Adapter tool for coupling a bend stiffener with a diverless bellmouth interface in a BSN900e bellmouth and assembly method

Abstract

To achieve the aforementioned objectives, the present invention provides an adapter tool for coupling a bend stiffener with a diverless bellmouth interface in a bellmouth with a BSN900E interface. The adapter tool provides interchangeability and flexibility between projects and project phases, even when different bellmouth models are used. The tool is characterized in that it includes a split adapter ring (10), the top of which is shaped to fit the dovetail profile of the BSN900E model cap, and the bottom of which is shaped to fit the seat profile of the cap of the diverless bellmouth (40). The present invention has two assembly methods that guarantee operational safety of the adapter unit, specifically: a method that uses only screws positioned in the split ring, and another method in which assembly includes a unit with a support ring and rods in addition to the split ring.

Description

“ADAPTER TOOL FOR COUPLING A BEND STIFFNESS WITH DIVERLESS BELL MOUTH INTERFACE (BSDL) TO A BSN900E BELL MOUTH AND ASSEMBLY METHOD” Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention is based on the development of a solution for adaptation between types of bell mouths.

[0002] The present invention falls within the field of activities of flexible pipeline risers and umbilicals with interface for diverless bell mouth (BSDL) in UEPs that have model BSN900E bell mouths. Description of the State of the Art

[0003] Reusing or sharing flexible lines between projects is a common practice in the oil industry. To facilitate the interchangeability of risers between production units, a recent standardization for their supports was established. This standardization considers the use of BSN900E bell mouths, as this is the most widely used model in the company's production units. However, the interface of this bell mouth model is not compatible with new developments aimed at reducing diving time. This difference in interfaces prevents the interchangeability of lines between the two support types.

[0004] To allow this, it would be necessary to retain the top end of the risers to change the stiffener cap, which would require the acquisition of new accessories and their respective assembly in the line, with an impact on project readiness.

[0005] Usually, flexible risers are connected to platforms by devices that decouple the pipeline traction from the lateral movements caused by displacements of the floating unit, with the first portion being supported in a region close to the platform deck (Hang-off) and the lateral loads transferred to a connection device located in a position close to the platform deck. at the bottom of the platform hull, with a sliding coupling between this device and the pipeline. A typical example of such a widely used connection device is the bell mouth (US5947642A), Figure 1. This decoupling between the traction and lateral movements of flexible risers provides significant operational benefits for this pipeline technology, such as increased service life, but is not limited to this. At Petrobras, the device described in document US5947642A is widely used, where the most common models are the BSN300, BSMF, and BSN900E bell mouths, the latter of which was defined as the standard interface for interconnecting flexible risers to the UEP by Petrobras. The Multifunctional Bell Mouth (BSMF) is an interface structure capable of carrying bend stiffeners for flexible risers or supporting flexible joints (flexjoinf) with rigid risers.It has good versatility and the possibility of replacing interfaces and standardizing its fixing.

[0006] Document EP3473801A1 discloses a device for assembling a flexible line in a surface installation, a split ring with rods and coupled to the stiffener. Despite an adapter device that connects to the bend stiffener to assist in connecting to the riser, the document does not mention the possibility of using other types of support systems.

[0007] Document WO2019232605A1 discloses a coupling system between a bend stiffener and a bell mouth comprising a plurality of locking mechanisms in which each locking mechanism is externally fixed to the bell mouth. Although it presents a method for coupling a bend stiffener to risers in a bell mouth, it does not allow interchangeability between two types of support.

[0008] US7069958B2 discloses an assembly and method of stiffening a flexible member whereby a rigid member and an adapter surround the flexible member and an insert extends in a ring between the adapter and the flexible member. Despite coupling between bend stiffeners and the bell mouth, the document is unable to allow interchangeability between the two types of support.

[0009] Given the difficulties present in the prior art mentioned above, and for adaptive solutions between different couplings, the need arises to develop a technology capable of performing effectively and complying with standardization recommendations. The prior art cited above lacks the unique characteristics that will be presented in detail below. Purpose of the invention

[0010] It is an object of the invention to adapt the coupling of a bend stiffener with bell mouth interface model Diveriess (BSDL) to a bell mouth with interface type BSN900E.

[0011] Additionally, another objective of the present invention is to allow interchangeability between the two support systems. Brief Description of the Invention

[0012] To achieve the objectives described above, the present invention provides an adapter tool for coupling a bend stiffener with a diverless bellmouth interface (BSDL) to a BSN900E or BSMF bellmouth. The adapter tool is capable of maintaining interchangeability and flexibility between projects or design phases, even when different bellmouth models are used.

