WO2008012134A1 - Outil d'assemblage - Google Patents

Outil d'assemblage Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2008012134A1
WO2008012134A1 PCT/EP2007/055638 EP2007055638W WO2008012134A1 WO 2008012134 A1 WO2008012134 A1 WO 2008012134A1 EP 2007055638 W EP2007055638 W EP 2007055638W WO 2008012134 A1 WO2008012134 A1 WO 2008012134A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
connection
chassis
porch
tool
sleeves
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2007/055638
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
David John Butcher
Richard John Wood
Original Assignee
Verderg Connectors 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 Verderg Connectors Ltd filed Critical Verderg Connectors Ltd
Publication of WO2008012134A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008012134A1/fr

Links

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
    • E21B41/00—Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00
    • E21B41/10—Guide posts, e.g. releasable; Attaching guide lines to underwater guide bases
    • 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
    • E21B43/0107—Connecting of flow lines to offshore structures
    • 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
    • E21B43/013—Connecting a production flow line to an underwater well head
    • 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

Definitions

  • This invention relates to tools, apparatus and methods for connecting pipelines to subsea manifolds and other connection structures such as those used in offshore oil and gas production fields. Other uses include connecting flowlines to riser bases, pipeline termination assemblies, Christmas trees, etc.
  • production wells are completed by a production tree installed on the sea bed.
  • the output from several wells is typically collected together at a subsea production manifold and from there to the surface, for example via floating production facility.
  • connection between the subsea trees and manifolds can be by means of flexible or rigid pipelines, depending on circumstances. These relatively short pipelines are known as 'jumpers'.
  • ROVs remotely operated vehicles
  • connection structures In the FTC system, the trees, manifolds and other subsea connection structures (the term 'connection structure' will be used throughout this document for all such structures) include a connection porch into which the pipeline is connected with locating posts being positioned on either side of the pipeline connection.
  • a frame is used to support the connection tools and the flowline and is manoeuvred so as to position one of the connection tools adjacent the connection structure with one of the sleeves engaged on the taller of the guide posts.
  • the frame is then manoeuvred further so as to pivot the first connection tool about the taller guide post and position the remaining sleeves over the corresponding guide posts, and then lowered so as to engage the remaining sleeves on the corresponding guide posts.
  • the connection tools can then be operated to perform the connection.
  • the sleeves are flared at their lower ends to provide enlarged openings (inverted funnels). This allows a degree of mismatch between the alignment of the porch and ends of the flowline to be accommodated.
  • the flare cannot be very large as doing so effectively increases the length of the connector which may otherwise inhibit key features of the connection structure design.
  • connection tool that can accommodate this mismatch without increasing the size of the connection beyond that which can be accommodated by a typical manifold design.
  • This invention is based around the use of split locating sleeves that can be opened for engagement and closed for connection.
  • a first aspect of the invention comprises a connection tool for connecting a pipeline to a subsea connection structure which includes a porch into which the flowline is connected, locating posts being positioned on either side of the connection porch, the tool comprising:
  • a carrier mounted on the chassis and adapted to releasably carry the pipeline to be connected to the connection structure;
  • each sleeve being split in half axially to provide an inner half positioned near the front of the chassis and an outer half distant from the front of the chassis, wherein the halves of each sleeve are moveable between an open position in which they are separated by a predetermined distance, and a closed position in which they are positioned next to each other.
  • each inner sleeve half is fixed to the chassis and each outer sleeve half is moveable relative to its respective inner sleeve half.
  • a drive mechanism is typically mounted on the chassis and arranged to move the halves of the locating sleeves between the open and closed positions. It is preferred that a separate drive mechanism is provided for each sleeve.
  • the drive mechanism can comprises a drive screw or a piston and cylinder.
  • One or more rollers can be provided inside the sleeve halves. These can be useful to prevent jamming of the sleeves on the guide posts and thereby causing problems when installing to tool on and disconnecting the tool from the guide posts.
