Double clamp for repair of diverless rigid pipes

Description

[001] This Utility Model relates to the technical field of devices for sealing leaks in pipelines. More specifically, it relates to a double clamp for repairing diverless rigid pipelines. Fundamentals of the Utility Model

[002] Submarine rigid pipelines can be bundled (together) using clips by a rigid pipeline launching vessel in order to optimize operating time. As illustrated in Figure 1, said rigid pipelines can be of the Production Test (PT) and Gas Lift Test (TGL) type and have different or equal diameters.

[003] If an integrity failure (leak) is identified in one of these bundled pipelines, any operation involving said pipelines must be interrupted for the installation of a mechanical clamp and thus reestablish the integrity of said pipeline.

[004] In some cases, the ducts may have sufficient spacing to allow the use of a conventional mechanical clamp. However, if the ducts are close together with minimal spacing between them, the solution of using a conventional mechanical clamp is only possible if the ducts are spaced further apart from each other.

[005] A known solution, illustrated in figure 2, comprises an operation of installing the conventional mechanical clamp by moving a neighboring duct away with lateral pulling using a winch mooring.

[006] Another known solution, illustrated in figure 3, comprises an operation of installing a conventional mechanical clamp, moving a neighboring duct away with lifting via a gantry.

[007] However, in both of these known solutions, it is Petition 870250007637, dated 01 / 30 / 2025, page 39 / 58 2 / 9 It is necessary to move the pipelines aside to allow access for a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) or other mechanism to enable the installation of a conventional mechanical clamp on the damaged pipeline.

[008] Thus, the aforementioned known solutions increase the risk of exacerbating the failure in the rigid pipeline with compromised integrity during vertical lifting / pulling operations and general handling of the pipelines.

[009] Additionally, the aforementioned known solutions increase the risk of failure in the adjacent rigid pipeline, without compromising its integrity, given the need for lateral or vertical displacement with the application of mechanical forces by an external agent. State of the art

[010] In the State of the Art, there are documents related to clamps for repairing and / or retaining ducts. We highlight the following documents.

[011] US patent 4535822 discloses an apparatus composed of longitudinally split coupling segments and provided with means for articulating the segments together in the form of a shell. Manipulating means are mounted on the segments and are constructed and arranged to engage parts of the segments and forcibly close them for a tight coupling contact between them. The apparatus is designed to have a small operating envelope that allows its use in areas that are confined or restricted, such as in a set of parallel pipes.

[012] US patent 4535822 discloses a pipe fastening device. This device can be used for pipe repair, being fastened around defects in the pipe such as tooth formation, internal and external corrosion marks, cracks, gouges and defects that occur during pipe construction.

[013] Document US6726166 discloses a set of wiretaps Petition 870250007637, dated 01 / 30 / 2025, pp. 40 / 58 3 / 9 (clamp) for attaching one pipe to another, such as a control line to a marine choke and a stop riser line. The clamp assembly consists of an upper half, a lower half, a hinge pin connecting the halves, and a fastener locking the halves together.

[014] The features and advantages of this Utility Model will become clear from the detailed description below and with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are provided as a preferred, not limiting, embodiment. Brief description of the utility model

[015] The present Utility Model discloses a double clamp for repairing diverless rigid ducts, comprising an upper flange (1) and a lower flange (2), each comprising two partial housings, wherein the respective partial housings fit together to form a first enclosure (20) and a second enclosure (30) that pass through the upper (1) and lower (2) flanges; a plurality of fasteners (3) for joining the upper flange (1) and the lower flange (2); a sealing system (4) disposed inside the first enclosure (20) and the second enclosure (30); at least one hole (5) for injecting sealant into an interior volume (40) between the upper flange (1) and lower flange (2) to enclose a section of the rigid ducts; a sacrificial anode (6); a handle (7) for handling; and a lifting eye (8). Brief description of the figures

[016] In order to complement the present description and obtain a better understanding of the characteristics of the present Utility Model, Figure(s) are presented in which, in a non-limiting manner, its preferred embodiment is represented.

[017] Figure 1 illustrates rigid submarine pipelines, TP and TGL, laid in bundle.

[018] Figure 2 illustrates an example operation of installing a conventional mechanical clamp by moving away a Petition 870250007637, dated 01 / 30 / 2025, pp. 41 / 58 4 / 9 adjacent duct with side pull using winch mooring.

[019] Figure 3 illustrates an example operation of installing a conventional mechanical clamp to move a neighboring duct away by lifting it through a gantry.

[020] Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the double clamp for repairing diverless rigid ducts in an assembled configuration.

[021] Figure 5 illustrates a top view of the double clamp.

[022] Figure 6 illustrates a side view of the double clamp.

