Subsea Buoy Tensioning Apparatus with Ball and Socket Joint

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Solution Overview

Problem

In deep water hydrocarbon production, subsea buoys face challenges in maintaining appropriate depth and location due to large distances and varying water currents, which can lead to excessive force on tethers and premature failure.

Innovation Solution

A method involving floating and submerging a production buoy with tethers that are secured to subsea anchoring locations using a tensioning apparatus with a ball and socket arrangement to adjust tension and accommodate changing tether angles, ensuring equal load distribution among tethers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the buoy is anchored at a great distance from the surface, then the buoy can be positioned at the required depth, but the tethers experience excessive force and may fail prematurely

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedepthVSAvoidtether strength

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The tensioning apparatus incorporates a ball and socket arrangement that allows dynamic adjustment of tether angles. The apparatus can rotate and pivot to accommodate changing ocean conditions and buoy position, distributing forces more evenly across multiple tethers rather than concentrating excessive force on individual tethers, thereby improving reliability while maintaining depth positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables incremental adjustment of tension parameters in the tethers through the tensioning apparatus. By modifying tension levels and angle parameters dynamically, the system can optimize force distribution across the tether network, preventing premature failure while maintaining the buoy at the required depth

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If localised water currents cause varying tether angles, then the buoy can adapt to current directions, but excessive force concentrates on specific tether areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetether angle adjustmentVSAvoidlocalised force concentration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The ball and socket arrangement provides dynamic adaptability allowing the tensioning apparatus to rotate and pivot in response to varying water currents and tether angles. This dynamic adjustment distributes forces more evenly across the tether system, preventing localised force concentration while maintaining adaptability to changing ocean conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The tensioning apparatus acts as an intermediary between the buoy and the anchoring location. It mediates the forces transmitted through the tethers by providing a flexible connection point that can adjust angles, thereby reducing force concentration at specific locations while maintaining the necessary adaptability to current directions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Temperature

If the buoy is submerged to the required depth, then the anchoring location can be reached, but the installation process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedepthVSAvoidinstallation process

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tensioning apparatus is pre-configured with the ball and socket arrangement and tether attachment mechanisms before deployment. This preliminary preparation simplifies the installation process by providing a ready-to-adjust system that can be deployed and quickly positioned at the required depth without complex on-site assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The ball and socket arrangement provides self-adjusting capabilities that automatically accommodate varying tether angles and forces during the installation process. This self-service mechanism reduces the need for complex manual adjustment operations, simplifying the overall installation procedure while enabling deployment to greater depths

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method effectively maintains subsea buoys at the correct depth and minimizes excessive force on tethers, enhancing their reliability and service lifetime by allowing for incremental tension adjustment and equalizing load distribution.

Implementation Method 1

a tensioning apparatus with a ball and socket arrangement to adjust tension and accommodate changing tether angles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBall and socket joint: Ball

Implementation Method 2

floating a production buoy over a subsea anchoring location

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS8967912B2Method of installing a buoy and apparatus for tensioning a buoy to an anchoring location

Publication Date: 2015.03.03 SUBSEA 7 LTD

AI summary

A method of installing a production buoy at a subsea anchoring location is disclosed. The method includes floating a production buoy over a subsea anchoring location. Then, hanging at least a tether off the production buoy such that the or each tether extends from the production buoy towards the subsea anchoring location occurs. The method includes submerging the production buoy to a depth which allows connection of the or each tether to the subsea anchoring location. An apparatus suitable for use with this method is also provided.