WO2015054762A1

WO2015054762A1 - A support structure system for pipes

Info

Publication number: WO2015054762A1
Application number: PCT/BR2014/000356
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Matthew RIGGS; Pedro Luiz DE SOUZA PINTO FILHO
Original assignee: Intermoor Do Brasil Serviços Offshore De Instalação Ltda.
Priority date: 2013-10-14
Filing date: 2014-09-30
Publication date: 2015-04-23
Also published as: BR102013026414A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a support structure system (1) for pipes (2), the structure (1) being modularized and fixed to a vessel deck, comprising a system of two rail handlings (3) at sites away from the center of the pipe (2), each rail handling (3) having two handling pins (4) and an adjustment system (10), an L-shaped launching system 6 has an adjustment system (9) and two ramps (7) along which the pipes (2) are launched in free fall into the water on one of the sides of the vessel (8).

Description

Specification of the Patent of Invention for: "A SUPPORT STRUCTURE SYSTEM FOR PIPES"

The present invention relates to a system developed for support structure for pipes at subsea installations, more specifically it relates to a structure to be installed on vessel deck, this structure being intended to support pipes to be overboarded from a vessel.

STATE OF THE ART

Various systems have been developed in the art for transferring pipes from a determined storage area on a barge to subsea, as well as sys- terns for installing pipes by using towing vessels for fitting the pipes on the sea floor.

However, all the developments found in the prior art have certain procedure difficulties, these problems being solved with the present invention.

In reality, such problems refer directly to the logistics employed in the procedures, which causes an expressive increase in the costs, besides the considerable risks for operators.

At present, the procedures used to overboard pipes into deep sea waters have been carried out by means of two vessels: an installing ves- sel and a barge. Such procedures, however, entail costs with daily rates for using two vessels, excessive amount of equipment to be used on both vessels, besides the cost with the personnel onboard. Apart from the problems cited above, the time necessary for modifying, mobilizing and commissioning the barge with the minimum equipment for carrying out the installation proce- dures is too long.

On the other hand, the systems found in the prior art for transferring pipes from a storage area on the barges to the sites of submarine installation have been carried out by lifting the pipes by means of elevator-type equipment. Lifting the pipes requires the elevator locations to be equidistant from the center of gravity of the pipe, or close to it, in order to guarantee stability. Therefore, the problems involved in using two vessels in the systems of installing pipes in deep waters, according to the prior art, have been huge challenges to be faced. On the other hand, the state of the art did not find an adequate solution to utilization of a single vessel for carrying out tn- stallations of pipes in deepwater locations, since one has not yet found the solution to transport pipes on the deck of a single regular work vessel.

With regard to the state of the art, the following documents have been identified, which comprise the most relevant technologies relating to the present invention.

Document BR0714967 (Intermoor - priority date of July 20,

2005) relates to a method for pre-installing conductor casings by using a subsea hydraulic hammer for pile driving. An Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) vessel is employed for launching and driving conductor casing into the sea floor. Conductor casings initially penetrate the sea floor at a first depth under its own weight. In an optimum way, the conductive casings may be additionally drived into the sea floor at a second depth either by applying suction inside them or by using a hydraulic hammer. The casings are drived at the design specification by means of a hydraulic hammer launched from the deck of the AHTS vessel.

Although the above-document refers to an advantageous method for pre-installation of conductor casings in deep waters, such a method requires two vessels, the ship and the barge, thus bringing all the problems mentioned above with regard to costs and operational risks involved in using the two vessels.

Document US 7866274 (Technip France, priority date of March

28, 2008) refers to an efficient system to remove a pile from a storage location at the vessel and translate the pile to the board of the vessel. The pile may be transferred to a rapid-disengagement system, which launches the pile upon release. This publication describes a method of translating and launching a pile for a marine application, which comprises: storing at least a first pile on a rack located on a vessel; transporting the pile to an installation side; lifting the pile from the rack with a rail handling; supporting the pile with the rail handling; shifting the rail handling and the pile to a launch arm assembly; transferring the pile from the rail handling to a first portion of the launch arm assembly, adjacent to a side of the vessel; lowering the first portion with the pile; and releasing the pile from the first portion into a marine environment.