[023] Figure 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the double clamp for better visualization of the sealing system and its internal volume.

[024] Figure 8 illustrates a perspective view of a nut from the plurality of fasteners.

[025] Figure 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the nut.

[026] Figure 10 illustrates example steps for installing a clamp. Detailed description of the Utility Model

[027] The present Utility Model refers to a double clamp (100) for repairing diverless rigid pipelines with a new shape and arrangement that results in a clear functional improvement in its use in repair operations of diverless rigid pipelines that are adjacent / neighboring to each other. The double clamp (100) is particularly applicable for repairing integrity failures of bundled rigid pipelines using clamps.

[028] The double clamp (100) for repairing diverless rigid pipelines is preferably handled by an ROV and comprises a new form with two housings to wrap two adjacent pipelines simultaneously. It will be appreciated that the clamp Petition 870250007637, dated 01 / 30 / 2025, pages 42 / 58 5 / 9 double (100) can be designed to enclose ducts of different diameters or of substantially equal diameters.

[029] In this sense, it will be appreciated that the double clamp (100) advantageously makes it possible to repair a leak in a rigid duct without the need to move it away from a bundle of rigid ducts, thus mitigating a possible aggravation of existing faults and minimizing the risk of additional damage to the ducts. Furthermore, the double clamp (100) allows simultaneous repair of leaks in different ducts using the same clamp.

[030] Thus, with the use of the double clamp (100) for repairing diverless rigid pipelines, the risk of aggravating the failure in the rigid pipeline with compromised integrity due to lifting, pulling or general handling of the pipelines during repair operations is mitigated. Additionally, the risk of failure occurring in an adjacent rigid pipeline, without compromised integrity, is drastically reduced, since lateral or vertical displacement of this pipeline with the application of mechanical forces by an external agent is no longer necessary.

[031] In addition to the advantages already mentioned of the double clamp (100) for repairing diverless rigid ducts of the present Utility Model, the following advantages may also be mentioned, in a non-exhaustive manner: - Reduced operating and boat time, thus lowering operating costs; - Reducing operating time results in less carbon being released into the atmosphere during operation; - Elimination of the need for auxiliary equipment such as mooring buoys, winches, and / or lifting gantries for moving pipelines; - Minimizing data risks by eliminating the need to relocate pipelines and mitigating integrity failure risks; and Petition 870250007637, dated 01 / 30 / 2025, pages 43 / 58 6 / 9 - Reduced risk of hydrocarbon spills into the sea due to the elimination of maneuvers that could damage the pipelines.

[032] In its preferred configuration, and as illustrated in figures 4, 5 and 6, the double clamp (100) for repairing diverless rigid ducts essentially comprises: an upper tab (1), a lower tab (2), a plurality of fasteners (3), a sealing system (4), at least one hole (5), a sacrificial anode (6), a handle (7) for handling, and a lifting eye (8).

[033] The upper flange (1) and the lower flange (2), each comprising two partial housings, and wherein the respective partial housings fit together to form a first enclosure (20) and a second enclosure (30), which pass through the upper (1) and lower (2) flanges, and enclose the respective first and second rigid duct.

[034] It will be appreciated that the first housing (20) and the second housing (30) may have equal or different diameters, depending on the design and / or needs of a repair operation in which the double clamp (100) will be used.

[035] A plurality of fasteners (3) are used to join the upper flange (1) and the lower flange (2) in order to seal a sealing system (4) over the rigid ducts. Said fasteners are preferably composed of a threaded spindle and two nuts (3.3).

[036] As illustrated in figure 5, said fasteners of the plurality of fasteners (3) may have different diameters. More particularly, it is preferable that two more robust fasteners, i.e., of larger diameter, be used in a central region of the while a multiplicity of fasteners of smaller diameter be used in a lateral region of the double clamp (100).

[037] Furthermore, and as illustrated in figure 6, it will be appreciated Petition 870250007637, dated 01 / 30 / 2025, pages 44 / 58 7 / 9 that among the smaller diameter fasteners used in a lateral region of the double clamp (100), at least two of these fasteners comprise elongated threaded spindles. Said elongated threaded spindles allow a semi-assembled configuration of the double clamp (100) and thus facilitate its positioning before tightening the other fasteners of the plurality of fasteners (3).

[038] At least one orifice (5) of the double clamp (100) is primarily for the injection of sealant into an interior volume (40) thereof. As illustrated in figure 7, said interior volume (40) is formed between the upper flange (1) and lower flange (2), and has the function of enclosing a section of the rigid ducts.

