Deep water umbilical cable first-aid repair method

Abstract

The invention discloses a deepwater umbilical cable first-aid repair method which comprises the following steps: exploring an umbilical cable laying area, laying an umbilical cable for first-aid repair, detecting a damaged position when the umbilical cable is damaged in the use process of the umbilical cable, cutting off the umbilical cable, recycling the umbilical cable for first-aid repair, and re-laying the recycled umbilical cable along an original laying path. And after the umbilical cable crosses the damaged position, moving 1 / 2 of the length of the umbilical cable for emergency repair, recovering the other cut end of the umbilical cable, reconnecting and repairing the two ends, and relaying the repaired umbilical cable on the seabed along a vertical area in the laying direction of the umbilical cable. The invention provides a deepwater umbilical cable first-aid repair method for reducing the repair difficulty of an umbilical cable with redundant length.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of umbilical cable repair, in particular to a deep-water umbilical cable emergency repair method. Background Art

[0002] During the long-term use of the umbilical cable, the umbilical cable may be broken or damaged due to the influence of factors such as the disturbance of the seabed ocean current and the complex terrain. In the process of repairing the umbilical cable, the underwater repair operation is difficult and the repair quality is unsatisfactory; while the water repair operation requires the umbilical cable laid on the seabed to be salvaged to the deck of the laying ship, but in the traditional laying method, the umbilical cable does not have the redundant length to meet the requirements of salvaging the umbilical cable to the deck, which greatly increases the difficulty of repairing the umbilical cable. Summary of the invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a deep-water umbilical cable emergency repair method which has an umbilical cable with redundant length to reduce the difficulty of repair.

[0004] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above problem is a deep-water umbilical cable emergency repair method, the steps of which are as follows:

[0005] S1: Survey the umbilical cable laying area and determine the areas that are prone to damage during the use of the umbilical cable;

[0006] S2: During the laying of the umbilical cable, a section of emergency repair umbilical cable is laid upstream or downstream of the vulnerable area, and the length of the emergency repair umbilical cable is not less than twice the laying depth of the umbilical cable;

[0007] S3: When the umbilical cable is used, if it is found that the umbilical cable is damaged, detect the damaged position of the umbilical cable;

[0008] S4: Cut the umbilical cable directly at the damaged location;

[0009] S5: Using the laying vessel to recover the end of the umbilical cable close to the emergency repair cable until the umbilical cable for emergency repair is recovered;

[0010] S6: Re-laying the recovered umbilical cable along the original laying path;

[0011] S7: After crossing the damaged position, move 1 / 2 of the length of the repair umbilical cable;

[0012] S8: Recover the other cut end of the umbilical cable and reconnect and repair the two ends;

[0013] S9: Re-lay the repaired umbilical cable on the seabed in a vertical area along the laying direction of the umbilical cable.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are as follows: through the design of steps S1 and S2, the repair preparation work can be done for the umbilical cable in the vulnerable area, wherein the position of the emergency repair umbilical cable is avoided to be set in the vulnerable area to avoid increasing the damage probability of the umbilical cable, and when the umbilical cable in the vulnerable area is damaged, it can be repaired in time to reduce the repair cycle and reduce the repair difficulty, wherein the design that the length of the emergency repair umbilical cable is not less than twice the laying depth of the umbilical cable can ensure that in the process of repairing the umbilical cable, the emergency repair umbilical cable has sufficient redundant length to salvage the umbilical cable to the deck for high-quality repair; through the design of steps S4-S7, the movement of the emergency repair umbilical cable is realized, and the emergency repair umbilical cable is transferred to the damaged part of the umbilical cable to facilitate the repair operation of the umbilical cable, wherein the design of step S7 can ensure the symmetry of the umbilical cables on both sides of the deck after the umbilical cable is repaired, which helps the balance of the umbilical cable when it is placed from the deck to the seabed after repair; through the design of steps S8-S9, the repair and laying operation of the umbilical cable is completed.

[0015] As an improvement of the present invention, the emergency repair umbilical cable is laid in a double-sided wave-like manner along the laying direction of the umbilical cable. Through the improvement, in step S5, when recovering the emergency repair umbilical cable, the laying vessel needs to travel along the laying direction of the umbilical cable and recover the umbilical cable simultaneously. Although the emergency repair umbilical cable is laid in a wave-like manner, the laying vessel does not need to recover it along the wave-like manner.

[0016] As an improvement of the present invention, the emergency repair umbilical cable is laid in a single-sided wave crest manner along a vertical area in the laying direction of the umbilical cable. Through the improvement, the emergency repair umbilical cable is relatively stable when laid on the seabed and is less affected by ocean current disturbances. However, in step S5, when recovering the emergency repair umbilical cable, the laying vessel needs to travel along the laying direction of the emergency repair umbilical cable to safely recover the emergency repair umbilical cable.

