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    • 专利摘要:
    CONNECTOR ARRANGEMENT FOR SUBMARINE PIPING. A barrier connector arrangement (20) for a multi-pipe pipe (14) for use in an underwater environment, the pipe (14) comprising at least one inner tube (12) and an outer tube (11) having a dry ring (13) between them, and one or more cables (50, 51) extending along the ring (13), the connector arrangement (20) comprising: an external housing (21) configured to be connected to the external tube ( 11) to define a dry inner housing with the ring (13); and one or more dry barrier chambers (26, 27) extending through and welded to the housing (21) to connect one or more of the cables (50, 51) in the pipeline (14) with one or more external cables in the environment submarine.
    公开号:BR112014004429B1
    申请号:R112014004429-5
    申请日:2012-09-03
    公开日:2021-01-05
    发明作者:Brian Lynch；Dominique-Louis Delaporte；Henri Marie Louis Romazzotti；Eric Marc Alain Meyer
    申请人:Technip France；Total S.A.；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    [0001] The present invention relates to a connector arrangement for a multi-pipe pipe, such as a pipe-in-pipe (PIP) or a subsea beam pipe and, in particular, to a barrier connector arrangement for connecting cables in a ring between inner and outer tubes to an outer assembly, such as, for example, a control or supply unit.
    [0002] Pipe-in-pipe pipes, also known as PIP pipes, are well known in the art and generally comprise, with reference to figure 1 attached to the prior art, an external pipe 1 (or "carrier pipe") and a inner tube or flow line 2 normally concentric or coaxial. An annular space "or dry ring" is defined between the inner and outer tubes. The inner tube 2 is used to transport or conduct fluids, such as hydrocarbons, in particular oil and gas, between two or more static and / or mobile locations. This includes conducting fluids between vessels, or locations on or near the seabed, such as an oil head, in particular a remote oil head, for an underwater installation and / or for a riser towards sea level and / or directly to an onshore facility.
    [0003] Bundle pipes are also well known in the art and generally comprise an outer tube (or "lining tube") and a combination of inner tubes, with an annular space between them. The internal pipelines can comprise at least one flow line used to transport or conduct fluids, such as hydrocarbons, in particular oil and gas, between two or more static and / or mobile locations. Other internal tubes can be used, but without limitation, for water injection, gas lift and chemical injection. Umbilical cables can also be included in bundle tubing.
    [0004] It is possible to insert cables in the dry ring created between these various internal and external tubes. Umbilical cables are well known for insertion with a bundle piping system, for example, for control and electrical supply of remote structures. Monitoring cables, such as, but not limited to, optical fibers, can also be placed in the annular space between the internal and external tubes to provide monitoring of one or more parameters, such as, for example, temperature, pressure or deformations.
    [0005] In addition, fluids circulating along deep water or long tie-back flow lines can suffer a significant drop in temperature, leading to the risk of hydrate buffering and wax formation, especially in oil and gas flows. PIP and bundle pipes can deal with the problem of buffering by wax or hydrate without having to access the inside of the internal flow line. Active heating is typically implemented by a method known as 'trace heating', whereby electrical cables, which can be rounded or flat, are placed in the annular space between the inner and outer tubes to provide heat to maintain the required fluid temperature level inside the inner tube. A PIP pipe with a dash heating arrangement is also known as an ETH-PIP pipe (electrically heated pipe-in-pipe).
    [0006] For the purpose of the present description, the term cables includes all types of elongated cables designed to pass coaxially within a pipe, being separated or connected to one or more internal tubes, and including, but not limited to, cables umbilical, optical, dash heating or electrical.
    [0007] Cables in the annular space of a pipe require connection to a power or control supply. Typically, a subsea power system is arranged along the pipeline, including umbilical power connectors and, optionally, a subsea transformer for the electricity system. The power system is normally connected to a top control unit and, for energy application, to an electricity production facility.
    [0008] The cables in the pipe are typically connected to the supply system and to a wired pipe end region, also called a pipe end termination (PLET), via an arrangement and connector, which can form a part PLET and act as the portal between the pipe cable system and the external power or control unit. The connector arrangement can also form an integral part of an in-line T or in-line T (PLT / ITA) set, characteristically placed in the midline location of the pipe.
    [0009] The purpose of the connector arrangement is to make the connection between the cables and a subsea umbilical termination arrangement (SUTA) of the subsea feed umbilical, while maintaining a leakage barrier between the hydrostatic wet and subsea environment. the dry pipe ring at atmospheric pressure. The preservation of the leak resistance of the dry ring is of utmost importance in this arrangement, since the main disadvantages associated with connector junctions include low levels of redundancies associated with leak prevention.
    [0010] Until today, elastomeric seals are typically used to seal the connections between the dry ring and the wet environment in conventional connector arrangements such as shown in GB2416016A. However, the long-term performance of such seals has been questioned.