[0013] Tool characterized by comprising a split adapter ring that, in the upper part, has geometry compatible with the dovetail profile of the BSN900E model helmet and, in the lower part, has geometry compatible with the seating profile of the BSDL helmet.

[0014] The present invention requires oriented assembly, and for this we have two assembly methods, which can be carried out either by direct fixing with screws or through support fixing using ring (10) and rods (22). Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] The present invention will be described in more detail below, with reference to the attached figures which, in a schematic manner and not limiting the inventive scope, represent examples of its implementation. The drawings show: - Figure 1 represents the interconnection set between flexible risers with ships or platforms and illustrates the applied efforts; - Figure 2 illustrates the interfaces for coupling the bend stiffener (a) BSDL and (b) BSN900E; - Figure 3 illustrates the adapter split ring; - Figure 4 illustrates the application of the adapter split ring in the BSDL type support system with direct screw fixing system; - Figure 5 illustrates the ring / rod support system; - Figure 6 illustrates the assembly of the first half of the adapter split ring into the stiffener plus helmet assembly; - Figure 7 illustrates the split ring adapter assembly and ring / rod support system; - Figure 8 illustrates the application of the adapter split ring in the BSDL type support system with ring / rod fixing system. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0016] The development of the adapter tool revealed here was due to the search for greater interchangeability and flexibility between projects or project phases, even if different bell mouth models are used.

[0017] Below is a detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is exemplary and in no way limiting. However, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, from reading this description, possible additional embodiments of the present invention still comprised of the essential and optional features below.

[0018] As previously described, the use of BSDL is already planned for new exploratory projects due to its advantages over the BSN900E and BSMF models, such as the optimization of the riser connection process during the pull-in operation and the drastic reduction of Man Hours Exposed to Risk (HHER) in shallow diving activities.

[0019] Despite some similarities between the two types of supports, the connection interfaces of the bend stiffeners present geometric dissimilarities (Figure 2), making it impossible to couple a bend stiffener with a BSDL bell mouth interface to a BSN900E or BSMF bell mouth. Figure 2(a) shows a BSDL bell mouth support and Figure 2(b) a BSN900E support.

[0020] The adapter split ring (10) has, in the upper part, a geometry compatible with the dovetail profile of the BSN900E model helmet for locking the BSDL helmet (40) in the BSN900E bell mouth (detail A of figure 3). In addition, it preferably has two holes, one through (11 a) (figure 3) and one threaded (11 b) (figure 3), in which the holes may not be limited to this configuration and quantity, and are to join the two parts of the ring (10) with screws. In the lower part, the adapter split ring (10) has a geometry compatible with the seating profile of the BSDL helmet (40) in the tongue (130) (detail B of figure 3 and detail of figure 4), for fitting the helmet (40) of this same model. In this same location, there are preferably two eyelets (15) for fasteners, where the number of eyelets (15) may not be limited to this quantity, and which help to join the split ring (10) (detail C of figure 3).The split ring (10) also preferably has five through holes (13), where the holes are not limited to this quantity, and are for use with screws in the direct screw fixing system, shown in figures 3 and 4.

[0021] There are two ways of connecting the helmet (40) (figure 2a) and the adapter split ring (10) (figure 3): 1 - Direct screw fixing; or 2 - Fixing by ring / rod support.

[0022] Both interconnections can be made on board a flexible line laying vessel, in the case of reusing lines from other projects, or in the factory, in the case of sharing new flexible lines.

[0023] In the assembly where direct screw fastening occurs, the adapter split ring (10), as shown in Figure 4, can be attached to the helmet (40) through the five through holes (13). In the proposed configuration, the connection of the split rings totals at least 10 holes. The total number of holes required for this fastening will vary depending on each project, as it will depend mainly on the diameter applied. If new lines are shared between projects, this fastening can be done in the factory. If previously manufactured lines are reused, this fastening system depends on the machining capacity of the holes on board a flexible pipe installation vessel. If this is not possible, the ring / rod support fastening method should be used.

[0024] When fixing the ring / rod assembly by support, the adapter split ring (10) (figure 3) can be fixed to the helmet (40) by installing a ring / rod assembly support system (20), as can be seen in figure 5. This system consists of a split support ring (21) and preferably four support rods (22), but not limited to this quantity, which are fixed to the support ring (21) with screws (24) (figure 5).

