Installation of submarine control lines

Description

1 / 11 INSTALLATION OF SUBMARINE CONTROL LINES

[0001] The present invention relates to the installation of subsea control lines, such as control lines deployed as part of a riser string and arranged between a surface vessel and subsea equipment. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the oil and gas industry, control lines are frequently required between a vessel or platform and subsea equipment. Control lines can, for example, be cables that provide electrical power, control signals, and / or communication with the subsea equipment. These cables are most commonly attached to a riser string or pipeline using clamps. Clamping is typically a manual job and may involve personnel hanging from crank winches, in access baskets, or standing on platforms. These operations are frequently performed in open water (within or above a moon pool). This is a potentially hazardous operation with high environmental exposure. Furthermore, it is a schedule-critical operation.

[0003] There is a continuing need for safer, more reliable and efficient solutions in the offshore oil and gas industry. The present invention aims to provide technology with advantages in one or more of the above areas, or at least to constitute a useful alternative to the state of the art. SUMMARY

[0004] In one embodiment, a method is provided for attaching a control line cable to a riser, the method comprising: suspending the riser through a moon pool opening of an offshore vessel, operating an articulated arm positioned on the offshore vessel to: (a) retrieve a clamp connector from a clamp connector storage, (b) engage the clamp connector with the cable. Petition 870250094340, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, page 8 / 38 2 / 11 of control line and attach the control line cable to the clamp connector, (c) engage the clamp connector with the riser.

[0005] The step of operating the articulated arm to secure the control line cable in the clamp connector may comprise positioning the control line cable in a cable slot in the clamp connector and closing a fastening member around the control line cable.

[0006] The fastening member can be articulated to a clamp connector body and the step of closing the fastening member around the control line cable can comprise articulating the fastening member to a closed position.

[0007] In the closed position, the fastening member can engage the control line cable and hold it fixed in the cable groove.

[0008] The step of securing the control line cable to the clamp connector can be performed before locking the clamp connector to the riser.

[0009] The operation of the articulated arm to lock the fastening connector to the riser may include engaging a locking part in a bracket fixed to the riser.

[0010] The method may include attaching the support to the riser.

[0011] The method may comprise, alternately and repeatedly: (i) performing steps (a) to (c); (ii) lowering the riser and extending it by mounting a section of the riser on top of the riser.

[0012] The articulated arm operation step may comprise operating the articulated arm from a remote location, such as an operator's cabin.

[0013] The method may include operating a camera mounted on the articulated arm to transmit visual images of the fastening connector to the remote location while steps (a) through (c) are performed. For example, the method may include operating the camera to transmit Petition 870250094340, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, page 9 / 38 3 / 11 visual images of the connection between the articulated arm and the fixing connector, the fixing member(s), the cable groove and / or the locking part of the fixing connector for the remote location.

[0014] In one embodiment, an offshore vessel is provided comprising: a clamp connector storage comprising a plurality of clamp connectors, an articulated arm with an operable engagement mechanism for selectively engaging and securing one of the plurality of clamp connectors, the clamp connector storage and the articulated arm disposed adjacent to a moon pool opening of the vessel, wherein each of the plurality of clamp connectors comprises a cable slot configured to receive a control line cable and a fastening member configured to secure the control line cable in the clamp connector, and each of the plurality of clamp connectors comprises a locking part configured for engagement with a bracket fixed to a riser in the moon pool opening and an interface configured for engagement with the engagement mechanism.

[0015] The interface can be an operable profile to be engaged by the engagement mechanism.

[0016] The profile can be arranged in a clamp connector body, to which the fastening member is also connected.

[0017] The locking part can be arranged on one side of the clamp connector opposite the profile.

[0018] The articulated arm can hold a camera.

[0019] The fastening member can be articulated to a clamp connector body.

[0020] The locking part can be arranged on the fixing member.

[0021] Each clamp connector may comprise two or more cable slots.

[0022] Each clamp connector can comprise two connectors Petition 870250094340, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, page 10 / 38 4 / 11 fixing point.

[0023] Each clamp connector may comprise a section of the locking part, the sections being movable for interlocking with each other when the clamp connector is brought to a position in which the clamp connector secures the control line cable in the clamp connector.

[0024] The locking piece can form a protrusion of the clamp connector and be configured to be received in a receptacle on the holder.

[0025] The locking part may comprise a bayonet connector.

[0026] The clamp connector may have a locking position and an open position.

[0027] The clamp connector can be tilted to the open position, for example, spring-loaded tilted to the open position.

[0028] The articulated arm may comprise an operable actuator for engaging the clamp connector and placing it in a clamping position.

