Connecting sections of split jacket structures

Abstract

A method of installing an upper section 12 of a split jacket foundation which is lowered onto a pre-installed lower jacket section 14, with coaxially-aligned legs 16 abutting at an interface 26. A co

Claims

1. A method of installing a split jacket offshore, the method comprising:lowering an upper jacket section onto a pre-installed lower jacket section:uniting coaxially-aligned legs of the respective jacket sections in mutual abutment about an interface;positioning a pin within tubular walls of the abutting legs, the pin extending across the interface;engaging the pin with the abutting legs by extending grippers across an annulus defined between the pin and the tubular walls, the grippers being disposed above and below the interface; andinjecting grout into the annulus.

2. The method of Claim 1, comprising extending the grippers from the pin toward the tubular walls.

3. The method of Claim 2, comprising extending the grippers with actuating energy supplied to the pin along an actuation line that extends within and along the leg of the upper jacket section.

4. The method of Claim 3, comprising supplying the actuating energy to the actuation line from a power unit that is supported by a topside work platform of the upper jacket section.

5. The method of Claim 4, comprising subsequently disconnecting the power unit from the actuation line and removing the power unit from the work platform.

6. The method of Claim 5, comprising leaving the actuation line in the leg of the upper jacket section after removing the power unit.

7. The method of any preceding claim, comprising injecting the grout into the annulus via the pin.

8. The method of Claim 7, comprising injecting the grout into the annulus from a bottom end of the pin.

9. The method of Claim 7 or Claim 8, comprising supplying the grout to the pin along a grout line that extends within and along the leg of the upper jacket section.

10. The method of Claim 9, comprising supplying the grout to the grout line from a grout spread that is supported by a topside work platform of the upper jacket section.

11. The method of Claim 10, comprising subsequently disconnecting the grout spread from the grout line and removing the grout spread from the work platform.

12. The method of Claim 11, comprising leaving the grout line in the leg of the upper jacket section after removing the grout spread.

13. The method of any preceding claim, comprising embedding the grippers in the grout injected into the annulus.

14. The method of any preceding claim, further comprising extending a grout seal across the annulus before injecting the grout.

15. The method of any preceding claim, comprising positioning the pin by lowering the pin from within a leg of the upper jacket section until a lower portion of the pin is received within a leg of the lower jacket section.

16. The method of Claim 15, comprising lowering the pin onto a stop formation within the leg of the lower jacket section.

17. The method of Claim 16, comprising aligning guide formations of the pin with centralising flanges within the respective legs of the upper and lower jacket sections by lowering the pin onto the stop formation.

18. The method of Claim 16 or Claim 17, comprising using the stop formation to limit migration of the grout along the leg of the lower jacket section.

19. The method of any of Claims 15 to 18, further comprising lifting the pin into the leg of the upper jacket section before lowering the upper jacket section.

20. The method of any of Claims 15 to 19, comprising suspending the pin from a lifting wire that extends within and along the leg of the upper jacket section.

21. The method of any preceding claim, comprising lowering an upper bearing flange, extending radially from the leg of the upper jacket section, into a bucket atop the leg of the lower jacket section, the bucket comprising an upwardly-flared guide surrounding a lower bearing flange extending radially from the leg of the lower jacket section.

22. The method of Claim 21, comprising restraining lateral movement of the upper bearing flange within a side wall disposed between the guide and the lower bearing flange.

23. The method of any preceding claim, comprising resisting lateral moment of the upper jacket section relative to the lower jacket section up an incline of the interface relative to a horizontal plane.

24. A split jacket structure, comprising:upper and lower jacket sections that have coaxially-aligned legs in mutual abutment about an interface;a pin positioned within tubular walls of the abutting legs, the pin extending across the interface;grippers disposed above and below the interface, the grippers being extensible across an annulus defined between the pin and the tubular walls to engage the pin with the abutting legs; anda grout path communicating with the annulus.

25. The structure of Claim 24, wherein the grippers are extensible from the pin toward the tubular walls.

26. The structure of Claim 24, comprising an actuation line that extends within and along the leg of the upper jacket section and is configured to convey actuating energy to the grippers from a power unit disposed outside the leg of the upper jacket section.

27. The structure of any of Claims 24 to 26, wherein the grout path extends through the pin.

28. The structure of Claim 27, wherein the grout path communicates with the annulus through at least one injection port at a bottom end of the pin.

29. The structure of Claim 27 or Claim 28, comprising a grout line that extends within and along the leg of the upper jacket section and is configured to convey grout to the pin from a grout spread disposed outside the leg of the upper jacket section..

