[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method particularly but not exclusively
for use in the moon pool area of an offshore vessel used to install and support a
riser system used to produce hydrocarbons from a subsea well to a floating production
facility or vessel on the sea surface and more particularly the invention relates
to seeking to improve safety by allowing the possibility of halting and diverting
the flow of hydrocarbon product to or below the drill floor and also providing the
possibility of remote disconnection of the top level equipment on the drill floor
from the riser system below and therefore allowing the possibility of work to be safely
carried out on the top level equipment and/or the upper end of the riser system on
the drill floor without the heave hazard associated with sea and vessel movement relative
to the riser system.
[0002] Conventionally, hydrocarbons are produced from a subsea well through a wellhead.
A primary flow control system in the form of a christmas tree is located at the wellhead
and which controls the flow of hydrocarbon product from the subsea well through the
wellhead and through the christmas tree into a riser system. The riser system consists
of a sufficient length of flexible riser in the form of a flexible flow line or pipeline
and which connects the christmas tree to a floating production facility or vessel
located on the sea surface such that the riser system delivers the hydrocarbon product
to the floating facility or vessel. The riser system is typically installed by a drill
ship having a moon pool located in its centre where all the equipment that is required
when installing a riser system such as a lower riser package (LRP) and an emergency
disconnect package (EDP) and the flexible riser itself can be lowered from the drill
ship through the moon pool into the sea and down to the christmas tree.
[0003] Conventionally, work on the upper end of the riser system such as connecting in or
swapping out required top level equipment is normally carried out with the drill ship
moving relative to the sea bed/riser system because of the sea swell and this causes
significant safety and operational problems when installing/changing such top level
equipment and therefore sea conditions have to be calm to proceed with any degree
of safety.
[0004] It would therefore be desirable to be able to safely work on the upper end of the
riser system in conditions with some sea swell.
[0005] According to the present invention there is provided a valved tree member for inclusion
in a riser system which includes a port comprising at least an aperture through a
sidewall of the riser system, the valved tree member being suitable for use with a
floating vessel having a moon pool, the valved tree member comprising:-
a body member;
one or more valve members adapted to selectively permit and prevent flow of fluid
there through and being mounted on the body member, and
one or more moveable stab members adapted to respectively selectively provide a sealed
fluid communication path between a throughbore of the riser system and the one or
more valve members,
wherein the one or more moveable stab members are arranged to selectively sealingly
engage with the port provided in the riser system;
and
wherein the said one or more moveable stab members are arranged to selectively move
radially inwards toward a longitudinal axis of the riser system in a direction substantially
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the riser system to sealingly engage with
the port such that fluid in the throughbore of the riser system is allowed to flow
in a sealed manner from the throughbore of the riser system through the one or more
moveable stab members and into the said one or more valve members mounted on the valved
tree member.
[0006] Typically, the one or more valve members mounted on the body member of the valved
tree member comprise a longitudinal axis arranged substantially perpendicularly to
a longitudinal axis of the riser system at the point at which the valved tree member
is included in the riser system. Typically, the said one or more valve members are
connected to the body member by a tubular coupling having a throughbore and more preferably,
the said moveable stab member is located within the throughbore of the tubular coupling.
More preferably, the port is included at a suitable location in the riser system and
comprises at least an aperture through a sidewall of the riser system.
[0007] Preferably, a flow diverter member is included in the riser system, the flow diverter
member comprising a substantially vertical tubular member having a longitudinal axis
substantially parallel with and more preferably substantially co-incident with the
longitudinal axis of the riser system at the point at which the flow diverter member
is included in the riser system and more preferably the flow diverter member further
comprises a cross tubular member which is more preferably arranged with its longitudinal
axis to be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the substantially
vertical tubular member. Preferably, the cross tubular member provides said port or
aperture at each end thereof. Typically, the flow diverter member comprises three
or more (and more preferably only four) fluid entry/exit points where two are provided
by each end of the substantially vertical tubular member and two are provided by each
end of the cross tubular member and typically, the respective throughbores of the
cross tubular member and the substantially vertical tubular member intersect one another.
[0008] Preferably, the valved tree member is selectively coupled to a housing member provided
on the floating vessel and more preferably, the valved tree member comprises a selective
locking system to selectively lock the valved tree member to the said housing member
of the floating vessel. Typically, the valved tree member will be locked to the said
housing member when the riser system is being run into the body of water on which
the vessel is floating, the riser system being run in through a throughbore of the
valved tree member and through the moon pool of the floating vessel.
[0009] Preferably, once the one or more valves of the valved tree member are in sealed fluid
communication with the throughbore of the riser system, the selective locking system
may be unlocked to release the valved tree member from engagement with the housing
member and one or more tension supporting members are provided to support the weight
of the valved tree member. Preferably, the said one or more tension supporting members
permit relative movement, typically relative vertical movement, to occur between the
valved member (which is now secured to the riser system) and the floating vessel such
that the one or more tension supporting members also bear at least a portion of the
weight of the riser system and thereby compensate for relative heave between the riser
system and the floating vessel.
[0010] There is also provided a riser completion system comprising:-
a riser system comprising a lower in-line valve, a flow diverter member located above
the lower inline valve and at least one upper in-line valve located above the flow
diverter member and a telescoping device located above the said upper in-line valve
to permit compensation for heave; and
a valved tree member suitable for use in accordance with the present invention.
[0011] Typically, the flow diverter member comprises:-
a substantially vertical tubular member comprising a throughbore having a longitudinal
axis substantially co-incident with the longitudinal axis of the riser system at the
point at which the flow diverter member is included in the riser system; and
a cross tubular member having a throughbore arranged with its longitudinal axis substantially
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the substantially vertical tubular member;
wherein, a lower end of the substantially vertical tubular member is coupled to a
lower portion of the riser system such that, in use, fluid passing through the lower
portion of the riser system is arranged to enter the throughbore of the lower end
of the substantially vertical tubular member in a fluid tight manner;
an upper end of the substantially vertical tubular member is coupled to an upper portion
of the riser system such that, in use, fluid passing through the upper end of the
substantially vertical tubular member is arranged to enter the upper portion of the
riser system in a fluid tight manner;
and wherein the throughbore of the cross tubular member is in fluid communication
with the throughbore of the substantially vertical tubular member such that, in use,
fluid produced from the lower portion of the riser system is permitted to flow through
the end(s) of the cross tubular member and/or the upper end of the substantially vertical
tubular member depending upon the configuration of valves attached thereto.
[0012] Typically, the telescoping device comprises:-
an inner member telescopingly provided in an outer member;
the inner member being moveable between three configurations in which:-
- i) the inner member is locked to the outer member in a substantially closed configuration
such that a substantial proportion of the inner member is located within the outer
member such that the telescoping device is relatively short;
- ii) the inner member is locked to the outer member in a substantially open configuration
such that a substantial proportion of the inner member is located outwith of the outer
member such that the telescoping device is relatively long; and
- iii) the inner member is substantially free to move with respect to the outer member
such that the inner member can telescope in and out of the outer member;
wherein the inner member is adapted to be sealed to the outer member when in at least
one of configurations i) and ii) but is arranged to be clear of at least a portion
of the outer member when in configuration iii).
[0013] Preferably, the telescoping device comprises a seal member provided on one of the
inner and outer members wherein the seal acts against the other of the inner and outer
members to thereby provide a seal therebetween when the telescoping device is in at
least one of the configurations i) and ii). Preferably, the seal member is provided
on one of the inner and outer members in such a manner that the seal is clear of the
at least a portion of the other of the inner and outer members to thereby not make
contact with and thereby not provide a seal with the other of the inner and outer
members when the telescoping device is in configuration iii).
[0014] Preferably, the telescoping device comprises a selective locking system to selectively
lock the inner member to the said outer member. Typically, the locking system comprises
a dog member provided on one of the inner and outer members and which is preferably
moveable toward and away from the other of the inner and outer members to make contact
with the other of the inner and outer members to prevent relative movement occurring
therebetween.
[0015] Preferably, the dog member is provided on the outer member and is preferably selectively
moveable toward and away from the inner member to make contact with an outer portion
of the inner member to prevent relative movement occurring therebetween. Typically,
the outer portion of the inner member comprises a formation formed at least part way
around the outer circumference of the inner member. Preferably, the inner member comprises
two said formations at or toward each end of the inner member.
[0016] Typically, one of the inner and outer members is provided with a varied inner or
outer circumference such that the seal is prevented from acting against the other
of the inner and outer members when the seal is at a location in between the said
two formations such that the seal does not act when the telescoping device is in configuration
iii).
[0017] Typically, the seal is mounted on a portion secured to the outer member and acts
against an inner bore of the inner member. Typically, the seal is located within the
bore of the inner member and acts against the inner surface of the bore of the inner
member. Typically, the seal is secured within a recess provided on an outer surface
of the said portion secured to the outer member and acts against the inner surface
of the bore of the inner member to provide a seal therebetween when the telescoping
device is in one of configurations i) or ii).
[0018] Preferably, the dog member is moved radially towards or away from the said respective
formation by an actuating mechanism which preferably comprises at least one angled
or tapered surface provided on the dog member and against which the actuating mechanism
acts upon in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the riser
system and which results in movement of the dog member in a direction substantially
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the riser system.
[0019] Preferably, the riser system is provided with one or more in-line valves which may
be selectively opened or closed to respectively permit or prevent flow of fluid through
the throughbore of the riser system. Preferably, at least one of said in-line valves
is located below the valved tree member when the one or more valves of the valved
tree member are in sealed fluid communication with the throughbore of the riser system
and more preferably, at least one and typically two in-line valves are located between
the valved tree member and the telescoping device. Typically, the telescoping device
is located vertically above the two inline valves which in turn are located vertically
above the flow diverter member and which in turn is located vertically above at least
one in-line valve.
[0020] According to the present invention there is further provided a method of completing
a riser installation comprising the steps of:-
- i) lowering a riser system from a vessel through a moon pool at the surface of a body
of water to or in close proximity to the surface at the bottom of the body of water;
- ii) connecting a lower inline valve toward an upper end of the riser system;
- iii) connecting a flow diverter member above the said lower inline valve in the riser
system;
- iv) connecting at least one upper inline valve above the said flow diverter member
in the riser system;
- v) connecting a telescoping member above the said upper inline valve in the riser
system;
- vi) connecting the lower end of the riser system to wellhead equipment provided at
the head of a well;
- vii) providing a valved tree member suitable for use with the vessel, the valved tree
member comprising one or more valve members adapted to selectively permit and prevent
flow of fluid therethrough, and one or more moveable stab members wherein the riser
system is run into the sea through a throughbore of the valved tree member wherein
the one or more moveable stab members are arranged to selectively sealingly engage
with a port provided in the riser system;
wherein the port is included at a suitable location in the riser system and comprises
at least an aperture through a sidewall of the riser system; and
wherein the said one or more moveable stab members are arranged to selectively move
radially inwards toward the longitudinal axis of the riser system in a direction substantially
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the riser system to sealingly engage with
the port such that fluid in the throughbore of the riser system is allowed to flow
in a sealed manner from the throughbore of the riser system through the one or more
moveable stab members and into the said one or more valves mounted on the valved tree
member;
- viii) aligning and coupling the flow diverter member with the valved tree member and
moving the said one or more stab members to respectively seal with at least one portion
of the flow diverter member to thereby provide a sealed fluid communication path between
a throughbore of the riser system and the one or more valve members;
wherein the flow of fluid produced from the upper end of the riser system is capable
of being selectively diverted from flowing up through the upper end of the riser system
and instead is capable of being selectively diverted through the said one of more
stab members and through the said one or more valves of the valved tree member.
