• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    Disclosed are systems and methods for stabilizing a subsea pipeline such that movements of the pipeline in the axial, lateral and/or vertical directions are restrained. The pipeline is connected to a stabilizing structure generally adjacent to the pipeline using one or more load-bearing members attached to the pipeline and the stabilizing structure at one or more predetermined locations. Also disclosed are systems and methods for monitoring operating parameters of the pipeline over time.
    公开号:AU2012362929A1
    申请号:U2012362929
    申请日:2012-12-13
    公开日:2014-05-22
    发明作者:Antonio Carlos Falcao Critsinelis；Robert L. Foster Jr.；Sid A. Mebarkia；Michael J. Quinney
    申请人:Chevron USA Inc；
    IPC主号:F17D1-04
    专利说明:
    WO 2013/101482 PCT/US2012/069461 1 SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR STABILIZING SUBSEA PIPELINE FIELD The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for stabilizing a subsea pipeline 5 such as an offshore hydrocarbon production pipeline. The present disclosure further relates to a system for monitoring a subsea pipeline over time. BACKGROUND Pipeline for offshore hydrocarbon production is installed on the seabed covering varying 10 distances. Hydrocarbon well fluids carried by such pipeline can occur at high temperatures, e.g., greater than about 600 C., even up to about 200' C. Pipeline carrying such high temperature fluids experience thermal gradients across the pipeline during multiple shut downs and start ups resulting in expansion, contraction, and thermal cycling of the pipeline or conduit. This can result in a pipeline buckling in the lateral direction, displacement in the axial direction also 15 referred to as "walking," and loading that leads to both static peak and cyclic stresses, which may induce overstrain failure and fatigue failure along the length of the pipeline at locations vulnerable to these undesired failure mechanisms. Walking is a very costly problem, as the junction of the pipeline with elements of the production facility infrastructure, such as for example, a pipeline end termination (PLET) or other subsea equipment, can be overstressed, 20 resulting in damage and even parting of the pipeline from the equipment. Such incidents often require that hydrocarbon production be shut down so that the pipeline system can be repaired. In order to prevent undesirable pipeline movement in the lateral and axial directions, expensive anchoring mitigation using large suction driven piles and the like is often employed to hold the pipeline in place. Various techniques for controlling buckle initiation such as the use 25 of sections of buoyancy modules installed on a section of pipeline have also been employed to control buckling of pipeline in the lateral direction. Implementation of such mitigation solutions tend to be costly and complex. Additionally, in order to monitor pipeline movement, periodic surveys are conducted by remotely operated vehicles (ROV's). Additional challenges are presented when subsea pipelines are routed through uneven 30 terrain. For instance, a subsea pipeline may run across canyons and scarps. In such instances, free spans or sections of pipeline in which the pipeline is not supported by underlying seabed can be subject to externally imposed loads by surrounding currents and waves as well as internally imposed loads caused by flow instability, e.g., slug flow. These internal and external WO 2013/101482 PCT/US2012/069461 2 effects can cause vibrations and other movements in the pipeline that can result in pipeline overstress and fatigue failure. Furthermore, geographical hazards involving soil movement can overstress existing unsupported spans and/or create new ones. It would be desirable to have an economical solution for controlling axial and lateral 5 movements of subsea pipelines which would reduce the need for expensive pipeline anchoring or other mitigation solutions. It would additionally be desirable to have a convenient solution for monitoring the subsea pipeline. It would further be desirable to have a simple and economical solution to limit or control vibrations and movements in unsupported spans of pipelines routed through uneven terrain or subject to undesirable soil movement. 10 SUMMARY In one aspect, a method for stabilizing a subsea pipeline includes connecting a primary pipeline to a stabilizing structure generally adjacent to the primary pipeline at one or more predetermined locations along the length of the primary pipeline such that movement of the 15 primary pipeline is restrained with respect to the stabilizing structure. In another aspect, a system for conveying fluids on a seabed, the system includes a primary pipeline located on a seabed; a stabilizing structure located generally adjacent to the primary pipeline; and at least one load-bearing member having a first end adapted to attach to the primary pipeline and a second end adapted to attach to the stabilizing structure; such that 20 when the at least one load-bearing member is attached to the primary pipeline and the stabilizing structure, movement of the primary pipeline is restrained with respect to the stabilizing structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become 25 better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings where: FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a primary subsea production pipeline connected to a secondary line as a stabilizing structure such that movement of the primary pipeline is restrained with respect to the secondary line according to one embodiment. 30 FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a primary subsea production pipeline connected to components of subsea equipment as a stabilizing structure such that movement of the primary pipeline is restrained with respect to the subsea equipment according to one embodiment.