30. The structure of any of Claims 24 to 29, wherein grout in the annulus embeds the grippers.

31. The structure of any of Claims 24 to 30, further comprising a grout seal that is extensible across the annulus.

32. The structure of any of Claims 24 to 31, wherein the pin is deployable by being lowered from within a leg of the upper jacket section until a lower portion of the pin is received within a leg of the lower jacket section.

33. The structure of Claim 32, comprising a stop formation within the leg of the lower jacket section.

34. The structure of Claim 33, comprising centralising flanges within the respective legs of the upper and lower jacket sections, the flanges being aligned with respective guide formations of the pin when the pin abuts the stop formation.

35. The structure of any of Claims 24 to 34, comprising a bucket atop the leg of the lower jacket section, the bucket comprising an upwardly-flared guide at least partiallysurrounding a lower bearing flange extending radially from the leg of the lower jacket section.

36. The structure of Claim 35, comprising a side wall disposed between the guide and the lower bearing flange and at least partially surrounding the lower bearing flange.

37. The structure of any of Claims 24 to 36, wherein the interface is inclined relative to a horizontal plane.

38. The structure of Claim 37, wherein the upper and lower jacket sections each comprise two or more legs whose interfaces are inclined upwardly and outwardly in mutual opposition.

39. A grout pin for grouting a joint between an upper jacket section and a lower jacket section of a split jacket structure, the grout pin comprising:an elongate body;circumferential arrays of grippers that are extensible radially from the body, the arrays being spaced apart longitudinally along the body; anda grout path extending through the body.

40. The grout pin of Claim 39, further comprising at least one circumferential seal that is extensible radially from the body.

41. The grout pin of Claim 39 or Claim 40, further comprising centralising guides that protrude radially from the body.

42. The grout pin of Claim 41, wherein the centralising guides also protrude longitudinally from the body.

43. The grout pin of any of Claims 39 to 42, wherein the grout path communicates with at least one injection port in an end of the body.

44. The grout pin of any of Ciaims 39 to 43, further comprising a lifting point at an end of the body.Application No: GB2408062.4Claims searched: 1-38Examiner: Mr Tom SimmondsDate of search: 23 October 2024Patents Act 1977: Search Report under Section 17Documents considered to be relevant:Category Relevant to claims Identity of document and passage or figure of particular relevance A A - US 4184790 A (BASSETT) See Figures noting system with packers for limiting annulus for filling with grout between parts of an offshore jacket. US 4854779 A (LUYTIES) See Figures noting grouted pin used at interface.Categories:v Au Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive step A Document indicating technological background and or state of the art. Y Document indicating lack of inventive step if p Document published on or after the declared priority date but combined with one or more other documents of same category. before the filing date of this invention. & Member of the same patent family E Patent document published on or after, but with priority date earlier than, the filing date of this application.Field of Search:International Classification:Subclass Subgroup Valid From E02B 0017 / 02 01 / 01 / 2006 E02B 0017 / 00 01 / 01 / 2006 E02D 0027 / 10 01 / 01 / 2006 E02D 0027 / 42 01 / 01 / 2006 E02D 0035 / 00 01 / 01 / 2006 E02B 0017 / 04 01 / 01 / 2006Application No: GB2408062.4Examiner: Mr Tom SimmondsClaims searched: 39-44Date of search: 24 April 2025Patents Act 1977Further Search Report under Section 17Documents considered to be relevant:Category Relevant to claims Identity of document and passage or figure of particular relevance A - US 4804018 A (CARR et al.) See Figures noting pin 14 with inflatable packer / gripper 24 for securing pin to legs while grout, delivered via path 26, sets. A - GB 2548965 A (W3G MARINE LTD) See Figures noting example of annular array of grippers. A - US 2023 / 0313481 Al (RYOO et al.) See Figures noting pin pile 2 comprising grout pipe 50, longitudinally spaced grippers 41, 42 and grout seal 51.Categories:X Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive step A Document indicating technological background and / or state of the art. Y Document indicating lack of inventive step if P Document published on or after the declared priority date but combined with one or more other documents of same category. before the filing date of this invention. & Member of the same patent family E Patent document published on or after, but with priority date earlier than, the filing date of this application.Field of Search:International Classification:Subclass Subgroup Valid From E02B 0017 / 02 01 / 01 / 2006 E02B 0017 / 00 01 / 01 / 2006 E02D 0027 / 10 01 / 01 / 2006 E02D 0027 / 42 01 / 01 / 2006 E02D 0035 / 00 01 / 01 / 2006Subclass Subgroup Valid From E02B 0017 / 04 01 / 01 / 2006

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