Power Umbilical Pull-In Tool for Flexible Offshore Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of power cables or umbilicals on offshore facilities, particularly in wind energy platforms, is inefficient due to the need for pre-cutting cables onshore and the requirement for heavy equipment like cranes, which increases operational complexity and costs.
Innovation Solution
A temporary fastening and pull-in tool with a packer assembly, load-bearing arrangement, fasteners, and a lifting device allows for the flexible cutting and installation of power umbilicals offshore without pre-termination, using hand tools and minimizing vessel operations, enabling easy pull-in through J-tubes and permanent termination without cranes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If power cables are pre-cut and pre-terminated onshore, then the cable installation can be performed, but the operational complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The packer assembly is pre-installed on the cable end on the installation vessel before deployment, preparing the cable for immediate pull-in operations upon arrival at the offshore facility, thereby reducing on-site preparation time
Solution Approach 2:
The installation process is divided into distinct phases: onshore cable preparation, offshore pull-in operations, and permanent termination. This segmentation allows each phase to be optimized independently, with the temporary fastening tool handling only the critical pull-in phase offshore
2Ease of operation
If heavy equipment like cranes is used for cable installation, then the cable can be handled, but the operational complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heavy crane requirement is extracted and removed from the installation process. Instead, a lightweight temporary fastening system using hand-operated tools is employed, significantly reducing equipment complexity and operational costs while maintaining effective cable handling capability
Solution Approach 2:
The temporary fastening tool acts as an intermediary device between the cable and the installation system. It provides a simple mechanical interface that enables cable securement and pull-in operations without requiring heavy lifting equipment, using instead a winch system and hand tools
3Ease of operation
If a temporary clamp is used on the offshore facility, then the cable can be secured, but the weight and size requirements make it inapplicable
Solution Approach 1:
The temporary fastening tool is designed as a lightweight, disposable or single-use device that is installed on the vessel, used for the pull-in operation, and then removed. This eliminates the need for heavy, permanent offshore installation equipment while achieving the cable securing function during the critical installation phase
4Adaptability or versatility
If the cable is cut to required length onshore, then the installation can proceed, but the flexibility for offshore length adjustment is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static, pre-determined cable length approach to a dynamic approach where the cable length can be adjusted offshore based on actual installation requirements. The temporary fastening tool enables this flexibility by allowing cable cutting and reconfiguration at the installation site
Data Source
AI summary
A temporary fastening and pull in tool for a power umbilical to be installed at an offshore facility, such as a wind generator facility, is presented. The power umbilical has an outer sheath surrounding a power core and two rods. The tool comprises a packer assembly for sealing and giving mechanical support around a portion of the sheath situated at or near a free end portion of the power umbilical. A load bearing arrangement connects to the packer assembly adapted to receive an end portion of the rods. A fastener secures the rods to the load bearing arrangement. A lifting device is attached to the load bearing arrangement for guiding the power umbilical to the offshore facility and ease the pull in operations of the power umbilical.