[039] It will be appreciated that one or more holes (5) may be arranged in different elements of the double clamp (100), facilitating access for sealant injection. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that it is preferable that the double clamp (100) have at least two holes (5), one for sealant injection and the other for sealant outlet. The hole (5) for sealant outlet prevents a buildup of pressure in the interior volume (40) and also provides an indication of when the interior volume (40) is adequately filled with sealant.

[040] It will be appreciated that the double clamp (100) should preferably be positioned over the rigid ducts so that the leak(s) is / are centered with respect to the interior volume (40).

[041] The sealing system (4) works in such a way that, as the ROV applies torque to the plurality of fasteners (3), sealing rings of the sealing system (4) are compressed against an outer wall of the ducts inserted in the first enclosure (20) and second enclosure (30), respectively, to seal the inner volume (40) of the double clamp (100).

[042] As illustrated in figures 8 and 9, it will be appreciated that, preferably, the nuts (3.3) of the plurality of Petition 870250007637, dated 01 / 30 / 2025, pages 45 / 58 8 / 9 fasteners (3) are hexagonal nuts comprising respective blind holes on each of their faces. The need to install nuts with holes is to facilitate the installation of tools that provide torque for turning the nuts, which are tools called tensioners.

[043] The double clamp (100) preferably also comprises a sacrificial anode (6), a handle (7) for handling, and a lifting eye (8).

[044] The sacrificial anode (6) is preferably fixed in a removable manner (e.g., by means of nuts and bolts) to one side of the double clamp (100). The sacrificial anode (6) is made of a metal that has a lower reduction potential than the material used in the structure of the double clamp (100) and is thus oxidized in place of the latter. For example, the sacrificial anode (6) may be made of zinc, magnesium or aluminum alloys.

[045] The handle (7) for handling allows easy manipulation of the double clamp (100) by the grips of an ROV and is preferably fixed on the side of the double clamp (100) opposite the side of the sacrificial anode (6) fixing.

[046] The lifting eye (8) is preferably located in an upper / top region of the double clamp (100), and allows the double clamp (100) to be lowered by the vessel via crane. Alternatively, the double clamp (100) can be lowered by an ROV.

[047] Next, and by way of example, an operation of using the double clamp (100) of the Utility Model will be described, in order to facilitate the understanding of its application and advantages by a person skilled in the art.

[048] Initially, the double clamp (100) in a semi-assembled configuration, as illustrated in figure 10, is lowered by the vessel through the lifting eye (8) via crane. After being positioned on the bottom, the ROV handles the Petition 870250007637, dated 01 / 30 / 2025, pages 46 / 58 9 / 9 double clamp (100) by means of the handle (7) for handling to position it over a leak area of ​​bundled pipes.

[049] Next, the ROV installs the remaining fasteners of the plurality of fasteners (3) until partial closure between the ducts using a torque tool, such as a hydraulic screwdriver, as also illustrated in figure 10.

[050] Then, to energize the sealing system (4) against the outer wall of the ducts, the ROV applies the cross torque procedure to all fasteners of the plurality of fasteners (3) (3) until a preload previously defined in the procedure is reached.

[051] Once this step is completed, the ROV, through the holes in the sealant injection system (5), injects a sealing fluid to seal the leak and prevent any irregularities in the duct wall.

[052] After completing the sealant injection, the ROV must verify that the electrical contact of the anode (6) is effective with the clamp by means of electrochemical potential measurement.

[053] After that, the platform is cleared to perform the hydrostatic test and, if successful, the pipelines are cleared for normal operation.

[054] Thus, those versed in the art will appreciate the knowledge presented here and will be able to reproduce the present Utility Model described in the preferred configuration, encompassed within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. Double clamp (100) for repairing diverless rigid ducts, characterized by comprising: an upper flange (1) and a lower flange (2), each comprising two partial housings, wherein the respective partial housings fit together to form a first enclosure (20) and a second enclosure (30) that pass through the upper (1) and lower (2) flanges; a plurality of fasteners (3) for joining the upper flange (1) and the lower flange (2); a sealing system (4) disposed inside the first enclosure (20) and the second enclosure (30); at least one hole (5) for injecting sealant into an interior volume (40) between the upper flange (1) and lower flange (2) to enclose a section of the rigid ducts; a sacrificial anode (6); a handle (7) for handling; and a lifting eye (8).

2. Double clamp (100), according to claim 1, characterized in that the first housing (20) and the second housing (30) have equal or different diameters.

3. Double clamp (100), according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing system (4) seals against an external wall of the ducts inserted in the first enclosure (20) and second enclosure (30), respectively, by means of sealing rings.

4. Double clamp (100), according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the plurality of fasteners (3) is composed of a threaded spindle and two nuts (3.3).

5. Double clamp (100), according to claim 4, characterized in that the nuts (3.3) are hexagonal nuts comprising respective blind holes on each of their faces.

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