  • the carrier is preferably moveable on the chassis between a first position in which, when the chassis is held adjacent the porch, the end of the flowline is away from the porch, and a second position in which the end of the flowline is in the porch.
  • the apparatus preferably comprises a sub-structure at the front of the chassis on which the sleeves are mounted. It is particularly preferred to provide load reaction lugs on the sub structure for engagement in corresponding sockets on the connection porch. These lugs provide reaction for the load on the chassis when connecting the pipeline to the connection structure.
  • a second aspect of the invention comprises apparatus for installing a pipeline into subsea connection structures, comprising a pair of connection tools according to the first aspect of the invention and a frame from which the connection tools are suspended, the frame being configured to position the connection tools in a configuration such that they can both be installed on respective connection structures at the same time.
  • a third aspect of the invention comprises method of connecting a pipeline between first and second subsea connection structures using an apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention, wherein the first connection structure comprises a connection porch with one guide post taller than the other, the method comprising:
  • connection tools adjacent to one of the connection structures with one of the sleeves engaged on the taller of the guide posts and the remaining sleeves above the level of the tops of the remaining guide posts;
  • connection tool for the second connection structure with the sleeves in the open position
  • connection tools By arranging the sleeve in two halves it is possible to position the connection tools with the sleeves in the open position so as to make it easier to engage the sleeves on the guide posts more easily and then close the sleeves to secure the connection tool in the connection porch.
  • Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a generalised subsea development to which this invention relates
  • Figure 2 shows a connection tool according to an embodiment of the invention
  • Figures 3-5 show various views of one embodiment of locating sleeve for use on a connection tool as shown in Figure 2;
  • Figures 6 and 7 show a second embodiment of the locating sleeve for use in the invention:
  • Figure 8 shows a third embodiment of the locating sleeve for use in the invention.
  • Figure 9 shows the initial position for an operation for connecting an L- shaped jumper between a manifold and subsea tree
  • Figures 10 and 11 show perspective and plan views of the setup of Figure
  • Figure 12 and 13 show perspective and plan views of the setup of Figure
  • Figures 14 and 15 show schematically the possible alignment of the pipeline and guide posts. Mode(s) for carrying out the invention
  • Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a generalised subsea development to which this invention relates. A number of wells have been drilled and completed with subsea trees 10, 12 located on the sea bed 14.
  • the output from each is taken, via a pipeline (also known as a 'jumper')
  • the jumpers 15 connecting the trees 10 to the manifold 18 are rigid, having an L shape, whereas the pipelines 16 connecting trees 12 to the manifold are flexible.
  • This invention relates to a tool for connecting the ends of the pipelines to the manifolds and trees (or any other such connection structures).
  • the connection tool is shown in Figure 2 and comprises a chassis 30 which can be carried by an ROV or other support system (not shown) for underwater positioning.
  • the chassis includes a pair of elongate, parallel side members 32 having a sub-structure 33 mounted at the front end thereof on hinge pins 35.
  • a carrier 34 is mounted on the side members 32 so as to be slideable along the side members 32 under the influent of piston and cylinder arrangements 36 connected to the sub-structure 33.
  • the carrier 34 also includes a mechanism for releasably carrying the end of a pipeline 38 to be connected to the connection structure.
  • a pair of locating sleeves 40 are mounted on the sub-structure 33, the lower ends of the sleeves 40 being flared to form inverted funnels. The sleeves 40 and their operation will be described in more detail below.
  • the sub structure 33 also carries a pair of downward facing taper end spigots 41 for engagement in corresponding mating sockets 45 in the porch structure 44.
  • connection tool is manoeuvred with the carrier 34 having the pipeline connected thereto towards the rear of the chassis 30, until the sleeves 40 are positioned over guide posts 42 on either side of a connection porch 44 on the connection structure.
  • the tool is then lowered until the sleeves 40 engage over the posts 42, and the spigots 41 engage in the mating sockets 45 and the end of the pipeline 38 is aligned with the porch 44.
  • the piston and cylinder arrangements 36 are then operated to advance the carrier 34 on the chassis 30 until the end of the pipeline 38 can be connected in the porch 44, the spigots 41 in the sockets 45 providing reaction for the loads involved in making up the connection.