[0017] As an improvement of the present invention, in step S4, after the umbilical cable is cut, the two cut ends of the umbilical cable are immediately sealed underwater. Through the improvement, the cut ends of the umbilical cable are protected, especially the umbilical cable that sinks to the seabed and is not salvaged immediately, to prevent seawater from seeping into the umbilical cable and affecting the quality of use of the umbilical cable.

[0018] As an improvement of the present invention, in step S8, a connection device for repairing and connecting the umbilical cable is provided on the laying vessel, and the connection device longitudinally connects the two sections of the umbilical cable. Through the improvement, when the umbilical cable is salvaged onto the deck, the traditional repair method is to horizontally dock the two ends of the umbilical cable. Accordingly, the umbilical cable will form a Z-shaped structure from the seabed to the deck, thereby forming two bends, especially the bend that droops from the deck, which is very likely to cause bending transition, causing damage to the umbilical cable. The design of a bend limiter is often required during the salvaging, repair, and laying process, thereby additionally increasing the repair cost, and the repair quality is also low. The longitudinal connection design can reduce the number of bends that droop from the deck, thereby avoiding the bending transition of the umbilical cable, and reduces the design of bend limiters, reduces the repair cost, and improves the safety of the repair, which helps to achieve the purpose of high-quality repair.

[0019] As an improvement of the present invention, the connecting device includes a repair cavity for repairing the connected umbilical cable, and the lower end of the repair cavity is provided with two connecting ports for connecting to the ends of the umbilical cable, and the connecting ports are arranged along the longitudinal direction and connected to the umbilical cable. Through the improvement, the design of the repair cavity provides space for repairing the umbilical cable, and the design of the connecting ports ensures the stability and directionality of the connection between the umbilical cable and the connecting device.

[0020] As an improvement of the present invention, at the connection port, the following steps are included:

[0021] S8.1: Separate the umbilical cable, including the armor wire and the core wires for various purposes;

[0022] S8.2: The armored steel wire is fixedly connected to the end of the connection port away from the repair cavity, and a plurality of different core wires pass through corresponding sealing connectors and enter the repair cavity;

[0023] S8.3: Repair and connect multiple different core wires in the repair cavity through corresponding repair connectors;

[0024] S8.4: Seal the repair cavity. Through the improvement, the repair operation of the umbilical cable is realized, and the sealing structure of the repair cavity is guaranteed to ensure the use quality of each core wire of the umbilical cable in the repair cavity. In step S8.1, the various cores in the umbilical cable are separated. The core wires after separation have a small diameter and are easier to bend. In step S8.2, the sealing of the core wire entering the repair cavity is guaranteed by the design of the sealing connector, so as to ensure the use quality of the subsequent repair cavity after sinking to the seabed and prevent seawater from seeping into the repair cavity through the sealing connector.

[0025] As an improvement of the present invention, the connection between the connection port and the repair cavity and the connection between the connection port and the umbilical cable are both sealed. Through the improvement, the connection sealing of the connection port is ensured.

[0026] As an improvement of the present invention, the repair cavity is provided with counterweights on the side that is against the seabed and the side away from the seabed. There are multiple counterweights on the same side, and the multiple counterweights are arranged at intervals. Through the improvement, the design of the counterweights can increase the total weight of the connecting device, thereby increasing the stability of the connecting device sinking to the seabed, and having better anti-interference ability. The design of the counterweights that are against the seabed can be easily embedded in the seabed during use through the interval arrangement of the counterweights, thereby increasing the firmness. The counterweights on the side away from the seabed can prevent foreign objects from hitting. When hit by foreign objects, the repair cavity is not easily deformed, thereby ensuring the quality and stability of the repair cavity.

[0027] As an improvement of the present invention, in step S9, the following steps are also included:

[0028] S9.1: Anchors should be placed at the junction of the dynamic cable and the static cable during repair to prevent the umbilical cable from shifting;

[0029] S9.2: Lay the repaired umbilical cable in a single-side wave crest pattern along the vertical area of ​​the umbilical cable laying direction;

[0030] S9.3: The connecting device is sunk by means of a crane and a deceleration buoyancy block. Through the improvement described above, the design of step S9.1 can avoid the dynamic cable dragging the static cable to move together when the connecting device is sunk to the seabed, thereby causing wear between the static cable and the seabed. Moreover, this area is a vulnerable area, and the degree of wear is more serious, which is not conducive to the long-term use of the umbilical cable. The design of step S9.2 can ensure the stability of the repaired umbilical cable when it is laid to the seabed, and it is less disturbed by the ocean current. The design of step S9.3 can ensure the stability and slowness of the connecting device and the repaired umbilical cable during the sinking process, ensure the sinking quality, and avoid severe collisions between the connecting device, the umbilical cable and the seabed.