    [0011] GB2416016B describes a midline connector for electric tube-in-tube or pipe-in-pipe heating, based on forged outer body and inner body forged to form a single 'connector', having a single dry inner area, and having preformed connection pockets with elastomeric seals. As well as using only elastomeric seals, forging is also not easily changeable for other configurations, and the connector has to be inserted between two inner and outer tubes of a PIP pipe having only one heating system based on electric current.
    [0012] It is an objective of the present invention to provide an improved connector arrangement for connecting cables (preferably electrical or optical cables) in an annular space between internal and external pipes of a pipe to an external assembly, such as, for example, a power supply, monitoring unit or control unit.
    [0013] Consequently, the present invention provides a connector arrangement for a barrier connector arrangement for a multi-pipe pipe for use in an underwater environment, the pipe comprising at least one inner tube and an outer tube having a dry ring between they, and one or more cables extending along the ring, the connector arrangement comprising: an outer housing configured to be connected to the outer tube to define a dry inner housing with the ring; and one or more dry barrier chambers extending through the housing to connect one or more of the cables in the pipeline with one or more external cables in the subsea environment.
    [0014] In this way, welding the dry barrier chamber (s) between the underwater environment and the dry ring in the pipeline increases the integrity, reliability or anti-leakage capacity of the connector arrangement. This ensures a robust and reliable primary leak path mitigation.
    [0015] Optionally, each dry barrier chamber includes one or more elastomeric seals between them. The connector's internal elastomeric seals could be used for the secondary leak path to prevent a leak path through the connector itself, and constitute a 'double barrier' effect to prevent seawater from entering.
    [0016] Additionally, the conductor arrangement of the present invention also provides two dry areas, a dry internal housing area and a dry chamber. Generally, the dry barrier chamber (s) form the main 'barrier' or 'transition' between the underwater or wet environment, and the dry internal housing.
    [0017] Optionally, the cable (s) comprises (m) at least one of the group comprising: electric, optical, umbilical, or dash heating cable, or combinations thereof, extending in parallel with at least one of the inner tubes of the tubing, in particular along the inner side of an inner tube of production, such as the tubing (1) shown in figure 1. Figure 1 shows an example of an optical cable 5 and several electrical cables 6 extending so SZ along the inner tube 2 for a PIP pipe, and the person skilled in the art will be aware of other possible and similar arrangements of such cables for an ETH-PIP pipe, an EH-PIP pipe or other such pipes.
    [0018] Preferably, the piping has cables comprising at least one electrical, optical, umbilical cable, dash heating, and the connector arrangement comprises at least one dry housing barrier and a welded dry barrier chamber. Most preferably, there is a dedicated dry barrier chamber for each cable extending into the pipeline.
    [0019] The dry pipe ring can be wholly or substantially an annular space such as in many or most PIP pipelines, or wholly or substantially filled with one or more materials, such as insulation fastening materials, or a combination of themselves.
    [0020] In one embodiment, the tubing is a PIP tubing having an annular space like the ring between inner and outer tubes, and the cable (s) comprises at least one PIP cable.
    [0021] In another embodiment, the tubing is a bundle tubing having a casing tube as the outer tube and a combination of inner tubes comprising at least one fluid flow line.
    [0022] Optionally, all welded dry barrier chambers are totally or substantially parallel to the piping. Such an arrangement provides a convenient configuration for dry barrier chambers in use, to minimize possible damage during installation of pipe launching and use, in particular when connecting to submarine cables, as well as providing a more convenient method of fabricating the connector as explained below, more especially in a modular form capable of adapting easily to accommodate different numbers of dry barrier chambers for different pipes.
    [0023] Alternatively or in addition, all dry barrier chambers are totally or substantially perpendicular to the pipeline.
    [0024] The present invention may further include the provision of a safety cage or frame which can be provided around the connector arrangement, especially to assist in the handling and / or security of the connection arrangement, particularly during installation and use.
    [0025] The connector arrangement of the present invention can provide a dry internal housing configured to maintain atmospheric pressure within it, or maintain a reduced pressure therein, alternatively with a pressure compensation system or a vacuum. It is an advantage of the present invention to have such pressure in the dry inner housing, which allows the use of simple and easy wires between the dry barrier chambers and the cables, without the need for significant adaptation of the dry inner housing during manufacture.
    [0026] Since the dry barrier chamber (s) extends through the connector arrangement housing, these chambers typically have an end in the subsea environment, such as an end of the subsea environment, and an end in the housing, as a dry inner housing end.
    [0027] Preferably, the, or each, dry barrier chamber comprises two conjugable or matchable penetrators, one at each end of the dry internal housing (thus being an "internal penetrator"), and one at each end of the underwater environment. Conjugatable penetrators can be dry or wet, with at least the underwater environment conjugable end penetrator being of the wet type.
