U.S. patent application number 12/307969 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-21 for viv and/or drag reduction device installation systems and methods.
Invention is credited to Donald Wayne Allen, Stephen Paul Armstrong, Dean Leroy Henning.
Application Number | 20100014922 12/307969 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38924065 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100014922 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Allen; Donald Wayne ; et
al. |
January 21, 2010 |
VIV AND/OR DRAG REDUCTION DEVICE INSTALLATION SYSTEMS AND
METHODS
Abstract
There is disclosed a system comprising a structural element; a
transport tool carrying a plurality of VIV and/or drag reduction
devices; and an installation tool adapted to remove a VIV and/or
drag reduction device from the transport tool and to install the
device around the structural element.
Inventors: |
Allen; Donald Wayne;
(Richmond, TX) ; Armstrong; Stephen Paul;
(Houston, TX) ; Henning; Dean Leroy; (Needville,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SHELL OIL COMPANY
P O BOX 2463
HOUSTON
TX
772522463
US
|
Family ID: |
38924065 |
Appl. No.: |
12/307969 |
Filed: |
July 9, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
July 9, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US07/73057 |
371 Date: |
May 18, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60806882 |
Jul 10, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
405/224.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63B 2021/504 20130101;
B63B 21/502 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
405/224.2 |
International
Class: |
E02D 5/60 20060101
E02D005/60 |
Claims
1. A system comprising: a structural element; a transport tool
carrying a plurality of VIV and/or drag reduction devices; and an
installation tool adapted to remove a VIV and/or drag reduction
device from the transport tool and to install the device around the
structural element.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the structural element is
selected from the group consisting of a shell, a collar, an oil
flowline, a pipeline, a drilling riser, a production riser, a steel
tubular, import and export risers, subsea pipelines, tendons for
tension leg platforms, legs for traditional fixed and for compliant
platforms, space-frame members for platforms, cables, umbilicals,
mooring elements for deepwater platforms, hull structures for
tension leg platforms and for spar type structures, and column
structures for tension leg platforms and for spar type
structures.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the VIV and/or drag reduction
devices are selected from strakes and fairings.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the transport tool is carrying
from 2 to 10 VIV and/or drag reduction devices.
5. The system of claim 1, further comprising from 2 to 6 transport
tools, each carrying a plurality of VIV and/or drag reduction
devices, wherein the installation tool is adapted to remove a VIV
and/or drag reduction device from each of the transport tools.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein at least 2 of the transport tools
are connected to each other.
7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a remotely operated
vehicle (ROV), the ROV connected to the installation tool, and
adapted to move and activate the installation tool.
8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a vessel, the
installation tool connected to the vessel by a first umbilical, and
the transport tool connected to the vessel by a line.
9. The system of claim 8, further comprising a second transport
tool connected to the vessel by a second line.
10. The system of claim 8, wherein the transport tool comprises one
or more transport tools connected to the vessel by a line, wherein
the one or more transport tools are adapted to transport from 4 to
60 VIV and/or drag reduction devices from the vessel to the
installation tool for each trip of the one or more transport tools
from the vessel to the installation tool.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein the structural element is
located in a body of water, the system further comprising a surface
structure located at a surface of the body of water.
12. The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more
additional installation tools adapted to remove a VIV and/or drag
reduction device from the transport tool and to install the device
around the structural element.
13. The system of claim 12, further comprising one remotely
operated vehicle for each of the installation tools, wherein one
remotely operated vehicle is connected to each of the installation
tools, and adapted to move and activate the installation tool.
14. A method of installing one or more VIV and/or drag reduction
devices around a structural element comprising: moving a transport
tool carrying a plurality of VIV and/or drag reduction devices near
to the structural element; moving an installation tool near to the
transport tool; removing one or more VIV and/or drag reduction
devices from the transport tool to the installation tool; and
installing the one or more VIV and/or drag reduction devices around
the structural element with the installation tool.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the structural element is
selected from the group consisting of a shell, a collar, an oil
flowline, a pipeline, a drilling riser, a production riser, a steel
tubular, import and export risers, subsea pipelines, tendons for
tension leg platforms, legs for traditional fixed and for compliant
platforms, space-frame members for platforms, cables, umbilicals,
mooring elements for deepwater platforms, hull structures for
tension leg platforms and for spar type structures, and column
structures for tension leg platforms and for spar type
structures.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the VIV and/or drag reduction
devices are selected from strakes and fairings.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein the transport tool is carrying
from 2 to 10 VIV and/or drag reduction devices.