[0031] As an improvement of the present invention, in step S9.3, the deceleration buoyancy block decelerates when the connecting device just enters the seawater, maintains a uniform speed during the sinking process, and decelerates again when the connecting device is about to hit the seabed. Through the improvement, deceleration when just entering the seawater can avoid the violent impact between the connecting device and the sea level, maintaining a uniform speed during the sinking process to ensure operating efficiency, and decelerating again when the connecting device is about to hit the seabed can avoid the violent impact between the connecting device and the seabed, thereby ensuring that the connecting device safely sinks to the seabed and is laid on the seabed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the initial distribution structure of the umbilical cable for emergency repair and the damaged position of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the umbilical cable used for emergency repairs that the laying vessel of the present invention begins to recover.

[0034] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the umbilical cable for emergency repairs completed by the laying vessel of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the laying vessel of the present invention re-laying the umbilical cable to the damaged position.

[0036] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of another section of umbilical cable being salvaged by the laying vessel of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the umbilical cable repairing vessel of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the final umbilical cable laying structure of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 8 The utility model is a schematic diagram of a top view structure of an umbilical cable for emergency repair according to the present invention.

[0040] Fig. 9 It is a schematic diagram of another type of laying structure of the umbilical cable for emergency repair according to the present invention, viewed from above.

[0041] Fig.10 It is a schematic diagram of the top view structure of the final umbilical cable laying of the present invention.

[0042] Fig.11 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the connecting device of the present invention.

[0043] Fig.12 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the connection device after the connection port of the present invention is shelled.

[0044] Fig.13 It is a schematic diagram of the internal connection structure of the repair cavity of the present invention.

[0045] Shown in the figure: 1. Umbilical cable, 1.1. Umbilical cable for emergency repair, 1.2. Damaged location, 1.3. Dynamic cable, 1.4. Static cable, 2. Laying vessel, 3. Connecting device, 3.1. Repair cavity, 3.2. Connecting port, 3.3. Sealing connector, 3.4. Repair connector, 3.5. Counterweight, 3.6. Hanging ring, 3.7. Reinforcement rib, 4. Anchor frame, 5. Deceleration buoyancy block. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] The embodiments of the present invention are further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0047] like Figure 1-7 , Fig.10 As shown, a deepwater umbilical cable repair method, the steps are as follows:

[0048] S1: Exploring the laying area of ​​the umbilical cable 1 and determining the areas that are prone to damage during the use of the umbilical cable 1;

[0049] S2: During the laying of the umbilical cable 1, a section of the emergency repair umbilical cable 1.1 is laid upstream or downstream of the vulnerable area, and the length of the emergency repair umbilical cable 1.1 is not less than twice the laying depth of the umbilical cable 1;

[0050] S3: when the umbilical cable 1 is found to be damaged during use, detecting the damaged position 1.2 of the umbilical cable 1;

[0051] S4: directly cut off the umbilical cable 1 at the damaged position 1.2, and immediately seal the two cut ends of the umbilical cable 1 underwater after cutting off the umbilical cable 1;

[0052] S5: using the laying vessel 2 to recover the end of the emergency repair umbilical cable 1.1 until the emergency repair umbilical cable 1.1 is recovered;

[0053] S6: re-laying the recovered umbilical cable 1 along the original laying path;

[0054] S7: After crossing the damaged position 1.2, move another 1 / 2 of the length of the repair umbilical cable 1.1;

[0055] S8: The other cut end of the umbilical cable 1 is recovered and the two ends are reconnected and repaired. A connecting device 3 for repairing and connecting the umbilical cable 1 is provided on the laying vessel 2. The connecting device 3 connects the two sections of the umbilical cable 1 longitudinally.

