Magnetic Docking Tool and its Operating Process

Description

1 / 9 “MAGNETIC DOCKING TOOL AND ITS OPERATING PROCESS” TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The present invention relates to a magnetic docking tool for accessing secondary metallic structures by means of magnets positioned and coupled together with a drilling system to provide access to secondary metallic structures, such as oil production well annuli or other metallic structures. In addition, the present invention discloses a process for operating the magnetic docking tool. DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF THE ART

[002] The practical application of tools such as conventional clamps for annuluses of oil production wells or other metal structures that need to be positioned around these structures or pipelines is currently known.

[003] Initially, the clamps need to be transported to the installation site by means of remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs), along with an installation tool. The installation tool is responsible for securing the clamp to the column. The installation tool has mechanisms capable of ensuring the clamp is securely fixed so that it can then be fitted to the secondary metal structures.

[004] However, the long installation and operation time of these clamps becomes a drawback for the rapid completion of purposes near secondary metal structures such as, for example, drilling holes in annuli of oil production wells or other metal structures using a drill system attached to the clamp.

[005] The previously known technique, for example, as can be seen in Figure 1, consists of a split clamp coupled to a riser. Petition 870250012879, dated 02 / 17 / 2025, page 6 / 25 2 / 9 which requires screwing for attachment to the metal frame.

[006] One drawback of this technique is the need to manufacture a specific clamp for each given structure diameter. Furthermore, positioning and screwing the clamp onto the metal structure is time-consuming. PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[007] Based on the long installation time of conventional clamps on secondary metal structures, such as oil well rings, the need arose to develop an operational solution that would require efficient and quick fastening to secondary metal structures to support equipment or drilling systems in their vicinity.

[002] Additionally, with tools, such as conventional clamps, a second tool is needed to install the clamp on the secondary metal structure, in addition to the ROV moving the tools to their desired installation location.

[001] The installation tool for a conventional clamp generates a significant loss of time and, in addition, there is a need for training in its handling. Therefore, there is a need for a tool with quick fastening that is capable of supporting equipment required for applications near secondary metal structures. OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

[002] One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a magnetic docking tool capable of solving the aforementioned problems of the prior art.

[003] In addition, another objective is to provide a system that is easy to reproduce, using known and known equipment. Petition 870250012879, dated 02 / 17 / 2025, page 7 / 25 3 / 9 lowest cost on the market.

[004] Another important objective is to provide a process for operating the magnetic docking tool that is easy to reproduce using equipment known in the market. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[003] The present invention proposes a solution to the drawbacks of the prior art by means of a magnetic docking tool for accessing secondary metal structures by means of magnets positioned and coupled to an intervention system. The tool has a magnetic docking structure (magnetic base) with a plurality of support arms where magnets are coupled, and an intervention system configured to perform an intervention on the secondary metal structure. The motor rotates an axially installed drill bit to drill a hole in the secondary metal structure.

[004] The object of the present invention is operated using only one ROV, eliminating the need for a second installation tool to attach the magnetic docking tool.

[005] Furthermore, the present invention proposes a process for installing the magnetic docking tool which comprises positioning the magnets arranged on the support arms according to the dimensions of the secondary metal structure to be intervened upon, coupling the magnetic docking tool to an ROV, positioning the magnetic docking tool with the aid of an ROV in the desired location, fixing the magnetic docking tool by means of the magnets to the secondary metal structure, and activating the intervention system configured to perform an intervention on the secondary metal structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES: Petition 870250012879, dated 02 / 17 / 2025, page 8 / 25 4 / 9

[001] The present invention will now be described in more detail based on an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings. The figures show:

[006] Figure 1 illustrates the state of the art.

[007] Figure 2 illustrates the magnetic docking structure coupled to a secondary metallic structure.

[008] Figure 3 illustrates a drill stand with a motor.

[009] Figure 4 illustrates a floatless magnetic docking tool coupled to a secondary metal structure.

[0010] Figure 5 illustrates a magnetic docking tool with floats coupled to a secondary metal structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0011] The magnetic docking tool according to the present invention comprises its main elements, such as a magnetic docking structure (magnetic base) with a plurality of support arms fixed to the magnetic docking structure, where magnets are coupled through the support arms, hooks, an intervention system, such as a drill with an attached motor and a drill bit installed axially for a hole in the secondary metal structure, two side supports and, optionally, two floats.

[0012] Figure 1 represents the state of the art, in which a split clamp coupled to a production well is shown, with a spindle drill installed on the clamp system.

[0013] Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in which a magnetic docking structure 2 is shown already installed on a secondary metallic structure 3 with the aid of an ROV (not shown).

[0014] The magnetic docking structure 2 (main magnetic base) of the present invention comprises a plurality of, preferably Petition 870250012879, dated 02 / 17 / 2025, page 9 / 25 5 / 9 preferably four, support arms 4, 5, preferably perpendicularly fixed, where magnets 6 are coupled, arranged according to the secondary metal structure 3 to be coupled, with a diameter, especially, between approximately 76.2 cm (30'') and 106.68 cm (42''). The secondary metal structures 3 may be annular oil production wells or other tubular or flat metal structures.

