US20230313619A1 - System for improving flexibility of riser supports in stationary production units and installation method - Google Patents

System for improving flexibility of riser supports in stationary production units and installation method Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20230313619A1
US20230313619A1 US18/041,884 US202118041884A US2023313619A1 US 20230313619 A1 US20230313619 A1 US 20230313619A1 US 202118041884 A US202118041884 A US 202118041884A US 2023313619 A1 US2023313619 A1 US 2023313619A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
extension pipe
pipe
tube
section
adapter
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.)
Pending
Application number
US18/041,884
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Rafael Moreira De Brito
Ludimar Lima De Aguiar
Fabio Magalhaes Ferreira
Fabio Rocha Hoelz
Bruno Pinho Dos Reis
Ladislau Israel Pereira
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.)
Petroleo Brasileiro SA Petrobras
Original Assignee
Petroleo Brasileiro SA Petrobras
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 Petroleo Brasileiro SA Petrobras filed Critical Petroleo Brasileiro SA Petrobras
Publication of US20230313619A1 publication Critical patent/US20230313619A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

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
    • E21B17/00—Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
    • E21B17/01—Risers
    • E21B17/015—Non-vertical risers, e.g. articulated or catenary-type
    • 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
    • E21B17/00—Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
    • E21B17/01—Risers
    • 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
    • E21B17/00—Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
    • E21B17/01—Risers
    • E21B17/017—Bend restrictors for limiting stress on risers
    • 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
    • E21B19/004—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 supporting a riser from a drilling or production 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

