BRPI1105620A2 - marine riser housing assembly, Method for mounting a marine riser housing, and riser housing - Google Patents

Abstract

ACCOMMODATION SET FOR A MARINE UP TUBE, A METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING A ACCOMMODATION ON A MARINE UP TUBE, AND ACCOMMODATION FOR A REAR TUBE. A housing assembly for a marine riser having a first and second glove members connected together to form a glove. The sleeve elements having a male section at one end and a female section comprising a socket with a throttle at the other end, and an axial hole extending between the ends, the hole receiving a marine riser. The male section in the first sleeve element is adapted to be received into the socket of the female section in the other sleeve element. The inside diameter of the female section choke at its narrowest point is smaller than the outside diameter of the male section at its narrowest point. The male section is retained by the throttle and the sleeve elements are thereby connected together against axial separation. Also described is a method of mounting a marine riser housing and a riser housing.

Description

THE SEA, FAKA METHOD

MARINE UP TUBE, AND ACCOMMODATION FOR A

UP "accommodation

The present invention relates to

, -A, undersea well (located in inner diameter) bee that connects - .head d P 9

seabed to a rig or a fishing vessel Flexible rising tubes can carry fluid to the head

Rising SMTls may be rigid or flexible. Upright Tubes Typically multi-layered — Inner layers typically form tubulars for and

to support, different protection

respective orientations ^ p- ^ ^ in a

- 0 other layers can be

the layer and axial tension in one another

—--——-

■ ■ The fiddlehead a portion around the head near the head and then

will fit into the seabed. This follows ^ &

called the point that ^ ^ ^ il-prone to damage

catentoTir :: - ^ li -—-- underwater structures nearby. Outer liners of the flexible riser are generally constructed of relatively low strength polymers, and the cyclic movement normally encountered in the TDP region of the riser as it moves may result in damage and eventual penetration of the outer liner. Penetration of seawater into the coating leads to secondary damage in the form of corrosion of metal reinforcements and degradation of other materials in the inner layers. The combined effect of corrosion and abrasion can lead to rapid failure of the riser and its various reinforcement elements. Abrasion and failure of axially reinforced LO ribbons and other elements that resist compression, tension and torsion can also lead to premature secondary failure of the tensile frame cables resulting in radial deformation or "bird cage", which can quickly reduce life. ascending tube, possibly causing rapid failure that goes unnoticed by

inspection.

According to the present invention there is provided a housing assembly for a riser pipe, the housing comprising at least first and second glove members connected together to form a glove, each glove member having two ends and an axial bore. extending between the ends, the hole being adapted to receive a riser within it, each of the glove members having a male section at one end and a female section comprising a socket with a choke at the other end, and wherein the section male in the first glove member is adapted to be received in the socket of the female section of the other glove member, where the inside diameter of the female section choke at its narrowest point is smaller than the outside diameter of the male section at its narrowest point. such that in the assembled housing assembly the male section is retained by the throttling of the socket whereby and glove are

20 connected together against axial separation.

The invention also provides a pipe housing

ascending comprising a male section at one end and a

female section at the other end, and wherein the male section comprises a

rod and a head at the end of the rod and in which the female section

comprises a socket with a choke that is narrower than the

socket, and where the female section choke has a larger diameter

than the diameter of the male section rod, but a smaller diameter than the

diameter of the head.

The invention provides a method of mounting a housing

in a riser, the method comprises providing first and second

glove elements, the glove elements each have two ends and

an axial hole extending between the ends, each of the

glove having a male section at one end and a female section

comprising a socket with a choke at the other end, and

wherein the method includes mounting the glove elements so that the

male section on the first sleeve element is located inside the socket

the female section into the other sleeve element such that the diameter

outside of the male section at its widest point is retained within the

socket by the throttling of the socket, and the method includes

mounting the sleeve elements in such a way that the hole of the sleeve elements

The sleeve accommodates the riser inside the hole.

Typically, male and female sections allow rotation

relative between the glove elements when the two are connected. Typically, male and female sections allow movement

relative pivot between the sleeve elements when the two are connected.

Optionally, the male and female sections may comprise respective ball and socket elements. Optionally, the ball in one of the glove elements is received within the socket in the other of the glove elements. The sphere may be spherical as the socket, but other configurations of sphere and socket elements may be used, provided that the socket and sphere correspond and the sphere may be axially limited within the socket. For example, the male section may optionally have some (or all) arched and / or flat faces to allow pivot articulation in some planes, but to prevent pivot movement in other planes. All faces of the male sections may be arched, but may have different radii or shapes. In other embodiments, the faces of the male section may be flat.

