and the corresponding ones of the second umbilical 58. As shown in Figure 3, each UTA 56, 60 is provided with an interengaging locking formation 62 to permit the UTAs 56, 60 to be firmly, but releasably, secured to one another.

It will thus be appreciated that the first and second UTAs 56, 60 permit the first and second umbilicals 50, 58 to be directly connected to one another without requiring the provision of jumpers or the like therebetween, whilst also permitting the connection of a jumper 66 to permit the transmission of power, control signals, chemicals or the like to a consumer 54. By avoiding the need to use jumpers to connect the first and second umbilicals 50, 58 to one another, the number of underwater connections is reduced, thus reducing the risk of failure.

As illustrated in Figure 3, the end of the second umbilical 58 remote from the second UTA 60 is terminated at another UTA 68 which is substantially identical to the first UTA 56. As a result, a further infield umbilical of form similar to the second umbilical 58, with similar UTAs provided thereon, can be used to extend the overall umbilical length and to allow additional consumers to be connected thereto.

The designs of the UTAs 56, 60 are conveniently such that they can readily be handled manually, by a diver, or by the use of an ROV or the like.

Preferably, as shown in Figure 3, at least some of the UTAs are provided with isolation valves 59 reducing the escape or ingress of fluids in the event of a failure.

In the arrangement illustrated in Figure 3 it will be appreciated that, unless a further infield umbilical is connected to the UTA 68, the UTA 68 will be open with the result that fluids from the second umbilical 58 may escape through the UTA 68, or water may enter the UTA 68 and the second umbilical 58, neither of which are desirable.

In order to avoid this, a protection cover 70 may be secured thereto, as shown in Figure 4. Of course, if one or more further infield umbilicals are provided, the cover may be secured to the free UTA associated with one of them.

In the arrangement illustrated in Figure 3, the first and second UTAs 56, 60 are of dissimilar form. Figure 5 illustrates a variant in which the first and second UTAs 56, are of substantially identical form, simplifying the design by reducing the number of different components, and increasing design flexibility. Handling and installation are also much simplified.

Depending upon the layout or configuration of the consumers 54, there may be a need to permit a number of closely located consumers 54 to all be connected to the umbilical at substantially the same point. Figure 6 illustrates an arrangement by which this can be achieved. In the arrangement of Figure 6, rather than connect the first and second UTAs 56, 60 directly to one another (although their design is such that this is permitted), an expansion component or connection module in the form of a T-piece 72 is interposed therebetween. The T-piece 72 is designed to include connectors 74 arranged to be connected, in use, to the corresponding connectors 57, 61 of the first and second UTAs 56, 60, thereby providing a connection between the first and second UTAs 56, 60. In addition, the T-piece 72 includes a pair of connection points 76, similar to the connection point 64, to allow the connection of associated consumers 54 thereto via associated jumpers. The T-piece 72 is provided with locking formations 78 arranged to cooperate with the formations 62' of the first and second UTAs 56, 60 to secure the connection arrangement against undesired release.

Figure 7 illustrates an arrangement of form similar to that of Figure 6 but in which each of the UTAs 56, 60 is of simplified form, the UTAs 56, 60 not themselves including a connection point 64, but rather relying upon the use of an expansion component 80 of form similar to the T-piece 72 of Figure 6 (although in this case illustrated as including just one connection point 76) to permit the connection of jumpers, and hence consumers, thereto.

It will be appreciated that the connection arrangements described hereinbefore are advantageous in that the number of underwater connections can be reduced to an acceptably small level, thereby reducing the risk of failure, whilst permitting a relatively high level of design flexibility in that the umbilical can be installed in a modular fashion and modifications to the layout can be made after installation of parts of the umbilical, if desired. Expansion and the introduction of new components into an existing arrangement can thus be accommodated in a relatively simple and convenient manner.

Although the description hereinbefore describes some example embodiments of the invention it will be appreciated that a wide range of modifications and alterations may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAI MS1. A connection arrangement comprising a first umbilical provided, at an end thereof, with a first umbilical termination assembly, a second umbilical provided, at an end thereof, with a second umbilical termination assembly, wherein the first and second umbilical termination assemblies are adapted to permit connection thereof to one another, without the use of jumpers therebetween, to connect at least some of the cables, hoses and/or fibres of the first and second umbilicals to one another.
2. An arrangement according to Claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second umbilical termination assemblies includes a connection point whereby a jumper can be connected to permit connection of a consumer thereof.
3. An arrangement according to Claim 2, wherein both the first and second umbilical termination assemblies are provided with such a connection point.
4. An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second umbilical termination assemblies are provided with interengageable locking features to permit securing thereof to one another.
5. An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second umbilical termination assemblies are substantially identical to one another.
6. An arrangement according to any of the preceding claim, further comprising a connection module connectable between the first and second umbilical termination assemblies, the connection module incorporating at least one connection point to permit the connection of jumpers and associated consumers thereto.
7. An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second umbilical is provided with a further umbilical termination assembly at the free end thereof to permit a further, similar umbilical to be connected thereto.
8. An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a cover arrangement securable to one of the umbilical termination assemblies to protect the umbilical termination assembly and prevent the escape of materials therefrom and/or the ingress of water into the umbilical.
9. An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the umbilical termination assemblies includes at least one isolation valve.