[0021] In the description that follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification
and drawings with the same reference numerals, respectively. The drawings are not
necessarily to scale. Certain features of the invention may be shown exaggerated in
scale or in somewhat schematic form, and some details of conventional elements may
not be shown in the interest of clarity and conciseness. The present invention is
susceptible to embodiments of different forms. There are shown in the drawings, and
herein will be described in detail, specific embodiments of the present invention
with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification
of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to
that illustrated and described herein. It is to be fully recognized that the different
teachings of the embodiments discussed below may be employed separately or in any
suitable combination to produce the desired results.
[0022] The following definitions will be followed in the specification. As used herein,
the term "riser" refers to a riser string coupled to a wellhead at the head of a wellbore
or borehole being provided or drilled in a manner known to those skilled in the art.
Reference to up or down will be made for purposes of description with the terms "above",
"up", "upward", "upper", or "upstream" meaning away from the bottom of the body of
water along the longitudinal axis of the riser toward the surface of the body of water
and "below", "down", "downward", "lower", or "downstream" meaning toward the bottom
of the body of water along the longitudinal axis of the riser and away from the surface
and deeper into the body of water toward the wellhead.
[0023] The various aspects of the present invention can be practiced alone or in combination
with one or more of the other aspects, as will be appreciated by those skilled in
the relevant arts. The various aspects of the invention can optionally be provided
in combination with one or more of the optional features of the other aspects of the
invention. Also, optional features described in relation to one embodiment can typically
be combined alone or together with other features in different embodiments of the
invention. Additionally, any feature disclosed in the specification can be combined
alone or collectively with other features in the specification to form an invention.
[0024] 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 the entire description thereof,
including the figures, which illustrates a number of exemplary embodiments and aspects
and implementations. The invention is also capable of other and different embodiments
and aspects, and its several details can be modified in various respects, all without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0025] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like is included
in the specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present
invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all of these matters formed
part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant
to the present invention.
[0026] Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in
nature, and not as restrictive. Furthermore, the terminology and phraseology used
herein is solely used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as limiting
in scope. Language such as "including", "comprising", "having", "containing" or "involving"
and variations thereof, is intended to be broad and encompass the subject matter listed
thereafter, equivalents, and additional subject matter not recited, and is not intended
to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. In this disclosure, whenever
a composition, an element or a group of elements is preceded with the transitional
phrase "comprising", it is understood that we also contemplate the same composition,
element or group of elements with transitional phrases "consisting essentially of",
"consisting", "selected from the group of consisting of", "including", or "is" preceding
the recitation of the composition, element or group of elements and vice versa. In
this disclosure, the words "typically" or "optionally" are to be understood as being
intended to indicate optional or non-essential features of the invention which are
present in certain examples but which can be omitted in others without departing from
the scope of the invention.
[0027] All numerical values in this disclosure are understood as being modified by "about".
All singular forms of elements, or any other components described herein including
(without limitations) components of the riser system are understood to include plural
forms thereof and vice versa.
[0028] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only,
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-
Fig. 1A is a schematic overview (not to scale) of the initial stage of the installation
of a riser system from a drill ship, utilising a moon pool surface tree in accordance
with the present invention;
Fig. 1B is a more detailed few of a portion of Fig. 1A, where Fig. 1B shows the christmas
tree sitting on the mud line or subsea surface (bottom of the sea);
Fig. 2A shows a next stage of the installation of the riser system, where the EDP
and LRP have been connected to the lower end of the riser system and have been lowered
into the sea through the moon pool of the drill ship;
Fig. 2B is a more detailed close up view of the LRP, EDP and lower portion of the
riser system;
Fig. 2C is a close up more detailed view of one of the screw threaded connections
that makes up the separate lengths of flexible riser tubular or flow line into the
connected flexible riser system;
Fig. 3A is a schematic side view of the next stage of installation of the riser system
in accordance with various aspects of the present invention where the riser system
has continued to be lowered into the sea down toward the christmas tree and Fig. 3A
also shows a telescopic joint in accordance with the present invention at the upper
end of the riser system;
Fig. 3B shows a more detailed schematic side view of the upper end of the riser system
(with the lower end of the riser system having been omitted for clarity) being lowered
through the drill floor and through a diverter housing of the riser system, where
the moon pool surface tree is shown as still being coupled to the diverter housing;
Fig. 3C is a much more detailed and closer schematic side view of detail A of Fig.
3B showing a set of dogs used to couple an active support ring of the moon pool surface
tree to the diverter housing;
Fig. 4A is a close up schematic side view of the telescopic joint and a series of
in-line valves connected thereto being lowered through the diverter housing and also
shows that the active support ring of the moon pool surface tree has been disconnected
from the diverter housing, where the moon pool surface tree is supported by wire tensioners
from the drill floor;
Fig. 4B is a closer up more detailed schematic side view of detail A of Fig. 4A showing
the dogs that were used to connect the active support ring to the diverter housing
having been retracted to allow for the disconnection of the active support ring from
the diverter housing;
Fig. 5A shows a schematic side view (not to scale) of the next stage of the installation
of the riser system in accordance with various aspects of the present invention, where
the LRP and the EDP have been lowered into connection with the christmas tree and
therefore the drill ship must be able to heave with respect to the riser system;
Fig. 5B is a schematic but closer up and more detailed side view of a portion of the
upper section of the riser system of Fig. 5A;
Fig. 5C is a more detailed closer up schematic side view of the upper end of the riser
system being shown in cross-section, where a combined landing ring and flow diverter
piece is included in the riser system in accordance with the present invention and
has been located within the moon pool surface tree and has landed out therein such
that the weight of the riser system is transferred to the moon pool surface tree and
therefore to the drill ship via the tensioning wires which can compensate for the
heave of the drill ship relative to the riser system;
Fig. 5D shows a much more detailed close up sectional side view of the detail area
"A" of Fig. 5C and therefore shows the combined landing ring and flow diverter piece
having landed out on the load shoulder of the moon pool surface tree;
Fig. 5E shows a cross-sectional perspective view of the moon pool surface tree with
its active support ring and where the combined landing ring and flow diverter piece
of the riser system has landed out on the load shoulder of the moon pool surface tree;
Fig. 5F is another version of the cross-sectional perspective view of the moon pool
surface tree of Fig. 5E;
Fig. 6A is a schematic side view (not to scale) of the next stage of the installation
of the riser system in accordance with various aspects of the present invention, where
the upper most riser package equipment can be safely coupled and un-coupled to the
upper end of the universal connection of the telescopic joint in a safe manner because
the telescopic joint can telescope in and out of the other lower half of the telescopic
joint and therefore the upper end of the telescopic joint can remain stationery with
respect to the drill ship and therefore provides for safer connection to the upper
most riser package equipment such as the coiled tubing unit, lubricator or surface
tree, whilst the hydrocarbon product can be diverted through the moon pool surface
tree and out through either or both side ball valves, in accordance with various aspects
of the present invention, once valve stabs have been moved into and locked with respect
to the inner bore of the side apertures of the combined landing ring and flow diverter
piece (as shown in Fig. 6F);
Fig. 6B shows the moon pool surface tree with the telescopic joint of Fig. 6A coupled
in the riser string in a fully stroked in/running in configuration;
Fig. 6C is a cross-sectional schematic view of the moon pool surface tree of Fig.
6A but now in an operating configuration where it is diverting hydrocarbon production
to the side valves attached thereto and is therefore shown in an operating configuration;
Fig. 6D is a cross-sectional schematic view showing the moon pool surface tree in
more detail in the configuration shown in Fig. 6C;
Fig. 6E is a more detailed cross-sectional schematic view of the moon pool surface
tree in the same configuration as Fig. 6D;
Fig. 6F is a more detailed and closer up schematic cross-sectional view of the detail
area "A" of Fig. 6C;
Fig. 6G is a closer up more detailed cross-sectional schematic view of the telescopic
joint when in the running in configuration shown in Fig. 6C;
Fig. 6H is a closer up more detailed view of the detail area "A" of Fig. 6G of the
telescopic joint when in the running in configuration, where Fig. 6H shows the dogs
of the telescopic joint in the locked configuration thereby locking the telescopic
joint in the configuration shown in Fig. 6G;
Fig. 7A shows the telescopic joint of Fig. 6G as having been unlocked and being free
to stroke;
Fig. 7B is a closer up more detailed view of detail area "A" of the telescopic joint
of Fig. 7A, where Fig. 7B shows the locking dogs in the unlocked configuration;
Fig. 8A is a perspective view of the moon pool surface tree with the telescopic joint
of Fig. 6A attached to the upper end of the section of the riser system string that
passes through the moon pool surface tree, where the telescopic joint is now shown
in the stroked out configuration or open configuration or operating configuration;
Fig. 8B shows a cross-sectional schematic view of the telescopic joint when in the
configuration shown in Fig. 8A;
Fig. 8C is a cross-sectional schematic view of detail area "A" showing the locking
dogs in the locked configuration therefore locking the telescopic joint in the open
configuration;
Fig. 9A is a perspective side view of the moon pool surface tree of Fig. 6A and in
particular showing hydraulic stabs for valve/connector supply; and
Fig. 9B shows a perspective view from below of the moon pool surface tree showing
the hydraulic stabs of Fig. 9A being presented into alignment with their respective
aperture formed in the moon pool surface tree.
[0029] Fig. 1 shows a riser installation system 10 which is typically located on a sea going
vessel 8 (not shown) such as a drill ship or floating production facility or other
suitably arranged sea going vessel 8 (only partially shown in the Figures) where the
vessel 8 comprises a drill floor 12 and a moon pool 14 located immediately below the
drill floor 12, where the moon pool 14 comprises an opening in the bottom of the sea
going vessel and through which a riser system 35 and other equipment to be installed
on the sea bed in the general location below the sea going vessel 8 can be lowered
through.
[0030] As can be seen in Fig. 1A and in more detail in Fig. 1B, a christmas tree 20 has
already been lowered from the sea going vessel 8 (or from another sea going vessel
not shown) through the moon pool 14 and into the water at the water line 16 and further
lowered all the way to the sea bed surface or the mud line 18 which may be many thousands
of feet and in Fig. 1 the distance between mud line 18 and the drill floor 12 in the
example shown is in the region of 10,000 feet (3,000 metres).
