Marine Riser Connector Assembly for BOP Parting Force Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-pressure large bore utility line connector assemblies for undersea blowout preventers face challenges in managing parting forces and side loading, which can lead to connection failure and downtime, especially during pressure events.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly featuring a male stab with a central bore and port, inserted into a receptacle with a partial spherical pocket and ring grooves, mounted to a Lower Marine Riser Package, providing a fluid path and seals to mitigate parting forces and side loading, allowing for extension and retraction without disrupting upper pipework.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a normal connection structure is used for utility lines between BOP and LMRP, then the connection can handle high pressure, but large structures are required to hold the parting forces and side loading
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into separate components: a male connector with a stab that can be independently inserted and removed, and a female receptacle mounted on the LMRP. This segmentation allows the connection to be made without requiring large supporting structures, as the stab is self-containing and does not transmit parting forces to the LMRP mounting structure.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a fixed connection is used between BOP and LMRP, then the connection is stable, but it cannot be extended or retracted as needed
Solution Approach 1:
The male stab is designed to be dynamically insertable into and removable from the female receptacle while maintaining a stable fluid-tight connection during operation. This allows the connection to transition between states: inserted for stable operation, and removable for extension or retraction needs, without disrupting the upper pipework.
3Reliability
If traditional connections are used, then pressure control is maintained, but parting forces and side loading cause connection failure and downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The male stab is extracted as a separate, self-contained component that carries its own sealing and connection mechanisms. By taking out the connection element from the traditional fixed structure, the parting forces and side loading are isolated to the small stab-receptacle interface rather than being transmitted to the LMRP mounting structure, eliminating the harmful effects of these forces.
Data Source
AI summary
A utility line connector assembly having a male stab having a central bore with a port that communicates with a second bore in a receptacle where the stab is fixedly inserted into a receiving female opening in the receptacle, the receptacle has an L shaped opening with a protruding partial spherical pocket, a ring groove for sealing said stab to a riser package, and where the stab and receptacle are placed between a lower marine riser and the blow out preventer in fluid communication therebetween. The stab and receptacle may be sealed with ring seals and the assembly may be used in riser auxiliary line connections, sub sea production tree connections, drape hose connections and surface bop auxiliary line connections.