18. The method of claim 14, further comprising moving from 2 to 6
transport tools near to the structural element, each of the
transport tools carrying a plurality of VIV and/or drag reduction
devices.
19. The method of claim 14, further comprising connecting at least
2 transport tools to each other, then moving the transport tools
near to the structural element.
20. The method of claim 14, further comprising connecting the
installation tool to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), the ROV
adapted to move and activate the installation tool.
21. The method of claim 14, further comprising connecting the
installation tool to a vessel by a first umbilical, and connecting
the transport tool to the vessel by a second umbilical.
22. The method of claim 21, further comprising connecting a second
transport tool to the vessel by a third umbilical, and moving the
second transport tool near to the structural element.
23. The method of claim 14, wherein the transport tool comprises
one or more transport tools, the one or more transport tools
carrying from 4 to 60 VIV and/or drag reduction devices.
24. The method of claim 14, wherein the transport tool comprises
one or more transport tools, the one or more transport tools
carrying from 4 to 60 VIV and/or drag reduction devices, further
comprising lowering the one or more transport tools from a vessel
with one or more umbilicals, installing the VIV and/or drag
reduction devices around the structural element with the
installation tool, and retrieving the one or more transport tools
to the vessel with the one or more umbilicals.
25. The method of claim 24, further comprising reloading the one or
more transport tools at the vessel after they have been
retrieved.
26. The method of claim 25, further comprising lowering the
reloaded one or more transport tools from the vessel with the one
or more umbilicals.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure relates to VIV and/or drag reduction
device installation systems and methods. In particular to
installation systems and methods for use underwater.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Structural elements can be installed at sea from a floating
vessel using a J-lay configuration where the structural element is
held vertically on the vessel and dropped vertically into the water
and then when it reaches the bottom of the body of water, it lays
horizontal, or alternatively structural elements can be installed
in a S-lay configuration where the structural element is held
horizontally on the vessel, drops to vertical through the body of
water, and then rests on the bottom of the body of water in a
horizontal configuration. Other configurations for installing a
structural element from a vessel in a body of water are also
known.
[0003] Referring now to FIG. 1, system 100 for installing
structural element 114 on bottom 116 of body of water 112 is
illustrated. System 100 includes vessel 110 with tensioner 120 and
stinger 118. Tensioner 120 holds structural element 114 in a
horizontal configuration as it enters water, and then structural
element 114 rolls down stinger 118, then drops to a vertical
configuration, and then back to a horizontal configuration as it
lays on bottom 116. Tensioner 120 and vessel 110 have a sufficient
capacity to support structural element 114 as it is being
installed.
[0004] Currents in body of water 112 may cause vortexes to shed
from the sides of structural element 114. When these types of
structural elements, such as a cylinder, experience a current in a
flowing fluid environment, it is possible for the structural
element to experience vortex-induced vibrations (VIV). These
vibrations may be caused by oscillating dynamic forces on the
surface which can cause substantial vibrations of the structural
element, especially if the forcing frequency is at or near a
structural natural frequency.
[0005] There are generally two kinds of current-induced stresses in
flowing fluid environments. The first kind of stress is caused by
vortex-induced alternating forces that vibrate the structural
element ("vortex-induced vibrations") in a direction perpendicular
to the direction of the current. When fluid flows past the
structural element, vortices may be alternately shed from each side
of the structural element. This produces a fluctuating force on the
structural element transverse to the current. If the frequency of
this harmonic load is near the resonant frequency of the structural
element, large vibrations transverse to the current can occur.
These vibrations can, depending on the stiffness and the strength
of the structural element and any welds, lead to unacceptably short
fatigue lives. In fact, stresses caused by high current conditions
in marine environments have been known to cause structural elements
such as risers to break apart and fall to the ocean floor.
[0006] The second type of stress is caused by drag forces which
push the structural element in the direction of the current due to
the structural element's resistance to fluid flow. The drag forces
may be amplified by vortex induced vibrations of the structural
element. For instance, a riser pipe that is vibrating due to vortex
shedding will disrupt the flow of water around it more than a
stationary riser. This may result in more energy transfer from the
current to the riser, and hence more drag.
