Marine Riser Ultrasonic Inspection Without Section Disconnection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for inspecting marine risers deployed in offshore operations are time-consuming and expensive, requiring riser sections to be disconnected and transported for inspection, which disrupts operations and may not be practical due to safety and space considerations.
Innovation Solution
An inspection method and system using an ultrasonic device conveyed through the internal diameter of the marine riser to detect defects while the riser is deployed, allowing inspections to be performed when the riser, LMRP, and BOP stack are not connected to a wellhead, using slickline or wireline for data transmission and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional inspection methods are used to inspect marine risers, then inspection accuracy can be maintained, but operation time increases and productivity decreases due to disconnecting and transporting riser sections
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection system is divided into modular components including ultrasonic transducers, data acquisition units, and conveyance mechanisms that can be independently deployed and retrieved through the riser sections without requiring disconnection of the riser itself
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection tool is conveyed through the internal diameter of the marine riser, nesting the inspection device within the existing riser structure. This allows the inspection tool to travel through the riser sections while they remain connected and deployed, eliminating the need to disconnect sections for inspection
2Reliability
If riser sections are disconnected and transported for inspection, then inspection can be performed, but cost increases and time is lost due to transportation and reconnection operations
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection tool is deployed and positioned within the riser sections before any disconnection or transportation operations would be required. The ultrasonic inspection is performed in-situ while the riser remains in its deployed state, eliminating subsequent time-loss operations
Solution Approach 2:
The marine riser inspection system uses the riser's own internal diameter and deployed structure as the inspection pathway, allowing the inspection tool to access all necessary sections without external handling, disconnection, or transportation operations
3Measurement precision
If inspection is performed on floating unit, then inspection can be conducted, but safety risks and space constraints are created
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection tool is extracted from the floating unit and conveyed through the riser sections to perform inspection at the actual deployment location. This removes the need to bring heavy inspection equipment onto the floating unit, reducing safety risks and space requirements on the vessel
Solution Approach 2:
The marine riser itself serves as an intermediary conduit, allowing the inspection tool to be transmitted from the floating unit to the inspection location and back without requiring the tool to be handled or stored on the floating unit deck, thereby eliminating safety and space constraints
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
Enables accurate and efficient inspection of marine risers without disrupting operations, reducing costs and time, and ensuring safety by avoiding unnecessary actuation of critical equipment, with real-time data transmission and storage options.
Implementation Method 1
an inspection tool including an ultrasonic apparatus
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and device for inspecting marine risers is described. The marine riser is deployed from a floating unit and connected to a lower marine riser package (LMRP) and a blow-out prevention (BOP) stack, and the method comprises: performing a first riser inspection with an inspection tool where the marine riser is in an unconnected well configuration, wherein the inspection tool includes an ultrasonic transducer device, and the first riser inspection comprises: conveying the inspection tool in an internal diameter of the marine riser, detecting information on the marine riser with the inspection tool while conveying the inspection tool through the marine riser, and collecting data with the inspection tool corresponding to the information detected by the inspection tool.