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  • 专利说明
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    • 专利摘要:
    umbilical. an umbilical for use in the production of hydrocarbons at sea, and in particular an energy umbilical for use in deep water applications, is described, comprising a plurality of longitudinal resistance members, said resistance members having one or more characteristics variables along the length of the umbilical. in this way, longitudinal resistance members on the umbilical can be provided to have, for example, a higher or higher tensile strength, where required, usually closer to the water surface or upper side, while having lower or less tensile strength , and usually, therefore, lower or lower weight, where higher or higher resistance is not as critical.
    公开号:BR112012008534B1
    申请号:R112012008534-4
    申请日:2010-10-05
    公开日:2020-12-15
    发明作者:David Fogg
    申请人:Technip France；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    [0001] The present invention relates to an umbilical for use in the production of hydrocarbons at sea, and in particular an energy umbilical for use in deep water applications.
    [0002] An umbilical consists of a group of one or more types of elongated or longitudinal active umbilical elements, such as electrical cables, fiber optic cables, steel tubes and / or hoses, wired together for flexibility, over jackets and, when applicable, shielded for mechanical resistance. Umbilicals are typically used to transmit energy, signals and fluids (for example, for fluid injection, hydraulic power, gas release, etc.) to and from an underwater installation.
    [0003] The umbilical cross-section is generally circular, the elongated elements being rolled together either in a helical pattern or in an S / ZA pattern in order to fill the interstitial voids between the various umbilical elements and obtain the desired configuration, filling components can be included in the empty spaces.
    [0004] ISO 13628-5 "Specification for Submarine Umbilicals" provides standards for the design and manufacture of such umbilicals.
    [0005] Submarine umbilicals are installed at increasing depths of water, usually deeper than 2000 m. Such umbilicals must be able to withstand severe loading conditions during installation and service life.
    [0006] The main load-bearing components, responsible for resisting axial loads due to the weight (tension) and movements (bending stresses) of the umbilical, are steel tubes (see, for example, US 6472614, WO 93 / 17176, GB 2316990), steel bars (US 6472614), composite bars (WO 2005/124095, US 2007/0251694), steel cables (GB 2326177, WO 2005/124095), or tension shielding layers (see Figure 1 of US 6,472,614).
    [0007] The other elements, such as the electrical and optical cables, the thermoplastic hoses, the polymeric outer layer and the polymeric filling components, do not contribute significantly to the umbilical's tensile strength.
    [0008] The load-bearing components of most umbilicals are made of steel, which adds strength, but also weight to the structure. As the water depth increases, the suspended weight also increases (for example, in a riser configuration) until a limit is reached, in which the umbilical is not able to support its own suspended weight. This limit depends on the structure and dynamic conditions on the surface (of the water) or 'upper side'. This limit is about 3000 m for steel-reinforced energy umbilicals (that is, ascending umbilicals comprising large and heavy electrical power cables with copper conductors).
    [0009] However, it is desired to create energy umbilicals for ultra-deep water (for such depths of (D)> 3000 m). Such umbilicals comprise very heavy steel conductor cables and must be strongly reinforced to be able to withstand their over-suspended weight and dynamic installation and operating loads. An easy solution would be to reinforce such umbilicals with other resistance members supporting steel load, such as the bars, metallic wires, tubes or cables described above. However, due to the specific gravity of the steel, this solution now also adds significant weight to the umbilical. In static conditions, the water depth limit for this project is about D = 3200 m, where the maximum tensile stress in the copper conductors of the power cables (being the weak point of the structure) reaches its flow point (in the area upper side close to the surface). However, in any dynamic conditions, this depth limit is naturally lower because of the fatigue phenomenon. Depending on the waves, on the movements of the floating production unit, and the type of bending stiffener that is used, the limit of this project in dynamic conditions is between 2700 m and 3000 m.
    [0010] In addition, such steel-reinforced umbilicals are very heavy and increasingly require powerful and expensive installation vessels.
    [0011] A suggested solution to this problem is to use resistance members of composite material, shown by WO2005 / 124095 and US2007 / 0251694. However, such umbilicals are difficult to manufacture and are therefore very expensive.
    [0012] GB 2326177A exposes the umbilical limit for deep water comprising a large central steel cable 4 surrounded by helically wound fillers and 2 "peripheral steel tubes. In the lower section, this set is replaced by a large steel tube 5. However, the transition from cable to tube is very complex and difficult to manufacture. 2 "helical peripheral tubes must also be connected to the large central tube 5 via a collecting tube which is also used to transmit the tensile load to the large central cable 4.
    [0013] An objective of the present invention is to overcome one or more of the above limitations and to provide an umbilical that can be used in greater depths of water (up to 3000 m and above) and / or under greater or more severe dynamic loading.
    [0014] According to an aspect of the present invention, an umbilical is provided comprising a plurality of longitudinal resistance members, said resistance members having one or more variable characteristics along the length of the umbilical.