[0031] Fig. 1A also shows the first stage or start of the installation of the riser system
35, where the riser system 35 also comprises further safety equipment in the form
of an emergency disconnect package and a lower riser package 22, 24 and which are
sitting on a moon pool trolley 26, awaiting to be picked up such that the moon pool
trolley 26 can be removed thereby opening the moon pool 14 such that the EDP 22 and
the LRP 24 can be lowered through the moon pool 14 into the water line 16 and down
to the subsea installation location on top of the christmas tree 20, where the lower
end of the LRP 24 will be securely connected to the tree cap 28 located at the upper
end of the christmas tree 20.
[0032] The riser system 35 further comprises a riser string 32 and a riser running tool
30, where the upper end of the EDP 22 is picked up by running the riser running tool
30 being provided at the lower end of the string 32 of flexible riser pipe 32T connected
end 32P to end 32B by suitable connections such as a Merlin™ connection offered by
Oil States Industries (UK) Limited of Aberdeen, UK (only a very short portion of the
riser string 32 is shown in Fig. 1A). The riser running tool 30 comprises a swivel
joint 34 at its lower end being further connected to a weak link 36 and further being
coupled to a flex joint 38, where the swivel joint 34 permits rotation of its lower
end relative to its upper end and where the weak link 36 can be sheared apart if needs
be to separate the riser string 32 from the tools located below the weak link 36 and
where the flex joint 38 permits some flexing to allow a degree of movement to occur
between the riser string 32 and the EDP 22 as and when necessary. The riser running
tool 30 is lowered through the drill floor 12 through an automated Merlin™ connector
make up tool 40 and which tool 40 will be used to connect further lengths of the riser
pipe 32T together and is further run through a diverter housing 42 and a moon pool
surface tree 50 in accordance with the present invention, where the moon pool surface
tree 50 is, when in the configuration shown in Fig. 1A, securely coupled to the diverter
housing 42.
[0033] The next stage of installation of the riser system 35 as can be seen in Fig. 2A,
where the riser running tool 30 has, along with the flex joint 38, the weak link 36
and the swivel joint 34, been lowered (on the lower end of the riser string 32) through
firstly the make up tool 40 and therefore through the drill floor 12 and then through
the diverter housing 42 and through a bore 51 (shown in Fig. 3B) provided in the moon
pool surface tree 50 until the flex joint 38 is securely coupled to the EDP 22 and
thus the LRP 24 and the riser string 32 is then lifted up such that the moon pool
trolley 26 can then be removed and the riser string 32 can then be lowered with the
rest of the equipment 30, 22, 24 now coupled thereto through the moon pool 14 and
into the water through the water line 16. As can further be seen in Fig. 2A, a pair
of umbilical lines 52A, 52B have a lower end which is coupled to the upper end of
the EDP 22 where the umbilicals 52A, 52B can be payed out from a respective reel 54A,
54B via a respective sheave 56A, 56B and can be clamped to the outer surface of the
riser string 32 at spaced apart locations by means of an umbilical clamp 58, where
the umbilicals 52A, 52B can be used to supply power and/or data via an electrical
line and/or can supply fluid such as hydraulic fluid via a hydraulic umbilical 52A,
52B.
[0034] As can be seen in Figs. 2B and 2C, the riser string 32 is made up of distinct lengths
of flexible riser tubing or pipe 32T having a pin end 32P provided at an upper end
thereof and a box end 32B provided at a lower end thereof where the lower end 32B
is coupled to a pin end 32P of the next flexible tubing 32T and a preferred pin 32P
and box 32B comprise the Merlin™ connector offered by Oil States Industries (UK) Limited
of Aberdeen, United Kingdom.
[0035] Additional lengths of flexible riser tubing 32T continue to be made up by the make
up tool 40 into the riser string 32 at the upper end thereof such that the LRP 24
and EDP 22 continue to be lowered on the riser string 32 down toward the christmas
tree 20 as shown in Fig. 3A until such a time that the LRP 24 is located just above
the christmas tree 20 as shown in Fig. 3A. At this point, an upper riser package 48
(shown in Fig. 3B) is coupled to the upper end of the riser string 32, where the upper
riser package 48 comprises a telescopic joint 60 in accordance with the present invention
at its upper most end, the details of which will be discussed subsequently, where
the lower end of the telescopic joint 60 is coupled to the upper end of an upper in-line
ball valve 62 and which in turn is coupled via its lower end to the upper end of a
middle in-line ball valve 64 and which in turn is coupled via its lower end to the
upper end of a combined landing ring and flow diverter piece 66 and which in turn
is coupled at its lower end to the upper end of a lower in-line ball valve 68 and
which in turn is coupled at its lower end to the upper end of the riser string 32.
It should be noted that the riser string 32 is omitted from Fig. 3B for clarity purposes.
[0036] The combined landing ring and flow diverter piece 66 preferably comprises a vertically
arranged main body in the form of a tubular or pipe 66 having an upper 66U and a lower
66L half connected into the riser string 32 and forming part of it and having its
longitudinal throughbore 33, where the upper half 66U and lower half 66L are formed
integral with or are securely and sealingly coupled to a landing ring 65 and which
has a lower shoulder 72 formed or provided around its outer lower most circumference
(the use of which will be detailed subsequently) and which also comprises a horizontally
arranged throughbore 67 which perpendicularly intersects the main vertically arranged
longitudinal throughbore 33 and through which produced fluids from the subsea well
can be diverted through into stabs 76A, 76B when connected thereto (as will be described
subsequently). A key (not shown) and groove (not shown) are provided to ensure the
correct rotational alignment occurs between the combined landing ring and flow diverter
66 and more particularly between the throughbore 67 and the stabs 76A, 76B during
seating of the landing ring 66 against an upwardly directed shoulder 74 (as will be
described in more detail subsequently). The skilled reader will understand that the
annular ring shaped landing ring 65 with a horizontally arranged cross intersecting
throughbore 67 could be replaced by a pair of laterally arranged tubular output ports
which provide the same horizontally arranged cross intersecting throughbore 67 but
the annular ring shaped landing ring 65 has the advantage of spreading the seating
load 360° around its whole circumference due to the seating contact between the respective
shoulders 72 and 74 as will be described in more detail subsequently.
[0037] As can be seen in Figs 3A and 3B, the moon pool surface tree 50 is at this point
still securely coupled to the diverter housing 42 via an Active Support Ring (ASR)
44 (an example of which is offered by Oil States Industries (UK) Limited of Aberdeen,
United Kingdom). The ASR 44 dynamically compensates for any torsional movement between
the vessel 8 and the riser system 35 via geared motorised connection between an ASR
outer ring 44O (see Figs. 3C and 5E) (which is fixed to the vessel 8) and an ASR main
body 44B (which will be fixed to the riser system 35 as will be described subsequently).
A lower set of dogs 52L project radially inwardly from the ASR outer ring 44O into
a recess provided around the outer surface of an ASR bearing surface 44S (see Fig.
5E) (and where the moon pool surface tree 50 is secured to the ASR main body 44B and
where motors provided on the ASR main body 44B can rotate the ASR main body 44B with
respect to the ASR bearing surface 44S to compensate for torsion therebetween) and
an upper set of dogs 52U project radially inwardly from the ASR outer ring 44O into
a recess provided around the lower end of the diverter housing 42 such that when both
sets of dogs 52L, 52U project radially inwardly into their respective recess, the
moon pool surface tree 50 is secured to the diverter housing 42.
[0038] However, just prior to the moment when the upper riser package 48 starts passing
through the bore 51 of the moon pool surface tree 50, the upper set of dogs 52U are
retracted from their recess in the diverter housing 42 such that the upper dogs 52U
are released from the diverter housing 42 and therefore the moon pool surface tree
50 is disconnected from the diverter housing 42. Instead, the weight of the ASR 44
and thus the moon pool surface tree 50 is taken up by at least two and preferably
at least three (not shown) tension wires 82A, 82B which are payed out from respective
tension wire reels 84A, 84B secured to the vessel 8 and this stage of the riser installation
method is shown in Fig. 4A.
[0039] The weight of the moon pool surface tree 50 is thus taken up by the ASR 44 and thus
the tension wire reels 84A, 84B and the moon pool surface tree 50 and ASR 44 are lowered
a short distance away from the lower end of the diverter housing 42. The upper riser
package 48 is then lowered through the diverter housing 42 and through the bore 51
of the moon pool surface tree 50 until a lower shoulder 72 of the combined landing
ring/flow diverter piece 66 makes contact with and therefore butts against an upwardly
directed shoulder 74 provided around the inner bore 51 of the moon pool surface tree
50 such that at least a proportion of and possibly up to the whole weight of the riser
string is taken on the upwardly directed load shoulder 74 and therefore by the tension
wires 82A, 82B and the tension wire reel 84A, 84B and at this point the riser string
is in the running in configuration shown in Figs. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E and 5F and this
configuration can be regarded as the last stage of the running in of the riser string
32.
[0040] The LRP 24 is secured to the tree cap 28 and then the combined landing ring/flow
diverter piece 66 and thus the rest of the upper riser package 48 and the riser string
32 indeed the whole riser system 35 can be secured to the moon pool surface tree 50
by actuating stabs 76A, 76B located within laterally arranged flanged pipes 90A, 90B
mounted horizontally on each side of the moon pool surface tree 50 such that the throughbores
of the flanged pipes 90A, 90B are horizontally aligned with one another and are arranged
perpendicularly to the longitudinal and vertically arranged throughbore 51 of the
moon pool surface tree 50. The stabs 76A, 76B are arranged such that they can be actuated
to move radially inwardly (with respect to the longitudinal vertically arranged throughbore
51) from being wholly located within the throughbore of the flanged pipes 90A, 90B
to respectively project at least partially into the horizontally arranged throughbore
67 of the laterally projecting side ports 69A, 69B of the combined landing ring/flow
diverter piece 66. The radially inner most ends of the stabs 76A, 76B are provided
with suitable seals such as O-ring seals 78A, 78B around their outer circumference
such that the respective throughbore 76AT; 76BT of the stabs 76A, 76B is sealed by
the seals 78A, 78B with respect to the throughbore 67 of the combined landing ring/flow
diverter piece 66. Accordingly, the stabs 76A, 76B have a dual function of not only
physically locking the combined landing ring/flow diverter piece 66 and thus the riser
string 32 to the moon pool surface tree 50 but also provide a seal between:-
- i) the inner throughbore 51 of the moon pool surface tree 50 (and indeed the outer
environment); and
- ii) the inner throughbore 33 of the riser string 32
such that the respective throughbore 76AT; 76BT of the stabs 76A, 76B is in sealed
fluid communication with the throughbore 67 of the combined landing ring/flow diverter
piece 66 and thus is in sealed fluid communication with the throughbore 33 of the
riser string 33. The riser string 32 and moon pool surface tree 50 are now in the
operating position as shown in Fig. 6A through Fig. 6F.
[0041] At this point the operator now has the option of diverting fluid located in or flowing
through the throughbore 33 of the riser string 32 located below the middle ball valve
64 out of the throughbore 33, through the throughbore 76B and through the lateral
ball valves 70A, 70B located on the moon pool surface tree 50 and out of lateral exit
ports 71A, 71B into e.g. conduits or hoses (not shown) and onto further pressurised
fluid containment equipment (not shown) which may be located below the drill floor
12 by ensuring that upper ball valve 62 and middle ball valve 64 are closed such that
fluid cannot flow through the throughbore 33 up through the middle ball valve 64 or
upper ball valve 62. It should be noted that only one upper or middle ball valve 62,
64 is required but two are provided to ensure that there is redundancy in case one
is stuck or malfunctions and cannot close. Accordingly, the operator can conduct a
well test via the lateral ball valves 70A, 70B of the moonpool surface tree 50.
