WO2004051051A1 - Subsea structure and methods of construction and installation thereof - Google Patents
Subsea structure and methods of construction and installation thereof Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2004051051A1 WO2004051051A1 PCT/EP2003/014833 EP0314833W WO2004051051A1 WO 2004051051 A1 WO2004051051 A1 WO 2004051051A1 EP 0314833 W EP0314833 W EP 0314833W WO 2004051051 A1 WO2004051051 A1 WO 2004051051A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- buoyancy
- subsea structure
- installing
- elongate
- acting
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 31
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 title claims description 13
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 title description 3
- 230000001186 cumulative effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000009975 flexible effect Effects 0.000 description 6
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007796 conventional method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 description 1
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011900 installation process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011810 insulating material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002459 sustained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
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
- E21B17/012—Risers with buoyancy elements
Definitions
- the present invention relates to method and apparatus for buoyancy distribution of offshore deepwater structures, in particular, but not restricted to, buoyancy distribution along a substantially vertical submarine structure, such as a riser, a bundle of risers, or any other structural member.
- the structure may form part of a so-called hybrid riser, having an upper and/or lower portions ("jumpers") made of flexible conduit.
- US-A-6082391 proposes a particular Hybrid Riser Tower consisting of an empty central core, supporting a bundle of riser pipes, some used for oil production some used for water and gas injection. This type of tower has been developed and deployed for example in the Girassol field off
- Buoyancy of offshore structures is achieved by using temporarily or permanently attached buoyancy modules providing an upward thrust when submerged in the sea.
- Conventional devices such as stop-collars and clamps are used to transmit the buoyancy thrust from the buoyancy modules to the supported structure.
- the buoyancy thrust acts upon the structure where it is generated.
- the buoyancy modules are clamped around stop collars using straps or bolts.
- buoyancy may be required for the supporting of a structure in two (or more) completely different orientations, such as a horizontal orientation (during installation) and a vertical orientation (in operation).
- the buoyancy thrust has to be transmitted in both orientations along two perpendicular directions, depending upon the orientation of the structure at the time. Having the buoyancy acting onto the structure where it is generated may be advantageous in one direction (supporting of horizontal risers during fabrication and installation), but a hindrance in another direction.
- two or more risers are bundled together it can be difficult to clamp buoyancy modules along each riser (due to differential thermal expansion, for example), or along one riser only (due to effective compression).
- the modules are clamped to just one of the risers.
- the forces associated with weight compensation may induce a large compressive load on the riser to which the buoyancy modules are attached.
- a method of installing an elongate subsea structure wherein said subsea structure is provided with a plurality of buoyancy modules, said buoyancy modules being slidably mounted to said subsea structure, such that when said subsea structure is deployed at sea in a substantially vertical orientation said buoyancy modules are free to adjust their positions up or down said subsea structure by sliding, the buoyancy force of each buoyancy module acting upon the buoyancy module above it rather than locally along the structure, and the cumulative buoyancy force from said buoyancy modules acting substantially against the top of said subsea structure.
- substantially vertically can be taken to be some degree off true vertical, but orientated such that said elongate object rises substantially from seabed to surface.
- substantially acting from the top can be taken to mean acting some metres below the top, but such that the buoyancy is acting near the top taking into consideration the full length of the elongate object.
- Said subsea structure will usually be a riser, such as a steel catenary riser, or a bundle of risers.
- Said bundle of risers may be a bundle of seven risers arranged with one in the centre and the rest spaced apart and distributed evenly around this.
- the central one may be a supporting core. In such a case, the transfer of the buoyant forces to the top of the structure is performed by the buoyancy modules, rather than by one core or core riser conduit. The excessive compressive loads otherwise imposed on that core conduit are thus avoided.
- Each of said buoyancy modules may come in a number of sections, such that it can be fitted around all of the risers in a bundle of risers, as illustrated in WO '869, mentioned above.
- Said buoyancy force may act from the top as a result of each buoyancy module acting on the one above, either directly or via an intermediary, the uppermost buoyancy module acting against a top plate.
- the uppermost module could be fixed to said subsea structure.
- the intermediary may be a pad of compressible material.
- Said buoyancy modules may, in their original configuration, be spaced substantially evenly along said subsea structure to enable said subsea structure to be floated to the deployment site in a substantially horizontal orientation prior to deployment.
- the structure may be provided with a substantial top buoyancy.