Definitions

  • the present invention addresses to a system consisting of one or more pipes of low flexural rigidity, applied in Stationary Production Units (SPUs), with the primary function of supporting rigid risers in an interface initially designed to receive only flexible risers.
  • SPUs Stationary Production Units
  • rigid risers also called rigid pipes
  • rigid pipes on anchored platforms
  • supports of the conical receptacle type US6835025B1
  • the top accessory of the riser flexible joint/stress joint
  • the support of risers with receptacles is characterized by the transmission of tensile loads and bending moment to the SPU in a concentrated region, that is, the stresses are transmitted to the platform structure by a single support.
  • flexible risers also called flexible pipes
  • the oil industry has used support systems of the I-tube type with Bell Mouth (US005947642A).
  • This support consists of two vertical guide tubes, one positioned at the height of the upper deck, and another in the lower region of the vessel hull, through which the flexible pipe passes.
  • the lower I-tube has an angular deviation in relation to the vertical, and at its end the bell mouth is positioned, where the locking of the adapter helmet of the flexible bend stiffener is performed.
  • the bending moment is transmitted to the vessel through the lower I-tube by the bend stiffener, while the tension is transmitted through the upper I-tube through the Hang-off.
  • MFBM multifunctional bell mouths
  • the MFBM resembles the I-tube/bell-mouth system.
  • the lower I-tube and the bell mouth are a single component and the entire lower support has the top angle inclination.
  • the rigid pipe is completely supported by the MFBM in the lower region, while the flexible pipe continues with load separation.
  • the first approach developed to enable the connection of rigid risers in I-tubes considers the use of a hybrid riser, consisting of a section of flexible pipe (known as a “jumper”) mounted on the upper end of a rigid riser. All the support of the riser is done in the flexible pipe section, using typical accessories for this pipe.
  • the use of this type of configuration brings several points of attention to the design. CO 2 stress corrosion remains a risk for the riser assembly.
  • the feasibility study of the hybrid configuration suggests the prediction of two jumper changes over the life of the design, generating negative impacts both in oil production and in implementation and maintenance costs.
  • the procedure currently envisaged for transferring the riser to the platform may restrict the number of support vessels to carry out the operation, or increase the number of vessels.
  • Document BR112018015179-3 A2 discloses a device for coupling a riser to a floating structure.
  • the document despite describing a device for coupling a riser having components such as a flexible joint, flanges and adapters, differs from the present invention by not presenting the same solution of the present invention, regarding the use of rigid risers in SPUs initially designed to receive flexible risers only.
  • Document BRPI0009911-2 B1 also does not have the adaptation for the installation of rigid pipes in a SPUs considering structured for flexible risers.
  • the present invention addresses to a system and method consisting of one or more pipes of low flexural rigidity with features related to diameter and thickness different from each other and which provide advantages over what is disclosed by documents of the state of the art, as they enable apply rigid pipes in systems designed to receive flexible risers only.
  • the present invention addresses to a system consisting of one or more tubes of low flexural rigidity, the upper extension pipes and intermediate extension pipes, connected to a tube section of greater external diameter and thickness (lower extension pipe) by means of a varied cross-section (conical profile) and further an adapter with an external shape of helmet adapter of a bend stiffener of a flexible pipe, to enable, without operational losses, the use of rigid risers in Stationary Production Units (SPUs) initially conceived to receive only flexible risers, therefore not having specific supports for rigid risers.
  • SPUs Stationary Production Units
  • the selection of the material is based on the reduction of the flexural rigidity of the tubes and, mainly, on the increase of the mechanical strength.
  • the use of a titanium alloy is being considered, because it has a low modulus of elasticity, much lower when compared to that of common steel, and a higher yield strength, also compared to ordinary steel.
  • the invention is not restricted to the use of this material.
  • the present invention aims at enabling the connection of rigid pipes on supports that are prepared to operate with flexible risers.
  • the present invention allows a life in service where the tensile and bending moment loads exerted on the supports are decoupled (separated).
  • the present invention aims, by proposing a selected material, at being immune to CO 2 stress corrosion and avoiding the same problem that occurred in the annulus of flexible risers.
  • the present invention aims at preventing the locking mechanism from being an integral part of the TTR.
  • the present invention aims at providing more flexibility in future changes after the implementation of an offshore oil production development design.
  • Another objective of the present invention is to simplify and reduce operating time for installing the riser or rigid pipe.
  • the present invention also has the objective of avoiding the contingency for the exchange of the top flexible jumper.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates the state-of-the-art rigid riser receptacle
  • FIG. 2 illustrates the parts that make up the stresses in the state-of-the-art flexible riser support system
  • FIG. 3 illustrates the Multifunctional Bell Mouth (MFBM) Support of the state of the art
