GB2516966A - Pipeline connector and joint - Google Patents

Pipeline connector and joint Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2516966A
GB2516966A GB1314260.9A GB201314260A GB2516966A GB 2516966 A GB2516966 A GB 2516966A GB 201314260 A GB201314260 A GB 201314260A GB 2516966 A GB2516966 A GB 2516966A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
pipeline
end member
leadscrew
clamp connector
pipe end
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.)
Granted
Application number
GB1314260.9A
Other versions
GB201314260D0 (en
GB2516966B (en
Inventor
Nicholas Long
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.)
Freudenberg Oil and Gas Technologies Ltd
Original Assignee
Vector International Ltd
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 Vector International Ltd filed Critical Vector International Ltd
Priority to GB1314260.9A priority Critical patent/GB2516966B/en
Publication of GB201314260D0 publication Critical patent/GB201314260D0/en
Publication of GB2516966A publication Critical patent/GB2516966A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2516966B publication Critical patent/GB2516966B/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L1/00—Laying or reclaiming pipes; Repairing or joining pipes on or under water
    • F16L1/26—Repairing or joining pipes on or under water
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B19/00—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
    • E21B19/002—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables specially adapted for underwater drilling
    • 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
    • E21B41/06—Work chambers for underwater operations, e.g. temporarily connected to well heads
    • 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
    • E21B43/0122—Collecting oil or the like from a submerged leakage
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L17/00—Joints with packing adapted to sealing by fluid pressure
    • F16L17/10—Joints with packing adapted to sealing by fluid pressure the packing being sealed by the pressure of a fluid other than the fluid in or surrounding the pipe
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L55/00—Devices or appurtenances for use in, or in connection with, pipes or pipe systems
    • F16L55/16—Devices for covering leaks in pipes or hoses, e.g. hose-menders
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L55/00—Devices or appurtenances for use in, or in connection with, pipes or pipe systems
    • F16L55/16—Devices for covering leaks in pipes or hoses, e.g. hose-menders
    • F16L55/1608—Devices for covering leaks in pipes or hoses, e.g. hose-menders by replacement of the damaged part of the pipe
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L55/00—Devices or appurtenances for use in, or in connection with, pipes or pipe systems
    • F16L55/16—Devices for covering leaks in pipes or hoses, e.g. hose-menders
    • F16L55/168—Devices for covering leaks in pipes or hoses, e.g. hose-menders from outside the pipe
    • F16L55/17—Devices for covering leaks in pipes or hoses, e.g. hose-menders from outside the pipe by means of rings, bands or sleeves pressed against the outside surface of the pipe or hose

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Quick-Acting Or Multi-Walled Pipe Joints (AREA)

Abstract

A clamp connector 7 includes a chain of linked clamping segments 12, (13) and 14 is particularly adapted to affect a subsea pipeline repair in which a flanged pipe end member 4 is fitted over and onto a pipeline end 8 from which a damaged section has been cut. The segments are asymmetric and each include an inward protruding annular lip 40 which is engaged in an annular recess 45 in the pipeline end and an axially tapered recess which pushes a correspondingly tapered gripping slip therein into firmer contact with the pipeline end preventing the joint being blown apart by internal pressure or pulled apart by external tension. Swellable and compression energised seal rings, located in grooves between the end member 4 and the pipeline end 8, prevent leakage.