[0029] Other inventive aspects and embodiments are described in the appended claims and in the detailed description below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The above characteristics and others will become clear from the following description of illustrative and non-restrictive examples, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[0031] Figs. 1 to 4 illustrate parts of an offshore vessel and steps of a method according to an example.

[0032] Figs. 5 to 16 illustrate steps in the method and details of an offshore vessel in more detail.

[0033] Figs. 17 and 18 illustrate examples of clamp connector designs. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Figs. 1 to 4 illustrate parts of an offshore vessel and Petition 870250094340, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, page 11 / 38 5 / 11 the steps of a method, according to an example. The vessel may be, for example, a drilling or workover vessel for performing operations on a subsea well. A riser 11 is suspended through a moon pool opening 2 of the vessel. The experienced reader will recognize this as a common operation when constructing the riser 11 and lowering it towards subsea equipment such as a wellhead. The riser 11 is constructed sequentially, adding more riser sections on top of the riser 11 and lowering it. When operating the riser 11, it may be necessary to install a control line cable 10 (or several control line cables; in the illustrated examples, two control line cables are used) along with the riser 11 and connect the control line cable 10 to the riser 11. The control line cable 10 may, for example, be supplied from a reel or cable storage.

[0035] An articulated arm 12 is positioned on the offshore vessel adjacent to the moon pool opening 2, so that the arm 12 is operable to engage the riser 11 when it is suspended through the moon pool opening 2. The articulated arm 12 may be a robotic arm with a plurality of joints, so as to allow movement of one end of the arm tool in three dimensions. The arm 12 may, for example, be electrically or hydraulically actuated.

[0036] A clamp connector storage 14 is further disposed adjacent to the moon pool opening 2 and / or adjacent to the articulated arm 12, so that the arm 12 is operable to engage (reach) the storage 14. The storage 14 may be placed in any position that is within reach of the arm 12. The arm may be further from the moon pool 2 than the arm 12. The storage 14 may, in some cases, be a mobile storage, for example, in a cart or similar. The storage 14 comprises a Petition 870250094340, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, page 12 / 38 6 / 11 plurality of 13 clamp connectors stored, described in more detail below.

[0037] One method, according to an example, comprises operating the articulated arm 12 to: (a) remove a clamp connector 13 from the clamp connector storage 14 (see Fig. 1); (b) engage the clamp connector 13 with the control line cable 10 (Fig. 2) and secure the control line cable 10 to the clamp connector 13; and (c) engage the clamp connector 13 with the riser tube 11, so as to secure the control line cable 10 to the riser tube 11 by means of the clamp connector 13. The riser tube 11 can then be lowered together with the control line cable 10 (Fig. 4). The steps can then be repeated as another riser section is added to riser 11. Preferably, the control line cable 10 is attached to riser 11 at the adjacent connection joints of riser 11, i.e., at the end-to-end connections of the individual riser sections that make up riser 11.In the illustrated example, the connection joints are composed of bolted flanges; however, other connections, such as a locking ring, can also be used to connect the riser sections.

[0038] The control line cable 10 can, for example, be attached to an auxiliary line of the riser 11, such as a choke / discharge line or a hydraulic line.

[0039] Figs. 5 to 16 illustrate steps of the example method and details of an offshore vessel in more detail.

[0040] Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate the articulated arm 12 moving to collect a clamp connector 13 from storage 14. The riser 11 has a support 21 attached to it, for example, fixed to one of several auxiliary lines arranged around a main tube 11' of the riser. The support 21 can, for example, be fixed as a support on the auxiliary line, as illustrated. The supports 21 can be fixed to Petition 870250094340, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, page 13 / 38 7 / 11 riser 11 sequentially during the construction and lowering operation of riser 11, or they may be pre-arranged in sections that are being added to riser 11.

[0041] Figures 7 to 13 illustrate details of a clamp connector 13 and an arm 12, according to an example, and their interaction and operation.

[0042] Figure 7 illustrates the articulated arm 12 moving towards a clamp connector 13 for retraction. The clamp connector 13 has a profile 13' that can be engaged by an engagement mechanism 22 located at the end of the tool 12' of the arm 12. The engagement mechanism 22 is operable to selectively engage and hold one of several clamp connectors 13 in the profile 13'. In the example shown, two movable fastening elements 22' are horizontally movable and configured to cooperate with the profile 13' for engagement. In Figure 8, the engagement mechanism 22 is positioned in the profile 13' and activated, in this example, by means of the two fastening elements 22' being moved towards each other, so as to lock the profile 13' (Figure 9). For this purpose, an internal actuator in the engagement mechanism 22 can be used, for example. The fastening connector 13 can then be held and lifted out of storage 14 by the articulated arm 12.