- the structure may be supported completely by distributed buoyancy.
- the content of that other application is incorporated herein by reference (GB 0227850.5 agent's ref 64314GB, published as WO ).
- Fig. 1 is a schematic side-view of a known type of hybrid riser tower positioned horizontally during fabrication and installation, where the forces associated with weight / buoyancy compensation are distributed locally, throughout the whole of the structure;
- Fig. 2 is a side view of the tower of Figure 1, positioned vertically after installation, or during operation;
- Fig. 3 is a side view of a tower modified in accordance with the invention, where the compensation forces are transmitted to the top of the structure via inter-buoyancy- module devices, rather than via the risers;
- Fig. 4 is a more detailed side view of the improved method of buoyancy distribution showing combined buoyancy modules, risers and anchored core pipe;
- Fig. 5 is a side view of an alternative embodiment where riser towers are supported without using a top buoy.
- Figure 1 shows a conventional method for providing buoyancy to a structure 100, by attaching buoyancy modules 110 to the riser(s) 120, 130 at regularly spaced points.
- buoyancy modules 110 to the riser(s) 120, 130 at regularly spaced points.
- the forces P induced by the buoyancy modules are well distributed. It is impractical to clamp the buoyancy modules onto all of the risers due to the effects of differential thermal expansion, therefore they are only attached at single points X and usually to one of the risers, or support core.
- Figure 2 shows the structure of Figure 1 in a vertical orientation.
- the risers hang freely from the top structure 105 of the bundle.
- the induced thrust provided by the weight compensation induces a large compressive load along the length of the riser 130 onto which the buoyancy modules are attached.
- the compression forces are at their greatest where the core riser 130 attaches 120 to the top of the structure, as the core riser 130 at that point has to balance the weights of the risers and their contents and the thrust of the buoyancy modules below.
- Figure 3 shows an improved method for providing buoyancy to a structure 100. All of the buoyancy forces P are transmitted onto the top of the structure without any force being transmitted via the riser(s) 120, 130.
- the buoyancy modules 110 are allowed to slide along the structure and transmit by themselves the cumulative up-lift force.
- Compliant inter- module devices 310 are used as an interface between the buoyancy modules to ensure that the up-lift forces are evenly transmitted between adjacent modules. Doing so maximises the contact surface area, thereby minimising stress points caused by surface irregularities, or where the structure is slightly bent.
- Figure 4 shows a first embodiment of a riser tower 400 having a vertical set of pipes (riser(s) 410 and/or structural members 420), which has been fabricated onshore, towed to the site, upended and set operational in a near-vertical configuration. Buoyancy is required during installation (towing and upending) perpendicularly to the tower axis and once installed, co-linearly to the tower axis. To avoid damage to the structure in the horizontal configuration, the buoyancy modules 430 have to be evenly distributed along the structure.
- the up-thrust is transmitted to the top plate 440 forming part of the riser top structure 400 to compensate for the weight of the risers.
- the up- thrust is transmitted through surface contact between vertically adjacent buoyancy modules, as indicated by arrows, 450, with optional compliant devices between modules, not shown in Figure 4. Transmission of the total thrust 460 to top plate 440 of the tower structure is via the uppermost buoyancy module.
- the cross-sectional area of the buoyancy modules is such that the resulting stress in the uppermost module can be sustained, whereas if the up-thrust was transmitted via one of the pipes/risers then it would lead to unsustainable compressive loads.
- the top structure 400 may comprise a substantial buoy, as in the prior examples.
- Export of hydrocarbons is via flexible jumper hoses (not shown), one for each riser conduit.
- Figure 5 shows an example of this alternative structure, whereby two riser bundles, or individual risers, 500, 510 connect to a floating vessel (FPSO) 515. Any additional top buoyancy has been replaced with distributed buoyancy.
- the figure shows the surface vessel subject to a positioning excursion (caused by the sea-state, for example).
- the left-hand riser is under greater tension than the right hand riser, but use of flexible top sections 520 allows the risers to accommodate the transitions.
- Buoyancy for the risers is provided by the buoyancy already distributed along them for installation purposes, evenly distributing the complement required in operational conditions. It may be desirable to compensate for any surplus of buoyancy, during installation, by filling the structure with fluids heavier than those that will fill the conduits in operation. This will assist the process of sinking the lower part of the riser to the anchor point.
- the installation process is broadly the same as that illustrated in US 6082391, mentioned above.
