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BR-202024017321-U2 - TOOL FOR RESCUING SUBMARINE LINES BY FLANGE

BR202024017321U2BR 202024017321 U2BR202024017321 U2BR 202024017321U2BR-202024017321-U2

Abstract

This Utility Model relates to an industrial equipment consisting of two structural arms (1.2 and 1.3), which interact with each other in conjunction with replaceable inserts (1.11 and 1.12), with the aim of lifting (retrieving) flexible lines, rigid lines or umbilicals with connectors from the seabed using API flanges, in order to reduce manufacturing costs for structures to perform this operation and decrease the variety of components needed to retrieve lines of different sizes. The arms of the tool have joints that allow opening and closing to capture the line, and are locked by a cylinder (1.13) when closed. In addition, there are components such as lifting eyes and main shackles (1.5 and 1.7), and the hotstab (1.6), which pressurizes the system allowing the equipment to move.

Inventors

  • JUAN MANUEL RIVEIRO MARTINEZ

Assignees

  • NATEC EQUIPAMENTOS SA

Dates

Publication Date
20260310
Application Date
20240823

Claims (5)

  1. 1. “TOOL FOR RESCUING SUBMARINE LINES BY FLANGE”, is characterized by a structure capable of rescuing flexible lines, rigid lines or umbilicals that have connectors and flanges standardized by the API, with or without a traction head.
  2. 2. “TOOL FOR RESCUING SUBMARINE LINES BY THE FLANGE”, according to claim 1, is characterized by having replaceable inserts for a wide range of flange neck diameters found in submarine lines.
  3. 3. “TOOL FOR RESCUING SUBMARINE LINES BY THE FLANGE”, according to claim 1, is characterized by having structural arms to embrace the line, even when buried in the seabed, performing this operation by the neck of the connector flange.
  4. 4. “TOOL FOR RESCUING SUBMARINE LINES BY THE FLANGE”, according to claim 1, is characterized by lifting the line to the surface, so as to embrace the neck of the flange while the face of the inserts supports the lower side of the flange and lifts it by it, keeping the upper face of the flange or the pull head free for access after returning to the vessel.
  5. 5. “TOOL FOR RESCUING SUBMARINE LINES BY FLANGE”, is characterized by having a locking/unlocking system with a cylinder, which reduces the operating time of the ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle).

Description

[001] This utility model relates to an industrial equipment for offshore use which consists of a tool, equipped with a drive assembly with the aim of capturing flexible, rigid or umbilical lines from the seabed, aiming at reducing costs and the variety of components required to carry out this operation. [002] In the offshore oil and gas industry, pipelines are used for the flow and transit of various fluids, such as oil, gas, liquids used in various processes, and water. When they are made of polymer structures, wires, and metal cables, in order to provide them with a certain flexibility, these pipelines are called flexible lines. If they are composed of a set of hoses or electrical cables, they are called umbilicals. When they are made of metal tubes, they are called rigid lines. [003] The terminals of these lines are made up of metal connectors so that they can be connected to each other and to various points and equipment, in turn the connectors are fitted with flanges that, through screws, connect them to other flanges or to various equipment. [004] It happens that when applied to offshore oil exploration, often at great depths, the lines eventually need to be retrieved, that is, brought to the surface. To lift them, a device is usually constructed that embraces the connector, taking advantage of an external groove to support the load. [005] It is observed that these methods present some obstacles, both due to the variety of connectors used in the industry (which requires the construction of specific parts for each type), and the risk of the line slipping during the rescue operation due to its outer sheath. This leads to high costs and possible damage to life and equipment if this slippage occurs. [006] On the other hand, as mentioned above, connectors have a flange, which is standardized by the industry, therefore, because they are required to meet these standards, manufacturers of lines and their connectors cannot design their own flanges, as they do with connectors. Because there are far fewer variants of these components, lifting the connector using them allows for the construction of a structure capable of accommodating all connectors, provided that the flange is used as the lifting point. [007] The present utility model is intended to rescue lines and umbilicals, supporting them by the flange, which gives it application in all connectors that have standardized flanges. Therefore, the number of parts and equipment needed to rescue the various types of connectors decreases, which consequently reduces the manufacturing cost and the space required for storing this extra material. [008] With the aid of some lifting and handling equipment on the vessel or platform, the tool is lowered in its open state and horizontally (with the centerline formed by the closing of the claws parallel to the centerline of the pipeline to be rescued) to the seabed, where the rescue operation will take place. [009] After aligning the tool with the line connector, the tool is lowered until it is in a satisfactory position to close and embrace the line. [010] When the optimal position is reached, the tool's claws close and are locked with a cylinder, so as to pull and center the line. It is important to note that, because of these claws, it is possible to grasp partially buried lines without the need for an auxiliary device to perform this unearthing. [011] With the line “captured”, the rescue procedure begins with the verticalization and hoisting of the tool. When this process begins, the connector flange rests on the insert present in the equipment. Because the claws are closed and locked by the other cylinder, there is no possibility of the line escaping until the tool is opened again. [012] When hoisted onto the vessel or platform, the tool can be opened again, with the line already connected to another piece of equipment so that the rescue operation can be completed. [013] The utility model can be better understood through the following detailed description, in accordance with the attached figures, where: [014] FIGURE 1 represents the isometric view of the equipment as a whole, in which the tool is horizontal, with the arms open and positioned to capture the line. [015] FIGURE 2 represents the isometric view of the equipment as a whole, in which the tool is already closed and in the vertical position, with the line captured during lifting. [016] FIGURE 3 represents a cutaway view of the tool, which allows visualization of the internal components responsible for opening, closing and locking the arms. [017] With reference to these figures, the tool (1) can be observed, which is composed of the main module (1.1) responsible for support, the two arms (1.2 and 1.3) for gripping the line, the support module (1.4) for supporting the equipment in the vertical position, the main eyelets and shackles (1.5 and 1.7) for lifting the equipment together with the line, in addition to secondary components, such as handles for handling (1