Automated dog-type riser make-up device and method of use

Details Automated dog-type riser make-up device and method of use Automated dog-type riser make-up device and method of use

2000-02-28

2001-12-18

Schoeppel, Roger (Department: 3672)

Wells

Submerged well

Connection or disconnection of submerged members remotely...

C166S367000, C166S345000, C166S350000, C166S378000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06330918

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to a subsea riser system, and more particularly to an automated device for aligning two riser spools having attached ancillary lines and actuating a connector to connect the spools.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In a subsea well, an elongate tubular riser connects a subsea wellhead to a platform or vessel at the surface. The riser may have a series of ancillary lines, such as a choke and a kill line, which run along the length of the riser. The riser and ancillary lines are coated in buoyant foam, yielding a smooth outer surface. The riser comprises a series of riser spools of finite length which must be connected to reach from the platform or vessel to the well at the sea floor. Each riser is joined to the next by a riser connector, and with each connection, the riser spools must be aligned both angularly to align the ancillary lines and radially. Additionally, the device actuating the connector must be aligned with the connector itself.
Because a typical riser consists of many riser spools, the alignment and connection process is repeated many times, once for each connection. This process, when performed manually is time consuming and requires significant man power, but could be automated to save time.
Therefore, there is a need for a device to automate the riser make up process. The device should align the risers and actuate the connector with a minimum of time spent making each connection. Additionally, the device should minimize the number of workers required for each make up.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is drawn to a device for aligning a first and a second riser spools and actuating a riser connector on the first spool to connect with the second spool. Each spool has an ancillary line which runs adjacent to a main line. The device has a base assembly having a portal with a central axis and a plurality of support members. The support members are adapted to engage and support the second spool along the central axis and in portal. A torque arm is spaced from the base assembly and aligns with the central axis. The torque arm is adapted to rotate the first spool about the central axis to align the ancillary line of the first spool with the ancillary line of the second spool. A guide arm is spaced from the base assembly and aligns with the central axis. The guide arm is adapted to radially align the first spool over the second spool and allow vertical movement of the first spool. A connector actuator is adjacent the base assembly and adapted to actuate the connector when the first spool is lowered onto the second spool.
The guide arm is a jaw openable and closeable to release and accept a riser spool. The torque arm is a jaw openable and closeable to release and accept a riser spool. The connector is a plurality of dog locks radially spaced about a circumference of the connector and the connector actuator is a plurality of rotary actuators adapted to actuate the dog locks. The rotary actuators are mounted to a rotary table. The rotary table is actuable to rotate about the central axis to align the rotary actuators with the dog locks of the connector. The rotary actuators are mounted to extend toward and away from the central axis to engage and disengage from the dog locks.
The first and second spools each have a collar with an alignment notch. The notches are such that when aligned, the ancillary line of the first spool is aligned with the ancillary line of the second spool. The base assembly has a key adapted to engage the notches and ensure alignment of the ancillary lines. The base assembly is split and adapted to slide apart to facilitate placement of the second spool. The support members are beams arrayed about the portal and inwardly extendable to engage and support the second spool in the portal.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3179176 (1965-04-01), Goepfert
patent: 3847215 (1974-11-01), Herd
patent: 4030309 (1977-06-01), Mason
patent: 4511287 (1985-04-01), Horton
patent: 4712620 (1987-12-01), Lim et al.
patent: 5330294 (1994-07-01), Guesnon
patent: 5427180 (1995-06-01), Leite et al.
patent: 6004074 (1999-12-01), Shanks

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