Optionally, the sleeve elements are connected to each other.

in series, oriented in the same direction. Typically, each glove member has the male section at its upper end and the female section at its lower end. Typically, glove elements connect via

locking.

Typically, many glove elements may be used to form the housing by joining glove elements adjacent end to end to create a long chain of desired length. The glove elements may be identical to each other, and may typically be used in any order, thereby facilitating assembly of the sleeve.

riser housing. Optionally, the housing may have a sleeve element

end terminal, typically two end cap sleeve elements.

which may optionally terminate the string of elements of

sleeve at one end of the housing, and optionally the

end terminal sleeves may differ from the sleeve elements in

they do not require (but may optionally have) either a male section

as a female at opposite ends of the end cap sleeve member.

far end. Optionally, the terminal block sleeve elements

end may have only one male section and one single section

female, but not both. Typically, one end-end sleeve element has only one male section, and the other end-end sleeve element has only one female section.

Typically, the glove elements have a locking mechanism.

lock adapted to lock the male section into the female section. The locking mechanism can be activated or deactivated from outside the hole of the

Glove elements.

Optionally the hitch mechanism allows rotation

relative of the glove elements when they are connected. Optionally, the

hitch mechanism allows relative pivot movement of glove elements

when they are connected but typically limits pivot movement

maximum allowed in a particular range.

Typically, glove elements are uniform, whatever

say that each glove element is identical, simplifying both the construction

how much installation. Each chain of glove elements typically begins and

ends with start / end end sleeve sleeve element

relevant.

The housing is particularly suitable for mounting on risers where abrasion is already evident to further protect a partially damaged riser from further loss of material.

coating.

The bore of the housing is typically of sufficient internal diameter to receive and contain a rising pipe. The forum typically accommodates the manufacturing and radial expansion tolerances of the flexible riser. The particular dimensions of the hole and riser into which the housing is mounted need not be precisely controlled, and a certain lateral movement, or other movement, of the riser within the housing of the mounted housing does not affect the protective features of the housing.

The riser is typically a flexible riser. The minimum bend radius (MBR) of the housing is typically limited to a threshold greater than or equal to the riser pipe MBR within the housing forum, so that the riser pipe within the housing does not bend beyond its MBR and thus is damaged. Typically, the limitation is achieved by restricting the relative movement of the male and female sections in the sleeve elements (e.g., the ball and socket). Typically, the glove member material also has an MBR greater than or equal to the riser MBR. Typically, the male and female sections in the sleeve elements allow for limited curvature, but not beyond the housing MBR, which is typically determined by the shape of the sleeves.

interconnecting surfaces of male and female sections.

Glove elements are typically formed of a polymer such as a plastics material and may optionally be cast or extruded, or otherwise formed into a single piece, i.e. a single molding. Typically, the glove elements are cast from a heavy polyurethane material such as 90A PU, but other materials may be used. The glove elements may be constructed of resilient material to allow a degree of curvature between the ends of the glove element, which may assist in reducing internal projecting points in the hole between

The glove elements connected. Typically, the male and female sections allow connection

between glove elements in a variety of different angular positions

relative glove elements, thus allowing a progressive curve

adopted by the housing. Typically, the locking mechanism can

allow relative pivot movement between the glove elements during

connection.

The housing is typically extended into the TDP of a flexible riser pipe and can provide effective riser protection against abrasion or other damage by contact with the riser outer casing, reducing damage caused by abrasion or impact of the pipe against coral, rock. , sand and other pipes.

The sleeve elements are optionally adapted to be

extended and assembled by an ROV. Glove elements can be made

tailored to accommodate the radius of curvature of a rising pipe

can be optionally adjusted and optionally locked in

a specific radius of curvature. The accommodation typically does not contain

exposed metal components.

Optionally, the housing may have a "hook" and a

"stop" to prevent axial movement of the rising pipe within the

thus reducing the tendency for housing to migrate beyond

TDP

The housing may optionally be installed in an in-service riser, that is, without loss or interruption in service conditions, and may optionally be removed from a in-service riser to allow maintenance and servicing of the riser prior to subsequent reinstallation. of the accommodation. Individual sleeve element units may optionally be replaced if

required.

Typically, each glove section is kept at the same distance.

relative to adjacent elements.