[0042] Consequently, the moon pool surface tree 50 provides the great advantage that, in
combination with the combined landing ring/flow diverter piece 66, and the valves
62, 64, 68 run therewith, the potentially highly pressurised fluid such as produced
hydrocarbons located within the throughbore 33 below the moon pool surface tree 50
can be safely controlled, thus allowing the operator to perform a well test or conduct
work on the riser system 35 and/or riser string 32 located above the moon pool surface
tree 50 and more particularly located above the upper ball valve 62. For example,
the final required equipment 100, 102, 104 can be safely installed to the upper end
of the universal connection 61 provided at the uppermost end of the telescopic joint
60 in a safe manner because the pressurised fluid located within the throughbore 33
is all located below the closed upper 62 and middle 64 ball valves and is being safely
diverted to said other pressurised fluid containment equipment.
[0043] However, to further increase the safety of connecting that final safety equipment
such as a surface tree 100, lubricator 102 and/or coiled tubing unit 104, the telescopic
joint 60 is adapted to be able to stroke out from the fully stroked in (also referred
to as the running in configuration) configuration shown in Fig. 6B and Fig. 6C and
particularly in Fig. 6G to a free to stroke configuration shown in Fig. 7A to allow
the universal joint 61 at its upper end to remain static with respect to the drill
floor 12 in order to compensate for the heave of the vessel 8 relative to the riser
system 35 and onto a fully open configuration as shown in Fig. 8B, as will now be
described in detail.
[0044] The telescopic joint 60 in accordance with the present invention comprises an outer
barrel 110 which is secured at its lower end 110L to the upper end of the upper ball
valve 62 such that the throughbore 109 of the telescopic joint 60 is in sealed fluid
communication with the throughbore 33 of the riser string 32 and the rest of the riser
system 35 (assuming that the upper 62 and middle 64 in-line ball joints are open).
The inner bore 109 comprises a protruding tubular end 111 which projects upwardly
and to which is secured (by means of a suitable fixing means such as welding or a
sealed screw thread or other suitable fixing means) to the lower end of an internal
sealing tube 115 at its lower end 115L. It should be noted that the internal sealing
tube 115 is preferably a separate component from the rest of the outer barrel 110
to aid manufacture and installation and also to aid repair but it could be that the
internal sealing tube 115 is a one piece unit integral with the outer barrel 110.
The outer diameter of the internal sealing tube 115 forms an annulus 116 with the
inner bore of the rest of the outer barrel 110 and an inner barrel 120 is located
in that annulus 116 (when in the fully stroked in configuration as shown in Fig. 6B)
where the inner barrel 120 comprises the universal joint 61 at its upper end and the
inner barrel 120 is arrange to telescope in and out in a stroking manner within the
outer barrel 110 when it is permitted to do so as will now be described.
[0045] The inner barrel 120 is provided with a formation in the form of an upper dog ring
126U provided towards its upper end on its outer surface and is further provided with
a lower dog ring 126L provided toward or at its lower end again on its outer surface.
Two or more concentrically spaced apart dogs 124 are provided around the outer circumference
of the inner barrel 120 and are located in a suitably sized recess within the outer
barrel 110 where the dogs 124 can be forced radially inwardly toward the outer surface
of the inner barrel 120 by means of a cam ring 128 which can be forced (when actuated
to do so by actuating cylinders 130) in a downwards direction to act on a tapered
outer face 124T of the dogs 124 to force the dogs 124 radially inwardly against the
outer surface of the inner barrel 120 and in particular to trap the upper dog ring
126U or lower dog ring 126L as appropriate within a recess 124R formed on the inner
surface of the dogs 124.
[0046] Consequently, when the respective dog ring 126U, 126L is trapped within the recess
124R, the inner barrel 120 is locked with respect to the outer barrel 110. Moreover,
when the upper dog ring 126U is trapped within the recess 124R (as shown in Fig. 6G
and Fig. 6H), the telescopic joint 60 is in the fully stroked in or closed position
as shown in Fig. 6G. In this position, seals 117 provided on the outer surface concentrically
around the upper end of the internal sealing tube 115 are typically slightly spaced
apart from the inner bore at the upper end of the inner barrel 120 such that there
is no seal against the inner bore at the upper end of the inner barrel 120 when in
the fully stroked in or closed position as shown in Fig. 69 because there won't be
any produced hydrocarbons flowing through the throughbore 109 when in that configuration.
[0047] When the operator decides to allow the inner barrel 120 to stroke out of the inner
barrel 110, he actuates the cylinders 130 to move the cam ring 128 upwards which in
turn permits the dogs 124 to relax or move radially outwardly away from the upper
dog ring 126U such that the inner barrel 120 can now move upwards with respect to
the outer barrel 110 as shown in Fig. 7A.
[0048] Importantly, the inner bore of the inner barrel 120 is provided with a slightly enlarged
inner bore 121 along its upper and its middle section such that the slightly enlarged
inner bore 121 clears the pair of seals 117 such that the slightly enlarged inner
bore 121 is not sealed with respect to the outer surface of the internal sealing tube
115 and in use, this has the advantage that the seals 117 will not be worn away by
the telescoping action of the inner barrel 120 moving with respect to the internal
sealing tube 115 and the outer barrel 110. Because of this feature, the operator will
ensure that when the inner barrel 120 is in the closed or fully stroked in configuration
shown in Fig. 69 or when in the free to stroke configuration as shown in Fig. 7A,
the upper 62 and/or middle 64 ball valves are in the closed position such that no
fluid can flow through the throughbore 33 of the riser system 35 above the upper ball
valve 62.
[0049] The telescopic joint 60 is shown in the fully stroked out or fully open position
in Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B and is thus in the operating position where the seals are now
in sealed abutment against the lower end of the inner bore of the inner barrel 120
and as shown most clearly in Fig. 8C the recess 124R traps the lower dog ring 126L
due to the dogs 124 being forced radially inwardly by the cam ring 128. Thus, the
operator can safely produce hydrocarbons up the throughbore 33 of the riser system
35 and up throughbore 109 of the telescopic joint 60 by opening up the upper 62 and
middle 64 ball valves and ensuring lower ball valve 68 is open and also ensuring lateral
ball valves 70A, 70B are closed. Compensation for heave of the vessel 8 relative to
the riser system 35 whilst the telescopic joint 60 is locked in the fully stroked
out position of Fig. 8A (or whilst locked in the fully stroked in position of Fig.
6G) is provided for by an additional compensation system (not shown) located above
the drill floor 12 at the upper most end of the riser system 35.
[0050] Fig. 9A shows two hydraulic valve stabs 140 being provided through the side wall
of the moon pool surface tree 50.
[0051] The hydraulic valve stabs 140 provide a suitable connection such as to supply electrical
power or supply of pneumatic or hydraulic fluid to the various ball valves 62, 64,
68, 70 and also provide for hydraulic connection for operation of the actuating cylinders
130 such that electric power and/or hydraulic fluid can be delivered to the various
valves 62, 64, 68, 70 and also the actuating cylinder 130 to operate the respective
valves 62, 64, 68, 70 and/or the telescopic joint locking/unlocking system and therefore
all power and/or hydraulic supplies to the various valves 62, 64, 68, 70 and the actuating
cylinder 130 can be connected up before the equipment is run and this eliminates the
need for man-riding during set up thereby greatly improving safety. Only two hydraulic
valve stabs 140 are shown in Fig. 9A where the other two are located around the other
side of the moon pool surface tree 50. The four stabs 140 can provide eight hydraulic
lines. All four hydraulic stabs 130 can be seen in Fig. 9H. The skilled reader will
understand that fewer or more stabs 140 can be provided through the sidewall of the
moon pool surface tree 5 as required.
[0052] Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention described herein provide the ability
to remotely operate the various valves 62, 64, 68, 70 and/or the actuating cylinder
130 (the remote operation possibly being conducted a relatively short or a relatively
long distance away from the relevant equipment 62, 64, 68, 70, 130 either on or off
the vessel 8) and also provide the advantage of permitting remote disconnection of
the equipment on the drill floor 12 to the riser system 35 and also provide the great
advantage of allowing for the halting or the diversion of production flow to relevant
equipment on or below the drill floor 12.
[0053] These advantages individually or combine to permit work to be safely carried out
on the top level equipment 100, 102, 104 on the drill floor without the hazards associated
with sea movement.
[0054] Consequently, the various embodiments described herein provide numerous significant
safety and operational advantages over conventional riser systems.
[0055] Modifications or improvements may be made to the embodiments described herein without
departing from the scope of the invention.
1. A valved tree member (50) for inclusion in a riser system (35) which includes a port
(69A, 69B) comprising at least an aperture through a sidewall of the riser system
(35), the valved tree member (50) being suitable for use with a floating vessel (8)
having a moon pool (14), the valved tree member (50) comprising:-
a body member (44);
one or more valve members (70A, 70B) adapted to selectively permit and prevent flow
of fluid therethrough and being mounted on the body member (44), and
one or more moveable stab members (76A, 76B) adapted to respectively selectively provide
a sealed fluid communication path between a throughbore (33) of the riser system (35)
and the one or more valve members (70A, 70B);
wherein the one or more moveable stab members (76A, 76B) are arranged to selectively
sealingly engage with the port (69A, 69B) provided in the riser system (35);
characterised in that the said one or more moveable stab members (76A, 76B) are arranged to selectively
move radially inwards toward a longitudinal axis of the riser system (35) in a direction
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the riser system (35) to sealingly
engage with the port (69A, 69B) such that fluid in the throughbore (33) of the riser
system (35) is allowed to flow in a sealed manner from the throughbore (33) of the
riser system (35) through the one or more moveable stab members (76A, 76B) and into
one or more valve members (70A, 70B) mounted on the valved tree member (50).
2. A valved tree member as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the one or more valve
members (70A, 70B) mounted on the body member (44) of the valved tree member (50)
comprises a longitudinal axis arranged substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal
axis of the riser system (35) at the point at which the valved tree member (50) is
assembled with the riser system (35); wherein the one or more valve members (70A,
70B) are connected to the body member (44) by a tubular coupling (90A, 90B) having
a throughbore; and wherein the said moveable stab member (76A, 76B) is located within
the throughbore of the tubular coupling (90A, 90B).
3. A valved tree member as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, in an assembled state,
a flow diverter member (66) is included in the riser system (35), the flow diverter
member (66) comprising a substantially vertical tubular member (66) having a longitudinal
axis substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the riser system (35) at
a point at which the flow diverter member (66) is included in the riser system (35);
wherein the substantially vertical tubular member (66) has the longitudinal axis substantially
co-incident with the longitudinal axis of the riser system (35) at the point at which
the flow diverter member (66) is included in the riser system (35).
