WO2020217015A1

WO2020217015A1 - Wedging device

Info

Publication number: WO2020217015A1
Application number: PCT/FR2020/050490
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ovidiu GURAN; Olivier Gutierrez
Original assignee: South Offshore
Priority date: 2019-04-25
Filing date: 2020-03-10
Publication date: 2020-10-29
Also published as: FR3095469A1; EP3959412A1; FR3095469B1

Abstract

Wedging device (3) configured to be installed on at least one structure, the structure comprising a conductive tube (1) and a guide (2) of the conductive tube (1), the device (3) comprising two half-shells (14a) and (14b) which extend along a longitudinal axis (A) of elongation and are configured to switch from an open installation position to a closed installation position, and comprising a wedge system (5) which comprises at least one arm (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) configured to slide along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis (A) so as to be inserted between the conductive tube (1) and the guide (2) of the conductive tube (1), the at least one arm (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) having an end provided with at least one wedge (20) which has, with increasing distance from the end, an increasing thickness.

Description

DESCRIPTION

TITLE: Timing device

The present invention relates to the field of metal constructions, in particular underwater metal constructions and more particularly underwater metal constructions in the petroleum field.

There are known oil platforms installed at sea, and more particularly such non-floating platforms. Some, more particularly, of these platforms (or rigs) are commonly called Jacket and Jack-up, these are used for drilling and production operations at shallow water and are often topped by a mast (or derrick ) drilling during the drilling phase of an oil well, this mast often being removed during the production phase of the drilled well during which the hydrocarbons are produced.

During the drilling phase, a conductive tube is often installed. The conductive tube is a connecting tube between the seabed and the drilling and / or production platform which, during the drilling phases, makes it possible to channel the drilling mud and serves as a guide for maneuvering the drill string. During the production phase, one or more conductive tubes are installed at different locations depending on whether it is an injection or production conductive tube. The production conductive tube, which allows the rise of hydrocarbons for surface exploitation, is installed between the wellhead and the production platform. In the production phase, a conductive tube can be rigid or flexible or hybrid.

In order to center the conductive tube relative to a guide of the conductive tube during its installation, it is common practice to insert Teflon wedges on either side of the conductive tube, at the level of the guide of the conductive tube.

However, these Teflon wedges are necessarily installed by divers in an underwater environment.

Indeed, divers have a plurality of wedges having different thicknesses. Depending on the width of the space between the conductive tube and the guide of the conductive tube, the diver must, after measuring this space, choose the corresponding shim according to the measured space.

In addition, during installation, an inspection by divers, of each conductive tube, should be carried out, as well as a replacement of each Teflon shim, at least once a year.

Finally, once installed, the spaces between the conductive tube and the guide of the conductive tube are not filled by the Teflon shims because the conductive tube is rigid, thus causing movements and vibrations of the conductive tube within the guide of the conductive tube which may cause deterioration of the conductive tube.

The present invention aims to remedy at least one of the cited disadvantages by providing a wedging device configured to be installed on at least one structure, said structure comprising a conductive tube and a guide of said conductive tube, said device comprising two half-shells s 'extending along a longitudinal axis of elongation and configured to move from an open installed position to a closed installed position, and comprising a wedge system, said wedge system comprising at least one arm configured to slide along a parallel axis said longitudinal axis, so as to be inserted between the conductive tube and the guide of said conductive tube, the at least one arm having an end provided with at least one wedge having an increasing thickness as one moves away from said end.

The wedge system wedge obstructs the vacant space between the conductive tube and the conductive tube guide thus locking the conductive tube in the guide of the conductive tube, regardless of the width of this space, and once the wedging device is installed .

Advantageously, the at least one arm comprises at least three parts, a first part configured to slide along said axis parallel to the longitudinal axis, a second part configured to move said first part, a third part configured to be inserted between the conductive tube and the guide of said conductive tube. Preferably, the third part comprises the end provided with at least one corner, said third part having a stepped structure.

The stepped structure allows the third part of the arm to be wedged on the guide of the conductive tube.

More preferably, the second part comprises a head disposed on one end of said second part allowing manipulation of the at least one arm by a robot.