[0056] S8.1: Separate the umbilical cable 1, including the armor wire and the core wires for various purposes;

[0057] S8.2: The armored steel wire is fixedly connected to the end of the connection port 3.2 away from the repair cavity 3.1, and a variety of different core wires pass through the corresponding sealing connectors 3.3 and enter the repair cavity 3.1;

[0058] S8.3: Repair and connect a variety of different core wires in the repair cavity 3.1 through corresponding repair connectors 3.4;

[0059] S8.4: sealing the repair cavity 3.1;

[0060] S9: re-laying the repaired umbilical cable 1 on the seabed along a vertical area along the laying direction of the umbilical cable 1;

[0061] S9.1: Anchorage 4 is laid at the junction of the dynamic cable 1.3 and the static cable 1.4 during repair to prevent the umbilical cable 1 from deflecting;

[0062] S9.2: Lay the repaired umbilical cable 1 in a single-side wave crest manner along a vertical area of ​​the laying direction of the umbilical cable 1;

[0063] S9.3: Use the crane and the deceleration buoyancy block 5 to sink the connecting device 3.

[0064] like Figure 8 As shown, the emergency repair umbilical cable 1.1 is laid in a double-sided wave-like manner along the laying direction of the umbilical cable 1.

[0065] like Fig. 9 As shown, the emergency repair umbilical cable 1.1 can also be laid in a single-side wave crest manner along a vertical area of ​​the laying direction of the umbilical cable 1.

[0066] like Figure 11-13 As shown, the connecting device 3 includes a repair cavity 3.1 for repairing the connected umbilical cable 1, and the lower end of the repair cavity 3.1 is provided with two connecting ports 3.2 for connecting with the ends of the umbilical cable 1, and the connecting ports 3.2 are arranged along the longitudinal direction and connected with the umbilical cable 1. The connection between the connecting port 3.2 and the repair cavity 3.1 and the connection between the connecting port 3.2 and the umbilical cable 1 are both sealed. The repair cavity 3.1 is used to have a side against the seabed and a side away from the seabed. There are multiple counterweight blocks 3.5 on the same side, and the multiple counterweight blocks 3.5 are arranged at intervals. Reinforcing ribs 3.7 are provided on the circumference of the connecting port 3.2.

[0067] A hanging ring 3.6 is provided at the top of the repair cavity 3.1, so as to facilitate the crane on the laying vessel 2 to suspend the connection device 3, and at the same time ensure the control stability of the laying vessel 2 in the process of deepening the connection device 3 into the seabed. At the same time, the deceleration buoyancy block 5 can be connected to the umbilical cable 1 at the lower end of the connection device 3. The deceleration buoyancy block 5 adopts a split design, and the deceleration buoyancy block 5 can adjust the buoyancy by absorbing or discharging water through the internal power pump, thereby adjusting the sinking speed and completing the sinking action. The buoyancy here is actually adjusted to adjust the weight of the deceleration buoyancy block 5 to achieve the adjustment purpose. The volume of the deceleration buoyancy block 5 itself does not deform, so the buoyancy of the seawater on the deceleration buoyancy block 5 does not change, and the power pump inside the deceleration buoyancy block 5 is controlled by a remote control system. In the initial state, the deceleration buoyancy block 5 is controlled by a remote control system. The buoyancy block 5 is free of water, and the buoyancy of the deceleration buoyancy block 5 is the largest at this time, which can greatly reduce the speed at which the crane just sinks the connecting device 3 into the seawater, and avoid the crane sinking too fast, causing the impact of the seawater on the connecting device, so as to protect the connecting device 3; then the deceleration buoyancy block 5 begins to absorb water, reduce buoyancy, and ensure the sinking speed of the connecting device 3, that is, improve the working efficiency; finally, when the connecting device 3 is about to collide with the seabed, the deceleration buoyancy block 5 begins to drain water, increase buoyancy, and reduce the sinking speed again, avoiding the violent impact between the connecting device 3 and the seabed, so as to ensure that the connecting device 3 safely reaches the surface of the seabed. After the sinking of the connecting device 3, drive the underwater robot or diver to sink to the connecting device 3, release the hook of the hanging ring 3.6, and separate the deceleration buoyancy block 5 from the umbilical cable 1.

[0068] The above-mentioned sealing connector 3.3, repair connector 3.4, and deceleration buoyancy block 5 are all conventional structures, wherein the water inlet and outlet of the deceleration buoyancy block 5 are the same connecting water outlet, and the connecting water outlet is arranged below the deceleration buoyancy block 5, which is convenient for absorbing water when it just comes into contact with seawater. When draining water, the connecting water outlet discharges water flow to enhance the deceleration effect.

[0069] In addition to the connecting device 3, the laying vessel 2 is also provided with a reel for recovering the umbilical cable 1. In steps S5-S7, the umbilical cable 1 is recovered by spiraling the reel, thereby ensuring the recovery of the umbilical cable 1 and avoiding the overcurrent bending of the umbilical cable 1 when it is recovered to the laying vessel 2. Then, when the umbilical cable 1 is re-laid, the umbilical cable 1 on the reel can be released.