The coupling mechanism may optionally comprise

a male and female part, in which both the male and female part

comprises a resilient component that deforms upon insertion and,

after insertion, resists extraction. The coupling mechanism can

comprise a tension tape comprising a flexible tape but not

which is tensioned by a tensioning device. THE

Tensioning device may comprise a latch.

The coupling mechanism may optionally include a

locking mechanism adapted to lock the male and female parts together and lock the coupling mechanism so as not to extract the male part from the female part. Optionally, the coupling mechanism has a multistage closure with an initial closure stage that typically permits loose engagement and alignment of the male and female parts, and a second stage that completes the closure and prevents or restricts separation of the connected male and female parts. Typically, the second stage closure may comprise a threaded attachment such as a screw which may optionally be inserted into a threaded socket in the coupling mechanism when the male and female parts are correctly aligned to prevent their disconnection without removing the screw. Optionally, the bolt or other attachment may engage the resilient component of the coupling mechanism and prevent or restrict its deformation once the connector has been formed to resist extraction of the male section from the female section. Typically, the engaging mechanism may be recessed within the body of the glove member, typically in the female section of the glove member.

The coupling mechanism may optionally be configured to apply radial compression to the female section of the glove element,

typically on the outside of the female section.

The female section of the glove member may include an insert. THE

insert may be a pinch insert. The insert may be made of polyether polyurethane and may have a Shore hardness of 80D. The insert may include a conjugate sleeve which is in use tightened in the riser. The conjugate glove may be made of neoprene polychloroprene and may have a Shore hardness of 70A.

Optionally, the glove members may have at least one division extending between the two ends of the glove members, allowing the glove members to be split and mounted on an existing riser. Optionally, the division is an axial division extending parallel to the central axis, but helical, or other divisions could be used as long as it extends between the two ends. Optionally, the glove elements may have more than one division, and may optionally be formed as separate partial shells, for example in two, three, four or more segments which are mounted around the riser to complete the glove element and accommodate the riser into the hole of the assembled sleeve element. In a particular embodiment, the glove elements may be formed by two half-shell segments. Shell segments can be the same size or

uneven size.

Half segments are typically packaged in pairs (or

three, etc., if three shell segments are required to assemble a glove element). A pair of segments can be attached with sacrificial ribbons and the assembled shells can be arranged on a slide rail to extend into the seabed for mounting the housing by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). Typically, the glove elements are mounted on spikes in the slide rail which are provided to spacer pairs on the slide rail to allow recovery by an ROV and restrict premature activation of the coupling mechanism. Sleeve elements can also be attached to the base of the slide rail, providing a solid mounting location and packing of

high density.

The slide rail can optionally be extended to the seabed on a containment base where the slide rails can either be individually removed and placed along the length of the pipe ready for installation, or the glove member sections can be removed as well. an individual pair of containment base. The slide rails at the base of the container may optionally slide off one end and may be prevented from accidental movement out of this location by a locking pin. If the riser pipe TDP extends well above the seabed, the container base may be lifted and held off the vessel's crane or winch.

Sleeve elements are typically installed in the riser by an ROV, typically equipped with an installation tool adapted to lift and orient the pair of half risers for mounting in the riser. Connection complexities can be projected into the tool (eg alignment and tightening capabilities) rather than being incorporated into a housing element that remains in the harsh underwater environment. Typically, the ROV carries a four-pronged tool and the housing may be installed by a working class ROB. The installation tool typically allows alignment and subsequent activation of the coupling mechanism prior to being removed from the housing after the connection has been formed. The tool then allows selection of the next sleeve element from a rack system.

submarine or extension basket.

Typically, the tool allows the two shells of the

sleeve element is fitted and lifted from the extension basket, transported to the riser

piece of equipment.

Typically, the unlocking point of the glove elements

is selected to limit the housing MBR to be greater than or equal to the riser MBR itself. As a result, high bending loads are not typically transferred to the riser, and are spread evenly along the tubular housing from one glove member to the next. Tolerances between the sleeve elements, for example, especially on the mating faces of the male and female sections, typically allow sufficient clearance to allow free relative rotation in the assembled connector and typically allow a moderate degree of swelling due to water absorption by the plastics material. while still allowing the glove elements to perform their full functions. During extension of the housing on the TDP, it may be necessary to lift the riser to engage the segments of the glove elements around it. This is relatively straightforward and can be done by floating bags.

to allow localized lifting of hoses.