In one embodiment, the first part is slidably mounted on a guide system.

In another embodiment, the wedging device comprises four arms, in particular uniformly distributed around the wedging device.

The four arms, distributed evenly around the wedging device, improve the imprisonment of the conductive tube in the guide of the conductive tube.

Preferably, each arm is configured to move independently of the others. This feature allows each arm to deploy regardless of the width of the space existing between the conductive tube and the guide of the conductive tube at each of these arms.

Again preferably, the wedging device comprises a fastener configured to hold said wedging device in the open position.

The clip prevents the unintentional closure of the wedging device during handling. Also preferably, a ring configured to receive the clip is placed on each of the half-shells.

The present invention also relates to an installation comprising a conductive tube and a guide of the conductive tube and at least one wedging device according to the invention configured to fill a space between the conductive tube and the guide of said conductive tube.

In particular, the installation of the wedging device is carried out by a robot.

The installation of the wedging device by a robot enables divers to avoid performing this installation, eliminating the dangers resulting from these underwater constructions for these divers.

The invention will be described in more detail through the various figures presented below, which will facilitate its understanding.

[Fig. 1] is a perspective view of the wedging device in an installed position, according to the invention.

[Fig. 2] is a top view of the wedging device in the closed position, according to the invention.

[Fig. 3] is a perspective view of the wedging device, according to the invention. [Fig. 4] is another perspective view of the wedging device, according to the invention.

[Fig. 5a] is a sectional view along the longitudinal axis of the wedge system in the installed position, before deployment of the system, in accordance with the invention.

[Fig. 5b] is a sectional view along the longitudinal axis of the wedge system in the installed position, after deployment of the system, in accordance with the invention.

[Fig. 6a] is a sectional view along the longitudinal axis of the wedge system in the installed position, before deployment of the system, according to another example, in accordance with the invention.

[Fig. 6b] is a sectional view along the longitudinal axis of the wedge system in the installed position, after deployment of the system, according to the same example as the previous figure, in accordance with the invention. [Fig. 7a] is a side view of a step in installing the wedging device, in accordance with the invention.

[Fig. 7b] is a top view of another installation step of the wedging device, in accordance with the invention.

[Fig. 7c] is a top view of another installation step of the wedging device, in accordance with the invention.

[Fig. 7d] is a top view of the last installation step of the wedging device, in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a conductive tube 1, of substantially cylindrical shape, passing through a guide 2, in the form of a funnel, of the conductive tube 1. A wedging device 3, in the installed position, surrounds the conductive tube 1. The wedging device 3 comprises a handle 4 configured to be gripped by a robot for example, so as to install the wedging device 3 on the conductive tube 1. A wedge system 5, made of steel, comprising four arms 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d (three of them are visible), is attached to the external face of the wedging device 3.

Each arm 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d is slidably mounted at its first part 7 on the wedging device 3 by means of a guide system 26. These arms 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d also have a second part 8, extending longitudinally from the first part 7 beyond the wedging device 3 in the direction opposite to the guide 2 of the conductive tube 1 and a third part 9, extending longitudinally from the first part 7 beyond the wedging device 3, in the direction of guide 2 of conductive tube 1.

The wedge system 5 is arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis A of elongation of the half-shells 14a and 14b. During the closed position of the wedging device 3, the latter forms a cylinder.

A device 10 for maintaining the wedging device 3 in the closed position is actuated automatically when the wedging device 3 is installed on the conductive tube 1, in a manner which does not require direct intervention on the maintaining device 10.

An additional security concerning the maintenance of the wedging device 3 in position installed on the conductive tube 1 is provided by a ratchet system 11. A cathodic protection, produced by two anodes 12, fixed on a support 13, protects the external surface of the device. setting 3 in contact with water in an underwater environment.

FIG. 2 shows the wedging device 3 composed of two half-shells 14a and 14b each having the shape of a substantially half-cylinder. It should be noted that the shape of the two half-shells 14a and 14b is not limited to a substantially half-cylinder shape but can be any other known geometric shape, defined as a function of the shape of the conductive tube 1.

