WO2003044316A1 - A protective device for subsea installations - Google Patents

A protective device for subsea installations Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2003044316A1
WO2003044316A1 PCT/NO2002/000424 NO0200424W WO03044316A1 WO 2003044316 A1 WO2003044316 A1 WO 2003044316A1 NO 0200424 W NO0200424 W NO 0200424W WO 03044316 A1 WO03044316 A1 WO 03044316A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
unit
protective
lattice
openings
protective unit
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NO2002/000424
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Arnt Frode Brevik
Torstein Mogen
Original Assignee
Abb Offshore Systems As
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 Abb Offshore Systems As filed Critical Abb Offshore Systems As
Priority to AU2002343266A priority Critical patent/AU2002343266A1/en
Publication of WO2003044316A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003044316A1/en

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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
    • E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
    • E21B33/02—Surface sealing or packing
    • E21B33/03—Well heads; Setting-up thereof
    • E21B33/035—Well heads; Setting-up thereof specially adapted for underwater installations
    • E21B33/037—Protective housings therefor

Definitions

  • a protective device for subsea installations is provided.
  • the present invention concerns a protective unit for subsea installations compris- ing a lattice structure.
  • Subsea installations often comprises a protective unit with walls, often made of fibre glass reinforced plastic (GRP), to protect the subsea installations against objects falling from the sea surface and to provide an overtrawlability etc. (the ability to trawl over the unit without the trawl getting stuck.).
  • GRP fibre glass reinforced plastic
  • the protective units can be manufactured in steel, fibre glass reinforced plastic or other suitable materials. These units comprises hatches or may be hinged such that access to the installation for service and other functions, is given.
  • the design of the unit is dependent on the installations that are to be protected. Ex- amples of installations that may need protection and overtrawlability, are well heads, Christmas trees, tubing lying on the sea bed etc.
  • the invention comprises a protective unit that may be of an otherwise conventional type, having a shape adapted to the installation to be protected.
  • the unit is manufactured with a lattice or a structure of openings whose object is to let water and in some cases air through and to thereby ease installation and use. Openings in this lattice, allows for surveillance or monitoring.
  • the apex of the unit dur- ing lowering into water is preferably equipped with the lattice according to the invention to avoid the unit capturing air pockets.
  • a lattice is in connection with this specification intended to include all structures or designs with a plane surface or wall with a number of through going holes or perforations with an interrelated distance such that the perforations can be considered as a matrix of perforations.
  • the perforations or holes in the lattice or structure are preferably designed as a pattern that may have various geometries.
  • the holes may for instance be round, rectangular, diamond shaped, triangular etc.
  • the lattice is preferably integrated in the rest of the unit and has relatively coarse dimensions.
  • the part of the area that constitutes openings, and the size and geometry of the openings may be designed in relation to the required mechanical properties, the required flower rate through the lattice, and in some cases the need for visibility or access to ele- ments behind the protective unit.
  • Expected size of objects that not should fall through the lattice may also be a dimensioning factor.
  • the size, the interrelated distance, the shape and the organisation of the openings may also be varied within one single structure to adapt the structure to various functions, for instance to give access to elements of the installation innside the unit.
  • the openings in the grid structure typically constitute more than 40% of the area of the lattice.
  • the main function of the lattice is to avoid air pockets and to reduce the water resistance when the unit is lowered from the surface to the sea bed.
  • the tendency of the unit to veer out to the side during lowering will also be reduced. This is achieved while maintaining the mechanical and protective properties of the unit without extra work or operations after the lowering, being required.
  • the lattice may be cast during the moulding of the protective unit, or may be cut, milled or drilled out after the protective unit has been cast or in any other way manufactured. If the unit is made of metal, such as aluminium or steel, the lattice can be milled into the unit after it has been assembled, or may include parts where the lattice structure already is incorporated.
  • the lattice may be designed as discreet elements that are cut out and fitted and then inserted into openings in the unit. Hatches or other suitable parts may also be designed with a lattice.
  • the lattice may, if needed, include reinforcements cast into, or in any other way attached to the lattice.
  • plugs that either are completely sealed, or that comprises an ordinary grating, may be inserted after installation.
  • Grating or a wire netting can also be used to prevent smaller objects from falling through the lattice.
  • Fig. 1 shows a protective unit according to the known art, in perspective view
  • Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a protective unit with a lattice structure according to the invention
  • Fig. 3 shows a protective unit with a lattice according to the invention, being lowered into the sea;
  • Fig. 4 shows other protective units according to the known art where the lattice according to the invention can be used, placed on a barge for transport;
  • Fig. 5 shows another protective unit according to the known art, with open hatches;
  • Fig. 6 shows the protective unit shown on fig. 5 from a different angel.
  • Fig. 1 shows a protective unit 1 with walls, for offshore installations, according to the known art.
  • the figure shows hatches 2 for access to the construction that is to be protected and that the construction is hinged with hinges 3 to a bottom frame 4 that includes protective corners of steel 5, a connection ramp 6 and protections for the connecting ramp 7.
  • Fig. 2 shows a corresponding protective unit 1 , but where the unit also includes a lattice structure 8 according to the invention.
  • the shown lattice structure 8 in- eludes diamond shaped cut outs in an order of magnitude of 10x10 cm.
  • the entire protective unit 1 is in the order of magnitude of 10x10x6 m.
  • Fig. 3 shows a protective unit 1 with hatches 2 and a lattice 8 according to the invention.
  • the figure clearly shows why a protective unit 1 with a lattice 8 accord- ing to the invention do not entrap water or air pockets during the lowering of the unit 1 to the sea bed such that installation is considerably easier. From the figure it is also shown how the lattice structure 8 forms an integrated, load carrying part of the unit 1.
  • Fig. 4 shows a protective unit 1 with hatches 2 and with a different geometry to the one shown on fig. 2, where a lattice according to the invention may be used in an appropriate way.
  • the protective units 1 may be long, have varying width, and may be relatively low and adapted to protect tubing and the like.
  • Fig. 5 and 6 shows another protective unit 1 with various hatches 2 where a lattice according to the invention may be used in an appropriate way.