    [0015] In this way, longitudinal resistance members on the umbilical can be provided to have one or more specific characteristics, such as higher or higher tensile strength, where required, usually closer to the water surface or upper side, while having one or more different characteristics, such as lower or lower tensile strength, and usually, therefore, lower or lower weight, wave properties, such as strength, are not as critical.
    [0016] The plurality of resistance members provide the load support of the umbilical, in use, and are generally formed as windings in the umbilical together with the other elements of the umbilical, generally not being the nucleus of the umbilical.
    [0017] The term "variable characteristic", when used here, refers to a change, variation or other difference in a mechanical and / or physical property of the longitudinal resistance members in the longitudinal or elongated direction of the resistance members, which extend at least partially, optionally totally or substantially, along the length of the umbilical. Such a change may be a change in the property of a characteristic (s) itself, or a change in the measurement or value of at least one characteristic in at least one cross-section point along the length of the member. resistance compared to a measurement or value of the same characteristic (s) at at least one other cross-sectional point of the resistance member.
    [0018] The characteristic (s) that vary along the length of the elongated resistance members can be one or more from the group comprising: tensile strength, specific gravity, relationship between strength and weight, fatigue strength, flexibility , temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, yield limit, Young's modulus, axial stiffness, and stress.
    [0019] The term "tensile strength", when used here, is defined as the ultimate tensile strength of a material or component, which is the maximum tensile strength that the material or component can resist without breaking.
    [0020] The term "specific gravity", when used here, refers to the ratio of the mass of a given volume of material or component to the mass of an equal volume of water. This may or may not refer to a change in any strength characteristic, for example, transition between the steel bar and a composite light bar having almost the same strength as steel.
    [0021] The term "relationship between strength and weight", when used here, refers to strength that is based on tensile strength.
    [0022] The term "fatigue strength", when used here, refers to resistance to repeated application of a stress cycle to a material or component that may involve one or more factors including amplitude, medium severity, cyclic stress rate and temperature effect, usually to the upper limit of a voltage range that the material or component can resist indefinitely. The term "flexibility", when used here, refers to flexural strength. The term "temperature resistance", when used here, refers to the ability of the resistance member to resist changes in its temperature environment. For example, they can be significantly higher temperatures, close to the upper side of an ascending umbilical inside an I-tube or hot J-tube, so it may be desired or necessary to avoid using materials such as Zylon cable near the upper side because of such higher temperatures.
    [0023] The term "corrosion resistance", when used here, refers to resistance to decomposition of the resistance member following interaction with water. The term "corrosion" is applied to both metallic and non-metallic materials. Hydrolysis aging of polymeric materials is considered to be a corrosion phenomenon. As an example, resistance members made of high-strength polymeric materials, such as Zylon, may have less corrosion resistance than steel.
    [0024] The term "yield limit", when used here, refers to the tensile force that can be applied before the plastic deformation of a material takes place under constant or reduced load.
    [0025] The term "Young's modulus", when used here, refers to the modulus of elasticity applicable to the stretching of an elongated item, usually based on the ratio of tensile strain to strain strain. It can also be known as a stretch or stretch module. Young's modulus may affect the axial stiffness of the resistance members.
    [0026] The term "axial stiffness", when used here, refers to the tensile load to achieve 100% deformation (in an ideal elastic material). For a homogeneous elastic bar, the axial stiffness is equal to the product of the area of cross section and Young's modulus.
    [0027] The term "stress", when used here, can refer to the tensile stress and / or final yield stress, with the force per unit area acting on a material and tending to change the dimensions, generally being the ratio of force per area resisting force.
    [0028] Table 1 below provides examples of measurements for various characteristics for various materials used to form elongated resistance members in umbilicals and known in the art, as they are provided as measurement examples only. Table 1


    [0029] The present invention uses the known material measurements used in the formation of umbilicals to effect a change in at least one characteristic along the length of the variable elongated resistance members, and thus effect at least one change in the characteristics of the umbilical along its length. Such changes are generally related to strength, but include other changes such as flexibility and flexural stresses, resistance to fatigue, resistance to the local environment and the like, where it is desired or necessary to have an umbilical with one or more characteristics in one location (is ) or along a portion (s) of its length different from the characteristics in another location (s) or another portion of its length (s).
    [0030] The variation in a characteristic (s) along the resistance members can comprise an alteration or a multiple of alterations. Each such change can be defined by a transition zone over which the characteristic (s) varies from one end or side of the transition zone to the other.
    [0031] One of such a change, or a number of a plurality of such changes, or all of such changes, may be staggered, acute or distinct changes in the characteristic (s), or involve a variation in the (s) feature (s) over a section of the resistance member. The present invention is not limited by the number of changes in the characteristic (s) along the length of the resistance member, or by the number and type of changes or transition zones between sections of the length member having different characteristics.
