Autonomous Marine Riser Isolation Tool for Rapid Leak Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for containing and controlling leaking marine risers, such as the 'Top Hat' method, require extensive logistics and time, and existing technologies lack a quick and effective means to isolate a leaking marine riser after a BOP failure, leading to significant environmental and ecological damage.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous marine riser isolation tool featuring a robotic plug installation device with a hydraulic ram system and control system, which can be pre-installed on a guide means with a buoyancy device and securing mechanism, allowing for the hydraulic placement of an isolation plug within the marine riser to seal the leak.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the 'Top Hat' method is used to contain and control leaking marine risers, then the leaking can be contained, but extensive logistics and time are required, and significant environmental damage has already occurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-installing the guide means with buoyancy device and securing mechanism on the marine riser before a leak occurs. This allows the robotic plug installation device to be rapidly deployed and positioned without requiring extensive logistics preparation during an emergency, thereby reducing the time loss while maintaining effective leak containment.
2Reliability
If the 'Top Hat' method is used, then leak containment is achieved, but extensive logistics and complex installation requirements make it not a viable quick solution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the containment system into separate functional components: a guide means with buoyancy device pre-installed on the riser, and a separate robotic plug installation device. This segmentation allows each component to be independently prepared and deployed, reducing overall system complexity and logistics requirements while maintaining effective leak containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide means with buoyancy device is pre-installed on the marine riser, providing self-service capability that eliminates the need for complex installation vessels and heavy crane vessels during emergency response. The pre-positioned guide means automatically guides the robotic device into place, simplifying the overall installation process.
3Reliability
If conventional containment methods are used, then leak control is eventually achieved, but considerable time is required to plan, make ready and put in place the solution
Solution Approach 1:
The guide means with buoyancy device is pre-installed on the marine riser during normal operations, so that when a leak occurs, the robotic plug installation device can be immediately deployed without requiring time-consuming planning and preparation, thereby increasing response speed while ensuring effective leak control.
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
Provides a rapid, permanent, and leak-tight isolation of the marine riser, eliminating the need for a topside vessel or collection tanker, and ensuring a fail-safe solution by using a hydraulically operated plug installation device that can be controlled remotely to stop the flow of hydrocarbons.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic ram system comprising a plurality of pipeline engaging means positioned along an exterior surface of the hydraulic ram system
Implementation Method 2
attached, at one end, to a buoyancy device
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 2D~2E
AI summary
The present invention relates to a marine riser isolation tool in particular to an autonomous marine riser isolation tool having a robotic plug installation device that is adapted for positioning a pipeline isolation plug in a vertical pipe such as a marine riser, resulting in sealing of the marine riser. In one aspect of the invention, there is provided an autonomous plug installation device that is suitable for installing an isolation tool in a marine riser, the plug installation device comprising; a hydraulic ram system comprising a plurality of pipe engaging means positioned along an exterior surface of the hydraulic ram system, the pipe engaging means being operable by the hydraulic ram system to be movable between a retracted and extended configuration such that the pipe engaging means are engagable with the interior surface of the marine riser; a control system in communication with the hydraulic ram system to control the movement of the pipe engaging means such that the robotic unit locates the pipe isolation tool at a predetermined location in the vertical pipe; and an autonomous ELF communications system. A method of sealing a leaking marine riser using the marine riser isolation tool is also disclosed.