These two half-shells 14a and 14b are interconnected by means of a hinge 15 having an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A of elongation of the half-shells 14a and 14b. The hinge 15 allows one of the two half-shells 14a or 14b to pivot relative to the other 14b or 14a.

A closing lever 16 is configured to cause the pivoting of the half-shell 14a towards a closed position when the latter is actuated.

The handle 4 is disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis A of elongation of the half-shells 14a and 14b and at the level of the hinge 15 so that when a push is exerted on the handle 4, the pivoting of the one of the half-shells 14a or 14b on the other of the half-shells 14b or 14a is made by means of the hinge 15.

The wedge system 5 comprises four arms 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d. Two of them are located on the half-shell 14a and the other two are located on the half-shell 14b.

The arms 6a and 6c are facing each other. It is the same for the arms 6b and 6d. The four arms 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d are evenly distributed around the wedging device 3.

One of the supports 13, supporting an anode 12, is arranged between the arms 6a and 6b and the other of the supports 13 is arranged between the arms 6c and 6d. These supports 13 are arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of elongation of the half-shells 14a and 14b. These supports 13 have a dual function, of supporting the anodes 12 and supporting the wedging device 3 on the guide 2 of the conductive tube 1 during its installation.

The ratchet system 11 comprises a hook 17 configured to abut against a lug 18. This ratchet system 11 has an axis of rotation B allowing the transition of the hook 17 from an unlocked position to a locked position and / or vice versa. A return means 33, here a spring, ensures a locking position of the pawl system 11.

FIG. 3 shows the wedging device 3 equipped with four arms 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d. Each arm 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d has a first part 7 configured to be movable in a translatory movement parallel to the longitudinal axis A of elongation of the half-shells 14a and 14b. This first part 7 is slidably mounted on a guide system 26 fixed along the outer face of the wedging device 3, formed by the two half-shells 14a and 14b. Each arm 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d also has a second part 8 extending the first part 7 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis A. The head 19, located at the level of the end of the second part 8 has a shape substantially hexagonal, allowing the gripping of the head 19 by a robot, by means of a hydraulic arm, thus controlling the mobility of the corresponding arm 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d.

The third part 9, extends the first part 7, for its part, in the direction opposite to the second part 8. This third part 9 is arranged in a staircase, descending from the first part 7 to the end of the third part. 9, on which the end ends with a corner 20.

The staircase structure is formed by a plurality of teeth 34 whose thickness increases from the end of the third part 9 to the first part 7.

Two lifting points 21a and 21b, such as lifting lugs, are arranged opposite each other, the lifting point 21a being located on the half-shell 14a and the lifting point 21b being located on the another half-shell 14b, allow the movement of the wedging device 3 in order to bring it to its installation position on the conductive tube 1, via a lifting device, such as a two-leg sling, crossing these lifting points 21a and 21b.

Two rings 22a and 22b, positioned on the wedging device 3 on either side of the hinge 15 are configured to receive a fastener (not shown). The ring 22a is disposed on the half-shell 14a and the ring 22b is disposed on the half-shell 14b. This fastener provides security as to the retention of the wedging device 3 in the open installation position. Indeed, it prevents the involuntary closing of the wedging device 3 during its handling.

The handle 4 is assembled on the hinge 15 thus offering control of the rotation of the half-shells 14a and 14b and the gripping of the wedging device 3 by the robot.

FIG. 4 shows the wedging device 3 in the closed position. The ratchet system 11 is in the locked position.

The retaining device 10 comprises three retaining screws 23, each mounted in a retaining nut (not shown).

The half-shell 14a comprises three retaining interfaces 24 in the form of grooved protuberances configured to receive, between each of these retaining interfaces 24, a portion of each screw 23 when the wedging device 3 is in the closed position.

The heads 25 of the screws 23 are hexagonal shaped heads allowing the use of a hydraulic wrench to tighten the screws 23 and the control, in particular of the tightening force of the screws 23, by a robot. Each screw 23 is screwed into the same threaded axis, fixed on the half-shell 14b and pivoting along the longitudinal axis A.