    [0032] The variation (s) in characteristic (s) of a resistance member can occur at any point (s), stage (s) or location (s) along the length of the resistance member. Thus, the present invention is not limited by the extension of different lengths of the resistance member having different characteristic (s).
    [0033] Each extension, length or section of a resistance member may have a regular or constant characteristic (s), or one or more variable characteristics in its own right.
    Thus, according to an embodiment of the present invention, an umbilical is provided comprising a plurality of longitudinal resistance members sequentially comprising at least a first section having a first characteristic (s) extending from one end the umbilical, a transition zone, and a second section having a second and different characteristic for the first section, preferably extending to the other end of the umbilical.
    [0035] The or each transition zone may provide a sudden change in characteristic (s) along the longitudinal direction of the resistance member. Optionally, the or each transition zone provides a section of the resistance member having an intermediate characteristic (s) and / or greater (s) than at least one of the characteristic (s) on each side of the resistance zone. transition.
    [0036] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a transition zone comprises a combination of the characteristics of the sections of the resistance member on each side of the transition zone, optionally with reinforcement therewith, in and around it.
    [0037] The or each transition zone may also comprise a joint or joint between the sections of the resistance member on each side of the transition zone, in particular to provide a longitudinal resistance member having a continuous length that is wholly or substantially the same. umbilical length.
    [0038] The resistance members can have a variable characteristic along their length because they are formed of different materials along their length creating sections of different characteristic values or measurements, such as tensile strength, consequently varying the value or measurement of the or each characteristic (s) along the total length of the resistance member.
    [0039] Such longitudinal sections may be formed from any or any combination of appropriate structures and materials, including metal bars (for example, made from one or more of steel, titanium, high strength aluminum and the like), composite bars ( such as one or a combination of carbon / epoxy, carbon / Peek, carbon / PPS, fiberglass / epoxy), metal cables (formed from materials similar to metal bars), composite cables (again formed from materials similar to composite bars, especially having a fiber or fibrous nature), high strength organic fiber cables (such as one or a combination of aramid, high modulus polyethylene, aromatic polyester, etc.), metal tubes and composite tubes.
    [0040] Each section of the resistance members of the present invention can comprise any and all combinations of such bars, tubes, cables, optionally being a combination thereof. For example, a longitudinal strength member of the present invention can be a metallic or composite cable or bar overcapped by a polymeric tube (a small layer being extruded around the cable or bar), or the composite bar or cable protected by a thin-walled stainless steel tube. The invention is not limited by the possible combinations both longitudinally and transversely of these materials.
    Thus, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the resistance members comprise a plurality of different sections, said sections comprising at least two of the group comprising: steel cable, steel bar, polymeric fillers, cable high strength fiber, composite bar, and composite cable.
    [0042] The term "composite cable", when used here, refers to a set of composite cable legs, each cable leg being a composite material so that each cable leg comprises high strength fibers embedded in a matrix, for example, unidirectional carbon fibers embedded in an epoxy resin.
    [0043] The term "high strength organic fiber cable", when used here, refers to a set of high strength organic fibers without any matrix material, for example, a set of Kevlar fibers (aramid) twisted together .
    [0044] The longitudinal resistance members for use in the present invention include the following combinations: 1. Steel bar for polymer filling 2. Steel bar for composite bar 3. Steel bar to high strength fiber cable 4. Steel cable for polymer filling 5. Steel cable for composite bar 6. Steel cable for high strength fiber cable 7. Composite bar for polymer filling 8.High strength fiber cable for polymer filling 9.Change of steel tube type 10.Changing of steel bar type
    [0045] According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one resistance member comprises a steel cable section and a polymeric filling section.
    [0046] According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one resistance member comprises a section of steel cable and a section of composite bar.
    [0047] According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one resistance member comprises a section of steel cable and a section of high resistance fiber cable.
    [0048] According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one resistance member comprises a composite bar section and a polymer filler section.
    [0049] According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one resistance member comprises a section of high strength fiber cable and a polymeric filler section.
    [0050] Combination No. 9, as described above, could, for example, refer to having a change in steel type from a hyper, duplex in the upper side area, then super duplex in in the intermediate water, and eventually duplex or thin duplex near the seabed.
    [0051] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the umbilical has a totally or substantially constant external diameter along its length. In this way, the umbilical has a constant external dimension.
    [0052] The constant external dimension of the umbilical can be obtained in a number of ways. For example, each of the longitudinal strength members, or at least their combination, could comprise totally or substantially constant outside diameter along its or its lengths. Longitudinal resistance members having a totally or substantially constant outside diameter provide constant and regular handling during the manufacture of the umbilical, as well as constant and regular handling of the umbilical installation. Preferably, where the resistance members are formed from a plurality of different sections, each section provides a constant outside diameter, including the or each transition zone between them.