    [0028] Penetrators provide a suitable portal through the ends of the barrier chamber (s), which can allow direct connection to wires and connectors thereof, or which can provide the housing for connection with such wires or connectors.
    [0029] These penetrators can include those specifically designed or adapted as electrical connectors or optical connectors. Such penetrators are well known in the art.
    [0030] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the, or each, dry barrier chamber may comprise a dry conjugable penetrator in each dry internal housing structure (such as the internal penetrator). That is, through the end of the dry barrier chamber inside the housing. Cable wires (cold electrical wire or optical wires, for example) can be used to connect between each dry conjugable penetrator and each cable.
    [0031] The, or each, dry conjugable penetrator provides a convenient interface between the dry barrier chamber and the dry internal housing at this 'intermediate' level between the subsea environment and the pipeline, more particularly, the dry ring in the pipeline. This increases the integrity of the connector arrangement of the present invention.
    [0032] In addition, or each dry barrier chamber preferably comprises a conjugatable wet penetrator at each end of the subsea environment. That is, through the end of the dry barrier chamber outside the external housing and extending to the underwater environment.
    [0033] According to another embodiment of the present invention, one or more of the dry barrier chambers comprise pressure balanced ducts. This helps the pressure change between the underwater environment and the pressure inside the dry internal housing, preferably staying at or below atmospheric pressure. Although such conduits can be loaded with oil at balanced pressure, these barrier chambers are still “dry”, in the sense of providing a barrier against water ingress in the connector arrangement in the submarine environment, that is, the water at high pressure from the sea surrounding.
    [0034] The conduits can provide the relevant connection path or conduction path between penetrators, between each end of the dry barrier chamber.
    [0035] Optionally, the connector arrangement of the present invention further comprises a subsea stabilizing plate (stab plate) having one or more wetted connectors. This stabilizer plate can be separated from the connector housing, but is preferably associated, more preferably, directly or indirectly connected or, otherwise, joined together with the connector arrangement.
    [0036] The subsea environment stabilizer plate provides a convenient interface or port for a subsea umbilical providing electricity etc., in particular, subsea umbilical termination, to which it could be directly attached. The stabilizer plate then comprises one or more wetted connectors, preferably flying wires, between each wetted connector on the stabilizer plate and each dry barrier chamber. Flywires are well known in the art, and can be easily replaced if the wire fails due to repeated connections. This also minimizes the work required to install and / or repair connections between an underwater umbilical termination and the connector arrangement, usually by an ROV, in use.
    [0037] The external housing can be of any size, shape or design. Optionally, the external housing is adapted to receive the external pipe of the pipe. The external housing can be welded to it and could form an annular chamber around the part of the pipe inside it. Optionally, the external housing is adapted to extend radially from its internal duct. The external housing can be weldable and could form a chamber protruding from the pipe inside it.
    [0038] Potentially, the external housing is totally or substantially cylindrical, elliptical or barrel-shaped. Preferably, the outer housing comprises one or more end walls and an intermediate wall, and the welded dry barrier chamber (s) arranged through one or both end walls.
    [0039] Although the end walls can be of any size, shape or design, they are generally totally or substantially flat. The dry barrier chambers can be arranged in a suitable pattern, optionally circular, but not limitingly, around and through one or more end walls.
    [0040] It is a particular advantage of the present invention that the dry barrier chamber (s) can be provided as separate devices or units, and the external housing, such as the end wall of the external housing , can be easily adapted to accommodate the required number of dry barrier chambers.
    [0041] In an embodiment of the present invention, suitable holes or holes can be formed in an end wall during manufacture, even before its inclusion with other parts to form the housing the connector arrangement, through which the chambers Dry barrier barriers can then simply be inserted and subsequently welded to them using a well controlled welding process, especially onshore.
    [0042] In an alternative embodiment, one or more of the dry barrier chambers comprises internal and external parts welded separately to the external housing. Optionally, the outer housing is at least formed of an end wall comprising a number of holes formed prior to the formation of the outer housing, and at least one dry barrier chamber is formed of welded inner and outer parts aligned on each side of a hole to form a dry barrier chamber.
    [0043] The inner part could be aligned first, spot welded and completed with deposited weld. In a second instant, the operation is repeated with the outer wall of the dry chamber satisfying several potential temperature limitations of conjugable penetrators or connector ducts.
    [0044] The order in which these dry barrier chambers are welded to either end wall is oriented by the pattern and arrangement of dry chambers.
    [0045] By welding, suitable non-destructive tests can be performed to ensure a correct connection with the outer housing end wall (s). Such tests can be easily performed onshore. A testing phase is clearly highly desirable and can be critical in ensuring the integrity of the barrier arrangement.