Various aspects of the present invention may be practiced.

alone or in combination with one or more of the other aspects, as skilled in the art may realize. Various aspects of the invention may optionally be provided in combination with one or more optional features of the other aspects of the invention. Also, optional features described with respect to one embodiment may typically be combined alone or together with other features in different embodiments of the embodiment.

invention.

Various embodiments and aspects of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. Still other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from its full description, including the figures, which illustrate numerous exemplary embodiments and aspects and implementations. The invention is also capable of other and different embodiments and aspects, and its various details may be modified in various aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, drawings and descriptions should be considered as illustrative rather than restrictive in nature. In addition, the terminology and phraseology used herein is for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope. Language such as "including", "comprising", "having", "containing" or "involving" and its variations is intended to be comprehensive and encompass the subject matter listed below, equivalents and additional unquoted subject matter, and not is intended to exclude other additives, components, whole parts or steps. Similarly, the term "comprising" is considered synonymous with the terms "including" or "containing" for applicable legal purposes. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like is included in the specification only for the purpose of providing context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that all or any of these matters formed part of the background of the prior art or where common general knowledge in the relevant field.

of the present invention.

In this revelation, whenever a composition, an element

or a group of elements is preceded by the transitional term

"understanding", it should be understood that the same

composition, element or group of elements of the transitional terms

"consisting essentially of" consisting "," selected from the group which

consists of "," including "or" is "preceding the quotation of the composition,

element or group of elements, and vice versa.

All numerical values in this disclosure are understood to be

modified by "about". All singular element forms, or any other component described herein, are intended to include their forms

plurals, and vice versa. BRiVEJ ^

Figure 1 is a side sectional view of a set of

housing in place over a riser;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the assembly of

housing and riser of FIG. 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a half shell of

a sleeve member of the housing assembly of FIG. 1; Figures 4 and 5 are left and right side views of the sock

shell of figure 3;

Fig. 6 is a front view of the half shell of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a top view of the half shell of Fig. 3;

Figure 8 is an extension slide rail loaded with pairs of half shells shown in Figure 3;

Figures 9, 10 and 11 are end and plan side views.

the slide rail of figure 8;

Figure 12 is an exploded view of one of the half pairs

shell in the slide rail of figure 8;

Figure 13 is an exploded view of a pair of elements of

sleeve in the housing of figure 1;

Figures 14, 15 and 16 are side and plan perspective views.

a coupling mechanism used in the housing of figure 1; Figures 17 and 18 are sequential views of a procedure

float pipe before installation of housing 1;

Figures 19 to 23 are sequential perspective views of the

riser 1 installation procedure from a

seabed slip using a ROV tool to assemble

sleeve elements around riser R;

Figure 24 is a side sectional view of the assembly of

housing including a clamping insert and conjugate glove;

Figure 25 is a perspective view of the assembly of

housing and clamping insert of figure 24; Figure 26 is a cross-sectional view of the two

sleeve elements, clamping inserts and conjugate sleeve;

Fig. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the glove

conjugate;

Figure 28 is an end view of the housing

shown in figure 26;

Figure 29 is a plan view of the housing shown in

Figure 26; and

Figure 30 is a perspective view of the clamping inserts corresponding to the two sleeve elements. Referring now to the drawings, an upright R connected between a vessel and a wellhead (not shown) has a region that touches the smoke T in the form of catenary loop. The point touching the bottom T usually suffers abrasive damage as a result of cyclic movement of the flexible riser R by localized wave and tidal forces. The housing 1 is installed on the outer surface of the riser R in the region of the point touching the bottom T to reduce the susceptibility of riser R to damage by contact such as abrasion and contact between riser R and other subsea structures. . The housing 1 is typically in the form of a sleeve extending around the entire outer circumference of the riser R to cover the entire outer surface, but a partial sleeve may optionally be sufficient to cover only part of the surface. The glove is typically comprised of glove elements 3, 4, 5, 6, etc. At least two glove elements are required to constitute the housing, but typically the housing comprises a larger number of glove elements. The glove elements may be added to the riser in any particular number to suit the environmental dimensions and conditions of the T-bottom point. Further glove elements may be added or removed from housing 1 in the manner required by the circumstances, such as will be described. Sleeve elements 3, 4 are shown in more detail in Figure 13. The sleeve elements constituting housing 1 are typically identical except that the end sleeve elements at the upper and lower ends of housing 1 may be different if desired. Sleeve elements can be made smaller for use on risers that have low MBRs (ie risers that are able to withstand bends with a small radius) and larger risers that have higher MBRs.