The tapping is fitted with an anti-loosening system acting as a brake in order to prevent accidental loosening of the screws 23 over time.

Note that the hydraulic key is configured for use by the robot.

With reference to Figures 5a to 6b, the operation of the wedging device 3 is described. Figure 5a shows the conductive tube 1 centered relative to the guide 2 of the conductive tube 1. Indeed, the conductive tube 1 passes through the guide 2 of the conductive tube 1 leaving the same space on either side of the conductive tube 1, between the conductive tube 1 and the guide 2 of the conductive tube 1.

The wedging device 3 is in the position installed on the conductive tube 1. The wedging device 3 is mounted on the conductive tube 1 near the guide 2 of the conductive tube 1. Thus, the arms 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d are suitable to be inserted between the conductive tube 1 and the guide 2 of the conductive tube 1.

The first part 7 is merged with the third part 9 while the second part 8 abuts inside the first part 7.

A suitable robot grips the head 19 of the second part 8 with one of its robotic arms in order to exert a force in the direction of the arrow 27 allowing the first part 7 to slide on its guide system 26. This is illustrated in Figure 5b, where the first part 7 has slid on the guide system 26 in the direction of arrow 27 until a tooth 34 is in abutment against the guide 2 of the conductive tube 1, thus obstructing a space between the conductive tube 1 and the guide 2 of the conductive tube 1 and eliminating the existing play. Each space, facing each arm 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d, creating a radial clearance between the conductive tube 1 and the guide 2 of the conductive tube 1, illustrated in FIG. 5a, is therefore filled by each of the arms 6a, 6b , 6c and 6d as shown in Figure 5b.

In FIG. 5b, the first teeth 34 of the third part 9 are passed between the conductive tube 1 and the guide 2 of the conductive tube 1, the third part 9 being in a staircase increasing from the end of the third part 9 to the first part 7. In fact, the space between the conductive tube 1 and the guide 2 of the conductive tube 1 cannot be filled by the first teeth 34 of the third part 9. This is when one of the teeth 34 of the third part 9 strikes the guide 2 of the conductive tube 1 that the deployment of the third part 9 is stopped, a space between the conductive tube 1 and the guide 2 of the conductive tube 1 being blocked so that no movement or vibration of the conductive tube 1 is not possible, thus safeguarding the conductive tube 1 intact and extending its life. Figures 6a and 6b show another example of the conductive tube 1 passing through a guide 2 of the conductive tube 1. In this example, the conductive tube 1 is not centered with respect to the guide 2 of the conductive tube 1. Therefore, the spaces around the conductive tube 1 and between the conductive tube 1 and the guide 2 of the conductive tube 1 are different. Indeed, in FIG. 6a, the space between the conductive tube 1 and the guide 2 of the conductive tube 1 is restricted at the level of the arm 6c while the space between the conductive tube 1 and the guide 2 of the conductive tube 1 is extended at arm level 6a. Each first part 7 of each arm 6a and 6c therefore does not slide to the same level. This sliding of the arms 6a and 6c therefore takes place independently of one another.

In FIG. 6b, the third part 9 of the arm 6a is deployed practically as far as the first part 7, so that a tooth 34 of the third part 9 is in abutment against the guide 2 of the conductive tube 1.

The third part 9 of the arm 6c is deployed only very slightly. In fact, because of the space between the conductive tube 1 and the guide 2 of the conductive tube 1 at the level of the arm 6c, the tooth 34 at the level of the free end of the third part 9 is sufficient to obstruct this space.

In other words, each arm 6a and 6c has not slid on its guide system 26 to the same level.

Of course, all possible examples of the spaces between the conductive tube 1 and the guide 2 of the conductive tube 1 are covered by the present invention.

The present invention also relates to the installation of such a wedging device 3. This installation is detailed with reference to FIGS. 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d.

In FIG. 7a, a lifting device 28, such as a sling for example, passing through the lifting points 21a and 21b located on the wedging device 3, brings the wedging device 3 near the conductive tube 1 and the guide 2 of the conductive tube 1 in the direction of arrow 29. A robot 30, using one of its arms 31, grips the wedging device 3 by the handle 4, allowing the robot 30 to move and orient the device. wedging 3.