The above-cited document more specifically refers to the manner in which the iples are displaced from a storage area to the location of launching them into the sea. However, one can observe that, unlike the solution presented by the present invention, such displacements are carried out by lifting each conductor, which is not suitable for the solution found by the present invention, since the present invention provides displacement of the conductors by rolling, which takes place on the deck of the installing vessel itself. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The objective of the present invention is to provide a system for a support structure that store pipes. The support structure basically comprises a rail handling system which transports the pipes by rolling them to a launching system, which, positioned at the end of the structure, has the function of carrying out the launching of the pipe in free fall into the water from one of the vessel sides.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will better understood with reference to the following description, taken along with the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of the vessel 8 with the structure 1 mounted on the deck, with the pipe 2 on the structure 1 ;

Figure 2 is a side view of the structure 1 with the rail handlingrail handling system 3, launching system 6 and the pipe 2 to be launched from the structure 1 ;

Figures 3 to figure 10 describe the methodology carried out by the system, containing all the components with the exception of the vessel 8;

Figure 8 is a frontal view of figure 1 , showing the rail handling system 3 initiating the translation for the position of the pipe 2 with the handling pins 4 lowered. Figure 4 is a front view of the structure 1 , showing the rail handling system 3 in the position of the pipe 2 and initiating the lifting of the handling pins 4;

Figure 5 is a front view of the structure 1 , showing the moment when the two handling pins 4 have already been lifted, and wherein the displacement of the rail handling and the rolling of the pipe 2 are initiated;

Figure 6 is a front view of the structure 1 , showing the rail handling system 3 at the position of the launching system 6, and wherein the lowering of the handling pin 4 closer to the launching system 6 is initiated;

Figure 7 is a front view of the structure 1 , showing the moment when the launching system 6 starts the movement of rotation about its own axis, and the rail handling system 3 keeps one of the handling pins 4 lifted, to ensure the position of the pipe 2;

Figure 8 is a front view of the structure 1 , showing the rail han- dling system 3 moving out of the pipe 2, at the moment when the launching system 6 ensures the secure position of the pipe 2 for subsequent launching;

Figure 9 is a back view of the structure 1 , showing the rail handling system 3 standing still, the pipe 2 at a moment before reaching the ramp 7, and one of the tips of the launching system 6 detaching for launch- ing;

Figure 10 is a back view of the structure 1 , showing the pipe 2 being launched out of the structure 1 and the launching system 6 in the position of maximum rotation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter the present invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the attached drawings

As mentioned above, the state of the art has problems to be solved with respect to the system for launching pipes at a maritime installation.

In order to solve the problems related to operational costs and risks, developed in the systems used so far by the state of the art, regarding the launching of pipes at maritime installations, the present invention propos- es to use a single vessel 8, without any need to use a barge as a second support vessel for loading of conductors.

For this purpose, the present invention has the objective of providing a support structure system 1 for pipes 2 to be launched at subma- rine installations, comprising a two rail handling system located at places away from the center of the pipe 2, each rail handling system 3 having two handling pins 4 and having an adjustment system 10, an L-shaped launching system 6 having an adjustment system 9, the structure further comprising two ramps 7 along which the pipes 2 are launched in free fall into the water on one of the sides of the vessel 8.

The support structure 1 of the present invention has been designed in modular form, so as to be fastened to the deck of a vessel 8, this fastening being made by means of screwed connections or any other typical fastening procedures, which enables it to be transported on standard con- tainers to any port. The mobilization of the structure 1 claimed in the present invention enables it to be taken to any port by means of a conventional loading in containers, enabling its installation to any vessel, which doubtlessly brings a great improvement that has not been achieved by the state of the art.

The proposed modular structure 1 can be installed to any type of vessel having a suitable deck, which may be either smaller than or equal to the length of structure 1 .

Structure 1 of the present invention has the possibility of launching pipes 2 of various diameters, being capable of transporting at least five pipes 2, depending on their diameter.

Pipes 2 of the present invention are supported on the structure 1 above the deck of the vessel 8, so as to prevent impact of the pipes 2 on the water during navigation, since there is a relative motion between the vessel 8 and water.

The structure 1 proposed in the present invention comprises two rail handling systems 3 positioned on the area of the structure 1 and having two sites away from the center of the pipe 2, each rail handling system 3 hav- ing two or more handling pins 4, which are moved vertically, and one adjustment device 10 to receive pipes having various diameters.

A great differential exhibited by the present invention with respect to the state of the art is just the rail handling 3 system positioned on the structure 1 , which carries the pipes 2 by rolling them, not by lifting them any longer. The solution found by the present invention has provided the whole structure system 1 for supporting pipes 2 to be launched at maritime installations from a single vessel 8. The displacement of the pipes 2 by rolling them has ceased to use elevators for lifting the pipes 2, since one of the elevators would have to remain on a structure over the water, thus brining one more problem to the necessary procedures. It is important to point out that the system for displacing the pipes 2 by rolling enables to roll the pipes without them being exactly equidistant from the center of gravity of the pipes 2, thus enabling both rail handling systems 3 to be positioned on the deck area of the vessel 8.