[0007] Some devices used to reduce vibrations caused by vortex
shedding from sub-sea structural elements operate by modifying the
boundary layer of the flow around the structural element to prevent
the correlation of vortex shedding along the length of the
structural element. Examples of such devices include sleeve-like
devices such as helical strake elements, shrouds, fairings and
substantially cylindrical sleeves. Currently available strake
elements and fairings cover part or all the circumference of a
cylindrical element or may be clamshell shaped to be installed
about the circumference.
[0008] Some VIV and/or drag reduction devices can be installed on
risers and similar structural elements before those structural
elements may be deployed underwater. Deploying structural elements
may damage the VIV and/or drag reduction devices by the
installation, for example by the stinger or rollers during an S-lay
installation. Alternatively, VIV and/or drag reduction devices can
be installed on structural elements after those structural elements
have been deployed underwater.
[0009] When installing a structural element in an S-lay
configuration, the structural element may travel over a stinger and
encounter one or more rollers on the stinger. A pre-installed VIV
and/or drag reduction devices may be damaged if it passes over the
stinger.
[0010] In addition, holding onto a structural element with a
tensioner may damage VIV and/or drag reduction devices. One
alternative is to install the devices on the structural element
after it passes over the rollers and the stinger.
[0011] In addition, VIV and/or drag reduction devices may have a
useful life less than the life of the structural element to which
they have been applied. In such a case, it may be desirable to have
a retrofit installation of VIV and/or drag reduction devices to a
structural element.
[0012] Retrofit installation of VIV and/or drag reduction devices
normally involves bringing the devices and any tools necessary to
install the devices to the desired depth and location. Currently,
the number of devices that can be transported to the desired depth
and location is limited, and may lead to increased costs and
installation time to transport additional devices to the desired
depth and location. In addition, in many configurations currently
in use, the tools necessary to install the devices are frequently
brought to the surface to reload the tools with devices.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 6,695,539 discloses apparatus and methods for
remotely installing vortex-induced vibration (VIV) reduction and
drag reduction devices on elongated structures in flowing fluid
environments. The apparatus is a tool for transporting and
installing the devices. The devices installed can include
clamshell-shaped strakes, shrouds, fairings, sleeves and flotation
modules, installed by a clamshell-shaped tool. U.S. Pat. No.
6,695,539 is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0014] There is a need in the art for an improved apparatus and
method for installing VIV and/or drag reduction devices. There is
another need in the art of apparatus for and new and improved
methods of installing VIV and/or drag reduction devices in a
flowing fluid environment. There is another need in the art of
apparatus for and new and improved methods of installing VIV and/or
drag reduction devices with fewer trips required to the surface for
additional devices. There is another need in the art of apparatus
for and new and improved methods of installing VIV and/or drag
reduction devices which does not require retrieving the tooling to
the surface to reload the tooling with additional devices.
[0015] These and other needs of the present disclosure will become
apparent to those of skill in the art upon review of this
specification, including its drawings and claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] One aspect of the invention provides a system comprising a
structural element; a transport tool carrying a plurality of VIV
and/or drag reduction devices; and an installation tool adapted to
remove a VIV and/or drag reduction device from the transport tool
and to install the device around the structural element.
[0017] Another aspect of the invention provides a method comprising
moving a transport tool carrying a plurality of VIV and/or drag
reduction devices near to the structural element; moving an
installation tool near to the transport tool; removing one or more
VIV and/or drag reduction devices from the transport tool to the
installation tool; and installing the one or more VIV and/or drag
reduction devices around the structural element with the
installation tool.
[0018] Advantages of the invention include one or more of the
following:
[0019] an improved apparatus and method for installing VIV and/or
drag reduction devices;
[0020] an apparatus for and new and improved methods of installing
VIV and/or drag reduction devices in a flowing fluid
environment;
[0021] an apparatus for and new and improved methods of installing
VIV and/or drag reduction devices with fewer trips required to the
surface for additional devices; and
[0022] an apparatus for and new and improved methods of installing
VIV and/or drag reduction devices which does not require retrieving
the tooling to the surface to reload the tooling with additional
devices.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a system for installing a structural
element in a body of water in an S-lay configuration.