[0015] In the preferred embodiment equipped with four support arms 4, 5, the two support arms 4, 5 perpendicularly fixed to the magnetic docking structure 2 at its lower and upper bases preferably hold a magnet 6 each, so as to adhere to the largest possible contact area. In this embodiment, the two support arms 4, 5 perpendicularly fixed to the magnetic docking structure 2 on their sides have a pivoting element 5.1 capable of rotating each magnet according to the diameter of each secondary metal structure 3, so as to adhere to the largest possible contact area. In this way, the magnetic docking structure 2 allows great flexibility and adaptability by being able to adhere to secondary metal structures of various dimensions.

[0016] The magnetic docking structure 2 further comprises an intervention system configured to perform some intervention on the secondary metal structure 3. In the illustrated embodiments, the intervention system is exemplified as a drilling system comprising a drill support, motor and a drill bit 9 installed axially in the magnetic docking structure 2 to make a hole in the secondary metal structure 3. However, the present invention is not limited to a magnetic docking tool with a drill, but the system can also be used for any other docking needs in metal structures (flat or cylindrical) that require intervention, such as welding. Petition 870250012879, dated 02 / 17 / 2025, page 10 / 25 6 / 9 gem, measurement, probing, visual inspection using cameras, cutting tool and hole plugging, among others.

[0017] The magnetic docking tool 1 can optionally be fitted with an electromagnet system (Subsea) arranged on the support arms 4, which can be unlocked by means of at least one lever, or with hydraulic-magnetic pumps arranged in a pivoting manner via the pivoting element 5.1 on the support arms 5, especially the Dynaset HMG PRO model, so that, once the hydraulic pump model is inserted, unlocking by lever is not necessary. The magnets are positioned according to the structure to be coupled in order to adhere a maximum contact area.

[0018] In an optional embodiment, two horizontally oriented side supports 10 are fixed to the magnetic docking structure 2 to support, in particular, two floats illustrated below.

[0019] Optionally, the magnetic docking structure 2 further comprises a larger hook 7 on each side base and two smaller hooks 8 on each top and bottom base. The side, top and bottom hooks are used to handle the magnetic docking structure 2 to a desired position on the secondary metal structure 3 with the aid of an ROV (not shown).

[0020] Figure 3 illustrates an example of an embodiment in which the intervention system is a drilling system. A drilling support 11 with a motor 12 to be installed axially on the magnetic docking structure 2 is illustrated. Thus, when the motor 12 is activated, it rotates the drill bit 9 towards the secondary metal structure 3 to be drilled.

[0021] Figure 4 illustrates, in perspective, an exemplary magnetic docking tool 1 composed of its magnetic docking structure 2 and its main elements, such as the support arms. Petition 870250012879, dated 02 / 17 / 2025, page 11 / 25 7 / 9 4, 5 magnets, 6 magnets, hooks, drill bit 9, drill support 11 with motor 12 and side supports 10, coupled to the secondary metal structure 3.

[0022] In this embodiment, tool 1 comprises a magnetic docking structure 2 as illustrated in Figure 1, preferably with four support arms 4, 5, two of which are perpendicularly fixed to the sides of the magnetic docking structure 2 and the other two perpendicularly fixed to the lower and upper bases, where a magnet 6 is coupled to each arm, the magnets being positioned according to the structure to be coupled. Tool 1 also comprises a drill support 11 with a motor 12 coupled, which is installed axially on the magnetic docking structure 2, and a drill bit 9 installed axially on the magnetic docking structure 2 to drill a hole in the secondary metal structure 3. With the magnetic docking tool 1 assembled with its main elements, an ROV (not shown) positions it to the desired position using the hooks 7, 8 of the magnetic structure 2.

[0023] The presence of the intervention system in the magnetic docking tool 1, and the positioning of the magnets according to the secondary metal structure to be coupled, considerably reduces the operating and installation time of the magnetic docking tool compared to conventional clamps, by using only the ROV to position the tool to the desired installation location. Thus, the magnetic docking tool 1, composed of a magnetic base and a support for installing a drill or other equipment, can be easily installed on the secondary metal structure.

[0024] Figure 5 illustrates, in perspective, an alternative embodiment of the magnetic docking tool 1 additionally equipped with at least two floats 13. The magnetic docking tool 1 Petition 870250012879, dated 02 / 17 / 2025, page 12 / 25 The illustrated example 8 / 9 consists of its magnetic docking structure 2 and its main elements, such as the support arms 4, 5, magnets 6, hooks 7, 8, drill 9, drill support 11 with motor 12, side supports 10, coupled to the secondary metal structure 3. At least two floats 13 are arranged on the two side supports 10 to reduce the weight of the equipment on the bottom. The side supports 10 are arranged horizontally in relation to the magnetic docking structure 2 to support the floats 13. The floats consist, for example, of commercial buoys for depths up to 3000 meters to reduce the weight of the equipment on the bottom. With the magnetic docking tool 1 assembled with its main elements, an ROV (not illustrated) positions it to the desired position using the hooks 7, 8 of the magnetic structure 2. The table below shows an example of the characteristics of the components in this configuration: Table 1: COMPONENTS VERSION (2) Weight (kg) Weight in water (kg) MAGNET 600 21.70 18.45 MAGNET 1000 32.40 27.54 MIKO MARINE 01 25.00 21.25 MIKO MARINE 02 25.00 21.25 FLOAT 54 kg BUOYANCY 01 (2500 meters) 94.00 -54.00 FLOAT 54 kg BUOYANCY 02 (2500 meters) 94.00 -54.00 STRUCTURE 1.1 / 2” SCH 40 (CURRENT VERSION) 68.85 58.52 DRILL SHAFT 11.40 9.69 TOTAL WEIGHT 372.35 48.70