4. A valved tree member as claimed in claim 3, wherein the flow diverter member (66)
further comprises a cross tubular member (65); wherein the cross tubular member (65)
is arranged with its longitudinal axis to be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal
axis of the substantially vertical tubular member (66); wherein the cross tubular
member (65) provides the port (69A, 69B) at each end thereof; and wherein respective
throughbores (33, 67) of the cross tubular member (65) and the substantially vertical
tubular member (66) intersect one another.
5. A valved tree member as claimed in claim 4, wherein the flow diverter member (66)
comprises three or more fluid entry/exit points (66U, 66L, 69A, 69B).
6. A valved tree member as claimed in claim 5, wherein the flow diverter member (66)
comprises four fluid entry/exit points where two (66U, 66L) are provided by each end
of the substantially vertical tubular member (66) and two (69A, 69B) are provided
by each end of the cross tubular member (65).
7. A valved tree member as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the valved tree member
(50) is selectively coupled to a housing member (42) provided on the floating vessel
(8); wherein the valved tree member (50) comprises a selective locking system (44)
configured to selectively lock the valved tree member (50) to the said housing member
(42) of the floating vessel (8).
8. A valved tree member as claimed in claim 7, wherein the valved tree member (50) is
locked to the said housing member (42) when the riser system (35) is configured to
be run into the body of water on which the vessel (8) is floating, wherein the riser
system (35) is adapted to be run in through a throughbore (51) of the valved tree
member (50) and through the moon pool (14) of the floating vessel (8).
9. A valved tree member as claimed in claim 8, wherein once the one or more valve members
(70A, 70B) of the valved tree member (50) are in sealed fluid communication with the
throughbore (33) of the riser system (35), the selective locking system (44) is unlocked
to release the valved tree member (50) from engagement with the housing member (42)
and one or more tension supporting members (82A, 82B) are provided to support the
weight of the valved tree member (50).
10. A valved tree member as claimed in claim 9, wherein the one or more tension supporting
members (82A, 82B) permit relative movement to occur between the valved tree member
(50) which is secured to the riser system (35), and the floating vessel (8), such
that the one or more tension supporting members (82A, 82B) also bear at least a portion
of the weight of the riser system (35) and thereby compensate for relative heave between
the riser system (35) and the floating vessel (8), wherein the relative movement is
substantially vertical.
11. A riser completion system comprising:-
a riser system (35) comprising a lower in-line valve (68), a flow diverter member
(66) located above the lower inline valve (68) and at least one upper in-line valve
(62, 64) located above the flow diverter member (66) and a telescoping device (60)
located above the said upper in-line valve (62, 64) to permit compensation for heave;
and
a valved tree member (50) in accordance with any preceding claim.
12. A riser completion system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the lower (68) and upper
(62, 64) in-line valves are adapted to be selectively opened or closed to respectively
permit or prevent flow of fluid through the throughbore (33) of the riser system (35);
wherein the lower in-line valve (68) is located below the valved tree member (50)
when the one or more valve members (70A, 70B) of the valved tree member (50) are in
sealed fluid communication with the throughbore (33) of the riser system (35); and
wherein the upper in-line valve (62, 64) is located between the valved tree member
(50) and the telescoping device (60).
13. A riser completion system as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein the flow diverter
member (66) comprises:-
a substantially vertical tubular member (66) comprising a throughbore (33) having
a longitudinal axis substantially co-incident with the longitudinal axis of the riser
system (35) at the point at which the flow diverter member (66) is included in the
riser system (35); and
a cross tubular member (65) having a throughbore (67) arranged with its longitudinal
axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the substantially vertical
tubular member (66);
wherein, a lower end (66L) of the substantially vertical tubular member (66) is coupled
to a lower portion of the riser system (35) such that, in use, fluid passing through
the lower portion of the riser system (35) is arranged to enter the throughbore of
the lower end (66L) of the substantially vertical tubular (66) member in a fluid tight
manner;
an upper end (66U) of the substantially vertical tubular member (66) is coupled to
an upper portion of the riser system (35) such that, in use, fluid passing through
the upper end (66U) of the substantially vertical tubular member (66) is arranged
to enter the upper portion of the riser system (35) in a fluid tight manner;
and wherein the throughbore (67) of the cross tubular member (65) is in fluid communication
with the throughbore (33) of the substantially vertical tubular member (66) such that,
in use, fluid produced from the lower portion of the riser system (35) is permitted
to flow through the end(s) of the cross tubular member (65) and/or the upper end (66U)
of the substantially vertical tubular member (66) depending upon the configuration
of valves (62, 64, 68) attached thereto.
14. A riser completion system according to any of claims 11 to 13, wherein the telescoping
device (60) comprises:-
an inner member (120) telescopingly provided in an outer member (110, 115);
the inner member (120) being moveable between three configurations in which:-
i) the inner member (120) is locked to the outer member (110, 115) in a substantially
closed configuration such that a substantial proportion of the inner member (120)
is located within the outer member (110, 115) such that the telescoping device (60)
is relatively short;
ii) the inner member (120) is locked to the outer member (110, 115) in a substantially
open configuration such that a substantial proportion of the inner member (120) is
located outwith of the outer member (110, 115) such that the telescoping device (60)
is relatively long; and
iii) the inner member (120) is in a substantially free to move configuration with
respect to the outer member (110, 115) such that the inner member (120) can telescope
in and out of the outer member (110, 115);
characterised in that the inner member (120) is adapted to be sealed by a seal member (117) to the outer
member (110, 115) when in at least one of configurations i) and ii) but the seal member
(117) is arranged to be clear of at least a portion of the inner member (120) when
in configuration iii).
15. A riser completion system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the seal member (117) is
mounted on a portion secured to the outer member (110, 115) and located within the
bore of the inner member (120), and acts against an inner surface of the inner bore
of the inner member (120).
16. A riser completion system as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15, wherein one of the inner
(120) and outer (110, 115) members is provided with a varied inner or outer circumference
such that the seal member (117) is prevented from acting against the other of the
inner (120) and outer (110, 115) members when the seal member (117) is at a location
in between the two formations such that the seal member (117) does not act when the
telescoping device (60) is in configuration iii).
17. A method of completing a riser installation comprising the steps of:-
i) lowering a riser system (35) from a vessel (8) through a moon pool (14) at the
surface of a body of water to or in close proximity to the surface at the bottom of
the body of water;
ii) connecting a lower inline valve (68) toward an upper end of the riser system (35);
iii) connecting a flow diverter member (66) above the said lower inline valve (68)
in the riser system (35);
iv) connecting at least one upper inline valve (62, 64) above the said flow diverter
member (66) in the riser system (35);
v) connecting a telescoping device (60) above the said upper inline valve (62, 64)
in the riser system (35);
vi) connecting the lower end of the riser system (35) to wellhead equipment (20) provided
at the head of a well;
vii) providing a valved tree member (50) suitable for use with the vessel (8), the
valved tree member (50) comprising one or more valve members (70A, 70B) mounted thereon
and adapted to selectively permit and prevent flow of fluid therethrough, and one
or more moveable stab members (76A, 76B) wherein the riser system (35) is run into
the sea through a throughbore (51) of the valved tree member (50) wherein the one
or more moveable stab members (76A, 76B) are arranged to selectively sealingly engage
with a port (69A, 69B) provided in the riser system (35);
wherein the port (69A, 69B) is included in the riser system (35) and comprises at
least an aperture through a sidewall of the riser system (35); and
characterised in that the said one or more moveable stab members (76A, 76B) are arranged to selectively
move radially inwards toward the longitudinal axis of the riser system (35) in a direction
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the riser system (35) to sealingly
engage with the port (69A, 69B) such that fluid in the throughbore (33) of the riser
system (35) is allowed to flow in a sealed manner from the throughbore (33) of the
riser system (35) through the one or more moveable stab members (76A, 76B) and into
the said one or more valve members (70A, 70B) mounted on the valved tree member (50);
viii) aligning and coupling the flow diverter member (66) with the valved tree member
(50) and moving the said one or more moveable stab members (76A, 76B) to respectively
seal with at least one portion of the flow diverter member (66) to thereby provide
a sealed fluid communication path between a throughbore (33) of the riser system (35)
and the one or more valve members (70A, 70B);
wherein the flow of fluid produced from the upper end of the riser system (35) is
capable of being selectively diverted from flowing up through the upper end of the
riser system (35) and instead is capable of being selectively diverted through the
said one or more moveable stab members (76A, 76B) and through the said one or more
valve members (70A, 70B) of the valved tree member (50).
1. Ein Eruptionskreuzelement (50) mit Ventil zum Einschluss in einem Risersystem (35),
das einen Anschluss (69A, 69B), der mindestens eine Öffnung durch eine Seitenwand
des Risersystems (35) beinhaltet, umfasst, wobei das Eruptionskreuzelement (50) mit
Ventil zur Verwendung mit einem schwimmenden Fahrzeug (8), das einen Moonpool (14)
aufweist, geeignet ist, wobei das Eruptionskreuzelement (50) mit Ventil Folgendes
beinhaltet:
ein Körperelement (44);
ein oder mehrere Ventilelemente (70A, 70B), die angepasst sind, um selektiv einen
Fluss von Fluid dort hindurch zu gestatten und zu verhindern, und die an dem Körperelement
(44) montiert sind, und
ein oder mehrere bewegliche Einführelemente (76A, 76B), die angepasst sind, um jeweils
selektiv einen abgedichteten Fluidkommunikationsweg zwischen einer Durchgangsbohrung
(33) des Risersystems (35) und dem einen oder den mehreren Ventilelementen (70A, 70B)
bereitzustellen;
wobei das eine oder die mehreren beweglichen Einführelemente (76A, 76B) eingerichtet
sind, um in den in dem Risersystem (35) bereitgestellten Anschluss (69A, 69B) selektiv
abdichtend einzugreifen;
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das eine oder die mehreren beweglichen Einführelemente (76A, 76B) eingerichtet sind,
um sich in einer Richtung, die zu der Längsachse des Risersystems (35) im Wesentlichen
senkrecht ist, selektiv radial einwärts zu einer Längsachse des Risersystems (35)
hin zu bewegen, um in den Anschluss (69A, 69B) abdichtend einzugreifen, sodass Fluid
in der Durchgangsbohrung (33) des Risersystems (35) in einer abgedichteten Weise von
der Durchgangsbohrung (33) des Risersystems (35) durch das eine oder die mehreren
beweglichen Einführelemente (76A, 76B) und in ein oder mehrere an dem Eruptionskreuzelement
(50) mit Ventil montierte Ventilelemente (70A, 70B) fließen kann.
2. Eruptionskreuzelement mit Ventil gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei jedes von dem einen oder
den mehreren Ventilelementen (70A, 70B), die an dem Körperelement (44) des Eruptionskreuzelements
(50) mit Ventil montiert sind, eine Längsachse beinhaltet, die an dem Punkt, an dem
das Eruptionskreuzelement (50) mit Ventil mit dem Risersystem (35) zusammengebaut
ist, zu einer Längsachse des Risersystems (35) im Wesentlichen senkrecht eingerichtet
ist; wobei das eine oder die mehreren Ventilelemente (70A, 70B) durch eine röhrenförmige
Kopplung (90A, 90B), die eine Durchgangsbohrung aufweist, mit dem Körperelement (44)
verbunden sind; und wobei das bewegliche Einführelement (76A, 76B) innerhalb der Durchgangsbohrung
der röhrenförmigen Kopplung (90A, 90B) angeordnet ist.