    WO 2013/101482 PCT/US2012/069461 3 FIG. 3 is an illustration of a subsea production pipeline connected to a secondary line and traversing a large span in which it is unsupported by the seabed below the pipeline. DETAILED DESCRIPTION 5 The present disclosure provides systems and methods to be described in detail hereinafter for stabilizing movement of a subsea pipeline, by which is meant a conduit located on a seabed. The terms "conduit," "pipeline" and "pipe" are used herein interchangeably. FIG. 1 is a schematic view (from an overhead perspective) of a system for stabilizing a subsea pipeline according to one embodiment. Illustrated is a primary subsea production 10 pipeline 4 generally adjacent to a stabilizing structure in the form of a secondary line 6A. The production pipeline 4, also referred to as the primary pipeline 4, can convey fluids such as oil, water, chemicals and/or gas. By "generally adjacent" is meant that the primary pipeline 4 and the secondary line 6A are near one another over a desired length L. The two lines may or may not be parallel to one another. The length L can be at least about one kilometer, and even several 15 hundred kilometers. The distance between the primary pipeline 4 and the secondary line 6A over this length is not so great that the two lines cannot be connected by some practical means, i.e., by at least one load-bearing member 8, to be described in more detail hereinafter. In some embodiments, the distance D between the primary pipeline 4 and the secondary line 6A over length L is from about 5 m to about 1000 m or more. 20 In the embodiment illustrated, the secondary line 6A can be a second pipeline for conveying fluids such as oil, water, chemicals and/or gas, a steel cable, an umbilical line or other generally adjacent secondary line as would be apparent to one skilled in the art. The secondary line 6A has sufficient load bearing capacity to stabilize the primary pipeline 4. As nonlimiting examples, the number of load-bearing members used to connect the 25 primary pipeline to a secondary line 6A can be at least one, even from I to about 100 or more, as needed to stabilize a desired length of pipeline. As nonlimiting examples, the load-bearing members can be generally spaced approximately 10 m to approximately 1000 m apart. FIG. 2 is a schematic view (from an overhead perspective) of a system for stabilizing a subsea pipeline according to another embodiment. In this embodiment, the stabilizing structure 30 for stabilizing the primary pipeline 4 is at least one three-dimensional structure other than a secondary line referred to herein generally as equipment 6B. As described above, the equipment 6B is generally adjacent to the primary pipeline 4. In the embodiment illustrated, the equipment 6B can be any three-dimensional structure(s) having sufficient load bearing capacity to stabilize WO 2013/101482 PCT/US2012/069461 4 the primary pipeline 4. For instance, non-limiting examples of such structures include production platforms, pipeline end terminations (PLETs), manifolds, suction piles, wellheads, deadweights, steel cables and other generally adjacent stabilizing structures as would be apparent to one skilled in the art. 5 In the embodiments illustrated in both FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the production pipeline 4 is connected to the stabilizing structure, i.e., the secondary line 6A in FIG. 1 and the equipment 6B FIG. 2 by way of at least one load-bearing member 8 located at one or more predetermined locations along the length of the primary pipeline 4. Each load-bearing member 8 is attached to the primary pipeline 4 at one end by way of a first attachment means 10 A, and is attached to the 10 stabilizing structure, i.e., the secondary line 6A or equipment 6B, at the other end by way of a second attachment means 10B. The load-bearing member 8 can be any convenient means of connecting the primary pipeline 4 to the secondary line 6A or equipment 6B at one or more predetermined locations such that movement over time of the primary pipeline 4 is restrained and at least one desired 15 direction with respect to the secondary line 6A or equipment 6B. For instance, the movement of the primary pipeline can be restrained in at least one of the axial direction, the lateral direction and the vertical direction with respect to the secondary line 6A or equipment 6B. In one embodiment, the load-bearing member 8 can be selected from a tether (i.e., a cable formed of a flexible material), a steel cable, a chain, a pipe, a beam, an adjustable length 20 jig and combinations thereof. Other suitable load-bearing members can be used as would be apparent to one skilled in the art. The load-bearing member can be formed of a material suitable for load-bearing application in a subsea environment, including, but not limited to steel, nylon, aromatic polyamide materials such as Kevlar@ (available from E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Wilmington, Delaware), carbon fiber, polyester and other high tenacity polymeric 25 materials. The first attachment means I0A is adapted to attach to the primary pipeline 4, and the second attachment means 1OB is adapted to attach to the secondary line 6A or equipment 6B. Nonlimiting examples of the first and second attachment means I0A and 1OB are clamps, circumferential bands, straps, bolts, padeyes, shackles and the like. Other suitable attachment 30 means can be used as would be apparent to one skilled in the art. In some embodiments, the load-bearing member 8 can be used to monitor the primary pipeline over time. The load-bearing member can optionally incorporate a monitoring device 12 therein