Offshore Cable Jointing with Hang-Off Connection on Platforms
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of offshore cables to platforms is challenging due to space restrictions and complex pull-in operations, requiring significant time, resources, and equipment, especially when performed offshore.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for connecting offshore and platform cables by pulling the offshore cable end onto the platform using a pull-in head, fixating it with a hang-off device, removing the head, and connecting the conductors with a connector, then enclosing them with a joint body, allowing preparation of cable ends on land to simplify offshore jointing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If cable termination is performed inside the platform while the platform is still in the dockyard, then space accessibility is improved, but the final connection of offshore cable still requires complex pull-in operations offshore
Solution Approach 1:
The cable ends are prepared in advance on land in a dockyard environment with better space accessibility and equipment availability. The offshore cable end is terminated in a converter hall while the platform is still in the dockyard, and the platform cable end is prepared inside the platform. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex jointing operations offshore, requiring only simple connection operations during the actual offshore installation.
2Reliability
If field jointing is performed offshore on the platform, then cable connection is achieved, but significant time, space, and equipment resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The complex jointing operations are performed in advance on land where time and resources are more abundant. The cable ends are pre-terminated with connectors and insulation assemblies before offshore installation. During offshore operations, only simple connection steps are required: pulling the cable onto the platform, fixing it in a hang-off device, removing the pull-in head, and connecting the pre-prepared cable ends. This dramatically reduces offshore jointing time and resource requirements.
3Ease of operation
If complex pull-in operations are performed offshore, then the offshore cable is brought onto the platform, but a lot of equipment and resources are required
Solution Approach 1:
The cable installation process is divided into distinct phases: land-based preparation phase and offshore installation phase. The complex operations (cable termination, connector assembly, insulation installation) are segmented and performed on land. The offshore phase is segmented to only include simple operations (pull-in, fixing, connection). This segmentation allows each phase to use equipment and resources optimized for its specific requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for connecting an offshore cable end and a platform cable end on a platform includes the steps of pulling the offshore cable end, which is covered by a pull-in head, onto the platform through the pull-in head, fixating the offshore cable end in a platform-mounted hang-off device, and removing the pull-in head from the offshore cable end. The platform cable end is placed in a predefined position relative to the fixated offshore cable end and the offshore cable conductor and the platform cable conductor are connected by attaching an offshore cable conductor and a platform cable conductor to a connector. The offshore cable end, the platform cable end, and the connector are enclosed by a joint body.