    [0053] Alternatively, the longitudinal resistance members could extend to a certain portion of the umbilical, and their continuation position in the umbilical is occupied by one or more other or separate longitudinal resistance members, generally having the different characteristic (s) ), and / or one or more other umbilical elements such as fillers, the purpose of which is to fill the umbilical by extension to provide a constant outside diameter.
    Thus, according to another embodiment of the present invention, an umbilical is provided comprising sequentially at least a plurality of elongated resistance members having a first characteristic (s) extending from one end of the umbilical and terminated at half length along the length of the umbilical, a transition zone comprising an interstice, and a plurality of aligned elongated members having a different characteristic (s) to the elongated resistance members, preferably extending to the other umbilical end.
    [0055] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the or each member of variable resistance is wound helically or in an S / Z pattern along the umbilical. Where the resistance member has a constant outside diameter, as discussed above, this maintains ease of fabrication and continuity in the helical or S / Z pattern.
    [0056] More preferably, the or each resistance member has a constant or S / Z pattern along the umbilical, in particular a constant step or loop or loop, which allows the use of the same equipment or spiral machine to roll the total length of the longitudinal resistance member along the length of the umbilical.
    [0057] Preferably, the or each change or variation in characteristic (s), such as in one, or each, transition zone, does not increase, or increase beyond a minimum extent, the outside diameter of the longitudinal resistance member, so that the manufacture of the umbilical can be continued without having to stop the process because of a change or transition zone of the longitudinal resistance members.
    [0058] Generally, the present invention involves providing an umbilical having one end with a higher measurement of the characteristic (s) than its other end. For example, the connection of the upper side or the surface end of umbilicals, such as dynamic risers, which generally involve a combination of high tension and bending that can lead to rapid fatigue damage, can be provided with more tensile strength. high based on the present invention, to increase the strength and fatigue resistance of this part or end of the umbilical, without increasing the overall weight and cost of the remaining length.
    [0059] Preferably, the present invention avoids terminations in the intermediate water (such as umbilical connectors or end fittings), to maintain ease of regular manufacture, and ease of regular installation of such umbilicals.
    [0060] With the modality of having additional resistance provided on the upper side or surface end of umbilicals provided as risers, the present invention can provide an umbilical for use at a depth greater than 2000 m, preferably that goes up to 3000 m and beyond .
    [0061] The umbilical of the present invention may further comprise one or more non-variable longitudinal strength members. A minimal feature, such as tensile strength, may be required throughout all parts of the umbilical, with the present invention providing the ability to increase the feature (s) in one or more parts, in particular those parts of the umbilical. umbilical cord that may be subject to maximum tension and / or flexion.
    [0062] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of fabricating an umbilical comprising a plurality of longitudinal resistance members having one or more variable characteristics along the length of the umbilical, the method comprising at least the step to form a number of longitudinal resistance members as part of the umbilical, in particular in a helical or S / Z pattern, more particularly in a constant winding.
    [0063] Changes to the characteristic (s) or transition zones between different sections of a member of longitudinal strength can be provided according to a number of methods, some depending on the nature of the different sections and / or the characteristic (s) required (s) of the transition zone. Various methods are described hereinafter, and an umbilical of the present invention may involve one or more of such processes and methods in its manufacture.
    [0064] The present invention encompasses all combinations of various embodiments or aspects of the invention described herein. It is understood that any and all embodiments of the present invention can be taken in conjunction with any other embodiment to describe additional embodiments of the present invention. , any elements of a modality can be combined with any and all other elements of any of the modalities to describe additional modalities.
    [0065] Modalities of the present invention will now be described only by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a first umbilical according to a modality of the present invention in a catenary configuration submarine; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the umbilical in Figure 1 along line AA; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the umbilical in Figure 1 along the BB line; Figure 4 is a graph of conductor resistance utilization versus water depth showing conductor tensile stress near the water surface depending on the umbilical depth; Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a second umbilical in a second underwater catenary configuration; Figures 6, 7 and 8 are three cross-sectional drawings showing steps for joining a steel cable to a polymeric filler; Figures 9a - 9g are seven cross-sectional drawings showing steps in a process to form a transition zone between the steel bar and a polyethylene bar; and. Figures 10a and 10b show plan views of a high strength fiber cable having its jacket removed, followed by corrugation with a steel cable.
    [0066] With reference to the drawings, figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a first umbilical 1 in catenary configuration between a floating production unit 4 on a sea surface 2, or commonly on the 'upper side', and a bottom of the sea 3 or seabed, with depth D between them.
    [0067] As is known in the art, the highest tensile and bending stresses are in the upper section at umbilical 1 when it approaches the floating production unit 4, shown in figure 1 by section D1 of depth D. Traditionally, where the depth D is significant (such as> 2000 m), load-bearing members, such as steel cables, are provided along the entire length of the umbilical, generally to maintain regular and constant ease of manufacture.