3. Eruptionskreuzelement mit Ventil gemäß Anspruch 1 oder Anspruch 2, wobei in einem
zusammengebauten Zustand ein Flussumlenkerelement (66) in dem Risersystem (35) eingeschlossen
ist, wobei das Flussumlenkerelement (66) ein im Wesentlichen vertikales röhrenförmiges
Element (66) beinhaltet, das eine Längsachse aufweist, die an einem Punkt, an dem
das Flussumlenkerelement (66) in dem Risersystem (35) eingeschlossen ist, zu der Längsachse
des Risersystems (35) im Wesentlichen parallel ist; wobei die Längsachse des im Wesentlichen
vertikalen röhrenförmigen Elements (66) an dem Punkt, an dem das Flussumlenkerelement
(66) in dem Risersystem (35) eingeschlossen ist, mit der Längsachse des Risersystems
(35) im Wesentlichen zusammenfällt.
4. Eruptionskreuzelement mit Ventil gemäß Anspruch 3, wobei das Flussumlenkerelement
(66) ferner ein röhrenförmiges Querelement (65) beinhaltet; wobei das röhrenförmige
Querelement (65) so eingerichtet ist, dass seine Längsachse zu der Längsachse des
im Wesentlichen vertikalen röhrenförmigen Elements (66) im Wesentlichen senkrecht
ist; wobei das röhrenförmige Querelement (65) an jedem Ende davon den Anschluss (69A,
69B) bereitstellt; und wobei jeweilige Durchgangsbohrungen (33, 67) des röhrenförmigen
Querelements (65) und des im Wesentlichen vertikalen röhrenförmigen Elements (66)
einander schneiden.
5. Eruptionskreuzelement mit Ventil gemäß Anspruch 4, wobei das Flussumlenkerelement
(66) drei oder mehr Fluideintritts-/-austrittspunkte (66U, 66L, 69A, 69B) beinhaltet.
6. Eruptionskreuzelement mit Ventil gemäß Anspruch 5, wobei das Flussumlenkerelement
(66) vier Fluideintritts-/-austrittspunkte beinhaltet, wobei zwei (66U, 66L) durch
jedes Ende des im Wesentlichen vertikalen röhrenförmigen Elements (66) bereitgestellt
werden und zwei (69A, 69B) durch jedes Ende des röhrenförmigen Querelements (65) bereitgestellt
werden.
7. Eruptionskreuzelement mit Ventil gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das
Eruptionskreuzelement (50) mit Ventil selektiv mit einem Gehäuseelement (42) gekoppelt
ist, das auf dem schwimmenden Fahrzeug (8) bereitgestellt ist; wobei das Eruptionskreuzelement
(50) mit Ventil ein selektives Arretiersystem (44) beinhaltet, das konfiguriert ist,
das Eruptionskreuzelement (50) mit Ventil selektiv an dem Gehäuseelement (42) des
schwimmenden Fahrzeugs (8) zu arretieren.
8. Eruptionskreuzelement mit Ventil gemäß Anspruch 7, wobei das Eruptionskreuzelement
(50) mit Ventil an dem Gehäuseelement (42) arretiert ist, wenn das Risersystem (35)
konfiguriert ist, um in die Wassermasse, auf der das Fahrzeug (8) schwimmt, eingelassen
zu werden, wobei das Risersystem (35) angepasst ist, um durch eine Durchgangsbohrung
(51) des Eruptionskreuzelements (50) mit Ventil und durch den Moonpool (14) des schwimmenden
Fahrzeugs (8) eingelassen zu werden.
9. Eruptionskreuzelement mit Ventil gemäß Anspruch 8, wobei, wenn das eine oder die mehreren
Ventilelemente (70A, 70B) des Eruptionskreuzelements (50) mit Ventil mit der Durchgangsbohrung
(33) des Risersystems (35) in abgedichteter Fluidkommunikation stehen, das selektive
Arretiersystem (44) gelöst wird, um das Eruptionskreuzelement (50) mit Ventil aus
dem Eingriff mit dem Gehäuseelement (42) freizugeben, und ein oder mehrere Zugspannungsstützelemente
(82A, 82B) bereitgestellt werden, um das Gewicht des Eruptionskreuzelements (50) mit
Ventil zu stützen.
10. Eruptionskreuzelement mit Ventil gemäß Anspruch 9, wobei das eine oder die mehreren
Zugspannungsstützelemente (82A, 82B) das Auftreten einer relativen Bewegung zwischen
dem Eruptionskreuzelement (50) mit Ventil, das an dem Risersystem (35) gesichert ist,
und dem schwimmenden Fahrzeug (8) gestatten, sodass das eine oder die mehreren Zugspannungsstützelemente
(82A, 82B) auch mindestens einen Teil des Gewichts des Risersystems (35) tragen und
dadurch eine relative Hebung zwischen dem Risersystem (35) und dem schwimmenden Fahrzeug
(8) kompensieren, wobei die relative Bewegung im Wesentlichen vertikal ist.
11. Ein Riserkomplettierungssystem, das Folgendes beinhaltet:
ein Risersystem (35), das ein unteres Durchgangsventil (68), ein über dem unteren
Durchgangsventil (68) angeordnetes Flussumlenkerelement (66) und mindestens ein oberes
Durchgangsventil (62, 64), das über dem Flussumlenkerelement (66) angeordnet ist,
und eine ineinanderschiebbare Vorrichtung (60), die über dem oberen Durchgangsventil
(62, 64) angeordnet ist, um eine Hebungskompensation zu gestatten, beinhaltet; und
ein Eruptionskreuzelement (50) mit Ventil gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche.
12. Riserkomplettierungssystem gemäß Anspruch 11, wobei wobei das untere (68) und das
obere (62, 64) Durchgangsventil angepasst sind, um selektiv geöffnet oder geschlossen
zu werden, um den Fluss von Fluid durch die Durchgangsbohrung (33) des Risersystems
(35) zu gestatten bzw. zu verhindern; wobei das untere Durchgangsventil (68) unter
dem Eruptionskreuzelement (50) mit Ventil angeordnet ist, wenn das eine oder die mehreren
Ventilelemente (70A, 70B) des Eruptionskreuzelements (50) mit Ventil mit der Durchgangsbohrung
(33) des Risersystems (35) in abgedichteter Fluidkommunikation stehen; und wobei das
obere Durchgangsventil (62, 64) zwischen dem Eruptionskreuzelement (50) mit Ventil
und der ineinanderschiebbaren Vorrichtung (60) angeordnet ist.
13. Riserkomplettierungssystem gemäß Anspruch 11 oder 12, wobei das Flussumlenkerelement
(66) Folgendes beinhaltet:
ein im Wesentlichen vertikales röhrenförmiges Element (66), das eine Durchgangsbohrung
(33) beinhaltet, die eine Längsachse aufweist, welche an dem Punkt, an dem das Flussumlenkerelement
(66) in dem Risersystem (35) eingeschlossen ist, mit der Längsachse des Risersystems
(35) im Wesentlichen zusammenfällt; und
ein röhrenförmiges Querelement (65), das eine Durchgangsbohrung (67) aufweist, deren
Längsachse zu der Längsachse des im Wesentlichen vertikalen röhrenförmigen Elements
(66) im Wesentlichen senkrecht ist;
wobei ein unteres Ende (66L) des im Wesentlichen vertikalen röhrenförmigen Elements
(66) mit einem unteren Abschnitt des Risersystems (35) derart gekoppelt ist, dass
eingerichtet ist, dass bei Verwendung Fluid, das durch den unteren Abschnitt des Risersystems
(35) läuft, auf eine fluiddichte Weise in die Durchgangsbohrung des unteren Endes
(66L) des im Wesentlichen vertikalen röhrenförmigen (66) Elements eintritt;
ein oberes Ende (66U) des im Wesentlichen vertikalen röhrenförmigen Elements (66)
mit einem oberen Abschnitt des Risersystems (35) derart gekoppelt ist, dass eingerichtet
ist, dass bei Verwendung Fluid, das durch das obere Ende (66U) des im Wesentlichen
vertikalen röhrenförmigen Elements (66) läuft, auf eine fluiddichte Weise in den oberen
Abschnitt des Risersystems (35) eintritt;
und wobei die Durchgangsbohrung (67) des röhrenförmigen Querelements (65) mit der
Durchgangsbohrung (33) des im Wesentlichen vertikalen röhrenförmigen Elements (66)
derart in Fluidkommunikation steht, dass bei Verwendung einem von dem unteren Abschnitt
des Risersystems (35) geförderten Fluid gestattet wird, durch das Ende (die Enden)
des röhrenförmigen Querelements (65) und/oder das obere Ende (66U) des im Wesentlichen
vertikalen röhrenförmigen Elements (66) zu fließen, abhängig von der Konfiguration
der daran angebrachten Ventile (62, 64, 68).
14. Riserkomplettierungssystem gemäß einem der Ansprüche 11 bis 13, wobei die ineinanderschiebbare
Vorrichtung (60) Folgendes beinhaltet:
ein inneres Element (120), das ineinanderschiebbar in einem äußeren Element (110,
115) bereitgestellt ist;
wobei das innere Element (120) zwischen drei Konfigurationen beweglich ist, wobei:
i) das innere Element (120) in einer im Wesentlichen geschlossenen Konfiguration derart
an dem äußeren Element (110, 115) arretiert ist, dass ein wesentlicher Anteil des
inneren Elements (120) innerhalb des äußeren Elements (110, 115) angeordnet ist, sodass
die ineinanderschiebbare Vorrichtung (60) relativ kurz ist;
ii) das innere Element (120) in einer im Wesentlichen offenen Konfiguration derart
an dem äußeren Element (110, 115) arretiert ist, dass ein wesentlicher Anteil des
inneren Elements (120) außerhalb des äußeren Elements (110, 115) angeordnet ist, sodass
die ineinanderschiebbare Vorrichtung (60) relativ lang ist; und
iii) das innere Element (120) in einer im Wesentlichen frei beweglichen Konfiguration
in Bezug auf das äußere Element (110, 115) ist, sodass das innere Element (120) in
das äußere Element (110, 115) hineingeschoben und daraus herausgezogen werden kann;
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das innere Element (120) angepasst ist, um durch ein Abdichtungselement (117) eine
Abdichtung zu dem äußeren Element (110, 115) herzustellen, wenn es sich in mindestens
einer der Konfigurationen i) und ii) befindet, aber das Abdichtungselement (117) eingerichtet
ist, von mindestens einem Abschnitt des inneren Elements (120) beabstandet zu sein,
wenn es sich in Konfiguration iii) befindet.