Sleeve elements 3 and 4 each have an upper end with a male section in the form of a generally spherical ball, a lower end with a female section in the form of a socket housing 14, and a tubular shaft 12 between sections. male and female. Ball 10 typically has partially round outer surfaces that extend radially outward from the ball to form a head at the upper end of the glove member. The diameter of the radially expanded head in the

The sphere is larger than the outside diameter of shaft 12.

The socket housing 14 at the other end of the element

3 has a generally spherical socket 15 with a throttle 15n at its open end. The round inner walls of socket 15 have an inner radius that typically marries and accommodates the outer radius of ball 10. Socket 15n choke 15n has a diameter that is smaller than the maximum ball diameter 10 and greater than the maximum shaft diameter 12, so that when ball 10 is received in socket 15, throttling 15n of socket 15 retains ball 10 within socket 15, thus preventing axial movement of ball 10 out of socket 15. As shown in Figure 13, ball 10 may be received within socket 15 at different angular positions, because the outside diameter of shaft 12 is smaller than the inside diameter of throttle 15n, as shown most clearly by the close view in figure 13 of the socket housing 14 in the sleeve member 3. In each of the angular positions, the ball head 10 is too large to pass through the throttle 15n of socket 15, so that the ball is always straight. inside the socket, independent of the relative angular positions of the glove elements 3, 4. Therefore, the ball 10 on the glove element 3 can pivot into the adjacent glove element socket 4, and the glove element ball 4 can pivot inside the socket of the glove element 5, and so on, forming a gradual stepped radius in the housing 1 along its length. Optionally, the individual glove elements can also bend along their length, smoothing the radius steps. The outer face of the socket choke 15n has a chamfered edge 16, shown more clearly in Figure 13. The chamfered edge 16 extends radially outwardly, and typically has a generally flat surface at the outer edge of socket 15n of socket 15. The flat chamfered edge 16 is typically set at an angle to the shaft of the glove member which typically matches the corner angle formed between the ball surface 10 and the upper end of the shaft 12, as best shown in Figure 13 by the end. of the glove element 3 which is received within the glove element socket 4. The pivot movement of the glove element 3 within the glove element socket 4 is limited by the chamfered edge 16 in the glove element socket 4 by pressing the The outer surface of the shaft 12 of the glove member 3. Therefore, the glove member 3 can freely pivot relative to the glove member 4 until the chamfered edge 16 abuts the lip. from the outside of shaft 12, at which point further pivot deviation of glove element 3 off axis of glove element 4 will be prevented. Thus, the locking connection between the male and female sections of housing 1 limits the pivot movement between the

two, and this effectively limits the MBR of the mounted housing 1.

The chamfer angle can be set to any value

to allow greater or lesser angular deviation of the two sleeve elements. This may be varied in different embodiments of the invention to limit the minimum bend radius (MBR) of housing 1 to a value greater than or equal to the riser MBR, which may differ in each case.

case.

The glove elements 3, 4, 5, etc. all have a central bore B with an inner diameter that is adapted to receive the riser R into the bore B. As the housing 1 is mounted on the riser R by integrating the sleeve elements with each other, the interaction of the male sections and female on each adjacent sleeve element limits the entire assembly MBR to a value that is greater than or equal to the riser MBR,

thus preventing curvature of the riser R beyond its MBR.

Referring now to Figures 3-7, each glove element (the

glove element 3 is shown in detail in these figures) is made of two conjugate half shells a, b, only one of which is shown in figures 3-7. The various parts of connector 3 are described in figures 3-7 with the suffix "a", indicating the corresponding part of the sleeve element in the sock.

shell 3 a.

As shown in figures 3-7, each half shell 3a, 3b circumscribes approximately 180 degrees of the circumference of housing 1. In this example, two half shells are provided which connect together to form assembled glove member 3, but it is possible to use three shells, or four, or some other number according to the desired dimensions of the riser R. The hole B through the glove member 3 is generally coaxial with the glove member, and typically consists of three parts; in a central section corresponding to axis 12, the forum B has essentially constant diameter, and is slightly larger than the riser R which is accommodated within the beam. At the upper end in the ball 10, the inner bore has a smooth beveled edge 11 that increases radius toward the open end of the glove member. Typically, the beveled face 11 on the inner surface of the ball 10 has a slightly sharper angle to the axis of the glove member 3 than the corresponding angle of the beveled face 16 on the outer face of socket 15, such that a glove member lower 3 pivot around the ball and socket joint with respect to an upper sleeve element 4 until the chamfered surface 16 engages the outer surface of the shaft 12, thereby limiting the additional pivot movement of the two sleeve elements 3, 4, in which point the chamfered face 11 has not yet engaged with the outer surface of the riser pipe R, and thus point loads are typically not transferred to the riser pipe by the chamfered face bolt 11, even at the most extreme pivot movement allowed by the

accommodation 1.

