NL1033123C1 - Pipeline storage system. - Google Patents

Description

* 1

Brief indication: Pipeline storage system.

The invention relates to a storage system for temporarily storing a pipeline on a piece of land prior to its installation. This relates in particular to a temporary storage system for pipelines that are built up from a plurality of sealingly connected pipeline parts.

For example, in the offshore pipeline installation vessels are known which are arranged to lower such pipelines from a reel to the seabed. Lengths of, for example, an average of 15 kilometers of 10 pipelines are then wound on such a reel. If the reel is empty, the ship must always be sailed back to a location on land where a new pipeline is wound on the reel. Often this winding on the reel is combined with welding the pipeline parts together. In connection with the requirements applicable to this specific application, this welding must be carried out very accurately and is quickly a time-consuming process. Given the price of such ships, this is a very expensive waste of time.

In order to save time, it is known to prepare strips of, for example, a kilometer pipeline by welding the parts thereof, which are, for example, 12 meters long, together at an earlier stage. Even then, however, every time a kilometer of pipeline is wound onto the reel, a new strip of pipeline must be welded to it. This still results in the ship not being able to be used effectively for laying pipelines for a relatively long time during the process of reeling and welding.

For example, WO 97/41054 shows a storage system for such a pipeline that comprises a large number of train sets. These train sets run on train tracks that are installed and founded in a large circle. The train sets are powered by locomotives and are suitable for carrying multiple pipeline loops next to each other and moving on them. Thus, in preparation, that is to say while the ship is laying pipelines at sea, a new length of pipeline can be welded together and temporarily stored on the train sets.

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A disadvantage of this is that substantial investments are needed to furnish the storage site with train tracks, foundations, train sets, and modifications thereto, such as overhead cranes and other required equipment. Furthermore, this is a permanent establishment, which requires permits for heavy industry. Since the device is permanent, it is explained for the heaviest pipelines and diameters. As a result, the required diameter of the train rails placed in the circle is the largest possible, which requires a substantial amount of space and investment to build. The bending moment that arises in the pipeline when forced into the circular shape must be overcome. The consequence of this is that the pipeline must be clamped onto the train sets so that the forces can be transferred to it. As a result, a moment is transferred to the train sets, which limits the final capacity of the system or makes the construction heavier. During reeling, the forces exerted on the pipeline by the pipe laying vessel must be coordinated very precisely with the forces exerted on the pipeline by the locomotives and train sets in order to prevent damage to the pipeline. It is a complex storage system that requires precise control and significant supervision of an operator.

It is an object of the present invention to at least partially overcome the aforementioned disadvantages or to provide a useful alternative. In particular, the invention has for its object to provide an inexpensive, flexible and user-friendly storage system for pre-processed pipeline.

This object is achieved by a storage system according to claim 1. The storage system herein comprises a plurality of carriers and boundary elements which are provided in fixed positions in a loop shape on a piece of land. The boundary elements are provided with friction-reducing guide members for guiding a pipeline along the same shape as the loop. The carriers are provided with friction-reducing support members for moving the pipeline over it in the loop form. Bringing the pipeline into the loop shape 35 and moving it forward takes place by means of drive means.

Thus, it is possible to perform an operation on a new piece of pipeline in an intermittent process, and then add it to a pipeline previously stored between the assembly of carriers and 40 limiting elements. During the introduction of the first pipeline parts, a tap or the like can be used to guide the pipeline past the support and guide members. After a first full loop has been obtained, the start of the pipeline can be temporarily fixed on top of the second loop which is then brought into the storage system. As a result, the tap or the like is no longer necessary to bring the pipeline past the carrying and guiding members. From this point the further pipeline parts can be introduced into the storage system by the drive means. When the entire length of the pipeline is ready, the pipeline can be removed from the storage system. This can be to the reel of a pipeline installation vessel or to another means of transport or directly to the final destination. For this purpose the drive means can be used in the reverse direction and / or another pull-out means can be used, such as a crane or winch installation.

The assembly of carriers and boundary elements can advantageously be very simple in construction. Only a minimum investment is required to set up the storage system. The storage system can be set up well in advance on any piece of land in order to be able to prepare the pipeline in non-critical time. This is possible due to the relatively low investment costs of the storage system. Local companies can be used anywhere in the world to build and use the pipeline storage system. After the pipeline has been discharged to its final destination, the storage system can easily be dismantled to be rebuilt close to the next project location. Only a minimum of logistical actions is required to move the storage system to the next location. The storage system has minimal impact on the environment, and cleaning up and leaving behind according to the environmental requirements of the piece of land on which the storage system was located is not complicated or expensive. The radius of the storage system can in each case be adapted to the properties of the pipeline to be prepared and can thus be kept project-specific. Furthermore, the diameter and shape of the storage system can be adapted to the storage space made available for the project.