[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates a system for a retrofit installation of
VIV and/or drag reduction devices to an existing element.
[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates a transport tool to transport and store
VIV and/or drag reduction devices.
[0026] FIGS. 4a-4c illustrate an installation tool to install VIV
and/or drag reduction devices.
[0027] FIGS. 5a and 5b illustrate an installation tool retrieving a
VIV and/or drag reduction device from a transport tool.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 2, in one embodiment of the invention,
system 200 is illustrated. System 200 includes vessel 210 in body
of water 212, installing VIV and/or drag reduction devices
224a-224e, for example strakes or fairings, on structural element
214. As shown, structural element 214 may be a riser, tendon,
connector, tubular, umbilical, or other structural or fluid
transportation member, and may be connected to surface structure
215. Remotely operated vehicle (ROV) 220 is connected by umbilical
221 to vessel 210. ROV 220 is also connected to installation tool
222, to install VIV and/or drag reduction device 224c on structural
element 214. Transport tool 226 is connected by line 227 to vessel
210. In some embodiments, line 227 may be an umbilical, a rope, a
cable, a wire, or others as are known in the art. Transport tool is
used to transport VIV and/or drag reduction devices 224d and 224e
from vessel 210 to near desired location of structural element
214.
[0029] In some embodiments, multiple transport tools 226 may be
used so that there is always a supply of VIV and/or drag reduction
devices 224a-224e available for installation tool 222 to install
VIV and/or drag reduction device 224c on structural element 214. In
some embodiments, transport tool 226 may be able to transport
and/store from about 2 to about 10 VIV and/or drag reduction
devices 224a-224e. In some embodiments, from about 2 to about 6
transport tools 226 may be connected to each other to transport
and/store from about 4 to about 60 VIV and/or drag reduction
devices 224a-224e per trip from vessel 210 to the desired location
of structural element 214. In some embodiments, one line may be
used to transport one or more transport tools 226. In some
embodiments, multiple lines may each be used to transport one or
more transport tools 226.
[0030] Structural element 214 has outside diameter D. In some
embodiments of the invention, outside diameter D may be from about
2 to 60 cm. In some embodiments of the invention, VIV and/or drag
reduction devices 224a-224e may be made of a polymer, such as a
thermoplastic polymer or a thermosetting polymer, for example
polypropylene, polyethylene, other polyolefins, or co-polymers of
olefins. In some embodiments of the invention, VIV and/or drag
reduction devices 224a-224e may be made of a composite, such as
fiberglass or carbon fiber composite. In some embodiments of the
invention, VIV and/or drag reduction devices 224a-224e may be made
of a metal, such as steel or aluminum. In some embodiments of the
invention, VIV and/or drag reduction devices 224a-224e may be
attached to a collar, pipe, shell, or other support apparatus. The
support apparatus and VIV and/or drag reduction devices 224a-224e
may then be installed about structural element 214.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 3, in some embodiments of the
invention, transport tool 326 is illustrated. Transport tool 326
includes handle 328, with connector 330 at one end. Core 329
surrounds handle 328. Holders 332a, 332b, 332c, and 332d are
attached on each side of core 329. Holder 332a is connected to
fairing 324a with fasteners 334a. Holder 332b is connected to
fairing 324b with fasteners 334b. Holder 332c is connected to
fairing 324c with fasteners 334c. Holder 332d is connected to
fairing 324d with fasteners 334d.
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 4a, in some embodiments of the
invention, installation tool 422 is illustrated. Installation tool
422 includes frame 422a, with arm 422b and arm 422c. Arms 422b and
422c move medially and distally relative to frame 422a by actuators
422d, for example pistons or a rack and pinion. Installation tool
422 is attached to fairing 424 by fasteners 422e. Fairing halves
can be connected by mating male connector 424a with female
connector 424b.
[0033] Referring now to FIG. 4b, in some embodiments of the
invention, installation tool 422 is illustrated. Fairing 424 has
conical openings 424c. Fairing 424 can be attached to installation
tool 422 by extending pins 422f into conical openings 424c. Fairing
424 can be released from installation tool 422 by retrieving pins
422f from conical openings 424c.