- the height of the installed structure may for example be 500m, or over 1 km.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Earth Drilling (AREA)
- Electric Cable Installation (AREA)
- Laying Of Electric Cables Or Lines Outside (AREA)
- Revetment (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/535,792 US8282317B2 (en) | 2002-11-29 | 2003-11-25 | Subsea structure and methods of construction and installation thereof |
GB0424775A GB2410989B (en) | 2002-11-29 | 2003-11-25 | Subsea structure and methods of construction and installation thereof |
AU2003298236A AU2003298236A1 (en) | 2002-11-29 | 2003-11-25 | Subsea structure and methods of construction and installation thereof |
BR0311416-3A BR0311416A (en) | 2002-11-29 | 2003-11-25 | Subsea structure and processes for its construction and installation |
NO20052953A NO334142B1 (en) | 2002-11-29 | 2005-06-16 | Procedure for installing an elongated underwater structure |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0227851.3 | 2002-11-29 | ||
GBGB0227851.3A GB0227851D0 (en) | 2002-11-29 | 2002-11-29 | Subsea structure and methods of construction and installation thereof |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2004051051A1 true WO2004051051A1 (en) | 2004-06-17 |
Family
ID=9948753
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/EP2003/014833 WO2004051051A1 (en) | 2002-11-29 | 2003-11-25 | Subsea structure and methods of construction and installation thereof |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US8282317B2 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2003298236A1 (en) |
BR (2) | BR0311416A (en) |
GB (2) | GB0227851D0 (en) |
NO (1) | NO334142B1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2004051051A1 (en) |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2942497A1 (en) * | 2009-02-26 | 2010-08-27 | Saipem Sa | MULTI-RISER HYBRID TILT-TYPE FLAT-SURFACE LINK INSTALLATION COMPRISING SLIDING FLOATING MODULES |
CN101881025A (en) * | 2010-07-01 | 2010-11-10 | 中国水电顾问集团华东勘测设计研究院 | Design method for shallow-buried flexible anti-slide pile for deep covering layer slope retaining |
WO2010094973A3 (en) * | 2009-02-20 | 2011-06-23 | Mooring Systems Limited | Deep water and ultra deep water mooring system |
US8186912B2 (en) | 2006-11-08 | 2012-05-29 | Acergy France Sa | Hybrid riser tower and methods of installing same |
US8231308B2 (en) | 2005-06-18 | 2012-07-31 | Acergy France Sa | Hybrid riser tower and method of installation thereof |
US8998539B2 (en) | 2006-11-08 | 2015-04-07 | Acergy France SAS | Hybrid riser tower and methods of installing same |
CN105386439A (en) * | 2015-10-10 | 2016-03-09 | 长沙理工大学 | Design method of friction pile |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB0900101D0 (en) * | 2009-01-07 | 2009-02-11 | Acergy Us Inc | Methods and associated apparatus of constructing and installing rigid riser structures |
BR102013012413B1 (en) * | 2013-05-20 | 2021-09-08 | Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. / Petrobras | REVERSE HYBRID TRANSFER SYSTEM |
WO2015112134A1 (en) * | 2014-01-22 | 2015-07-30 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Deployment of high-pressure iron from marine vessel to offshore rig |
CN104612144B (en) * | 2014-12-18 | 2016-05-18 | 中国电建集团贵阳勘测设计研究院有限公司 | Method for calculating minimum length of anchor section of slide-resistant pile |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1999041142A1 (en) * | 1998-02-12 | 1999-08-19 | Imodco, Inc. | Spar system |
US6244347B1 (en) * | 1999-07-29 | 2001-06-12 | Dril-Quip, Inc. | Subsea well drilling and/or completion apparatus |
US20020115365A1 (en) * | 2000-11-30 | 2002-08-22 | Aker Maritime, Inc.; | Buoyancy module with external frame |
Family Cites Families (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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FR2627542A1 (en) * | 1988-02-24 | 1989-08-25 | Coflexip | DEVICE FOR TRANSFERRING FLUID BETWEEN THE SUB-MARINE BOTTOM AND THE SURFACE |
