Subsea Pipeline Connection Tool for Deep-Water Section Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for connecting subsea pipeline sections, especially rigid ones, are inefficient and costly due to the need for specialized vessels and accurate positioning, which is challenging in deep water environments.
Innovation Solution
A connection tool and method that involves landing a tool on the seabed, locking it to a first pipeline section, connecting a second section via an initiation line, and using a winch system to pull the sections into mechanical engagement, allowing for direct connection of pipeline sections without requiring expensive specialized vessels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If specialized pipelaying vessels are used to connect pipeline sections in deep water, then connection reliability is improved, but installation cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the connection function from expensive specialized pipelaying vessels and implements it through a standalone subsea connection tool that can be deployed from conventional vessels. The connection tool is landed on the seabed and operates independently to join pipeline sections, separating the high-cost vessel requirement from the actual connection operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The subsea connection tool acts as an intermediary device between conventional vessels and pipeline sections. It provides the specialized connection capability that would otherwise require expensive pipelaying vessels, serving as a mediator that enables reliable deep-water connections using cost-effective equipment.
2Strength
If rigid pipeline sections are connected using traditional underwater tools, then connection strength is improved, but positioning accuracy requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by providing guidance features on the pipeline sections that pre-align the sections before the actual connection occurs. The guidance features include alignment elements that guide the second pipeline section into proper position relative to the first section, ensuring accurate positioning before mechanical engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex mechanical positioning systems with a simplified guidance feature system. Instead of requiring high-precision mechanical positioning equipment, the guidance features provide passive alignment through geometric constraints, reducing the complexity and cost of the connection system while maintaining connection strength.
3Ease of manufacture
If pipeline sections are towed from onshore fabrication sites, then fabrication cost is reduced, but transportation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies segmentation by dividing the pipeline into multiple sections that are fabricated separately at onshore sites and then assembled underwater. This allows each section to be manufactured using cost-effective onshore facilities while the complex assembly operation is performed subsea using the connection tool, separating fabrication simplicity from assembly complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of assembling a pipeline at a seabed location comprises landing a connection tool on the seabed over a free end portion of a first pipeline section already placed on the seabed. The connection tool is locked to the free end portion of the first pipeline section, a lower end of a second pipeline section is connected to the connection tool via an initiation line. While applying tension to the initiation line against reaction force of the connection tool, at least a lower end portion of the second pipeline section is landed on the seabed with the lower end facing a free end of the first pipeline section. The lower end of the second pipeline section is then pulled into mechanical engagement with the free end of the first pipeline section.