  • FIG. 4 illustrates the components of the system of the present invention
  • FIG. 5 illustrates the embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 6 illustrates the attachment of the adapter helmet.
  • the present invention addresses to a top rigid riser with low flexural rigidity, an upper extension pipe ( 1 ) and an intermediate extension pipe ( 2 ) for the installation in an interface system of flexible risers connected to a thicker tube section of the lower extension pipe ( 3 ), by means of a varied cross-section pipe ( 4 ) with a conical profile and further an adapter with an adapter helmet shape ( 5 ) of a flexible pipe, to enable, without operational losses, the use of rigid risers in Stationary Production Units (SPUs) initially designed to receive only flexible risers, therefore not having specific supports for rigid risers.
  • SPUs Stationary Production Units
  • FIG. 1 illustrates the state-of-the-art receptacle with rigid riser, highlighting the use of a flexible joint ( 10 ).
  • FIG. 2 illustrates the two parts, one upper and one lower, which make up the segmented stresses respectively in tension (upper part) and bending moment (lower part) in the support system of flexible risers of the state of the art. There should be highlighted in this arrangement the use of a bend stiffener ( 17 ).
  • the adapter helmet ( 5 ) Before the pull in operation, transferring the tube to the platform, the adapter helmet ( 5 ) will be attached to the top of the tube by means of a collar containing fusible cables ( 8 ), as shown in FIG. 6 .
  • the set of system tubes is pulled by the platform winch cable ( 12 ), passing inside the lower I-tube ( 13 ) and bell mouth ( 7 ) (or MFBM), illustrated in FIG. 3 .
  • the adapter helmet ( 5 ) will enter the bell mouth ( 7 ), where it will be locked with its weight supported by Dogs ( 14 ) exactly as in a pull in of flexible pipes.
  • the set of pipes ( 1 , 2 and 3 ) continues to slide inside the adapter helmet ( 5 ) and (conventional/Multifunctional) bell mouth ( 7 ) until its top end reaches the upper I-tube ( 15 ), see FIG. 5 .
  • a support ( 9 ) (hang-off) is mounted around the top flange ( 11 ) for fixing the tube ( 16 ) to the support ( 9 ) (hang-off), which surrounds the connector of riser ( 18 ) (end-fitting).
  • This support ( 9 ) is similar to the support system of a flexible pipe.
  • the lower extension pipe ( 3 ) will work inside the Bell Mouth ( 7 ) and the lower I-tube ( 13 ). Its function is to allow a smooth curvature through the transition of flexural rigidity.
  • the upper extension pipe ( 1 ) and the intermediate extension pipe ( 2 ) preferably made of titanium and located just above the conical section of this section, support mainly an axial load.
  • the low flexural rigidity promoted by the selection of materials and the external diameter transition profile of the extension pipes ( 1 , 2 and 3 ) of the proposed configuration allow a transfer operation from rigid pipes to the SPU similar to the transfer of a flexible riser, in support for the latter.
  • the present solution allows a lifetime in service where the tensile and bending moment loads exerted on the upper I-tube ( 13 ) and lower I-tube ( 15 ) are uncoupled.
  • the technology able to receive the flexible joint ( 10 ) and/or a stress joint (not shown), the selection of materials that allows the use of material immune to CO 2 stress corrosion and the installation procedure similar to the ones used for conventional flexible pipes.
  • the present invention given its embodiment, is available to be applied in Stationary Production Units (SPUs), with the primary function of supporting rigid risers in an interface initially designed to receive only flexible risers and have the following components:
  • SPUs Stationary Production Units
  • the system presents a very simple interconnection.
  • the section of upper extension pipe ( 1 ) is the pipe section positioned at the upper end of the system. This pipe has a flange at the top that will be used to connect the platform piping, and a lower flange that will be connected to the intermediate extension pipe ( 2 ).
  • the profile of these tubes is very similar and therefore they were not differentiated in FIG. 4 .
  • the number of intermediate extension pipes ( 2 ) depends on the length between the upper I-tube ( 15 ) and the lower I-tube ( 13 ), in addition to limitations in length that are characteristic of the manufacturing process adopted to obtain the pipes ( 1 ) and ( 2 ).
  • the lower end of the intermediate extension pipe ( 2 ) is connected to the lower extension pipe ( 3 ), which is the component responsible for promoting a smooth curvature of the tube inside the adapter helmet ( 5 ).
  • the extension pipes ( 1 ), ( 2 ) and ( 3 ) are connected by means of flanges ( 6 ) of the compact type, or through circumferential welds, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 .
  • the lower end of the lower extension pipe ( 3 ) is connected to a varied cross-section pipe ( 4 ), or to a stress joint, or to a flexible joint ( 10 ), as it occurs for specific designs.
  • the proposed method is not restricted to the above embodiment, and may have small procedural variations according to the accessory elements.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (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)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Supports For Pipes And Cables (AREA)
  • Turbine Rotor Nozzle Sealing (AREA)
US18/041,884 2020-08-19 2021-08-16 System for improving flexibility of riser supports in stationary production units and installation method Pending US20230313619A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
BR102020016852-5A BR102020016852A2 (pt) 2020-08-19 2020-08-19 Sistema para flexibilizaçãoda suportação de riser em unidades estacionárias de produçãoe método de instalação
BR1020200168525 2020-08-19
PCT/BR2021/050345 WO2022036426A1 (pt) 2020-08-19 2021-08-16 Sistema para flexibilizaçãoda suportação de riser em unidades estacionárias de produçãoe método de instalação