    [0046] The welding of the dry barrier chambers forms the first "barrier" or "transition" provided by the present invention between the sea or wet environment, and the dry internal housing. This is the primary leak path. Inside the connectors, the use of elastomeric seals can provide a “double barrier” arrangement, to prevent a leak path, to prevent a leak path through the connector. This is a secondary leak path. To mitigate both primary and secondary leakage paths for the connector arrangement, the present invention provides a 'double' dry chamber or double dry chamber arrangement against any damage to the pipeline from any leakage from the sea.
    [0047] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is a connector arrangement comprising: at least one electrical dry barrier, electric, optical or umbilical line heating chamber; the barrel-shaped outer housing with two end walls, the dry barrier chambers being arranged radially around and through one or more of the end walls, and being welded to them; all dry barrier chambers are pressure balanced conduits, and having a conjugatable penetrator at each end of the dry chamber, with the subsea environment end penetrator being a wet conjugable penetrator; and wires (at least one cold electrical wire and one optical wire end) between each dry inner housing end conjugator and each PIP cable.
    [0048] Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is a connector arrangement comprising: at least one electric barrier, electric, optical or umbilical line heating chamber; the outer housing having a cylindrical shape with an end wall protruding from the outer tube, the dry barrier chamber (s) being arranged transversely and through the end wall, and being welded to the end wall ; where all dry barrier chambers are pressure balanced or pressure balanced ducts, and all dry barrier chambers have a conjugatable penetrator at each end of the dry barrier chamber, with an underwater environment end penetrator being a conjugable penetrator wet; and wires (at least one cold electrical wire and optical wire end) between each conjugate of the dry internal housing end penetrator and each cable.
    [0049] In another aspect of the present invention, a piping as defined herein is provided, comprising one or more connector arrangements as described.
    [0050] Optionally, the pipe is a pipe-in-pipe (PIP) pipe for use in an underwater environment, such PIP pipe being as defined here, that is, comprising at least internal and external pipes having an annular space between them, and one or more PIP cables extending across the annular space.
    [0051] Alternatively, the tubing is a bundle tubing having an outer casing tube and a combination of inner tubes as described here.
    [0052] Advantageously, the housing of a pipe connector arrangement is welded to the outer tube to form a sealed chamber between the inner side of the outer housing and the outer side of the outer tube.
    [0053] Preferably, the connector arrangement is provided on a pipe end portion, for example, a pipe end termination portion (PLET). It should be noted that, in a continuous pipe, one or more PLET portions may be present along the pipe. It should also be noted that the connector arrangement can be provided in a midline position within the pipeline, for example, in an inline T location.
    [0054] Generally, a pipe is formed from a number of sections or sections of pipe, commonly, but not limited to, each having sections of internal and external pipes of the same or similar length. The nature and dimensions and other parameters of the inner and outer tubing sections may differ, generally due to different purposes, as is well known in the art.
    [0055] Underwater pipes, formed from multiple sections, can be relatively short, such as below 1 km in length, or can be several kilometers or even longer.
    [0056] Preferably, the piping is rollable or towable. Optionally, the pipe can be installed by any method of pipe launch, known to the person skilled in the art.
    [0057] Preferably, the piping and connector arrangement are mounted above the sea, preferably onshore or on a vessel.
    [0058] The present invention also provides a method of placing a pipe, the pipe comprising at least internal and external pipes having a ring between them, and one or more cables extending along the annular space, the pipe being assembled with a connector arrangement as described here, comprising at least the steps of: a) providing a pipe assembled with a connector arrangement as described here; b) install the piping in a marine environment; and c) connect the connector arrangement to a submarine umbilical termination arrangement (SUTA) of a power umbilical.
    [0059] Modes for carrying out the present invention will now be described only as examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an extension of a prior art PIP pipe; Figure 2 is a schematic side cross-section of a first connector arrangement of the present invention assembled with a PIP pipe; Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view partially cut out of a second connector arrangement; Figure 3a is a schematic perspective view partially cut out of a variation of a third connector arrangement; Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view partially cut out of another connector arrangement; Figure 5 is a schematic view of a side wall of a housing and first dry barrier chambers being connected to it in Figure 4; Figure 5a is a perspective view of a side wall of a housing and second dry barrier chambers being connected to it in Figure 4a; Figures 6 and 7 are seen in schematic perspective and partially cut out of, respectively, two first dry barrier chambers, one for electrical connection and one for optical connection, of figure 5; Figures 6a and 7a are seen in schematic perspective and partially cut out of, respectively, two second dry barrier chambers, one for electrical connection and one for optical connection, of figure 5a; Figure 8 is a schematic illustration of a connection between a dry barrier chamber of any of Figures 2-7a and a submarine umbilical termination arrangement (SUTA) of a power umbilical; and Figure 9 is a schematic view of another connector arrangement.