  • the carrier 34 is disconnected from the pipeline 38 and the tool lifted to disengage the sleeves 40 from the posts 42 and the tool removed for re-use elsewhere.
  • Figures 3-5 show various views of one embodiment of locating sleeve for use on a connection tool as shown in Figure 2 in accordance with the invention.
  • the sleeve 40 is divided axially to form inner and outer sleeve halves 46, 48.
  • the inner sleeve half 46 is fixed to the end of the side member 32 and provides a mounting for a piston 50.
  • the outer sleeve half 48 has a pair of lateral arms 52 which extend into corresponding channels 54 on the inner sleeve half 46 and are connected to a drive pin 56 on the piston 50 which projects through a slot 58 in the inner sleeve half 46.
  • Upper and lower roller pairs 60, 62 are provided on inside of the respective sleeve halves 46, 48.
  • the sleeve can be moved between an open position (as shown in Figures 3 and 4) in which the piston 50 is advanced and the outer sleeve half 48 is separated from the inner sleeve half 46, and a closed position (as shown in Figure 5) in which the piston 50 is retracted and the sleeve halves 46, 48 are next to each other.
  • the sleeve halves 46, 48 can be placed in their open position so as to allow greater freedom in position while still allowing the posts 42 to engage in the sleeves.
  • the piston 50 can be stroked to close the sleeve halves 46, 48 and hold the guide post 42 securely in the closed sleeve.
  • the rollers 60, 62 help to avoid jamming of the closed sleeve on the guide post 42 and allow the sleeve to be slid up and down on the guide post 42 even when in the closed position.
  • Figures 6 and 7, and Figure 8 show second and third embodiments of the locating sleeve for use in the invention.
  • the drive mechanism for moving the sleeve halves 46, 48 comprises a piston/cylinder arrangement 64 mounted on the side of the inner sleeve half 46 connecting to a corresponding lateral extension 66 of the outer sleeve half 48.
  • Locating pegs 68 extend from the outer sleeve half 48 into corresponding bores 70 on the inner sleeve half 46 to maintain the alignment of the outer sleeve half 48 as it is driven by the mechanism 64.
  • Rollers 60, 62 are provided as before.
  • FIG. 8 corresponds to that of Figures 6 and 7, except that in this case, the piston/cylinder arrangement 64 is replaced by a drive screw 72 which is located at one end of the side member 32 and can be driven by a screw take-off on an ROV being used to position the connection tool.
  • a drive screw 72 which is located at one end of the side member 32 and can be driven by a screw take-off on an ROV being used to position the connection tool.
  • FIG. 9 shows the initial position for such an operation for connecting an L-shaped jumper 80 between a manifold 82 and subsea tree 84.
  • the jumper 80 is provided, ready configured in its L-shape with connection tools 86, 88 of the type described above at each end.
  • the jumper 80 and the connection tools 86, 88 are suspended from a rigid frame 90 which is itself suspended from a vessel above (not shown).
  • Figures 10 and 11 show perspective and plan views of the setup of Figure 9 in its initial position.
  • the porch on the manifold 82 has asymmetric guide posts similar to those shown in Figure 2.
  • the frame 90 is lowered until one of the sleeves on the connection tool 86 engages the taller guide post on the manifold 82.
  • the jumper and connection tool arrangement is then pivoted around this post until the remaining sleeves are lined up over the other guide posts on the manifold 82 and tree 84.
  • This position is shown in perspective and plan in Figures 12 and 13. If not already open, the sleeve halves on the connection tool 88 over the tree 84 are moved to their open position.
  • the frame 90 is then lowered further so that all of the sleeves engage over their respective guide posts and the sleeve halves are moved to their closed position to hold the connection tool securely to the tree while the connection is made.
  • Figures 14 and 15 show the limit positions a, b for the sleeves 40 to engage the guide posts 42 when in their open position.
  • the open position of the sleeves gives a much greater margin for error when locating the connection tool on the guide posts than with a simple single piece sleeve. Since the flow line can be several tens of metres in length, one leg of the L potentially being up to 50m, it can be difficult to ensure exact accuracy of length of jumper and position in the ends for connection.
  • the ability to close the sleeves to the same size as a single piece sleeve means that it does not interfere with the porch design when making up the connection.
  • the jumper can be made to length and the joint made up in a degree of tension to provide good alignment and positioning. Because the sleeves do not need such accurate positioning when in the open position, it is not so critical that the jumper configuration is accurate. The closing of the sleeves can use the flexibility in the system to deflect the jumper to fit. Other changes within the scope of the invention will be apparent.

