Abstract: A method for transporting petroleum products in deep water from the seabed up to a floating or semi-submersible surface structure wherein at least one rigid and straight hybrid riser extends vertically. The hybrid riser has a rigid central hollow tubular structure surrounded by a cylindrical block of syntactic material which provides buoyancy and thermal insulation for the riser. A plurality of rigid pipelines are embedded in the syntactic material and surround the central tubular structure for receiving petroleum products from wells on the sea bed. The bottom of the riser is connected to a suction or gravity anchor at the sea bed. A submerged float is attached to the top of the riser and exerts an upward vertical force thereon. Flexible pipelines connect the rigid pipelines in the riser to the floating or semi-submersible structure.
Abstract: A pipeline comprises flow lines in which petroleum products flow and a protective carrier pipe around the flow lines. It further comprises a buoyancy module made of a thermally insulative material that is mechanically resistant to the hydrostatic pressure at the underwater site at which the pipeline is installed, the module providing the buoyancy required for installing the pipeline, in an economical manner.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 10, 2000
Date of Patent:
April 10, 2001
Assignees:
Doris Engineering, Stolt Comex Seaway
Inventors:
François Eugène Paul Thiebaud, Christophe André Marcel Thibaudeau
Abstract: A device for transporting petroleum products in deep waters from the seabed up to a floating or semi-submersible surface structure wherein at least one rigid and straight hybrid riser extends vertically. The hybrid riser has a rigid central hollow tubular structure surrounded by a cylindrical block of syntactic material which provides buoyancy and thermal insulation for the riser. A plurality of rigid pipelines are embedded in the syntactic material and surround the central tubular structure for receiving petroleum products from wells on the sea bed. The bottom of the riser is connected to a suction anchor at the sea bed. A submerged float is fixed to the top of the riser and exerts an upward vertical force thereon. Flexible pipelines connect the rigid pipelines in the riser to the floating or semi-submersible structure.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 4, 1998
Date of Patent:
July 4, 2000
Assignees:
Stolt Comex Seaway, Doris Engineering
Inventors:
Fran.cedilla.ois Thiebaud, Vincent Alliot
Abstract: A subsea pipe laying system is mounted on a ship and comprises a fabrication station where lengths of pipe are welded together to form a pipeline. The pipeline is then guided to a pipe laying zone where including a straightener under the control of a tensioner/clamping arrangement the pipeline is straightened and laid on the sea bed. The straightener and the tensioner/clamps are mounted on a ramp which can be tilted whereas the fabrication zone is on the deck of the vessel. The pipeline can either be fabricated in a forward direction and then have its direction and movement reversed to lay over the stern or be fabricated in an aft direction and laid over the stern.
Abstract: An apparatus for laying out a cable comprising a frame structure through which the cable is moved. The apparatus has a top side cable guiding means which is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis of the frame structure.
Abstract: A combined apparatus for handling modules and tools and laying of elongated flexible articles from a vessel supported on a body of water, including a vertical passage through the vessel and a frame structure supported above the vertical passage, guide means on said frame structure for guiding said elongated flexible articles from above and down through the frame structure and the vertical passage, tensioner means supported in said frame structure for applying tension in said elongated flexible article, means for storing of modules and/or tools on board said vessel, means for bodily moving said modules/tools from the storing means and towards said frame structure, means in said frame structure for allowing moving of said modules/tools into said frame structure to a position below said tensioner means and above said vertical passage, and means on said frame structure for supporting and lowering said modules/tools down through said vertical passage.