[0070] A deepwater umbilical cable emergency repair method is used to provide redundant length for the repair work of the umbilical cable 1, which greatly reduces the repair work of the umbilical cable 1. At the same time, the stability and safety of the connecting device 3 during the sinking process are guaranteed, and the use quality of the connecting device 3 is guaranteed.

[0071] The above description is only for the best embodiment of the present invention, but it should not be understood as limiting the claims. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and its specific structure is allowed to be changed. All changes made within the scope of protection of the independent claims of the present invention are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A deepwater umbilical cable repair method, characterized in that: The steps are as follows: S1: Exploring the laying area of ​​the umbilical cable (1) and determining the area of ​​the umbilical cable (1) that is easily damaged during use; S2: During the laying of the umbilical cable (1), a section of the emergency repair umbilical cable (1.1) is laid upstream or downstream of the vulnerable area, wherein the length of the emergency repair umbilical cable (1.1) is not less than twice the laying depth of the umbilical cable (1); S3: when the umbilical cable (1) is used and it is found that the umbilical cable (1) is damaged, detecting the damaged position (1.2) of the umbilical cable (1); S4: directly cut off the umbilical cable (1) at the damaged position (1.2); S5: using the laying vessel (2) to recover one end of the emergency repair umbilical cable (1.1) until the emergency repair umbilical cable (1.1) is recovered; S6: re-laying the recovered umbilical cable (1) along the original laying path; S7: After crossing the damaged position (1.2), move 1 / 2 of the length of the repair umbilical cable (1.1); S8: Recovering the other cut end of the umbilical cable (1) and reconnecting and repairing the two ends; S9: re-laying the repaired umbilical cable (1) on the seabed along a vertical area along the laying direction of the umbilical cable (1).

2. A deepwater umbilical cable emergency repair method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The emergency repair umbilical cable (1.1) is laid in a double-sided wave-like manner along the laying direction of the umbilical cable (1).

3. A deepwater umbilical cable emergency repair method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The emergency repair umbilical cable (1.1) is laid in a single-side wave crest manner along a vertical area of ​​the laying direction of the umbilical cable (1).

4. A deepwater umbilical cable emergency repair method according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step S4, after the umbilical cable (1) is cut, the two cut ends of the umbilical cable (1) are immediately sealed underwater.

5. A deepwater umbilical cable emergency repair method according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step S8, a connection device (3) for repairing and connecting the umbilical cable (1) is provided on the laying vessel (2), and the connection device (3) connects two sections of the umbilical cable (1) longitudinally.

6. A deepwater umbilical cable emergency repair method according to claim 5, characterized in that: The connecting device (3) comprises a repair cavity (3.1) for repairing the connected umbilical cable (1); the lower end of the repair cavity (3.1) is provided with two connection ports (3.2) for connecting to the ends of the umbilical cable (1); the connection ports (3.2) are arranged along the longitudinal direction and are connected to the umbilical cable (1).

7. A deepwater umbilical cable emergency repair method according to claim 6, characterized in that: At the connection port (3.2), the following steps are included: S8.1: Separate the umbilical cable (1), including the armor wire and the core wires for various purposes; S8.2: The armored steel wire is fixedly connected to one end of the connection port (3.2) away from the repair cavity (3.1), and a plurality of different core wires respectively pass through corresponding sealing connectors (3.3) and enter the repair cavity (3.1); S8.3: Repair and connect a plurality of different core wires in the repair cavity (3.1) through corresponding repair connectors (3.4); S8.4: Seal the repair cavity (3.1).

8. A deepwater umbilical cable emergency repair method according to claim 6, characterized in that: The repair cavity (3.1) is provided with a counterweight block (3.5) on both the side that contacts the seabed and the side that is away from the seabed. There are multiple counterweight blocks (3.5) on the same side, and the multiple counterweight blocks (3.5) are arranged at intervals.

9. A deepwater umbilical cable emergency repair method according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step S9, the following steps are also included: S9.1: An anchor frame (4) is laid at the junction of the dynamic cable (1.3) and the static cable (1.4) during repair to prevent the umbilical cable (1) from deflecting; S9.2: Lay the repaired umbilical cable (1) in a single-side wave crest manner along a vertical area of ​​the laying direction of the umbilical cable (1); S9.3: Use a crane and a deceleration buoyancy block (5) to sink the connection device (3).

10. A deepwater umbilical cable emergency repair method according to claim 9, characterized in that: In step S9.3, the deceleration buoyancy block (5) decelerates when the connecting device (3) just enters the seawater, maintains a constant speed during the sinking process, and decelerates again when the connecting device (3) is about to hit the seabed.

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