The inside diameter of hole B has a fairly loose tolerance with the riser, which is able to move laterally within the hole to a certain extent to avoid being trapped or clamped within the sleeve as the glove member pivots with respect to it. to one another at the point

that touches the bottom T.

At the lower end of sleeve element 3, hole B widens

up to the spherical female socket 15 to receive the ball 10 of the next glove element below it. Typically, the inner semi-spherical surface of the Temea 15 socket is a fair tolerance to the outer surface of the sphere 10, and the radii of the two sections closely match each other so that while the pivot and rotational movement of the two elements of the socket is allowed. glove 3, 4, the permitted movement ranges are strictly defined. The IO ball and socket 15 may optionally have arcuate and flat faces.

The outer surface of the female section 14 typically has at least one and typically a pair of recesses 20 for receiving a latch device 27. The latch device 27 typically comprises a non-extensible but flexible area 25, typically comprising a mesh tape or metal, for example steel. Strip 25 (see Figures 9 and 10) typically extends over recess 20, which receives and retains a pair of locking blocks 28a, b which are buried in recess 20, preventing the movement of blocks 28a, b out of recess 20 when housing 1 is mounted with the strip quoting recess 20. Optionally, blocks 28a, b are connected at respective ends of strip 25. One of blocks 28a contains a staple receiving recess, and the other 28b comprises a movable striking clamp with a resilient pair of arms that can be extended to recess in operation of the coupling mechanism. Typically, when an area 25 is in place around the assembled pair of more shells, as shown in Figure 12, the clamp on block 28b may be pushed into the recess in the other block 28a to hold the pair of shells together, but still allow radial separation of the two half shells to a certain extent. This is the position shown in figure 12 where the shells are mounted on the slide rail in the first stage of the connection, with an axial split of zero degree and 180 degrees on each pair of half shells. In this configuration, the struck clamp arms were received in the recess in the engaging mechanism of each pair of half shells, but the connection between the two socks

shells was not completed.

The coupling mechanism typically has a

second stage in which a clamping screw 29 is threaded through the clamp and through the clamp arms into the threaded socket in the recess receiving the clamping screw. Continued tensioning of the clamping screw 29 groups the two blocks 28a, b as the clamping screw 29 is screwed into the threaded socket, which forms the connection by the grouping of the two half shells, and locking them to prevent their radial separation. . Optionally, a pair of blocks may be provided on each side of the assembled glove element, i.e. at zero degree and 180 degrees, or a single pair of blocks may be provided, if desired. Placement of the fixing screw through the clamp arms has the additional advantage that the clamp arms can no longer move toward each other to escape the clamp receiving recess, thereby stabilizing

further the connection.

Typically, half shells can be mounted with the

first-stage connection (using the clamp but not the set screw) and loaded onto a slide rail as shown in figure 8 to extend into the seabed. Alternatively, the half shells may be mounted on the slide rail and held in pairs by sacrificial ribbons (not shown) which are broken as the half pairs 10

shells are lifted from the respective spikes on the slide rail.

Female section 14 has numerous lateral edges 30 if

extending through the thicker sidewall of the female section 14, and these typically extend close to the surface of the female section 14 so that they do not emerge within the inner socket 15. Typically, four lateral forums are provided, which are all typically aligned with each other, perpendicular to the axis of forum B. The lateral forums 30 serve as handles

ROV installation tool to be described.

An installation method for installing the housing 1 in the pipe

Ascending R will now be described with reference to Figures 17-23. If

If necessary, riser R can be floated using float bags

using established techniques to attach float modules at intervals

along the rising tube R in order to raise the point that touches the bottom T

from the seabed. Once the point that touches the bottom T to be housed is

ROV, and a sufficient supply of glove

provided on the seabed, or suspended by a vessel, typically

loaded on slide rails, an ROV (not shown) approaches

slide rail and has an installation tool 40 every

Pair of half shells loaded on the slide rail. The tool of

installation 40 typically has two pairs of stringers that are parallel to one

each other and are set at the same spacing as the lateral forums 30

through female section 14. A pair of stringers is provided in one bar

static, and another pair of stringers are provided in a movable bar. The bar

It is adapted to move laterally with respect to the static bar in order to

to increase and decrease lateral spacing between static and movable bars

and consequently adjust the lateral spacing between the half shells 3a

and 3b when they are mounted on the stringers. ROV adjusts the

movable bar spacing by a screw thread mechanism

or hydraulic, or the like, to match the lateral spacing between the holes 30 and

15 5

the half shells 3a and 3b and, when the stringers are aligned with the holes, the tool 40 strikes the stringers on the holes 30 to fit the half shells on the stringers. This configuration is shown in figure 20. The ROV then lifts the pair of half shells supported by the free spigot spars on the slide rail, as shown in figure 21, and moves them to

the riser R for mounting.