Description

Pineline connector and joint The present invention relates to a connector particularly adapted to affect a pipeline repair and a pipeline joint incorporating the same.
Particularly in the subsea oil and ga.s industries the need may arise (e.g. in an emergency situation in which oil and/or gas is escaping from the pipeline and polluting the environment) to replace a dama.ged pipeline section or to connect a pipe end member to a pipeline end from which a damaged section may have been cut. While particularly applicable to subsea use the present invention is not restricted to that use.
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a. clamp connector which can be used to securely attach a pipe end member to a pipeline end.
Said pipe end member could be one end of a replacement pipeline section having a second pipe end member at its other end. This would enable a replacement pipe section to be installed in place of a. damaged pipeline section which has been cut out.
Alternatively said pipe end member could be a pipeline hub to which another pipeline or other subsea device can be connected or could be a pipeline end termination such a blind hub.
According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a clamp connector comprising; a chain of interconnected clamping segments, a first said clamping segment incorporating a first chain end portion and a. second said clamping segment incorporating a second chain end portion; and a leadscrew arrangement including a leadscrew and a drive arrangemeiit by which said leadscrew can be rota.ted, said leadscrew arrangement being arranged to close said clamp connector when said leadscrew is rotated in a first direction by drawing said first end portion into close proximity to said second end portion so tha.t said chain of interconnected clamping segments form a. substantially complete clamping loop and to open said clamp connector when said leadscrew is rotated in a second direction opposite to said first direction by pushing said first end portion a.way from said second end portion; 2/5 each of said interconnected clamping segments including a corresponding portion of an inwardly protruding lip and a. corresponding portion of a radially inwardly facing circumferentially extending recess, said inwardly protruding lip extending circumferentially substantially in parallel with and being disposed axially displaced from and radially outwardly of said circumferentially extending recess and said circumferentially extending recess having at least one inwardly facing frusto-conical surface the internal diameter of which increases in a direction towards said inwardly protruding lip.
Preferably a ROY drive bucket is attached to one end of said leadscrew so that the clamp connector can be opened and closed underwater by a remotely operated vehicle.
A second object of the preset invention is to provide a pipeline joint which utilises a. clamp connector according to the first aspect to securely a.ttach a pipe end member to a pipeline end, said pipe end member being adapted to fit over said pipe end member at least one resilient seal ring being located in a seal ring groove in an internal surface of said pipe end member so a.s to provide a. fluid tight seal between said pipe end member and said pipeline end when said joint is closed.
According to a second aspect of the present invention a pipeline joint comprises a pipe end member fitted over and connected by a clamp connector as claimed in claim 1 to a pipeline end, at least one resilient seal ring being located in a seal ring groove or recess in an internal surface of said pipe end member.
Preferably said pipe end member is a first pipe end member of a replacement pipe section to be connected in place of a damaged pipeline section, said replacement pipe section having at a second end thereof a second pipe end member which is in form a mirror image of said first pipe end member.
Alternatively said pipe end member could be a single pipeline end member such a single hub pipeline to which another pipeline or other subsea device can be connected or a pipeline end termination such as a blind hub.
Other independent features and advanta.ges will become a.pparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
Figure 1 is an isometric view of a subsea pipeline alTangement, a damaged pipeline section of which has been replaced by a replacement section. 3/5
Figure 2 is an isometric view of the main internal parts of one of the clamp connectors shown in Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a plan view showing a horizontal cross section of the arrangement shown in Figure 1 taken along a central axis of the pipeline.
Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 3.
Figure 5 shows a further enlarged portion of Figure 4.
Figure 1 shows a. subsea. pipeline arrangement in which a. damaged section of a pipeline lhas been replaced by a replacement section 2. Said replacement section has a first pipe end member 3 at a first end thereof and a second pipe end member 4 which is in form a mirror image of said first pipe end member at a second end thereof.
As is more clearly shown in Figure 3 the first pipe end member 3 is fitted over and connected by a first clamp connector 5 to a first pipeline end 6 and the second pipe end member 4 is fitted over and connected by a second substantially identical clamp connector 7 to a second pipeline end 8, after a damaged section of said pipeline has been cut out.
Figures 2, 4 and 5 shows clamp connector 5 in more detail. Figure 2 shows only the main internal parts of the clamp connector, some external parts having been omitted for the sake of clarity.
Referring to Figure 2, a clamp connector comprises a chain 11 of three interconnected clamping segments 12, 13 and 14. Clamping segment 12 incorporates a first chain end portion 15 and clamping segment 14 incorporates a second chain end portion 16. A leadscrew arrangement 17 includes a leadscrew 18 and a drive arrangement preferably in the form of a ROY drive bucket 19 by which the leadscrew can be rotated. The leadscrew arrangement 17 is arranged to close the clamp connector by drawing the first chain end portion 15 into close proximity to the second chain end portion i 6, so that the chain 11 of interconnected clamping segments forms a substantially complete clamping loop when the leadscrew is rotated in a first direction and to open the clamp connector by pushing the first end portion iS away from the second end portion 16 when the leadscrew is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The lea.dscrew 18 is connected to said first 15 and second 16 4/5 chain end portions via trunnions 21 and 22 rotatably mounted in the respective chain end portions. The trunnions are threadably mounted on externally threaded portions threaded of the leadscrew 18, the externally threaded portions being threaded on opposite hands. The trunnions and link pins 23 (only one of which is shown) extend through guide slots 24 in a mounting plate 25 in a manner well known in the art. The clamp connectors as far as described above with reference to Figure 2 are well known in the art and further description thereof is considered to be unnecessary.
Clamp connectors according to the present invention employ clamping segments the cross sections of which are asymmetric. Cross secfions through segments 12 and 14 in both clamp connectors 5 and 6 are shown in Figure 3 which also shows cross sections through pipe end members 3 and 4. Both segments 13 of both clamp connectors 5 and 6 have cross sections similar to those of segments 12 and 14.
Figure 4 shows a portion of Figure 3 in enlarged form. Only clamp connector 7 and pipe end member 4 are shown and will be described. It will be appreciated that clamp connector 5 and pipe end member 3 shown in Figure 3 are mirror images of clamp connector 7 and pipe end member 4 and require no additional
description.
Referring to Figure 4 each of the interconnected clamping segments 12, 14 (and 13 not shown) include a corresponding portion of a radially inwardly profruding lip 40 and a corresponding portion of a radially inwardly facing circumferentially extending recess 41.
The inwardly protruding lip 40 extends circumferentially substantially in parallel with and is disposed axially displaced from and radially outwardly of the circumferentially extending recess 41. The inwardly protruding lip 40 is thus positioned to locate in an outwardly facing annular groove 45 in the pipe end member 4 when the clamp connector is closed thus securely attaching the clamp connector to the pipeline end member.
The circumferentially extending recess 41 has at least one inwardly facing frusto-conical surface 42, the internal diameter of which increases in a direction towards the inwardly protruding lip 40.
The circumferentially extending recess 41 is adapted to house at least one gripping member 43 having at least one outwardily facing frusto-conical surface 5/5 44 extending substantially in parallel with said at least one inwardly facing frusto-conical surface. While a single gripping member could be employed which extends through all three clamping segments in the corresponding portions of the radially inwardly facing circumferentially extending recess, it is preferred to employ three separate gripping members 43 one in each clamping segment. Each gripping member 43 has an inwardly facing gripping surface 46 alTanged to grip onto the outside diameter of a pipeline end when the clamp connector is closed.
The direction of taper of the frusto conical surfaces 42 and 44 is such that the force exerted on a pipeline end by each gripping member 43 is increased if any condition (such as tension in or pressure within said pipeline) exists tending to pull or push the clamp connector off the pipeline end.
The features described above with reference to the clamp connector 7 shown in Figure 4 enable each clamp connector to very securely attach a pipe end member such as the pipe end member 4 to a pipeline end 8.
To provide a leak-proof seal between the pipe end member and the pipeline end, at least one resilient seal ring is located in a seal ring groove or recess in an internal surface of said pipe end member. As shown a swellable seal is located in a seal ring groove 47 in an internal surface of said pipe end member and a compression energised seal with corrosion resistant alloy anti-extrusion energising ring are located in an aiinular recess 48 in an internal surface of said pipe end member.
As shown in figure 4 the clamp connector ma.y be provided with a conventional guide funnel to facilitate alignment during assembly of the joint.
The swellable seal can be activated in well-known manner by pumping activation fluid into backseal test port. Figure 5 shows a duct Si through the pipe end member 3 for the flow of such fluid. Figure 1 shows conventional backseal test ports 52 and 53.