In FIG. 7b, the robot 30, gripping the wedging device 3 by the handle 4, pushes the wedging device 3 in the direction of the arrow 32, so as to be placed around the conductive tube 1.

Then, when the wedging device 3, by its closing lever 16, comes into contact with the conductive tube 1 and is pressed against the latter by the thrust of the wedging device 3 in the direction of arrow 32 by the robot 30, the wedging device 3 automatically closes on the conductive tube 1, as illustrated in FIG. 7c. A portion of each screw 23 is inserted between each of the corresponding holding interfaces 24 and the locking hook 17 abuts against the lug 18 of the pawl system 11.

Prior to the closing of the wedging device 3, the fastener preventing accidental closing of the wedging device 3 during its handling, is broken by the robot 30.

The lifting device 28 is then released, giving slack to the robot 30 in order to slide the wedging device 3 along the conductive tube 1 so as to position it near the guide 2 of the conductive tube 1.

The wedging device 3 is placed on the guide 2 of the conductive tube 1, allowing the robot 30 to rotate the wedging device 3 by approximately 90 ° on the conductive tube 1, so that the robot 30 has access to three screws 23, in order to tighten the wedging device 3 on the conductive tube 1.

The robot 30 tightens the holder 10 using a tool configured to receive the head 25 of each screw 23 of the holder 10.

Each arm 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d is then deployed by the robot 30 using a tool configured to receive the head 19 of each second part 8 of each arm 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d, independently one on the other, so as to fill the space between the conductive tube 1 and the guide 2 of the conductive tube 1 at the level of these arms 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d. These arms 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d are made of metal, thus guaranteeing a service life of the wedge system 5, of at least twenty-five years.

It should be noted that the wedging device 3, designed to be installed by the robot 30, can also be installed by divers.

Claims

1. Wedging device (3) configured to be installed on at least one structure, said structure comprising a conductive tube (1) and a guide (2) of said conductive tube (1), said device (3) comprising two half-shells (14a) and (14b) extending along a longitudinal axis (A) of elongation and configured to pass from an open position of installation to a closed position installed, and comprising a wedge system (5), said system wedge comprising at least one arm (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) configured to slide along an axis parallel to said longitudinal axis (A), so as to fit between the conductive tube (1) and the guide (2) of said conductive tube (1), the at least one arm (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) having an end provided with at least one wedge (20) having an increasing thickness as one moves away from said end.

2. Wedging device (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one arm (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) comprises at least three parts (7,8,9), a first part (7 ) configured to slide along said axis parallel to said longitudinal axis (A), a second part (8) configured to move said first part (7), a third part (9) configured to fit between said conductive tube (1) and said guide (2) of said conductive tube (1).

3. Wedging device (3) according to claim 2, characterized in that said third part (9) comprises said end provided with at least one corner, said third part (9) having a stepped structure.

4. Wedging device (3) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that said second part (8) comprises a head (19) arranged on one end of said second part (8).

5. Wedging device (3) according to claim 4, characterized in that said head (19) is of hexagonal shape.

6. Wedging device (3) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that said first part (7) is slidably mounted on a guide system (26).

7. A wedging device (3) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that said wedging device (3) comprises four arms (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d).

8. A wedging device (3) according to claim 7, characterized in that said four arms (6a, 6b, 6c and 6d) are uniformly distributed around said wedging device (3).

9. A wedging device (3) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that each arm (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) is configured to move independently of the others.

10. A wedging device (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said wedging device (3) comprises a fastener configured to hold said wedging device (3) in the open position.

11. Wedging device (3) according to claim 10, characterized in that a ring (22a, 22b) configured to receive said fastener is arranged on each of the half-shells (14a) and (14b).

12. Installation comprising a conductive tube (1) and a guide (2) of the conductive tube (1) and at least one wedging device (3) according to any one of the preceding claims configured to fill a space between the conductive tube ( 1) and the guide (2) of said conductive tube (1).

13. Installation according to claim 12, characterized in that said wedging device (3) is installed by a robot (30).