Buoys – rafts – and aquatic devices – Buoy – For mooring a vessel
Patent
1998-07-01
2000-04-25
Lillis, Eileen Dunn
Buoys, rafts, and aquatic devices
Buoy
For mooring a vessel
4052242, B63B 2226
Patent
active
060537876
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to a rotating coupling device or connector for interconnection between a number of risers suspended from a submerged buoy and a pipe system on a floating vessel for the production of hydrocarbons, comprising a swivel unit consisting of a pair of concentric swivel members in the form of a male member and a female member defining mutually sealed annuluses communicating with associated fluid paths between the topical risers and the pipe system on the vessel, the male member comprising a number of pipe courses having upper ends connected to respective annuluses and lower ends communicating with the respective risers, and the female member being arranged for non-rotatable securing to the vessel.
A rotating connector comprising cooperating swivel members of the above-mentioned type is, for example, known from Norwegian patent application No. 932460. This application describes a system for offshore production of hydrocarbons by means of a vessel which is arranged for quick connection to and disconnection from a submerged buoy, wherein the buoy is of the type comprising a bottom-anchored centre member which is connected to a number of risers extending up to the buoy, and an outer buoyancy member which is rotatably mounted on the centre member and can be introduced into and locked in a submerged downwardly open receiving space in the vessel. At the upper end of the buoy there is arranged a rotating coupling or swivel device of the stated type, wherein the swivel members define mutually sealed annuluses (annular spaces) communicating with associated fluid paths in the swivel members, for the transfer of a process fluid and possible injection fluids between the risers and a pipe system on the vessel. The female swivel member is permanently fastened to the centre member of the buoy, whereas the male member is connected to an operating means on the vessel, so that the swivel members can be introduced into and withdrawn from each other by the operating means, the swivel members in the interconnected condition defining said annuluses. On each side of the annuluses sealing means is provided which can be activated by means of a pressure fluid to form a seal between the annuluses, and which can be relieved in case of mutual disconnection of the swivel members.
The coupling device according to the above-mentioned patent application is constructed for use in connection with buoys receiving a small member of risers, more specifically three risers, for example one for well flow, one for water injection and one for gas injection. This construction is less practical and suitable when it is the question of use in connection with buoys receiving a larger number of risers. The known solution then would involve a relatively complicated and space-demanding female member structure, and this would be not very economic and practical since each buoy would have to be equipped with such a female member with the necessary number of fluid paths.
Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide a rotating connector which is suitable for building-in of a relatively large number of fluid paths for pipe courses, for use in connection with buoys having a corresponding number of risers.
Another object of the invention is to provide such a coupling device or connector which has a relatively simple and compact construction, at the same time as it allows a quick disconnection and also a relatively quick connection to the topical buoy.
The above-mentioned objects are achieved with a rotating connector of the introductorily stated type which, according to the invention, is characterized in that the pipe courses are constituted by axially extending pipes which, at their lower ends, comprise a means for releasable interconnection with fluid paths leading to the respective risers, said fluid paths being arranged in a thick-walled top plate which is arranged to be fastened to the top of the buoy, and which, at the lower ends of the fluid paths, comprises a means for releasable interconnection with the upper ends of pipes leading to th
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Erstad Niles Jostein
Syvertsen K.ang.re
Den Norske Stats Oljeselskap A.S.
Lagman Frederick
Lillis Eileen Dunn
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