Claims (5)

  1. Claims I. A clamp connector comprising; a chain of interconnected clamping segments, a first said clamping segment incorporating a first chain end portion and a second said clamping segment incorporating a second chain end portion; and a leadscrew alTangement including a leadscrew and a drive arrangement by which said leadscrew can be rotated, said leadscrew arrangement being arranged to close said clamp connector when said leadscrew is rotated in a first direction by drawing said first end portion into close proximity to said second end portion so that said chain of interconnected clamping segments form a substantially complete clamping loop and to open said clamp connector when said leadscrew is rotated in a second direction opposite to said first direction by pushing said first end portion away from said second end portion; each of said interconnected clamping segments including a. corresponding portion of an inwardly protruding lip and a corresponding portion of a radially inwardly facing circumferentially extending recess, said inwardly protruding lip extending circumferentially substantially in parallel with and being disposed axially displaced from and radially outwardly of said circumferentially extending recess and said circumferentially extending recess having at least one inwardly facing frusto-conical surface the internal diameter of which increases in a direction towards said inwardly protruding lip.
  2. 2. A clamp connector a.s claimed in claim 1 and in which a ROV drive bucket is attached to one end of said leadscrew so that the clamp connector can be opened and closed underwater by a remotely operated vehicle.
  3. 3. A pipeline joint comprises a pipe end member fitted over and connected by a clamp connector a.s claimed in claim 1 to a pipeline end, at least one resilient seal ring being located in a seal ring groove or recess in an internal surface of said pipe end member.
  4. 4. A pipeline joint as claimed in claim 3, said pipe end member being a first pipe end member of a. replacement pipe section to be connected in place of a.damaged pipeline section, said replacement pipe section having at a second end thereof a. second pipe end member which is in form a. mirror image of said first pipe end member.
  5. 5. A pipeline joint as claimed in claim 3. said pipe end member being a. single pipeline hub.
GB1314260.9A 2013-08-08 2013-08-08 Pipeline connector and joint Active GB2516966B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1314260.9A GB2516966B (en) 2013-08-08 2013-08-08 Pipeline connector and joint