    [0060] With reference to the drawings, figure 1 has already been described.
    [0061] Figure 2 shows a first connector arrangement 20 of the invention. The connector arrangement 20 is designed for use in conjunction with a tube-in-tube (PIP) tubing 14 for placement and use in an underwater environment 18. Such PIP tubing 14 may comprise at least one inner tube 12 and one outer tube 11, having an annular space 13 between them, and one or more cables (not shown in figure 2) extending along the outer side of the inner tube (s) 12. More typically, the cables include electric cables for heating the electric trace of the fluid inside the inner tube 12 and optical cables to collect various data, for example, temperature. It should, however, be noted that the invention is not limited to use with electrical or optical cables only, but is applicable to any cable to be inserted into the ring of a PIP or bundle pipe.
    [0062] The first connector arrangement 20 comprises a generally cylindrical outer housing 21 having a surrounding or intermediate wall 25 and a pair of end walls 23 that face in an axial direction along the PIP pipe 14. In use, the outer housing 21 is preferably connected by welding to the outer tube 11 of the PIP tubing 14. When so connected to the outer tube 11, the outer housing 21 can surround the outer tube 11 to define an annular dry inner housing 22 between the outside of the tube outer 11 and outer housing 21. Dry inner housing 22 is configured to remain at atmospheric pressure in use.
    [0063] The end walls 23 have PIP piping holes (explained in more detail below, in relation to figures 5 and 5a) adapted to receive the outer tube 11 through them before the outer housing 21 is connected, in a sealed manner , to the outer tube 11.
    [0064] The end walls 23 are adapted to receive in a sealed manner or have located on them, first and second dry barrier chambers 26, 27 through them, as also explained in more detail in relation to figures 5 and 5a. The first dry barrier chambers 26 are for electrical connection, and the second dry barrier chambers 27 are for optical connection. The dry barrier chambers 26, 27 are welded to the outer housing 21, thereby obtaining both a rigid fit and a reliably tested and robust sealed connection with the outer housing 21.
    [0065] Each dry barrier chamber 26, 27 has respective first internal or dry conjugable penetrators 31, 33 at each end of dry internal housing, and second wet conjugable penetrators 32, 34 at each end of the underwater environment. The first and second penetrators 31-34 have connectors at each end for the relevant electrical or optical conduit through the penetrators 31-34.
    [0066] The first dry penetrators 31, 33 are fed through the ends of the dry barrier chambers 276, 27, so that a connector 31b, 33b (see figures 6 and 7) is positioned in the dry inner housing 22 of the outer housing 21 The second wet penetrators 32, 34 are fed through the other ends of the dry barrier chambers 26, 27, so that the associated connectors 32a, 34a (see figures 6 and 7) are positioned in the dry barrier chambers 27, 27, and other connectors 32b, 34b are positioned outside the external housing 21 and in the submarine environment 18.
    [0067] The number of dry barrier chambers 26, 27 provided is as needed, depending on the required number of connections, and any required level of redundancy, possibly supplied by one or more simulated barrier chambers.
    [0068] Cold wire cables 50 and fiber optic tips 51 connect, respectively, the connectors 31a, 33a at their ends of the dry penetrators 31 and 33 to the electrical cables and optical cables in the PIP pipe 14 through one or more holes (no shown in figure 2) on the outer tube 11.
    [0069] The connectors 32a, 34a of the second penetrators 32, 34 inside the dry barrier chamber 26, 27 are dry connectors, while the connectors 32b, 34b of the second penetrator 32, 34 outside the housing 21 are wet connectors.
    [0070] The connectors at the opposite ends of the first dry penetrators 31, 33, that is, inside the outer housing 21 and in the dry inner housing 22, are dry connectors.
    [0071] The first and second dry barrier chambers 26, 27 are mounted in the outer housing 21 and through the end walls 23 so as to extend parallel or axially to the longitudinal axis of a PIP pipe 14. The outer housing 21 also comprises a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of a PIP pipe 14 when the outer housing 21 is mounted on the outer tube 11 and, consequently, the dry barrier chambers 26, 27 are also parallel to the longitudinal axis of the outer housing 21.
    [0072] The dry barrier chambers 26, 27 are also arranged on the side walls 23 of the external housing 21 radially in relation to the longitudinal axis of the housing 21, thereby minimizing the space occupied by the connector arrangement 20 adjacent to the PIP pipe 14 .
    [0073] Figure 3 shows a second connector arrangement 20a of the present invention. The connector arrangement 20a is designed for use in conjunction with a pipe-in-pipe (PIP) pipe 14a for an underwater environment. Such PIP tubing 14a may comprise an inner tube 12a and an outer tube 11a, having an annular space 13a between them, and one or more electrical cables 15 extending along the outside of inner tube 12a for heating the fluid trace in the inner tube 12a, and an optical cable 16 to collect various data, for example, temperature.