[0034] Referring now to FIG. 4c, in some embodiments of the
invention, installation tool 422 is illustrated. Fairing 424 has
under-reamed conical openings 424d. Fairing 424 can be attached to
installation tool 422 by extending pins 422g and extending
under-reamed portions into under-reamed conical openings 424d.
Fairing 424 can be released from installation tool 422 by
retrieving under-reamed portions and pins 422g from under-reamed
conical openings 424d.
[0035] In some embodiments, fairing 424 has male appurtenances
which installation tool can engage with female receptacles. The
female receptacles may be adapted to selectively engage and release
the male appurtenances on fairing 424.
[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 5a and 5b, in some embodiments of the
invention, VIV and/or drag reduction device installation system 500
is illustrated. System 500 includes remotely operated vehicle 520,
with various thrusters 520a adapted to move ROV 520 in desired
directions. System 500 includes installation tool 522 attached to
ROV 520, which is removing fairing 524c from transport tool 526 by
disengaging fasteners 534c. System 500 also includes transport tool
526. Transport tool 526 includes handle 528, with connector 530 at
one end. Core 529 surrounds handle 528. Holders 532a, 532b, 532c,
and 532d are attached on each side of core 529. Holder 532a is
connected to fairing 524a with fasteners. Holder 532b is connected
to fairing 524b with fasteners 534b. Holder 532c is connected to
fairing 524c with fasteners 534c. Holder 532d is connected to
fairing 524d.
[0037] In some embodiments of the invention, VIV and/or drag
reduction devices may be mounted around a structural element
according to the method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,695,539, which
is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0038] In some embodiments of the invention, VIV and/or drag
reduction devices may be installed about a structural element
according to the method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,734, which
is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0039] In some embodiments of the invention, VIV and/or drag
reduction devices may be installed about a structural element
according to the method disclosed in United States Patent
Application Publication No. 2003/0213113, which is herein
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0040] In some embodiments of the invention, the outside diameter
of a structural element to which VIV and/or drag reduction devices
can be attached may be from about 10 to about 50 cm. In some
embodiments of the invention, the height of VIV and/or drag
reduction devices may be from about 5% to about 50% of the
structural element's outside diameter. In some embodiments of the
invention, the height of VIV and/or drag reduction devices may be
from about 5 to about 50 cm, measured from the outside surface of
the structural element to the outside surface of the VIV and/or
drag reduction device.
[0041] In some embodiments of the invention, the structural element
may be cylindrical, or have an elliptical, oval, or polygonal
cross-section, for example a square, pentagon, hexagon, or
octagon.
[0042] In some embodiments, portions of structural element 214 may
be lowered onto bottom 216 of water 212. In some embodiments, water
212 has a depth of at least about 1000 meters, at least about 2000
meters, at least about 3000 meters, or at least about 4000 meters.
In some embodiments, water 212 has a depth up to about 10,000
meters.
[0043] In some embodiments of the invention, structural element 214
may be a pipeline, a crude oil flowline, a mooring line, a riser, a
tubular, or any other structural element installed in a body of
water. In some embodiments, structural element 214 may have a
diameter from about 0.1 to about 5 meters, and a length from about
10 to about 200 kilometers (km). In some embodiments, structural
element 214 may have a length to diameter ratio from about 100 to
about 100,000. In some embodiments, structural element 214 may be
composed from about 50 to about 30,000 tubular sections, each with
a diameter from about 10 cm to about 60 cm and a length from about
5 m to about 50 m, and a wall thickness from about 0.5 cm to about
5 cm.
[0044] In some embodiments, there is provided two (2) separate tool
packages, a transport tool to carry VIV suppression devices subsea
and an installation tool to attach the VIV suppression device to
the tubular.
[0045] In some embodiments, VIV suppression devices may be attached
to the transport tool on the surface by hand. The transport may
then be launched from the offshore subsea intervention vessel or
platform and lowered to a depth where the VIV suppression devices
are to be installed. The transport tool is configured so that the
ROV, with the installation tool attached can locate it and `dock`
the installation tool with the transport tool. The ROV operator
then functions the installation tool's VIV suppression device
acquisition feature and a VIV suppression device is transferred
from the transport tool to the installation tool.