[0043] Figure 10 illustrates, in an example, more details of a clamp connector 13 and the articulated arm 22. Each clamp connector 13 comprises a cable slot 15 configured to receive a control line cable 10 and a clamping member configured to secure the control line cable 10 in the clamp connector 13, particularly in the cable slot 15. In this example, the clamp connector 13 comprises two clamping members 16a, b, each articulatedly coupled to a body 17 of the clamp connector 13. Petition 870250094340, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, page 14 / 38 8 / 11

[0044] Each clamp connector 13 may comprise two cable slots 15, more than two cable slots 15, or one cable slot 15 arranged to receive one or more control line cables 10. A fastening member 16a, b may be arranged to secure one or more control line cables 10. In the example illustrated, the cable slot 15 is arranged to receive two control line cables 10, wherein each fastening member 16a, b engages and secures one of the control line cables 10.

[0045] Figs. Figures 11 and 12 illustrate the articulated arm 12 being moved so as to engage the fastening connector 13 with the control line cable 10. (See also Fig. 2.) When the control line cables 10 are positioned in the cable slot 15 (Fig. 12), the screws 16a,b are moved to the closed fastening position (Fig. 13). This can be done, for example, by the actuators 25a,b (see also Fig. 14).10), operable to engage screws 16a,b and place them in a fixing position. In this example, actuators 25a,b push screws 16a,b forward so as to articulate them to engage with the control line cables 10 and the fixing position. As illustrated in Fig. 13, the control line cables 10 are then fixed and held in position in the fixing connector 13.

[0046] Fig. 14 illustrates the articulated arm 12, which engages the fastening connector 13 with the support 21 on the riser 11. (See also Figs. 3 and 5.) Illustrated in Fig. 15, the articulated arm 12 is operated to connect the fastening connector 13 to the riser 11. Once the connection is established, the articulated arm 12 can release its connection with the fastening connector 13 (releasing the engagement mechanism 22) and retract away from the riser 11 (Fig. 16, see also Fig. 4).

[0047] Referring again to Figs. 10 and 13, each clamp connector 13 comprises a locking part 20 configured for engagement with the support 21 fixed to the riser 11 in the moon pool opening 2. The part Petition 870250094340, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, page 15 / 38 9 / 11 of locking 20 can, for example, form a protrusion of the clamp connector 13, configured to be received in a receptacle (such as a groove designed for this purpose) in the holder 21. In this way, the locking part 20 can be inserted into the holder 21 and locked in place, for example, by means of a locking pin or similar.

[0048] The mechanism may advantageously include a bayonet coupling between the locking part 20 and the support 21, whereby the articulated arm 12 may bring the locking part 20 into a receptacle on the support 21, rotate the clamp connector 13 by a predefined angular distance, and retract and release its connection with the clamp connector 13. Such a bayonet coupling may form an efficient way of connecting and disconnecting clamp connectors 13 to or from the riser 11.

[0049] Advantageously, the locking part 20 can be arranged on the fastening element(s) 16a,b. The locking part 20 can be arranged on one side of the fastening connector 13 opposite the profile 13'.

[0050] Illustrated in Fig. 10, in the illustrated example, each fastening element 16a,b comprises a section 20a,20b of the locking part 20, where each section 20a,20b is movable for engagement with each other when the fastening elements 16a,b are brought to a closed (locking) position. In this closed (locking) position, the sections 20a,b together form the locking part 20 (Fig. 13).

[0051] The fastening element(s) 16a,b may have a fixed position and an open position, where the fastening element(s) 16a,b are inclined to the open position, for example, spring-loaded into the open position. This may facilitate the handling of the clamp connectors 13 during use and the execution of the steps described above.

[0052] The articulated arm 12 can be operated from a remote location, such as the operator's cabin / driller's cabin. For this Petition 870250094340, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, page 16 / 38 10 / 11 Finally, the articulated arm 12 may include a wired or wireless connection to an operator panel and appropriate local controllers to enable remote operation. Advantageously, the articulated arm 12 may comprise a camera 23 disposed on the articulated arm 12. The camera 23 may be disposed so as to visually capture both the connection between the articulated arm 12 and the clamp connector 13 (e.g., Figures 7 to 9) and the relevant parts of the clamp connector 13 (such as the cable groove 15 and the locking part 20) when in use. Images or videos from camera 23 can be provided to a remote location, such as the operator's cabin, to assist the operator in remotely controlling the articulated arm 12. In this way, the operator can be assisted by camera 23 during the collection of a clamp connector 13, during the engagement of the clamp connector 13 with the control line cable 10, and during the locking of the clamp connector 13 onto the riser 11.