15. Riserkomplettierungssystem gemäß Anspruch 14, wobei das Abdichtungselement (117) an
einem an dem äußeren Element (110, 115) gesicherten Abschnitt montiert und innerhalb
der Bohrung des inneren Elements (120) angeordnet ist und gegen eine innere Oberfläche
der inneren Bohrung des inneren Elements (120) wirkt.
16. Riserkomplettierungssystem gemäß Anspruch 14 oder Anspruch 15, wobei eines von dem
inneren (120) und äußeren (110, 115) Element mit einem variierten inneren oder äußeren
Umfang versehen ist, sodass das Abdichtungselement (117) daran gehindert wird, gegen
das andere von dem inneren (120) und dem äußeren (110, 115) Element zu wirken, wenn
sich das Abdichtungselement (117) an einer Stelle zwischen den zwei Formationen befindet,
sodass das Abdichtungselement (117) nicht wirkt, wenn sich die ineinanderschiebbare
Vorrichtung (60) in Konfiguration iii) befindet.
17. Ein Verfahren zum Komplettieren einer Riserinstallation, das die folgenden Schritte
beinhaltet:
i) Absenken eines Risersystems (35) von einem Fahrzeug (8) durch einen Moonpool (14)
an der Oberfläche einer Wassermasse zu oder in dichte Nähe zu der Oberfläche am Boden
der Wassermasse;
ii) Verbinden eines unteren Durchgangsventils (68) zu einem oberen Ende des Risersystems
(35) hin;
iii) Verbinden eines Flussumlenkerelements (66) über dem unteren Durchgangsventil
(68) in dem Risersystem (35);
iv) Verbinden mindestens eines oberen Durchgangsventils (62, 64) über dem Flussumlenkerelement
(66) in dem Risersystem (35);
v) Verbinden einer ineinanderschiebbaren Vorrichtung (60) über dem oberen Durchgangsventil
(62, 64) in dem Risersystem (35);
vi) Verbinden des unteren Endes des Risersystems (35) mit Bohrlochkopfausrüstung (20),
die an dem Kopf eines Bohrlochs bereitgestellt ist;
vii) Bereitstellen eines Eruptionskreuzelements (50) mit Ventil, das zur Verwendung
mit dem Fahrzeug (8) geeignet ist, wobei das Eruptionskreuzelement (50) mit Ventil
ein oder mehrere Ventilelemente (70A, 70B), die daran montiert sind und angepasst
sind, um selektiv einen Fluss von Fluid dort hindurch zu gestatten und zu verhindern,
und ein oder mehrere bewegliche Einführelemente (76A, 76B) beinhaltet, wobei das Risersystem
(35) durch eine Durchgangsbohrung (51) des Eruptionskreuzelements (50) mit Ventil
ins Meer eingelassen wird, wobei das eine oder die mehreren beweglichen Einführelemente
(76A, 76B) eingerichtet sind, um in einen in dem Risersystem (35) bereitgestellten
Anschluss (69A, 69B) selektiv abdichtend einzugreifen;
wobei der Anschluss (69A, 69B) in dem Risersystem (35) eingeschlossen ist und mindestens
eine Öffnung durch eine Seitenwand des Risersystems (35) beinhaltet; und dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das eine oder die mehreren beweglichen Einführelemente (76A, 76B) eingerichtet sind,
um sich in einer Richtung, die zu der Längsachse des Risersystems (35) im Wesentlichen
senkrecht ist, selektiv radial einwärts zu der Längsachse des Risersystems (35) hin
zu bewegen, um in den Anschluss (69A, 69B) abdichtend einzugreifen, sodass Fluid in
der Durchgangsbohrung (33) des Risersystems (35) in einer abgedichteten Weise von
der Durchgangsbohrung (33) des Risersystems (35) durch das eine oder die mehreren
beweglichen Einführelemente (76A, 76B) und in das eine oder die mehreren an dem Eruptionskreuzelement
(50) mit Ventil montierten Ventilelemente (70A, 70B) fließen kann;
viii) Ausrichten und Koppeln des Flussumlenkerelements (66) mit dem Eruptionskreuzelement
(50) mit Ventil und Bewegen des einen oder der mehreren beweglichen Einführelemente
(76A, 76B), um jeweils mit mindestens einem Abschnitt des Flussumlenkerelements (66)
eine Abdichtung zu ergeben, um dadurch einen abgedichteten Fluidkommunikationsweg
zwischen einer Durchgangsbohrung (33) des Risersystems (35) und dem einen oder den
mehreren Ventilelementen (70A, 70B) bereitzustellen;
wobei der von dem oberen Ende des Risersystems (35) geförderte Fluss von Fluid selektiv
vom Nach-oben-Fließen durch das obere Ende des Risersystems (35) umgelenkt werden
kann und stattdessen selektiv durch das eine oder die mehreren beweglichen Einführelemente
(76A, 76B) und durch das eine oder die mehreren Ventilelemente (70A, 70B) des Eruptionskreuzelements
(50) mit Ventil umgelenkt werden kann.
1. Un élément formant arbre à vannes (50) pour inclusion dans un système à colonne montante
(35) qui inclut un orifice (69A, 69B) comprenant au moins une ouverture à travers
une paroi latérale du système à colonne montante (35), l'élément formant arbre à vannes
(50) pouvant convenir pour une utilisation avec un support flottant (8) ayant un puits
central (14), l'élément formant arbre à vannes (50) comprenant :
un élément formant corps (44) ;
un ou plusieurs éléments formant vannes (70A, 70B) conçus afin de permettre et d'empêcher
sélectivement un écoulement de fluide à travers eux et qui sont montés sur l'élément
formant corps (44), et
un ou plusieurs éléments formant guides mobiles (76A, 76B) conçus afin de fournir
respectivement sélectivement une voie de communication fluidique étanche entre un
alésage traversant (33) du système à colonne montante (35) et les un ou plusieurs
éléments formant vannes (70A, 70B) ;
dans lequel les un ou plusieurs éléments formant guides mobiles (76A, 76B) sont agencés
afin de se mettre en prise de manière sélectivement étanchéifiante avec l'orifice
(69A, 69B) fourni dans le système à colonne montante (35) ;
caractérisé en ce que lesdits un ou plusieurs éléments formant guides mobiles (76A, 76B) sont agencés afin
de se déplacer sélectivement radialement vers l'intérieur vers un axe longitudinal
du système à colonne montante (35) dans une direction substantiellement perpendiculaire
par rapport à l'axe longitudinal du système à colonne montante (35) afin de se mettre
en prise de manière étanchéifiante avec l'orifice (69A, 69B) de telle sorte que du
fluide dans l'alésage traversant (33) du système à colonne montante (35) est autorisé
à s'écouler d'une manière étanche depuis l'alésage traversant (33) du système à colonne
montante (35) à travers les un ou plusieurs éléments formant guides mobiles (76A,
76B) et jusque dans un ou plusieurs éléments formant vannes (70A, 70B) montés sur
l'élément formant arbre à vannes (50).
2. Un élément formant arbre à vannes tel que revendiqué dans la revendication 1, dans
lequel chaque élément parmi les un ou plusieurs éléments formant vannes (70A, 70B)
montés sur l'élément formant corps (44) de l'élément formant arbre à vannes (50) comprend
un axe longitudinal agencé de manière substantiellement perpendiculaire par rapport
à un axe longitudinal du système à colonne montante (35) au niveau du point auquel
l'élément formant arbre à vannes (50) est assemblé avec le système à colonne montante
(35) ; dans lequel les un ou plusieurs éléments formant vannes (70A, 70B) sont raccordés
à l'élément formant corps (44) par un couplage tubulaire (90A, 90B) ayant un alésage
traversant ; et dans lequel ledit élément formant guide mobile (76A, 76B) est placé
au sein de l'alésage traversant du couplage tubulaire (90A, 90B).
3. Un élément formant arbre à vannes tel que revendiqué dans la revendication 1 ou la
revendication 2, dans lequel, dans un état assemblé, un élément formant dispositif
de détournement d'écoulement (66) est inclus dans le système à colonne montante (35),
l'élément formant dispositif de détournement d'écoulement (66) comprenant un élément
tubulaire substantiellement vertical (66) ayant un axe longitudinal substantiellement
parallèle à l'axe longitudinal du système à colonne montante (35) au niveau d'un point
auquel l'élément formant dispositif de détournement d'écoulement (66) est inclus dans
le système à colonne montante (35) ; dans lequel l'élément tubulaire substantiellement
vertical (66) a l'axe longitudinal substantiellement co-incident avec l'axe longitudinal
du système à colonne montante (35) au niveau du point auquel l'élément formant dispositif
de détournement d'écoulement (66) est inclus dans le système à colonne montante (35).
4. Un élément formant arbre à vannes tel que revendiqué dans la revendication 3, dans
lequel l'élément formant dispositif de détournement d'écoulement (66) comprend en
sus un élément tubulaire transversal (65) ; dans lequel l'élément tubulaire transversal
(65) est agencé de façon à ce que son axe longitudinal soit substantiellement perpendiculaire
par rapport à l'axe longitudinal de l'élément tubulaire substantiellement vertical
(66) ; dans lequel l'élément tubulaire transversal (65) fournit l'orifice (69A, 69B)
à chaque extrémité de celui-ci ; et dans lequel des alésages traversants (33, 67)
respectifs de l'élément tubulaire transversal (65) et de l'élément tubulaire substantiellement
vertical (66) se coupent l'un l'autre.
5. Un élément formant arbre à vannes tel que revendiqué dans la revendication 4, dans
lequel l'élément formant dispositif de détournement d'écoulement (66) comprend trois
points d'entrée/de sortie de fluide (66U, 66L, 69A, 69B) ou plus.
6. Un élément formant arbre à vannes tel que revendiqué dans la revendication 5, dans
lequel l'élément formant dispositif de détournement d'écoulement (66) comprend quatre
points d'entrée/de sortie de fluide où deux (66U, 66L) sont fournis par chaque extrémité
de l'élément tubulaire substantiellement vertical (66) et deux (69A, 69B) sont fournis
par chaque extrémité de l'élément tubulaire transversal (65).
7. Un élément formant arbre à vannes tel que revendiqué dans n'importe quelle revendication
précédente, l'élément formant arbre à vannes (50) étant couplé sélectivement à un
élément formant logement (42) fourni sur le support flottant (8) ; l'élément formant
arbre à vannes (50) comprenant un système de verrouillage sélectif (44) configuré
afin de verrouiller sélectivement l'élément formant arbre à vannes (50) par rapport
audit élément formant logement (42) du support flottant (8).
8. Un élément formant arbre à vannes tel que revendiqué dans la revendication 7, l'élément
formant arbre à vannes (50) étant verrouillé par rapport audit élément formant logement
(42) lorsque le système à colonne montante (35) est configuré pour être redescendu
dans le corps d'eau sur lequel le support (8) flotte, le système à colonne montante
(35) étant conçu pour être redescendu à travers un alésage traversant (51) de l'élément
formant arbre à vannes (50) et à travers le puits central (14) du support flottant
(8).