[0046] In some embodiments, the installation tool may be a frame
that is built to fit a range of VIV suppression devices and be
attached to an ROV. The installation tool may have hydraulic
cylinders or rotary actuators that are aligned perpendicular to and
attached to the VIV suppression devices. The installation tool
utilizes the perpendicular hydraulic cylinders or rotary actuators
to close and latch the VIV suppression devices around the subsea
tubular. The VIV suppression device is then released from the
installation tool and the ROV returns to the transport tool to
acquire another VIV suppression device. The transport tool is
recovered to the surface when empty and re-loaded. This cycle is
repeated until all of the retrofit VIV installation devices are
attached to the tubular where it is required.
[0047] In some embodiments, the installation tool and/or the
transport tool may be made of any one of numerous materials,
including, but not limited to thermoplastics, fiberglass, and
metals. The VIV suppression devices to be installed with this tool
and method may be of any vortex interrupting design.
[0048] In some embodiments, the methods and installation tooling
may also be used to install load-bearing collars associated with
VIV suppression devices.
[0049] In some embodiments, the installation tool may have a
self-opening feature. In some embodiments, the installation tool
may have hydraulic powered, mechanical assemblies to facilitate
opening. In some embodiments, the installation tool may have a rack
and gear system to keep the two arms aligned and prevent binding.
In some embodiments, the installation tool may have hydraulic
powered mechanical assemblies, to facilitate acquiring/releasing
the VIV suppression device or load bearing collars associated with
VIV suppression devices. These assemblies may be at any location on
the installation tool. In some embodiments, the installation tool
may have hydraulic powered mechanical assemblies to lock on and
release the installation tool from the transport tool. In some
embodiments, the installation tool may be equipped with a vacuum
device that would allow it to transport fairings from the transport
tool to the riser. In some embodiments, the installation tool may
have one or more ROV compatible docking receptacles and may be
docked by a ROV remotely.
[0050] In some embodiments, the VIV suppression devices may be
fitted to the transport tool manually. In some embodiments, the
transport tool may have hydraulic or mechanical devices to secure
the installation tooling while in motion. In some embodiments, the
transport tool mechanical devices may be operated manually or by
the ROV. In some embodiments, the transport tool may be equipped
with manually operated spring clips to secure the suppression
devices to the transport tool. In some embodiments, the transport
tool may contain any number of suppression devices, and multiple
transport tools may be chained or linked together to deliver more
suppression devices in a given trip. In some embodiments, a central
transport tool, not containing any suppression but containing
hardware for mating additional transport tools, may be used so that
transport tools containing suppression can be attached to the
central transport tool. For example, if the transport tools are
rectangular, the central transport tool could have up to four
transport tools attached to it (one on each side) and each of those
outer transport tools could have suppression on three sides for a
total of 12 suppression devices delivered per trip. This may be
preferred to chaining transport tools together to ease
installation.
[0051] In some embodiments, the installation tool allows the
opening and closing of the tool's arms to move in a horizontal
plane, rather than a clam shell fashion, which allows the tool to
be easily adapted to different size tubulars and/or suppression
devices. The only portion of the transport tool, that needs to be
modified for each size riser, is the bumper portion of the tool and
the stops. With a clam shell design new arms need to be fabricated
for each size tubular. The use of the stab points on the transport
tool will stabilize the ROV vertical and horizontal motion during
the transfer of the fairing from the transport to the tool
package.
[0052] In some embodiments, the amount of time needed to transport
suppression from the surface to a sub sea location may be reduced.
The use of the transport unit will allow more suppression to be
transported to the job location per trip. This allows the ROV to
use the tooling to retrieve suppression out of the transport rather
than disconnecting from the tooling and sending the tooling back to
the surface to be reloaded. This installation method and associated
tooling will allow retrofitting VIV suppression devices at a much
faster rate than can be achieved with current methods and tools at
a greatly reduced cost.
