Riser technology

• US 9,222,317 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2012
• Issued: 12/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: My Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: My Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Yemington, Charles R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Buck, Matthew
• Application Number:
  US13/623,665
• Publication Number:
  US 20130014688A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,195 Days
• Field of Search: 166/355, 166/339, 166/341, 166350-352, 166/360, 166/367, 166378-380, 166/77.51, 166/85.1, 405/158, 405/169, 405/170, 405/184.4, 405/184.5, 405/195.1, 405/201, 405/202, 405/224.2, 414/137.5, 114/264, 114/268
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2003/147 Moon-pools, e.g. for offshore drilling vessels
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 35/44 Floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, or workshops, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices construction methods for floating offshore platforms B63B75/00
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 13/02 Devices for facilitating retrieval of floating objects, e.g. for recovering crafts from water handling live-boats B63B; salvaging, or hauling-out on slipways, waterborne vessels B63C; winding mechanism controls B66D1/52
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/002 specially adapted for underwater drilling E21B19/09, E21B19/143 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/004 supporting a riser from a drilling or production platform
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/006 including heave compensators
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/22 Handling reeled pipe or rod units, e.g. flexible drilling pipes lifting or hauling appliances using two or more cooperating endless chains B66D3/003
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

The present invention is directed to novel methods and apparatus for the design, installation, use, recovery, and reuse of a Self Supporting Riser (SSR) for wells that are not under a platform. The SSR of the present invention uses standardized joints that can be recovered, potentially warehoused, and recombined in different configurations for different purposes or locations. Emphasis is on methods and apparatus that use relatively small vessels subject to high motions in the installation, use and recovery of the SSR. The SSR is adapted for high current and/or deep water applications for purposes of downhole well intervention and subsea equipment installation. In contrast to the apparatus and processes of the prior art, this invention addresses a comprehensive system design.

Claims

1. An apparatus for the installation and recovery of a self-supporting riser, said apparatus comprising:

a vessel capable of floating in a body of water;

further wherein the vessel comprises;

a keel connected to a bottom surface of the vessel;

a deck connected to a top surface of the vessel,

a crane connected to a top surface of said deck;

a moon pool disposed below a bottom surface of said deck, said moon pool having a surface area;

a retractable moon pool cover detachably connected to at least one end of said moon pool and capable of covering the surface area of said moon pool, said retractable moon pool cover having a slot capable of supporting a riser suspended below the vessel, and at least one opening capable of mounting at least one tool to said moon pool cover;

tracks connected to said top surface of said deck; and

a gantry mounted to said tracks movable over said deck to a position near said moon pool cover.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vessel further comprises at least two guide rails in said moon pool.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said guide rails are capable of extending below the keel of said vessel when in operation.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one tool is a set of tongs for joints connected by rotation.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one tool is capable of tensioning bolts and running nuts for joints connected by flanges.