In particular, the boundary elements are fixed to the piece of land. The boundary elements can thus comprise profile parts, for example sheet pile boards, which can be driven in part into the ground 40. However, the boundary elements can also be anchored to the ground in any other way at fixed positions or be arranged, for example by designing them as separate elements which are of themselves sufficiently heavy to be at the intended location in the fixed positions along the ground. to remain in the loop shape. They can also be attached to pre-existing structures, such as a building, silo or the like, which are at the intended location.

More in particular, the carriers are fixedly connected to the boundary elements. As a result, they are always in the correct fixed positions with respect to the boundary elements. However, it is also possible to design the carriers as separate components that can be placed at fixed positions along the loop shape.

The drive means are for instance formed by a so-called tensioner which is adapted to engage directly on the pipeline and thereby push or pull the pipeline. In addition to or alternatively, the drive means can also be indirectly active via the friction-reducing guide and / or support members.

The preparatory operations that must be carried out each time on a new piece of pipeline before it is stored in the storage system, consist in particular of the addition of a new pipeline part, which is sealingly connected to the rest of the pipeline. This particularly concerns a welding process. If desired, an additional inspection can then be carried out on the obtained connection, and a protective layer can be applied around the connection.

The carriers and the boundary elements are preferably arranged in a loop shape with radii of curvature such that the forces in the stored pipeline hold the loops together, without plastically deforming the pipeline. The bending of the pipeline during the loop form between the carriers and boundary elements then essentially results only in elastic deformation. The bending moments created in the pipeline as a result then have a positive effect on keeping the pipeline in the storage system. The ideal radius of curvature should be calculated on the basis of the diameter, wall thickness, stiffness and strength of the pipeline, of the available area of the piece of land, etc.

In a preferred embodiment, the carriers and boundary elements are arranged at fixed positions in a circular shape.

This allows the multiple loops, once they have been brought into the loop shape, to retain their shape during the further rotation between the assembly of carriers and boundary elements.

Further preferred embodiments are defined in the subclaims.

The invention also relates to a method according to claim 17, and a use according to claim 18.

The invention will be further elucidated with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: la-c show schematic top views of a storage system according to the invention during subsequent steps of a storage procedure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a combined carrier-limiting element of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 shows a first variant of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a second variant of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 shows a third variant of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 shows a fourth variant of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 shows a fifth variant of FIG. 2; FIG. 8 shows a variant of the carrier;

FIG. 9 shows a variant of FIG. 1 with assembled assemblies of carriers and boundary elements; and

FIG. 10 shows a variant with carriers and boundary elements placed in an elongated loop shape.

25. The storage system is indicated in its entirety in Fig. 1 by the reference numeral 1. The system comprises a plurality of combined carrier-limiting elements 2 which are arranged in a circular form. As can be seen in Fig. 2, each element 2 comprises a boundary element 3 with a vertical guide roller 4, and a carrier 5 with a horizontal carrier roller 6. Both rollers 4, 6 are arranged freely rotatable.

The boundary element 3 is here formed by a sheet pile profile which is driven into the ground with its lower part. The carrier 5 is designed as a corner profile that is fixedly connected to the sheet pile profile.

The boundary elements 3 are provided along the outer circumference of the circle.

The carrier-limiting elements 2 are intended to store a plurality of loops of pipeline 8 prior to further use thereof. At an intended point of entry for the pipeline 8, drive means 9 are provided for moving the pipeline 8 forward. A welding unit 10, an inspection unit 11 and a coating unit 12 are further provided there. With the welding unit 10 a new straight pipeline part 14 can be welded in each case, which welding connection can then be inspected and provided with a coating. The straight pipeline parts 14 are ready for storage and can each time be placed with the aid of a crane 15 at the welding unit 10.

Thus, the pipeline 8 can each time be expanded with a new part 14 and subsequently be introduced further and further into the assembly of carrier-limiting elements 2 to be temporarily stored therein in loops.

In order to ensure that the pipeline 8 actually comes to lie on more and more support rollers 6, during the formation of the first loop, as can be seen in FIG.

