Drilling rig riser identification apparatus

• US 9,784,041 B2
• Filed: 01/31/2009
• Issued: 10/10/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: National Oilwell Varco LP (NOV, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: National Oilwell Varco LP (NOV, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kinert, Nathan, Ellison, Leon, Kammann, Rheinhold, Worms, Manfred, Lam, Clive, McClung, III, Guy L.
• Primary Examiner(s): McCullough, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Butler, Michael E
• Application Number:
  US12/322,348
• Publication Number:
  US 20090208295A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,174 Days
• Field of Search: 209391
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/006 Accessories for drilling pipes, e.g. cleaners wear protectors E21B17/10; handling drilling pipes E21B19/00; thread protectors B65D59/00
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/01 Risers
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/06 Elevators, i.e. rod- or tube-gripping devices
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/07 Slip-type elevators
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/165 Control or monitoring arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 44/00 Automatic control systems specially adapted for drilling operations, i.e. self-operating systems which function to carry out or modify a drilling operation without intervention of a human operator, e.g. computer-controlled drilling systems; Systems specially adapted for monitoring a plurality of drilling variables or conditions
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/13 by electromagnetic energy, e.g. radio frequency

Abstract

A riser having a riser body having an interior surface, an exterior surface, and two spaced-apart ends, at least one identification assembly on the riser body, the identification assembly having an assembly body and a wave energizable apparatus in the body, the assembly body having an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a channel therethrough in which is positioned part of the riser body, the assembly body releasably secured on the riser body, and the wave energizable apparatus positioned within the assembly body. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).

Claims

1. A subsea riser comprising

a tubular subsea riser body having an interior surface, an exterior surface, and two spaced-apart ends,

at least one identification assembly on the riser body,

the identification assembly having an assembly body releasably secured around the exterior surface of the riser body and having a plurality of wave-energizable apparatuses embedded within the assembly body and circumferentially spaced around the riser body,

the assembly body comprising a single integral piece and having an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a channel therethrough in which is positioned part of the riser body,

wherein the assembly body has at least a first annular projection extending radially from the exterior surface of the assembly body and encircling the assembly body and encircling the riser body,

wherein the identification assembly is disposed at a position outside the exterior surface of the riser body.

2. The riser of claim 1 wherein the assembly body has two ends connected together by one of adhesive, fastener, and releasably cooperating fastener material, wherein each end is a stepped end so that the assembly body can accommodate riser bodies of different outside diameters.

3. The riser of claim 1 wherein the assembly body further comprises at least one annular recess for receiving a strap, the recess circumferentially disposed about the exterior surface of the assembly body.

4. The riser of claim 3 further comprising a strap disposed within the at least one annular recess, the strap securing the identification assembly to the riser body.

5. The riser of claim 1 wherein the first annular projection is axially spaced from the plurality of wave-energizable apparatuses, and the first projection comprises a flexible material.

6. The riser of claim 5 wherein the assembly body further comprises a second annular projection encircling the assembly body and projecting radially from the exterior surface of the assembly body and axially spaced from the first annular projection, and wherein the plurality of wave-energizable apparatuses are disposed at an axial position between the two annular projections.

7. The riser of claim 6 further comprising at least one annular recess with a strap disposed therein, wherein the recess is circumferentially disposed about the exterior surface of the assembly body at an axial position displaced from the positions of the first and second projections and displaced from the position of the plurality of wave-energizable apparatuses, the strap securing the identification assembly to the riser body.

8. The riser of claim 1 wherein the plurality of wave-energizable apparatuses are each retained within a recess in a shield, wherein each shield is disposed between the interior and exterior surfaces of the assembly body.

9. The riser of claim 1 further comprising

at least one energizing recess in the exterior surface of assembly body adjacent to one of the plurality of wave-energizable apparatuses for directing energy for energizing the adjacent wave-energizable apparatus.

10. The riser of claim 9 wherein the exterior surface of the assembly body includes two annular projections encircling the assembly body and projecting radially therefrom,

wherein the at least one energizing recess is disposed at an axial position between the two annular projections, and

wherein the plurality of wave-energizable apparatuses are disposed at an axial position between the two annular projections.

11. The riser of claim 10 wherein the two annular projections comprise a flexible material.

12. The riser of claim 1 wherein the plurality of wave-energizable apparatuses includes information regarding the riser,

wherein the information includes information regarding at least one of:

riser design information;

riser identity information;

riser use information;

riser installation information;

riser test information;

riser quality control information;

riser observation information.

13. The riser of claim 1 wherein at least two of the plurality of wave-energizable apparatuses comprise radio frequency identification apparatuses.

14. The riser of claim 1 wherein the assembly body comprises a heat-resistant non-conducting fabric material with the plurality of wave-energizable apparatuses disposed therein.

15. The riser of claim 14 wherein the fabric material comprises at least two layers of material and the plurality of wave-energizable apparatuses are disposed therein and are free from contact with the riser body.

16. The riser of claim 14 wherein the fabric material comprises heat-shrink material.

17. The riser of claim 14 wherein at least two of the plurality of wave-energizable apparatuses comprise radio frequency identification apparatuses.

18. A subsea riser comprising

a tubular subsea riser body having an interior surface, an exterior surface, and two spaced-apart ends,

an identification assembly on the riser body,

the identification assembly having an assembly body and a plurality of wave-energizable apparatuses in the assembly body,

the assembly body having an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a channel formed by the interior surface, wherein a part of the riser body exterior surface is positioned within the channel,

the assembly body extending around and releasably secured on the riser body,

each wave-energizable apparatus being positioned within the assembly body and circumferentially spaced about the riser body,

the assembly body having two ends, the two ends connected together,

the exterior surface of the assembly body having at least one annular recess for a strap,

a strap disposed within the at least one annular recess, the strap securing the identification assembly to the riser body, and

the assembly body having at least one annular projection projecting radially from the exterior surface of the assembly body and encircling the assembly body.

19. A subsea riser identification assembly comprising

an assembly body securable around the body of a tubular subsea riser, the assembly body having an exterior surface,

a plurality of wave-energizable apparatuses within the assembly body, the plurality of wave-energizable apparatuses including information about the riser,

at least one annular projection encircling the assembly body and axially spaced from the axial position of the plurality of wave-energizable apparatuses,

at least one annular recess, the recess circumferentially disposed about the exterior surface of the assembly body and axially spaced from the at least one annular projection and axially spaced from the plurality of wave-energizable apparatuses, and

a strap disposed within the at least one annular recess, the strap configured to secure the identification assembly to the riser body,

wherein the assembly body is circumferentially extendable around the riser body and comprises two ends connectable together.

20. The riser identification assembly of claim 19 wherein the two ends are connectable together by one of adhesive, fastener, and releasably cooperating fastener material.