    [0068] However, while such load-bearing members assist with tensile and bending stresses in section D1, they become less useful, and therefore disadvantageous in terms of weight and cost, as umbilical 1 continues in the direction to the bottom of the sea 3. The longer the umbilical, the greater the disadvantages.
    [0069] Furthermore, where the depth D is greater, certainly beyond 2000 m and even 3000 m beyond, the weight of heavy copper for conductor cable ropes further increases the need for stronger reinforcement at, or near the , floating production unit 4 in the D1 region, to withstand the increasing suspended weight and dynamic installation and operating loads.
    [0070] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of umbilical 1 in figure 1 along line AA. In the example of a power rise umbilical, umbilical 1 comprises three large energy conductors, each having three electric power cables 11 in it, which, with three separate separate power cables 11a, make up twelve power cables in the entire figure 2. In addition, there are nine tubes 12, three fiber optic cables 13 and three electrical signal cables 14.
    [0071] Both within the energy conductors mentioned above, as in the surrounding circumferential sections, a number of constant steel cable resistance members 16 are present, comprising a number of steel cable legs, covered by an extruded polymeric cover for corrosion and wear protection. These members of constant resistance 16 extend totally or substantially along the length of the umbilical 1.
    [0072] In addition, a number of polymeric fillers 15 are present in umbilical 1 shown in figure 2, which again are totally or substantially constant along the length of umbilical 1.
    [0073] Figure 2 also includes a number of longitudinal resistance members having a variable characteristic which is the tensile strength along its length, and thus along the length of umbilical 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
    [0074] In the cross section shown in figure 2, the longitudinal resistance members comprise a steel cable section 17a being the same in cross section as the constant steel cable resistance members 16. This provides nineteen steel cable sections in line AA position in figure 1 within depth section D1.
    [0075] Figure 3 shows umbilical 1 in cross-sectional view along line BB in figure 1, that is, in addition to depth section D1. Figure 3 shows the continuation of the electric power cables 11, tubes 12, fiber optic cables 13, electrical signal cables 14, polymeric fillers 15, and the non-variable resistance members 16. However, figure 3 shows that the six longitudinal resistance members that create the present invention in umbilical 1 (being in the AA line steel cable 17a), are now formed of polymeric fillers 17b.
    [0076] Thus, umbilical 1 in the BB line now has only thirteen steel cable resistance members 16. Changing the longitudinal resistance members from the steel cable sections 17a to the polymeric filler sections 17b provides the said members of resistance with a variable tensile strength along its length. In the first alternative embodiment, the six steel cable sections 17a of the longitudinal resistance members have a variable tensile strength shown in figure 2 are replaced by steel bar sections which then alter the polymeric filler sections, as shown in figure 3 .
    [0077] For deep water applications (for example, where D> 2000 m), D1 is preferably between 200 m and 700 m, more preferably between 400 m and 600 m, more preferably about 500 m.
    [0078] Figure 4 shows a graph of the use of conductor resistance against water depth (D) in meters for a typical umbilical, leading to the copper flow voltage limit, with the component of the electric power cables in the umbilical . Copper power cables are generally the largest cables for conventional power umbilicals, such as the riser umbilical shown in figures 1-3.
    [0079] Figure 4 shows the maximum tensile strength in the copper conductors of the power cables versus the water depth D for three different designs, shown as lines X, Y and Z. The maximum tensile stress was measured near the surface of the sea, such as the upper side 2 in figure 1.
    [0080] Line X corresponds to the change in tension close to the surface with increasing depth D (and, therefore, umbilical length) based on a design of resistance member or non-changeable or constant load support having nineteen cables of steel. That is, equivalent to an umbilical having the cross section shown in figure 2 along its entire length. It shows that such an umbilical has sufficient strength to extend just beyond the water depth of 3000 m, but it requires nineteen continuous resistance members of steel cables along its entire length to achieve this, with corresponding cost and installation complexities. In addition, while this umbilical design theoretically allows installation up to 3200 m, at 3000 m, copper conductors are already tensioned by 95% of their tension capacity, which leaves a small margin of error for any dynamic stresses.
    [0081] The Y line corresponds to another constant umbilical project, having thirteen steel cable resistance members along its length; that is, being equivalent to an umbilical as shown in figure 3 without change along its length. Thirteen resistance members of continuous steel cables would again be sufficient to theoretically allow the installation of such an umbilical project at 3000 m, but the copper conductors are now tensioned so close to their yield stress limit that they would not be able to resist to any significant and / or long-term dynamic loads. The installation of such a 3000 m umbilical project would therefore require static conditions, which cannot be guaranteed in any water-borne situation.