1a, use is made of a tap 17 which is guided at the front end of the pipeline 8 to the next carrier-limiting element 2. Once the pipeline 8 has come to lie on a particular bearing roller 6, the associated guide roller 4 ensures that the pipeline 8 cannot escape outwards in a radial direction during further transport along it.

After a complete first loop has been reached, a next loop will be placed under the first loop, etc. This results in several spiral windings on a pipeline on top of each other (see Fig. 2a), whereby newly inserted pipeline slightly raises the previously introduced loop (s) pushes into the storage system 1. If the end of the first loop and the start of the second loop are hereby attached to each other, the valve 17 is superfluous after the completion of the first loop. Namely, the drive means 9 are then able to feed in a new pipeline part and to rotate the already present loops on pipeline 8. If desired, one or more of the rollers 4, 6 can here be driven by hydraulic or electric motors if the properties of the pipeline make this necessary. This process of welding a new pipeline part 14 and further winding up the pipeline 8 in the system 1 is repeated until a desired length has been reached.

Subsequently, the pipeline 8 can be removed from the system at a desired moment. FIG. 1c shows the application in which the 40 pipeline 8 is unwound from the system 1 and is supplied to a reel 20 of a pipeline installation vessel 21. A number of roller elements 22 are then placed between the assembly of carrier-limiting elements 2.

FIG. 3 shows a variant in which the boundary element 5 is formed by a separate container 30. To this, both the guide roller 4 and the carrier 5 with the carrier roller 6 are attached. Such containers 30 can be arranged at the fixed positions shown in Fig. 1 along the intended loop-shaped path, and as a result of their own weight will not deviate radially outwards if the pipeline is introduced therebetween in the intended loop form .

FIG. 4 shows a variant in which the guide roller 40 is profiled with recesses 41 that are formed to the outer diameter of the pipeline 8. Also shown in FIG. 4 is a drive 42 for driving the guide roller 40.

FIG. 5 shows a variant in which vertical guide rollers 50 are also provided which bound the inner circumference of the intended loop-shaped track. The pipeline 8 is then limited both inwards and outwards in the radial direction.

FIG. 6 shows a variant in which a plurality of carrier-limiting elements 2 are placed one above the other. This allows a higher maximum stacking height to be achieved depending on the characteristics of the pipeline.

FIG. 7 shows a variant in which a carrier 70 is designed as a separate part of the boundary element 3, i.e. has no direct connection thereto. As a result, it is advantageously possible to provide the carriers 70 at more, fewer and / or other fixed positions along the intended loop shape than the separate limiting elements 3 thereof. Furthermore, it is hereby possible to make the carriers suitable for carrying thereon. of more or heavier loops to pipeline. The carrier 70 is here formed by a plate-shaped beam with a horizontal roller 71 mounted thereon. The carriers can if desired be provided with mounting or anchor means for being able to place the carriers at the fixed positions.

FIG. 8 shows a variant in which a support 80 comprises a girder 81 with an endless transport member 82 mounted thereon as a support member. The transport member 82 is herein formed by a conveyor belt with a somewhat V-shaped cross section. In particular, the transport member 82 is drivable, and for that purpose it is provided with a controllable drive unit. In addition, the support member here is hingedly connected to the beam. This makes it possible for the support member to easily adapt to the pipeline passing at a specific moment.

In the embodiment in Fig. 9, a second assembly 90 is provided with carrier boundary elements 2 arranged in a circle at fixed positions within a first assembly 91. This also allows the storage capacity to be expanded without the need for additional land.

Finally, figure 10 shows an embodiment in which the carrier-limiting elements 2 are arranged in an endless track with straight track sections and with curved bend sections. This can offer advantages if the location so requires.

In addition to the embodiments shown, many variants are possible. For example, different types or different forms of friction-reducing guiding resp. supporting members are used. These may or may not be driven and / or mounted.