In the riser, the tool 40 can be rotated to

adjust the angular position of the tool 40 relative to the angular position of the

rising pipe, and the movable bay may be wound back by means of the

screw threads, etc., to increase lateral spacing between socks

shells 3a and 3b as shown in figure 22. The screw adjusters

controlling the lateral separation between the static and movable bars are then

inverted to close the half shells together as shown in

23, and optionally the screw thread arrangement in tool 40

can be used to apply radial pressure to keep the half shells

together while the coupling mechanism 27 is being secured. The same

ROV can optionally drive set screw head 29

to engage the threaded socket and constitute the coupling mechanism for

clamp the two halves 3a, 3b together around the riser R.

note that as the two halves of the glove member 3a, 3b

approach each other radially from opposite sides of the pipe

upward R, the glove element sphere immediately below the

glove element 3 being applied to the riser is captured

inside the two half shells that make up socket 15 so that the

The male section head on the lower sleeve member is retained within the

socket by throttle 15n of female section 14 in sleeve element 3.

Additional glove elements are then applied in the same manner until the

point touching bottom T is adequately covered by housing 1. The

coupling mechanism applied to the external surface of the female sections

20

25 also holds the half shells of the male sections, securing the surface

ball inside the socket.

The relative angular position of adjacent glove elements

can be set to the desired value before the coupling mechanism is

activated to close the two half shells together. The tensioning of the tape 25

can optionally apply sufficient pressure to the Temea section to secure the

male section head inside socket 15 and optionally can be used

to prevent relative movement but typically the glove elements

can be used to move relative to each other within

defined boundaries that are set by the beveled edges in the sections

male and female, which allows relative movement of housing and tube

R without transferring forces to the riser R. The surface

external riser tube R is protected against abrasion by

If a glove element is damaged or worn, it may

typically be replaced by a simple glove element replacement

without disassembling or disconnecting the riser.

Figure 24 shows housing 100 in the region of the point that

touch the bottom Τ. The housing 100 forms a glove consisting of elements

identical gloves 103, 104, 105, etc. The end sleeve elements 106 and

107 includes grip inserts Ua and 110b. Clamping inserts 110a and

IlOb include a conjugated glove lia (and Ilb (not shown)) that hold

in the riser (not shown) passing through housing B

100 to prevent the sleeve elements 103, 104, 105 and others from

housing 100 slides along the riser (not shown) when

in use. Clamping inserts 110a and 110b are made of polyether polyurethane and

can have a Shore hardness of 80 D. These features are shown with

more details in figure 26 and described below.

End sleeve element 107 is not the same as the other

end sleeve member 106. This 106 has the same shape and has a section 10

15

20

25

male and female, like the other sleeve elements 103, 104, 105, etc., but additionally includes the clamping inserts 110a and 110b. End sleeve member 107 has two female sections in the form of socket housings 114, rather than one male and one female section like the other sleeve elements 103, 104, 105 and 106. Clamping inserts 110a and 110b and conjugated sleeve IIIa located on end sleeve members 106 and 107 are the same. End sleeve element 106 is first installed in the riser (not shown) and end sleeve element 107 installed by

last.

Figure 25 shows a perspective view of housing assembly 100 and clamping inserts 110a and 110b shown in Figure 24 and

described above.

Figure 26 shows housing 106 and sleeve elements

terminals 106a and 106b. The Illa conjugate sleeve is attached to the inner surfaces 112 of the clamping inserts 110a and 110b. The outer surfaces 113 of the IlOa and 110b clamping inserts are shaped to match and make contact with the inner surfaces of the glove elements 106a and 106,

respectively.

The clamping insert 110a is attached to the glove member 106a by a head screw 115a. Clamping insert 110b is attached to the element

sleeve 106b by the head screw 115b.

Figure 27 shows the conjugate glove 11a in more detail.

