System for handling riser pipe

Abstract

Method and system for handling riser pipe on an offshore vessel, comprising taking the pipe from the stack of riser pipes using two trolleys placed on opposite sides of the stack, each trolly having means to engage with a respective end of the pipe, and loading the pipe into the cradle of a lifting device for lifting the riser pipe from the storage zone onto the deck of the vessel.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates to a movement method for tubular elements according to the characteristics of the pre-characterizing part of claim 1.[0002]The present invention also relates to a movement system for tubular elements on a vessel according to the characteristics of the pre-characterizing part of claim 5.[0003]The present invention also relates to vessels according to the characteristics of claims 35 to 39.Definitions[0004]In the present description and in the appended claims the following terms must be understood according to the definitions given in the following.[0005]In the present description and in the appended claims by the general expression “vessels” one will indicate ships, boats, rigs, floating structures in general and in particular drillships, semisubmersible drilling rigs.[0006]In the present description and in the appended claims by the general expression “tubular elements” one will indicate both real pipes suitable to be laid on the se...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0031]The solution according to the present invention, by the considerable creative contribution the effect of which constitutes an immediate and important technical progress, presents various advantages.

[0032]Advantageously, the solution according to the present invention allows to best use the space available inside the hold where the tubular elements are stored obtaining definitely more favourable coefficients of filling of the hold with respect to the prior art solutions. In this way it is possible either to load a greater number of tubular elements onto the same vessel or to design smaller-sized vessels with an equal number of tubular elements that one can load, with consequent economic benefits both in the phase of construction of the vessel and during the operation of the latter.

[0033]In general the solution according to the present invention allows to eliminate the traditional lifting members, normally made up of bridge cranes, hold elevators and deck cranes, replacing them with more effective and safer devices able to ensure the movement of the tubular elements or risers in conditions of maximum safety. Furthermore, it allows for a high degree of automation of the process of movement of the tubular elements. Moreover, the number of transfers of the tubular elements or risers between different types of machines is minimized.

[0034]With reference to the movement device of the invention that realizes the movement of the tubular elements or risers within the hold of a vessel, the solution according to the present invention allows to solve the safety problems related to the presence of suspended loads because the solution according to the present invention allows to obtain a movement of the tubular elements in a locking condition on the driving means, eliminating all the conditions of presence of suspended loads. This is further advantageous because impacts are prevented, which may damage the tubular elements. Further advantageously the solution according to the present invention also allows to completely automate the transfer phase as well as the hold loading phase, so that the operators no longer have to handle the driving means manually, reducing the possibilities of error and reducing the exposure of the operators to conditions of danger. Furthermore, the solution according to the present in

Problems solved by technology

First of all in the prior art solutions in which the tubular elements or risers are stored in a covered hold and the movement of the tubular elements occurs by means of bridge cranes there are both safety problems concerning the movement of loads suspended over a vessel and efficiency problems in the exploitation of the space available in the hold of the vessel. In fact, the bridge crane arranged inside the hold occupies a great space for the entire length of the hold itself and this space, intended for the movement of the bridge crane over the stacks of tubular elements, is actually unused space for storage.

Furthermore, the movement of the tubular elements, which are very heavy, by means of bridge cranes and with suspension cables or rigid elements, exposes the tubular elements to impacts that may compromise their tightness or coupling.

Moreover, the presence of the operators in the control zones exposes the operators themselves to conditions of possible danger.

Furthermore, the poor automation of the process is often a serious problem in the phases of the operators' shift change.

In fact when, after about six months, the operators are replaced by a new crew, a reduction in the crew's performance occurs with a consequent slowdown in the operations of laying of the tubular elements.

Furthermore, the prior art solutions make the phases of inspection of the tubular elements prior to their taking out difficult.

Before the hold is definitively closed the bridge crane remains exposed to the weather and damage that may compromise its functionality before the launch of the ship.

At present the selection of the risers to be taken as well as their loading operations are carried out by the operators manually, exposing the

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