for this purpose. Monitoring devices 12 can be included in one or more of the load- WO 2013/101482 PCT/US2012/069461 5 bearing members 8. In some embodiments, a monitoring device such as a load cell assembly capable of measuring, recording, storing and/or communicating data related to operating parameters of the primary pipeline relative to the secondary line can be included in the load bearing member. For example, such operating parameters can include tension in the primary 5 pipeline, displacement of the primary pipeline, strain in the primary pipeline, rotation of the primary pipeline and position of the primary pipeline relative to the secondary line over time, as well as a timestamp associated with each measurement. The load cell assembly can include a load cell as well as optional processor(s) and transponder(s) useful for processing, storing and transmitting measured data. In one embodiment, the load-bearing member including the load 10 cell assembly can be removed from the system after a period of time in use has elapsed and the data extracted. Such data can be analyzed by a processor which can calculate properties of interest, including, but not limited to, displacement of the primary pipeline, loads on the primary pipeline, strains in the primary pipeline and vibrations in the primary pipeline. Such properties and/or the data used to calculate such properties can further be displayed on a display means for 15 visual observation as would be apparent to one skilled in the art. In one embodiment, the load-bearing member can be removed from the system after a period of time in use has elapsed, and the load-bearing member can be tested to determine the load history. For instance, in one embodiment, the monitoring device 12 can be a mechanical strain gauge incorporated in the load-bearing member which can be inspected for physical 20 changes indicating the amount of stress applied to the load-bearing member. In one embodiment, the monitoring device 12 can be a sensor located in the load-bearing member to measure displacement or position of the primary pipeline for monitoring the pipeline over time. Nonlimiting examples of such sensors include accelerometers and transponders. The sensor can be incorporated into an assembly which further includes any suitable means for 25 storing and/or communicating relevant information including position and displacement. In some embodiments, the primary pipeline can run through an area of uneven terrain such that the pipeline must traverse one or more large spans in which the pipeline is unsupported by the seabed below. For instance, the pipeline may run over canyons, adjacent hills, scarps, or may run from a relatively flat area over a relatively steep incline in which the pipeline is not 30 supported. In such situations, the unsupported pipeline may be subject to undesirable movements, vibrations and associated stresses caused by sea currents and/or disturbances in the flow through the pipeline, such as slug flow. As a result, the pipeline may be subject to fatigue and consequently reduced serviceable life. FIG. 3 illustrates a primary pipeline 4 and a WO 2013/101482 PCT/US2012/069461 6 secondary line 6A which run from a relatively flat area to a relatively high elevation over a steep incline 2 and a span in which the pipeline is not supported by the seabed 1. According to some embodiments, the primary pipeline 4 can be connected to the secondary line 6A to stabilize the primary pipeline as previously described herein by one or more load-bearing members 8. In such 5 embodiments, by connecting the primary pipeline and the secondary line, both the primary pipeline and the secondary line can be stabilized. The unsupported span over which the pipeline is connected to the secondary line can vary between about 20 m and about 2000 m or more. As a consequence of using the systems and methods described herein, incidence of undesirable events such as pipeline walking and development of higher than tolerable 10 cumulative strains in the primary pipeline can be reduced or avoided. Pipeline failures and damage and associated need for expensive unplanned repairs can therefore also be reduced. In some embodiments, the systems and methods described herein are particularly beneficial when high temperature fluids are being conveyed by the primary pipeline, e.g., fluids from a hydrocarbon production well at a temperature from about 600 C. to about 200' C., as such high 15 temperature fluids can result in undesirable pipeline movement. In some embodiments, the systems and methods described herein are particularly beneficial to stabilize a pipeline traversing a large span in which it is unsupported by the seabed below the pipeline. Where permitted, all publications, patents and patent applications cited in this application are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety, to the extent such disclosure is not 20 inconsistent with the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, the recitation of a genus of elements, materials or other components, from which an individual component or mixture of components can be selected, is intended to include all possible sub-generic combinations of the listed components and mixtures thereof. Also, "comprise," "include" and its variants, are intended to be non-limiting, such that 25 recitation of items in a list is not to the exclusion of other like items that may also be useful in the materials, compositions, methods and systems of this invention. From the above description, those skilled in the art will perceive improvements, changes and modifications, which are intended to be covered by the appended claims.