[0053] Optionally, the operation of the articulated arm 12 can be performed (partially or fully) automatically by an automatic controller.

[0054] Figs. 17 and 18 illustrate examples of clamp connector designs 13 and associated components. Fig. 17 illustrates a single clamp connector 13 in open and closed configurations. The articulated arm 22 comprises an opening / closing actuator 25 for opening and closing the clamp connector 13, and a clamping actuator 30 for clamping and holding the clamp connector 13 by the articulated arm 12. The clamp connector 13 comprises a cable guide 31 associated with the cable groove 15. Fig. 18 illustrates an example of a corresponding double clamp.

[0055] Advantageously, the 13 clamping connectors can be designed to receive control lines of different diameters and be made for the simultaneous connection of one or more lines. The 13 clamping connectors can preferably be designed without... Petition 870250094340, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, page 17 / 38 11 / 11 spindles or loose parts that could fall into the sea. This can be achieved, for example, by using a spring-loaded device to secure the fastening connectors 13 to the riser 11, such as a bayonet coupling, as discussed above.

[0056] Based on the examples described here, personnel can be removed from high-risk operational areas. In addition, manual labor related to the operation of control lines can be reduced and work processes can be carried out more efficiently.

[0057] The examples described here can, for instance, be used on drilling or workover vessels operating drilling, return or workover risers. In addition, they can be used to connect completion lines to pipelines.

[0058] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above; see appended claims. Petition 870250094340, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, page 18 / 38

Claims

1 / 3 CLAIMS 1. A method of attaching a control line cable (10) to a riser (11), characterized in that it comprises: suspending the riser (11) through a moon pool opening (2) of an offshore vessel (1), operating an articulated arm (12) positioned on the offshore vessel (1) to: (a) pick up a clamp connector (13) from a clamp connector storage (14), (b) bringing the clamp connector (13) into engagement with the control line cable (10) and securing the control line cable (10) in the clamp connector (13), (c) bringing the clamp connector (13) into locked engagement with the riser (11).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the operation of the articulated arm (12) for securing the control line cable (10) in the clamp connector (13) comprises: positioning the control line cable (10) in a cable slot (15) in the clamp connector (13), and closing a fastening element (16a,b) around the control line cable (10).

3. Method, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening member (16a,b) is articulatedly coupled to a body (17) of the clamp connector (13) and the step of closing the fastening member (16a,b) around the control line cable (10) comprises rotating the fastening member (16) to a closed position.

4. Method, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that operating the articulated arm (12) to bring the clamp connector (13) into locked engagement with the riser (11) comprises bringing a locking part (20,20a-b) into engagement with a support (21) fixed to the riser (11).

5. Method, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating step of the articulated arm (12) comprises operating the articulated arm (12) from a remote location, such as an operator's cabin.

6. An offshore vessel (1), characterized in that it comprises: a clamp connector storage (14) comprising a plurality of clamp connectors (13), an articulated arm (12) having an engagement mechanism (22) operable for selectively engaging and holding one of the plurality of clamp connectors (13), the clamp connector storage (14) and the articulated arm (12) disposed adjacent to a moon pool opening (2) of the vessel (1), wherein each of the plurality of clamp connectors (13) comprises a cable slot (15) configured to receive a control line cable (10) and a fastening member (16a,b) configured to secure the control line cable (10) in the clamp connector (13), and each of the plurality of clamp connectors (13) comprises a locking part (20,20a-b) configured for engagement with a support (21) fixed to a riser (11) in the moon pool opening (2) and an interface (13') configured for engagement with the engagement mechanism (22)., 7. Offshore vessel, according to claim 6, characterized in that the articulated arm (12) comprises a camera (23).

8. Offshore vessel, according to claim 6 or Petition 870250094340, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, page 20 / 38 3 / 3 7, characterized in that the fastening member (16a,b) is articulatedly coupled to a body (17) of the clamp connector (13).

9. Offshore vessel, according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the locking part (20,20a-b) is disposed in the fastening member (16a,b).

10. Offshore vessel, according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the locking part (20,20a-b) forms a protrusion of the clamp connector (13) and is configured to be received in a receptacle on the support (21).

11. Offshore vessel, according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the fastening member (16a,b) has a fastening position and an open position, and the fastening member (16a,b) is inclined towards the open position. Petition 870250094340, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, p. 21 / 38

Images