With a view to reduce friction and the force required for correcting the misalignment of the pipe 2 with the rail handling systems 3, a bronze plate 5 may be installed on the support structure 1 . The structure 1 of the present invention further comprises a launching system 6, which is config- ured as an L-shaped device 6, which receives the pipes 2 by rolling them through the rail handling systems 3, after one of the handling pins 4 has been lowered, thus releasing the launching system 6 to perform a rotation around its own axis until the secure position of the pipe 2 ins ensured. Rail handling systems 3 are released. The launching system 6 guarantees that the pipe 2 will be pushed toward the two ramps 7, on which the pipes will roll out of the vessel 8 into the water in free fall. The ramps 7 have the function of moving the pipes 2 away from the vessel hull at a distance sufficient to prevent collision during the free fall.

It is important to point out that the structure 1 of the present in- vention may also support casing conductors, piles, pillars, anchors or any other structural elements equivalent to the cylindrical geometry of the pipes 2. In view of the foregoing, wherein the possibility of installing the structure 1 of pipes 2 with mobilization of a single vessel 8 was demonstrated, the system provides the displacement of the pipes 2 by rolling them instead of their displacement by lifting, with the possibility of using different types of vessel for loading the pipes 2, as well as the possibility of moving the whole structure 1 to any port in the world in standard containers, by virtue of the modular design, it is possible to ensure that the present invention brings a great improvement to the art, not only with respect to the reduction of costs, but overall with regard to the logistics involved in carrying out the system for launching pipes 2 from a vessel 8 at maritime installations.

Despite the above description related to the present invention and the attached illustrative figures, a person skilled in the art will notice and conclude that there are other variations among the embodiments, in addition to those specified herein.

Claims

1. A support structure system (1) for pipes (2) characterized in that the structure (1) is fixed to the deck of a vessel (8), comprising a system of two rail handling systems (3) at sites away from the center of the pipe (2), each rail handling system (3) having two handling pins (4), an L-shaped launching system (6) and two ramps (7) along which the pipes (2) will be launched in free fall into the water form one of the vessel sides.

2. The system according to claim 1 , characterized in that the pipes (2) are casing conductors, anchors, piles, pillars or any other equiva- lent structural elements.

3. The system according to claim 1 , characterized in that the pipes (2) are stored, transported, launched and installed by the same vessel (8).

4. The system according to clam 1 , characterized in that the structure (1 ) supports up to five or more pipes (2).

5. The system according to claim 1 , characterized in that the structure (1 ) may be installed on any type of vessel (8) that has an appropriate deck, which may have a length smaller than or equal to that of the structure (1 ).

6. The system according to claim 1 , characterized in that the two rail handlings (3) are positioned in the structure area (1 ).

7. The system according to claim 6, characterized in that the rail handlings (3) are positioned on the structure (1 ) at points that are not necessarily equidistant with respect to the center of gravity of the pipes (2).

8. The system according to claim 3, characterized in that the rail handlings (3) have two or more handling pins (4), which are moved vertically.

9. The system according to claim 8, characterized in that the rail handlings (3) transport the pipes (2) by rolling them.

10. The system according to claim 1 , characterized in that the launching system (6) comprises an L-shaped launching device that receives the pipe (2) by rolling them with the rail handlings (3), after the handling pins (4) have been lowered.

1 1. The system according to claim 10, characterized in that the launching system (6) rotates around its own axis, causing the pipe (2) to be pushed toward the two ramps (7), along which the pipes (2) will be launched in free fall into the water.

12. The system according to claim 1 , characterized in that the pipes (2) are supported over the deck of a vessel (8).

13. The system according to claim 1 , characterized in that a bronze plate (5) is installed over the support structure (1 ).

14. The system according to claim 1 , characterized in that the structure (1 ) enables the launching of pipes (2) of various external diameters.

15. The system according to claim 1 , characterized in that the launching system (6) has an adjustment device (9) to receive pipes (2) of various diameters.

16. The system according to claim 1 , characterized in that the two-rail handling system (3) has an adjustment device (10) to receive pipes

(2) of various diameters.

17. The system according to claim 1 , characterized in that the structure (1 ) is modularized by means of screwed connections.