    权利要求:
    Claims (15)
    [1] 1. A method for stabilizing a subsea pipeline comprising: connecting a primary pipeline to a stabilizing structure generally adjacent to the primary 5 pipeline at one or more predetermined locations along the length of the primary pipeline such that movement of the primary pipeline is restrained with respect to the stabilizing structure.
    [2] 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the primary pipeline is connected to the stabilizing structure by attaching to the primary pipeline and the stabilizing structure a load-bearing 10 member selected from the group consisting of a tether, a cable, a chain, a pipe, a beam, an adjustable length jig and combinations thereof, the load-bearing member having a first end and a second end and wherein the first end comprises a first attachment means adapted to attach to the primary pipeline and the second end comprises a second attachment means adapted to attach to the stabilizing structure; wherein the first attachment means and the second attachment means 15 are each selected from the group consisting of clamps, circumferential bands, straps, bolts, padeyes and shackles.
    [3] 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the movement of the primary pipeline is restrained with respect to the stabilizing structure in at least one of the axial, lateral and vertical directions. 20
    [4] 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring an operating parameter selected from the group consisting of tension in the primary pipeline, displacement of the primary pipeline, strain in the primary pipeline, rotation of the primary pipeline and position of the primary pipeline relative to the secondary line. 25
    [5] 5. The method of claim 2, wherein the load-bearing member further comprises a monitoring device capable of at least one of measuring, recording, storing, and communicating data related to movement of the primary pipeline over time. 30
    [6] 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising processing said data to calculate at least one of displacements of the primary pipeline, loads on the primary pipeline, strains in the primary pipeline and vibrations in the primary pipeline. WO 2013/101482 PCT/US2012/069461 8
    [7] 7. The method of claim 5, further comprising: removing the load-bearing member after a period of time has elapsed; and testing the load-bearing member to determine the load history of the load-bearing member. 5
    [8] 8. A system for conveying fluids on a seabed, the system comprising: a. a primary pipeline located on a seabed; b. a stabilizing structure located generally adjacent to the primary pipeline; and c. at least one load-bearing member selected from the group consisting of a tether, a 10 cable, a chain, a pipe, a beam, an adjustable length jig and combinations thereof, the at least one load-bearing member having a first end adapted to attach to the primary pipeline and a second end adapted to attach to the stabilizing structure; such that when the at least one load-bearing member is attached to the primary pipeline and the stabilizing structure, movement of the primary pipeline is 15 restrained with respect to the stabilizing structure.
    [9] 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the load-bearing member further comprises a monitoring device capable of at least one of measuring, recording, storing, and communicating data related to movement of the primary pipeline over time. 20
    [10] 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the monitoring device is selected from the group consisting of a load cell, a mechanical strain gauge, an accelerometer and a transponder.
    [11] 11. The system of claim 9, further comprising a processor for processing said data to 25 calculate at least one of displacements of the primary pipeline, loads on the primary pipeline, strains in the primary pipeline and vibrations in the primary pipeline.
    [12] 12. The system of claim 8, wherein the stabilizing structure is selected from the group consisting of a pipeline for conveying fluids, a cable and an umbilical line. 30
    [13] 13. The system of claim 8, wherein the stabilizing structure is selected from the group consisting of pipeline end terminations, production platforms, manifolds, suction piles, wellheads and deadweights. WO 2013/101482 PCT/US2012/069461 9
    [14] 14. The system of claim 8, wherein the primary pipeline spans a distance from about 20 m to about 2000 m over which the primary pipeline is unsupported by a seabed. 5
    [15] 15. The system of claim 8, wherein the distance between the primary pipeline and the stabilizing structure is from about 5 m to about 1000 m.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    CA2856446A1|2013-07-04|
    GB201407844D0|2014-06-18|
    GB2511950A|2014-09-17|
    WO2013101482A1|2013-07-04|
    US8708602B2|2014-04-29|
    BR112014010543A2|2017-04-18|
    CN104011455A|2014-08-27|
    US20130170914A1|2013-07-04|
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    法律状态:
    2016-07-28| MK1| Application lapsed section 142(2)(a) - no request for examination in relevant period|
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US13/339,605|US8708602B2|2011-12-29|2011-12-29|System and methods for stabilizing subsea pipeline|
    US13/339,605||2011-12-29||
    PCT/US2012/069461|WO2013101482A1|2011-12-29|2012-12-13|Systems and methods for stabilizing subsea pipeline|
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