    [0074] The second connector arrangement 20a again comprises a generally cylindrical outer housing 21a having a surrounding wall 25a and a pair of end walls 23a that face in an axial direction parallel to the PIP tubing 14a. The outer housing 21a defines a dry inner housing 22a between inner tube 12a and outer tube 21a.
    [0075] The end walls 23a of housing 21a are adapted to seal a desired number of third dry barrier chambers 40 through them, one or more for electrical connection, and one or more for optical connection. The dry barrier chambers 40 are welded to the outer housing 21a thereby simultaneously obtaining a rigid fit and a reliably tested and robust sealed connection with the outer housing 21a.
    [0076] Cold wire cables and fiber optic ends 51a connect penetrators (not shown) at the dry inner housing ends of the third dry barrier chambers 40 with electrical cables 15 and optical cable 16.
    [0077] A support collar 41 is located between the inner tube 12a and the outer tube 11a to provide spacing between them and, optionally, form a water barrier along the annular space 13a, thus forming a dry interior in together with the dry inner housing 22a.
    [0078] Figure 3a shows a third connector arrangement 20c very similar to the second connector arrangement 20a shown in figure 3, with dry barrier chambers 40b now extending through each end wall 23a.
    [0079] Figure 4 shows another connector arrangement 20b of the present invention. The connector arrangement 20b is designed for use in conjunction with a tube-in-tube (PIP) piping for placement in an underwater environment, having an inner tube 12b and an outer tube 11b, an annular space between them, and one or more electrical cables extending along the outer side of the inner tube 12b, and an optical cable.
    [0080] The connector arrangement 20b comprises an outer barrel or cylindrical housing 21b having a surrounding wall 25b (not shown in the figure) and a pair of end walls 23b. The outer housing 21b defines an annular dry inner housing 22b between the outer tube 11b within the connector arrangement 20b, and the outer housing 21b.
    [0081] The end walls 23b are adapted to receive in a sealed way the fourth and fifth dry barrier chambers 41, 42 through them, one or more for electrical connection 41, and one or more for optical connection 42. The chambers of dry barriers 41, 42 are welded to the housing 21b, thereby simultaneously obtaining a rigid fit and a reliably tested and robust sealed connection with the external housing 21b, as best shown in figure 5.
    [0082] Figure 4 also shows a suitable hole or opening 43 through which wires or connectors of the dry barrier chambers 341, 42 can be passed through the outer tube 11b for connection to the electrical and optical cables in the inner tube 12b.
    [0083] Figure 4a shows yet another connector arrangement 20e very similar to the connector arrangement 20c shown in figure 3a, with dry barrier chambers 41a, 42b now extending through each end wall 23a, and formed by welding parts dry barrier chamber on each side of each end wall 23a, as explained in more detail with reference to figures 5a, 6a and 7a.
    [0084] Figure 5 shows the assembly of an end wall 23b of the connector arrangement 20b. A hole 44 is formed in the end wall 23b for passage of the external tube 11b (not shown) of the PIP tubing through it for fixation.
    [0085] Other holes 45 are formed in a radial and curved manner between the hole in the outer tube 44 and the edge of the end wall 23b. The fourth and fifth dry barrier chambers 41, 42 can be inserted into the other holes 45 so that one end of the fourth and fifth dry barrier chambers 41, 42 is positioned outside the outer housing 21b (once formed), and the another end is positioned outside the outer tube 11b, but within the dry inner housing 22b of the outer housing 21b. The fourth and fifth dry barrier chambers 41, 42 can then be welded to the end wall 23b. The outer housing 21b can be welded to the outer tube 11b before or after welding the fourth and fifth dry barrier chambers 41, 42 to form the annular chamber 22b.
    [0086] Figure 5a shows the assembly of an end wall 23b of the connector arrangement 20c or 20e. Again, a hole 44 is formed in the end wall 23b for passage of the outer tube 11b (not shown) of the PIP tubing through it for fixation.
    [0087] Other holes 45 are preferably formed radially and curved between the outer tube hole 44 and the edge of the end wall 43b. Each dry barrier chamber 41a, 42a is formed and two parts, an inner part 41d, 42d and an outer part 41e, 42e, shown in more detail in figures 6a and 7a. Figure 5a shows the outer parts 41c, 42c welded to the outer wall 23b on one side of the holes 45, with wet bondable penetrators 32 extending from them, and these welds are easily testable before use to ensure a tight fit and leak prevention .
