Pipeline Termination Arrangement With Sliding Guide Frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipeline termination solutions are either too bulky for conventional pipe-laying vessels or require subsea operations, limiting their applicability and efficiency in offshore oil and gas exploitation.
Innovation Solution
A pipeline termination arrangement with a landing structure, connection porch, and support structure that allows the pipeline hub to be pre-assembled on board a pipe-laying vessel, eliminating the need for subsea operations and accommodating larger pipeline sizes without adapting tensioners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pipeline termination with a pre-mounted connection porch and landing platform is used, then the pipeline hub is supported during and after subsea connection, but the pipeline termination becomes too bulky for conventional pipe-laying vessels
Solution Approach 1:
The pipeline termination is divided into separate components: the connection porch is mounted to the pipeline hub, while the landing platform remains separate and is lowered independently to the seabed. This segmentation allows each component to be compact and suitable for conventional pipe-laying vessels, while still providing the necessary support function when assembled subsea.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection porch is pre-mounted to the pipeline hub on the pipe-laying vessel before deployment. This preliminary action allows the pipeline hub to be supported during connection operations without requiring the entire pipeline termination assembly to be pre-mounted, thereby reducing the volume constraints on the vessel.
2Volume of moving object
If a pipeline termination skid is used to avoid bulky structures, then conventional pipe-laying vessels can be used, but subsea operations are required to mount the pipeline end section to the skid
Solution Approach 1:
The connection porch is pre-mounted to the pipeline hub on the pipe-laying vessel before deployment. This preliminary action eliminates the need for subsea mounting operations, as the connection porch is already in position to receive and support the pipeline hub when it is lowered to the seabed.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipeline hub is lowered directly onto the pre-mounted connection porch, where it self-aligns and is automatically supported by the landing platform. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex subsea mounting operations or additional assistance equipment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the pipeline termination size is reduced to fit conventional vessels, then vessel capabilities are matched, but the support function during subsea connection may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is segmented between the connection porch (mounted on the pipeline hub) and the separate landing platform (lowered to the seabed). This segmentation allows the pipeline termination components to be compact for vessel compatibility, while the combined assembly provides full support function during subsea connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection porch is pre-mounted to the pipeline hub with adequate support structure, ensuring that the support function is already in place before deployment. This preliminary preparation maintains reliability while allowing the overall termination assembly to be compact enough for conventional vessels.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4a~4b
Figure 5a~5b
AI summary
A pipeline termination arrangement (9) to be mounted to a pipeline end section (1) in order to support a pipeline hub (2) of the pipeline end section during and after a subsea connection of the pipeline hub to a spool piece hub fixed to a spool piece termination structure. The pipeline termination arrangement (9) comprises: • - a landing structure (10) for supporting the spool piece termination structure; • - a connection porch (20) fixed to the landing structure; and • - a support structure (30) which is fixed to the pipeline end section and provided with a guide frame (31). The guide frame (31) slidably supports the landing structure (10) so as to allow the landing structure (10) and the connection porch (20) to slide along the guide frame (31) from a first position, in which the connection porch (20) is located in front of and at a distance from the pipeline hub (2), to a second position, in which the connection porch (20) is in contact with the pipeline hub (2).