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20230313619A1 true US20230313619A1 (en) 2023-10-05

Family

ID=80322292

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US18/041,884 Pending US20230313619A1 (en) 2020-08-19 2021-08-16 System for improving flexibility of riser supports in stationary production units and installation method

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US20230313619A1 (pt)
CN (1) CN116348658A (pt)
BR (1) BR102020016852A2 (pt)
GB (1) GB2613315A (pt)
NO (1) NO20230291A1 (pt)
WO (1) WO2022036426A1 (pt)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140328631A1 (en) * 2013-05-01 2014-11-06 Technip France Pull tube stress joint for offshore platform
US20170159377A1 (en) * 2015-12-03 2017-06-08 Seahorse Equipment Corp Method and apparatus for elevating the tapered stress joint or flex joint of an SCR above the water
US20180258711A1 (en) * 2017-03-09 2018-09-13 Single Buoy Moorings, Inc. Steel catenary riser top interface
US20210317709A1 (en) * 2020-04-08 2021-10-14 Oil States Industries, Inc. Rigid riser adapter for offshore retrofitting of vessel with flexible riser balconies
US20220316285A1 (en) * 2019-09-09 2022-10-06 Saipem S.P.A. Off shore riser fixation system and method

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NO177543C (no) * 1991-09-30 1995-10-04 Norsk Hydro As Anordning ved fleksibelt stigerör
US20090078425A1 (en) * 2007-09-25 2009-03-26 Seahorse Equipment Corp Flexible hang-off arrangement for a catenary riser
FR2930618B1 (fr) * 2008-04-24 2013-01-18 Saipem Sa Element de conduite de transition d'inertie pour encastrement d'une conduite rigide sous-marine
BRPI0902469B1 (pt) * 2009-07-29 2019-06-25 Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras Sistema de suportação multiangular de conexão de riser no flanco de unidades de produção de petróleo
BR102016021963B1 (pt) * 2016-09-23 2021-09-21 Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras Sistema e método autônomo de travamento de suporte de riser

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140328631A1 (en) * 2013-05-01 2014-11-06 Technip France Pull tube stress joint for offshore platform
US20170159377A1 (en) * 2015-12-03 2017-06-08 Seahorse Equipment Corp Method and apparatus for elevating the tapered stress joint or flex joint of an SCR above the water
US20180258711A1 (en) * 2017-03-09 2018-09-13 Single Buoy Moorings, Inc. Steel catenary riser top interface
US20220316285A1 (en) * 2019-09-09 2022-10-06 Saipem S.P.A. Off shore riser fixation system and method
US20210317709A1 (en) * 2020-04-08 2021-10-14 Oil States Industries, Inc. Rigid riser adapter for offshore retrofitting of vessel with flexible riser balconies

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2613315A (en) 2023-05-31
WO2022036426A1 (pt) 2022-02-24
GB202303714D0 (en) 2023-04-26
BR102020016852A2 (pt) 2022-03-03
NO20230291A1 (en) 2023-03-17
CN116348658A (zh) 2023-06-27

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
JP5236143B2 (ja) 製品特に流体製品をローディングおよびアンローディングするためのヒンジ継手アーム組立体
US20210246735A1 (en) Pipeline integrated manifold
US6854930B2 (en) Underwater pipeline connection joined to a riser
CA1224715A (en) Apparatus and method for connecting subsea production equipment to a floating facility
US7044228B2 (en) Flowline jumper for subsea well
AU2005200833B2 (en) Bend stiffener
US20120312544A1 (en) Riser system
US4362215A (en) Marine riser provided with a hinged foot for offshore hydrocarbon production
US20230313619A1 (en) System for improving flexibility of riser supports in stationary production units and installation method
CN116348656A (zh) 用于立管的支承件以及用于联接和断开联接的方法
GB2190971A (en) Reduced j-tube force
US11773661B2 (en) Off shore riser fixation system and method
US20220170570A1 (en) Subsea Installations Comprising Corrosion-Resistant Flowlines
GB2473018A (en) Hydrocarbon production system
US9638352B2 (en) Method of laying a pipeline
US7475915B2 (en) Device by pipeline diversion
US9725966B2 (en) Riser system
US20240035344A1 (en) Adapter tool for coupling a bend stiffener with diverless bellmouth interface (dlbm) into a bsn900e bell mouth and assembly method
WO2022238777A1 (en) Off shore rigid steel riser termination and fixation system to floating production storage offloading /fpso) vessel
Dorgant et al. Conductor Supported Pulltube Bundle-An Alternative Approach to Supporting Pipelines on a Fixed Plafform
NO338921B1 (no) Undersjøisk forankring med fleksible stigerør

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: APPLICATION UNDERGOING PREEXAM PROCESSING

STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: DOCKETED NEW CASE - READY FOR EXAMINATION