The Illa conjugate sleeve has a 00Φ 116 and the outer surface with castings 117 facing into the housing B-portion 100 and in use, holds the riser (not shown). The conjugate glove lla (e 111b) is a rubber material and can be made of polychloroprene

neoprene and may have a Shore hardness of 70 A.

Figure 28 shows an end view of the housing

106 shown in Fig. 26 and previously described. Fig. 29 is a plan view of the housing 106 consisting of two elements 106a and 106b. Figure 30 is a perspective view of the clamping inserts HOa and 110b corresponding to the two elements of Ivava 106a and 106b of

housing 106.

Modifications and improvements can be incorporated without departing from the scope of ΐηνεηςδο.

Claims (19)

1. Housing arrangement for a marine riser, characterized in that the housing comprises at least first and second Uva elements connected together to form a glove, each of the glove elements having two ends and 画 too axial extending. between the ends, the force being adapted to receive the marine riser into the hole, each of the glove members having a male section at one end and a female section comprising the socket with a throttle at the other end, and wherein the The male section in the first glove member is adapted to be received within the socket of the female section in the other sleeve member, where the inner diameter of the female section choke is at its narrowest point and smaller than the outer diameter of the male section. at its widest point, so that the housing assembly mounted on the male section is retained by the throttling of the socket whereby the glove elements are connected to each other against axial separation. Housing assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that the male and female sections allow relative rotation between the sleeve elements when the two are connected. Housing assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the male and female sections allow relative pivotal movement between the sleeve elements when the two are connected. Housing assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the glove elements have a locking mechanism adapted to lock the male section within the female section. Housing assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that the coupling mechanism is configured to be activated or deactivated outside the glove element nose. A housing assembly according to either of claims 4 and claim 5, wherein the engagement mechanism allows relative rotation and / or pivoting movement of the glove elements when they are connected. A housing assembly according to any one of claims 4 and claim 6, characterized in that the engaging mechanism comprises a male and female part, wherein both the male and female part comprise a resilient component which deforms by insertion and, after insertion, resists extraction of the male section from the female section. Housing assembly according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the coupling mechanism is configured to apply radial compression to the socket section of the glove member. Housing assembly according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the coupling mechanism is a multistage interlocking mechanism with a locking stage that loosely fits and aligns the male and female parts, and a second stage that completes the closure and restricts the separation of the connected male and female parts. Housing assembly according to any one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the locking mechanism includes the locking mechanism for locking the male and female parts together and locking the locking mechanism against extraction. male part and female part. Housing assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the male and female sections comprise respective ball and socket elements. Housing assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the minimum bending radius of the housing is limited to a threshold greater than or equal to the minimum bending radius of the riser pipe within the housing bore. Housing assembly according to Claim 12, characterized in that the relative movement of the male and female sections of the Iva elements is restricted, thereby limiting the minimum bending radius of the housing. Housing assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing has a hook and an anvil to limit the axial movement of the marine riser within the housing, thereby restricting the migration of the housing axially along the housing. of the marine rising tube. A method for mounting a housing in a marine riser characterized by the fact that it comprises first and second sleeve members, each of the elements of Iva having two ends and 碰 too axial extending between the ends, each of sleeve elements having a male section at one end and a female section comprising a socket with a throttle at the other end, and wherein the method includes mounting the sleeve elements so that the male section in the first sleeve element is located within. of the female section socket on the other glove member such that the outer diameter of the male section at its widest point is retained within the socket by the throttle of the socket, and wherein the method includes mounting the glove member in such a manner. that the hole of the glove elements accommodates the marine riser inside the hole. A method for mounting a marine riser housing according to claim 15, which includes the step of engaging the male and female sections in the other in a two-stage closing sequence, an initial stage. of the closing sequence by loosely engaging and aligning the male and female sections, and a second stage completing the closing sequence and engaging the male and female sections to restrict the separation of the connected male and female sections. Method for mounting a riser housing as defined in claim 15 or claim 16, characterized in that it includes the step of extending the housing at a point that touches the bottom of the marine riser. 18. Upright tube housing, characterized in that it comprises a male section at one end and a female section at the other end, wherein the male section comprises a rod and a head at the end of the rod, and wherein the female section comprises a socket with a choke that is narrower than the socket, and wherein the choke of the female section has a larger diameter than the diameter of the male section rod, but a smaller diameter than the diameter of the head. Housing according to claim 18, characterized in that the male and female sections comprise respective ball and socket elements.