Subsea Riser Auxiliary Pipe Filling During Running

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Solution Overview

Problem

The process of running a subsea riser string is time-consuming due to the need to fill auxiliary pipes with liquid after attaching a new riser section, which delays the lowering process under deep water pressures.

Innovation Solution

An auxiliary pipe filling device that allows filling the auxiliary pipes with liquid, such as water or glycol, during the riser string running operation while the riser section is being lowered, using a nozzle and liquid flow line system integrated with the riser string lifting tool to efficiently fill the pipes as they are connected to the riser string.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If auxiliary pipes are filled with liquid after attaching the new riser section, then the pipes are protected from deep water pressures, but the lowering process is delayed and operational time is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of auxiliary pipes from deep water pressuresVSAvoidoperational time for riser string running

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary pipes are filled with liquid before the new riser section is attached to the riser string. This preliminary filling action ensures the pipes are protected from deep water pressures before they are subjected to the full operational load, thereby preventing the need to delay the lowering process after attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The filling of auxiliary pipes is performed continuously during the riser string running operation rather than as a separate post-attachment step. The filling device is positioned to allow liquid to be dispensed into the auxiliary pipes while the riser section is being lowered, maintaining continuous productive action without interruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Reliability

If the lowering process is delayed until auxiliary pipes are filled, then the pipes are pressurized and ready for operation, but the overall riser string running process becomes slower

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressurization of auxiliary pipesVSAvoidspeed of riser string running process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary pipe filling operation is merged with the riser string running operation. The filling device is integrated with the riser string lifting tool, allowing both the attachment of the new riser section and the filling of auxiliary pipes to occur simultaneously during the lowering process, thereby maintaining high productivity while ensuring proper pressurization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A filling device acts as an intermediary between the liquid source and the auxiliary pipes during the lowering process. This intermediary device enables liquid to be dispensed into the auxiliary pipes while they are being lowered and attached to the riser string, allowing pressurization to occur without delaying the overall operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If auxiliary pipes are filled after attachment, then connection integrity is ensured, but operational efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection integrity of riser sectionsVSAvoidefficiency of riser string running operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary pipes are filled with liquid before the final attachment to the riser string. This preliminary action ensures that the pipes are pressurized and ready for operation, while the connection integrity is maintained through proper sealing arrangements that allow filling before attachment without compromising the final connection strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This approach reduces the overall operational time and enhances the efficiency of the riser string running process by allowing simultaneous filling and connection of riser sections, ensuring the auxiliary pipes are pressurized and ready for operation sooner.

Implementation Method 1

a nozzle (162) adapted to dispense liquid into said auxiliary pipe (21, 22), a liquid flow line (163) connecting the water source (161) with the nozzle (162)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Data Source

PatentEP3669048B1Running a subsea riser string

Publication Date: 2022.11.30 ITREC BV

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AI summary

Vessel adapted to perform subsea wellbore related operations, involving a riser string that extends between a subsea wellbore and a vessel and that is assembled from releasably interconnected riser sections that each comprise a main riser pipe and at least one auxiliary pipe, vessel comprising an auxiliary pipe filling device adapted to fill the at least one auxiliary pipe of a riser section during a lowering step of said riser running operation, the auxiliary pipe filling device comprising a liquid source, e.g. for water, at least one nozzle adapted to dispense water into said auxiliary pipe, a liquid flow line, connecting the liquid source with the nozzle, and a nozzle mount that is adapted to mount the nozzle in a filling position in which the nozzle is positioned to dispense liquid into the at least one auxiliary pipe of the riser section during said lowering step.