Abstract:
La présente invention concerne une installation de liaison fond-surface pour conduite sous-marine (10) reposant au fond de la mer, notamment à grande profondeur, du type tour-hybride comprenant une embase statique (13-18) posée sur le fond. Dans l'installation selon la présente invention: 1- ledit riser vertical comprend une portion de conduite terminale (5 1 ), et un joint flexible (19) lequel autorise des mouvements angulaires (α) de ladite partie supérieure (5 2 ) par rapport à ladite portion de conduite terminale (5 1 ); et 2- la partie terminale (11) de ladite conduite reposant au fond de la mer présente une courbure terminale en forme de coude, et 3- ladite portion terminale (5 1 ) du riser vertical est reliée à ladite courbure terminale (11) par un unique élément de raccordement (12); et 4- ladite embase (13-18) maintient rigidement en position verticale fixe et reliées l'une à l'autre par l'intermédiaire dudit élément de raccordement (12): ladite portion de conduite terminale (5 1 ) et ladite courbure terminale en forme de coude (11) celle-ci étant tournée vers le haut.
Abstract:
Device for subsea metrology of distance and relative orientation of a first termination (10) with a local reference system (xr, yr, zr) and which by means of a jumper spool piece (5) is going to be connected to a separate second termination (20) having a local reference system (xB, yB, zB), characterized by a base metrology unit (2) arranged for being carried by an ROV (4), and arranged for aligned arrangement with the second or the first termination's (20, 10) reference system, and comprising the following features: a wire (3) with an extractable first end (31) being arranged for being attached to a receptacle device (7, 7') arranged on the termination (10, 20) for receiving the wire's (3) first end (31) or a metrology unit and with a wire tensioner device (32) arranged for tensioning the wire (3) between the base metrology unit (2) and the receptacle device (7, 7'); a wire length sensor (34) arranged for measuring the length (DrB) of the extended taut wire (3); a relative azimuth sensing device (92) arranged to measure [and store] the relative azimuth ( theta B, theta r) value of the taut wire (3) with respect to the base metrology unit's (2) mainly horizontal axes (xB, yB); and a submerged-depth sensor (52) arranged for measuring the submerged depth (dB) of the base metrology unit (2).
Abstract:
A connector assembly (10) comprises a male assembly (100), including a plurality of male connectors (22) in functional communication with a first set of electric/hydraulic lines; a female assembly (200), including a plurality of female connectors (37) in functional communication with a second set of electric/hydraulic lines; a means for vertically aligning (400); and a means for horizontally aligning (500). Male assembly (100) is fixed in the appropriate underwater location, and female assembly (200) is transported, normally by an ROV, to such underwater location. Female assembly (200) is then positioned into a properly aligned position in relation to male assembly (100) in preparation for their coupling. Means for vertically aligning (400) first ensures that the male and female connecting elements are properly aligned in the vertical direction during their coupling. Thereafter, means for horizontally aligning (500) ensures that male and female connecting elements are properly aligned in the horizontal direction during their coupling. Once vertical and horizontal alignment means have properly aligned the assemblies, means for functionally engaging (258) couples the female connecting elements (37) to the male connecting elements (22).
Abstract:
Method for connecting underwater pipelines characterised by the following steps: installation of a pipeline (7) on a seabed fixed frame (2); laying of an outboard pipeline (10) by a lay barge; installation of a subsea winch (28) within the frame; actuation of the winch by a ROV (26A) to unwind the cable (33) of the winch, aided by a second ROV (26B) bringing and connecting the end of the cable to the outboard pipeline; winding of the cable and following deflection of the outboard pipeline up to the frame; installation of a metrology system (38) to define the distance and angular misalignment between the two pipelines ends to be connected; assembly of a connection system (50) with telescopic capabilities using the measurements of the metrology system and using a dedicated frame installed on board the support ship; installation of the connection system on the seabed fixed frame and connection of the connection system with the pipelines ends.
Abstract:
An overboarding quadrant (116) for underwater remotely releasing a flexible elongate submersible element (110) positioned thereupon. The overboarding quadrant (116) comprises a support (126) for lifting and lowering a flexible elongate submersible element (110), at least one restraint (150) to hold the flexible elongate submersible element (110) captive, and a restraint control mechanism (156), which is operable remotely. The restraint control mechanism (156) is arranged to move the restraint (150) between a captive condition and a release condition. A system including an overboarding quadrant (116) and a remote controller is also provided.A method of releasing a flexible elongate submersible element (110) from an overboarding quadrant (116). A method of resetting an overboarding quadrant (116) is also provided.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a method of positioning an end (210) of a pipeline (200) on a subsea structure (300). The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a channel (305) on the subsea structure, the channel having an open end adjacent to a receptacle (335) on the subsea structure, (b) providing a pipeline, (c) attaching a connector (325) to an end of the pipeline, (d) laying the end of the pipeline with the connector attached into the channel, and (e) pulling the pipeline end along the channel such that the connector exits the open end of the channel and is received by the receptacle. The invention also relates to a channel for use in the method and a subsea structure wherein the channel is provided on the upper surface of the subsea structure.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for direct tie-in of pipelines. An apparatus is attached to a portion of a pipeline 1, the apparatus comprising a tensioning member 2 and a buoyancy element 3 attached to the tensioning member 2 such, that when submerged, the pipeline 1 is deflected as a result of a buoyancy force tensioning the tensioning member 2, and on releasing the buoyancy element 2, direct tie-in of the pipeline is performed.
Abstract:
A termination arrangement (1) which is to be used for connecting an end of a first conduit to an end of a second conduit and which comprises: - a base structure (20); - a sliding unit (30) slidably mounted to the base structure; - a hub (4) mounted to the sliding unit at a front end thereof; and - a valve (40) mounted to the sliding unit at a rear end thereof. The valve comprising: • a valve housing (41) to which the end of the first conduit is to be connected, • a fluid channel (42) extending through the valve housing, and • a valve member (43) which is moveable between an open position, in which flow of fluid through the fluid channel is allowed, and a closed position, in which flow of fluid through the fluid channel is prevented. The valve housing and hub are rotatably mounted to the sliding unit.
Abstract:
A submersible mixing and sampling apparatus comprises submersible supply systems (12, 14) for first and second liquid components such as a thermoset resin and a curing agent. Each supply system comprises a respective submersible tank (24) for holding a respective one of the liquid components. Submersible mixers (46, 48, 50) downstream of the supply systems mix the liquid components underwater to form a curable mixture for injection into a subsea chamber such as a tee (102). Submersible sampling devices downstream of the mixers take samples (94) of the mixture underwater before, during and after injection, and optionally also at the surface. The samples may be cured and tested underwater or may be lifted to the surface for testing. The apparatus may be mounted on a subsea skid (100) or basket.
Abstract:
A subsea drying system (10) for drying a chamber (12) underwater comprises: upstream piping (24, 26, 28) for conveying a pressurised drying fluid from a source (18) to the chamber (12); and downstream piping (36, 38, 40) for expelling liquid displaced from the chamber (12) by the drying fluid in an open-loop dewatering mode. In a closed-loop dehumidifying mode, a recirculation path (54) between the downstream piping (36, 38, 40) and the upstream piping (24, 26, 28) conveys drying fluid exiting the chamber (12) back into the chamber (12) after passing through a dehumidifier (58). A valve system selectively closes and opens the recirculation path to expel displaced liquid when that path is closed and to recirculate drying fluid from the chamber (12) through the dehumidifier (58) to the upstream piping (24, 26, 28) when that path is open.