Landscapes

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

Abstract

L'invention concerne un outil d'assemblage pour relier un pipeline à une structure d'assemblage sous-marine, qui comprend une plate-forme d'assemblage dans laquelle le pipeline est relié, des piliers de localisation étant positionnés de chaque côté de la plate-forme d'assemblage. Ledit outil comprend: un châssis (30), un support monté sur le châssis et adapté pour soutenir de manière fiable le pipeline (38) à relier au manifold, une paire de manchons de localisation (40) positionnés à l'avant du châssis selon une configuration correspondant à celle des piliers de guidage sur la plate-forme (44), de sorte à pouvoir coulisser au-dessus des piliers de guidage (42) pour maintenir le châssis adjacent à la plate-forme, chaque manchon étant divisé en deux dans le sens axial pour créer une moitié intérieure (46), positionnée à proximité de l'avant du châssis, et une moitié extérieure (48), à distance de l'avant du châssis. Les moitiés de chaque manchon peuvent être déplacées entre une position ouverte, où elles sont séparées par un écart prédéterminé et une position fermée, où elles sont positionnées à proximité l'une de l'autre.
PCT/EP2007/055638 2006-07-27 2007-06-08 Outil d'assemblage WO2008012134A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0614879.5 2006-07-27
GB0614879A GB2442972B8 (en) 2006-07-27 2006-07-27 Connection tool

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2008012134A1 true WO2008012134A1 (fr) 2008-01-31

Family

ID=37006222

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2007/055638 WO2008012134A1 (fr) 2006-07-27 2007-06-08 Outil d'assemblage

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2442972B8 (fr)
WO (1) WO2008012134A1 (fr)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2009082240A1 (fr) * 2007-12-21 2009-07-02 Fmc Kongsberg Subsea As Outil de raccordement de conduites
GB2486451A (en) * 2010-12-15 2012-06-20 Verderg Connectors Ltd vertical connection apparatus for connecting a pipeline to a subsea structure
CN103291233A (zh) * 2013-06-03 2013-09-11 中国海洋石油总公司 新型水下水平连接器的安装工具
CN103510927A (zh) * 2013-10-09 2014-01-15 中国石油大学(北京) 深水管汇水平套筒式连接器
RU2780994C1 (ru) * 2021-12-13 2022-10-04 Общество с ограниченной ответственностью "Газпром 335" Рама сопряжения для продольного перемещения сменного инструмента к оконечным втулкам трубопроводов при выполнении соединения трубопроводов
US20240133260A1 (en) * 2022-10-25 2024-04-25 Onesubsea Ip Uk Limited System and method for installing or retrieving a pressure cap assembly

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2469105B (en) 2009-04-02 2011-06-22 Verderg Ltd Apparatus and method for the connection of conduits

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2118657A (en) * 1978-12-27 1983-11-02 Smith International Connection of underwater lines
EP1054136A2 (fr) * 1999-05-19 2000-11-22 Oil States Industries, Inc. Plateforme de chargement rotative pour le branchement et la terminaison de connections de canalisations sourmarines
GB2382636A (en) * 2001-12-01 2003-06-04 Coflexip Apparatus for connecting a pipe to a sub-sea structure

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3591204A (en) * 1968-05-07 1971-07-06 Fmc Corp Underwater flow line connector system
GB2176559B (en) * 1985-06-05 1989-04-26 Vetco Offshore Ind Inc Diverless flowline connection and pull-in system
WO2004106696A1 (fr) * 2003-05-28 2004-12-09 Vetco Aibel As Structure de terminaison de manchette de raccordement, dispositif de raccordement comportant une telle structure de terminaison, et terminaison de canalisation