Illustrative Embodiments
[0053] In one embodiment, there is disclosed a system comprising a
structural element; a transport tool carrying a plurality of VIV
and/or drag reduction devices; and an installation tool adapted to
remove a VIV and/or drag reduction device from the transport tool
and to install the device around the structural element. In some
embodiments, the structural element is selected from the group
consisting of a shell, a collar, an oil flowline, a pipeline, a
drilling riser, a production riser, a steel tubular, import and
export risers, subsea pipelines, tendons for tension leg platforms,
legs for traditional fixed and for compliant platforms, space-frame
members for platforms, cables, umbilicals, mooring elements for
deepwater platforms, hull structures for tension leg platforms and
for spar type structures, and column structures for tension leg
platforms, and for spar type structures, and truss members for spar
type structures and fixed structures. In some embodiments, the VIV
and/or drag reduction devices are selected from strakes and
fairings. In some embodiments, the transport tool is carrying from
2 to 10 VIV and/or drag reduction devices. In some embodiments, the
system also includes from 2 to 6 transport tools, each carrying a
plurality of VIV and/or drag reduction devices, wherein the
installation tool is adapted to remove a VIV and/or drag reduction
device from each of the transport tools. In some embodiments, at
least 2 of the transport tools are connected to each other. In some
embodiments, the system also includes a remotely operated vehicle
(ROV), the ROV connected to the installation tool, and adapted to
move and activate the installation tool. In some embodiments, the
system also includes a vessel, the installation tool connected to
the vessel by a first umbilical, and the transport tool connected
to the vessel by a second umbilical. In some embodiments, the
system also includes a second transport tool connected to the
vessel by a third umbilical. In some embodiments, the transport
tool comprises one or more transport tools connected to the vessel
by a second umbilical, wherein the one or more transport tools are
adapted to transport from 4 to 60 VIV and/or drag reduction devices
from the vessel to the installation tool for each trip of the one
or more transport tools from the vessel to the installation tool.
In some embodiments, the structural element is located in a body of
water, the system further comprising a surface structure located at
a surface of the body of water.
[0054] In one embodiment, there is disclosed a method comprising
moving a transport tool carrying a plurality of VIV and/or drag
reduction devices near to the structural element; moving an
installation tool near to the transport tool; removing one or more
VIV and/or drag reduction devices from the transport tool to the
installation tool; and installing the one or more VIV and/or drag
reduction devices around the structural element with the
installation tool. In some embodiments, the structural element is
selected from the group consisting of a shell, a collar, an oil
flowline, a pipeline, a drilling riser, a production riser, a steel
tubular, import and export risers, subsea pipelines, tendons for
tension leg platforms, legs for traditional fixed and for compliant
platforms, space-frame members for platforms, cables, umbilicals,
mooring elements for deepwater platforms, hull structures for
tension leg platforms and for spar type structures, and column
structures for tension leg platforms and for spar type structures.
In some embodiments, the VIV and/or drag reduction devices are
selected from strakes and fairings. In some embodiments, the
transport tool is carrying from 2 to 10 VIV and/or drag reduction
devices. In some embodiments, the method also includes moving from
2 to 6 transport tools near to the structural element, each of the
transport tools carrying a plurality of VIV and/or drag reduction
devices. In some embodiments, the method also includes connecting
at least 2 transport tools to each other, then moving the transport
tools near to the structural element. In some embodiments, the
method also includes connecting the installation tool to a remotely
operated vehicle (ROV), the ROV adapted to move and activate the
installation tool. In some embodiments, the method also includes
connecting the installation tool to a vessel by a first umbilical,
and connecting the transport tool to the vessel by a second
umbilical. In some embodiments, the method also includes connecting
a second transport tool to the vessel by a third umbilical, and
moving the second transport tool near to the structural element. In
some embodiments, the transport tool comprises one or more
transport tools, the one or more transport tools carrying from 4 to
60 VIV and/or drag reduction devices. In some embodiments, the
transport tool comprises one or more transport tools, the one or
more transport tools carrying from 4 to 60 VIV and/or drag
reduction devices, further comprising lowering the one or more
transport tools from a vessel with one or more umbilicals,
installing the VIV and/or drag reduction devices around the
structural element with the installation tool, and retrieving the
one or more transport tools to the vessel with the one or more
umbilicals. In some embodiments, the method also includes reloading
the one or more transport tools at the vessel after they have been
retrieved. In some embodiments, the method also includes lowering
the reloaded one or more transport tools from the vessel with the
one or more umbilicals.
[0055] Those of skill in the art will appreciate that many
modifications and variations are possible in terms of the disclosed
embodiments, configurations, materials and methods without
departing from their spirit and scope. Accordingly, the scope of
the claims appended hereafter and their functional equivalents
should not be limited by particular embodiments described and
illustrated herein, as these are merely exemplary in nature.
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