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)
  • Devices Affording Protection Of Roads Or Walls For Sound Insulation (AREA)

Abstract

The invention concerns a protective unit (1) for subsea installations. The unit includes walls with perforations or openings where these, in at least one of the walls of the unit (1) are designed as an integrated lattice structure (8).

Description

A protective device for subsea installations.
The present invention concerns a protective unit for subsea installations compris- ing a lattice structure.
Subsea installations often comprises a protective unit with walls, often made of fibre glass reinforced plastic (GRP), to protect the subsea installations against objects falling from the sea surface and to provide an overtrawlability etc. (the ability to trawl over the unit without the trawl getting stuck.).
Existing solutions are often based on protective units, either designed as an integrated part of the installation that is to be protected, or that forms a separate part secured to the installation.
The protective units can be manufactured in steel, fibre glass reinforced plastic or other suitable materials. These units comprises hatches or may be hinged such that access to the installation for service and other functions, is given. The design of the unit is dependent on the installations that are to be protected. Ex- amples of installations that may need protection and overtrawlability, are well heads, Christmas trees, tubing lying on the sea bed etc.
An example of such a protective unit is shown in US 6,273,641. In this patent, various tunnel shaped protective units for subsea installations are shown.
An other example of a subsea protective unit is shown in GB 2,287,053.
However, there are problems during installation and use of these protective units in that they trap a lot of water and in some cases air, and this makes installation and use in many cases difficult.
To alleviate this problem, it has been common to include large openings or hatches in the walls of the units to allow water and air to pass through. However, in these cases these openings must remain open, or be shut with a lid or hatch, and this requires an extra operation. Such large openings deteriorate the mechanical properties of the units, for instance in terms of rigidity.
Accordingly, there is a need for a protective unit that simplifies installation and use, while at the same time, the protective functions and the mechanical properties are maintained.
This is achieved with the invention according to claim 1.
The invention comprises a protective unit that may be of an otherwise conventional type, having a shape adapted to the installation to be protected. The unit is manufactured with a lattice or a structure of openings whose object is to let water and in some cases air through and to thereby ease installation and use. Openings in this lattice, allows for surveillance or monitoring. The apex of the unit dur- ing lowering into water is preferably equipped with the lattice according to the invention to avoid the unit capturing air pockets.
A lattice is in connection with this specification intended to include all structures or designs with a plane surface or wall with a number of through going holes or perforations with an interrelated distance such that the perforations can be considered as a matrix of perforations.
The perforations or holes in the lattice or structure are preferably designed as a pattern that may have various geometries. The holes may for instance be round, rectangular, diamond shaped, triangular etc. The lattice is preferably integrated in the rest of the unit and has relatively coarse dimensions. The part of the area that constitutes openings, and the size and geometry of the openings may be designed in relation to the required mechanical properties, the required flower rate through the lattice, and in some cases the need for visibility or access to ele- ments behind the protective unit. Expected size of objects that not should fall through the lattice may also be a dimensioning factor. The size, the interrelated distance, the shape and the organisation of the openings may also be varied within one single structure to adapt the structure to various functions, for instance to give access to elements of the installation innside the unit. The openings in the grid structure typically constitute more than 40% of the area of the lattice.
The main function of the lattice is to avoid air pockets and to reduce the water resistance when the unit is lowered from the surface to the sea bed. The tendency of the unit to veer out to the side during lowering will also be reduced. This is achieved while maintaining the mechanical and protective properties of the unit without extra work or operations after the lowering, being required.
The layout of the lattice structure as an integrated part of the load carrying unit, enable the unit to be dimensioned substantially as units without openings.