[0025] A process for operating a magnetic docking tool on the secondary metal structure 3 is also proposed. The process comprises the steps of: positioning the magnets 6 arranged on the support arms 5, preferably by means of Petition 870250012879, dated 02 / 17 / 2025, page 13 / 25 9 / 9 pivoting element 5.1, according to the dimension of the secondary metal structure 3 to be intervened upon, couple the ROV to the magnetic docking tool 1, preferably through the hooks 7, 8 of the magnetic docking structure 2, position the magnetic docking tool 1 with the aid of the ROV in the desired location and fix the magnetic docking tool 1 by means of the magnets 6 on the secondary metal structure 3. After installation, the intervention system is activated. In the illustrated embodiments where the intervention system is a drilling system, the activation of the motor 12 rotates the drill bit 9 in an axial direction that allows drilling in the secondary metal structure 3. REFERENCE SIGNS FOR THE FIGURES: - magnetic docking tool; - Magnetic docking structure (magnetic base); - secondary metal structure; .5 - support arms 5.1 - Pivotable element - magnet; - larger hook smaller hook - drill; - side support; - drill stand; - engine; - float. Petition 870250012879, dated 02 / 17 / 2025, page 14 / 25

Claims

1 / 3 CLAIMS 1. Magnetic docking tool (1) for accessing secondary metal structures (3), characterized in that it comprises: a magnetic docking structure (2) with a plurality of support arms where magnets (6) are coupled; and an intervention system coupled to the magnetic docking structure (2) configured to perform an intervention on the secondary metal structure (3).

2. Magnetic docking tool, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises four support arms (4, 5) fixed perpendicularly to the magnetic docking structure (2), wherein at least two arms (5) are perpendicularly fixed to the sides of the magnetic docking structure (2) and the other two arms (4) are perpendicularly fixed to the lower and upper bases.

3. Magnetic docking tool, according to claim 2, characterized in that the support arms (5) laterally fixed to the magnetic docking structure (2) have a pivoting element (5.1) capable of rotating the magnet coupled to it.

4. Magnetic docking tool, according to claim 3, characterized in that the pivoting element (5.1) pivots the magnets arranged on the support arm (5) so that they can adhere a larger contact area.

5. Magnetic docking tool, according to claim 2, characterized in that the support arms (4, 5) fixed to the lower and upper bases of the magnetic docking structure (2) have a magnet fixed in place.

6. Magnetic docking tool, according to Petition 870250012879, dated 17 / 02 / 2025, page 15 / 25 2 / 3 claim 1, characterized in that it can be assembled with a system of electromagnets arranged in the support arms (4) of the magnetic docking structure (2) and hydraulic-magnetic pumps arranged in the support arms (5).

7. Magnetic docking tool, according to claim 1, characterized in that the magnetic docking structure (2) comprises supports (10) arranged horizontally in relation to the magnetic docking structure (2) configured to support floats (13).

8. Magnetic docking tool, according to claim 7, characterized in that the floats (13) consist of buoys for depths up to 3000 meters.

9. Magnetic docking tool, according to claim 1, characterized in that the intervention system comprises a drill holder (11), a motor (12) and a drill bit (9), wherein the motor (12) is configured to provide rotation of the drill bit (9) installed axially in the magnetic docking structure (2).

10. Operating process of a magnetic docking tool, as defined in claim 1, characterized in that it comprises: positioning the magnets (6) arranged on the support arms (5) according to the dimension of the secondary metal structure (3) to be intervened upon; coupling the magnetic docking tool (1) to an ROV; positioning the magnetic docking tool (1) with the aid of the ROV in the desired location; fixing the magnetic docking tool (1) by means of the magnets (6) to the secondary metal structure (3); and activating an intervention system configured to perform an intervention on the secondary metal structure (3).

11. Operating process according to claim 9, characterized in that the positioning of the magnets is carried out by pivoting the magnets (6) by means of the pivoting element (5.1).

12. Operating process according to claim 9, characterized in that the coupling of the magnetic docking tool (1) to an ROV is carried out through the hooks (7, 8) of the magnetic docking structure (2).

13. Operating process according to claim 9, characterized in that the intervention system comprises a drill support (11), a motor (12) and a drill bit (9), wherein the motor (12) rotates the drill bit (9) mounted on the magnetic docking structure in an axial direction, making a hole in the secondary metal structure (3). Petition 870250012879, dated 17 / 02 / 2025, page 17 / 25

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