    [0082] Line Z is based on an umbilical comprising a plurality of longitudinal resistance members, said resistance members having variable tensile strength along their length according to the modality of the present invention and as shown in the combination of the figures 2 and 3, that is, in which six longitudinal resistance members comprise a first section 17a extending from the upper side or floating production unit 4 with steel cable, followed by a second section 17b extending to the seabed 3 comprising a polymeric filling section.
    [0083] Line Z shows that, through the introduction of the steel cable section 17a for the depth section D1, there is a dramatic reduction in the tension of the copper conductors, so that an umbilical based on this design having the length 3000 m results in copper conductors only reaching approximately 82% of their yield stress limit, thus providing a large margin of remaining strength, and allowing such umbilical designs to be used in harsh dynamic conditions and / or increase their life useful fatigue service.
    [0084] However, the umbilical design used for the Z line only requires a small section of additional steel cables, leading to the minimal effect on the overall weight of the umbilical, such as less than 5% additional weight compared to the Y line umbilical project.
    [0085] Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of a second umbilical 1a in the second underwater catenary configuration having a wave configuration, usually with a first bottom u-section 5 and a subsequent n-section 6 between the floating production unit 4 and the seabed 3. To obtain the wave configuration, ballast can be added in discrete locations along the umbilical 1a, such as, for example, in the area of the bottom section 5, in order to deliberately create the configuration of wave.
    [0086] Through the use of longitudinal resistance members with variable characteristics as described above along the length of an umbilical, this can provide longitudinal resistance members with variable weight and / or density, which can create sections of the umbilical 1a having different fluctuation depths, thus inherently providing a wave configuration by locating one or more heavier sections in the bottom section area 5, optionally additionally one or more lighter sections in section 6.
    [0087] Such a local ballast solution increases the stability of 'light' risers, such as composite reinforced umbilicals and / or umbilicals comprising aluminum power cables (instead of copper power cables). This could replace the conventional use of fixation weights, making it easier to install such umbilicals, and with a corresponding cost reduction.
    [0088] Figures 6-8 show three steps in a first method of providing a member of longitudinal strength having a variable characteristic, such as tensile strength, along its length, and preferably having a constant outside diameter between two sections comprising different materials.
    [0089] Figures 6-8 show an embodiment of the process of forming a transition zone in a longitudinal strength member for use with the present invention between a wire rope section 17a and a polymeric filler section 17b, member of resistance which can be used on umbilical 1 shown in figures 2 and 3.
    [0090] Figure 6 shows the end of a steel cable resistance member comprising a core of seven steel cables, surrounded by a polymer cap 20. As shown in figure 6, the polymer cap 20 is cut back from the end of the resistance member to leave a section covered with remaining cover 17a. Individual steel cables 18 of the resistance member are then cut to different lengths leaving a central cable 22 as the longest, and a number of different lengths from other steel cables 21.
    [0091] Figure 7 shows the end of a polymeric filler resistance member 17b having a hole 23 drilled along its central axis. The diameter of the hole 23 is slightly larger than the diameter of the central cable 22 of figure 6.
    [0092] Figure 8 shows the assembly or assembly of the steel cable section 17a of figure 6 and the polymeric filling section 17b of figure 7 together to form a joint or joint in the form of a transition zone 25 between the section of steel cable 17a and the polymeric filling section 17b.
    [0093] In figure 8, the central cable 22 shown in figure 6 is inserted into the hole 23 shown in figure 7, and preferably glued inside it. Numerous polymeric bars 26 are then positioned between the end of the polymeric section 17b and the end of each of the remaining steel cables 21 in order to fill the space between them, and provide a constant outside diameter between the steel cable section 17a and the polymeric filling section 7b. A suitable tape 24 is then wrapped around the parts of the joint.
    [0094] The type of joint or joint shown in figure 8 can also be called a 'sliced' joint and is capable of being created during the manufacture of the longitudinal resistance members.
    [0095] Figures 9a - 9g show steps in a second method of providing a member of longitudinal strength having a variable characteristic, such as tensile strength, along its length, and preferably having a constant outer diameter between two sections comprising different materials.
    [0096] Figures 9a - 9g show steps in a process of forming a transition zone between the end of a steel bar section 30, and a polyethylene bar section 32. Starting with steel bar 34 with a cap of polymer 36 of the steel bar section 30 in figure 9a, figure 9b shows the cut back of the cover 36 and chamfering of the free edge of the steel bar 34. Figure 9c shows the drilling of a hole 38 along the axis steel bar 34 from its free end to a predetermined depth, followed by the provision of a thread in it. Figure 9d shows the insertion of a threaded bar with screw thread 40 into hole 38.
    [0097] Figure 9e shows the preparation of the free end of a polyethylene bar 32, comprising chamfering the edge of the end of the polyethylene bar 32 followed by drilling a hole 42 from the free end of the bar 32 along the central axis. . Figure 9f shows the joining of the steel bar section 30 to the polyethylene bar section 32 by inserting the threaded bar 40 into the hole 42, preferably with the addition of adhesive and / or providing a push fit between said components.