The lattice may be cast during the moulding of the protective unit, or may be cut, milled or drilled out after the protective unit has been cast or in any other way manufactured. If the unit is made of metal, such as aluminium or steel, the lattice can be milled into the unit after it has been assembled, or may include parts where the lattice structure already is incorporated. The lattice may be designed as discreet elements that are cut out and fitted and then inserted into openings in the unit. Hatches or other suitable parts may also be designed with a lattice. The lattice may, if needed, include reinforcements cast into, or in any other way attached to the lattice.
To prevent smaller falling objects to get through the openings, plugs that either are completely sealed, or that comprises an ordinary grating, may be inserted after installation. Grating or a wire netting can also be used to prevent smaller objects from falling through the lattice.
Short description of the drawings:
Fig. 1 shows a protective unit according to the known art, in perspective view;
Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a protective unit with a lattice structure according to the invention; Fig. 3 shows a protective unit with a lattice according to the invention, being lowered into the sea;
Fig. 4 shows other protective units according to the known art where the lattice according to the invention can be used, placed on a barge for transport; Fig. 5 shows another protective unit according to the known art, with open hatches; Fig. 6 shows the protective unit shown on fig. 5 from a different angel.
The invention will in the following be described in detail with reference to the ac- companying drawings.
Fig. 1 shows a protective unit 1 with walls, for offshore installations, according to the known art. The figure shows hatches 2 for access to the construction that is to be protected and that the construction is hinged with hinges 3 to a bottom frame 4 that includes protective corners of steel 5, a connection ramp 6 and protections for the connecting ramp 7.
Fig. 2 shows a corresponding protective unit 1 , but where the unit also includes a lattice structure 8 according to the invention. The shown lattice structure 8 in- eludes diamond shaped cut outs in an order of magnitude of 10x10 cm. The entire protective unit 1 is in the order of magnitude of 10x10x6 m.
Fig. 3 shows a protective unit 1 with hatches 2 and a lattice 8 according to the invention. The figure clearly shows why a protective unit 1 with a lattice 8 accord- ing to the invention do not entrap water or air pockets during the lowering of the unit 1 to the sea bed such that installation is considerably easier. From the figure it is also shown how the lattice structure 8 forms an integrated, load carrying part of the unit 1.
Fig. 4 shows a protective unit 1 with hatches 2 and with a different geometry to the one shown on fig. 2, where a lattice according to the invention may be used in an appropriate way. The protective units 1 may be long, have varying width, and may be relatively low and adapted to protect tubing and the like. Fig. 5 and 6 shows another protective unit 1 with various hatches 2 where a lattice according to the invention may be used in an appropriate way.

Claims

Patent claims:
1. A protective unit (1 ) for subsea installations where the unit includes walls with a substantially continuous surface, characterized i n that at least one of the walls of the unit (1) includes a lattice structure (8) with a plurality of openings, and where the lattice structure (8) constitutes an integrated load carrying part of the protective unit (1).
2. The protective unit (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the openings are dimensioned in relation to a required rate of flow of the water.
3. The protective unit (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the lattice (8) is placed on the apex of the unit (1 ) during the lowering through the water to avoid that the unit (1 ) traps air or water.
4. The protective unit (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the size of the openings are dimensioned according to required accessibility to the subsea installation.
5. The protective unit (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the size of the openings are dimensioned in relation to the expected mechanical loads for the protective unit.
6. The protective unit (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the openings in the lattice structure (8) constitutes at least 40% of the area of the lattice structure (8).
PCT/NO2002/000424 2001-11-20 2002-11-15 A protective device for subsea installations WO2003044316A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2002343266A AU2002343266A1 (en) 2001-11-20 2002-11-15 A protective device for subsea installations