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2118657A (en) * 1978-12-27 1983-11-02 Smith International Connection of underwater lines
EP1054136A2 (fr) * 1999-05-19 2000-11-22 Oil States Industries, Inc. Plateforme de chargement rotative pour le branchement et la terminaison de connections de canalisations sourmarines
GB2382636A (en) * 2001-12-01 2003-06-04 Coflexip Apparatus for connecting a pipe to a sub-sea structure

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2009082240A1 (fr) * 2007-12-21 2009-07-02 Fmc Kongsberg Subsea As Outil de raccordement de conduites
RU2499939C2 (ru) * 2007-12-21 2013-11-27 Фмс Конгсберг Сабси Ас Устройство для соединения труб
US8794336B2 (en) 2007-12-21 2014-08-05 Fmc Kongsberg Subsea As Tool for connecting pipelines
GB2486451A (en) * 2010-12-15 2012-06-20 Verderg Connectors Ltd vertical connection apparatus for connecting a pipeline to a subsea structure
GB2486451B (en) * 2010-12-15 2013-01-16 Verderg Connectors Ltd Connection apparatus and method
US9163485B2 (en) 2010-12-15 2015-10-20 Verderg Connectors Ltd Connection apparatus and methods
CN103291233A (zh) * 2013-06-03 2013-09-11 中国海洋石油总公司 新型水下水平连接器的安装工具
CN103291233B (zh) * 2013-06-03 2015-12-02 中国海洋石油总公司 新型水下水平连接器的安装工具
CN103510927A (zh) * 2013-10-09 2014-01-15 中国石油大学(北京) 深水管汇水平套筒式连接器
CN103510927B (zh) * 2013-10-09 2016-01-20 中国石油大学(北京) 深水管汇水平套筒式连接器
RU2780994C1 (ru) * 2021-12-13 2022-10-04 Общество с ограниченной ответственностью "Газпром 335" Рама сопряжения для продольного перемещения сменного инструмента к оконечным втулкам трубопроводов при выполнении соединения трубопроводов
US20240133260A1 (en) * 2022-10-25 2024-04-25 Onesubsea Ip Uk Limited System and method for installing or retrieving a pressure cap assembly

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2442972B (en) 2009-11-18
GB2442972B8 (en) 2009-12-30
GB0614879D0 (en) 2006-09-06
GB2442972A (en) 2008-04-23

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP2047062B1 (fr) Outil d'assemblage muni d'un système d'indexation
US6742594B2 (en) Flowline jumper for subsea well
US6481504B1 (en) Flowline connector with subsea equipment package
US7032673B2 (en) Orientation system for a subsea well
US4732215A (en) Subsea oil production system
DK3234303T3 (en) DEVICE, SYSTEMS AND PROCEDURES FOR OIL AND GAS OPERATIONS
US4367055A (en) Subsea flowline connection yoke assembly and installation method
US20040226722A1 (en) ROV activated subsea connector
WO2008012134A1 (fr) Outil d'assemblage
AU2018385254B2 (en) Continuous installation of multiple subsea function lines with in-line tees
EP3927927B1 (fr) Appareil pour raccorder des composants de forage entre un appareil de forage et une colonne montante
US4367980A (en) Method and apparatus for completing diverless subsea large diameter flowline connections
EP3927926B1 (fr) Raccordements à auto-alignement et multi-guides pour forage à pression gérée entre des éléments d'appareil de forage et de colonne montante
GB2059534A (en) Method and Apparatus for Completing Diverless Subsea Flowline Connections
CN117027711A (zh) 一种用于与水下管汇支撑框连接的保护盖及保护结构
WO2022219000A1 (fr) Distribution de fluide sous-marin à partir de producteurs décentralisés
BR112019012283B1 (pt) Método para instalação de uma junta de tubo principal em uma estrutura submarina, conjunto submarino, método para instalação de um coletor em uma estrutura submarina, método para ligar um conduto submarino a uma estrutura submarina e instalação submarina
Fontenette et al. Zinc Electrical and Hydraulic Umbilical Connection Systems
GB2594009A (en) Tie-in of subsea pipeline
Wilson An Overview of the Subsea Equipment for the Osprey Project

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 07729997

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: RU

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 07729997

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1