9. Un élément formant arbre à vannes tel que revendiqué dans la revendication 8, dans
lequel une fois que les un ou plusieurs éléments formant vannes (70A, 70B) de l'élément
formant arbre à vannes (50) sont en communication fluidique étanche avec l'alésage
traversant (33) du système à colonne montante (35), le système de verrouillage sélectif
(44) est déverrouillé afin de libérer l'élément formant arbre à vannes (50) de sa
prise avec l'élément formant logement (42) et un ou plusieurs éléments supportant
une tension (82A, 82B) sont fournis afin de supporter le poids de l'élément formant
arbre à vannes (50).
10. Un élément formant arbre à vannes tel que revendiqué dans la revendication 9, dans
lequel les un ou plusieurs éléments supportant une tension (82A, 82B) permettent à
un déplacement relatif de se produire entre l'élément formant arbre à vannes (50)
qui est assujetti au système à colonne montante (35) et le support flottant (8), de
telle sorte que les un ou plusieurs éléments supportant une tension (82A, 82B) portent
aussi au moins une portion du poids du système à colonne montante (35) et de ce fait
compensent un pilonnement relatif entre le système à colonne montante (35) et le support
flottant (8), le déplacement relatif étant substantiellement vertical.
11. Un système de complétion à colonne montante comprenant :
un système à colonne montante (35) comprenant une vanne en ligne inférieure (68),
un élément formant dispositif de détournement d'écoulement (66) placé au-dessus de
la vanne en ligne inférieure (68) et au moins une vanne en ligne supérieure (62, 64)
placée au-dessus de l'élément formant dispositif de détournement d'écoulement (66)
et un dispositif télescopique (60) placé au-dessus de ladite vanne en ligne supérieure
(62, 64) afin de permettre une compensation du pilonnement ; et
un élément formant arbre à vannes (50) conformément à n'importe quelle revendication
précédente.
12. Un système de complétion à colonne montante tel que revendiqué dans la revendication
11, dans lequel les vannes en ligne inférieure (68) et supérieure (62, 64) sont conçues
afin d'être ouvertes ou fermées sélectivement pour respectivement permettre ou empêcher
un écoulement de fluide à travers l'alésage traversant (33) du système à colonne montante
(35) ; dans lequel la vanne en ligne inférieure (68) est placée en dessous de l'élément
formant arbre à vannes (50) lorsque les un ou plusieurs éléments formant vannes (70A,
70B) de l'élément formant arbre à vannes (50) sont en communication fluidique étanche
avec l'alésage traversant (33) du système à colonne montante (35) ; et dans lequel
la vanne en ligne supérieure (62, 64) est placée entre l'élément formant arbre à vannes
(50) et le dispositif télescopique (60).
13. Un système de complétion à colonne montante tel que revendiqué dans la revendication
11 ou la revendication 12, dans lequel l'élément formant dispositif de détournement
d'écoulement (66) comprend :
un élément tubulaire substantiellement vertical (66) comprenant un alésage traversant
(33) ayant un axe longitudinal substantiellement co-incident avec l'axe longitudinal
du système à colonne montante (35) au niveau du point auquel l'élément formant dispositif
de détournement d'écoulement (66) est inclus dans le système à colonne montante (35)
; et
un élément tubulaire transversal (65) ayant un alésage traversant (67) agencé avec
son axe longitudinal substantiellement perpendiculaire par rapport à l'axe longitudinal
de l'élément tubulaire substantiellement vertical (66) ;
dans lequel, une extrémité inférieure (66L) de l'élément tubulaire substantiellement
vertical (66) est couplée à une portion inférieure du système à colonne montante (35)
de telle sorte que, en utilisation, du fluide passant à travers la portion inférieure
du système à colonne montante (35) est agencé afin d'entrer dans l'alésage traversant
de l'extrémité inférieure (66L) de l'élément tubulaire substantiellement vertical
(66) d'une manière imperméable aux fluides ;
une extrémité supérieure (66U) de l'élément tubulaire substantiellement vertical (66)
est couplée à une portion supérieure du système à colonne montante (35) de telle sorte
que, en utilisation, du fluide passant à travers l'extrémité supérieure (66U) de l'élément
tubulaire substantiellement vertical (66) est agencé afin d'entrer dans la portion
supérieure du système à colonne montante (35) d'une manière imperméable aux fluides
;
et dans lequel l'alésage traversant (67) de l'élément tubulaire transversal (65) est
en communication fluidique avec l'alésage traversant (33) de l'élément tubulaire substantiellement
vertical (66) de telle sorte que, en utilisation, il est permis à du fluide produit
en provenance de la portion inférieure du système à colonne montante (35) de s'écouler
à travers la ou les extrémités de l'élément tubulaire transversal (65) et/ou l'extrémité
supérieure (66U) de l'élément tubulaire substantiellement vertical (66) en fonction
de la configuration des vannes (62, 64, 68) qui y sont attachées.
14. Un système de complétion à colonne montante selon n'importe lesquelles des revendications
11 à 13, dans lequel le dispositif télescopique (60) comprend :
un élément interne (120) fourni de manière télescopique dans un élément externe (110,
115) ;
l'élément interne (120) pouvant se déplacer entre trois configurations dans lesquelles
:
i) l'élément interne (120) est verrouillé par rapport à l'élément externe (110, 115)
dans une configuration substantiellement fermée de telle sorte qu'une proportion substantielle
de l'élément interne (120) est placée au sein de l'élément externe (110, 115) de telle
sorte que le dispositif télescopique (60) est relativement court ;
ii) l'élément interne (120) est verrouillé par rapport à l'élément externe (110, 115)
dans une configuration substantiellement ouverte de telle sorte qu'une proportion
substantielle de l'élément interne (120) est placée en dehors de l'élément externe
(110, 115) de telle sorte que le dispositif télescopique (60) est relativement long
; et
iii) l'élément interne (120) est dans une configuration où il est substantiellement
libre de se déplacer relativement à l'élément externe (110, 115) de telle sorte que
l'élément interne (120) peut, de manière télescopique, s'emboîter dans et se déboîter
de l'élément externe (110, 115) ;
caractérisé en ce que l'élément interne (120) est conçu afin d'être étanchéifié par un élément d'étanchéité
(117) par rapport à l'élément externe (110, 115) lorsque dans l'une au moins des configurations
i) et ii) mais l'élément d'étanchéité (117) est agencé afin d'être à distance d'au
moins une portion de l'élément interne (120) lorsque dans la configuration iii).
15. Un système de complétion à colonne montante tel que revendiqué dans la revendication
14, dans lequel l'élément d'étanchéité (117) est monté sur une portion assujettie
à l'élément externe (110, 115) et placé au sein de l'alésage de l'élément interne
(120), et agit contre une surface interne de l'alésage interne de l'élément interne
(120).
16. Un système de complétion à colonne montante tel que revendiqué dans la revendication
14 ou la revendication 15, dans lequel l'un des éléments interne (120) et externe
(110, 115) est pourvu d'une circonférence interne ou externe variée de telle sorte
qu'une action de l'élément d'étanchéité (117) contre l'autre des éléments interne
(120) et externe (110, 115) est empêchée lorsque l'élément d'étanchéité (117) est
à un emplacement entre les deux formations de telle sorte que l'élément d'étanchéité
(117) n'agit pas lorsque le dispositif télescopique (60) est dans la configuration
iii).
17. Un procédé de complétion d'une installation à colonne montante comprenant les étapes
consistant :
i) à abaisser un système à colonne montante (35) depuis un support (8) à travers un
puits central (14) à la surface d'un corps d'eau jusqu'à ou à proximité immédiate
de la surface au fond du corps d'eau ;
ii) à raccorder une vanne en ligne inférieure (68) vers une extrémité supérieure du
système à colonne montante (35) ;
iii) à raccorder un élément formant dispositif de détournement d'écoulement (66) au-dessus
de ladite vanne en ligne inférieure (68) dans le système à colonne montante (35) ;
iv) à raccorder au moins une vanne en ligne supérieure (62, 64) au-dessus dudit élément
formant dispositif de détournement d'écoulement (66) dans le système à colonne montante
(35) ;
v) à raccorder un dispositif télescopique (60) au-dessus de ladite vanne en ligne
supérieure (62, 64) dans le système à colonne montante (35) ;
vi) à raccorder l'extrémité inférieure du système à colonne montante (35) à de l'équipement
de tête de puits (20) fourni au niveau de la tête d'un puits ;
vii) à fournir un élément formant arbre à vannes (50) pouvant convenir pour une utilisation
avec le support (8), l'élément formant arbre à vannes (50) comprenant un ou plusieurs
éléments formant vannes (70A, 70B) montés sur lui et conçus afin de permettre et d'empêcher
sélectivement un écoulement de fluide à travers eux, et un ou plusieurs éléments formant
guides mobiles (76A, 76B) dans lequel le système à colonne montante (35) est redescendu
dans la mer à travers un alésage traversant (51) de l'élément formant arbre à vannes
(50), dans lequel les un ou plusieurs éléments formant guides mobiles (76A, 76B) sont
agencés afin de se mettre en prise de manière sélectivement étanchéifiante avec un
orifice (69A, 69B) fourni dans le système à colonne montante (35) ;
dans lequel l'orifice (69A, 69B) est inclus dans le système à colonne montante (35)
et comprend au moins une ouverture à travers une paroi latérale du système à colonne
montante (35) ; et
caractérisé en ce que lesdits un ou plusieurs éléments formant guides mobiles (76A, 76B) sont agencés afin
de se déplacer sélectivement radialement vers l'intérieur vers l'axe longitudinal
du système à colonne montante (35) dans une direction substantiellement perpendiculaire
par rapport à l'axe longitudinal du système à colonne montante (35) afin de se mettre
en prise de manière étanchéifiante avec l'orifice (69A, 69B) de telle sorte que du
fluide dans l'alésage traversant (33) du système à colonne montante (35) est autorisé
à s'écouler d'une manière étanche depuis l'alésage traversant (33) du système à colonne
montante (35) à travers les un ou plusieurs éléments formant guides mobiles (76A,
76B) et jusque dans lesdits un ou plusieurs éléments formant vannes (70A, 70B) montés
sur l'élément formant arbre à vannes (50) ;
viii) à aligner et coupler l'élément formant dispositif de détournement d'écoulement
(66) avec l'élément formant arbre à vannes (50) et à déplacer lesdits un ou plusieurs
éléments formant guides mobiles (76A, 76B) afin de fournir respectivement une étanchéification
avec au moins une portion de l'élément formant dispositif de détournement d'écoulement
(66) pour fournir de ce fait une voie de communication fluidique étanche entre un
alésage traversant (33) du système à colonne montante (35) et les un ou plusieurs
éléments formant vannes (70A, 70B) ;
dans lequel l'écoulement de fluide produit en provenance de l'extrémité supérieure
du système à colonne montante (35) peut être détourné sélectivement d'un écoulement
vers le haut à travers l'extrémité supérieure du système à colonne montante (35) et
peut à la place être détourné sélectivement à travers lesdits un ou plusieurs éléments
formant guides mobiles (76A, 76B) et à travers lesdits un ou plusieurs éléments formant
vannes (70A, 70B) de l'élément formant arbre à vannes (50).