The rollers can also be covered with a soft material such as polyurethane to prevent damage to the pipeline and / or the protective layer thereon. The number of carriers and boundary elements that are arranged along the intended loop-shaped path can vary. In the extreme case, they can even be arranged substantially contiguous to each other in order to distribute the forces as much as possible. In many cases, however, this will not be necessary, and it is possible to suffice with, for example, at least one carrier resp. limiting element per 10 meters. In particular, the number of carriers resp. boundary elements selected such that the loops wound thereon on pipeline do not drag over the ground or deform plastically as a result of sagging between them. The plurality of pipeline loops may come to lie on the carriers both helically below or on top of each other and also spirally next to each other. In the latter case, the carriers must then be of sufficiently wide design. The pipeline usually concerns steel pipeline intended for passing liquids or gases through it. The pipeline often has a diameter that is larger than 7.5 centimeters, with the minimum radius of curvature of the intended loop shape being at least 13 meters. More in particular, the pipeline has a diameter that is larger than 15 centimeters, the minimum radius of curvature of the intended loop shape being at least 40 meters. Even more particularly, the pipeline has a diameter greater than 20 centimeters, the minimum radius of curvature of the intended loop shape being at least 35 meters, or the pipeline has a diameter greater than 25 centimeters, wherein then the minimum radius of curvature of the intended loop shape is at least 40 meters. The above-mentioned values for the minimum radius of curvature could be reduced even further for pipelines made of higher quality material and / or for maintaining lower safety factors. Instead of guiding the pipeline along boundary elements that border the outside of the intended loop shape, it is also possible to guide the pipeline around boundary elements placed along the inside of the intended loop shape. In both cases, this can be both pulling and pushing.

The storage system is particularly suitable for the aforementioned offshore industry. However, the storage system can also be useful for various pipeline projects on land, for example where there are restrictions in terms of available storage space, storage duration, or required preparation time. Examples are (horizontally) controlled bore projects, land pipeline projects in, for example, cities, land pipeline projects with environmental restrictions, for example in breeding areas, etc.

A multifunctional, inexpensive and efficient storage system is thus provided which can be deployed quickly at any desired location, and which can easily be removed afterwards and reused at another location.

Claims (18)

A storage system for temporarily storing a pipeline (8) on a piece of land prior to installation, comprising: - an assembly of carriers (5) and bounding elements (3) which is adapted to support and limit it against it in several loops of the pipeline (8); and - drive means (9) for bringing the pipeline (8) into the loop shape and moving it forward; characterized in that the carriers (5) and boundary elements (3) are provided at fixed positions in the aforementioned loop shape on the piece of land, which boundary elements (3) are provided with friction-reducing guide members (4) for inserting them into the loop shape along them guiding the pipeline (8), and which carriers (5) are provided with friction-reducing support members (6) for causing the pipeline (8) to advance in the loop form. Storage system according to claim 1, wherein the boundary elements (3) are anchored in the ground. 20 Storage system according to claim 2, wherein the boundary elements (3) are profile parts that are partly driven into the ground. Storage system according to one of the preceding claims, in which the carriers (5) and the boundary elements (3) are fixedly connected to each other. 5. Storage system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a number of the boundary elements (3) are provided along the outer circumference of the loop shape. 6. Storage system as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein at least a number of the boundary elements (50) are provided along the inner circumference of the loop shape. Storage system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide members (4) comprise rollers. y T "i · -,> 5. - 11 - Storage system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrying members (6) comprise rollers. Storage system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide and / or support members (4, 6) are drivable. 10. Storage system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide members (40) are profiled with recesses (41) adapted to the shape of the pipeline (8). 11. Storage system as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the guide and / or support members are covered with a soft material. 15 A storage system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a connecting unit (10) is provided for joining together several pieces of pipeline (14) prior to guiding the pipeline (8) into the loop shape. 20 A storage system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting unit (10) comprises a welding unit. 14. Storage system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carriers (5) and boundary elements (3) are provided at fixed positions in a circular shape on the piece of land, 15. Storage system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the radius of curvature (R) of the loop shape is such that the pipeline (8) remains free of plastic deformation during the putting into the loop shape. 16. Storage system as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein at least a number of the carriers (5) are of separate design from the boundary elements (3). A method for temporarily storing a pipeline (8) on a piece of land prior to installation, comprising the steps of: - 12 - providing a set of carriers (5) and boundary elements (3] at fixed positions in a looped form of the storage system (1) according to one of the preceding claims: - in each case connecting a new piece of pipeline (14) with a pipeline part (8) previously guided in the assembly, - connecting it into the assembly with the aid of drive means (9) guiding the new piece of pipeline (14) together with advancing the pipeline part (8), previously guided in a loop shape into the assembly, along friction-reducing support members (6) and guide members (4) provided on the carriers (5), resp. limiting elements (3) - removing the pipeline (8) from the assembly while moving along the friction-reducing support members (6) and guide members (4). Use of the storage system according to any of claims 1-16 for temporarily storing a pipeline (8) on a piece of land prior to being taken on an offshore pipe laying vessel (21). 20 25 1 Π 'K i 12 3'