US5150987A (en) * | 1991-05-02 | 1992-09-29 | Conoco Inc. | Method for installing riser/tendon for heave-restrained platform |
US5615977A (en) * | 1993-09-07 | 1997-04-01 | Continental Emsco Company | Flexible/rigid riser system |
GB2309576B (en) | 1996-01-26 | 2000-03-08 | Crp Group Ltd | Buoyancy device |
AU5444298A (en) | 1996-11-12 | 1998-06-03 | H.B. Zachry Company | Precast, modular spar system |
US5944448A (en) * | 1996-12-18 | 1999-08-31 | Brovig Offshore Asa | Oil field installation with mooring and flowline system |
GB2334048B (en) * | 1998-02-06 | 1999-12-29 | Philip Head | Riser system for sub sea wells and method of operation |
GB2336143B (en) | 1998-03-04 | 2002-03-13 | Victoria Oilfield Dev | Mooring system |
US6200180B1 (en) * | 1998-09-01 | 2001-03-13 | Nortrans Offshore (S) Pte Ltd | Mooring system for tanker vessels |
US6386290B1 (en) * | 1999-01-19 | 2002-05-14 | Colin Stuart Headworth | System for accessing oil wells with compliant guide and coiled tubing |
FR2790814B1 (en) * | 1999-03-09 | 2001-04-20 | Coflexip | HYBRID CONDUIT FOR LARGE DEPTH |
FR2825116B1 (en) * | 2001-05-25 | 2003-12-05 | Inst Francais Du Petrole | METHOD FOR DIMENSIONING A DRILLING RISER |
-
2002
- 2002-11-29 GB GBGB0227851.3A patent/GB0227851D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2003
- 2003-11-25 US US10/535,792 patent/US8282317B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2003-11-25 BR BR0311416-3A patent/BR0311416A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2003-11-25 WO PCT/EP2003/014833 patent/WO2004051051A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2003-11-25 BR BRPI0311416 patent/BRPI0311416B1/en unknown
- 2003-11-25 GB GB0424775A patent/GB2410989B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2003-11-25 AU AU2003298236A patent/AU2003298236A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2005
- 2005-06-16 NO NO20052953A patent/NO334142B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1999041142A1 (en) * | 1998-02-12 | 1999-08-19 | Imodco, Inc. | Spar system |
US6244347B1 (en) * | 1999-07-29 | 2001-06-12 | Dril-Quip, Inc. | Subsea well drilling and/or completion apparatus |
US20020115365A1 (en) * | 2000-11-30 | 2002-08-22 | Aker Maritime, Inc.; | Buoyancy module with external frame |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8231308B2 (en) | 2005-06-18 | 2012-07-31 | Acergy France Sa | Hybrid riser tower and method of installation thereof |
US8186912B2 (en) | 2006-11-08 | 2012-05-29 | Acergy France Sa | Hybrid riser tower and methods of installing same |
US8998539B2 (en) | 2006-11-08 | 2015-04-07 | Acergy France SAS | Hybrid riser tower and methods of installing same |
WO2010094973A3 (en) * | 2009-02-20 | 2011-06-23 | Mooring Systems Limited | Deep water and ultra deep water mooring system |
FR2942497A1 (en) * | 2009-02-26 | 2010-08-27 | Saipem Sa | MULTI-RISER HYBRID TILT-TYPE FLAT-SURFACE LINK INSTALLATION COMPRISING SLIDING FLOATING MODULES |
WO2010097528A1 (en) * | 2009-02-26 | 2010-09-02 | Saipem S.A. | Bottom-surface connecting installation of the multi-riser hybrid tower type, comprising sliding buoyancy modules |
CN101881025A (en) * | 2010-07-01 | 2010-11-10 | 中国水电顾问集团华东勘测设计研究院 | Design method for shallow-buried flexible anti-slide pile for deep covering layer slope retaining |
CN105386439A (en) * | 2015-10-10 | 2016-03-09 | 长沙理工大学 | Design method of friction pile |
CN105386439B (en) * | 2015-10-10 | 2017-04-19 | 长沙理工大学 | Design method of friction pile |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
BRPI0311416B1 (en) | 2015-05-12 |
AU2003298236A1 (en) | 2004-06-23 |
US20060002767A1 (en) | 2006-01-05 |
GB0424775D0 (en) | 2004-12-08 |
NO20052953L (en) | 2005-06-16 |
NO334142B1 (en) | 2013-12-16 |
US8282317B2 (en) | 2012-10-09 |
BR0311416A (en) | 2005-03-15 |
GB0227851D0 (en) | 2003-01-08 |
GB2410989A (en) | 2005-08-17 |
GB2410989B (en) | 2006-03-22 |
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