    [0088] As shown in figures 6 and 7, the fourth and fifth dry barrier chambers 41, 42 shown in figure 5, selected as examples only, each comprise a penetrator housing 41a, 42a defining an internal dry chamber 41b , 42b and containing a conduit 41c, 42c. Each dry barrier chamber 41, 42 has respective first dry conjugable penetrators 31, 33 at each end of the dry inner housing, and second wet conjugable penetrators 32, 34 at each end of the underwater environment. The first and second penetrators 31-34 have connectors 31-34a at each end for the relevant electrical or optical conduit through the penetrators 31-34.
    [0089] In figures 6a and 7a, each dry barrier chamber 41, 42 is made up of two parts: an internal (41d, 42d) and an external (41e, 42e). Each part is welded separately on each side of the housing end wall 23b (shown partially) to complete the provision of dry barrier chambers 41, 42.
    [0090] Figure 6a also shows an example of an elastomeric seal 46 that could be added to the interior of the dry barrier chamber 41 behind connector 31b to provide a secondary leak path to prevent a leak path through the screening chamber itself. dry barrier and thus constitute a 'double barrier' effect to prevent seawater from entering. Other elastomeric seals could be added to other connectors to increase this effect.
    [0091] Balanced pressure conduits 41c, 42c house connectors that connect end connectors 31b, 33b, 32a, 34a of dry barrier chambers 41, 42 inside otherwise dry chambers 41b, 42b.
    [0092] Figure 9 shows another connector arrangement 100 of the present invention. The connector arrangement 100 is designed for use in conjunction with a tube-in-tube (PIP) tubing 14 for placement and use in an underwater environment 18. Such PIP tubing 14 may comprise at least one inner tube 12 and one outer tube 11 with an annular space 13 between them, and one or more cables extending along the outside of the inner tube (s) 12 (inner tube 12, annular space 13 and cables not shown in figure 9). The cables may include electrical cables for heating the electric trace of the fluid inside the inner tube 12, optical cables to collect various data, for example, temperature, electrical power cables to supply power to remote systems, as well as umbilical cables for various purposes.
    [0093] Connector arrangement 100 comprises an elongated outer housing 101 with two generally cylindrical vertical housings 101 (a & b) each having an end wall 102 (a & b), which face in a radial direction along the PIP pipe 14 In use, outer housing 101 is welded to outer tube 11 of PIP tubing 14 or constitutes a forged tubing component welded to PIP tubing 14. When so attached to outer tube 11, outer housing 101 defines a projecting dry inner housing ( not shown in the figure) between the outer tube 11 and the outer housing 101. The dry inner housing is configured to remain at atmospheric pressure in use, or below, that is, vacuum.
    [0094] The vertical end walls 102a, b are adapted to receive in a sealed manner (or have welded on each side) the first and second dry barrier chambers 104 therethrough. The dry barrier chambers 104 are therefore welded to housing 101, thereby simultaneously obtaining a rigid fit and a reliably tested and robust sealed connection with housing 101.
    [0095] The connector arrangements shown in the figures can be provided on a pipe end portion, for example, pipe end termination portion (PLET). It should be appreciated that, in a continuous pipe, one or more PLET portions may be present along the pipe. ILT / ITA location is also applicable to this arrangement.
    [0096] The assembly of the piping and connector arrangements can also be performed onshore or on a vessel.
    [0097] In practice, a pipe assembled with a connector arrangement is installed in a marine environment; and the connector arrangement is connected to a subsea umbilical termination arrangement (SUTA) of a subsea umbilical. In order to connect the SUTA, typically, as shown in figure 8, the wetted connectors 32b, 34b of the dry barrier chambers 26, 27, 40, 41, 42 (only one shown) are first connected to a stabilizer plate 80 via a series of wet connectors with additional 60 (one shown) and flywheels 65 (one shown). On the other side of the stabilizer plate 80, another series of wetted connectors 60a and flywheels 65a lead to the SUTA 90.
    [0098] Various modifications and variations to the described embodiments of the invention will be evident to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined herein. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention, as defined herein, should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments.
    权利要求:
    Claims (17)
    [0001]
    1. Barrier connector arrangement (20a) for a multi-pipe pipe for use in an underwater environment (18), the pipe comprising at least one inner tube (12a) and an outer tube (11a) around the or each inner tube and having a dry ring (13a) between them, and at least one cable (15, 16) extending along the ring, the barrier connector arrangement comprising: an outer housing (21a) comprising one or more walls end (23a) and an intermediate wall (25a), and configured to be connected to the outer tube to define a dry inner housing (22a) in communication with the ring; the barrier connector arrangement being characterized by the fact that it additionally comprises at least one dry barrier chamber (40) which extends through and welded to an end wall of the outer housing to connect at least one cable in the pipeline with at least an external cable in the submarine environment.
