Horizontal Flowline Connector Alignment for Subsea Make-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current subsea drilling and production systems face challenges in efficiently and reliably connecting flowlines to manifolds and other components due to misalignment and operational complexities, particularly in subsea environments where precision and alignment are critical for fluid communication and fluid-tight connections.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a flowline connector system featuring inboard and outboard assemblies with alignment guides, a guide funnel, and a clamp mechanism that facilitates horizontal make-up of fluid connections between jumpers and subsea components, utilizing a profile pipe with guides and a landing porch with keys to ensure accurate alignment and secure coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional vertical connection methods are used for subsea flowlines, then existing systems can be maintained, but misalignment and connection reliability deteriorate due to operational complexities in subsea environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional vertical connection approach by implementing a horizontal connection system where the outboard assembly connects horizontally to the inboard assembly. This inversion allows for better alignment control and reduced operational complexity in subsea environments, as the horizontal make-up process enables more precise positioning and alignment of connection components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces guide posts and guide funnels as intermediary elements that facilitate the alignment and connection process. These intermediaries provide physical guidance during the horizontal make-up operation, ensuring proper alignment between the outboard and inboard assemblies while simplifying the overall connection procedure in complex subsea conditions.
2Measurement precision
If precision alignment is achieved through traditional methods, then connection accuracy is maintained, but alignment precision deteriorates due to misalignment challenges in subsea environments
Solution Approach 1:
Guide posts and guide funnels serve as intermediary alignment tools that provide physical references and constraints during the connection process. These intermediaries ensure precise alignment between connection components by guiding the horizontal movement of the outboard assembly relative to the inboard assembly, thereby maintaining high alignment precision in subsea environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the connection parameter from vertical to horizontal orientation. This parameter change enables better alignment control because horizontal make-up allows for more effective use of guide structures and alignment features, improving both measurement precision and connection reliability in subsea applications.
3Manufacturing precision
If horizontal make-up is implemented with alignment guides, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional alignment features
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into distinct functional components: the inboard assembly, the outboard assembly, guide posts, and guide funnels. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific alignment function independently, achieving high manufacturing precision while managing overall system complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide posts and guide funnels serve multiple functions: they provide alignment guidance, constrain horizontal movement, and facilitate the make-up process. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate alignment devices, thereby improving alignment precision without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a flowline connector having an inboard pipe and an outboard assembly. The outboard assembly includes a frame and an outboard pipe moveable within the frame to allow the outboard pipe to be moved toward the inboard pipe. The outboard assembly also includes a profile pipe in which the outboard pipe is received, and the profile pipe and the outboard pipe are connected to move together. The profile pipe includes at least one guide to change pitch or yaw of the outboard pipe to direct the outboard pipe toward alignment with the inboard pipe as the outboard pipe is moved within the frame toward the inboard pipe. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.