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1314260.9A GB2516966B (en) 2013-08-08 2013-08-08 Pipeline connector and joint

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB201314260D0 GB201314260D0 (en) 2013-09-25
GB2516966A true GB2516966A (en) 2015-02-11
GB2516966B GB2516966B (en) 2015-12-02

Family

ID=49261925

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB1314260.9A Active GB2516966B (en) 2013-08-08 2013-08-08 Pipeline connector and joint

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2516966B (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NO20150284A1 (en) * 2015-03-03 2016-03-18 Aker Subsea As Clamp connector opening tool
CN109058586A (en) * 2018-09-17 2018-12-21 詹哲品 A kind of building pipe automation docking device and pipeline autopatching method

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1997011301A1 (en) * 1995-09-22 1997-03-27 Vector International Limited Clamp connector arrangement
GB2343493A (en) * 1997-08-26 2000-05-10 Kvaerner Oilfield Prod As Device for connecting sections of a pipeline
WO2005116505A1 (en) * 2004-05-26 2005-12-08 Fmc Kongsberg Subsea As Pipe clamp
GB2474785A (en) * 2006-03-07 2011-04-27 As Connector Subsea pipeline repair and maintenance tools and method for replacement of broken pipelines

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1997011301A1 (en) * 1995-09-22 1997-03-27 Vector International Limited Clamp connector arrangement
GB2343493A (en) * 1997-08-26 2000-05-10 Kvaerner Oilfield Prod As Device for connecting sections of a pipeline
WO2005116505A1 (en) * 2004-05-26 2005-12-08 Fmc Kongsberg Subsea As Pipe clamp
GB2474785A (en) * 2006-03-07 2011-04-27 As Connector Subsea pipeline repair and maintenance tools and method for replacement of broken pipelines

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NO20150284A1 (en) * 2015-03-03 2016-03-18 Aker Subsea As Clamp connector opening tool
CN109058586A (en) * 2018-09-17 2018-12-21 詹哲品 A kind of building pipe automation docking device and pipeline autopatching method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201314260D0 (en) 2013-09-25
GB2516966B (en) 2015-12-02

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4337971A (en) Remote connector
AU677746B2 (en) Undersea hydraulic coupling with pre-sealing guidance
RU2664490C1 (en) Swing joint for oil transmission intensification
US6575430B1 (en) Hydraulic coupling with dovetail seal having multiple radial sealing surfaces
US9145983B2 (en) Dummy undersea hydraulic coupling member
EP3030820B1 (en) Connector assembly and method for making a sealed connection thereof
US9726313B2 (en) Compact pipe flange gasket
KR20170090085A (en) Pipe connection device
USRE30311E (en) Apparatus and method for externally testing conduit connections
EP0499547A1 (en) Underwater wellhead
GB2424933A (en) Seal assembly for an undersea hydraulic coupling
KR20180099595A (en) Pipe fastening apparatus and method
GB2516966A (en) Pipeline connector and joint
US7871110B2 (en) Sealing element and a coupling device and a valve device provided with such a sealing element
CN109996985A (en) Seal assembly
AU2009201941B2 (en) A retaining arrangement, sub adaptor and/or drill spindle
US8668230B2 (en) Apparatus and methods for splicing conduits and hoses subsea
US11035509B2 (en) Metal-to-metal well equipment seal
KR101972968B1 (en) Assembly for connecting pipes
JP2015143562A (en) Valve lid removal method of gate valve
US6516831B1 (en) Undersea hydraulic coupling with radial seals on probe
GB2551771A (en) Coupling
GB2588784A (en) Clamping system
RU135756U1 (en) BALL VALVE WITH HOLE CAP
RU2699450C2 (en) Ball cock with hollow stopper