    [0002]
    2. Connector arrangement (20a) according to claim 1, characterized in that the or each cable comprises at least one of the group comprising: electrical cables (15), heating tape (15), optical (16 ) or umbilicals, and combinations thereof, extending in parallel with at least one of the inner tube (12a) of the tubing.
    [0003]
    3. Connector arrangement (20a) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the pipe is a pipe-in-pipe (14a) pipe (PIP) having an annular space (13a) as the ring between the inner tube (12a) and the outer tube (11a), and the or each cable comprises at least one PIP cable.
    [0004]
    4. Connector arrangement (20a) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the tubing is a bundle tubing having a casing tube like the outer tube and a combination of inner tubes comprising at least one fluid flow line.
    [0005]
    Connector arrangement (20a) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each dry barrier chamber (40) includes one or more elastomeric seals (46) within it.
    [0006]
    Connector arrangement (20a) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the dry inner housing (22a) is configured to maintain one of the group comprising: an atmospheric pressure, a reduced pressure, a compensated pressure, and a vacuum.
    [0007]
    Connector arrangement (20a) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the or each dry barrier chamber (40) comprises an internal conjugable penetrator (31, 33) at each housing end dry internal inside the housing (22a), and a wet conjugable penetrator (32, 34) at each end of the underwater environment.
    [0008]
    Connector arrangement (20a) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that one or more of the dry barrier chambers comprises internal (41d, 42d) and external (41e, 42e) parts welded separately to the external housing (21a).
    [0009]
    Connector arrangement (20a) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that one or more of the dry barrier chambers (40) comprise a pressure balanced conduit (41c, 42c).
    [0010]
    Connector arrangement (20a) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it additionally comprises an underwater stabilizer plate (80) having one or more wetted connectors (60, 60a).
    [0011]
    11. Connector arrangement (20a), according to claim 10, characterized by the fact that it comprises a flywheel (65, 65a) between each wet conjugable connector (60, 60a) of the stabilizer plate (80) and each camera dry barrier (40).
    [0012]
    Connector arrangement (20a) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the outer housing (21a) is at least formed from an end wall (23a) comprising a number of openings (45) formed before the formation of the external housing, through which the or each dry barrier chamber can be inserted.
    [0013]
    Connector arrangement (20a) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the outer housing (21a) is at least formed from an end wall (23a) comprising a number of openings (45) formed before the formation of the outer housing, and at least one dry barrier chamber of one or more dry barrier chambers (40) is formed of internal and external parts (41d, 42d, 41e, 42e) welded in line on each side of an opening to form each such dry barrier chamber.
    [0014]
    Connector arrangement (20a) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it comprises: at least two, optionally four, dry electric heating barrier chambers (40); at least one, optionally two, optical dry barrier chambers; the outer housing (21a) being barrel-shaped with two end walls (23a) and an intermediate wall (25), the dry barrier chambers being arranged radially around and through one or more of the end walls, and being welded to one or more end walls; all dry barrier chambers comprising pressure balanced conduits, and all dry barrier chambers having a wet conjugate penetrator (32, 34) at each end of the subsea environment, and an internal conjugate penetrator (31, 33) at each end of dry internal housing inside the external housing; and wires (50a) between each internal conjugable penetrator and each cable.
    [0015]
    15. Multi-tube piping, as defined in claim 1, characterized by the fact that it comprises one or more connector arrangements (20a) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 14.
    [0016]
    16. Multiple pipe tubing according to claim 15, characterized by the fact that it is a PIP pipe (14a).
    [0017]
    17. Multi-tube tubing according to claim 15, characterized by the fact that it is a bundle tubing.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    EP2751373A1|2014-07-09|
    GB2494180B|2013-09-04|
    AP2014007485A0|2014-03-31|
    GB2494180A|2013-03-06|
    CA2846458C|2019-07-02|
    WO2013030599A1|2013-03-07|
    EP2751373B1|2019-03-27|
    BR112014004429A2|2017-03-28|
    AU2012300587B2|2017-03-16|
    AU2012300587A1|2014-03-13|
    GB201115163D0|2011-10-19|
    US9175522B2|2015-11-03|
    CA2846458A1|2013-03-07|
    US20140241810A1|2014-08-28|
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    法律状态:
    2018-12-11| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according [chapter 6.6 patent gazette]|
    2019-11-26| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|
    2020-11-03| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|
    2021-01-05| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 03/09/2012, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |
    2021-05-18| B25A| Requested transfer of rights approved|Owner name: TOTAL S.A. (FR) ; TECHNIP N-POWER (FR) |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    GB1115163.6|2011-09-02|
    GB1115163.6A|GB2494180B|2011-09-02|2011-09-02|A connector arrangement for pipe-in-pipe pipeline|
    PCT/GB2012/052156|WO2013030599A1|2011-09-02|2012-09-03|A connector arrangement for a subsea pipeline|
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