    [0098] Figure 9g then shows the addition of filler material and tape around the joining area of the transition zone 44 to complete the creation of a longitudinal member of variable tensile strength, preferably having a constant outside diameter at along its length. Such a longitudinal strength member could be used in the same arrangement on umbilical 1 shown in figures 2 and 3, with the steel bar section 30 replacing the steel cable section 17a.
    [0099] Figures 10a - 10b show some steps of a third method of providing a member of longitudinal strength having a tensile strength of variable characteristic along its length, and preferably having a constant outside diameter between two sections comprising different materials . This method is based on the longitudinal strength member and comprises a section of steel cable and a section of high strength fiber cable, the high strength fiber being made of any lightweight, high-modulus organic material, such as Zylon or Aramid (as Kevlar, Technora).
    [00100] This provides similar advantages for the longitudinal strength members of steel cable and steel bar described above, in particular to provide sufficient strength for sections close to the surface of umbilicals under dynamic conditions, and still having a fiber section high strength designed to withstand the required installation loads and static loads. Such advantages include creating an umbilical having a much lower weight than that with non-variable steel cable resistance members. This can provide umbilicals suitable for very significant depths, such as up to 4000 m, even with copper power cables inside them.
    [00101] The ends of steel cables or steel bars can be joined to the ends of high strength fiber cable by removing any overlays, and the use of corrugation to effect a secure connection of the ends. Hexagonal corrugates and hydraulic corrugation tools are known in the art, capable of providing joint resistances of> 20kN and even up to and beyond 50kN.
    [00102] Figures 10a and 10b show the end of a high-strength fiber cable 50, with its jacket 52 removed over a certain distance in figure 10a. Figure 10b shows a corrugated 54 already joined with the end of a section of steel cable 56, corrugated this 54 which is positioned around the capped end of the high strength fiber cable 50, followed by corrugation by a corrugating machine. in a manner known in the art to form a secure joint between them.
    [00103] Other particular examples of other longitudinal strength members according to the present invention include longitudinal strength members comprising at least one polymer filler section and a high strength fiber cable section or composite bar (such as the carbon / epoxy) section. These examples avoid the use of steel cables or steel bars to reduce and / or minimize the weight of the umbilical through the use of lighter weight resistance sections. They also also provide appropriate axial strength and dependence on properties to allow installation and resist static loads, in particular for continuous passage through a propeller production machine.
    [00104] Additional light weight resistance members could also be added in places where additional resistance is desired, such as section D1 shown in figure 1. Such examples provide longitudinal resistance members to create very light umbilicals.
    [00105] Joints between the different tensile strength sections of such examples can be provided using corrugation methods especially as they can be easily loaded onto coils of propeller production machines. Alternatively, such light weight sections could be joined by slicing deposition operations, whereby the ends of the two different sections are positioned on separate coils that are exchanged at the transition point, so that the transition slices are made so close to the beam as possible.
    [00106] Intermediate steel corrugates or corrugated gloves around such joints could be added.
    [00107] In another example of a longitudinal strength member for use in the present invention, high strength sections are positioned at the umbilical in section D1 of figure 1 to satisfy the local high stress and flexural stress requirements, as described above . However, such high-strength sections are stopped at the end of section D1, and the unmounted filling sections are then positioned in the expected pathways of continuation of the high-resistance sections, in order to maintain a constant outer diameter of the umbilical, while prevents the formation of joints or joints. In this way, acute or discrete transition zones are provided.
    [00108] Alternatively and / or in addition, non-contracting transition zones can be created between sections of a member of longitudinal resistance, which could extend into a predetermined existence in order to create interstices between them. Such umbilicals are still sufficiently rigid to withstand compression loads, with reduced weight. Such arrangements are easily implemented in umbilicals having layers of shielding metallic wires, wrapped around the umbilical, usually immediately under an external cover.
    [00109] The present invention provides an umbilical having a cross-sectional property that evolves or modifies along its length, to provide mechanical properties that evolve or modify along its length, such as being a tensile strength that evolves or changes. In particular, it can provide reinforcement at the umbilical in the upper area or upper side area (such as section D1 shown in figure 1), as it includes additional resistance members only in this area, which increases the total resistance and fatigue life of the umbilical, without increasing the weight and cost of the remaining length of the umbilical.
    [00110] Such umbilicals can also be formed with conventional designs and conventional machinery and manufacturing techniques, preferably by maintaining a constant external diameter along the length of the umbilical, and preferably by each longitudinal resistance member in the umbilical also having a diameter constant external in order to maintain the ease of its conformation with the other elements of the umbilical in a manner known in the art.
