Telescoping Riser Device for Heave Compensation and Flow Diversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for installing and maintaining riser systems on offshore vessels face safety and operational challenges due to sea swell-induced heave hazards, limiting the ability to work safely on the upper end of the riser system during sea conditions with significant movement.
Innovation Solution
A valved tree member with moveable stab members and a flow diverter system is integrated into the riser system, allowing for sealed fluid communication and enabling the diversion of fluid flow, while a telescoping device compensates for heave movements, allowing safe operation and equipment maintenance without the hazards associated with sea and vessel movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If work is carried out on the upper end of the riser system with the drill ship moving relative to the sea bed due to sea swell, then operational flexibility is maintained, but safety hazards significantly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The riser system is divided into modular sections with independent control capabilities. The flow diverter member can be operated independently to divert flow, and the telescoping device can be adjusted independently to compensate for heave, allowing each component to address specific safety concerns without requiring the entire system to be shut down during sea swell conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The flow diverter member acts as an intermediary device that can redirect fluid flow away from the work area. By providing an alternative flow path through the diverter, the system can maintain operational safety during sea swell by diverting potentially hazardous flow away from equipment being installed or maintained on the upper end of the riser system
2Reliability
If the drill ship remains stationary relative to the riser system to ensure safety during top level equipment installation, then safety is improved, but operational flexibility and productivity decrease due to heave compensation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping device provides dynamic adjustment capability that allows the riser system to adapt to heave movements in real-time. By enabling continuous adjustment of the riser length, the system can maintain safety margins while minimizing the impact of sea swell on operational productivity, allowing work to proceed with reduced restrictions compared to conventional stationary requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of riser length dynamically through the telescoping device to compensate for heave. By adjusting the extended or retracted length of the telescoping section, the system maintains optimal safety parameters while allowing the drill ship to maintain greater operational flexibility and productivity during top level equipment installation
3Reliability
If flow control equipment is added to the riser system to enable flow diversion and safety control, then safety and operational control are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow diverter member is designed as a multi-functional component that combines flow diversion capability with structural integration into the riser system. By serving multiple purposes including flow control, structural support, and interface for additional safety equipment, the diverter reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity while maintaining improved safety control
Solution Approach 2:
The flow diverter member is merged with the riser system structure rather than being a separate add-on component. This integration approach combines the flow control function with the existing riser architecture, reducing the number of discrete parts and connections required, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving improved safety and operational control
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
The solution enables safe and efficient operation on the upper end of the riser system in varying sea conditions by controlling fluid flow and compensating for vessel movement, enhancing safety and operational efficiency during riser system installation and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
the one or more moveable stab members are arranged to selectively sealingly engage with the port provided in the riser system
Implementation Method 2
telescoping device for inclusion in a riser system
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2(a)~2(c)
Figure 3(a)
AI summary
A valved tree member (50) for inclusion in a riser completion system (35) and suitable for use in the region of a moon pool (14) on a floating vessel (8), the valved tree member (50) comprising:- one or more valve members(70) adapted to selectively permit and prevent flow of fluid therethrough, and one or more moveable stab members (76) adapted to respectively selectively provide a sealed fluid communication path between a throughbore of the riser system and the one or more valve members (70). A telescoping device (60) and a flow diverter member (66) for inclusion in the riser completion system (35) are also provided, as well as a riser completion system (35) incorporating the valved tree member (50), the telescoping device (60) and the flow diverter member (66).