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NO20015649A NO20015649L (en) 2001-11-20 2001-11-20 Protective structure for underwater installations
NO20015649 2001-11-20

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2003044316A1 true WO2003044316A1 (en) 2003-05-30

Family

ID=19913044

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/NO2002/000424 WO2003044316A1 (en) 2001-11-20 2002-11-15 A protective device for subsea installations

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2002343266A1 (en)
NO (1) NO20015649L (en)
WO (1) WO2003044316A1 (en)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NO20061481L (en) * 2005-04-01 2006-10-02 Vetco Aibel As Geometric stiffening of underwater protective structures
GB2468040A (en) * 2009-02-19 2010-08-25 Compocean As A subsea protective structure
WO2010103002A2 (en) 2009-03-10 2010-09-16 Aker Subsea As Subsea well template
GB2482767A (en) * 2010-08-10 2012-02-15 Vetco Gray Inc Protective net for subsea wellhead
GB2482181B (en) * 2010-07-23 2015-07-29 Peter Robert Goodall Preventing and ameliorating leakage from a subsea well in the event of failure
GB2573144A (en) * 2018-04-26 2019-10-30 Subsea 7 Norway As Improving access into subsea structures
NO344543B1 (en) * 2018-08-20 2020-01-27 Csub As A subsea protection structure
WO2020040644A1 (en) * 2018-08-20 2020-02-27 Csub As Well protection assembly

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2226352A (en) * 1988-11-16 1990-06-27 Aker Eng As A modular protective structure for underwater installations
NO174476B (en) * 1992-04-24 1994-01-31 Cooper Ind Inc Device for covering an abandoned underwater bridge head
NO177647B (en) * 1991-09-24 1995-07-17 Statoil As Protective structure for an underwater production plant
NO944507L (en) * 1994-11-24 1996-05-28 Kvaerner Mandal As Protective cover for underwater installations

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2226352A (en) * 1988-11-16 1990-06-27 Aker Eng As A modular protective structure for underwater installations
NO177647B (en) * 1991-09-24 1995-07-17 Statoil As Protective structure for an underwater production plant
NO174476B (en) * 1992-04-24 1994-01-31 Cooper Ind Inc Device for covering an abandoned underwater bridge head
NO944507L (en) * 1994-11-24 1996-05-28 Kvaerner Mandal As Protective cover for underwater installations

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NO340333B1 (en) * 2005-04-01 2017-04-03 Vetco Gray Scandinavia As Geometric stiffening of underwater protective structures
GB2426266A (en) * 2005-04-01 2006-11-22 Vetco Aibel As Geometrical stiffening of subsea protection structures
GB2426266B (en) * 2005-04-01 2010-05-05 Vetco Aibel As Geometrical stiffening of subsea protection structures
NO20061481L (en) * 2005-04-01 2006-10-02 Vetco Aibel As Geometric stiffening of underwater protective structures
GB2468040A (en) * 2009-02-19 2010-08-25 Compocean As A subsea protective structure
WO2010103002A2 (en) 2009-03-10 2010-09-16 Aker Subsea As Subsea well template
US9217315B2 (en) 2009-03-10 2015-12-22 Aker Subsea As Subsea well template
GB2482181B (en) * 2010-07-23 2015-07-29 Peter Robert Goodall Preventing and ameliorating leakage from a subsea well in the event of failure
GB2482767A (en) * 2010-08-10 2012-02-15 Vetco Gray Inc Protective net for subsea wellhead
GB2573144A (en) * 2018-04-26 2019-10-30 Subsea 7 Norway As Improving access into subsea structures
WO2019207114A1 (en) * 2018-04-26 2019-10-31 Subsea 7 Norway As Improving access into subsea structures
GB2573144B (en) * 2018-04-26 2020-07-29 Subsea 7 Norway As A protective subsea housing with a movable closure
EP4219887A1 (en) 2018-04-26 2023-08-02 Subsea 7 Norway AS Improving access into subsea structures
NO344543B1 (en) * 2018-08-20 2020-01-27 Csub As A subsea protection structure
WO2020040644A1 (en) * 2018-08-20 2020-02-27 Csub As Well protection assembly
EP3841278A4 (en) * 2018-08-20 2022-03-30 Csub As Well protection assembly

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NO20015649D0 (en) 2001-11-20
AU2002343266A1 (en) 2003-06-10
NO20015649L (en) 2003-05-21

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