    [00111] The present invention applies to any type or form of umbilical for use in the production of hydrocarbons at sea, and is not limited to energy umbilicals. These may include, for example, steel tube umbilicals. Such umbilicals may comprise one or more of the group comprising: electrical cables, fiber optic cables, steel tubes and hoses, optionally in any combination. [00112] Various modifications and variations to the described modalities of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments.
    权利要求:
    Claims (13)
    [0001]
    1.Umbilical (1) comprising a plurality of longitudinal resistance members (17), said resistance members having one or more variable characteristics along the length of the umbilical, and wherein the longitudinal resistance members comprise, sequentially, at least a first section (30) having a first feature (s) extending from one end of the umbilical, a transition zone (44), and a second section (32) having a second and different feature (s) for the first section, characterized by the fact that at least one of the resistance members comprises first and second sections selected from the group comprising: a steel cable section (30) and a polymeric filling section (32); a composite bar section and a polymer filler section; a section of high strength fiber cable and a polymeric filler section; and a steel bar section and a polymer filler section.
    [0002]
    2.Umbilical, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the or each resistance member is wound helically or in an S / Z pattern along the umbilical.
    [0003]
    3.Umbilical, according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that the or each resistance member has a constant S / Z or helical winding along the umbilical.
    [0004]
    4.Umbilical according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the fact that it has one end with a higher tensile strength than its other end.
    [0005]
    5.Umbilical, according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the fact that it comprises a second section (32) having a second and different characteristic (s) for the first section (30) extending to the other end of the umbilical.
    [0006]
    6.Umbilical according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the or each transition zone (44) comprises a joint or joint between the sections of the resistance member on each side of the transition zone, preferably to provide a longitudinal strength member having a continuous length that is wholly or substantially the length of the umbilical.
    [0007]
    7.Umbilical, according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the fact that it is for use at a depth greater than 2000 m, preferably greater than 3000 m.
    [0008]
    8. Umbilical, according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by the fact that it additionally comprises one or more non-variable longitudinal resistance members (16).
    [0009]
    9.Umbilical, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it comprises totally or substantially a plurality of longitudinal resistance members of steel cable and polymeric filler.
    [0010]
    10.Umbilical according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by the fact that the characteristic (s) that vary along the length of the elongated resistance members include one or more of the group comprising: tensile strength , specific gravity, relationship between resistance and weight, fatigue resistance, flexibility, temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, yield limit, Young's modulus, axial stiffness, and stress.
    [0011]
    11.Umbilical, according to claim 10, characterized by the fact that the characteristic that varies along the length of the elongated resistance members is tensile strength.
    [0012]
    12.Umbilical, according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by the fact that the umbilical has a totally or substantially constant outside diameter along its length.
    [0013]
    13.Umbilical, according to claim 12, characterized by the fact that each of the longitudinal resistance members and / or their combination comprises an external diameter totally or substantially constant along his or her lengths.
    类似技术:
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    BR112012008534B1|2020-12-15|UMBILICAL
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    EP2504846B1|2021-03-31|Vulcanised power umbilical
    AU2011244809B2|2014-01-23|Umbilical
    BR112019016069A2|2020-03-31|CABLE
    BR112015025809B1|2020-12-01|flexible tube body, its method of manufacture and flexible tube comprising the same
    US9506583B2|2016-11-29|Extruded encapsulated fillers to provide crush protection
    BR112019006372A2|2019-08-20|thermoplastic composite
    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    US9343199B2|2016-05-17|
    CA2775999C|2018-05-29|
    BR112012008534A2|2016-04-05|
    MY154809A|2015-07-31|
    GB2474428A|2011-04-20|
    EP2489047B1|2020-04-22|
    US20120241040A1|2012-09-27|
    GB0917853D0|2009-11-25|
    AU2010308179B2|2014-01-23|
    GB2474428B|2012-03-21|
    WO2011045582A1|2011-04-21|
    EP2489047A1|2012-08-22|
    CA2775999A1|2011-04-21|
    AU2010308179A1|2012-05-03|
    AU2010308179C1|2014-08-07|
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    法律状态:
    2019-01-08| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according [chapter 6.6 patent gazette]|
    2019-04-09| B06T| Formal requirements before examination [chapter 6.20 patent gazette]|
    2019-12-10| B06A| Notification to applicant to reply to the report for non-patentability or inadequacy of the application [chapter 6.1 patent gazette]|
    2020-06-02| B07A| Technical examination (opinion): publication of technical examination (opinion) [chapter 7.1 patent gazette]|
    2020-09-29| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|
    2020-12-15| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 10 (DEZ) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 15/12/2020, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |
    2021-06-08| B25A| Requested transfer of rights approved|Owner name: TECHNIP N-POWER (FR) |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    GB0917853.4|2009-10-13|
    GB0917853.4A|GB2474428B|2009-10-13|2009-10-13|Umbilical|
    PCT/GB2010/051664|WO2011045582A1|2009-10-13|2010-10-05|Umbilical|
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