[0025] First, the rods (22) are mounted on one of the halves of the support ring (21) (figure 5). Then the adapter split ring (10) is positioned below the helmet (40), together with the support ring (21) and the rods (22) (figure 6).

[0026] Figure 7 shows a view of the adapter split ring (10) supported by the four support rods (22), without the stiffening assembly (100) and the helmet (40).

[0027] Next, the other half of the adapter split ring (10) is positioned below the helmet (40), together with the support ring (21) and the rods (22) (figure 6). The adapter split ring (10) is then locked using fasteners (15) as shown in figure 3. Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the application of the adapter split ring (10) in the BSDL type support system with ring / rod fixing system (20).

[0028] The two proposed adapter solutions require a sequential assembly process necessary for the correct use of the adapters and operational safety. Therefore, an assembly method exclusively performed by means of screws (13) spread throughout the split ring (10) requires the following steps: a. assemble the guide pins (11 c) in one of the halves of the adapter split ring (10); b. position the first half of the adapter split ring (10) below the helmet (40); c. secure the split ring with fasteners through the through holes; d. position the second half of the adapter split ring (10) below the helmet (40), fitting it into the first half using the guide pins; e. Secure the second half of the split ring with fasteners through the through holes. f. lock the adapter split ring (10) using fasteners (15);

[0029] If the support assembly consisting of ring / rods (20) is required, the correct sequential assembly order must be: a. assemble the guide pins (11c) in one of the halves of the adapter split ring (10); b. assemble the rods (22) in the two halves of the support ring (21); c. position the adapter split ring (10) below the helmet (40) together with the support ring (21) and the rods (22); d. position the second half of the adapter split ring (10) below the helmet (40), fitting it into the first half using the guide pins, together with the support ring (21) and the rods (22); e. lock the adapter split ring (10) using fasteners (15); f. lock the support ring (21) using fasteners (23).

Claims

Claims 1 - ADAPTER TOOL FOR COUPLING A BENDING STIFFNESS WITH INTERFACE FOR DIVERLESS BELL MOUTH (BSDL) TO A BSN900E BELL MOUTH, characterized by comprising a split adapter ring (10) which, in the upper part, has geometry compatible with the swallowtail profile of the BSN900E model helmet and, in the lower part, has geometry compatible with the seating profile of the BSDL helmet (40). 2- TOOL, according to claim 1, characterized in that the adapter split ring (10) preferably has two holes, one through (11a) and one threaded (11b), for joining the parts. 3- TOOL, according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the union of the parts is made by screws. 4- TOOL, according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the adapter split ring (10) preferably has two eyelets (15) for fasteners to assist in joining the split ring (10). 5- TOOL, according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the adapter split ring (10) preferably has five through holes (13) for use with screws during the interconnection between the tool and the helmet by the direct screw fixing system. 6- TOOL, according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the adapter split ring (10) can be installed on the helmet (40) through a ring / rod support (20). 7- TOOL, according to claim 6, characterized in that the ring / rod support (20) is made up of a bipartite support ring (21) and preferably four support rods (22) that are fixed to the support ring (21) with screws (24). 8- ASSEMBLY METHOD, for the case of direct fastening by screws of the tool according to the inventive concept presented in claim 1, characterized by comprising the following steps: a) mounting the guide pins (11c) in one of the halves of the adapter split ring (10); b) positioning the first half of the adapter split ring (10) below the helmet (40); c) Fixing the split ring with fasteners through the through holes; d) positioning the second half of the adapter split ring (10) below the helmet (40), fitting it into the first half through the guide pins; e) Fixing the second half of the split ring with fasteners through the through holes. f) locking the adapter split ring (10) using fasteners (15); 9- ASSEMBLY METHOD, for the case of fixing by ring / rod support of the tool according to the inventive concept defined in claim 1, characterized by comprising the following steps: a) assembling the guide pins (11c) in one of the halves of the adapter split ring (10); b) assemble the rods (22) in the two halves of the support ring (21); c) position the adapter split ring (10) below the helmet (40) together with the support ring (21) and the rods (22); d) position the second half of the adapter split ring (10) below the helmet (40), fitting it into the first half using the guide pins, together with the support ring (21) and the rods (22); e) lock the adapter split ring (10) using fasteners (15); f) lock the support ring (21) using fasteners (23).

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